Super Rugby Pacific: Who’s in, who’s out for 2022
The five New Zealand Super Rugby squads, along with the freshly minted Moana Pasifika squad, have been named for the Super Rugby Pacific season in 2022.
Several All Blacks are among those to return to New Zealand teams after playing in Japan’s Top League, with Brodie Retallick back to represent the Chiefs for the first time since 2019, and Beauden Barrett available for the Blues after skipping this year’s campaign.
TJ Perenara is once again on the Hurricanes’ roster, and will be joined by ex-All Black Dominic Bird who previously represented the Crusaders and Chiefs before heading to Europe. But the Wellington side has suffered a hefty blow with news that another big signing – former All Blacks prop Owen Franks – will likely miss the 2022 season due to injury.
Ex-Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has switched to rugby from the 13-man code in a bid to play for the All Blacks at the 2023 World Cup, will join Barrett at the Blues.
The most notable addition to the Crusaders is Argentinean test back rower Pablo Matera; many Kiwis may remember him, given he led the Pumas to their first-ever win over the All Blacks in Sydney last year.
Moana Pasifika, to be coached by Aaron Mauger, have signed former Wallabies Sekope Kepu and Christian Lealifano.
BLUES
Tuivasa-Sheck and Barrett have arrived, and Patrick Tuipulotu has left.
Former Warriors star Tuivasa-Sheck will try to launch his All Blacks’ career from the Blues’ midfield, a task made more complicated after the plan to get vital experience for Auckland in the NPC was blown to bits by the pandemic.
With Auckland forced into lockdown, Tuivasa-Sheck had no option but to knuckle down and wait for his chance at the Blues in 2022. The prospect of him starting in a backline also featuring Beauden Barrett could do wonders for the Blues’ attack – and potentially have punters pouring through the Eden Park gates.
Coach Leon MacDonald will have to find a new captain, with All Blacks lock Tuipulotu to play in Japan. Former All Black Luke Romano, a veteran of the Crusaders pack for more than a decade, has been signed by MacDonald as cover for Tuipulotu.
Romano is already familiar with young lock Sam Darry, having played with him at Canterbury for several seasons.
BLUES SQUAD
Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Soane Vikena, Ricky Riccitelli. Props: Alex Hodgman, Jordan Lay, Ofa Tuungafasi, Marcel Renata, Nepo Laulala, Karl Tu’inukuafe. Locks: James Tucker, Josh Goodhue, Sam Darry, Luke Romano. Loose forwards: Taine Plumtree, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat. Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki. First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Harry Plummer, Stephen Perofeta.
Midfielders: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tanielu Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Corey Evans, Tamati Tua.
Outside backs: Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Jacob RatumaitavukiKneepkens, Zarn Sullivan.
Unavailable due to injury: James Lay.
CHIEFS
With Clayton McMillan confirmed as coach, allowing Warren Gatland to take up a role as technical adviser, the Chiefs have continuity at the top and will also be pleased to welcome back international lock Retallick after a couple of seasons in Japan.
That, however, has been offset by the loss of fullback/playmaker Damian McKenzie, who is off to Japan during the Super Rugby Pacific season.
First five-eighth/fullback Josh Ioane, having been released by the Highlanders with a year left on his contract, is looking for a fresh start at the Chiefs.
McMillan will hope Ioane can be as equally effective at No 10 or fullback, although he has no shortage of other options in both positions.
There is little doubt, however, that McKenzie is a major loss. His form this year was outstanding, until suspension ended his run of games for the franchise..
Former All Blacks halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi has signed with the Crusaders, seeking game-time after Brad Weber deservedly hogged the Chiefs’ No 9 jersey in recent times.
Keep an eye on young lock Josh Lord. A surprise call-up to the All Blacks, he won’t be able to slip under the radar in 2022.
CHIEFS SQUAD
Hookers: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Bradley Slater, Tyrone Thompson. Props: Aidan Ross, Atunaisa Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Ollie Norris, Sione Mafileo, Reuben O’Neill. Locks: Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, Laghlan McWhannell, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord. Loose forwards: Mitchell Brown, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Pita Gus Sowakula, Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau. Halfbacks: Brad Weber, Xavier Roe, Cortez Ratima. First fiveeighths: Bryn Gatland, Kaleb Trask, Josh Ioane. Midfielders: Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling. Outside backs: Jonah Lowe, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo,
Chase Tiatia, Shaun Stevenson, Rivez Reihana.
HURRICANES
Coach Jason Holland has suffered an early blow to his title aspirations with news that exAll Blacks tighthead prop Owen Franks is struggling with an Achilles tendon injury, and has been listed as unavailable to play in 2022.
A controversial omission from the All Blacks’ World Cup squad in 2019, Franks later joined English club Northampton. His input may now be limited to mentoring the other props on the training pitch.
Former All Blacks lock Bird, who played for Wellington in the NPC following a stint in France, offers the option of a totem pole in the lineouts.
With midfielder Ngani Laumape now playing in France, Holland has recruited Tai Walden from the Highlanders.
Perenara will be a welcome addition. His passion for the Hurricanes has never been in doubt.
The same could be said for fellow All Black Ardie Savea, who captained the side this year in the absence of halfback Perenara.
Loose forward Savea may be asked to stay in the leadership role, given his status among his peers. Blues loosie Blake Gibson adds another experienced head to the back row.
Hooker Ricky Riccitelli has been recruited by the Blues. Former All Blacks No 6 Vaea Fifita has left the franchise, England his destination.
HURRICANES SQUAD Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, James O’Reilly. Props: Tevita Mafileo, Alex Fidow, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Pasilio Tosi, Pouri Rakete-Stones. Locks: James Blackwell, Dom Bird, Scott Scrafton, Justin Sangster.
Loose forwards: Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Blake Gibson, Ardie Savea, Tyler Laubscher, Devan Flanders, Caleb Delany, TK Howden. Halfbacks: Jamie Booth, TJ Perenara, Cam Roigard. First five-eighths: Aidan Morgan, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ruben Love. Midfielders: Teihorangi Walden, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan.
Outside backs: Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett, Pepesana Patafilo, Salesi Rayasi, Wes Goosen, Josh Moorby.
Unavailable due to injury: Owen Franks, Isaia Walker-Leawere.
CRUSADERS
The arrival of Pablo Matera could cause heatburn for some other loose forwards in the Crusaders pack next year.
Matera, who could potentially play in any of the three spots in the back row, is likely to be asked to play at No 8 or blindside flanker. That could see him pitted against All Blacks Ethan Blackadder and Cullen Grace (who was briefly sighted in black last year) for a run-on spot, with Tom Christie’s physique and skills over the ball in the breakdowns probably giving him the edge on the openside.
With All Black Richie Mo’unga having the option of taking up to six weeks leave during the season, as stipulated in his contract, coach Scott Robertson has brought in Simon Hickey to join Fergus Burke as a candidate for the No 10 jersey.
Robertson has said he has yet to discuss what Mo’unga requires in terms of a rest, but a plan will need to be in place. Brett Cameron, whose form improved at Manawatu, has already committed himself to playing in Japan.
Robertson won’t lack quality locks. All Blacks captain Sam Whitelock is joined by Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Mitchell Dunshea and rookie Zach Gallagher.
Romano, a fixture at the joint since 2011, will move north to the Blues in 2022.
CRUSADERS SQUAD Hookers: Codie Taylor, Brodie McAlister, Shilo Klein. Props: Joe Moody, Oli Jager, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Finlay Brewis. Locks: Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Whitelock, Zach Gallagher.
Loose forwards: Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Sione Havili Talitui, Cullen Grace, Pablo Matera, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow. Halfbacks: Mitch Drummond, Bryn Hall, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi. First five-eighths: Richie Mo’unga, Simon Hickey, Fergus Burke.
Midfielders: Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Isaiah Punivai, Dallas McLeod. Outside backs: Chay Fihaki, George Bridge, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Kini Naholo.
HIGHLANDERS
Marty Banks is back. Again.
The first-five, a member of the Highlanders squad when the southerners won the Super Rugby title in 2015, has been signed by coach Tony Brown to add depth at playmaker because Josh Ioane has been released to the Chiefs
After exiting the Highlanders after the 2016 season, Banks returned in 2019. His peripatetic lifestyle meant he played in Italy and Japan until be came back to Southland, and now rejoins the Highlanders.
Brown won’t have wing Jona Nareki on board because he suffered a serious knee injury during the NPC. He is a big loss. So, too, is lanky lock Pari Pari Parkinson. Injury has claimed him, too.
Hooker Andrew Makalio has left the Crusaders, to fill the space left by the popular Ash Dixon who has taken up a contract in Japan. Impressive Japan test back rower Kazuki Himeno will be missed. He has gone back to his homeland.
Gareth Evans has re-joined the Highlanders. The loose forward was a member of their squad between 2014 and 2017 until he left for the Hurricanes and Japan. He could get game time alongside older brother Bryn, who is one of five locks in the squad.
Fingers crossed that outside back Connor Garden-Bachop remains injury-free. His willingness to attack the high ball and run the ball from the deep was a big part of the Highlanders game this year, until he was sidelined with a broken wrist.
Loyal servant Michael Collins’ leadership in the backline will be missed. The midfielder has gone to Wales for work.
HIGHLANDERS SQUAD Hookers: Liam Coltman, Rhys Marshall, Andrew Makalio. Props: Ayden Johnstone, Jeff Thwaites, Ethan de Groot, Jermaine Ainsley, Josh Hohneck, Daniel LienertBrown, Saula Ma’u. Locks: Maanaki SelbyRickit, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Max Hicks, Sam Caird. Loose forwards: James Lentjes, Billy Harmon, Hugh Renton, Shannon Frizell, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Gareth Evans, Sean Withy. Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava, Kayne Hammington. First five-eighths: Marty Banks, Mitchell Hunt. Midfielders: Fetuli Paea, Patelesio Tomkinson, Solomon Alaimalo, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Ngatungane Punivai, Scott Gregory.
Outside backs: Connor Garden-Bachop, Mosese Dawai, Vilimoni Koroi, Sam Gilbert, Josh Timu.
Unavailable due to injury: Jona Nareki, Pari Pari Parkinson.
MOANA PASIFIKA
A new era has begun. About time, too. Moana Pasifika have finally got a team in Super Rugby, and no-one should expect miracles. This is going to take time, and there could be some painful experiences on the scoreboard. Be patient.
The sporting cliche ‘‘learnings’’, will certainly apply to Moana Pasifika. Coach Aaron Mauger and his assistant Filo Tiatia have gone to the market and done their best in a short space of time.
Kepu and Lealifano, having played tests for Australia, will provide sage advice on and off the park. Mauger, a former Highlanders coach, has snared exCrusaders halfback Ereatara Enari and Hawke’s Bay No 10 Lincoln McClutchie to add depth in the key decision-making jobs.
MOANA PASIFIKA SQUAD Hookers: Ray Niuia, Sam Moli, Luteru Tolai. Props: Sekope Kepu, Isileli Tuungafasi, Joe Apikatoa, Tau Koloamatangi, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Chris Apoua. Locks: Don Lolo, Mike McKee, Veikoso Poliniati, Alex McRobbie. Loose forwards: Henry Stowers, Jack Lam, Sione Tuipulotu, Solomone Funaki, Penitoa Finau, Lotu Inisi, Sam Slade, Alamanda Motuga.
Halfbacks: Ereatara Enari, Jonathan Taumateine, Manu Paea. First fiveeighths: Christian Lealifano, Lincoln McClutchie, William Havili. Midfielders: Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Henry Taefu, Fine Inisi. Outside backs: Lolagi Visinia, Neria Fomai, Tomasi Alosio, Solomone Kata, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tima Fainga’anuku, Anzelo Tuituvuki.