Super Rugby News

[Stargazer]

2018 Highlanders squad:

Backs:
Ben Smith, Josh McKay, Tevita Li, Waisake Naholo, Tevita Nabura, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Richard Buckman, Patelesio Tomkinson, Matt Faddes, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Lima Sopoaga, Fletcher Smith, Josh Ioane, Josh Renton, Kayne Hammington, Aaron Smith

Forwards:
Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, Elliott Dixon, Shannon Frizell, Dillon Hunt, James Lentjens, Dan Pryor, Alex Ainley, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson, Kalolo Tuiloma, Siate Tokolahi, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Aki Seiuli, Guy Millar, Ash Dixon, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Liam Coltman.

[Tim]

@wurzel Tom Sanders, Brayden Ennor, and Will Jordan seem like really good signings.

Was surprised that Sanders got so little game time with the Chiefs this year. I'd expect him to start at 6 for the Crusaders?

[Stargazer]

@tim I doubt that. Taufua is most likely the starter at 6.

[SammyC]

@tim said in Super Rugby News:

@wurzel Tom Sanders, Brayden Ennor, and Will Jordan seem like really good signings.

Was surprised that Sanders got so little game time with the Chiefs this year. I'd expect him to start at 6 for the Crusaders?

Taufua will start at 6, he's consistently been one of the best Crusaders for the last couple of years.

[mikedogz]

@stargazer said in Super Rugby News:

Sione Fifita

Fifita was unlucky for his two years at the Crusaders, Always injured. hardly saw him at NPC level as well. I hope he can get over his injuries and show how good he can be.

[mikedogz]

[Stargazer]

2018 Chiefs squad (for who can't read those little letters on that picture):

PROP
Mitchell Graham
Kane Hames
Sosefo Kautai
Nepo Laulala
Atunaisa Moli
Aidan Ross

HOOKER
Nathan Harris
Liam Polwart
Samisoni Taukei'aho

LOCK
Michael Allardice
Dominic Bird
Mitchell Brown (also loose forward)
Fin Hoeata
Brodie Retallick
Taleni Seu (also loose forward)

LOOSE FORWARD
Tyler Ardron
Lachlan Boshier
Sam Cane
Luke Jacobson
Mitchell Karpik
Liam Messam

HALFBACK
Te Torioa Tahuriorangi
Brad Weber
Jonathan Taumateine

FIRST-FIVE EIGHTH
Tiaan Falcon
Damian McKenzie

MIDFIELDER
Johnny Fa'auli
Anton Lienert-Brown
Alex Nankivell
Charlie Ngatai
Regan Verney

WING
Sam McNicol
Toni Pulu
Levi Aumua

FULLBACK
Solomon Alaimalo
Marty McKenzie (also first five eighth)
Tim Nanai-Williams
Shaun Stevenson

http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/514-chiefs-announce-highly-experienced-coaching-group-for-2018

[Stargazer]

Great to see McNicol back in the squad.

[Tim]

@stargazer Think there may be a mistake in the wing department.

[Stargazer]

@tim Haha, that's what you get when you copy and paste in an existing document.

[KiwiPie]

@stargazer Plus other McKenzie presumably at first-five (but hopefully never on the field)

[Stargazer]

@kiwipie This is what's in the squad guide. Will post links once I got them all.

[Wurzel]

Still one squad to announce but don't expect the Canes to require Matt Vaega or Stephen Donald; which makes them the two glaring omissions from what I can tell.

Tana obviously couldn't convince Beaver to pull on a blue and white jersey.

[Tim]

@wurzel said in Super Rugby News:

Matt Vaega

It's hard out there for a North Harbour midfielder. One of the best backlines for the past two years, but not a single midfielder picked.

[Bovidae]

@kiwipie Marty is listed as a 1st 5 on that graphic.

@Stargazer @Chris-B What is Aumua like? I only saw Ta$man play once (SF vs Taranaki) and I honestly can't remember him.

[KiwiPie]

@bovidae Yep which is why I pointed out his absence on Stargazer's list

[Tim]

@bovidae said in Super Rugby News:

What is Aumua like?

Strong but not exactly svelte ...

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

@kiwipie I forgot all fullbacks. Have added them now.

[Tim]

When are the Australian squads announced?