Round 1 teams

[skeepe]

Waikato Chiefs
15. Dwayne Sweeney
14. Sosene Anesi
13. Niva Ta'auso
12. Tane Tu'ipulotu
11. Anthony Tahana
10. Stephen Donald
9. Jamie Nutbrown
8. Liam Messam
7. Marty Holah
6. Steven Bates
5. Kristian Ormsby
4. Jono Gibbes (c)
3. Nathan White
2. Tom Willis
1. Simms Davison

16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Ben Castle
18. Toby Lynn
19. Tanerau Latimer
20. Brendon Leonard
21. Tasesa Lavea
22. Lelia Masaga

ACT Brumbies:
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Clyde Rathbone
13. Stirling Mortlock (c)
12. Gene Fairbanks
11. Mark Gerrard
10. Julian Huxley
9. King George Gregan
8. Stephen Hoiles
7. George Smith
6. Julian Salvi
5. Mark Chisholm
4. Alistair Campbell
3. Guy Shepherdson
2. Jeremy Paul
1. Nic Henderson

16. Saia Faingaa
17. Salesi Ma'afu
18. Adam Wallace-Harrison
19. Jone Tawake
20. Richard Stanford
21. Tim Wright
22. Matt Carraro

Western Force
15. Drew Mitchell
14. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
12. Matt Giteau
11. Cameron Shephard
10. James Hilgendorf
9. Matt Henjak
8. Scott Fava
7. Richard Brown
6. David Pusey
5. Nathan Sharpe (c)
4. Rudy Vedelago
3. Troy Takiari
2. Brendan Cannon
1. Gareth Hardy

16. Tai McIsaac
17. Angus Scott
18. Luke Doherty
19. David Pocock
20. Chris O'Young
21. Junior Pelesasa
22. Haig Sare

Otago Highlanders
15. Craig Clare
14. Lucky Mulipola
13. Matthew Saunders
12. Jason Kawau
11. Viliame Waqaseduadua
10. Callum Bruce
9. Jimmy Cowan
8. Craig Newby
7. Josh Blackie (c)
6. Hoani MacDonald
5. James Ryan
4. Kane Thompson
3. Clarke Dermody
2. Jason Macdonald
1. Chris King

16. David Hall
17. Jamie Mackintosh
18. Ezra Taylor
19. Alando Soakai
20. Toby Morland
21. Charlie Hore
22. Greg Zampach

NSW Waratards
15. Sam Norton-Knight
14. Peter Hewat
13. Morgan Turinui
12. Ben Jacobs
11. Lote Tuqiri
10. Daniel Halangahu
9. Josh Valentine
8. Wycliff Palu
7. Phil Waugh (c)
6. Rocky Elsom
5. Ben Hand
4. Will Caldwell
3. Al Baxter
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
1. Benn Robinson

16. Adam Freier
17. Aaron Broughton-Rouse
18. Dean Mumm
19. Tim Davidson
20. Brett Sheehan
21. Kurtley Beale
22. Sam Harris

Johannesberg Lions
15. Earl Rose
14. Louis Ludik
13. Jaques Fourie
12. Doppies La Grange
11. Jannie Boshoff
10. Andre Pretorius (c)
9. Enrico Januarie
8. Willem Alberts
7. Ernst Joubert
6. Baywatch Grobbelaar
5. Anton van Zyl
4. Cobus Grobler
3. Brian Mujati
2. Willie Wepener
1. Heinke van der Merwe

16. Ashton Constant
17. Lawrence Sephaka
18. Gordon Gilfillan
19. Franco van der Merwe
20. Jano Vermaak
21. Louis Strydom
22. Jaco van Schalkwyk

Queensland Reds
15. Clinton Schifcofske
14. Henari Veratau
13. Ben Tune
12. Andrew Brown
11. Peter Hynes
10. Berrick Barnes
9. Nic Berry
8. John Roe (c)
7. David Croft
6. Mitchell Chapman
5. Hugh McMeniman
4. James Horwill
3. Rodney Blake
2. Sean Hardman
1. Greg Holmes

16. Stephen Moore
17. Ben Coutts
18. Ed O'Donoghue
19. Tom McVerry
20. Will Genia
21. Charlie Fetoai
22. Brando Va'alu

Wellington Hurricanes
15. Cory Jane
14. Hosea Gear
13. Conrad Smith (c)
12. Ma'a Nonu
11. David Smith
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Chris Smylie
8. Thomas Waldrom
7. Nili Latu
6. Luke Andres
5. Bernie Upton
4. Paul Tito
3. Neemia Tialata
2. Tone Kopelani
1. John Schwalger

16. Mahonri Schwalger
17. Tim Fairbrother
18. Bradley Mika
19. Serge Lilo
20. Alby Mathewson
21. Tamati Ellison
22. Tana Umaga

Auckland Blues
15. George Pisi
14. Doug Howlett
13. Isaia Toeava
12. Sam Tuitupou
11. Anthony Tuitavake
10. Isa Nacewa
9. David Gibson
8. Jerome Kaino
7. Daniel Braid
6. Angus Macdonald
5. Troy Flavell (c)
4. Greg Rawlinson
3. John Afoa
2. Derren Witcombe
1. Saimone Taumoepeau

16. Rudi Wulf
17. Luke McAlister
18. Steve Devine
19. Justin Collins
20. Anthony Boric
21. Nick White
22. Chris Heard

Canterbury Crusaders
15. Brent Ward
14. Rico Gear
13. Caleb Ralph
12. Casey Laulala
11. Scott Hamilton
10. Stephen Brett
9. Andrew Ellis
8. Moses Tuiali'i
7. Johnny Leo'o
6. Kieran Read
5. Kevin O'Neill
4. Ross Filipo
3. Campbell Johnstone
2. Corey Flynn (c)
1. Ben Franks

16. Ti'i Paulo
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Jake Paringatai
19. Peter Nixon
20. Kevin Senio
21. Tusi Pisi
22. Rua Tipoki

Pretoria Bulls
15. Johan Roets
14. Akona Ndungane
13. JP Nel
12. Wynand Olivier
11. Bryan Habana
10. Derick Hougaard
9. Fourie du Preez
8. Anton Leonard
7. Wikus van Heerden
6. Pedrie Wannenburg
5. Victor Matfield (c)
4. Danie Rossouw
3. Danie Thiart
2. Gary Botha
1. Wessel Roux

16. Derick Kuun
17. Jaco Engels
18. Francois van Schouwenburg
19. Hilton Lobberts
20. Nicholas Eyre
21. Morne Steyn
22. Marius Delport

Durban Sharks
15. Percy Montgomery
14. Francois Steyn
13. Waylon Murray
12. Bradley Barritt
11. JP Pietersen
10. Butch James
9. Ruan Pienaar
8. Ryan Kankowski
7. AJ Venter
6. Jacques Botes
5. Johann Muller
4. Steven Sykes
3. BJ Botha
2. John Smit (c)
1. Deon Carstens

16. Bismarck du Plessis
17. Kees Lensing
18. Albert van den Berg
19. Warren Britz
20. Rory Kockott
21. Adrian Jacobs
22. Cedric Mkhize

Free State Cheetahs
15. Tiger Mangweni
14. Philip Burger
13. Marius Joubert
12. Meyer Bosman
11. Ronnie Cooke
10. Kerkie Kruger
9. Falie Oelschig
8. Kabamba Floors
7. Juan Smith (c)
6. Hendro Scholtz
5. Corniel van Zyl
4. Darron Nell
3. Jannie du Plessis
2. Adriaan Strauss
1. Ollie le Roux

16. Richard Strauss
17. Wian du Preez
18. Bian Vermaak
19. Ryno van der Merwe
20. Michael Claassens
21. Willen de Waal
22. Eddie Fredericks

Cape Town Stormers
15. Gio Aplon
14. Breyton Paulse
13. Corne Uys
12. Jean de Villiers
11. Conrad Jantjes
10. Naas Olivier
9. Bolla Conradie
8. Joe van Niekerk
7. Schalk Burger
6. Luke Watson (c)
5. Andries Bekker
4. Selborne Boome
3. Eddie Andrews
2. Schalk Brits
1. JD Moller

16. Tiaan Liebenberg
17. Brok Harris
18. Ross Skeate
19. Robbie Diack
20. JP Joubert
21. Brent Russell
22. De Wet Barry

 

[Timbo]

Take the AB's out of the Kiwi sides and they're still arse-kickingly good.

Should be a good season. I still think the Force are the best Aussie hope.

 

[ozbash]

no larkham i see.

brumbies are toast.

 

[Sanchez]

larkham away with his pregnant wife

 

[bayrep]

Has the Force been buying up big over the summer as there are some big names in their team that I didnt think they had orginally.

 

[lockyno1]

Force were the big spenders. Giteau is on the biggest contract.

 

[Twizzle]

interresting to see where they play him

I can't see them playing him at halfback, yet he is expected to play there for the Aussies

 

[skeepe]

Gregan will be the Aussie halfback. Giteau has been named at inside centre for the Force, in any case.

First post updated with Chiefs, Reds, Hurricanes, Bulls and Sharks.

 

[lockyno1]

If Gregan is Australian halfback dead set we are no hope! In fact Ireland are a bigger chance than us at the World Cup if that happens!

 

[skeepe]

locky you are a dead set gibberer. Gregan is the best halfback in the world and will, like he did last season, prove it to people like you with no brains. Go shove your head in a mincer you twat.

 

[lockyno1]

"Best halfback in the world", you on some good grass are you? Heard of Kelleher have you among others that are better than Grampa Gregan with the walking cane!

 

[ozbash]

Article provided by EVAN PEGDEN of the WAIKATO TIMES

In his seventh season of Super rugby Marty Holah can be sure of at least one thing for the start of the 2007 Super 14 in Hamilton on Saturday night.

He will be selected tomorrow in the No 7 jersey against the Brumbies at Waikato Stadium for his 70th consecutive match.

The iron man of Chiefs and Waikato rugby, who has played 36 tests for the All Blacks in the shadow of Richie McCaw, is the constant in the Hamilton-based side, never having missed a game since his debut as a 24-year-old in 2001, even though a couple have been from coming off the bench.

Now 30, Holah will be hard-pressed to overhaul the record of 103 consecutive games for the Crusaders by Caleb Ralph but that doesn't bother him. He didn't even know he was coming up to 70 on the trot, and besides Ralph is a back.

It is the open-side flankers who take the most punishment in putting their bodies on the line and no others even come close to him for such long-term consistency.

Holah says he has got there by learning to be smart about his preparation to get through the gruelling Super 12/14 campaigns and the catch-cry from the coaches this season is for the whole team to be just that little bit smarter as well.

Smarter, that is, in closing out the close games and getting off to a strong start, rather than relying on the now familiar late rush of wins that has marked recent seasons.

"We're really trying to push that playing smart on the field, which is probably an area, especially in the last couple of seasons against the Brumbies where in the last 20 minutes we didn't do some smart things that would have helped us out," Holah said.
"We've always been physical and we've always had a fair bit of brilliance on the field but probably just haven't had that last 10 per cent at the end of the game where you do what the Crusaders do and premiership teams do -- they just sort of close the game out and put pressure on the other team."

Holah has never been more eager for a season to start, sensing the Chiefs are ready to take another step up, having built strongly upfront in recent seasons and brimming with confidence and enthusiasm based on Waikato's Air New Zealand Cup victory last October. Oh, thats right, we won that too
The special feeling of finally getting the reward of some championship silverware with Waikato had been a boost and now there was a hunger for more success.

"I think a few guys learnt a little bit about winning and winning at the tough end of the season. Hopefully we can spin that through to the Super 14."

But it is also about getting a good start to the season after horror openings in 2005 and 2006 before rattling home strongly and he said there was confidence among the players going into Saturday.

The Chiefs v Brumbies match will be played on Saturday 3 February at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. Kick off is 7.35pm (NZ time).

The Chiefs team is:

1. Simms Davison
2. Tom Willis
3. Nathan White
4. Jono Gibbes (captain)
5. Kristian Ormsby
6. Steven Bates
7. Marty Holah
8. Liam Messam
9. Jamie Nutbrown
10. Stephen Donald
11. Anthony Tahana
12. Tane Tu'ipulotu
13. Niva Ta'auso
14. Sosene Anesi
15. Dwayne Sweeney

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Ben Castle, Toby Lynn, Tanerau Latimer, Brendon Leonard, Tasesa Lavea, Lelia Masaga.

what a team,,,, i kid you not, they have CHAMPION written on each one of them.....

 

[skeepe]

There are none better than King George.

Honestly locky, how is it that you like so many sports, yet your combined knowledge of all of them wouldn't fill a syringe?

 

[lockyno1]

Gregan is slow, his passing is rubbish, and well the least said about his running game the better. There are better halfbacks in Australia IMO.

 

[skeepe]

Brumbies have a better team 1-22 than what you've posted there oz

Oh and locky, your opinions on the King show that you have never watched a game of rugby in your life.

 

[lockyno1]

I have watched enough. Our best assets are out wide. Therefore you need a set of halves that give them quick, early ball. Our halves are old, consistently Larkham won't do it like he did in 2000 or whatever. Therefore we need a halfback who has a quick flat pass and someone who likes to run the ball. Coordingly and Giteau are the best 2 availiable IMO.

 

[skeepe]

I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree. I will be content, however, in the knowledge that I'm right

 

[lockyno1]

As a honest question skeepe, how close is my team to the WC starting 15:

1. Benn Robinson
2. Jeremy Paul/Tai Macaisac
3. Holmes
4. Dan Vickerman
5. Nathan Sharpe (f..k I hope not though!)
6. Daniel Heenan (please don't get injured again, he is our best no6)
7. Smith/Waught (one starts one on bench)
8. Rocky Elsom
9. TBA (we'll agree to disagree here), i'll put Giteau there, you would put Gregan.
10. Larkham
11. Tuquiri
12. Staniforth
13. Mortlock
14. Schifoske/Gerrard/Mitchell/Shephard (I like Clinton becuase one thing we lack is a 90% goalkicker!)
15. Latham

what do you think?

 

[ozbash]

Brumbies have a better team 1-22 than what you've posted there oz

Oh and locky, your opinions on the King show that you have never watched a game of rugby in your life.

we are missing a few, robbo is being wrapped in cotten wool at the request of graham henry, lauaki sustained an horrific injury at the hands of those mongrel blues, kahui is not there.
the depth is there tho, the bench is terrific, latimer should be in welly for the 7's, he must have pissed titch off..

the argument,,,, georgie is the best halfback in the world outside of nz.
i think he is weepu's equal, kellerher is slightly better, ellis would be just better imo.

geo hasnt got the talent at # 10 to enable him to play his normal dynamic game, larkham aint the boy he used to be.
gregan/smith is one of the best pairings in world footy imo, shame they,re going to get done on saturday night.;-)

 

[aussies1st]

Clinton isn't the quickest for a wing, if he goes well maybe he'll do the unthinkable and oust Latham.