Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has named the 38 players he hopes will take his side one step further in 2024 after falling at the last hurdle against the Crusaders earlier this year.
There are nine current All Blacks featured in the refreshed side, eight new signings, including seven rookies and two former Chiefs who will return to Hamilton, in Māori All Black first-five Kaleb Trask and prop Reuben O’Neill.
In contrast to this experience; props Kauvaka Kaivelata and Sione Ahio, loose forwards Malachi Wrampling-Alec, Tom Florence and Wallace Sititi, midfielder Daniel Rona, and utility back Liam Coombes-Fabling secure their first full-time contracts in 2024.
“These guys have been knocking on our door for a while now and we are excited to offer them a place this year. They have been impressive throughout NPC and during their time in our environment, so rightly earn their spot within our squad,” said McMillan.
“It’s a new look squad for us but despite the changes, there remains a lot of continuity within this group. They are familiar with our environment, know how we do things, and bring a lot to the table.”
McMillan has lost the services of co-captains Brad Weber (France) and Sam Cane (Japan) among a number of key players including Brodie Retallick (Japan), Pita-Gus Sowakula (France), Alex Nankivell (Ireland) and Bryn Gatland (Japan) for next season.
“Despite losing some experienced players, we have spent the last couple of years building the depth of our squad in anticipation of these departures. We have a lot of belief in the men we have selected and are looking forward with anticipation to seeing them take their opportunity in the new year.”
The Chiefs begin their 2024 campaign with a grand final rematch against the Crusaders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Feburary 23.
Meanwhile, second-year Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody has named a host new players to the southern franchise as he continues to rebuild the side following a lean period of results.
A five-win, nine-loss 2023 season was the fifth consecutive losing campaign for the Dunedin-based team, and with two of their Rugby World Cup stars, Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizzel both headed to Japan the team loses a lot of its experience.
The losses however are offset somewhat by the recruitment of excitement machines out wide with Moana Pasifika flyer Timoci Tavatavanawai, former Blues winger Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Argentinian World Cup winger Martin Bogado joining the team, while Crusaders flanker Tom Sanders makes the journey south.
Another former Blues player will add strength to the midfield in the form of Tanielu Tele’a who will be looking to get his career back on track after being hampered by injury in recent seasons.
Former Welsh international, Rhys Patchell, will bring his vital experience to the first-five role which will be good news for young pivots Cameron Millar and Ajay Faleafaga.
“We have had a few changes in our squad and our coaching group so it will be great to get everyone together and start building some cohesion through the preseason. We will just about have our whole squad together from day one, which is a nice opportunity for us.
“I am also pleased to see some of the younger players that we have invested in over the last few years start to come through to Super Rugby level. I am sure their individual enthusiasm will be infectious for the squad,” Dermody said.
Incoming Moana Pasifika head coach, Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has named a refreshed squad with a youthful look but some big-time experience in the mix.
The forward pack has seen the most change from previous seasons, with 13 new faces in the sheds.
Otago’s loosehead prop Abraham Pole returns for his third season with the Auckland-based franchise. He joins other returnees in ‘Ikale Tahi international Samiuela Moli and Counties Manukau Steelers Suetena Asomua, who picks up his first full-time contract after joining Moana Pasifika as a replacement in previous seasons.
Thirty-seven-year-old, 110-test Wallaby Sekope Kepu also laces up the boots for another year with the team, while James Lay moves across town after three seasons with the Blues. Lay has the ability to play on either side of the scrum. New South Wales Waratahs prop Sateki Latu has made the move across the Tasman to join Moana Pasifika.
Manu Samoa teammates Jonathan Taumateine and Ereatara Enari have been integral to the on and off-field identity of Moana Pasifika. The pair of halfbacks are among the most experienced in the squad and will be influential facilitators for their team’s back line. ‘Ikale Tahi first five William Havili has been a consistent starter for Moana Pasifika in the team’s first two seasons and will once again challenge former Wallaby turned Manu Samoa international Christian Lealiifano. The 36-year-old has proven his redefined game remains at the highest standard and is preparing for another historic year in 2024.
Former blockbusting All Blacks winger Julian Savea has made the move from the Hurricanes to Auckland, adding an immense amount of experience and knowledge to the backline.
“The talent in our Pasifika community is aplenty and it certainly was a tough task selecting this team, but I am confident that we have a strong mix of youth and experience to complement the brand of rugby we want to play.”
“The development of the team in a highly competitive Super Rugby Pacific competition will be testing but I look forward to the hard work ahead of us,” Umaga says.
Hurricanes new Head Coach Clark Laidlaw is thrilled with the latest recruits coming through his squad and what stands to be on offer next season.
Wellington’s James O-Reilly, Canterbury’s Ngatungane Punivai, North Harbour’s Ben Grant, Manawatū's Josh Taula, Waikato’s James Tucker, and Bay of Plenty’s Richard Judd have been included in the 38-strong side, as has former fan favourite Brad Shields, who returns to the capital from a stint in England that included playing test football. He will be looking to add to his 104 matches he played for the Hurricanes between 2012 and 2018.
“It’s always exciting to have new players and the energy they bring to the team. All the coaches are looking forward to welcoming the new players to the club, getting to know them, and integrating them into how we want to play. Within the new players we have some players who are new to Super Rugby as well as others who have played at this level before, which again we think can add to the depth of our side,” Laidlaw said.
“Overall, we are very happy with the depth of the squad. We feel we have good competition for places across the group and are really looking forward to working together through pre-season to get that competition onto the training field, heading towards Round One.
The return of Shields provides some much needed experience to the pack that will be without captain Ardie Savea to sabbatical and Dane Coles who has retired, although will take up a contract in Japan.
“I am super excited to be back with the Hurricanes. Being a Wellingtonian and from the Hurricanes region, it’s a massive honour to be amongst this group again. Having seen some form players through the NPC and now with the Hurricanes, I’m excited to test myself and create some good competition within the group,” said Shields.
Laidlaw said Shields’ experience will be vital for the side in 2024.
“Brad’s presence in the team this season will be crucial. We already know his qualities as a player and leader, as he was in this side previously, so we are delighted to have him back.”
The Hurricanes have also lost the services of Julian Savea who has moved north to Auckland to link up with Moana Pasifika. However, Laidlaw will be able to rely on the thrilling trio of Punivai, Kini Naholo and Salesi Rayasi as able replacements.
He will also have the comfort an experienced set of halfbacks with former All Black TJ Perenara, World Cup squad member Cam Roigard and the returning Judd.
New Blues coach Vern Cotter can’t wait to ‘take a look under the hood’ of his team which includes a number of Super Rugby rookies and the return of a former All Black.
The new players include Lucas Cashmore, son of original Blues squad member Adrian, who has been rewarded for standout performances with Bay of Plenty. Kade Banks, Cole Forbes and Meihana Grindlay join Cashmore as the newbies in the backline.
In the forwards, Josh Beehre and James Thompson are in line for Super Rugby debuts while PJ Sheck (Highlanders) and Laghlan McWhannell (Chiefs) have ventured north in search of more game time.
Cotter will have the services of 11 former or current All Blacks in 2024, including the return of prop Angus Ta’avao who returns to Auckland after stints with the NSW Waratahs and the Chiefs in recent years. Cotter, who joins the Blues after more than a decade plying his trade overseas, most recently with Fiji, said he is eager to get the squad together for pre-season training later this month.
“Nothing beats the start of a new season; I’m looking forward to getting the guys in and taking a look under the hood. We’ve done plenty of planning and preparation in the background and now we’re ready to rip into it on the grass,” said Cotter.
“We’ve got a wealth of Super Rugby experience in this squad, players who have been there and done the business for several seasons. I’m excited for what 2024 holds and if we can get on the same page as a collective, we should be competing at the pointy end of the season.”
Finally, reigning champions, Crusaders have released the squad aiming to win an 8th title in as many years. The most notable change is in the coaches box with Scott Robertson stepping up to charge of the All Blacks. Canterbury, and Crusaders region, stalwart Rob Penney takes control of the Christchurch-based side after overseas stints that included Munster (Ireland), NTT Shining Arcs (Japan) and the NSW Waratahs.
He will be without the likes of Sam Whitelock who is heading to Pau in France, Richie Mo’uga (Japan) and Codie Taylor who is taking a non-playing sabbatical for much of 2024 to spend much needed time with his family. However, he welcomes back the experience of Ryan Crotty who returns to the red and blacks after four years away and Welsh legend Leigh Halfpenny and can still call on the experience of no fewer than six Rugby World Cup All Blacks.
Scott Barrett will once again assume the captaincy, while exciting talent in the likes of Rivez Reihana, Taha Kemara and Heremaia Murray will be looking to make the most of the opportunities that come their way in the back line.
The Crusaders will embark on a short pre-season tour of Europe in February, playing Munster in Ireland and English Premiership side Bristol before returning to Aotearoa ahead of the juicy round 1 clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
