31 Oct 2013

NZ Super Rugby franchises announce squads for 2014

5:33 am on 31 October 2013

Twenty two players have gained their first full Super rugby contracts across New Zealand's five franchises for next year's competition.

The Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders all announced their 32 strong squad along with their wider training group players today.

Tasman have produced much of the new talent for the competition after winning the national provoncial championship final and promotion into next year's Premiership, the Makos boast six new players in Super rugby sides.

The highlest profile of the new signings is rugby league convert Benji Marshall who joins the Blues while the Auckland based franchise also welcomes back All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Tony Woodcock along with former All Black Jerome Kaino who's spent the past couple of years playing in Japan.

Among the talent borrowed from overseas are Argentinian prop Matias Diaz who joins the Highlanders and the 1.95metre, 130kg Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo who's signed with the Crusaders.

The defending champions the Chiefs have thirteen new recruits including seven who'll been involved in Super rugby for the first time.

The Blues:

Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, James Parsons, Charlie Faumuina, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tony Woodcock, Tom Donnelly, Liaki Moli, Culum Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Kane Barrett, Luke Braid (captain), Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Brendon O'Connor, Peter Saili, Jamison Gibson-Park, Bryn Hall, Piri Weepu, Baden Kerr, Chris Noakes, Pita Ahki, Ma'a Nonu, Francis Saili, Jackson Willison, Frank Halai, Benji Marshall, George Moala, Charles Piutau, Lolagi Visinia.

The Chiefs:

Ben Afeaki, Bundee Aki, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Cane, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Cruden, Hikawera Elliot, Ross Filipo,

Mike Fitzgerald, Robbie Fruean, Josh Hohneck, Andrew Horrell, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, James Lowe, Jamie Mackintosh, Pauliasi Manu, Rhys Marshall, Tom Marshall, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Augustine Pulu, Brodie Retallick, Robbie Robinson, Mahonri Schwalger, Liam Squire, Matthew Symons, Ben Tameifuna, Kane Thompson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma.

The Hurricanes:

Mark Abbott, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Ash Dixon, Ben Franks, Reggie Goodes, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Motu Matu'u, Mark Reddish, Ardie Savea, John Schwalger, Brad Shields, Eric Sione, Blade Thomson, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Victor Vito, Beauden Barrett, Marty Banks, Tim Bateman, Cory Jane, Alapati Leiua,

James Marshall, Hadleigh Parkes, TJ Perenara, Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Chris Smylie, Andre Taylor, Cardiff Vaega.

The Crusaders:

Dominic Bird, Tyler Bleyendaal, Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Mitchell Drummond, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Nepo Laulala, Rey Lee-Lo, Richie McCaw, Johnny McNicholl, Joe Moody, Nemani Nadolo, Tim Perry, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Colin Slade, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Jimmy Tupou, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.

The Highlanders:

Kurt Baker, Josh Bekhuis, Phil Burleigh, Shane Christie, Liam Coltman, Matias Diaz, Elliot Dixon, Jason Emery, Gareth Evans, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma'afu Fia, Tom Franklin, Kane Hames, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, TJ Ioane, Chris King, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Patrick Osborne, Hayden Parker, Buxton Popoalii, Willie Ripia, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Winston Stanley, Fumiaki Tanaka, Brad Thorn, Shaun Treeby, Joe Wheeler, Frae Wilson.