Super Rugby champions the Chiefs have formally announced their squad for the 2013 campaign and matches in Taupo, Tauranga and Pukekohe.
The Chiefs re-signed many of their players during the 2012 season, and added four players in the selection process to complete the 2013 squad: former All Black Ross Filipo who returned to Wellington after playing rugby in France and England, New Zealand U20 hooker Rhys Marshall from Taranaki, Canterbury's Fijian born winger Patrick Osborne and Wellington and former NZ U20 prop Solomona Sakalia.
"We are very happy with our squad. We know a lot about these players, their work ethic and character, therefore we have picked the new guys coming in on those attributes too," coach Dave Rennie told the Chiefs website.
The Chiefs have retained the majority of their winning squad from last season with the transition of Augustine Pulu, Josh Hohneck and Bundee Aki from the wider training squad into the main squad. The squad contains five current All Blacks, seven Maori All Blacks and seven new recruits.
Once again, the Chiefs have confirmed their commitment to being a truly regional team by taking Super Rugby matches to as many parts of the region as possible by playing games at Taupo (pre-season), Tauranga and Pukekohe. The rest of the fixtures will be played at Waikato Stadium, including an afternoon game against the Reds.
"We know how important it is to get our region behind us and taking the rugby to the provinces is a way to help achieve this," said coach Rennie.
Chiefs squad: Ben Afeaki, Bundee Aki, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Cane, Craig Clarke, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Cruden, Hikawera Elliot, Ross Filipo, Mike Fitzgerald, Romana Graham, Josh Hohneck, Andrew Horrell, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Brendon Leonard, Rhys Marshall, Lelia Masaga, Liam Messam, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Patrick Osborne, Augustine Pulu, Brodie Retallick, Robbie Robinson, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Solomona Sakalia, Ben Tameifuna, Asaeli Tikoirotuma.
Comments
passtheball says...
Waikato men are not flavour of the month with Rennie and co as there are only 6 of them. Alex Bradley should have been picked years ago so now they think he is too old. He was one of the ITM players this year. Old fashioned type of honest player who leads from the front.
Jackson Willison is at the blues. He could develop into a Conrad Smith if he gets enough game time. He and Scott Waldrom seemed to be on the outer this year with Rennie.
Posted 13:06 01st November 2012
jonesy2 says...
yeah no bradley is strange hes had an awesome ITM cup
Posted 03:14 01st November 2012
side_stepper says...
Would like to see more of Fritz Lee stepping up to make the No 8 jersey his own next season. Willison and Thomson??
Posted 21:33 31st October 2012
Rayz says...
Agreed. Top Mooloo man. Probably include him more for his leadership qualities and work ethic than anything else. No doubting his physical attributes but maybe lacking a bit in speed.
Posted 11:46 31st October 2012
jappers1983 says...
No alex bradley? Surprising.
Posted 00:08 31st October 2012