New Zealand Conference Preview

Before listening to our New Zealand Super Rugby conference podcast do your homework with our conference blog! A new season means there has been another plethora of squad changes, keep up with all the info right here!

Podcast links will be released below after it is released.

Youtube:
Moana, Chiefs & Crusaders Preview;
Blues, Highlanders & Hurricanes Preview

Blues

Full squad:
Props: Alex Hodgman, James Lay, Ofa Tuungafasi, Marcel Renata, Nepo Laulala, Josh Fusitu’a
Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Soane Vikena, Ricky Riccitelli. 
Locks: James Tucker, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu.
Backrow: Cameron Suafoa, Taine Plumtree, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Rob Rush
Scrumhalves: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki. 
Flyhalves: Beauden Barrett, Harry Plummer. 
Centres: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tanielu Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Corey Evans, Bryce Heem.
Outside backs: Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Caleb Tangitau, Stephen Perofeta, Zarn Sullivan.

New Faces:
Patrick Tuipulotu (LK returned from Japan Toyota Verblitz), Caleb Tangitau (WG from New Zealand Sevens),
Rob RUSH (BR Northland)

Losses:
Jordan Lay (PR to Auckland), Karl Tu'inukuafe (PR to France Montpellier), Josh Goodhue (LK to Japan Black Rams Tokyo), Luke Romano (LK retired), Vaiolini Ekuasi (BR to Australia Rebels), Lisati Milo-Harris (SH to Northland), Tamati Tua (CE to Australia Brumbies), Nigel Ah Wong (WG to Bay of Plenty), Jock McKenzie (FB returned to Auckland)

Best 15:
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala,
Tom Robinson, Patrick Tuipulotu,
Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu,
Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett,
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane,
Caleb Clarke, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta

Stocks are rising:
Alex Hodgman - No more Karl Tu'inukuafe to take game time off him means he should be in for a big year.
Patrick Tuipulotu - Back from a season at Toyota Verblitz and ready to make all the difference to the Blues.

Stocks are falling:
Zarn Sullivan - Seemed to have established himself as the first choice before Perofranchise let rip last year.

Smokie:
Sam Darry - The young gun specialist lock is only really competing with a hybrid lock in Big Sauce.
Tanielu Tele’a - Still only 1 centre injury away from starting all the time with Plummer his only obvious competition.

Chiefs

Full squad:
Props: Aidan Ross, Atunaisa Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Jared Proffit
Hookers: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Bradley Slater, Tyrone Thompson
Locks: Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, Laghlan McWhannell, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Manaaki Selby-Rickit
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Pita Gus Sowakula, Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau.
Scrumhalves: Brad Weber, Xavier Roe, Cortez Ratima, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
Flyhalves: Bryn Gatland, Damian McKenzie, Josh Ioane.
Centres: Alex Nankivell, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Ngatungane Punivai.
Outside backs:  Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Rivez Reihana, Peniasi Malimali

New Faces:
Jared Proffit (PR from Hurricanes), John Ryan (PR from Ireland), Manaaki Selby-Rickit (LK from Highlanders), Damian McKenzie (FH returned from Japan Tokyo Sungoliath), Peniasi Malimali (WG from Counties Manukau), Ngane Punivai (WG from Highlanders)

Losses:
Josh Bartlett (PR returned to Bay of Plenty), Sione Mafileo (PR to North Harbour), Reuben O'Neill (PR injured), Solomone Tukuafu (PR to Waikato), Hamilton Burr (LK returned to Waikato), Mitchell Brown (BR to Japan Yokohama Canon Eagles), Tom Florence (BR to United States New Orleans Gold), Mitch Jacobson (BR to United States New England Free Jacks), Kaleb Trask (FH to Japan Mie Honda Heat), Inga Finau (to France Provence), Jonah Lowe (WG to Highlanders), Chase Tiatia (FB to Australia Western Force), Warren Gatland (DOR Wales)

Best 15:
Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, John Ryan
Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i
Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula
Brad Weber, Bryn Gatland
Alex Nankivell, ALB
Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevensen, Damien McKenzie

Stocks are rising:
Shooter Stevenson - Finally established himself in the starting side last year. Could be set for a big season.
John Ryan - The 34 year old prop has 201 games for Munster and 24 caps for Ireland. He has been brought in to replace the injured Ta'avao.

Stocks are falling:
Tupou Vaa’i - The locking stocks for the Chiefs seem to be never-ending. He will benefit from Josh Lord's knee injury, but there is still plenty of competition.
Xavier Roe - Was already up against stiff competition against the rising Cortez Ratima, but now a shoulder injury has ruined his season before it took off.

Smokie:
Solomon Alaimalo - Apparently in a good headspace and has returned to the Chiefs as an injury replacement. Given the insane talent this man has, it wouldn’t surprise if he is called in for any backline injury and immediately makes an impact.
Emoni Narawa - So damaging when he got given a chance last season. If he can push Shooter for game time then he could finally fulfil his promise in Super Rugby.
Cortez Ratima - Steven Donald picked him as his Chiefs breakthrough player of the year. How far can he go with Brad Weber holding the 9 jersey?

Crusaders

Full squad:
Props: Joe Moody, Oli Jager, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Finlay Brewis  
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Brodie McAlister, George Bell
Locks: Scott Barrett, Quentin Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Whitelock, Zach Gallagher
Loose forwards: Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Sione Havili Talitui, Cullen Grace, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Christian Lio-Willie
Scrumhalves: Mitch Drummond, Willie Hienz, Noah Hotham
Flyhalves: Richie Mo’unga, Fergus Burke, Taha Kemara
Centres: Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod 
Outside backs: Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Macca Springer, Melani Nanai, Pepesana Patafilo.

New Faces:
Christian Lio-Willie (BR from Highlanders), Willi Heinz (SH from Canterbury), Noah Hotham (SH from Tasman), Taha Kemara (FH from Waikato), Melani Nanai (WG from Bay of Plenty), Pepesana Patafilo (WG from Hurricanes), Macca Springer (WG from Tasman)

Losses:
Seb Calder (PR to Canterbury), Abraham Pole (PR to Moana Pasifika), Ricky Jackson (HK returned to Otago), Shilo Klein (HK to United States San Diego Legion), Hamish Dalzell (LK to United States Rugby New York), Liam Hallam-Eames (LK to United States New Orleans Gold), Pablo Matera (BR to Japan Mie Honda Heat), Bryn Hall (SH to Japan Shizuoka Blue Revs), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (SH to Highlanders), Simon Hickey (FH to Japan Hino Red Dolphins), Inga Finau (CE to France Provence), Isaiah Punivai (CE to Japan Tokyo Sungoliath), George Bridge (WG to France Montpellier), Kini Naholo (WG to Hurricanes)

Best 15:
Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams
Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock
Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace
Mitch Drummond, Richie Mo’Unga
David Havili, Jack Goodhue
Leicester Fainga’anuku, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan 

Stocks are rising:
Ethan Blackadder - Back from injury and ready to start every game in 2023.
Tamaiti Williams & Fletcher Newell - The young props are coming for the starting side.

Stocks are falling:
George Bower & Oli Jager - Bower will battle with Moody & Newell, while Jager needs to recovery from injury before he can even push for game time.
Fergus Burke - Taha Kemara signed as the lock term future 10 for the club which will likely start to hurt Burke's chances of game time as the backup 10.

Smokies:
Melani Nanai - The man responsible for the "Settle Down" try celebration is back and joins Super Rugby's strongest side. Get him on the field and watch him go!
Willi Heinz - Returns to the Crusaders having played for England. Hall moving on means he is very likely to get plenty of game time.

Highlanders

Full squad:
Props: Ayden Johnstone, Jeff Thwaites, Ethan de Groot, Jermaine Ainsley, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Luca Inch
Hookers:  Rhys Marshall, Andrew Makalio, Leni Apisai. 
Locks: Pari-Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Max Hicks, Will Tucker, Fabian Holland
Loose forwards: James Lentjes, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Shannon Frizell, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Sean Withy, Nikora Broughton.
Scrumhalves: Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava, James Arscott
Flyhalves: Marty Banks, Mitchell Hunt, Cameron Millar.
Centres: Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Scott Gregory, Josh Timu
Outside backs: Connor Garden-Bachop, Mosese Dawai, Vilimoni Koroi, Jona Nareki, Jonah Lowe, Sam Gilbert.

New Faces:
Will Tucker (LK from Otago), Nikora Broughton (BR from Bay of Plenty), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (SH from Crusaders), Freddie Burns (FH from England Leicester Tigers), Cam Millar (FH from Otago), Martín Bogado (WG from France Bayonne), Jonah Lowe (WG from Chiefs), Clarke Dermody (from assistant to head coach)

Losses:
Josh Hohneck (PR to Otago), Liam Coltman (HK to France Lyon), Sam Caird (LK to Japan Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Bryn Evans (LK to Hawke's Bay), Manaaki Selby-Rickit (LK to Chiefs), Gareth Evans (BR to Hawke's Bay), Sam Fischli (BR returned to Otago), Christian Lio-Willie (BR to Crusaders),  Kayne Hammington (SH to Japan Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks), Nathan Hastie (SH returned to Otago), Ngane Punivai (CE to Chiefs), Sio Tomkinson (CE to Wales Dragons), Solomon Alaimalo (WG to Southland), Liam Coombes-Fabling (WG returned to Waikato), Denny Solomona (WG to North Harbour), Vereniki Tikoisolomone (WG to United States Houston SaberCats), Freedom Vahaakolo (WG returned to Otago), Rory van Vugt (WG returned to Southland), Tony Brown (Coach left to focus on Japan)

Best 15:
Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley,
Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson,
Shannon Frizell, Billy Harmon ©, Marino Mikaele Tu’u
Aaron Smith, Mitch Hunt,
Scott Gregory, Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Sam Gilbert , Jona Nareki, Connor Garden-Bachop

Stocks are rising:
Pari Pari Parkinson - Missed all of last year, tearing it up at training, played full games in Mitre 10 cup. It is now his lineout to run.
Shannon Frizell - Arguably the form blindside in NZ, he will need a big injury free season to lock down a jersey.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen - Such a weapon when fit. Can't wait to see him go.

Stocks are falling:
Mitch Hunt - Already recovering from injury and now enter Freddie Burns.
James Lentjes - Surely he has to slow down at some time. At 32 years old, we also have Sean Withy waiting in the wings as the 2021 U20 Super Rugby Player of the Tournament.

Smokie:
Martín Bogado - The Argentinian Wing/FB is 191cm and 97kg. Apparently great in the air and has already played for Argentina’s 2nd side and made the squad for the national side last year.
Mosese Dawai - Such an exciting player, just needs to minimise his errors from the opportunities he got in 2022.

Hurricanes

Full squad:
Props: Tevita Mafileo, Owen Franks, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Pasilio Tosi, Pouri Rakete-Stones. 
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Jacob Devery 
Locks: James Blackwell, Dom Bird, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Justin Sangster. 
Loose Forwards: Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Tyler Laubscher, Devan Flanders, Caleb Delany, TK Howden, Peter Lakai.
Scrumhalves: Jamie Booth, TJ Perenara, Cam Roigard 
Flyhalves: Aidan Morgan, Ruben Love, Brett Cameron.
Centres: Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan. 
Outside Backs: Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Daniel Sinkinson

New Faces:
Peter Lakai (BR from Wellington), Brett Cameron (FH from Japan Kamaishi Seawaves), Kini Naholo (WG from Crusaders), Daniel Sinkinson (WG from Waikato), Riley Higgins (CE from Wellington)

Losses:
Alex Fidow (PR to Australia Souths Logan Magpies), Ben May (PR retired), Jared Proffit (PR to Chiefs), James O'Reilly (HK to Wellington), Tom Parsons (LK returned to Hawke's Bay), Scott Scrafton (LK to Italy Benetton), Blake Gibson (BR to Japan Tokyo Sungoliath), Logan Henry (SH returned to Manawatu), Richard Judd (SH to USA San Diego Legion), Jackson Garden-Bachop (FH to Japan Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Teihorangi Walden (CE to USA Rugby New York), Wes Goosen (WG to Scotland Edinburgh), Pepesana Patafilo (WG to Crusaders)

Best 15:
Pouri Rakete-Stone, Asafo Aumua, Owen Franks,
James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere
Devan Flanders, Du Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea ©
TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan,
Jordie Barrett, Bailyn Sullivan,
Salesi Rayasi, Julian Savea, Josh Moorby

Stocks are rising:
Aidan Morgan - Jackson GB is gone, if he can fend off Brett Cameron and Ruben Love then he could be the one to steer the ship for years to come.
Josh Moorby - Was ripping and tearing in 2022, surely set to continue his good form with Jordie moving to inside centre.

Stocks are falling:
Peter Umaga-Jensen - Both Billy Proctor and Bailyn Sullivan were in the Maori team and have both played ABs XV. Add Jordie to the centre competition and game time might become very hard to come by for the once AB.

Smokie:
Peter Lakai - The 19yr old played all 2022 NPC games for Wellington at Number 8 in his first season on a full-time contract and immediately got nominated for the player of the tournament while topping the runs and coming 3rd in total tackles in the competition.
Caleb Delany - the 22yr old is 198cm, 110kg and played both lock & blindside flank for the Hurricanes last year. A chance to start in the 23 thanks to his versatility which could present an opportunity.

Moana Pasifika

Full Squad
Props: Sekope Kepu, Isileli Tuungafasi, Joe Apikatoa, Tau Koloamatangi, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Chris Apoua, Abraham Pole
Hookers: Ray Niuia, Sam Moli, Luteru Tolai
Locks: Mike McKee, Alex McRobbie, Samuel Slade
Loose Forwards: Jack Lam, Sione Tuipulotu, Solomone Funaki, Penitoa Finau, Lotu Inisi, Sam Slade, Alamanda Motuga, Michael Curry
Scrumhalves: Ereatara Enari, Jonathan Taumateine, Manu Paea
Flyhalves: Christian Lealifano, D’Angelo Leuila, Lincoln McClutchie, William Havili
Centres: Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Henry Taefu, Fine Inisi
Outside Backs: Lolagi Visinia, Neria Fomai, Tomasi Alosio, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tima Fainga’anuku, Anzelo Tuituvuki

Best 15:
Abraham Pole, Ray Niuia , Sekope Kepu
Mike Curry, Sam Slade
Solome Funaki, Alamanda Motuga, Jack Lam
Jonathan Taumeteine, Christian Leali’ifano
Danny Toala, Levi Aumua
Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tima Fainga’anuku, William Havili

Stocks are rising:
Abraham Pole - Went from injury cover at the Crusaders, to joining Moana Pasifika and establishing himself as their first-choice loosehead.
William Havili - Established himself as the Pasifika 15 by the end of the season, then drafted into Tonga to develop as their 10. Also played the Tasman season as their starting 10 in the NPC.

Stocks are falling:
Henry Taefu - Only an injury away from the starting side, but we think he will be one to lose out if the team settles on a starting side given Danny Toala looks to be favoured over him.

Smokie:
Miracle Fai’ilagi - A Samoan 7’s representative, 23yr old Loose forward is 2 metres tall and a 103kg. The only player picked up out of the World Rugby Pacific training squad.

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Written by Harrison Dale