From Stuff.Co.NZ.......
NZ Super 12 squads named
31 October 2003
League recruit Tasesa Lavea has continued his rapid rise in the rugby ranks by being named in the Blues Super 12 rugby squad today.
The former league international has adjusted quickly to the 15-man code and was an influential figure at first five-eighth in the latter stages of the NPC season as Auckland retained the title.
The Blues squad, not surprisingly, contain a heavy Auckland influence, including 19-year-old prop John Afoa.
Also in the front row is former All Blacks and Canterbury prop Greg Feek, one of a number of players named in New Zealand's five Super 12 squads today to be moved outside his home province.
Notable omissions from the Blues squad are North Harbour loose forwards Troy Flavell and Ron Cribb.
The two former All Blacks both experienced disciplinary problems this year and are expected to play overseas next year although neither has confirmed their intentions.
Halfback Byron Kelleher's impending shift from Dunedin to Hamilton has cost Waikato halfback Rhys Duggan a place in the Chiefs squad.
Kelleher and Isaac Boss were named as the Chiefs halfbacks, with Duggan, a regular in that position for the franchise since 1996, discarded.
Wellington and Samoan wing Lome Fa'atau has been transferred to the Chiefs while the Hurricanes have named Wellington's Fijian wing Sereli Bobo among their squad.
Teenager Roy Kinikinilau, who Wellington used as a wing after a career in the loose forwards, has been promoted, as has impressive Wellington No 8 Thomas Waldrom, whose brother, flanker Scott Waldrom, was picked up by the Crusaders.
Other newcomers at this level named by the Hurricanes were prop Neemia Tialata and centre Conrad Smith, while North Harbour utility back Hosea Gear will don Hurricanes colours.
A glaring omission from the Crusaders squad is Canterbury captain and halfback Ben Hurst, who misses out to All Blacks No 9 Justin Marshall and Jamie Nutbrown.
Nutbrown served as Hurst's understudy in the NPC this year.
The Crusaders have picked up impressive Auckland wing and New Zealand sevens representative Anthony Koonwaiyou while first five-eighth Cameron MacIntyre did enough for Canterbury this year to secure a contract.
MacIntyre was a reliable fill-in during Andrew Mehrtens' frequent injury-enforced absences this year.
Southland halfback Jimmy Cowan is in the Highlanders squad after a fine domestic season.
The Highlanders have also picked up Auckland utility back Iliesa Tanivula and North Harbour loose forward Craig Newby.
Southland's improved form in the NPC has been rewarded and they have a solid representative in a side previously dominated by Otago players.
The decision of Northland second five-eighth Jason Shoemark to sign for Otago for the next two years did not earn him a contract.
Other notable names missing from the contracted list include Northland first five-eighth James Arlidge, Auckland prop Nick White, Taranaki wing Shayne Austin and Wellington loose forweard Kupu Vanisi.
Squads:
Blues: John Afoa, Orene Ai'i, Ben Atiga, Daniel Braid, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Justin Collins, Steve Devine, Greg Feek, Rico Gear, David Gibson, Doug Howlett, Jerome Kaino, Tasesa Lavea, Angus MacDonald, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws, Brad Mika, Malili Muliaina, Greg Rawlinson, Joe Rokocoko, Xavier Rush, Carlos Spencer, Brent Thompson, Sam Tuitupou, Ali Williams, Bryce Williams, Derryn Witcombe, Tony Woodcock.
Chiefs: Steven Bates, Isaac Boss, Ben Castle, Michael Collins, Scott Couch, Loki Crichton, Simms Davison, David Duley, Lome Fa'atau, Jonno Gibbes, David Hill, Sean Hohneck, Marty Holah, Glen Jackson, Byron Kelleher, Regan King, Sione Lauaki, Scott Linklater, Keith Lowen, Derek Maisey, Deacon Manu, Todd Miller, Wayne Ormond, Mark Ranby, Roger Randle, Keith Robinson, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Tom Willis.
Hurricanes: Luke Andrews, Sereli Bobo, Jerry Collins, Tim Fairbrother, Riki Flutey, Hosea Gear, Ben Herring, David Holwell, Andrew Hore, Ross Kennedy, Roy Kinikinilau, Chris Masoe, Joe McDonnell, Ma'a Nonu, Kristian Ormsby, Shannon Paku, Tony Penn, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Jason Spice, Neemia Tialata, Paul Tito, Tane Tuipulotu, Tana Umaga, Thomas Waldrom, Brent Ward, Joe Ward, Piri Weepu.
Crusaders: Ben Blair, Sam Broomhall, Dan Carter, Ross Filipo, Corey Flynn, Scott Hamilton, Mark Hammett, Dave Hewett, Chris Jack, Campbell Johnstone, Chris King, Anthony Koonwaiyou, Casey Laulala, Johnny Leo'o, Cameron MacIntyre, Justin Marshall, Aaron Mauger, Nathan Mauger, Richie McCaw, Andrew Mehrtens, Jamie Nutbrown, Caleb Ralph, Greg Somerville, Brad Thorn, Reuben Thorne, Mose Tuialii, Marika Vunibaka, Scott Waldrom.
Highlanders: Matt Berquist, Josh Blackie, Tony Brown, Jimmy Cowan, Clarke Dermody, Tom Donnelly, Nick Evans, Sam Harding, Carl Hayman, Carl Hoeft, Glen Horton, Danny Lee, Filipo Levi, Simon Maling, Seilala Mapusua, Craig Newby, Ryan Nicholas, Ben Nolan, Anton Oliver, Hayden Pedersen, Daniel Quate, Seru Rabeni, Jason Rutledge, Hale T'Pole, Illiesa Tanivula, Aisea Tuilevu, Grant Webb, Paul Williams.
NZ Super 12 squads named
31 October 2003
League recruit Tasesa Lavea has continued his rapid rise in the rugby ranks by being named in the Blues Super 12 rugby squad today.
The former league international has adjusted quickly to the 15-man code and was an influential figure at first five-eighth in the latter stages of the NPC season as Auckland retained the title.
The Blues squad, not surprisingly, contain a heavy Auckland influence, including 19-year-old prop John Afoa.
Also in the front row is former All Blacks and Canterbury prop Greg Feek, one of a number of players named in New Zealand's five Super 12 squads today to be moved outside his home province.
Notable omissions from the Blues squad are North Harbour loose forwards Troy Flavell and Ron Cribb.
The two former All Blacks both experienced disciplinary problems this year and are expected to play overseas next year although neither has confirmed their intentions.
Halfback Byron Kelleher's impending shift from Dunedin to Hamilton has cost Waikato halfback Rhys Duggan a place in the Chiefs squad.
Kelleher and Isaac Boss were named as the Chiefs halfbacks, with Duggan, a regular in that position for the franchise since 1996, discarded.
Wellington and Samoan wing Lome Fa'atau has been transferred to the Chiefs while the Hurricanes have named Wellington's Fijian wing Sereli Bobo among their squad.
Teenager Roy Kinikinilau, who Wellington used as a wing after a career in the loose forwards, has been promoted, as has impressive Wellington No 8 Thomas Waldrom, whose brother, flanker Scott Waldrom, was picked up by the Crusaders.
Other newcomers at this level named by the Hurricanes were prop Neemia Tialata and centre Conrad Smith, while North Harbour utility back Hosea Gear will don Hurricanes colours.
A glaring omission from the Crusaders squad is Canterbury captain and halfback Ben Hurst, who misses out to All Blacks No 9 Justin Marshall and Jamie Nutbrown.
Nutbrown served as Hurst's understudy in the NPC this year.
The Crusaders have picked up impressive Auckland wing and New Zealand sevens representative Anthony Koonwaiyou while first five-eighth Cameron MacIntyre did enough for Canterbury this year to secure a contract.
MacIntyre was a reliable fill-in during Andrew Mehrtens' frequent injury-enforced absences this year.
Southland halfback Jimmy Cowan is in the Highlanders squad after a fine domestic season.
The Highlanders have also picked up Auckland utility back Iliesa Tanivula and North Harbour loose forward Craig Newby.
Southland's improved form in the NPC has been rewarded and they have a solid representative in a side previously dominated by Otago players.
The decision of Northland second five-eighth Jason Shoemark to sign for Otago for the next two years did not earn him a contract.
Other notable names missing from the contracted list include Northland first five-eighth James Arlidge, Auckland prop Nick White, Taranaki wing Shayne Austin and Wellington loose forweard Kupu Vanisi.
Squads:
Blues: John Afoa, Orene Ai'i, Ben Atiga, Daniel Braid, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Justin Collins, Steve Devine, Greg Feek, Rico Gear, David Gibson, Doug Howlett, Jerome Kaino, Tasesa Lavea, Angus MacDonald, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws, Brad Mika, Malili Muliaina, Greg Rawlinson, Joe Rokocoko, Xavier Rush, Carlos Spencer, Brent Thompson, Sam Tuitupou, Ali Williams, Bryce Williams, Derryn Witcombe, Tony Woodcock.
Chiefs: Steven Bates, Isaac Boss, Ben Castle, Michael Collins, Scott Couch, Loki Crichton, Simms Davison, David Duley, Lome Fa'atau, Jonno Gibbes, David Hill, Sean Hohneck, Marty Holah, Glen Jackson, Byron Kelleher, Regan King, Sione Lauaki, Scott Linklater, Keith Lowen, Derek Maisey, Deacon Manu, Todd Miller, Wayne Ormond, Mark Ranby, Roger Randle, Keith Robinson, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Tom Willis.
Hurricanes: Luke Andrews, Sereli Bobo, Jerry Collins, Tim Fairbrother, Riki Flutey, Hosea Gear, Ben Herring, David Holwell, Andrew Hore, Ross Kennedy, Roy Kinikinilau, Chris Masoe, Joe McDonnell, Ma'a Nonu, Kristian Ormsby, Shannon Paku, Tony Penn, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Jason Spice, Neemia Tialata, Paul Tito, Tane Tuipulotu, Tana Umaga, Thomas Waldrom, Brent Ward, Joe Ward, Piri Weepu.
Crusaders: Ben Blair, Sam Broomhall, Dan Carter, Ross Filipo, Corey Flynn, Scott Hamilton, Mark Hammett, Dave Hewett, Chris Jack, Campbell Johnstone, Chris King, Anthony Koonwaiyou, Casey Laulala, Johnny Leo'o, Cameron MacIntyre, Justin Marshall, Aaron Mauger, Nathan Mauger, Richie McCaw, Andrew Mehrtens, Jamie Nutbrown, Caleb Ralph, Greg Somerville, Brad Thorn, Reuben Thorne, Mose Tuialii, Marika Vunibaka, Scott Waldrom.
Highlanders: Matt Berquist, Josh Blackie, Tony Brown, Jimmy Cowan, Clarke Dermody, Tom Donnelly, Nick Evans, Sam Harding, Carl Hayman, Carl Hoeft, Glen Horton, Danny Lee, Filipo Levi, Simon Maling, Seilala Mapusua, Craig Newby, Ryan Nicholas, Ben Nolan, Anton Oliver, Hayden Pedersen, Daniel Quate, Seru Rabeni, Jason Rutledge, Hale T'Pole, Illiesa Tanivula, Aisea Tuilevu, Grant Webb, Paul Williams.
