Crusaders updated Super Rugby squad for 2017

Scott Robertson has this morning announced his first squad as the Crusaders Head Coach. There will be nine new faces in the Crusaders squad in 2017, and the return of one familiar face.

“Within the squad of 38, we are boasting five players who have played more than 100 games for this team (as well as Israel Dagg on 99 Super Rugby caps and Matt Todd on 94).  We have eleven players currently away with the All Blacks, and a further six players about to represent either the Maori All Blacks or Barbarians teams.  That is a wealth of experience and talent that we are blessed with here, and we are complementing that with some incredibly exciting raw talent in 2017,” Robertson said.

The BNZ Crusaders’ new hooker is Andrew Makalio from Tasman.  Makalio has represented Auckland in every age-group from under-15s to Auckland B, but shifted to Tasman in 2016 to try his luck.

Forwards: Michael Alaalatoa, Wyatt Crockett, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Jed Brown, Mitchell Dunshea, Kieran Read, Pete Samu, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd.

Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Leon Fukofuka, Bryn Hall, Tim Bateman, Marty McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui, George Bridge, Israel Dagg, Sione Fifita, Mitchell Hunt, Digby Ioane, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele.

In: Bateman (Japan), Ioane (Japan), Tamanivalu (Chiefs), Hall (Blues), Jager (Canterbury), Makalio (Tasman), Strange (Tasman), Bedwell-Curtis (Manawatu), Dunshea (Canterbury), Goodhue (Canterbury), Brown (Canterbury), Bridge (Canterbury), Mataele (Taranaki).

Out: Johnny McNicholl (Wales), Nemani Nadolo (France), Alex Hodgman (Blues), Jimmy Tupou (Blues), Tim Boys (released), Kieron Fonotia (Wales), Andrew Ellis (Japan), Reed Prinsep (Hurricanes), Robbie Fruean (England), Ben Volavola (released), Ged Robinson (retired).