Super 15, 2012 NZ squads

[Geeves]

 From here

BLUES :

Gareth Anscombe, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Charlie Faumuina, Michael Hobbs, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Alby Mathewson, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Brad Mika, George Moala, Liaki Moli, Lachie Munro, Ma'a Nonu, Filo Paulo, David Raikuna, Rene Ranger, Peter Saili, Benson Stanley, Sherwin Stowers, Angus Ta'avao, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf, Benson Stanley, Sherwin Stowers, Angus Ta'avao, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf,


CHIEFS:

Ben Afeaki, Alex Bradley, Sam Cane, Craig Clarke, Shane Cleaver, Aaron Cruden, Hika Elliot, Mike Fitzgerald, Romana Graham, Andrew Horrell, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Liam Messam, Tim Nanai-Williams, Maritino Nemani, Declan O'Donnell, Brodie Retallick, Robbie Robinson, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Ben Tameifuna, Sona Taumalolo, Kane Thompson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Scott Waldrom, Sonny Bill Williams, Jackson Willison


CRUSADERS:

Nicholas Barrett, Tyler Bleyendaal, Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Tom Donnelly, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Robbie Fruean, Ben Funnell, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Ross Kennedy, Quentin MacDonald, Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Richie McCaw, Patrick Osborne, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, Sam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Adam Whitelock, Luke Whitelock

HIGHLANDERS:

Kurt Baker, Josh Bekhuis, Jimmy Cowan, Nick Crosswell, Elliot Dixon, Tamati Ellison, Ma'afu Fia, Hosea Gear, John Hardie, James Haskell, Jarrad Hoeata, Andrew Hore, Chris King, Kendrick Lynn, Jamie Mackintosh, Nasi Manu, Bronson Murray, Chris Noakes, Siale Piutau, Kade Poki, Culum Retallick, Jason Rutledge, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Adam Thomson, Doug Tietjens, Shaun Treeby, Telusa Veainu


HURRICANES:

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Beauden Barrett, Tim Bateman, Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Richard Buckman, Dane Coles, Jason Eaton, Chris Eaton, Reggie Goodes, David Hall, Jayden Hayward, Cory Jane, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jack Lam, Alapati Leiua, Faifili Levave, Karl Lowe, Motu Matu'u, Ben May, Tristan Moran, Charlie Ngatai, TJ Perenara, Tusi Pisi, Mark Reddish, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith, Chris Smylie, Andre Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito

[Geeves]

A few comments.

Well there are changes for all sides with arguably the biggest turmoil occurring in the Chiefs and the Hurricanes.  For the Chiefs it was retirements, for the Hurricanes it was personality clash between the Hammett (the coach) and players.  Unlike the Brumbies this year, the players moved on (Andy Friend, Tony Rae).


Well either the Blues went shopping or Nonu wanted to go there and the end result is the Blues centre stocks get bolstered.  They also got Weepu so all in all the Blues look even stronger for 2012.  With a very competent forward pack with plenty of All Blacks in it and some speed to burn out wide (Ranger) they should do very well in the kiwi conference and should be fighting the Crusaders for top position.  They should make the final 6.

Well the Chiefs picked up SBW but they lost a hell of a lot more.  Basically the side looks guttered and they have a lot of newbies after the mass exodus last year.  Yep plenty of speed out wide and in the centres but they are too light in the pack.  A lack of grunt when it counts will have them heading to the bottom of the kiwi conference.

Well the nomads still don’t have a home post earthquake and this will probably count against them again (travel factor).  However, this is the best side in NZ.  So they lost SBW but hell the tallent left behind is still something else.  They will be fighting with the Blues for the top spot in NZ and are probably in the top 6 already.

Well the Highlanders picked up Hore and that will only bolster the side who were this years surprise packet.  They are still lacking the depth to cover injuries.  But they will probably do better than 2011 in regards to wins and losses but I can’t see them making the finals without a lot going there way.  A mid table finish on both the conference and overall log.

There are still some great players at the Hurricanes (Eaton, Jane, Smith, Thrush and Vito) but they have a new centre partnership for the first time in how long?  Unless Hammett can turn around their inconsistency they will struggle again.  I can’t seem them in the finals.

[Hamish]

I can't believe Colin Bourke missed.....the dude virtually carries BoP very year. He'd be better than whoever the Blues decide to run out at No 8 and deserves a spot more than Pommie James Haskell at the Highlanders.

looking forward to the S15. Will be fun to pay particular attention to those younger players that might be in the frame come 2015.

[gluck]

Hurricanes look pretty weak all thngs considered. Shouldn't Elliot, Guildford, Dagg, be at the Canes there in there catchment area.

[Hamish]

Hurricanes look pretty weak all thngs considered. Shouldn't Elliot, Guildford, Dagg, be at the Canes there in there catchment area.

Catchment area is irrelvant now with the independent contracting.....

But agree that they should be on the Canes roster (and would be but for the Wellington centric Hurricanes who basically pushed them into other franchies over the preceding years)