The defending Super rugby champions the Crusaders have recruited a new Blackadder to their squad.
Loose forward Ethan Blackadder, the son of former captain and coach, Todd, has been given a contract after a strong season with Tasman in the domestic premiership competition.
While Blackadder is about to embark on a Super rugby career the Crusaders have also recruited veteran first-five Mike Delany, who'll return to the competition six years after his last appearance.
New Crusader Ethan Blackadder. Photo: Photosport
Delany, played for the Highlanders and Chiefs between the 2007 and 2012 and earned one test cap for the All Blacks in 2009.
He has played in Japan, France and England since and at 35 years of age brings plenty of experience to the squad.
He returned to New Zealand this year and played for Bay of Plenty in the provincial competition.
Mike Delany will return to Super Rugby six years after his last appearance. Photo: Photosport
"He's a great leader, controls the game well, and has played in Japan, France and England - so he will be an important voice for us this season", said coach Scott Robertson.
All up there are seven newcomers in the Crusaders squad.
"We are fortunate to name a vastly experienced squad for 2018, including 12 All Blacks currently away on the end of year tour, along with Maori All Blacks (Tim Bateman) and Barbarians representatives (George Bridge, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga)," said Robertson.
"Alongside that experience are some talented young players who have made a huge impact early on in their provincial careers and put their hand up to be selected in this squad for the first time", Robertson said.
Israel Dagg of the Crusaders celebrates the 2017 Super Rugby victory at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Photo: Photosport
In the forwards flanker Tom Sanders returns to Christchurch having spent the past two seasons with Chiefs and having previouslyl been part of the Cruaders wider training squad in 2015.
"Tom has played some outstanding footy for Canterbury during the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup campaign. He's a strong and uncompromising defender, who carries the ball well and never stops working. We're confident he'll complement our existing loose forwards well in 2018."
The two new loose forwards joining the squad are Canterbury's Billy Harmon and Tasman's Ethan Blackadder, the son of former All Black and Crusaders captain Todd Blackadder.
In the backs, Canterbury halfback Jack Stratton joins the squad after Ere Enari was ruled out for the season with a broken leg.
Braydon Ennor and Will Jordan who both made their debuts in the national provincial competition this season for for Canterbury and Tasman respectively, and have been named as two new outside backs in the squad.
The Highlanders squad includes 30 players returning from this year's squad.
There are several new faces in the team with Wellington midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Tasman forwards Shannon Frizell, Pari Pari Parkinson and Tyrel Lomax, Counties players prop Kalolo Tuiloma and outside back Tevita Nabura, Canterbury outside back Josh McKay and Otago first-five Josh Ioane all coming into the squad.
The Crusaders squad is:
Michael Alaalatoa, Tim Bateman, Scott Barrett, George Bridge, Ethan Blackadder, Ryan Crotty, Wyatt Crockett, Israel Dagg, Mitchell Dunshea, Mike Delany, Owen Franks, Mitchell Drummond, Ben Funnell, Braydon Ennor, Billy Harmon, Jack Goodhue, Oliver Jager, Bryn Hall, Andrew Makalio, David Havili, Joe Moody, Mitchell Hunt, Tim Perry, Will Jordan, Kieran Read, Jone Macilai, Luke Romano, Manasa Mataele, Pete Samu, Richie Mo'unga,
Tom Sanders, Jack Stratton, Quinten Strange, Seta Tamanivalu, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Sam Whitelock.
The Blues squad is:
Hookers: Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons.
Front row: Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta, Ofa Tuungafasi.
Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou
Loose forwards: Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Dalton Papalii, Glenn Preston, Kara Pryor, Murphy Taramai.
Halfbacks: Sam Nock, Augustine Puli, Jonathan Ruru.
First Five: Otere Black/Daniel Kirkpatrick, Bryn Gatland, Stephen Perofeta.
Midfield: Matt Johnson, George Moala, Tamati Tua, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams.
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melanie Nanai, Jordan Trainor.
The Chiefs squad:
Props: Aidan Ross, Atunaisa Moli, Kane Hames, Mitchell Graham, Nepo Laulala, Sosefo Kautai,
Hookers: Liam Polwart, Nathan Harris, Samisoni Taukei'aho
Locks: Brodie Retallick. Dominic Bird, Fin Hoeata, Michael Allardice.
Loose forwards: Lachlan Boshier, Liam Messam, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Sam Cane, Taleni Seu, Tyler Ardron
Halfbacks: Brad Weber, Jonathan Taumateine, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi,
First five: Damian McKenzie, Marty McKenzie, Tiaan Falcon
Midfield: Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai, Johnny Faauli, Regan Verney,
Midfield/Outside back: Tim Nanai-Williams
Outside Backs: Levi Aumua, Sam McNicol, Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo, Toni Pulu
The 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, Elliot Dixon, Shannon Frizell, Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes , 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
The Hurricanes squad:
Halfbacks: Jamie Booth (Manawatu), Finlay Christie (Tasman), TJ Perenara (Wellington).
First fives: Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Wellington), TJ Va'a (Wellington), Ihaia West (Hawke's Bay).
Midfield: Vince Aso (Auckland), Ngani Laumape (Manawatu), Matt Proctor (Wellington), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wellington).
Outside Backs: Jordie Barrett (Taranaki), Wes Goosen (Wellington), Ben Lam (Wellington), Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay), Nehe Milner-Skudder (Manawatu), Julian Savea (Wellington).
Hookers: Asafo Aumua (Wellington), Dane Coles (Wellington), Ricky Riccitelli (Taranaki).
Props: Chris Eves (North Harbour), Alex Fidow (Wellington), Reg Goodes (Wellington), Ben May (Hawke's Bay), Toby Smith (Waikato), Jeffery To'omaga-Allen (Wellington).
Locks: James Blackwell (Wellington), Murray Douglas (Northland), Michael Fatialofa (Auckland), Sam Lousi (Wellington), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington)
Loose Forwards: Gareth Evans (Hawke's Bay)*, Vaea Fifita (Wellington), Sam Henwood (Counties-Manukau)*, Reed Prinsep (Canterbury), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Brad Shields (Wellington), Blade Thomson (Taranaki).
