Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu holds up the trophy as the Blues team celebrate winning the Super Rugby Pacific final. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
New Zealand's six Super Rugby Pacific sides have named their squads for next season. The Hurricanes, Crusaders, Chiefs, Moana Pasifika and Highlanders have already been named (see below), the final squad is the defending champion Blues.
The Blues can claim to have the most second-generation players, with Hoskins Sotutu and Caleb Clarke now joined by Payton Spencer (son of Carlos). Elsewhere in the backs utility Reon Paul joins from Bay of Plenty while midfielder Xavi Taele gets a call up from the wider squad after impressing in the NPC for Auckland.
Hooker James Mullan, lock Cameron Christie and loose-forward Che Clark are the new men in the forwards.
There is a very local feel to the Blues, two thirds of their side are born and bred in the region and they retained all of their big name players that won the Super Rugby Pacific title earlier this season.
Payton Spencer of Auckland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Blues 2025 squad
Adrian Choat. AJ Lam, Angus Ta'avao, Anton Segner, Beauden Barrett, Ben Ake, Caleb Clarke, Cameron Christie, Cameron Suafoa, Che Clark, Cole Forbes, Corey Evans, Dalton Papali'i, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Hoskins Sotutu, James Mullan, Jordan Lay, Josh Beehre, Joshua Fusitu'a, Kurt Eklund, Laghlan McWhannell, Marcel Renata, Mark Tele'a , Meihana Grindlay, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Payton Spencer, PJ Sheck, Reon Paul, Ricky Riccitelli, Rieko Ioane, Sam Darry, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Taufa Funaki, Xavi Taele, Zarn Sullivan
Who's gone: Soane Vikena, James Thompson, Akira Ioane, Rob Rush, Lucas Cashmore, Bryce Heem, Kade Banks, Caleb Tangitau
New look forwards for Highlanders
The Highlanders have a new coach in Jamie Joseph, who has a squad with plenty of new forwards. players Sosefo Kautai, Josh Bartlett and hooker Soane Vikena will bolster the front row stocks while former Hurricanes flanker TK Howden has gone south for more game time. Veveni Lasaqa and Lui Naeta are new faces in the loose forwards.
Experienced Highlanders like Folau Fakatava, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Ethan de Groot and Hugh Renton will once again have a big job leading this youthful side.
Sam Gilbert of the Highlanders. Photo: James Ross / www.photosport.nz
Highlanders 2025 squad
Ajay Faleafaga, Caleb Tangitau, Cameron Millar, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland, Finn Hurley, Folau Fakatava, Hayden Michaels, Henry Bell, Hugh Renton, Jack Taylor, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Jake Te Hiwi, James Arscott, Jona Nareki, Jonah Lowe, Josh Bartlett, Josh Whaanga, Lui Naeata, Michael Manson, Mitch Dunshea, Nathan Hastie, Nikora Broughton, Oliver Haig, Rohan Wingham, Sam Gilbert, Saula Ma'u, Sean Withy, Soane Vikena, Sosefo Kautai, TK Howden, Taine Robinson, Tanielu Tele'a, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Veveni Lasaqa, Will Stodart
Who's gone: Jermaine Ainsley, Ayden Johnstone, Ricky Jackson, Will Tucker, Pari Pari Parkinson, Max Hicks, Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Rhys Patchell, Josh Timu, Martin Bogado
Moana Pasifika see a lot of turnover
Moana have the distinction of arguably the biggest Super Rugby acquisition of all time, however they announced it months ago. Ardie Savea will join an already powerful loose forward cohort alongside Sione Havili-Talitui, Lotu Inise and Miracle Faailagi, with the All Black vice captain also linking up with brother Julian.
Other pick ups from Wellington are Jackson Garden-Bachop and Losi Filipo. Former Chiefs wing Solomon Alaimalo returns to union after a year with the West Tigers in the NRL. In all, there are 14 new signings for the season, which is an awful lot for Tana Umaga to integrate into a cohesive system in time for next year.
Chiefs fullback Solomon Alaimalo dots down in the first half against the Hurricanes. Photo: Photosport Ltd
Moana Pasifika 2025 squad
Abraham Pole, Aisea Halo, Alamanda Motuga, Allan Craig, Ardie Savea, Chris Apoua, Danny Toala, Fine Inisi, Irie Papuni, Jackson Garden-Bachop, James Lay, Jonathan Taumateine, Julian Savea, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Losi Filipo, Lotu Inisi, Melani Matavao, Michael Curry, Miracle Faiilagi, Neria Fomai, Ofa Tauatevalu, Ola Tauelangi, Patrick Pellegrini, Pepesana Patafilo, Pone Fa'amausili, Sama Malolo, Samiuela Moli, Samuel Slade, Semisi Paea, Sione Havili Talitui, Sione Mafileo, Solomon Alaimalo, Tito Tuipulotu, Tom Savage, Tomasi Maka, Tuna Tuitama, William Havili
Who's gone: Donald Brighthouse, Suetena Asomua, Ereatara Enari, Viliami Fine, Solomone Funaki, Sekope Kepu, Sateki Latu, D'Angelo Leuila, Christian Lealiifano, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Nigel Ah Wong, Otumaka Mausia, Henry Taefu, Viliami Napa'a, Anzelo Tuitavuki
Two big pickups for Chiefs
Brodie McAlister has been lured north from the Crusaders in an interesting move, he completes the hookers alongside Samisoni Taukei'aho and Bradley Slater. Jahrome Brown moves home after five seasons at the Brumbies to join a powerful unit that includes the red hot Wallace Sititi, as well as Luke Jacobon, Simon Parker and Kaylum Boshier.
Clayton McMillan has also added World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year nominee Leroy Carter, while Josh Jacomb joins as a full squad member after playing four games last season.
Leroy Carter runs in a Try for New Zealand. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Chiefs 2024 squad
Aidan Ross, Anton Lienert-Brown, Bradley Slater, Brodie McAlister, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Fiti Sa, George Dyer, Gideon Wrampling, Jahrome Brown, Jared Proffit, Jimmy Tupou, Josh Jacomb, Josh Lord, Kaleb Trask, Kaylum Boshier, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Luke Jacobson (c), Malachi Wrampling, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Ollie Norris, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Reuben O'Neill, Samipeni Finau, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Shaun Stevenson, Simon Parker, Sione Ahio, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tupou Vaa'i, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe
Who's gone: Kauvaka Kaivelata, Tyrone Thompson, Tom Florence, Josh Ioane, Peniasi Malimali
Crusaders stay consistent for 2025
Rob Penney has made one big off season signing, with former Wallaby James O'Connor joining a Crusaders team desperate to get back to winning ways. They missed the playoffs last season after winning seven titles in a row, due in part to a shocking run of injuries and tough draw.
Promising Wellington halfback Kyle Preston joins Mitch Drummond and Noah Hotham, with Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara retained outside them. Penney's other rookies are the Waikato duo of flanker Xavier Saifoloi and NZ U20 fullback Aki Tuivailala.
Former Wallabies back James O'Connor will play Super Rugby for the Crusaders in 2025. Photo: Crusaders
Crusaders 2024 squad
Aki Tuivailala, Antonio Shalfoon, Brayden Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Christian Lio-Willie, Codie Taylor, Corey Kellow, Cullen Grace, Dallas McLeod, David Havili, Dominic Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Brewis, Fletcher Anderson, Fletcher Newell, George Bell, George Bower, Ioane Moananu, James O'Connor, Jamie Hannah, Johnny McNicholl, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Kyle Preston, Levi Aumua, Macca Springer, Mitchell Drummond, Noah Hotham, Quinten Strange, Rivez Riehana, Scott Barrett, Seb Calder, Sevu Reece, Taha Kemara, Tahlor Cahill, Tamaiti Williams, Tom Christie, Will Jordan, Xavier Saifoloi
Who's gone: Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Brodie McAlister, Zach Gallagher, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Riley Hohepa, Ryan Crotty, Jone Rova, Blair Murray, Manasa Mataele, Leigh Halfpenny
Canes add nine new faces
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw has brought in nine new players for next season. While Brett Cameron has been named, he faces a lengthy rehab for an ACL injury, so first five Riley Hohepa returns to the Hurricanes after a season with the Crusaders. Two South Island locks also make the move north, Will Tucker from the Highlanders and Zach Gallagher from the Crusaders.
Ere Enari joins the Canes after spending three seasons at Moana Pasifika, while rookies Tjay Clarke, Kade Banks, Arese Poliko, Fehi Fineanganofo and Lucas Cashmore come in as well.
Laidlaw will have to look for some leadership in new areas, their biggest losses are All Blacks Jordie Barrett and TJ Perenara. Barrett will be back after a season in Ireland, but his absence gives the highly rated Riley Higgins a free run to start in the midfield. Josh Moorby has also left, which means the door is wide open for Clarke and Banks to make a case to start in the back three.
Clark Laidlaw head coach of the Hurricanes before Super Rugby Pacific - Hurricanes v Chiefs at Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday 13 April 2024. Photo: Photosport / Elias Rodriguez
Hurricanes 2024 squad
Tom Allen, Asafo Aumua, Kade Banks, Brett Cameron, Lucas Cashmore, Tjay Clarke, Caleb Delany, Jacob Devery, Ereatara Enari, Fehi Fineanganofo, Devan Flanders, Zach Gallagher, Harry Godfrey, Riley Higgins, Riley Hohepa, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Ruben Love, Tevita Mafileo, Kini Naholo, Xavier Numia, Arese Poliko, Billy Proctor, Ngatungane Punivai, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Cam Roigard, Brad Shields, Daniel Sinkinson, Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Taula, Pasilio Tosi, Will Tucker, Raymond Tuputupu, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jordi Viljoen, Isaia Walker-Leawere
Who's gone: Jordie Barrett, Ben Grant, TK Howden, Richard Judd, Josh Moorby, Aidan Morgan, James O'Reilly, TJ Perenara, Salesi Rayasi, Justin Sangster, Ardie Savea, James Tucker
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