Super Rugby squads revealed: Blues sign former AB's son, Smith replaced as captain

All you need to know as the Kiwi franchises announce their squads for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Blues

A fresh face with a familiar name is the Blues' newest recruit for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Northland blind-side flanker Rob Rush, son of former All Blacks and sevens legend Eric Rush, has joined the squad for the first time.

Rush attended Saint Kentigern College in Auckland, living and playing in the Blues region with club stints at East Tamaki, East Coast Bays and Kaeo as well as Northland representative level teams.

Rush explained what it means to be selected in his first Blues squad.

"I was definitely cheering, but also grateful to be part of the boys for the coming season," said Rush.

"As a newbie to the squad, I can't wait to pick the brains of those who've been around the barracks for a while. At the same time, I'm not going to back down to them. I can't wait for everything to kick off."

Blues head coach Leon MacDonald said Rush's selection presented a real opportunity to grow as a rugby player.

"Rob had a really good season for Northland and has honed his craft in the Blues region for many years now. He is a real physical presence on the side of the scrum and has an immense engine and work rate. We're excited to see what he can do in a Super Rugby environment."

MacDonald was equally excited to confirm the remaining names to represent the Blues in 2023 - a squad laden with All Blacks and Super Rugby experience.

"To have a largely settled group returning is very pleasing and means we won't be starting from scratch, not only from a playing point of view but for team culture also."

Rush along with prop Josh Fusitu'a and outside back Caleb Tangitau are the only new names to the Blues squad for 2023.

Fusitu'a went to school at Auckland Grammar and came through the Blues development programme. He came into the Blues as a replacement player in 2022, making his debut against Moana Pasifika.

Meanwhile, Tangitau joins the squad having represented the All Blacks Sevens team in 2022. He won a bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and most recently a silver medal at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Blues 2023 squad
Forwards: Adrian Choat (Auckland), Sam Darry (Canterbury), Kurt Eklund (Bay of Plenty), Josh Fusitu’a (Auckland), Alex Hodgman (Auckland), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Nepo Laulala (Counties Manukau), James Lay (Auckland), Dalton Papalii (Counties Manukau), Taine Plumtree (Wellington), Marcel Renata (Auckland), Ricky Riccitelli (Taranaki), Tom Robinson (Northland), Rob Rush (Northland), Anton Segner (Tasman), Hoskins Sotutu (Counties Manukau), Cameron Suafoa (North Harbour), James Tucker (Waikato), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Ofa Tuungafasi (Northland), Soane Vikena (Auckland).

Backs: Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Finlay Christie (Tasman), Caleb Clarke (Auckland), Corey Evans (Auckland), Taufa Funaki (Auckland), Bryce Heem (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), AJ Lam (Auckland), Sam Nock (Northland), Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Harry Plummer (Auckland), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki), Zarn Sullivan (Auckland), Caleb Tangitau (Auckland), Mark Telea (North Harbour), Tanielu Tele’a (Auckland), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Auckland)

Chiefs

The Chiefs welcomed back Damian McKenzie into their Super Rugby squad for the 2023 season following his stint in Japan.

The Chiefs' new additions include Ngantungane Punivai and Manaaki Selby-Rickit, both transfers from the Highlanders, and Counties Manukau rookie Peniasi Malimali.

Jared Proffit, who was named Taranaki forward of the year after this year's NPC campaign, also secures his first full-time Super Rugby contract off the back of his debut for the Hurricanes during the 2022 season.

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan says he is really excited about the 2023 season.

"There is a lot of consistency in our selection with only four new recruits, and the return of fan favourite Damian McKenzie, as additions to the squad. This is reflected in our belief that we are trending in the right direction.

"Our relatively young squad is maturing nicely and we have developed genuine cohesion and depth across the squad. We look forward to getting into our work over the summer and hitting the ground running in front of our loyal fans next year."

Chiefs 2023 squad
Forwards: Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty), Ollie Norris (Waikato), Jared Proffit (Taranaki), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Waikato), Tyrone Thompson (Hawkes Bay), Bradley Slater (Taranaki), Angus Ta’avao (Auckland), George Dyer (Waikato), Atunaisa Moli (Tasman), Brodie Retallick (Hawke’s Bay), Tupou Vaa’i (Taranaki), Josh Lord (Taranaki), Laghlan McWhannell (Waikato), Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Bay of Plenty), Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Bay of Plenty), Samipeni Finau (Waikato), Kaylum Boshier (Taranaki), Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty), Luke Jacobson (Waikato), Pita Gus Sowakula (Taranaki), Simon Parker (Waikato).

Backs: Brad Weber (Hawke’s Bay), Cortez Ratima (Waikato), Xavier Roe (Waikato), Damian McKenzie (Waikato), Bryn Gatland (North Harbour), Josh Ioane (Otago), Rivez Reihana (Northland), Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato), Quinn Tupaea (Waikato), Alex Nankivell (Tasman), Rameka Poihipi (Canterbury), Gideon Wrampling (Waikato), Ngane Punivai (Canterbury), Peniasi Malimali (Counties Manukau), Etene Nanai-Seturo (Counties Manukau), Emoni Narawa (Bay of Plenty), Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour).

Hurricanes

The Hurricanes announced five new signings in their 38-man squad for the 2023 season.

Waikato’s Dan Sinkinson, Taranaki’s Kini Naholo and Manawatū's Brett Cameron join the club for the first time, while Wellington up and comers, Riley Higgins and Peter Lakai, sign their first professional Super Rugby contracts with the Hurricanes.

Graduating from the club’s development ranks, St Pats Silverstream alumni Higgins and Lakai join the full squad for the first time, having spent the 2022 season with the side on national development contracts. Both have enjoyed standout rookie seasons with the Wellington side, with both starting in Saturday’s NPC final win against Canterbury.

The Hurricanes will also have plenty of experience to call upon, with All Blacks Ardie Savea, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Jordie Barrett and All Black XV’s TJ Perenara, Cam Roigard, Bailyn Sullivan and Ruben Love who will return to the capital following their respective tours.

“Overall, we’re excited about this group. We think we’ve got a good balance of experience, alongside some youngsters who have some solid provincial experience and a big group of guys who are second and third-year Super Rugby players,” said Hurricanes coach Jason Holland.

“We look forward to putting on some performances that we can be proud of, and our fans can enjoy. We can’t wait to kick off this next season of Super Rugby Pacific.”

Hurricanes 2023 squad
Forwards: Xavier Numia (Wellington), Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hawke’s Bay), Pasilio Tosi (Bay of Plenty), Tyrel Lomax (Tasman), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Tevita Mafileo (Bay of Plenty), Asafo Aumua (Wellington), Dane Coles (Wellington), Jacob Devery (Hawke’s Bay), James Blackwell (Wellington), Dominic Bird (Wellington), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hawke’s Bay), Justin Sangster (Bay of Plenty), Caleb Delany (Wellington), Devan Flanders (Hawke’s Bay), Reed Prinsep (Canterbury), TK Howden (Manawatū), Brayden Iose (Manawatū), Du’Plessis Kirifi (Wellington), Tyler Laubscher (Manawatū), Ardie Savea (Wellington), Peter Lakai (Wellington).

Backs: TJ Perenara (Wellington), Cam Roigard (Counties Manukau), Jamie Booth (North Harbour), Aidan Morgan (Wellington), Brett Cameron (Manawatū), Jordie Barrett (Taranaki), Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wellington), Riley Higgins (Wellington), Billy Proctor (Wellington), Bailyn Sullivan (Waikato), Salesi Rayasi (Auckland), Julian Savea (Wellington), Kini Naholo (Taranaki), Dan Sinkinson (Waikato), Ruben Love (Wellington), Josh Moorby (Northland).

Crusaders

The Crusaders have beaten the Chiefs to the signature of talented first five Taha Kemara.

The 19-year-old Chiefs under-20s representative, who played for Waikato in the NPC this year, turned down an offer from the Chiefs to join the Christchurch side.

Kemara is one of seven new additions to the squad, including Canterbury hooker George Bell, former Blues winger Melani Nanai, Wellington wing Pepesana Patafilo, Tasman outside back Macca Springer, Otago loose forward Christian Lio-Willie and halfback and former England international Willi Heinz, who returns to the Crusaders after playing with the side from 2010 to 2015.

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson said the 2023 squad represented a mix of old and new talent, and was feeling confident ahead of the season kicking off in February.

“We have a good balanced squad this year, with some seasoned veterans and an incredibly hard-working new crew of Crusaders,” Robertson said.

“I’m proud of the group we’ve put together this season, and I know they’re all ready and excited to represent the Crusaders region on the big stage.”

Crusaders 2023 squad
Forwards: Joe Moody (Canterbury), Finlay Brewis (Canterbury), George Bower (Otago), Codie Taylor (Canterbury), Brodie McAlister (Canterbury), George Bell (Canterbury), Oli Jager (Canterbury), Tamaiti Williams (Canterbury), Fletcher Newell (Canterbury), Scott Barrett (Taranaki), Sam Whitelock (Canterbury), Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury), Quinten Strange (Tasman), Zach Gallagher (Canterbury), Ethan Blackadder (Tasman), Christian Lio-Willie (Otago), Tom Christie (Canterbury), Sione Havili-Talitui (Tasman), Cullen Grace (Canterbury), Corey Kellow (Canterbury), Dominic Gardiner (Canterbury).

Backs: Mitchell Drummond (Canterbury), Willi Heinz (Canterbury), Noah Hotham (Tasman), Richie Mo’unga (Canterbury), Fergus Burke (Canterbury), Taha Kemara (Waikato), Dallas McLeod (Canterbury), David Havili (Tasman), Braydon Ennor (Canterbury), Jack Goodhue (Northland), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Tasman), Pepesana Patafilo (Wellington), Macca Springer (Tasman), Sevu Reece (Tasman), Melani Nanai (Worcester Warriors), Chay Fihaki (Canterbury), Will Jordan (Tasman).

Highlanders

The Highlanders have named a new captain for the 2023 season.

Loose forward Bill Harmon, fresh from skippering Canterbury to the NPC final, will take over the armband from Aaron Smith.

Highlanders head coach Clarke Dermody said Harmon has all the credentials to lead the side.

“From my very first discussion with Billy he was keen to do the job,” Dermody said. “Clearly his level of play on the field is always top-notch but he also brings some great leadership skills to the role. He is a pretty calm and collected sort of a guy and I thought he did an outstanding job with Canterbury this year. I am sure he will add a great deal to our leadership environment this season.”

The Highlanders backs have been bolstered by the arrival of former Chiefs winger Jonah Lowe, along with Otago flyer Jona Nareki, who is returning after injury ruled out his 2022 Super Rugby Pacific aspirations.

The squad includes 22 forwards and 16 backs, with three Super Rugby debutants in Bay of Plenty loose forward Nikora Broughton, Otago lock Will Tucker and teammate first-five Cameron Miller.

Dermody believes he has assembled a good blend of youth and experience in his 2023 squad.

“When you have players with the Super Rugby experience of Makalio, Marshall, De Groot, Ainsley, Johnstone, Dickson, Mikaele-Tu’u and Frizell, you have a core of guys who know what it takes to deliver at that level. Then you combine that with the younger talent available, the likes of Parkinson, Withy, Holland, and others, I believe we have the makings of a very competitive pack.”

Highlanders 2023 squad
Forwards: Jermaine Ainsley, Leni Apisai, Nikora Broughton, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Ethan de Groot, Billy Harmon (captain), Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Luca Inch, Ayden Johnstone, James Lentjes, Andrew Makalio, Rhys Marshall, Saula Ma’u, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Pari Pari Parkinson, Hugh Renton, Jeff Thwaites, Will Tucker, Sean Withy.

Backs: James Arscott, Connor Garden-Bachop, Marty Banks, Mosese Dawai, Folau Fakatava, Sam Gilbert, Scott Gregory, Mitch Hunt, Vilimoni Koroi, Jonah Lowe, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Fetuli Paea, Aaron Smith, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.