General Super Rugby 2013

[Rizzah]

I know alot of you hate yawnion.. haha.
I'm not a huge fan, but still get behind the highlanders each year..
Any thoughts on the squads out today?

Blues Squad:
Forwards:
Kane Barrett, Anthony Boric, Luke Braid, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Quentin MacDonald, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Liaki Moli, Brendon O'Connor, James Parsons, Tim Perry, Ronald Raaymakers, Culum Retallick, Peter Saili, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Ali Williams.

Backs:
Malakai Fekitoa, Jamison Gibson-Park, Frank Halai, Bryn Hall, Baden Kerr, Marty McKenzie, George Moala, Waisake Naholo, Chris Noakes, Charles Piutau, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili, Piri Weepu, Jackson Willison.

Chiefs Squad
Forwards:
Ben Afeaki, Sam Cane, Craig Clarke, Nick Crosswell, Hikawera Elliot, Ross Filipo, Mike Fitzgerald, Romana Graham, Josh Hohneck, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Rhys Marshall, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Solomona Sakalia, Ben Tameifuna

Backs:
Bundee Aki, Gareth Anscombe, Aaron Cruden, Andrew Horrell, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Patrick Osborne, Augustine Pulu, Robbie Robinson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma

Crusaders Squad:
Forwards:
Dominic Bird, Shane Christie, Wyatt Crockett, Tom Donnelly, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Nepo Laulala, Richie McCaw, Joe Moody, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Jimmy Tupou, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.

Backs:
Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Tom Marshall, Johnny McNicholl, Jeremy Su'a, Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock.

Highlanders Squad:
Forwards:
Josh Bekhuis, Tim Boys, Liam Coltman, Elliot Dixon, Ma'afu Fia, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, Andrew Hore, Chris King, Jamie Mackintosh, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Jake Paringatai, Brad Thorn (Legend), Joe Wheeler, Tony Woodcock.

Backs:
Phil Burleigh, Tamati Ellison, Jason Emery, Hosea Gear, Ma'a Nonu, Declan O'Donnell, Kade Poki, Hayden Parker, Buxton Popoalii, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Fumiaki Tanaka, Shaun Treeby.

Hurricanes Squad:
Forwards:
James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Ben Franks, Reggie Goodes, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Karl Lowe, Motu Matu'u, Ben May, Mark Reddish, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Eric Sione, Blade Thomson, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Victor Vito.

Backs:
Beauden Barrett, Tim Bateman, Samisoni Fisilau, Cory Jane, Rey Lee-Lo, Alapati Leuia,, James Marshall, TJ Perenara, Tusi Pisi, Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Chris Smylie, Andre Taylor

 

[Rizzah]

Pretty good team for next year..

1. Tony Woodcock 2. Andrew Hore 3. Jamie Mackintosh 4. Brad Thorn 5. Josh Bekhuis 6. Jarrad Hoeata 7. John Hardie 8. Nasi Manu
9. Aaron Smith 10. Colin Slade 11. Hosea Gear 12. Tamati Ellison 13. Ma'a Nonu 14. Kade Poki or Popoali'i 15. Ben Smith

 

[Matt13-1]

Highlanders have bought very well, but Crusaders are still gonna win

1. Wyatt Crockett 2. Corey Flynn 3. Owen Franks 4. Luke Romano 5. Sam Whitelock 6. George Whitelock 7. Matt Todd/Richie McCaw 8. Kieran Read 9. Andy Ellis 10. Dan Carter 11. Zac Guildford 12. Ryan Crotty 13. Robbie Fruean 14. Adam Whitelock 15. Israel Dagg

 

[Rizzah]

It'll be a good match when it comes around.
Don't rate Wyatt Crockett or Corey Flynn at all.

 

[Matt13-1]

Corey Flynn is mud, but you can't stop Crockzilla!

 

[Rizzah]

He's too tall for a prop
penalty magnet!
interesting to note he went to otago boys high.

 

[mt.wellington]

I know alot of you hate yawnion.. haha.

Your right. I do hate Rugby!

Use to play and follow it for years but now I dont understand the rules? Saw on the news that they are trying yet some more new rules during the All Blacks games in Europe!

 

[fanrrior]

I don't know much about rugby but even I can tell that the Crusaders squad is filled with superstars. Even I have heard of Carter, Fruean, Dagg, Guilford etc.

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

I don't know much about rugby but even I can tell that the Crusaders squad is filled with superstars. Even I have heard of Carter, Fruean, Dagg, Guilford etc.

Fruen and Guilford are not even close to superstars

 

[shuffle]

I don't know much about rugby but even I can tell that the Crusaders squad is filled with superstars. Even I have heard of Carter, Fruean, Dagg, Guilford etc.

You forgot superstar winger Adam Whitelock! No body has been sooo impressive since Caleb Ralph!

 

[mt.wellington]

Fruen and Guilford are not even close to superstars

Guilfords a superstar in Rarotonga!

 

[fanrrior]

Fruen and Guilford are not even close to superstars

I probably don't know enough about rugby to argue with you there

Maybe its something to do with me being in Christchurch, but I know more about the Crusaders than I do about the all Blacks and the other international teams, hence raising them to superstar status haha.

 

[mt.wellington]

I probably don't know enough about rugby to argue with you there

Maybe its something to do with me being in Christchurch, but I know more about the Crusaders than I do about the all Blacks and the other international teams, hence raising them to superstar status haha.

You cant take a shit in Chch without being bombarded with Crusader advertising. As a Jafa I knew that Cantabs loved their Rugby and their team the Crusaders but I honestly wasnt prepared for the level of hype those boys generate. Dan Carter and McCaw are everywhere. Billboards, posters, bus stops, cutouts... banks, bakery, supermarkets... insane!

 

[ShaunJohnson7]

You cant take a shit in Chch without being bombarded with Crusader advertising. As a Jafa I knew that Cantabs loved their Rugby and their team the Crusaders but I honestly wasnt prepared for the level of hype those boys generate. Dan Carter and McCaw are everywhere. Billboards, posters, bus stops, cutouts... banks, bakery, supermarkets... insane!

Well they are 2 of the top 5 all blacks of all time so Im not suprised Chch shows them a lot of love!!!

 

[a.c.e]

The Blues will win to cap off centuries of winnings to come and the rightful place of NZs rugby power will once again reside in Auckland. The multiverse will once again be in balance . . . . .

 

[mt.wellington]

The Blues will win to cap off centuries of winnings to come and the rightful place of NZs rugby power will once again reside in Auckland. The multiverse will once again be in balance . . . . .

Really is sad the state that Auckland Rugby is in now. As a kid I remember Auckland being the powerhouse and engineroom of NZ Rugby. We held the Ranfurly shield for 10 years ffs! Even though Im a League nut through and through, I do wish JK all the best next season. He's going to need it!

 

[fanrrior]

You cant take a shit in Chch without being bombarded with Crusader advertising. As a Jafa I knew that Cantabs loved their Rugby and their team the Crusaders but I honestly wasnt prepared for the level of hype those boys generate. Dan Carter and McCaw are everywhere. Billboards, posters, bus stops, cutouts... banks, bakery, supermarkets... insane!

Haha, yeah. I remember riding on a bus the day before we played in the semi's against Sbw (or some finals match anyway). The driver asks me how I'm gonna watch the rugby so I tell him it'll probably be recording on My Sky if it clashes with the league. He looked like he wanted to throw me off!

We do have a lot of league fans here though, and a fair amount of people who support both codes. But when you are a Cantabrian it's hard not support the Crusaders. Even if it is just a way of uniting under one team we can be proud of and share the moment in the hype

 

[mt.wellington]

Haha, yeah. I remember riding on a bus the day before we played in the semi's against Sbw (or some finals match anyway). The driver asks me how I'm gonna watch the rugby so I tell him it'll probably be recording on My Sky if it clashes with the league. He looked like he wanted to throw me off!

We do have a lot of league fans here though, and a fair amount of people who support both codes. But when you are a Cantabrian it's hard not support the Crusaders. Even if it is just a way of uniting under one team we can be proud of and share the moment in the hype

Blues 2013. Sleeves logo much!!! Like the Rangitoto silhouette.


And just for you fanrrior, your teams 2013 with a silhouette of a sword ready to circumcise!

 

[Buck777]

Not that I really give two hoots about union, but I have to admit I gave the blues even less chance to do anything good this season than the Warriors. Putting Ali Williams as captain...who would have foreseen this start to the season. It actually has got my attention now.

 

[mt.wellington]

Ummmm anyone noticed the internet search strikes below!??