Super Rugby Squads 2014

This morning the 2014 NZ Super Rugby Squads were announced, many of the teams signings and player movement was already documented but a few surprises were made and a couple of notable omissions.

Auckland Blues

Forwards

Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, James Parsons (Hookers)

Charlie Faumuina, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Tony Woodcock, Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Props)

Tom Donnelly, Liaki Moli, Culum Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu (Locks)

Kane Barrett, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Peter Saili, Brendan O'Connor (Loose Forwards)

Backs

Jamison Gibson-Park, Bryn Hall, Piri Weepu (Halfbacks)

Baden Kerr, Chris Noakes (First 5/8s)

Ma'a Nonu, Pita Ahki, Francis Saili, Jackson Williamson (Midfielders)

Frank Halai, Benji Marshall, Charles Piutau, George Moala, Lolagi Visinia (Outside Backs)

- Resigned both Tony Woodcock and Ma'a Nonu back from there one year stint with the Highlanders in 2013

- Tom Donnelly good experience brought in to try and fill the gap left by Ali Williams and Anthony Boric

- The big talking point before next season will be mostly centred around league convert Benji Marshall, how he adjusts to the game of union and what position he will be most suited to

Waikato Chiefs

Forwards

Rhys Marshall, Hika Elliot, Mahonri Schwalger (Hookers)

Ben Afeaki, Josh Hohneck, Jamie Mackintosh, Pauliasi Manu, Ben Tameifuna (Props)

Ross Fillipo, Mike Fitzgerald, Brodie Retallick, Matthew Symons (Locks)

Sam Cane, Matt Croswell, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kane Thompson, Liam Squire (Loose Forwards)

Backs

Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Augustine Pulu (Halfbacks)

Gareth Anscombe, Aaron Cruden (First 5/8s) 

Bundee Aki, Robbie Fruean, Mils Muliaina, Charlie Ngatai (Midfielders)

James Lowe, Tom Marshall, Tim Nani-Williams, Asalei Tikoirotuma (Outside Backs)

- Big signing of Mils Muliaina back to NZ rugby after his stint in Japan, post RWC 2011, and also Robbie Fruean from the Crusaders into the midfield

Wellington Hurricanes

Forwards

Dane Coles, Ash Dixon, Motu Matu'u (Hookers)

Ben Franks, Reggie Goodes, John Schwalger, Eric Sione, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen (Props)

Mark Abbott, James Broadhurst, Mark Reddish, Jeremy Thrush (Locks)

Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thompson, Victor Vito (Loose Forwards)

Backs

Tj Perenara, Chris Smylie (Halfbacks)

Marty Banks, Beauden Barrett (First 5/8s)

Tim Bateman, Hadleigh Parkes, Conrad Smith, Cardiff Vaega (Midfielders)

Cory Jane, Alapati Leuia, Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Andre Taylor, James Marshall (Outside backs)

- The resigning of Julian Savea is huge for the franchise with many predicting that he would be leaving the club for the Chiefs or the Crusaders

- Tasman's Marty Banks has been rewarded for his impressive ITM Cup season with his first Super Rugby contract

Canterbury Crusaders

Forwards

Corey Flynn, Ben Funnell, Codie Taylor (Hookers)

Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Tim Perry (Props)

Luke Romano, Jimmy Tupou, Dominic Bird, Sam Whitelock (Locks)

Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock (Loose forwards)

Backs

Willie Heniz, Mitchell Drummond, Andy Ellis (Halfbacks)

Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Tom Taylor (First 5/8s)

Ryan Crotty, Ray Lee-Lo, Nemani Nadolo, Adam Whitelock (Midfielders)

Israel Dagg, Johnny McNicholl, Zac Guildford (Outside backs)

- Tried and true Canterbury forward pack fresh of a 6th ITM Cup title in a row

- Probably have the strongest lock's in the competition

- Dan Carter listed in team, although he is heading off on a 6 month sabbatical so may seem some game time at the end of the season, similar to the set up this year with Richie McCaw

- The real question is the outside backs, the loss of Robbie Fruean in midfield will leave a massive gap and the wingers chosen this year don't exactly exude "X" factor

- It would have been fantastic to see Patrick Osbourne signed after his sensational season with Canterbury in the ITM Cup

Otago Highlanders

Forwards

Liam Coltman, Brayden Mitchell (Hookers)

Matias Diaz, Ma'afu Fia, Kane Hames, Chris King (Props)

Josh Bekhuis, Tom Franklin, Jarrad Hoeata, Brad Thorn, Joe Wheeler (Locks)

Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, John Hardie, Tj Ioane, Nasi Manu (Loose forwards)

Backs

Aaron Smith, Fumiaki Tanaka, Frae Wilson (Halfbacks)

Hayden Parker, Willie Ripia, Lima Sopoaga (First 5/8s)

Phil Burleigh, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Winston Stanley, Shaun Treeby (Midfielders)

Kurt Baker, Patrick Osbourne, Buxton Popoalii, Ben Smith (Outside Backs)

- Signing of Winston Stanley, Kurt Baker and Patrick Osbourne to give the outside backs the X factor lost with Hosea Gear and Tamati Ellison

- Big Brad Thorn returns for another season, proving that age is merely a number

- Bit disappointed that the Highlanders have gone for Willie Ripia over the talented Ihaia West after his sensational ITM Cup season. There is one player that should have been rewarded for his hard slog with a contract after being also picked in the NZ Maori side to tour North America

What do you think of the squad's that have been named?

Bring on the 2014 season.