Rugby: Seven new recruits in Chiefs squad

The Chiefs' squad next season will include five current All Blacks. Photo / Alan Gibson

The defending champion Chiefs have named their 2013 Super 15 squad this morning which includes five current All Blacks and little surprises.

Aaron Cruden, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Liam Messam and Tawera Kerr-Barlow are the only Chiefs who will tour Europe with the All Blacks but the squad also includes seven members of the New Zealand Maori squad.

2011 All Black Richard Kahui will also return from injury for the 2013 season.

The Chiefs re-signed many of their players during the 2012 season adding seven new recruits in Auckland first-five Gareth Anscombe, Manawatu loose forward Nick Crosswell, Wellington loosie Ross Filipo, Taranaki hooker Rhys Marshall, Wellington midfield back Charlie Ngatai, Canterbury winger Patrick Osborne and Wellington prop Solomona Sakalia.

The Chiefs open next year's competition in Dunedin against the Highlanders on 22 February.

Their first home game is a week later against the Cheetahs in Hamilton. The franchise confirmed today that the Chiefs will also play home matches in Tauranga (30 March v Blues) and Pukekohe (10 May v Western Force).

Chiefs 2013 squad

Forwards:
Ben Afeaki, Sam Cane, Craig Clarke, Nick Crosswell, Hikawera Elliot, Ross Filipo, Mike Fitzgerald, Romana Graham, Josh Hohneck, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Rhys Marshall, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Solomona Sakalia, Ben Tameifuna

Backs:
Bundee Aki, Gareth Anscombe, Aaron Cruden, Andrew Horrell, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Patrick Osborne, Augustine Pulu, Robbie Robinson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma

- nzherald.co.nz