Super Rugby 2017 NZ squads named

Seven sets of brothers will take the field in New Zealand Super Rugby teams next year. Thirty-three players will also make their debut, reflecting the depth of talent in New Zealand rugby.

A total of 190 contracted players were announced across the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders squads on Wednesday.

New Zealand Rugby general manager of rugby Neil Sorensen said the mix of new players coming through and experienced players staying highlighted the stability.

"New Zealand teams dominated Super Rugby this year, so for 33 new players to force their way into already strong squads shows the exciting depth of talent the teams have to choose from," Sorensen said.

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"It's great that we have been able to retain most of the experienced players that made our Super Rugby teams so successful in 2016. Our squads are stable and will be strengthened by the talented crop of young players making their debut next year.   

"Super Rugby is a recognised pathway into higher honours and offers new players a chance to put themselves forward for national selection. In total there are eight players who played for the New Zealand under 20s side this year, showing that New Zealand rugby continues to develop and promote outstanding young players and transition them through to the top tier of the game. 

"The strong crop of young talent pushing through will be exciting to watch. The youngest player in the New Zealand Super Rugby teams is Rieko Ioane, who will turn 20 just after the season starts next year, and who has already forced his way into the All Blacks squad on the current northern tour. 

"Next year's Super Rugby squads are a bit of a family affair with seven sets of brothers represented in the selections. The Barrett, Whitelock, McKenzie, Ioane, Savea and Lienert-Brown brothers and the Goodhue twins show that rugby really is a game for all the family to enjoy, literally.

"The 2017 season also sees some changes in the coaching teams with Tony Brown becoming coach of the Highlanders and Scott Robertson taking the helm at the Crusaders. They join the Blues coach Tana Umaga as former All Blacks who are showing their acumen as professional coaches.  Dave Rennie will be looking for a solid last season with the Chiefs and no doubt Chris Boyd will be looking to back up their championship win.  

"We wish all the teams well and look forward to seeing New Zealand teams having a great presence in the competition again."

Follow the links to find out about your team.

BLUES - TANA SUPER-CHARGES WITH SUPERSTARS

Forwards: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Epalahame Faiva, Charlie Faumuina, Blake Gibson, Josh Goodhue, Alex Hodgman, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Matt Moulds, Brandon Nansen, James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Kara Pryor, Scott Scrafton , Murphy Taramai, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou, Ofa Tu'ungafasi

Backs: Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, TJ Faiane, Billy Guyton, Rieko Ioane, Matt Vaega, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Sam Nock, Declan O'Donnell, Stephen Perofeta, Augustine Pulu, Rene Ranger, Jordon Trainor, Ihaia West, Sonny Bill Williams, Piers Francis

Good: Strong recruiting. Tana Umaga has made significant upgrades in the midfield, at halfback and prop. The core of his squad should also be better in year two.

Bad: Question marks still linger at first five-eighth, where Piers Francis and Ihaia West will contest the playmaker role.  

In: Pauliasi Manu (Chiefs), Murphy Taramai (sevens), Jimmy Tupou (Crusaders), Declan O'Donnell (sevens), Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Augustine Pulu (Chiefs), Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), Alex Hodgman (Crusaders)
Out: Bryn Hall (Crusaders), Tevita Li (Highlanders), Ben Lam (Hurricanes). 

CHIEFS - RETURN OF MESSAM, NANAI-WILLIAMS

Forwards: Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Mitchell Graham, Kane Hames, Sefo Kautai, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Hika Elliot, Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart, Michael Allardice, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, James Tucker, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Sam Cane, Mitchell Karpik, Michael Leitch, Liam Messam, Tom Sanders, Taleni Seu.

Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Finlay Christie, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald, Damian McKenzie, Johnny Fa'auli, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Solomon Alaimalo, Glen Fisiiahi, James Lowe, Sam McNicol, Toni Pulu, Shaun Stevenson, Chase Tiatia.

Good: Despite the departures of Pauliasi Manu, Siate Tokolahi and Hiroshi Yamashita, the Chiefs' propping stocks still look a strong point, with Kane Hames' introduction last season a real plus. With Mitchell Graham also solid on the loosehead side, the Chiefs will look forward to the return of tighthead Nepo Laulala, who played four tests for the All Blacks last year, but whose knee injury ruled him out of the entire 2016 Super Rugby campaign. The returns of Liam Messam and Tim Nanai-Williams are also a positive, bringing valuable big-game experience.

Bad: The loss of Seta Tamanivalu is the biggest blow, and with Charlie Ngatai's concussion symptoms still lingering it may place plenty of importance on impressive new All Black Anton Lienert-Brown, along with Nanai-Williams.

In: Kane Hames (Chiefs replacement 2016, Tasman), Sefo Kautai (Waikato), Liam Polwart (Bay of Plenty), Mitchell Brown (Chiefs replacement 2016, Taranaki), Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs replacement 2016, Taranaki), Liam Messam (Sevens/Chiefs replacement 2016), Finlay Christie (Tasman), Johnny Fa'auli (Taranaki), Tim Nanai-Williams (Ricoh, Japan), Solomon Alaimalo (Northland).

Out: Pauliasi Manu (Blues), Siate Tokolahi (Highlanders), Hiroshi Yamashita (not contracted), Rhys Marshall (Munster), Johan Bardoul (Yamaha, Japan), Sam Henwood (not contracted), Tevita Koloamatangi (not playing), Maama Vaipulu (Leinster), Augustine Pulu (Blues), Kayne Hammington (Highlanders), Andrew Horrell (Coca-Cola, Japan), Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders), Latu Vaeno (not contracted), Sam Vaka (not contracted).

HURRICANES - OFFENCE IS THE BEST DEFENCE

Forwards: Chris Eves, Reggie Goodes, Ben May, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Loni Uhila, Mike Kainga, Dane Coles, Leni Apisai, Ricky Ricciteli, Mark Abbott, James Broadhurst, Geoff Cridge, Michael Fatialofa, Sam Lousi, Callum Gibbins, Vaea Fifita, Reed Prinsep, Hugh Renton, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Toa Halafihi.

Backs: TJ Perenara, Te Toiria Tahuiorangi, Kylem O'Donnell, Beauden Barrett, Otere Black, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Pita Ahki, Wes Goosen, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Ben Lam, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jordie Barrett.

Good: They have Beauden Barrett and that puts any team off to a good start. Particularly when he's partnered in the halves by TJ Perenara. The loose forwards look handy, despite the departure of Victor Vito, and the return of Nehe Milner-Skudder at fullback should offset the absence of James Marshall. Best of all is the belief many of this group built by winning the title last year.

Bad: Bad's a bit extreme, but the Hurricanes still look a little thin in midfield. Willis Halaholo is now in Wales, having established a useful partnership with Matt Proctor last season. Proctor remains, as do Vince Aso and Ngani Laumape, but none are really proven performers just yet. The tight five are decent, but hardly frightening. Be interesting to see if James Broadhurst can get on the park this season and if fellow lock Michael Fatialofa continues 2016's development.

In: Toa Halafihi (Taranaki), Jordie Barrett (Canterbury), Kylem O'Donnell (Taranaki), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wellington), Ben Lam (Blues), Sam Lousi (Waratahs), Reed Prinsep (Crusaders).

Out: James Blackwell, Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Tony Lamborn, Willis Halaholo (Cardiff), Iopu Iopu-Aso, James Marshall (LOndon Irish), Motu Matu'u (Gloucester), Hisa Sagai, TJ Va'a, Victor Vito (La Rochelle), Jason Woodward (Bristol).

CRUSADERS - BATEMAN BACK FOR RED AND BLACKS

Forwards: Michael Alaalatoa, Wyatt Crockett, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Jed Brown, Mitchell Dunshea, Kieran Read, Pete Samu, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd.

Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Leon Fukofuka, Bryn Hall, Tim Bateman, Marty McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui, George Bridge, Israel Dagg, Sione Fifita, Mitchell Hunt, Digby Ioane, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele.

Good: The midfield looks stronger with Jack Goodhue, Seta Tamanivalu and Tim Bateman handy additions to join Ryan Crotty. Promising young forwards Mitch Dunshea and Andrew Makalio bolster the pack.

Bad: It remains to be seen if veteran ex-Wallaby Digby Ioane can fill the massive void left by Nemani Nadolo.

In: Bateman (Japan), Ioane (Japan), Tamanivalu (Chiefs), Hall (Blues), Jager (Canterbury), Makalio (Tasman), Strange (Tasman), Bedwell-Curtis (Manawatu), Dunshea (Canterbury), Goodhue (Canterbury), Brown (Canterbury), Bridge (Canterbury), Mataele (Taranaki).

Out: Johnny McNicholl (Wales), Nemani Nadolo (France), Alex Hodgman (Blues), Jimmy Tupou (Blues), Tim Boys (released), Kieron Fonotia (Wales), Andrew Ellis (Japan), Reed Prinsep (Hurricanes), Robbie Fruean (England), Ben Volavola (released), Ged Robinson (retired). 

HIGHLANDERS - BROWN SEEKS BALANCE

Forwards: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Guy Millar, Siate Tokolahi, Aki Seiuli, Craig Millar, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Josh Dickson, Jackson Hemopo, Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, James Lentjes, Gareth Evans, Dan Pryor, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon.

Backs: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Lima Sopoaga, Hayden Parker, Fletcher Smith, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Richard Buckman, Matt Faddes, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Tevita Li, Jason Emery, Ben Smith.

Good: The Highlanders have managed to return the bulk of the squad which has been so successful over the past two years.

Bad: The loss of prop Brendon Edmonds to injury could leave a hole after he impressed on the loosehead side of the scrum.

In: Tevita Li (Blues), Guy Millar (Western Force), Siate Tokolahi (Chiefs), Aki Seiuli (Otago), Josh Renton (Otago), Kayne Hammington (Manawatu), Josh Dickson (Otago).

Out: Ross Geldenhuys, Mark Reddish (England), Brendon Edmonds (injured), Fumiaki Tanaka (Japan), Ryan Tongia (France), Marty Banks (Italy), Jack Wilson (England). 

* INs and OUTs to named squads are in relation to the named squads for the 2016 season. If a player was not in the initial 2016 squad but joined later they remain a 2017 addition.