All change for NZ squads

Fly-half movements domiate New Zealand's Super 14 teams

By Danny Stephens   Last updated: 11th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

All change for NZ squads

Brett: Joining the Blues

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Fly-half movements were the big talking points in the New Zealand Super 14 squads announced for the 2010 tournament.

The headline mover was Stephen Brett, who made his long-awaited move to the Blues after indicating his desire to leave the Crusaders to get more game-time.

But other fly-halves were also on the move. Wellington's Daniel Kirkpatrick will battle with Brett for the Blues' starting spot, where he can continue his burgeoning partnership with another mover, scrum-half Alby Mathewson.

Kirkpatrick's departure thus makes way in Wellington for Manawatu prospect Aaron Cruden, this year's IRB junior player of the year and he could be served from scrum-half by Canterbury's Tyson Keats, also snapped up by Colin Cooper.

With Brett gone, Daniel Bowden will be Dan Carter's back-up at the Crusaders, after he was snapped up from the draft by Todd Blackadder.

Hawke's Bay fly-half and deadly goal marksman Mat Berquist was taken by the Highlanders, while the Chiefs have Stephen Donald and Mike Delany - two of the touring All Blacks party - battling for the No.10 jersey.

Blues coach Pat Lam also picked up Wellington loose forward Serge Lilo in the draft, while Cooper has three Super 14 debutants in his draft selections for the Hurricanes: Manawatu's wing Andre Taylor and loose forward Nick Crosswell, along with lock James Broadhurst. The bulk of the squad, however, remains the same as the one that reached the semi-finals last year.

There are 13 All Blacks in the Crusaders squad, including Carter, Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn and Zac Guildford.

Impressive

Former New Zealand lock Chris Jack returns after a stint playing for English Premiership club Saracens and a spell playing in South Africa.

New players to the squad are prop Peter Borlase and lock Sam Whitelock - who were part of Canterbury's Air New Zealand Cup winning side - Wellington centre Robbie Fruean and Guildford.

Last year's beaten finalists, the Chiefs, have retained the bulk of their squad and will once again be captained by Mils Muliaina. Although there are seven new players in the 28-man squad, three of those - Luke Braid, Culum Retallick and Romana Graham - were part of the wider training group last year.

Southland's impressive Air New Zealand Cup and Ranfurly Shield campaign has been rewarded with 10 of their players selected in the Highlanders squad.

Stags players new to the competition include John Hardie, Joe Tuineau and Robbie Robinson. Northland prop Bronson Murray, who played for the Crusaders last year, and Hawke's Bay's Jason Shoemark, have been picked up in the draft.

The 2009 New Zealand Super 14 squads

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 Ma'afu, 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, Culum 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

(D) = Draft player