I’m not sure if this is a new intiative to get folks fizzing for next year’s season, but there’s a gap in Rugby news coverage with the World Cup over and no November tours so today starting at 10 NZDT every hour two teams will announce their squads for next season.
10am: Chiefs and Fijian Drua 11am: Highlanders and Rebels 12pm: Moana Pasifika and Waratahs 1pm: Hurricanes and Brumbies 2pm: Blues and Reds 3pm: Crusaders and Force
I may be the only Southern Hemisphere rugby nerd here, but if I can spare some time amidst my work day i’ll post links to the teams as they come out. Given its a World Cup year there’ll be more churn than normal and there’s already been a lot of moves pre-announced. Eg some of the big moves are Leigh Halfpenny coming down to the Crusaders, Angus Ta’avao returning to the Blues.
What’s potentially more interesting off the back of another great NPC season is the wider squad players who will almost certainly be needed as injury cover. Given the departure of Mounga, and uncertain international future for Beauden Barrett, the Flyhalf stocks in NZ are a bit pressed, so one to watch is whether Josh Jacomb gets picked up by anyone.
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Force: https://twitter.com/SuperRugby/status/1722434181790412895
Surely its against the laws of rugby to play Harry Potter in your team?!
Chiefs Squad: https://au.livecenter.com/frame/nzme/1595/default?p=lc-59259-1595
Looks very strong, with DMac as the starting 10 & cover from Josh Ioane and Kaleb Trask back from Japan.
They’ll obviously miss Retallick at lock, but still have Tupou Vai’i and Josh Lord there as well as Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Manaaki Selby-Rickett.
Drua Squad: https://au.livecenter.com/frame/nzme/1595/default?p=lc-59266-1595
I know very little about their players so no idea what the movements are.
Highlanders squad: https://x.com/SuperRugby/status/1722373816096317739?s=20
I kinda think that squad spells another season of struggle. Pinching Tavatavanawai from Moana Pasifika is a big get, but not sure they’ve got a 10 that’s going to boss games. Fakatava is an able replacement for Aaron Smith, but you can’t play off him in the same way.
Oh, somehow I completely overlooked Rhys Patchell coming in for the 'landers; I guess he can play 10 :)
Rebels squad: https://x.com/SuperRugby/status/1722373847377494084?s=20
Taniela Tupou going to the Rebels! Matt Proctor is a good signing, I reckon they’ll have another decent season assuming Carter Gordon can recover from his time with Eddie.
Crusaders: https://twitter.com/SuperRugby/status/1722434128837255605
With Fergus Burke out injured, even with Halfpenny signed there’s no clear & proven 10 for the Cru this year. But their forwards look formidable as always, even if the key backline positions look a bit short of experience outside of Havili
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There’s got to be a way I can lose more money with my terrible gambling following this 🧐
Ahahaha, I wouldn’t admit it, but probably pick with the heart more than the head. Usually I go with whichever team has more Magpies players in the match day 23 as to who I think might win :)
Moana Pasifika: https://moanapasifika.co.nz/moana-pasifika-squad-announcement-2024/
No Lincoln McClutchie which leaves their stocks at 10 fairly light. He didn’t really kick on at Super level like he does for the Magpies but will be interesting to see where he has gone. Afterall, he did get the 'pies to the NPC final and was top points scorer I think so is clearly decent.
Some good pickups in the loosies, but hard to see how they’ll replace Aumua and Tavatavanawai - maybe Savea will play in the midfield even though he’s listed as an outside back?
Waratahs: https://x.com/SuperRugby/status/1722389036537668087?s=20
Looks like the sort of relatively decent squad they’ve had for years, but whether they can actually put performances together is as always the big question.
Horrorcanes Squad: https://x.com/SuperRugby/status/1722403895614525462?s=20
If they commit to playing Devan Flanders at 8, and go with a midfield pairing of Proctor-Sullivan I reckon they’ll be title contenders again. Pretty stable looking squad for the most part.
Actually looking at it again, the 'Canes locks have mixed up a bunch, but they were only ever really B level players anyway so will it matter?
Bummies Squad: https://x.com/SuperRugby/status/1722403932880949257?s=20
Should be the best Aussie team again; stable looking squad like the 'canes. If you work on the theory of teams with lots of players that have played together lots being good, then both Brumbies & Canes should be pushing for a top 4 finish if not finals.