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Aussie surprise and NZ Sevens star in Chiefs squad
By Online Editors
The Chiefs are the first of five New Zealand Super Rugby teams to announce their 2019 squad. Head coach Colin Cooper announced this morning which includes four newcomers and one ex-Aussie.
“It’s a very exciting squad, and it’s great to have a good spread of players from throughout the Chiefs region," coach Colin Cooper said.
"We’ve retained a lot of players from this year, including a number of our core leadership group, we’ve brought in a group of exciting and talented new players, and some of our injured players are returning, such as Atu Moli, Aidan Ross, Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Brown and Fin Hoeata, who will all make a big contribution and add a lot of depth."
Rising star, 19-year-old fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo, completes the jump to Super Rugby after one year in the New Zealand Sevens programme and his first season with Counties Manukau.
Nanai-Seturo is one of four newcomers who could make a Super Rugby debut next year along who standout Taranaki prop Reuben O'Neill, New Zealand under-20 lock Laghlan McWhannell and Japanese international wing Ataata Moeakiola.
Another notable inclusion is ex-Rebels first five-eighth Jack Debreczini has earned a place in the Chiefs squad after standout performances with the Northland Mitre 10 Cup side.
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The Chiefs squad includes eight All Blacks, including Angus Ta'avao who started this year without a Super Rugby contract.
“It’s an inspiring story for all our players – one of don’t ever give up on your dream,” Gallagher Chiefs head coach Colin Cooper said when naming his squad for the Investec Super Rugby competition.
“Angus is a great person and a hard-working player and should be an inspiration to all these young men who have been named today.”
Ta’avao joins fellow one-cap All Black Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, and experienced All Blacks Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Nathan Harris and Nepo Laulala in the squad.
More Super Rugby squads:
Hurricanes 2019 Super Rugby Squad
Crusaders 2019 Super Rugby Squad
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I’m looking forward to attending the Twickenham match, I don’t think it will have a bearing on the outcome of the grand prize itself but it will tell us more about each teams’ preparation and game plan. It’s hard to look past one of the big four (I’m including Canada) lifting the trophy in 2025 but sport is a curious thing, there will still be twists and turns in road ahead.
Go to commentsThe better side seems to be the losing side a lot these days. As far as narrative goes. Must be the big emergent culture of “participation awards” that have emerged in nanny states. ”It looked like New Zealand would take the game from there but lapses in execution let South Africa get back into the game. New Zealand’s goal kickers left five points out there, including a very make-able penalty on the stroke of half”. Sounds like a chronic problem… I wonder how the better team has lapses in concentration and execution? Or are those not important factors in the grand scheme of total performances? In 2023, the ABs at least didn’t give up a lead to lose. They just couldn’t execute to get the points and take the lead. This Baby AB result points to a choke - letting the game slip through your fingers. In the words of the great Ricky Bobby’s dad - “If you’re not 1st you’re last!” Loosely translated - if you didn’t win, you’re a loser.
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