Squads at a glance
Naholo, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Quinn Tupaea, Sean Wainui.
HURRICANES
Kobus van Wyk is the surprise signing for the Hurricanes, the South African midfield/wing utility back a potential replacement for centre Matt Proctor.
The Hurricanes did not sign a replacement first-five for Blues-bound Beauden Barrett, instead putting faith in their three options of Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith and the re-signed James Marshall.
Other notable departures included lock Sam Lousi to Scarlets and prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen to Wasps, but they have been replaced by Scott Scrafton and Tyrel Lomax from the Blues and Highlanders respectively.
The other new faces are the Hawke’s Bay pair of 22-year-old prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and 20-year-old loose forward Devan Flanders.
Forwards: Pouri Rakete-Stones, Fraser Armstrong, Alex Fidow, Tyrel Lomax, Ben May, Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, James Blackwell, Kane Le’aupepe, Liam Mitchell, Scott Scrafton, Isaia Walker-Leawere Vaea Fifita, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Murphy Taramai, Devan Flanders, Gareth Evans. Backs: TJ Perenara, Jamie Booth, Jonathan Taumateine, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith, Ngani Laumape, Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Peter UmagaJensen, Danny Toala, Kobus van Wyk, Wes Goosen, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, James Marshall, Chase Tiatia.
CRUSADERS
All Blacks utility Scott Barrett takes the captaincy of a squad stripped of ample experience, given long-time
Crusaders Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Ryan Crotty, Tim Bateman, Matt Todd and Jordan Taufua have moved on.
The uncapped names in the squad are highlighted by openside flankers Sione Havili (Tasman) and Tom Christie (Canterbury), while Canterbury and New Zealand under20s representative Fergus Burke replaces Mitch Hunt (Highlanders) as the third first-five eighth in the squad.
North Harbour lock Ethan Roots, Canterbury loose forward/lock Cullen Grace, Tasman utility back Fetuli Paea and Canterbury midfielders Dallas McLeod and Inga Finau are the other new caps.
Forwards: Michael Alaalatoa, Harry Allan, Scott Barrett (c), Ethan Blackadder, George Bower, Tom Christie, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Dunshea, Cullen Grace, Billy Harmon, Sione Havili, Oliver Jager, Andrew Makalio, Brodie McAlister, Joe Moody, Luke Romano, Ethan Roots, Tom Sanders, Quinten Strange, Codie Taylor, Isi Tuungafasi. Backs: George Bridge, Fergus Burke, Brett Cameron, Mitchell Drummond, Ere Enari, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Faingaanuku, Inga Finau, Jack Goodhue, Bryn Hall, David Havili, Will Jordan, Manasa Mataele, Dallas McLeod, Richie Mo’unga, Fetuli Paea, Sevu Reece.
HIGHLANDERS
The Highlanders unveiled Tongan hitman Zane Kapeli and promising Wellington loose forward Teariki BenNicholas as part of a revamped squad that features 15 new faces.
With the departure of Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock, Elliot Dixon and Jackson Hemopo there were plenty of gaps in the back row and Kapeli, BenNicholas, Otago big man Sione Misiloi and Chiefs recruit Jesse Parete are quality additions.
With most of the Highlanders’ squad already announced, there were a limited number of spots up for grabs, with Otago hooker Ricky Jackson, Bay of Plenty prop Jeff Thwaites, Southland prop Ethan de Groot, former Queensland Reds wing Chris Kuridrani and Southland lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit all earning contracts.
Forwards: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Ricky Jackson, Daniel LienertBrown, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Jeff Thwaites, Ethan De Groot, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Jack Whetton, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, James Lentjes, Dillon Hunt, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Shannon Frizell, Sione Misiloi, Zane Kapeli, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Jesse Parete. Backs: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Folau Fakatava, Bryn Gatland, Josh Ioane, Mitch Hunt, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Thomas UmagaJensen, Scott Gregory, Ngane Punivai, Jona Nareki, Tevita Nabura, Josh McKay, Michael Collins, Chris Kuridrani, Connor Garden-Bachop.