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NEW ZEALAND SUPER RUGBY SQUADS FOR 2019
CHIEFS
Former Rebels five-eighth Jack Debreczeni, once viewed as a future Wallabies playmaker, has jumped across the ditch to New Zealand and signed with the Chiefs for the 2019 Super Rugby season.
The 25-year-old former Australian Schoolboys representative played 54 games for the Rebels between 2014-18 and with 246 points is second on the club’s all time scoring list behind Reece Hodge (298).
A prodigious talent, Debreczeni was unable to consistently control games for the Rebels where he was used at both No 10 and 15.
Born in Auckland, Debreczeni returned to his homeland this year for the Mitre 10 Cup where he starred for Northland, scoring 100 points and kicking goals at 85 per cent.
He is likely to compete with Tiaan Falcon as All Black Damian McKenzie’s backup at five-eighth for the Chiefs, although all three are options for Colin Cooper at fullback as well.
The Rebels are well served at five-eighth next season, with Wallabies Quade Cooper and Matt Toomua joining the Melbourne club.
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Rebels coach Dave Wessels wished Debreczeni well in a message to foxsports.com.au.
Australian players have had success in the powerful Kiwi Super Rugby system of late, with Angus Ta’avao going from Waratahs reject to All Blacks prop via the Chiefs this year.
“It’s an inspiring story for all our players — one of don’t ever give up on your dream,” Cooper said.
“Angus is a great person and a hard working player and should be an inspiration to all these young men who have been named today.”
Ta’avao is one of eight All Blacks announced in the Chiefs squad, joining McKenzie, Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick, Anton Lienert-Brown, Nathan Harris, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Nepo Laulala.
“It’s a very exciting squad, and it’s great to have a good spread of players from throughout the Chiefs region,” Cooper said.
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“We’ve retained a lot of players from this year, including a number of our core leadership group, we’ve brought in a group of exciting and talented new players, and some of our injured players are returning, such as Atu Moli, Aidan Ross, Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Brown and Fin Hoeata, who will all make a big contribution and add a lot of depth.
“That continuity of players working with a settled second year coaching group is really important in helping us take another step forward in 2019.
“It’s a great environment here and we’re looking forward to bringing the new players into this group, where they will be looked after in a hardworking environment.
“We want to make sure everyone is on the waka and paddling in the same direction.
“If we get that right, the performances will come.”
2019 Chiefs squad
Props: Kane Hames, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Sosefo Kautai, Angus Ta’avao
Hookers: Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart, Samisoni Taukei’aho
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Tyler Ardron, Laghlan McWhannell, Michael Allardice, Fin Hoeata
Loose forwards: Mitchell Brown, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane, Mitchell Karpik, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Pita Gus Sowakula
Halfbacks: Brad Weber, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Jonathan Taumateine
Five-eighths: Damian McKenzie, Tiaan Falcon, Jack Debreczeni
Midfielders: Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tumua Manu, Bailyn Sullivan
Outside backs: Solomon Alaimalo, Sean Wainui, Ataata Moeakiola, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Marty McKenzie
HURRICANES
New Hurricanes coach John Plumtree has named a settled squad, featuring just six fresh faces.
The incoming players are Auckland winger Salesi Rayasi, Wellington midfielder Billy Proctor, former Highlanders first five-eighth Fletcher Smith, two-time Super Rugby champion Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Wellington flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi and Manawatu forward Liam Mitchell.
Former Hurricanes back James Marshall returns after playing in the United Kingdom and Japan.
“A lot of the boys have been together for a long period of time but on the same side we also have some exciting youngsters that we have brought in,” Plumtree said.
“We’ve brought some guys in for development but we’ve got others who we think are good to go.
“We know how important it is to get a home quarterfinal and semifinal in terms of winning this competition but of course there is a lot of work to do before you get there.
“It’s a really tough competition, there is no June break this year so we are going to have to play consistently well over a longer period of time.
“We are going to have to use the squad and make sure everyone is fresh and keen and energised for every week.
“Our standards are very high and our expectations internally are high too.
“But we want to impress our fans and we want to keep growing the history of this jersey.”
2019 Hurricanes squad
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, James Marshall, Salesi Rayasi
Midfield backs: Vince Aso, Wes Goosen, Ngani Laumape, Billy Proctor, Matt Proctor
Five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Richard Judd, TJ Perenara
Loose forwards: Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Gareth Evans, Vaea Fifita, Sam Henwood, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea
Locks: James Blackwell, Geoff Cridge, Sam Lousi, Liam Mitchell, Isaia Walker-Leawere
Props: Fraser Armstrong, Chris Eves, Alex Fidow, Ben May, Toby Smith, Jeff To’omaga-Allen
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli
HIGHLANDERS
The Highlanders have also been able to name a settled squad for 2019, with second year coach Aaron Mauger announcing seven new caps in his group.
Former Reds prop Sef Fa’agase, will be of interest to Australian fans, earning a spot after a strong season with losing Mitre 10 Cup finalists Canterbury.
The Auckland-born Fa’agase, 27, played 43 games for the Reds.
The other new faces are Waikato props Ayden Johnstone and Josh Iosefa-Scott, Tasman hooker Ray Niuia, former Blues five-eighth Bryn Gatland, Hawke’s Bay halfback Folau Fakatava and Auckland lock Jack Whetton — the son of former All Blacks Gary.
Cult hero five-eighth Marty Banks will be a popular returnee to the club and will compete with Gatland and Josh Ioane for the No 10 versey vacated by Lima Sopoaga.
“We have a well balanced side with a degree of experience there,” Mauger said.
“We blooded 10 new players last season and I was excited to see the growth in those players during the Mitre 10 competition.
“The initial focus as always will be to execute a good preseason and bring the team together for what will undoubtedly be another exciting challenge for the 2019 squad.”
2019 Highlanders squad
Hookers: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Ray Niuia
Props: Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Tyrel Lomax, Sef Fa’agase
Locks: Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Paripari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Jack Whetton
Loose forwards: Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, James Lentjes, Dillon Hunt, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Shannon Frizell, Elliot Dixon
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Folau Fakatava
Five-eighths: Bryn Gatland, Josh Ioane, Marty Banks
Midfielders: Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Richard Buckman, Matt Faddes, Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Outside backs: Waisake Naholo, Tevita Li, Tevita Nabura, Josh McKay, Ben Smith
CRUSADERS
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has named four new players in his squad as the famed club goes in search of a three-peat of Super Rugby titles in 2019.
The fresh faces all come from within the club’s catchment region, with Tasman winger Leicester Faingaanuku joining three Canterbury players — prop Harry Allan, five-eighth Brett Cameron and utility back Ngane Punivai.
Loose forward Whetukamokamo Douglas also returns after a stint in Italy with Benetton.
“I’m really excited to name the squad today, as our preseason starts to take shape,” Robertson said.
“It’s a really consistent group to what we had last season, but we’ve also named some young players we think are going to step in to our environment and thrive, which is exciting as we plan for 2019.
“Whetu was a popular member of our team in 2017, with fans and teammates alike, so we are thrilled to have him back in a Crusaders jersey.
“He was unlucky to miss part of the Canterbury season through injury but he’ll come back ready for a big Super season in 2019.
“He’s a genuine leader and a great team man.
“Harry is a strong, young frontrower with plenty of potential.
“He’s been in our environment before and that experience will set him up nicely for his first full Super Rugby season.
“We’re really excited about the new talent joining our backline this season.
“Brett did a fantastic job steering Canterbury around the park during this year’s Mitre 10 Cup, and was rewarded with a spot on the end of year tour as part of the All Blacks wider squad.
“He’s a balanced No 10 who possesses a good turn of speed and both his kicking out of hand and his goalkicking are exceptional.
“Ngane is a great centre/wing option for us, his size and speed are huge badets.
“He’s a smart player who makes good decisions and has an incredible work ethic.
“Leicester was an incredible age group player and dominated through schools rugby.
“His size and power are his greatest strengths, so it’s no surprise he finds his way to the tryline frequently.
“We know he’ll take that potential and perform for us in a Crusaders jersey.”
2019 Crusaders squad
Props: Michael Alaalatoa, Harry Allan, Owen Franks, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry
Hookers: Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor
Locks: Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock
Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Dunshea, Billy Harmon, Kieran Read, Tom Sanders, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd
Halfbacks: Mitchell Drummond, Ereatara Enari, Bryn Hall
Five-eighths: Brett Cameron, Mitchell Hunt, Richie Mo’unga
Midfielders: Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngane Punivai
Outside backs: George Bridge, Israel Dagg, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Faingaanuku, Will Jordan, Manasa Mataele
BLUES
All Blacks centurion Ma’a Nonu headlines Tana Umaga’s Blues squad as he looks to build off the back of Auckland’s breakthrough Mitre 10 Cup success.
Nonu, the legendary 36-year-old centre, returns from France for his third stint with the Blues, while All Blacks prop Karl Tu’inukuafe is another big recruit from the Chiefs.
Umaga has also snared Tasman midfielder Levi Aumua and loose forward Jed Brown, while prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth, lock Jacob Pierce, loose forward Hoskins Sotutu and backs Harry Plummer and Tanielu Tele’a have all come through the Blues development system.
“We have made progress with this team on and off the field over the last three years while our club has worked extremely well in many aspects of the operation off the field,” Umaga said.
“The key now is to realise these improvements in our on field performances in 2019.
“At the same time the club has been working very hard on the development programs alongside our provincial unions, and our new players this year are either through that system or players that have been in the program previously and returning.
“Our provincial unions have had solid seasons for the likes of Northland and Harbour but of course Auckland have enjoyed a fantastic year and that will give us a boost with such a large number of Blues players in that squad.”
The Blues also welcomes back Otere Black, Blake Gibson, Scott Scrafton and Jimmy Tupou after longterm injury layoffs.
Former Waratahs five-eighth Daniel Halangahu and former All Blacks fullback Leon MacDonald have joined Umaga’s coaching staff along with highly regarded forwards mentor Tom Coventry.
2019 Blues squad
Hookers: Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons
Props: Alex Hodgman, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Sione Mafileo, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi
Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu
Loose forwards: Jed Brown, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu, Jimmy Tupou
Halfbacks: Sam Nock, Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Ruru.
Five-eighths: Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer
Midfielders: Levi Aumua, TJ Faiane, Ma’a Nonu, Tanielu Tele’a, Sonny Bill Williams
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melani Nanai, Jordan Trainor
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