I’m not sure if this is a new intiative to get folks fizzing for next year’s season, but there’s a gap in Rugby news coverage with the World Cup over and no November tours so today starting at 10 NZDT every hour two teams will announce their squads for next season.
10am: Chiefs and Fijian Drua 11am: Highlanders and Rebels 12pm: Moana Pasifika and Waratahs 1pm: Hurricanes and Brumbies 2pm: Blues and Reds 3pm: Crusaders and Force
I may be the only Southern Hemisphere rugby nerd here, but if I can spare some time amidst my work day i’ll post links to the teams as they come out. Given its a World Cup year there’ll be more churn than normal and there’s already been a lot of moves pre-announced. Eg some of the big moves are Leigh Halfpenny coming down to the Crusaders, Angus Ta’avao returning to the Blues.
What’s potentially more interesting off the back of another great NPC season is the wider squad players who will almost certainly be needed as injury cover. Given the departure of Mounga, and uncertain international future for Beauden Barrett, the Flyhalf stocks in NZ are a bit pressed, so one to watch is whether Josh Jacomb gets picked up by anyone.
Moana Pasifika: https://moanapasifika.co.nz/moana-pasifika-squad-announcement-2024/
No Lincoln McClutchie which leaves their stocks at 10 fairly light. He didn’t really kick on at Super level like he does for the Magpies but will be interesting to see where he has gone. Afterall, he did get the 'pies to the NPC final and was top points scorer I think so is clearly decent.
Some good pickups in the loosies, but hard to see how they’ll replace Aumua and Tavatavanawai - maybe Savea will play in the midfield even though he’s listed as an outside back?