Super Rugby 2017

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...n-Highlanders-for-the-2017-Super-Rugby-season

Australian prop Guy Millar to join Highlanders for the 2017 Super Rugby season

It is not often New Zealand Super Rugby teams eye an Australian to bolster their propping stocks but that is just what the Highlanders have done for the 2017 season.

Former Western Force prop Guy Millar will be named in the Highlanders 2017 squad which will officially be confirmed on Wednesday.

He played 14 games for the Force in 2015 and 2016.
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South African turned Aussie going Kiwi.
 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...m-bateman-to-rejoin-crusaders-for-2017-season

Tim Bateman to rejoin Crusaders for 2017 season

New Zealand Maori midfielder Tim Bateman is returning to the Crusaders - 10 years after he made his debut.

The 29-year-old will be unveiled on Wednesday morning as part of the Crusaders' 2017 squad.

Bateman, a West Coaster who captained the Christchurch Boy's High School first XV after moving to Canterbury with his family, played 38 games for Canterbury between 2006 and 2009 and appeared 35 times for the Crusaders from 2007 to 2010.

The one-time New Zealand Maori captain later shifted to the capital and turned out 22 times for Wellington and on 37 occasions for the Hurricanes between 2010 and 2014.
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-sta...-named-in-the-crusaders-when-squads-confirmed

Heiden Bedwell-Curtis expected to be named in the Crusaders when squads confirmed

Heiden Bedwell-Curtis' long wait for a Super Rugby contract appears to be over with the loose forward expected to be announced in the Crusaders' 2017 squad.

The 25-year-old loose forward is expected to be one of 12 Manawatu Turbos players named in Super Rugby teams when the five Kiwi franchises reveal their squads on Wednesday.

Eleven players had already been confirmed in teams before the final announcement.
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Bedwell-Curtis played New Zealand under-20 and is a Māori All Black.
 
The full Crusaders squad is pretty decent.

Crusaders 2017 squad

Forwards:

Props: Michael Alaalatoa, Wyatt Crockett, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Owen Franks.

Hookers: Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor.

Locks: Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock.

Loose forwards: Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Jed Brown, Mitchell Dunshea, Kieran Read, Pete Samu, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd.

Backs:

Halfbacks: Mitchell Drummond, Leon Fukofuka, Bryn Hall.

First five-eighths: Tim Bateman, Marty McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga.

Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui.

Outside backs: George Bridge, Israel Dagg, Sione Fifita, Mitchell Hunt, Digby Ioane, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele.
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Michael Leitch being retained and I guess that he may be done with the JRFU as he has withdrawn in his personal capacity. Fumiaki Tanaka is rumoured to go and play rugby in France. Their discussions with the JRFU to represent the Sunwolves did not go that well it seems.
 
OrbitalDawn said:
The full Crusaders squad is pretty decent.
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Yep, my team have retained a good squad.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...d-as-liam-messam-and-tim-nanaiwilliams-return

Minimal changes for Chiefs' 2017 Super Rugby squad, as key figures return

AT A GLANCE

CHIEFS 2017 SQUAD:

PROPS

Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Mitchell Graham, Kane Hames, Sefo Kautai, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli.

HOOKERS

Hika Elliot, Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart.

LOCKS

Michael Allardice, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, James Tucker.

LOOSE FORWARDS

Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Sam Cane, Mitchell Karpik, Michael Leitch, Liam Messam, Tom Sanders, Taleni Seu.

HALFBACKS

Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Finlay Christie, Brad Weber.

FIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS

Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald, Damian McKenzie.

MIDFIELD BACKS

Johnny Fa'auli, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai.

OUTSIDE BACKS

Solomon Alaimalo, Glen Fisiiahi, James Lowe, Sam McNicol, Toni Pulu, Shaun Stevenson, Chase Tiatia.
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More New Zealand squads announced:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11740342

Super Rugby squads announced: All you need to know

Blues

Backs: Michael Collins (Otago), Matt Duffie (North Harbour), TJ Faiane (Auckland), Billy Guyton (Tasman), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Matt Vaega (North Harbour), George Moala (Auckland), Melani Nanai (Auckland), Sam Nock (Northland), Declan O'Donnell (Taranaki), Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Augustine Pulu (Counties Manukau), Rene Ranger (North Harbour), Jordon Trainor (Waikato), Ihaia West (Hawkes Bay), Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau), Piers Francis (Counties Manukau).

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

Hurricanes

PROPS

Chris Eves, Reg Goodes, Mike Kainga, Ben May, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Loni Uhila

HOOKERS

Leni Apisai, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli

LOCKS

Mark Abott, James Broadhurst, Geoff Cridge, Michael Fatialofa, Sam Lousi

LOOSE FORWARDS

Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Toa Halafihi, Reed Prinsep, Hugh Renton, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson

HALFBACKS

Kylem O'Donnell, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

FIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS

Beauden Barrett, Otere Black

MIDFIELD BACKS

Pita Ahki, Jordie Barrett, Vince Aso, Wes Goosen, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor

OUTSIDE BACKS

Cory Jane, Ben Lam, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea, Peter Umaga-Jensen

Highlanders

PROPS

Siosiua Halanukonuka, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Craig Millar, Guy Millar, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Siate Tokolahi

HOOKERS

Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon

LOCKS

Alex Ainley, Josh Dickson, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Joe Wheeler

LOOSE FORWARDS

Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, James Lentjes, Dan Pryor, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock

HALFBACKS

Josh Renton, Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington

FIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS

Hayden Parker, Fletcher Smith, Lima Sopoaga

MIDFIELD BACKS

Richard Buckman, Jason Emery, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden

OUTSIDE BACKS

Tevita Li, Waisake Naholo, Patrick Osborne, Ben Smith
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I knew that this was going to happen,

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37866584

Pro Rugby America dismiss the Pro12's possible US expansion

Plans for American sides to join the Pro12 have been dismissed by the company running the pro game in the US.

Pro Rugby America, in a statement, described Pro12 as an "interloper" and claimed the league "does not have a legitimate business plan."

Pro12 officials held talks about US and Canadian sides being involved, which had been backed by World Rugby.

"It's ridiculous. What they're doing is just disrespectful," Pro Rugby America chief Doug Shoninger told BBC Wales.

"I understand Pro 12 is under a lot of stress, a lot of problem, but it's not our problem. And they need to solve that problem where they sit."

Pro12 is made up of four teams each from Wales and Ireland plus two each from Scotland and Italy.

Pro Rugby America is sanctioned by governing body USA Rugby to run a professional rugby division in the United States.

The US league started in April with five teams based in Denver, Ohio, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco and Shoninger told BBC Radio Wales they were negotiating a deal with the southern hemisphere Super Rugby league.

"We're bidding on a Super Rugby team," he said.

...
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As things are standing now with the 2020/2021 revised expansive Super Rugby competition,

1. The Argies are bidding to include the Pampas,
2. The US and Canada, each, wants to include a team,
3. The Fijians have been asked by the Kiwis to include a team which is in process and
4. Japan have been asked to include another team, BUT

this is not going to happen without the Top League enabling their best players to participate in the JRFU and that it would be better to include the Asia Pacific Dragons (APD), supported by the JRFU and to re-emerge the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, which contracts players in the pacific ‘rugby’ region.

The Warriors are included in the NRC, starting 2017, in preparation to possibly enter the Super Rugby expansion in 2020/2021. In total this is 5 more teams to bid on entering the Super Rugby, also meaning that 5 teams will be chucked to make room starting in 2018. This is not expansion by teams, but by regions.
 
As predicted,

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/38000876

Huw Jones: Scottish Rugby keen on Western Province centre

Scottish Rugby have enquired about bringing Western Province centre Huw Jones to Edinburgh or Glasgow Warriors.

Scotland cap Jones, 22, is contracted to WP until October and also represents Super Rugby side Stormers.

Edinburgh-born Jones scored two tries as Scotland lost 23-22 to Australia at Murrayfield on Saturday.

WP have been dealing with financial concerns, and recently obtained a court order for the provisional liquidation of their commercial arm.

...

Warriors having tracked Jones' development since the centre was enrolled at the University of Cape Town in 2014.

Enquiries have been made regarding a possible transfer fee, paid by Scottish Rugby to WP to negotiate the early release of Jones, but the province are believed to be resistant to this route.

The player's agent has told BBC Scotland his client is "very happy" in South Africa while Scottish Rugby declined to comment.

The Super Rugby season begins in late February and ends in July, but under World Rugby Regulation 9, clubs must release selected players during international windows, meaning Stormers would be without Jones during the Six Nations Championship, should he be included in Scotland's squad.

Jones was Western Province's top try-scorer in this summer's Currie Cup, with seven. He earned his first Scotland cap as a replacement in the second Test of the June tour of Japan before making his maiden international start against the Wallabies.
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I'm sure that they will take him to Scotland.
 
The Aussies also named their squads like the Kiwis and have started with their 2017 preparations today.

http://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/18108602/australian-super-rugby-squads-2017-finalised

BRUMBIES

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Ben Alexander, Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, Nic Mayhew, Scott Sio, Faalelei Sione, Robbie Abel, Saia Fainga'a, Josh Mann-Rea, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Blake Enever, Tom Staniforth, Chris Alcock, Jarrad Butler, Tom Cusack, Lolo Fakaosilea, Scott Fardy, Ben Hyne, Jordan Smiler, Rob Valetini.

Backs: Tomás Cubelli, Ryan Lonergan, Joe Powell, Anthony Fainga'a, Kyle Godwin, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Nick Jooste, Christian Lealiifano, Nigel Ah Wong, James Dargaville, Tevita Kuridrani, Andrew Smith, Henry Speight, Lausii Taliauli, Tom Banks, Aidan Toua.

FORCE

Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley, Richard Arnold, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan, Ben Daley, Tetera Faulkner, Richard Hardwick, Ross Haylett-Petty, Matt Hodgson, Kane Koteka, Ben Matwijow, Ben McCalman, Isi Naisarani, Matt Philip, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Anaru Rangi, Harry Scoble, Brynard Stander, Heath Tessmann, Francios van Wyk, Shambeckler Vui.

Backs: Marcel Brache, Luke Burton, Robbie Coleman, Peter Grant, Dane Haylett-Petty, Jono Lance, Ryan Louwrens, Semisi Masirewa, Bill Meakes, Luke Morahan, Chance Peni, Ian Prior, Curtis Rona, Michael Ruru.

REBELS

Forwards: Cruze Ah-Nau, Steve Cummins, Dominic Day, Colby Fainga'a, Pama Fou, Harley Fox, James Hanson, Sam Jeffries, Pat Leafa, Rob Leota, Tyrel Lomax, Sean McMahon, Tim Metcher, Tom Moloney, Jordy Reid, Culum Retallick, Siliva Siliva, Toby Smith, Lopeti Timani, Alex Toolis, Jordan Uelese, Laurie Weeks.

Backs: Jack Debreczeni, Tom English, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Reece Hodge, Mitch Inman, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Ben Meehan, Sefa Naivalu, Jonah Placid, Dominic Shipperley, Mick Snowden, Nic Stirzaker, Amanaki Mafi, Jack McGregor, Sione Tuipulotu.

REDS

Forwards: Alex Mafi, Stephen Moore, Andrew Ready, Kane Douglas, Cadeyrn Neville, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Tui, Michael Gunn, Reece Hewat, Scott Higginbotham, Leroy Houston Adam Korczyk, George Smith, Caleb Timu, Hendrik Tui

Backs: Nick Frisby, Moses Sorovi, James Tuttle, Quade Cooper, Jake McIntyre, Samu Kerevi, Campbell Magnay, Duncan Paia'aua, Henry Taefu, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Karmichael Hunt, Chris Kuridrani, Lachlan Maranta, Jayden Ngamanu Eto Nabuli, Izaia Perese.

WARATAHS

Forwards: Sekope Kepu, Sam Needs, Tom Robertson, Paddy Ryan, Matt Sandell, Angus Ta'avao, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tolu Latu, Hugh Roach, Ned Hanigan, Ryan McCauley, Dean Mumm, Will Skelton, Senio Toleafoa, Jack Dempsey, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Michael Wells, Brad Wilkin.

Backs: Jake Gordon, Matt Lucas Nick Phipps, Andrew Deegan, Bernard Foley, Bryce Hegarty, Mack Mason, Israel Folau, Irae Simone, Rob Horne, David Horwitz, Cameron Clark, Harry Jones, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Andrew Kellaway, Reece Robinson.
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The Waratahs, Reds and Rebels have lekker squads. Good players at the Force, but they can do better elsewhere. I also see that ESPN have the positions mixed up, there may be other errors. Brumbies will be missing their stars, let’s see whether Larkham is any good.

No SA squads have been announced to date. The Jaguares are the Pumas with no new additions to the squad to date. The Sunwolves have not signed any player to date, more will be made known once they conclude with the international season.
 
I see that many rugby pundits, on discovering that the Sunwolves has a 4-year Super Rugby contract which is extendible to 5 pending on the viewer ratings, have been calling to drop the Sunwolves.

Good times ahead knowing that there are 4 to 5 teams more to enter the competition, obviously 4-5 or more teams will be dropped to make room.
 
I don't think it's fair to drop the Sunwolves after one season. Harsh on a team that's only had 1 year at it. A team like the Force, which serially under performs, are riper for the picking.
 
OrbitalDawn said:
I don't think it's fair to drop the Sunwolves after one season. Harsh on a team that's only had 1 year at it. A team like the Force, which serially under performs, are riper for the picking.
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The Sunwolves will be blamed as long as the competition worsens. People want something or someone to blame, Sunwolves being the easy target. All that they need to do is to up the game, Mark Hammett have shown them the starting line now Jamie Joseph needs to mentor Filo Tiatia to take them over the 1st then the 2nd hurdle… they have a long way to go, but they need to keep on going.
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/sharks-announce-coaching-staff-for-2017-20161123

Sharks reveal coaching staff for 2017

Cape Town - Sharks head coach, Robert du Preez, has announced his coaching team for the 2017 Super Rugby campaign.

Assistant coaches, Sean Everitt (backline and attack) and Ryan Strudwick (defence), who did duty with Du Preez in this year’s Super Rugby tournament, will once again form part of the coaching structure together with Jaco Pienaar, the former UP-Tuks and Blue Bulls Under-19 coach, who joins the Sharks on a two-year contract as forwards coach.

"A lot of work has been done to strategize the way forward and we have assembled a skilled group of coaches, who bring continuity as well as great commitment to put in the hard yards to achieve the goals we have set-out for ourselves," Du Preez said.

...

Early next year, the Currie Cup Qualifiers also kick-off and Du Preez has also announced that Paul Anthony together with Ricardo Loubscher will head-up the Sharks XV’s Currie Cup qualifying campaign
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Only watched one game in whole 2016 season, compared to about 3 per weekend in previous years, so I guess in 2017 I'll watch zero till they change the format.
 
Yah, the Bulls have a decent kit next year. Looks good imho, worth buying albeit bloody expensive.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/bulls-reveal-new-super-rugby-kit-20161125

Bulls reveal new Super Rugby kit

Pretoria - The Bulls’ new Super Rugby home and away kits have been unveiled.

The design of the kits marks a return to blue for both home and sway, as a tribute to the Bulls’ proud heritage.

The traditional blue home kit has a simple yet bold design, while the darker blue hue away kit also pays homage to true Bulls tradition.
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aa2ff47dfb304dfeb8dca26d99498c7a.gif

Now I only hope that the Sunwolves improves on their ugly design.
 
http://fijivillage.com/sport/Durutalo-makes-a-comeback-to-the-USA-7s-team-rs29k5/

Durutalo makes a comeback to the USA 7s team

Fijian Andrew Durutalo is making a comeback to the USA 7s team after missing out on the World Rugby 7s Series last season after signing with the Sunwolves of Super Rugby.

Head coach Mike Friday has named six players from the Olympics squad.

USA are in pool B with South Africa, Scotland and Uganda.
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I wonder whether he will return to the Sunwolves next year, though I support a more Japanese rugby orientated squad?
 
It was rumoured today that Shota Horie signed with the Sunwolves to play in the 2017 Super Rugby season. The new Cherry Blossom winger, Lomano Lava Lemeki, also signed but will be missing 6 months due to a torn ACL.
 
Told you Fleck, make him a scrummie, but no,

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/kolbe-linked-with-toulouse-move-20161128

Kolbe linked with Toulouse move

Cape Town - Stormers fullback Cheslin Kolbe is being linked with a move to French giants Toulouse.

According to lerugbynistere.com, a French website that offers updates on transfer rumours and activity in the French Top 14, Toulouse are interested in enticing the speedster to make the move north.

...

Western Province and Stormers rugby is not in a good place financially, with the Western Province Rugby Union having applied for liquidation just last month.

As a result, the union is expected to offload a number of players over the next year to try and recuperate some funds.
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http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/38137115

Huw Jones: Scotland centre to stay in South Africa for Super Rugby

Scotland centre Huw Jones will remain with his South African province for the 2017 Super Rugby season, according to his agent.

Scottish Rugby was eager to bring the 22-year-old to either Edinburgh or Glasgow Warriors.

But Jones is contracted to Cape Town-based Western Province and the Stormers franchise until October 2017.

And Dane Galley told BBC Scotland WP would be resistant to any offer to buy out the remainder of his deal.

"100%, he is playing Super Rugby next year," said Jones' representative Galley.
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WPRU will be drained in 2018, maybe they win the battle against Aerios...
 
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