2011 Investec Super Rugby Week 12 - Teams, previews and KickOff

AllBlacks.com and superrugby.co.nz bring you all the final teams for the 12th round of the 2011 Investec Super Rugby season.

To view the New Zealand Rugby Union's official online Investec Super Rugby magazine KickOff 2011 (released weekly) click here.

To access live scoring via our official Twitter account here.

To view our official previews for this weekend's upcoming games, click here to access the New Zealand Super Rugby site.

Teams for the round 11 of the Super Rugby competition (all starts NZT):

FRIDAY

Hurricanes v Blues, Wellington, 7.35pm

Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Alapati Leiua, Jayden Hayward, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Chris Eaton, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore (captain), John Schwalger. Reserves: Dane Coles, Anthony Perenise, Jeremy Thrush, Mark Reddish, Tyson Keats, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett.

Blues: Jared Payne, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Benson Stanley, Lachie Munro, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Peter Saiili, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Chris Lowrey, John Afoa, Keven Mealumu (captain), Tevita Mailau. Reserves: Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu, James King, Sean Tolwart, Chris Smylie, Aaron Bancroft, Sherwin Stowers.

Rebels v Reds, Melbourne, 9.40pm

Rebels: Julian Huxley, Lachlan Mitchell, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Peter Betham, James Hilgendorf, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve, Michael Lipman, Hoani Macdonald, Hugh Pyle, Alister Campbell, Laurie Weeks, Ged Robinson, Greg Somerville. Res: Heath Tessmann, Nic Henderson, Adam Byrnes, Tim Davidson, Sam Cordingley, Cooper Vuna, Afusipa Taumoepeau.

Reds: Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Radike Samo, Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Reserves: James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Leroy Houston, Jake Schatz, Will Chambers, Dom Shipperley.

SATURDAY

Lions v Cheetahs, Johannesburg, 5.10am

Lions: Michael Killian, Lionel Mapoe, Dylan des Fontain, Doppies La Grange (captain), Deon van Rensburg, Burton Francis, Rory Kockott, Warren Whiteley, Joshua Strauss, Cobus Grobbelaar, David de Villiers, Wikus van Heerden, Kevin Buys, Edgar Marutlulle, JC Janse van Rensburg. Reserves: Martin Bezuidenhout, Patric Cilliers, Franco van der Merwe, Michael Rhodes, Jano Vermaak, Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute.

Cheetahs: Riaan Viljoen, Rayno Benjamin, Robert Ebersohn, Corne Uys, Phillip Burger, Sias Ebersohn, Sarel Pretorius, Davon Raubenheimer, Ashley Johnson, Heinrich Brussow, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Francois Uys, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Coenie Oosthuizen. Reserves: Ryno Barnes, Lourens Adriaanse, Walti Vermeulen, Kabamba Floors, Tewis de Bruyn, Naas Olivier, Hennie Daniller.

Chiefs v Highlanders, Hamilton, 7.35pm

Chiefs: Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Scott Waldrom, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke, Ben Afeaki, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Sona Taumalolo, Isaac Ross, Tanerau Latimer, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tim Nanai-Williams, Jackson Willison.

Highlanders: Robbie Robinson, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Ben Smith, Siale Piutau, Lima Sopoaga, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, Tom Donnelly, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Smith, Matt Saunders, James Paterson.

Waratahs v Western Force, Sydney, 9.40pm

Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner, Ryan Cross, Tom Carter, Sosene Anesi, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Ben Mowen, Pat McCutcheon, Dave Dennis, Sitaleki Timani, Dean Mumm (captain), Sekope Kepu, John Ulugia/Benn Robinson. Reserves: Ben Roberts, Al Baxter, Kane Douglas, Chris Alcock, Brendan McKibbin, Daniel Halangahu, Tom Kingston.

Western Force: Patrick Dellit, Nick Cummins, Mitch Inman, James O'Connor, David Smith, Willie Ripia, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe (captain), Sam Wykes, Matt Dunning, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan. Reserves: Ben Whittaker, Tim Fairbrother, Tom Hockings, Ben McCalman, James Stannard, Rory Sidey, Alfie Mafi.

SUNDAY

Stormers v Crusaders, Cape Town, 3.05am

Stormers: Conrad Jantjes, Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Johann Sadie, Lionel Cronje, Dewaldt Duvenage, Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger (captain), Andries Bekker, Rynhardt Elstadt, CJ van der Linde, Deon Fourie, Wicus Blaauw. Reserves: Tiaan Liebenberg, Brok Harris, De Kock Steenkamp, Nick Koster, Ricky Januarie, Kurt Coleman, Juan de Jongh.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Mat Berquist, Kahn Fotuali'i, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), George Whitelock, Chris Jack, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Andrew Olorenshaw, Joe Wheeler, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock.

Sharks v Brumbies, Durban, 5.10am

Sharks: TBC

Brumbies: Pat McCabe, Andrew Smith, Tyrone Smith, Christian Lealiifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, pat Phibbs, Ita Vaea, Colby Faingaa, Mitch Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Peter Kimlin, Jono Owen, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Reserves: Huia Edmonds, Salesi Ma'afu, Ben Hand, Michael Hooper, Josh Valentine, Robbie Coleman, Franky Fainifo.

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SUPER UGLY RUGBY

SUPER UGLY RUGBY SLIDESHOW!

Starting XV in the G&GR Super Rugby Ugly team:

1. Gurthrö Steenkamp (Bulls) Looks like Jabba The Hutt on a bad day and outclasses Wyatt Crockett and even Jamie Mackintosh.

2. Jason Rutledge (Highlanders) This position was the hardest to pick because of the outstanding depth of ugly hookers in Super Rugby, but Jason has impeccable bloodlines. His dad, Lester, an All Black flanker, was also facially challenged. Honourable mentiosn to Gary Botha, Andrew Hore, Aled de Malmanche, Ged Robinson and Chilliboy Ralepelle, who must be wondering what they have to do to get picked.

3. Salesi Ma’afu (Brumbies) His team nickname is “Gorilla” and it’s not because of his animal grunt on the rugby field. Guys like Werner Kruger, who has a moosh like a potato with a few slits in it, are unlucky to miss out, but Salesi is a natural .

4. Andries Bekker (Stormers) Put a couple of bolts in the neck of this ugly sonofabitch and he could star in the next Frankenstein movie.

5. Kane Douglas (Waratahs) The young bloke may have a good bod but has a head like a robber’s dog. Mentioned in despatches: Pat O’Connor and James Horwill, for obvious reasons.

6. Adam Thomson (Highlanders) A true boofhead who could not get a date off a calendar. Jarrod “Zombie” Saffy is unlucky.

7. Phil Waugh (Waratahs) Honourable mentions to Beau Robinson, Julian Salvi and Pieter Louw, but Waugh got a part-time job once as an Orc in a Lord of the Rings movie and they didn’t have to bother with makeup.

8. Nasi Manu (Highlanders) Scares small-to-medium sized kids as he walks down the street, and they shout “Boogieman” and run away crying. I know what you are going to say: what about Kieran Read, who was offered a leading role in a Saw movie? But somebody had to miss out.

9. Brendon Leonard (Chiefs) There was outstanding depth in this spot too. Januarie, Kockott and Sheehan had strong claims and McKibbin could even have got the nod, but he hasn’t started a game this year. Surely the gong has to go to a guy who shows consistency in being a truly ugly fucker week to week.

10. Aaron Cruden (Hurricanes) Outstanding talent: has a head like a busted crab yet it still has about 10 years to go getting bashed up. Could be world class by the end of his career.

11. Luke Rooney (Rebels) is so fucking ugly that his dog closes its eyes when it humps his leg.

12. Tana Umaga (Chiefs) Lots of candidates here but nobody else gets the bags under their eyes checked by Customs. Honourable mention to young Robbie Coleman, who looks like Woody from Toy Story.

13. Stirling Mortlock (Rebels) All time great in the position and has kept his form since that wonderful banjo sequence in the Deliverance movie.

14. Bjorn Basson (Bulls) Every team has to have a bolter and young Basson is the smokey in this team. But, I ask you, who else looks more like an undertaker whose haemorrhoids are flaring up? Sorry Sivi, but you have to make way for a younger bloke this year.

15. Gio Aplon (Stormers) Talk about shifty eyes: ever noticed that the guys who slip a knife into your ribs every now and then look just like Aplon? Pat McCabe was a chance, but shave away the bum-fluff from his face and he looks almost homely. Never mind, Pat: a few more years of running into brick walls as you do on the footie field and you could be in the Ones.

What do you think of our starting fifteen? Any truly world-class ugly fuckers who missed out?

2011 Investec Super Rugby preview - The Hurricanes

As always the Hurricanes have a marvellous roster, buttressed by 13 All Blacks, the bulk of which are considered test incumbents.

Indeed the six-time semi finalists – five of those appearances coming since 2003 – will boast a 947 Super Rugby capped group, a core of experience which will be vital to break what has become a fair drought for the prolific rugby producing region.

Either in the guise of the Hurricanes or Wellington, semi finals and numerous finals (in the ITM Cup) have been achieved by the region, but there has been no Super Rugby title.

Are they the strongest team not to have claimed the crown?

To put it broadly, one feels that if the Hurricanes had some small defining factor to add to their already potent arsenal, they could go on to claim success.

Surely inspiration could be drawn from the competition’s most successful team in the Crusaders, a side that has eliminated the Canes four times they have crossed swords in the top four finals (once in the 2006 final).

That je ne sais quoi for the Hurricanes could be the addition of new head coach Mark Hammett, a Crusaders title winner and key member of their backroom team.

The former All Blacks forward will replace Colin Cooper, who departs as the second most capped Super Rugby coach of all time.

While the new Taranaki coach was well regarded, surely it will smart that he could not take the title with such talent at his disposal, and one cannot forget that he too came from Crusaders territory.

Yet former test rake Hammett (with 29 All Blacks tests, 81 Crusaders and 76 Canterbury caps) has been forward's advisor and assistant to both Robbie Deans and Todd Blackadder since 2006.

The Hurricanes, well regarded as a potent attacking unit, will likely have a fair amount of starch and patterns integrated into them by the man fondly regarded as the Hammer.

This will suit the perennial contenders well.

They have long had the arsenal to match it with the big teams, and indeed when firing no side in the competition has been able to compete.

Yet ‘when firing’ is a statement that does not fit well with a side that hopes to be champions, and there is no doubt that the Hurricanes prominent weakness is occasional inconsistency.

However it will not only be Hammett who could change this, but the increasing seniority of their squad members, combined with the desperation of some of their All Blacks.

Piri Weepu will be out – even with a best case scenario – till March, which does rob the Hurricanes of a key player before their campaign even begins.

Karl Lowe will also miss the majority of the season.

Yet the rise and growing leadership of Conrad Smith will mean that the Hurricanes will have a world class player and general to kick off the season, and much will rest on the talented centre’s shoulders.

Also notable will be the attacking class of Hosea Gear, who has had his potential (long known to Wellington fans) realised with a stunning performance on the All Blacks Telecom Backing Black end of year tour.

However a host of All Blacks will be frantic to remind selectors of their class.

Two players will still be heavily on Graham Henry’s mind, yet their status as automatic selections did dim slightly towards the end of 2010.

Ma’a Nonu, whose incumbency as the All Blacks second five-eighth has been usurped by the emergence of the 109kg (based on recent boxing training reports) Sonny Bill Williams, will want to impress why he can be at his finest the best number 12 in the game.

While Cory Jane, one of the most consistent and reliable All Blacks wings in recent memory, will want to stamp his mark on the game, ironically with a chief rival (in Gear) playing with him in the back three.

But numerous players, from great warhorse Rodney So’oialo, to last year’s fringe All Blacks Aaron Cruden and Victor Vito, to forgotten prop Neemia Tialata and lock Jason Eaton, and returning hooker Andrew Hore – will all want strong campaigns to impress for a potential World Cup berth.

That desperate edge that so many key players will bring to the Hurricanes 2011 campaign could be the defining factor that could enable the star studded franchise to go all the way.

They will need to arrest the aforementioned consistency.

Last season three wins to open their campaign led to a horror middle patch, kicking off with a shock loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. That 28-12 defeat led to four losses in a row, and with a draw to the Crusaders and a bye meant they went from round four to round nine without a victory.

They kick off the 2011 Super Rugby season with a good draw, hosting the Highlanders and Crusaders before taking their first bye in round three. They will not play a match on the road (against the Blues) until round five, and will play the Rebels in Melbourne as their first ‘cross-conference’ opponent.

It is arguably the best beginning to the tournament of any team, and one that the Hurricanes will need to capitalise on if they are to break their title drought.

Roll of honour: Finalists 2006, semi-finalists 1997, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009
Last season: 8th (7 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses)
In 2010: 7th equal best attack, 7th best defence

Notable results
Home team first

Hurricanes 47 – 22 Western Force (round two)
Brumbies 13 – 23 Hurricanes (round ten)
Hurricanes 44 – 21 Reds (round 13)

HURRICANES 2011 SUPER RUGBY ROSTER

Fullbacks: Cory Jane
Wingers: Hosea Gear, Alipati Leiua, Julian Savea, Andre Taylor
Midfield: Charlie Ngatai, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith
First five-eigths: Aaron Cruden, Daniel Kirkpatrick
Halfbacks: Chris Eaton, Tyson Keats, Piri Weepu
Loose forwards: Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Karl Lowe, Rodney So'oialo, Victor Vito
Locks: James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Bryn Evans, Mark Reddish, Jeremy Thrush
Props: Michael Bent, Jacob Ellison, Anthony Perenise, John Schwalger, Neemia Tialata
Hookers: Dane Coles, Laurence Corlett, Andrew Hore

View the original article here

2011 Investec Super Rugby preview - The Crusaders

It is a remarkable statistic to think that if the Crusaders do not win their eighth Super Rugby crown this season it will constitute their longest drought without claiming the championship.

With seven titles to their name in 15 years, the most successful franchise in the competition’s history has never gone more than two years without winning the title.

Indeed, the greatest dynasty in Super Rugby has of late been usurped by the Bulls, who have not only won three of the last four titles, but on all occasions the South Africans have claimed the title, they have beaten the Crusaders in the semi finals.

However there has been a feeling in ‘title town’ that the Crusaders have not been quite the imposing machine that has seen them win almost half of the titles on offer in Super Rugby.

But history has proven that the red and blacks never lie dormant for long, and with Canterbury proving their status as the strongest province in New Zealand rugby, one feels that the Crusaders could make a statement this year.

Especially with far more derby matches in the revamped Super Rugby format.

On paper the Crusaders squad is typically strong, yet while they have their usual collection of All Blacks, there more menace to even their elite contingent.

Richie McCaw will begin the season with his reputation as one of the great captains the game has ever seen confirmed after a landmark season in 2010.

He is also the senior Crusader with 103 caps.

Dan Carter will begin the season not only the Super Rugby point’s record holder, but also as test rugby’s all time highest point’s scorer.

Both men will be crucial to the Crusaders campaign, but as was seen with the All Blacks last season, they are not the only two kingpins in the squad.

Kieran Read will enter the campaign a player whose status is beginning to rival that of his partner in the flank and the nation’s premier first five-eighth. The New Zealand player of the year is generally regarded as the best number eight globally, and will be crucial to the Crusaders hopes.

The list continues with ageless workhorse Brad Thorn, one of the top locks in world rugby last year, who gets better with age.

Supporting the senior players are rising All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Ben and Owen Franks.

Veterans such as Chris Jack, who will likely become a Crusaders centurion (with 98 caps), Andy Ellis and Corey Flynn will also play their parts.

The enviable squad list is bolstered with two new additions, and two more All Blacks – bring their international contingent to 12 players – in Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Dagg.

Both players, likely to play key roles in Graham Henry's selections this year, add considerably to the Crusaders backline arsenal, and to a team that could at full strength field a pack with past or present All Blacks from 1 to 8.

But the Crusaders strength is not only present with their test players, but also in their production line. Scrumhalf Willi Heinz, prop Andrew Olorenshaw, lock Joe Wheeler, hooker Quentin MacDonald and flanker Matt Todd were in the Crusaders wider training group last season and have made the step up to the full squad for 2011.

And finally the lure of the region is as strong as always, with first-five Matt Berquist and hooker David Hall (from the Highlanders) new additions.

While new Super Rugby players come in the form of Tasman five-eighth Tom Marshall, Southland prop Nick Barrett, Canterbury lock Luke Romano and Canterbury Colt and New Zealand Under-19 captain Tyler Bleyendaal.

Todd Blackadder will commence his third season as coach, and would dearly love to win a Super Rugby title, with the last crown coming in 2008 under Robbie Deans (who has won a record five championships).

His new forwards coach will be Dave Hewett, former manager of the Canterbury team last year, taking over from Mark Hammett who moves to take charge of the Hurricanes.

The Crusaders will play the Queensland Reds (Jan 29 in Cairns), the Melbourne Rebels (Feb 5 at AAMI Park) and the Highlanders (Feb 11 in Oamaru) as part of their pre-season programme.

They will kick off their regular season with two blockbuster derby matches, against the Blues and the Hurricanes, both away from home. They return home to host the Waratahs and Brumbies.

They will take their first bye in week seven.

Roll of honour: Champions 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, Finalists 2003, 2004, only three times in 15 years haven’t reached the top four
Last season: 4th (8 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses)
In 2010: second best attack, fourth best defence

Notable results:
home team first

Crusaders 35 – 6 Sharks (round three)
Western Force 24 – 16 Crusaders (round eleven)
Crusaders 40 – 22 Brumbies (round fourteen)

CRUSADERS

Fullbacks: Israel Dagg
Wingers: Zac Guildford, Sean Maitland, Adam Whitelock
Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean, Tom Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams
First five-eigths: Matt Berquist, Tyler Bleyendaal, Daniel Carter
Halfbacks: Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali'i, Willi Heinz
Loose forwards: Richie McCaw, Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock
Locks: Chris Jack, Luke Romano, Brad Thorn, Joe Wheeler, Sam Whitelock
Props: Nicholas Barrett, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Olorenshaw
Hookers: Corey Flynn, David Hall, Quentin MacDonald

View the original article here

South Africans gear up for 2011 Investec Super Rugby pre-season

The Sharks, Stormers and Lions will play in the Neo Africa Tri-Series at the end of the month, a tournament which effectively constitutes those three teams pre-season matches before the 2011 Investec Super Rugby season starts.

The tournament will be hosted at Newlands, and the Western Force, who played in the three team series last year, will be replaced by the Lions.

The Tri-Series takes place from January 28 to February 5, kicking off with the Stormers hosting the Lions.

On February 1 the Sharks and Lions play, while the third and final match will be a replay of the 2010 Currie CUp final, with the home team taking on the Durban based side.

Three time and reigning champions the Bulls and the Cheetahs have not confirmed any pre-season matches at this stage.

The season proper will begin with two South African derbies, with the Lions hosting the Bulls on February 19, while earlier that night the Sharks will entertain the Cheetahs.

The Stormers have a first round bye before hosting the Lions on February 26.

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