Super Rugby Pacific: 2024 New Zealand-based squads - who’s in and who’s out?

Former All Black Ryan Crotty, 35, has returned to the Crusaders for 2024. Photo / Photosport

Every squad has been named ahead of the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season, with many marquee signings across the country, including two former Welsh internationals in Leigh Halfpenny (Crusaders) and Rhys Patchell (Highlanders).

Former All Black Ryan Crotty has returned to the Crusaders, Angus Ta’avao heads back up State Highway 1 to the Blues and the likes of Ardie Savea, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett have all departed the country.

Below are the Super Rugby Pacific players who are new to the 2024 squads and the players who have departed.

The ins and outs - 2024 New Zealand-based squads:

Blues

2024 squad ins:

Josh Beehre, Laghlan McWhannell, PJ Sheck James Thompson, Angus Ta’avao, Kade Banks, Lucas Cashmore, Cole Forbes, Meihana Grindlay.

2024 squad outs:

Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, James Lay, Taine Plumtree, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Beauden Barrett, Tanielu Teleʻa, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Moana Pasifika

2024 squad ins:

James Lay, Sateki Latu, Sama Malolo, Tomasi Maka, Donald Brighouse, Tom Savage, Ofa Tauetavalu, Irie Papuni, Viliame Napa’a, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Sione Havili Talitui, Aisea Halo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Viliame Fine, Julian Savea, Otumaka Mausia, Nigel Ah Wong.

2024 squad outs:

Joe Apikotoa, Chris Apoua, Tau Koloamatangi, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Isi Tuʻungafasi, Ray Niuia, Joe Royal, Luteru Tolai, Mike McKee, Alex McRobbie, Mahonri Ngakuru, Potu Leavasa Jr, Michael Curry, Penitoa Finau, Jack Lam, Sione Tuipulotu, Niko Jones, Jonah Mau’u, Manu Paea, Sam Wye, Lincoln McClutchie, Levi Aumua, Tomasi Alosio, Tima Fainga’anuku, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Lolagi Visinia.

Gallagher Chiefs

2024 squad ins:

Sione Ahio, Tom Florence, Kauvaka Kaivelata, Reuben O’Neill, Wallace Sititi, Kaleb Trask, Jimmy Tupou, Malachi Wrampling-Alec.

2024 squad outs:

Rivez Reihana, Ngane Punivai, Angus Ta’avao, Atu Moli, Laghlan McWhannell, John Ryan, Alex Nankivell, Pita Gus Sowakula, Bryn Gatland, Brodie Retallick, Brad Weber, Sam Cane, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Solomone Tukuafu, Solomon Alaimalo.

Hurricanes

2024 squad ins:

James O’Reilly, Ngane Punivai, Ben Grant, Josh Taula, James Tucker, Richard Judd, Brad Shields, Siale Lauaki.

2024 squad outs:

Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Hame Faiva, Dominic Bird, James Blackwell, Hugo Plummer, Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Jamie Booth, Logan Henry, Riley Hohepa, Julian Savea.

Crusaders

2024 squad ins:

Tahlor Cahill, Rivez Reihana, Manasa Mataele, Jone Rova, Heremaia Murray, Ryan Crotty, Leigh Halfpenny, Levi Aumua.

2024 squad outs:

Oli Jager, John Afoa, Seb Calder, Reuben O’Neill, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Andrew Turner, Quentin MacDonald, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Whitelock, Sione Havili Talitui, Louie Chapman, Joel Lam, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Melani Nanai, Pepesana Patafilo, Will Gualter.

Highlanders

2024 squad ins:

Henry Bell, Mitchell Dunshea, Ricky Jackson, Hayden Michaels, Tom Sanders, Ajay Faleafaga, Jacob Ratumaituvuki-Kneepkens, Rhys Patchell, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a.

2024 squad outs:

Jeff Thwaites, PJ Sheck, Leni Apisai, Andrew Makalio, Rhys Marshall, Josh Dickson, Josh Bekhuis, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjes, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Aaron Smith, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Marty Banks, Freddie Burns, Mitch Hunt, Scott Gregory, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Mosese Dawai, Vilimoni Koroi, Finn Hurley.

Jesse Wood is a multimedia journalist based in Te Awamutu. He joined the Te Awamutu Courier and NZME in 2020.

Stay up to date with the Waikato Herald

Get the latest Waikato headlines straight to your inbox Monday to Saturday. Register for free today - click here and choose Local News.