The 2019 Super Rugby season is just days away, and that means the teams are starting to be announced.
Here at The Roar, we will have every team list for the first round of action as they are named, so be sure to bookmark this post and keep checking back throughout the day.
The Waratahs have named new recruits Adam Ashley-Cooper and Karmichael Hunt as their centre pairing for the season opener against the Hurricanes, with last year’s no.12 Kurtley Beale to sit this game out.
Hunt will line up at 12 and Ashley-Cooper at 13 for the Tahs in a strong backline, with Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Curtis Rona and Jake Gordon all starting.
Across the ditch, Ma’a Nonu will make his first Super Rugby appearance since 2015 for the Blues, while teammate Reiko Ioane is set for his 50th cap for the franchise. Sonny Bill Williams will start the Auckland side’s Round 1 clash against the Crusaders from the bench.
Earlier, the Lions were the first to reveal their line-up, a strong outfit featuring Springboks Malcolm Marx, Elton Jantjies and Aphiwe Dyanti, with the Brumbies then naming Toni Pulu and David Pocock in their starting 15.
After spending three years at the Chiefs, Pulu is a high-profile recruit for the Brumbies, while James Slipper and captain Christian Lealiifano also feature in the run-on side.
Quade Cooper will start his Rebels career at fly half, but Reece Hodge and Adam Coleman are both missing for the Melbourne club.
Ayden Johnstone has been named to make his debut for the Highlanders, while a trio of All Blacks in Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell and Aaron Smith will all come from the bench for Aaron Mauger’s side.
The Sharks have also named their squad, but had to leave out Curwin Bosch and Marius Louw, who are both struggling with slight niggles.
Chiefs
1. Atu Moli, 2. Nathan Harris, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Brodie Retallick (c), 5. Michael Allardice, 6. Mitchell Brown, 7. Lachlan Boshier, 8. Tyler Ardron, 9. Brad Weber, 10. Orbyn Leger, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Tumua Manu, 14. Bailyn Sullivan,
15. Shaun Stevenson
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Taleni Seu, 20. Jesse Parete, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Stephen Donald, 23. Ataata Moeakiola
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Pari Pari Parkinson, 5. Josh Dickson, 6. Jackson Hemopo, 7. James Lentjes, 8. Luke Whitelock (c), 9. Kayne Hammington, 10. Josh Ioane, 11 Tevita Li, 12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13. Rob Thompson, 14. Matt Faddes, 15. Ben Smith (c)
Bench: 16. Ash Dixon, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Siate Tokolahi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Dillon Hunt, 21. Aaron Smith, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Patelesio Tomkinson
Brumbies
1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. David Pocock, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano (c), 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Tom Banks
Bench: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Peter Samu, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Wharenui Hawera, 23. Andy Muirhead
Rebels
1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Luke Jones, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Will Genia, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Tom English, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Bench: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Esei Ha’angana, 20. Brad Wilkin, 21. Rob Leota, 22. Michael Ruru, 23. Semisi Tupou
Blues
1. Alex Hodgman, 2. James Parsons, 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Tom Robinson, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Akira Ioane, 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Otere Black, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Ma’a Nonu, 14. Melani Nanai, 15. Michael Collins
Bench: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Matt Matich, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Sonny Bill Williams
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Andrew Makalio, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Quinten Strange, 6. Jordan Taufua, 7. Matt Todd (c), 8. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. David Havili
Bench: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Tim Perry, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Tom Sanders, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Mitchell Hunt, 23. Will Jordan
Waratahs
1. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Jed Holloway, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Ned Hanigan, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9.Jake Gordon, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Curtis Rona, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Alex Newsome, 15. Israel Folau
Bench: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Rory O’Connor, 18. Chris Talakai, 19. Lachlan Swinton, 20. Will Miller, 21. Mitch Short, 22. Mack Mason, 23. Cam Clark
Hurricanes
1. Chris Eves, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Liam Mitchell, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. TJ Perenara (c), 10. Fletcher Smith, 11. Ben Lam, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Matt Proctor, 14. Vince Asom, 15. Jordie Barrett
Bench: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Ben May, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. James Marshall, 23. Wes Goosen
Sunwolves
1. Craig Millar, 2. Jaba Bregvadze, 3. Asaeli Ai Valu, 4. Luke Thompson, 5. James Moore, 6. Hendrik Tui, 7. Ed Quirk, 8. Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 9. Kaito Shigeno, 10. Hayden Parker, 11. Rene Ranger, 12. Phil Burlegih, 13. Shane Gates, 14. Semisi Masirewa, 15. Gerhad van den Heever
Bench: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita, 19 Uwe Helu, 20 Shuhei Matsuhashi, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Rikiya Matsuda, 23 Michael Little
Sharks (touring squad)
1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Akke van der Merwe, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Hyron Andrews, 5. Ruan Botha, 6. Jacques Vermeulen, 7. Tyloer Paul, 8. Daniel du Preez, 9. Lousi Schreuder (c), 10. Robert du Preez, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 15. Apheelele Fassi
Bench: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Phendulani Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Rhyno Smith, 23 Jeremy Ward
Bulls
1. Lizo Gqoboka, 2. Schalk Brits, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 4. Jason Jenkins, 5. Lood de Jager, 6. Ruan Steenkamp, 7. Hanro Liebenberg, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 9. Embrose Papier, 10. Handré Pollard, 11. Rosko Specman, 12. Burger Odendaal, 13. Jesse Kriel, 14. Johnny Kotze, 15. Warrick Gelant
Bench: 16. Corniel Els, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19. Eli Snyman, 20. Thembelani Bholi, 21. Ivan van Zyl, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Dylan Sage
Stormers
1. Ali Vermaak, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Wilco Louw, 4. Salmaan Moerat, 5. JD Schickerling, 6. Siya Kolisi (c), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 9. Jano Vermaak, 10. Damian Willemse, 11. Sp Marais, 12. Damian de Allende, 13. Ruhan Nel, 14. JJ Engelbrecht, 15. Dillyn Leyds
Bench: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Kobus van Dyk, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Dan du Plessis
Jaguares
1. Mayco Vivas, 2. Agustin Creevy, 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Guido Petti, 5. Tomas Lavanin, 6. Pablo Matera, 7. Rodrigo Bruni, 8. Javier Ortega Desio, 9. Gonzalo Bertranou, 10. Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, 11. Ramior Moyano, 12. Jernimo de la Fuetne, 13. Matias Orlando, 14. Bautista Delguy, 15. Joaquin Tuculet
Bench: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Marcos Kremer, 21 Martín Landajo, 22 Juan Cruz Mallia, 23 Matías Moroni
Lions
1. Dylan Smith, 2. Malcolm Marx, 3. Carlu Sadie, 4. Rhyno Herbst, 5. Marvin Orie, 6. Marnus Schoeman, 7. Hacjivah Dayimani, 8. Warren Whiteley (c), 9. Nic Groom, 10. Elton Jantjies, 11. Aphiwe Dyanti, 12. Harold Vorster, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 14. Courtnall Skosan, 15. Andries Coetzee
Bench: 16. Pieter Jansen, 17. Frans van Wyk, 18. Jacobie Adriaanse, 19. Ruan Vermaak, 20. Robert Kruger, 21. Gianni Lombard, 22. Wandisile Simelane, 23. Ruan Combrinck
All times AEDT.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Just look at Bolt! The Chiefs coach was saying Pulu was fastest over over 20m.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Will see if I can find it though Reikos speed off the mark is pretty quick, and its how he gets into space very quickly. Just because someones big doesnt mean theyre necessarily overlong in getting up to speed.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Maro Itoje isn’t test class?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Depends over what distance though – do you know what distance this was? Cameron Clarke caught him fairly easily despite Reiko’s headstart last year.
Russ
Guest
Hollaway too short to be a test class lock against top 10 teams. Can get away with it in the inferior Super rugby comp.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Training times had reiko as the wuickest AB of all time by top speed. Even faster than Carlin isles in terms of top speed. Doesnt look that quick to me but there you go.
CUW
Roar Rookie
Hurricanes: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Liam Mitchell, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Chris Eves Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Ben May, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 James Marshall, 23 Wes Goosen Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Manasa Mataele, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetu Douglas, 7 Matt Todd (c), 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Will Jordan
rebel
Roar Guru
You might want to check those percentages again. He started about 6 games for NSW at 2nd row and was predominantly the back row reserve when on the bench. He started about 2 games at 2nd row in the NRC. He was predominantly a No. 8 at Southern Districts also. So most of his senior rugby has been at No. 8, not the second row.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He's actually the same height as Maro Itoje. Interesting the average height of all the starting locks used so far in the 6 Nations this season is 199.8cm So 2m appears to be the average height. And excluding Toner who is double this range further in height, every other lock is 195-203cm. All within 3 inches in height.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He can clearly play both but I think his best position (if given the chance to work at it) is to be playing at 8. He's got the hands and speed to play in a wider position if needed, while possessing the frame and toughness to play in a central pod if that is what the team needs. The Tahs have been short of locks for a while now, while they are stacked in the backrow. Is really no surprise that he's being picked at lock, even if if isn't where he shows most potential. He gives away about 10cm compared to the worlds best locks while being very similar in size to some of the world's top 8's.
ForwardsWinMatches
Guest
It’s been the mantra of the Patriots for a while now - “do your job”.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Interesting after reading so many complaints about Holloway being used at lock and your comments that he's not really a lock and people saying he's a genuine 8. Played Aus Schoolboys as a lock. Ironically Wells was 8 then too. Played Aus 20s solely at lock, has played about 30-50% of his NRC time at lock and probably 50% of his Super Rugby career at lock. I think it's entirely possible, he is a lock.
Daniel Jeffrey
Editor
For anyone waiting on the Hurricanes side to play the Tahs, it’ll be announced at 4pm (AEDT)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Isn't that Cheika's motto?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yes I think a large part of that is that he has a natural sense of timing the hit, whether carrying or defending. He always tackled well above his weight as a league FB.
Cassandra
Roar Rookie
Big fan of Hunt when it comes to contact. Best Australian back in contact, IMO.
Max Power
Guest
Simone can play 13 as well as 12 and played a lot of there for Norths last year in the Shute Shield. He definitely has the size to do and would be a very good distributor/link player there but his defence at 13 in Super rugby might be an issue though.
John R
Roar Guru
Impossible - there is never enough Waratahs!
Boomeranga
Guest
It's nice to see Vermeulen back, and also not nice to see Vermeulen back.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Too many Waratahs...