RugbyRebels

Blues
Coach
Vern Cotter

Hookers
Kurt Eklund (Bay of Plenty)
Ricky Riccitelli (Taranaki)
Soane Vikena (Auckland)

Props
Josh Fusitua (Auckland)
Jordan Lay (Auckland)
Marcel Renata (Auckland)
PJ Sheck (Wellington)
Angus Ta'avao (Auckland)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland)

Locks
Josh Beehre (Auckland)
Sam Darry (Canterbury)
Laghlan McWhannell (Waikato)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland)

Loose Forwards
Adrian Choat (Auckland)
Akira Ioane (Auckland)
Dalton Papali'i (Auckland, Captain)
Rob Rush (Northland)
Anton Segner (Tasman)
Hoskins Sotutu (Counties Manukau)
Cameron Suafoa (North Harbour)
James Thompson (Counties Manukau)

Halfbacks
Finlay Christie (Tasman)
Taufa Funaki (Auckland)
Sam Nock (Northland)

Five-Eighths
Lucas Cashmore (Bay of Plenty)
Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki)
Harry Plummer (Auckland)

Midfielders
Corey Evans (Auckland)
Meihana Grindlay (Taranaki)
Bryce Heem (Auckland)
Rieko Ioane (Auckland)

Back Three-Quarters
Kade Banks (North Harbour)
Caleb Clarke (Auckland)
Cole Forbes (Bay of Plenty)
AJ Lam (Auckland)
Zarn Sullivan (Auckland)
Caleb Tangitau (Auckland)
Mark Telea (North Harbour)


Gains from last season
They've lost more than they've gained, but there are some guys they've nabbed. Angus Ta'avao joins the front row stocks, Laghlan McWhannell hops into the second row, both from the Chiefs. Lucas Cashmore also eschews playing for the Chiefs and joins the Blues.

Losses from last season
Oof. Alex Hodgman moves to Queensland, Nepo Laulala heads to France to join Toulouse. James Lay joins Moana Pasifika, Tom Robinson will be playing for Toyota Verblitz in Japan, alongside Beauden Barrett. Finally, one of the most frustrating men in rugby union, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns to the Warriors in the NRL after spending a season of being shoehorned into the 12 jersey when he should have been playing on the wing or at fullback where he looked so much more confortable, I mean Jesus Christ how about putting a guy who's spent so much time playing at fullback in league at fucking fullback where he'll have some idea of what the fuck he's doing, what with all the crossover skills and shit, like, it's not fucking rocket science, for fuck's sake.

Chiefs
Coach
Clayton McMillan

Hookers
Bradley Slater (Taranaki)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (Waikato)
Tyrone Thompson (Hawke's Bay)

Props
Sione Ahio (Auckland)
George Dyer (Waikato)
Kauvaka Kaivelata (Counties Manukau)
Ollie Norris (Waikato)
Reuben O'Neill (Taranaki)
Jared Proffit (Taranaki)
Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty)

Locks
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Bay of Plenty)
Josh Lord (Taranaki)
Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Bay of Plenty)
Jimmy Tupou (Counties Manukau)
Tupou Va'ai (Taranaki)

Loose Forwards
Kaylum Boshier (Taranaki)
Samipeni Finau (Waikato)
Tom Florence (Taranaki)
Luke Jacobson (Waikato)
Simon Parker (Waikato)
Wallace Sititi (North Harbour)
Malachi Wrampling-Alec (Waikato)

Halfbacks
Cortez Ratima (Waikato)
Xavier Roe (Waikato)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Bay of Plenty)

Five-Eighths
Josh Ioane (Waikato)
Damian McKenzie (Waikato)
Kaleb Trask (Bay of Plenty)

Midfield
Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato)
Rameka Poihipi (Canterbury)
Daniel Rona (Taranaki)
Quinn Tupaea (Waikato)
Gideon Wrampling (Waikato)

Back Three-Quarters
Liam Coombes-Fabling (Waikato)
Peniasi Malimali (Counties Manukau)
Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau)
Emoni Narawa (Bay of Plenty)
Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour)

Significant gains:
Reuben O'Neill, Jimmy Tupou, Tom Florence, Kaleb Trask. Another case of losing more than they've gained.

Significant losses:
The front row has taken a bit of a hit, with Atu Moli and Angus Ta'avao both leaving. John Ryan heads back home to Munster. In the second row, Laghlan McWhannell heads up State Highway 1, while Brodie Retallick heads to Kobe. Sam Cane takes a season off to play for Suntory and Pita Gus Sowakula heads off to Clermont. Brad Weber has gone to Stade Francais. In the 10s, Bryn Gatland will be joining Retallick at the Kobe Steelers, while Rivez Reihana heads down south to the Crusaders. Alex Nankivell is the big departure in the midfield, as he joins John Ryan over in Munster.

Hurricanes
Coach
Clark Laidlaw

Hookers
Asafo Aumua (Wellington)
Jacob Devery (Hawke's Bay)
James O'Reilly (Wellington)

Props
Siale Lauaki (Wellington)
Tyrel Lomax (Tasman)
Tevita Mafileo (Bay of Plenty)
Xavier Numia (Wellington)
Pouri Rekete-Stones (Hawke's Bay)
Pasilio Tosi (Bay of Plenty)

Locks
Caleb Delany (Wellington)
Ben Grant (North Harbour)
Justin Sangster (Bay of Plenty)
Josh Taula (Manawatu)
James Tucker (Waikato)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hawke's Bay)

Loose Forwards
Devan Flanders (Hawke's Bay)
TK Howden (Manawatu)
Brayden Iose (Manawatu)
DuPlessis Kirifi (Wellington)
Peter Lakai (Wellington)
Brad Shields (Wellington)

Halfbacks
Richard Judd (Wellington)
TJ Perenara (Wellington)
Cam Roigard (Counties Manukau)

Five-Eighths
Brett Cameron (Manawatu)
Aidan Morgan (Wellington)

Midfield
Jordie Barrett (Taranaki)
Riley Higgins (Wellington)
Billy Proctor (Wellington)
Bailyn Sullivan (Waikato)
Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wellington)

Back Three Quarters
Harry Godfrey (Hawke's Bay)
Ruben Love (Wellington)
Josh Moorby (Northland)
Kini Naholo (Taranaki)
Ngani Punivai (Canterbury)
Salesi Rayasi (Auckland)
Daniel Sinkinson (Waikato)

Significant gains:
James Tucker from the Blues, Ngani Punivai from the Chiefs, Ben Grant from the San Diego Legion, Brad Shields from Perpignan and Clark Laidlaw from the 7sABs programme. Other than that, it's the usual provincial cycling in, like Siale Lauaki and James O'Reilly, who get called up from the Wellington Lions.

Significant losses:
Owen Franks departs the capitol to go join Toulouse, Hame Faiva heads off to play for Bath, Dane Coles delays his retirement a bit for a payday in Japan with Kubota, Julian Savea heads to Moana Pasifika for a change of scenery and presumably a chance to play in the midfield, James Blackwell heads to Osaka to play for the Kintetsu Liners. Meanwhile, Jason Holland gets promoted up to the ABs as assitant coach. Dom Bird is dropped down to provincial duty, as he doesn't make the cut this year, and a bunch of short termers see out their contracts. The big absence is Ardie Savea, who is taking a sabbatical option to play for the Kobe Steelers.

Crusaders
Coach
Rob Penney

Hookers
George Bell (Canterbury)
Brodie McAlister (Canterbury)
Ioane Moananu (Counties Manukau)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury)

Props
George Bower (Otago)
Finlay Brewis (Canterbury)
Owen Franks
Joe Moody (Canterbury)
Fletcher Newell (Canterbury)
Tamaiti Williams (Canterbury)

Locks
Scott Barrett (Taranaki)
Tahlor Cahill (Canterbury)
Zach Gallagher (Canterbury)
Jamie Hannah (Canterbury)
Quinten Strange (Tasman)

Loose Forwards
Ethan Blackadder (Tasman)
Tom Christie (Canterbury)
Dominic Gardiner (Canterbury)
Cullen Grace (Canterbury)
Corey Kellow (Canterbury)
Christian Lio-Willie (Otago)

Halfbacks
Mitchell Drummond (Canterbury)
Willi Heinz (Canterbury)
Noah Hotham (Tasman)

Five-Eighths
Fergus Burke (Canterbury)
Taha Kemara (Waikato)
Rivez Reihana (Northland)

Midfield
Levi Aumua (Tasman)
Ryan Crotty (Canterbury)
David Havili (Tasman)
Dallas McLeod (Canterbury)
Jone Rova (Canterbury)

Back Three-Quarters
Chay Fihaki (Canterbury)
Leigh Halfpenny
Will Jordan (Tasman)
Manasa Mataele (Canterbury)
Heremaia Murray (Northland)
Sevu Reece (Tasman)
Macca Springer (Tasman)

Significant gains:
One of the teams that seems to have gained more than they've lost, the Crusaders welcome back a slew of veterans and will play host to a Welsh legend. Owen Franks joins the front row, fresh off a stint with Toulouse, while the midfield is bolstered by the return of Ryan Crotty, and the arrival of the well-travelled Levi Aumua. The fullbacks this year boast Welsh centurion and B&I Lion Leigh Halfpenny among them, one of the two Welsh internationals that will be playing in the NZ teams this year. The five-eighths will likely have some healthy competition between the latest 10 off the Canterbury production line Fergus Burke and the promising Taniwhas and until-recently Chiefs pivot Rivez Reihana, as they look to future after Mo'unga's departure. The second row gains promising Canterbury lock Tahlor Cahill, and the wingers are joined by Fijian international Manasa Mataele. The team has also picked up promising youngsters Jone Rova from Canterbury in the midfield, and Heremaia Murray from Northland, who joins the wingers. It's an interesting mix of experience and youth.

Significant losses:
Quite a few short-termers sign off, and return to the provinces. However, there are also some significant departures. Oli Jager returns to Ireland to join Munster, as he aims for an Irish jersey. Reuben O'Neill shifts over to the Chiefs, while Englishman Andrew Turner returns to the Bristol Bears. Mitchell Dunshea moves down the South Island to the Highlanders, following in Billy Harmon's footsteps. Tongan international Sione Havili Talitui moves up to Auckland to join Moana Pasifika. Brayden Ennor will also be forced to sit out this season due to injury. There are some more significant departures - Sam Whitelock, Richie Mo'unga, Jack Goodhue and Leicester Fainga'anuku all leave our shores to take the money on offer in France (Pau), Japan (Toshiba Brave Lupus), France (Castres) and France (Toulon) respectively, and of course, there's a change at coach due to Razor finally getting the big job.

Highlanders
Coach
Clarke Dermody

Head of Rugby
Jamie Joseph


Hookers
Henry Bell (Otago)
Ricky Jackson (Otago)
Jack Taylor (Southland)

Props
Jermaine Ainsley (Otago)
Ethan de Groot (Southland)
Luca Inch (Tasman)
Ayden Johnstone (Waikato)
Daniel Lienert-Brown (Canterbury)
Saula Ma'u (Otago)

Locks
Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury)
Fabian Holland (Otago)
Pari Pari Parkinson (Tasman)
Will Tucker (Otago)

Loose Forwards
Nikora Broughton (Bay of Plenty)
Oliver Haig (Otago)
Billy Harmon (Captain, Canterbury)
Max Hicks (Tasman)
Hayden Michaels (Southland)
Hugh Renton (Tasman)
Tom Sanders (Otago)
Sean Withy (Otago)

Halfbacks
James Arscott (Otago)
Folau Fakatava (Hawke's Bay)
Nathan Hastie (Otago)

Five-Eighths
Ajay Faleafaga (Otago)
Cam Millar (Otago)
Rhys Patchell

Midfielders
Jake Te Hiwi (Otago)
Tanielu Tele'a (Auckland)
Josh Timu (Otago)
Matt Whaanga (Southland)

Back Three Quarters
Martin Bogado
Connor Garden-Bachop (Wellington)
Sam Gilbert (Otago)
Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay)
Jona Nareki (Otago)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (Tasman)

Significant gains:
Few major gains for the Highlanders. They replace one British 10 for another, with the departing Freddie Burns replaced with Welsh international Rhys Patchell. They also have nabbed Tanielu Tele'a from the Blues to bolster their midfield, and Mitchell Dunshea from the Crusaders to bolster their second row. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Timoci Tavatavanawai join them from Auckland, from the Blues and Moana Pasifika respectively. In addition to this, they also welcome back provincial veteran Tom Sanders from Japan. They have also invested in youth, with the majority of the squad made up of players that are quite young, like Hayden Michaels and Ajay Faleafaga. Finally, the coaching ranks are bolstered by the return of Jamie Joseph to the franchise, in a "Head of Rugby" role.

Significant losses:
There are quite a few players that have taken the overseas option. Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell are the obvious ones, but stalwarts like Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Josh Dickson, Mitch Hunt, Andrew Makalio, Scott Gregory and Fetuli Paea are also all leaving for Japan, Japan, Japan, Japan, Italy and Italy. Thomas Umaga-Jensen sits out this season due to injury, and Freddie Burns ends his stint with the team, heading off to Japan as well. Many of the short-termers depart the team for their provinces, while veterans like Marty Banks have had their careers start the wind-down. There are some surprising names dropped as well, like James Lentjies and Rhys Marshall.

Moana Pasifika

Who will be wearing the 10 jersey for the ABs next year?

Shaun Johnson.

J Dory wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:01 pm Who will be wearing the 10 jersey for the ABs next year?

I’m guessing there’ll be some DMac experimentation, but I’d be leaning towards Brett Cameron if he’s in the form he was in during the 2023 season.

Other possibilities are Fergus Burke, Sam Gilbert and Aidan Morgan while Razor tries to find his guy.