2010 Super 14 Squads

Here are the squads. The Blues snapped up two first fives, while the Highlanders have gone back to Berquist, Dagg and Shoemark. Jason Kawau goes crawling back to the Hurricanes to be closer to his Mrs. Good to see Robbie Robinson, Joe Tuinea and John Hardie rewarded. There is plenty to digest. I am excited by the Highlanders getting Nasi Manu and the newly recruited James Paterson. First fives are being moved all over the show. Eleven Stags got contracts by the looks of it, up one on last year. It is interesting how Bronson Murray is the new Nick White. I would've thought there would be a promising young prop in the Highlanders area.

12 Stags nabbed contracts 11 for the Highlanders and Kawau.


THE SQUADS ARE:
* New player to a Franchise
** New player to a Super Rugby squad (i.e. has not been selected in an initial Super Rugby squad before)
*** Returning player
+ Pacific Island Player
D - draft
BLUES:
Tony Woodcock, John Afoa, Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailau, , Keven Mealamu, Tom McCartney, Anthony Boric, Ali Williams, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Peter Saili**, Serge Lilo (D)*, Tom Chamberlain**, Chris Lowrey, Viliame Maafu** +, Alby Mathewson*, Chris Smylie, Stephen Brett (D)*, Daniel Kirkpatrick (D)*, Luke McAlister***, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava, George Pisi***, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Paul Williams.
CHIEFS:
Nathan White***, Ben Afeaki**, James McGougan, Sona Taumalolo, Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliot, Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, Callum Retallick**, Romana Graham**, Jarrad Hoeata (D)**, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid**, Sione Lauaki, Colin Bourke, Brendon Leonard, Junior Poluleuligaga** +, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, Callum Bruce, Jackson Willison, Richard Kahui, Lelia Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Nanai-Williams**, Mils Muliaina.
HURRICANES:
John Schwalger, Jacob Ellison, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Perenise*, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles, Jeremy Thrush, Bryn Evans, James Broadhurst (D)**, Jason Eaton, Michael Paterson*, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Scott Waldrom, Rodney So'oialo, Nick Crosswell**, Piri Weepu, Tyson Keats (D)**, Aaron Cruden**, Willie Ripia, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Jason Kawau (D), Tamati Ellison, David Smith, Hosea Gear, Andre Taylor**, Cory Jane.
CRUSADERS:
Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Peter Borlase**, Corey Flynn, Ti'i Paulo***, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Chris Jack***, Sam Whitelock**, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Jonathan Poff, Thomas Waldrom, Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali'i, Daniel Carter***, Daniel Bowden (D)*, Ryan Crotty, Tim Bateman, Robert Fruean**, Adam Whitelock, Sean Maitland, Kade Poki, Zac Guildford*, Colin Slade, Jared Payne.
HIGHLANDERS:
Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Chris King, Bronson Murray (D)*, Jason Macdonald, Jason Rutledge, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Joe Tuineau**, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, John Hardie**, Tim Boys, Nasi Manu*, Stephen Setephano, Jimmy Cowan, Sean Romans, Matt Berquist (D), Michael Hobbs*, Jayden Hayward, Jason Shoemark (D), Kendrick Lynn, James Paterson**, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Ben Smith, Robbie Robinson**, Israel Dagg

The Super 14 Squads Named Tomorrow

The Air New Zealand Cup is over for the season and Canterbury did the predictable and won the final over a Wellington side which did the predictable and lost the final. It was a rather predictable season in the end, despite the best attempts of both Southland and Hawkes Bay who predictably both made the semi finals again. It will be interesting to see which players did enough to make Super 14 sides when the squads are named tomorrow.

The biggest interest remains in the draft and where players like Stephen Brett, Aaron Cruden and other players from potential relegation bound sides like Manawatu, Counties, Northland and Tasman will end up. I am always mainly interested in the Highlanders who have to draw on players from other unions. It will be interesting to see which players return from last season and potential others to fill gaps.

I think with the strong performance of the Stags there will be plenty of them in the Highlanders and a few others making the draft. In plenty of positions in the Highlanders there are players with X Factor required as Southland and Otago generally lack in that department traditionally.

The first fives in this country are an area of concern with Michael Hobbs the Highlanders latest knight in shinning armour. Whether they decide to draft journeyman Matt Berquist or rely on locals Chris Noakes, Glenn Dickson, James Wilson and Robbie Robinson to fill the gap is a mystery. It would be a coup if they got Stephen Brett or Colin Slade or Aaron Cruden.

Other areas of interest is the midfield and if Jason Shoemark and Johnny Leota join Jayden Hayward and Kenny Lynn or if Jason Kawau stays down south allowing one of the Hurricanes based players to stay at home.

The Highlanders will also have to draft a Number Eight and one or two props. George Naoupu was great last season although Tasman's Mark Bright, Manawatu's Brent Thompson and North Harbour's Maafu would all be useful.

Clint Newland will surely come south, but whether a local prop will be the fourth in the squad or if one of the Hurricanes props comes south is another issue.

I would dearly love the Highlanders to get a star signing like Brett, Cruden or an exciting wing like Sherwin Stowers from Counties to give them some edge out wide. They really need some extra spark to give them that boost. The wingers with Ben Smith and James Paterson will be pretty solid, but it is a long competition.

Possible Starting 15 for Highlanders
Dagg
Smith
Shoemark
Kawau
Paterson (love to see Stowers there)
Hobbs
Cowan
Naoupu
Soakai
Thomson
Donnelly
Bekhuis
Newland
Rutledge
MacKintosh

Reserves
Robinson
Hayward/Lynn
Romans
Triggs
Boys/Hardy
King
MacDonald

Was That Tackle High?

It is funny how Dan Carter's tackle got replayed several times on our coverage (which came from the BBC), yet our commentators didn't really say much about it. It was a borderline tackle made to look worse than it was because he blindsided a small player. The funny thing is that very little was made of the Stephen Jones boot to Brendan Leonard's head by way of replays, yet when one of the Welsh got hurt by a tackle which was chest then slid up, there was all sorts of an outcry. You forget how precious the Northern Hemisphere players and administrators are. Did it even get penalised? I think it is a cultural thing where they are bought up playing nicey nicey rugger in public schools (our private schools) and aren't used to the physicality.

We play Italy next and would probably rest Carter anyway, but that doesn't make it right for him to get banned. A yellow card at the time would've been sufficient punishment surely if it was deemed to be that bad. If Dan Carter gets banned I think Stephen Jones should too. What do you think?

Final, What Final?

The Air New Zealand Cup title goes on the line this Saturday night, but it has received little publicity. The darlings of the competition captured the support of a nation by making the playoffs, only to fall last weekend. If Southland were hosting Hawkes Bay in the final there would be far more media attention and Rugby Park would be a sell out. As it is, tickets are struggling to sell at AMI Stadium as we get an all too familiar Canterbury vs Wellington final.

Why is this?

The Air New Zealand Cup is competing against the All Blacks in many aspects. There are no current All Blacks in the final, but plenty more media interest is in how the All Blacks will look to maintain 50 years of dominance against the Welsh Dragons. Do people want to waste their limited incomes on going to watch virtual B provincial sides battle it out? People only have so much disposable income and have to make sacrifices.

There are also too many other sports on at the moment. The Kiwis play the Poms in the Rugby League in a semi final equivalent match. This is a must win and almost clashes with the Wales game.

The Black Caps have made headlines for the wrong reasons after capitulating to the Pakistanis. We are left wondering if Andy Moles (the usual scapegoat) is actually the real reason for their poor performances?

New Zealand football is on a high! Tickets have sold out to next weekend's game between the All Whites and Bahrain, while the Phoenix are scoring plenty of goals in the A- League. The Under 17s also made the knockout stages at their World Cup in Nigeria.

Summer is here and people are too busy getting out enjoying playing touch, going to the beaches and having BBQs/ farewells for people leaving rather than sitting at home watching two understrength teams battle it out in a match that no one south of the Waitaki or north of the Rimutakas really cares about!

It is also the season for music concerts, festivals and displays like last night and going to the theatre.

Oh yeah and I am supposedly shifting tomorrow too!

The Best Stadium in the Country to host the Air New Zealand Cup Final?

The Cake Tin has been rated the best stadium in the country according to a recent survey.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/news/3007759/Cake-Tin-rated-NZs-best-sports-venue

It will be interesting to see if the Cake Tin now hosts the Air New Zealand Cup final next weekend between Wellington and Hawkes Bay?

Canterbury host Hawkes Bay tomorrow and it will be interesting to see how Canterbury bounce back after losing to Southland last week. They have a new look second row with Sam Whitelock coming into the side. Hawkes Bay are at full strength and this game is too close to call. Canterbury are an awesome side, but without their All Blacks, will be vulnerable.

Hawke's Bay: Israel Dagg, Nick Thompson, Jason Shoemark (captain), Andrew Horrell, Jason Kupa, Mathew Berquist, Chris Eaton, Thomas Waldrom, Karl Lowe, Michael Johnson, Ross Kennedy, George Naoupu, Clint Newland, Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Josh Keys, Adam Bradey, Matt Egan, Dane Shelford, Aayden Clarke, Richard Buckman.

Canterbury: Colin Slade, Sean Maitland, Casey Laulala, Tim Bateman, Tu Umaga-Marshall, Stephen Brett, Tyson Keats, Nasi Manu, George Whitelock (captain), Michael Paterson, Samuel Whitelock, Isaac Ross, Peter Borlase, Ti'i Paulo, Andrew Olorenshaw. Reserves: Steve Fualau, Rodney Ah You, Ash Parker, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Ryan Crotty, James Paterson.

The second semi final sees my team the Southland Stags attempt to get over their hangover of winning the Shield and their problems winning in Wellington this weekend. Wellington have named Piri Weepu at first five and is that Bay of Plenty loan player Apoua Stewart at fullback? The Stags will be missing usual Number Eight/ hooker David Hall, with Hua Tamariki coming into the side. The Stags were beaten in a strange match in Wellington earlier this season where Wellington got a couple of lucky tries and won easily despite Southland dominating possession and territory. Will Saturday night be the same?

Is Wellington utility Fa'atonu Fili the brother of former Wellington B and Stags winger Pailate Fili "The Prince"?

How is it that Southland used to be Wellington's bogey side 10 years ago, but now it is the other way round?

WELLINGTON: 15 Apoua Stewart, 14 David Smith, 13 Alapati Leuia, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Piri Weepu, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Mathew Luamanu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Daniel Ramsay, 4 Jacob Ellison (c), 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 John Schwalger. Reserves: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Arden David-Perrot, 18 Mark Reddish, 19 Scott Fuglistaller, 20 Fa'atonu Fili, 21 Robert Fruean, 22 Daniel Kirkpatrick.

I am picking a Canterbury vs Wellington final, but I think both semi finals will be close!

Hero Parade In Southland

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/2995364/Southland-fetes-Stags
The Stags returned as heroes with the Log of Wood this morning. What a way to celebrate a holiday weekend. The crowd of 300 punters filled the Invers airport to welcome the team. Next stop, a hero parade down Esk Street. They do things well in Southland. Not to get confused with the Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney. (As Havoc and Newsboy discovered several years ago, they don't appreciate that kind of carry on in Southland.)

All Those Years Of Torture Are Forgotten - Stags Forever!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/sport/2992128/Historic-Shield-win-for-Stags

I have to pinch myself everytime I think of the Stags skipper Whoppa lifting the Ranfurly Shield above his head as we won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 50 years and qualified for the semi finals. The Stags have been whipping boys until recently and growing up you always knew the Ranfurly Shield was just a dream and until last season, if you suggested making the semi finals you would be sent packing to the mental ward at Kew Hospital. The Stags won a brutally ugly game with hooker/Number Eight David Hall typifying the Stags guts as he walked with one crutch to join the celebration after the match. Sure, Canterbury didn't have their All Blacks, but it is so satisfying beating Canterbury ever since they stole our Justin Marshall in 1995.

Southland rugby has always had such an awesome following as it is a traditional province where you follow the rugby from a young age as that is just what you do in Invers (what else is there to do). We used to be lucky to even get one win in a season as our team is usually the lowly side everyone thrashes. We have always played an ugly style up the guts because of both the weather conditions and the lack of the Pacific Island flair in the backs.

Tonight will go down in history as one of those where were you when it happened situations, rivalling Princess Diana's, JFK's and Michael Jackson's deaths. It did actually make my eyes start to leak and I kissed the S on my Stags shirt. It was funny seeing these big ugly Southland brutes get emotional after the match. It is a rare thing that Southland males shed tears and share emotions in such an abundant supply.

I have and still love the Stags! This will go down as one of the best nights of my life! My phone has been going berserk so if I haven't responded yet, I apologise. This result makes those years of torment more satisfying!

Do or Die?

It is the last round of the Air New Zealand Cup and with a photo finish on the cards for semi final contenders with the exception of Canterbury, it is do or die. The Thursday night game is the match of the round for the second week in a row. You wonder who made the draw and what they were thinking? The Stags must win (or rely on Northland tipping over Hawkes Bay) to make the playoffs. This means they must take the Shield to make it any further in the competition. They hit a rough patch a month ago losing to both Wellington and Auckland away, but have been in good form in recent times. Who would write them off since Canterbury will be without All Blacks Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn and Wyatt Crockett while centre Casey Laulala and wing James Paterson have been relegated to the bench.

The Waikato vs Auckland match is another highlight with the winner probably qualifying for the playoffs depending on other results. Waikato will miss their All Blacks more than Auckland and may struggle at home.

Anything is possible with the unavailability of the Tokyo and Europe bound All Blacks depleting the top teams meaning that anyone could take the title despite the dominance of Canterbury this season. The lack of All Blacks adds to the competition in my opinion by creating an even contest.


Air New Zealand Cup
Teams: Canterbury vs Southland
Time: 22/10/2009 19:35
Venue: Christchurch
Pick: Home team by 12 & under

Teams: Northland vs Hawke's Bay
Time: 23/10/2009 19:35
Venue: Whangarei
Pick: Away team by 12 & under

Teams: Tasman vs Wellington
Time: 23/10/2009 19:35
Venue: Blenheim
Pick: Away team by 13 & above

Teams: Manawatu vs North Harbour
Time: 24/10/2009 14:35
Venue: Palmerston North
Pick: Home team by 12 & under

Teams: Otago vs Counties Manukau
Time: 24/10/2009 17:30
Venue: Dunedin
Pick: Home team by 13 & above

Teams: Waikato vs Auckland
Time: 24/10/2009 19:35
Venue: Hamilton
Pick: Away team by 12 & under

Teams: Bay of Plenty vs Taranaki
Time: 25/10/2009 14:35
Venue: Mt Maunganui
Pick: Home team by 12 & under