Super Rugby News
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Here's the breakdown by province based on 2016 allegiances
Canterbury (27)
Alex Hodgman (Blues); Dominic Bird, Tom Sanders (Chiefs); Scott Barrett, George Bridge, Jed Brown, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Dunshea, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Jack Goodhue, Oliver Jager, Richie Mo'unga, Joe Moody, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Sam Whitelock (Crusaders); Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rob Thompson, Siate Tokolahi, Luke Whitelock (Highlanders); Jordie Barrett, Reed Prinsep (Hurricanes)Auckland (20)
TJ Faiane, Charlie Faumaina, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Sam Prattley, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues); Taleni Seu (Chiefs); Leon Fukofuka (Crusaders); Malakai Fekitoa, Greg Pleasants-Tate (Highlanders); Vince Aso, Michael Fatialofa, Ben Lam (Hurricanes)Taranaki (19)
Declan O'Donnell, Stephen Perofeta (Blues); Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Johnny Fa'auli, Mitchell Graham, Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs); Manasa Mataele, Marty McKenzie, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui (Crusaders); Waisake Naholo (Highlanders); Beauden Barrett, James Broadhurst, Toa Halafihi, Mike Kainga, Kylem O'Donnell, Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi, Blade Thomson (Hurricanes)Otago (14)
Michael Collins (Blues); Liam Coltman, Josh Dickson, Matt Faddes, Tom Franklin, James Lentjes, Craig Millar, Hayden Parker, Josh Renton, Aki Seiuli, Ben Smith, Fletcher Smith, Patelesio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden (Highlanders)Ta$man (14)
Billy Guyton (Blues); Finlay Christie, Kane Hames, James Lowe (Chiefs); David Havili, Mitchell Hunt, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry, Pete Samu, Quinten Strange (Crusaders); Alex Ainley, Shane Christie, Siosula Halanukonuka, Liam Squire (Highlanders)Hawkes Bay (13)
Ihaia West (Blues); Michael Allardice, Sam McNicol, Brodie Retallick, Brad Weber (Chiefs); Israel Dagg (Crusaders); Ash Dixon, Gareth Evans (Highlanders); Mark Abbott, Geoffey Cridge, Ben May, Hugh Renton, Ricky Riccitelli (Hurricanes)Wellington (13)
Leni Apisai, Dane Coles, Vaea Fifita, Reggie Goodes, Wes Goosen, Sam Lousi, TJ Perenara, Matt Proctor, Ardie Savea, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes)Manawatu (12)
Aaron Cruden (Chiefs); Michael Alaalatoa, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Crusaders); Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders); Kayne Hammington, Jason Emery, Aaron Smith (Highlanders); Otere Black, Chris Eves, Callum Gibbins, Ngani Laumape, Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes)Counties Manukau (11)
Piers Francis, Pauliasi Manu, Augustine Pulu, Jimmy Tupou, Sonny Bill Williams (Blues); Hikawera Elliot, Glen Fisiiahi, Nepo Laulala, Toni Pulu (Chiefs); Sione Fifita, Jordan Taufua (Crusaders)North Harbour (11)
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Matt Duffie, Sione Mafileo, Brandon Nansen, James Parsons, Rene Ranger, Murphy Taramai, Matt Vaega (Blues); Bryn Hall (Crusaders); Tevita Li (Highlanders); Pita Ahki (Hurricanes)Waikato (11)
Epalahame Faiva, Jordon Trainor (Blues); Stephen Donald, Sosefo Kautai, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie, Atunaisa Moli, Shaun Stevenson, James Tucker (Chiefs); Loni Uhila (Hurricanes)Northland (7)
Josh Goodhue, Matt Moulds, Sam Nock, Kara Pryor (Blues); Solomon Alaimalo (Chiefs); Jone Macilai (Crusaders); Dan Pryor (Highlanders)Bay of Plenty (6)
Sam Cane, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Nathan Harris, Mitchell Karpik, Liam Polwart, Chase Tiatia (Chiefs)Southland (3)
Elliot Dixon, Guy Millar, Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders)Not contracted (9)
Michael Leitch, Liam Messam, Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs); Tim Bateman, Digby Ioane (Crusaders); Richard Buckman, Patrick Osborne, Joe Wheeler (Highlanders); Cory Jane (Hurricanes) -
Campbell Burnes' roundup on the squads:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11740342
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The Lions tour should provide an interesting dynamic in Super rugby again next year. Probably not a great thing to have too many established All Blacks, as their focus will be on peaking in June. But on the flip side, a very good year to have fringe All Blacks, as they will be playing the house down to get in that June squad.
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@Tim Haven't read anything about him staying at or leaving the Rebels. How many foreign players can Aussie teams sign? The Rebels already have signed two, a Japanese international and a Welshman.
Edit: according to this article from July 2015, he signed for two years, so that would mean he still has another year on his contract.
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@Stargazer yes hes back at rebels for another season
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Jackson Garden-Bachop, who missed out on a NZ Super Rugby contract, has been signed by the Rebels on a 2 year deal.
The media release below, includes the FULL Rebels squad:
http://melbournerebels.com/2016/11/04/rebels-finalise-squad-with-all-black-pedigree-garden-bachop/
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@Stargazer
Jeez you would have thought Jackson Garden-Bachop would be a handy addition to any NZ franchise - the Chiefs for example have Cruden and ...Donald? Much as I respect Donald for all his experience, commitment and service to NZ rugby I think the Chiefs squad could really benefit (as would JGB) from a young play maker of his calibre. Even the Blues are still hamstrung by West - while he is serviceable at SR level, he is no more than that. Both squads should give themselves an uppercut, as he has great potential. And now we are stuck with seeing him profit from across the ditch - lets hope he doesn't wreak too much havoc on Kiwi teams. -
You seriously think JGB could've led the Chiefs around like Donald did against Wales and the Saders? You might've had a point if you'd said that last year but this year, Donald proved that he's still got it. And they already have a young play maker of HIGHER calibre in DMac anyway. So nah, the Chiefs are good.
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@Crash Seemed like you were saying they should've picked JGB over Donald but if that's not the case then there just wasn't space for him. Not much they can do about that, there's plenty of other more promising players IMO who missed out too, like Michael Little and Sam Vaka. There's still the chance more players will get exposure at Super level through injury replacements though.
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The Chiefs have confirmed their 2017 Super Rugby venues. Their home game v Crusaders will again be played in Suva, Fiji!
http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/272-2017-venues-announced
Friday 3 March – Gallagher Chiefs vs Blues, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:35pm Friday 10 March – Gallagher Chiefs vs Hurricanes, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:35pm Saturday 1 April – Gallagher Chiefs vs Bulls, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:35pm Saturday 29 April – Gallagher Chiefs vs Sunwolves, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:35pm Saturday 6 May – Gallagher Chiefs vs Reds, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, 7:35pm Friday 19 May – Gallagher Chiefs vs Crusaders, ANZ Stadium, Suva, 7:35pm Saturday 3 June – Gallagher Chiefs vs Waratahs, FMG Stadium Waikato, 5:05pm Tuesday 20 June – Gallagher Chiefs v British & Irish Lions, FMG Stadium Waikato, 7:30pm
Preseason game:
Wednesday 8 February – Gallagher Chiefs v Bulls, Ballymore, Brisbane