Northland pair back for Blues Super 15

Northland's Rene Ranger and Lachie Munro are back in the Blues mix for the 2012 Investec Super 15.

New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises named their squads for the 2012 season yesterday, each with a mouth-watering line-up of experienced and emerging international rugby talent. Other Northland players included in Super franchises were Bronson Murray, who returns to the Highlanders, and Kaitaia born James Broadhurst, who was named in the Hurricanes.

The Auckland-based Blues, who finished fourth last season, will be coached again by Pat Lam and former Northland coach Bryce Woodward.

Lam, who is about to start his fourth year with the franchise, said retaining the bulk of the 2011 squad for next year is one of the most pleasing aspects of his squad for next season - along with the arrival of some pretty exciting newcomers.

"Going into my fourth year, what I am really excited about is the continuity of the squad. We have only four players joining the Blues for the first time. Having the core of our leadership group back led by Keven Mealamu is fantastic - they will continue to drive the Blues' way. The abundance of experience these guys have will be vital for the under-20 players who are stepping up to the next level," he said.

All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu along with David Raikuna and George Moala join the franchise for the first time, while Lam added he was looking forward to seeing a return to form best from players such as Liaki Moli and Brad Mika, who suffered horrific injuries last year, ruling them out of the season.

"There's no doubt our squad is pretty special. To have in our side the three All Blacks nominated for the 2011 IRB Player of the Year, is not a bad way to head into this campaign," he said.

A total of 28 new faces featured in the five squads named yesterday and another five familiar faces Tusi Pisi, Tamati Ellison, Tim Bateman, Ross Kennedy and Rudi Wulf all return from overseas to make their re-entry to the Super Rugby stage.

Five Pacific Island and foreign players who starred in the recent Rugby World Cup have also been picked in the squads, including England No8 James Haskell who will join the Highlanders after completing a spell with the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan.

Haskell will return to his old team London Wasps at the conclusion of his season with the Southern men. Others coming in from World Cup duty are new Hurricane Pisi (Samoa), and new Chiefs Kane Thompson, Mahonri Schwalger (both Samoa), and Sona Taumalolo (Tonga).

2012 Super Rugby Squads :

Blues

Forwards: Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Charlie Faumuina, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Brad Mika, Liaki Moli, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Angus Ta'avao, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock. Backs: Gareth Anscombe, Michael Hobbs, Alby Mathewson, George Moala, Lachie Munro, Ma'a Nonu, David Raikuna, Rene Ranger, Benson Stanley, Sherwin Stowers, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Rudi Wulf.

Crusaders

Forwards: Nick Barrett, Wyatt Crockett, Tom Donnelly, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Ross Kennedy, Quentin MacDonald, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock. Backs: Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Andrew Ellis, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Patrick Osborne, Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock.

Highlanders

Forwards: Josh Bekhuis, Nick Crosswell, Elliot Dixon, Ma'afu Fia, John Hardie, James Haskell, Jarrad Hoeata, Andrew Hore, Chris King, Jamie Mackintosh, Nasi Manu, Bronson Murray, Culum Retallick, Jason Rutledge, Adam Thomson, Doug Tietjens. Backs: Kurt Baker, Jimmy Cowan, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Kendrick Lynn, Chris Noakes, Siale Piutau, Kade Poki, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Shaun Treeby, Telusa Veainu.

Hurricanes

Forwards: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Jason Eaton, Reggie Goodes, David Hall, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Karl Lowe, Motu Matu'u, Ben May, Tristan Moran, Mark Reddish, Brad Shields, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito. Backs: Beauden Barrett, Tim Bateman, Richard Buckman, Chris Eaton, Jayden Hayward, Cory Jane, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Alapati Leiua, Charlie Ngatai, TJ Perenara, Tusi Pisi, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Chris Smylie, Andre Taylor.

Chiefs

Forwards: Ben Afeaki, Alex Bradley, Sam Cane, Craig Clarke, Shane Cleaver, Hika Elliot, Mike Fitzgerald, Romana Graham, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Ben Tameifuna, Sona Taumalolo, Kane Thompson, Scott Waldrom. Backs: Aaron Cruden, Andrew Horrell, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Maritino Nemani, Declan O'Donnell, Robbie Robinson, Aseli Tikoirototuma, Sonny Bill Williams, Jackson Willison.