- #CROSSCODE A PROMISE IS A PROMISE FULL#
- #CROSSCODE A PROMISE IS A PROMISE PLUS#
- #CROSSCODE A PROMISE IS A PROMISE PROFESSIONAL#
#CROSSCODE A PROMISE IS A PROMISE FULL#
The full squads for Super Rugby Pacific 2022 are: Blues © Provided by Newshub "There has been some movement in among the teams, which has spread some of the talent, and the new format will provide a real test of depth and tactics, as they chase a place in the eight-team playoffs." "It's great to see some of the experience and knowledge that has returned to New Zealand, and those players will be invaluable on and off the field, where they set the example and standard for our rookies. "When you throw Moana Pasifika into the mix, you get a real sense of the anticipation and excitement about the new Super Rugby Pacific competition.
#CROSSCODE A PROMISE IS A PROMISE PROFESSIONAL#
"It's hard to remember a time when there were so many talking points and so much talent spread across our five squads," says NZR professional rugby general manager Chris Lendrum. The squads see some significant names returning to the competition, after stints overseas, including current All Blacks Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick and TJ Perenara, and former internationals Dom Bird and Owen Frans, although the latter is doubtful with an Achilles injury. They include 31 rookies - including Tuivasa-Sheck - taking up their first Super Rugby contracts. One-hundred-and-ninety NZ Rugby-contracted players are spread across the five squads, with another 38 players signed by Moana Pasifika. With incumbent captain Patrick Tuipulotu heading to Japan for a season, MacDonald desperately needs his experience in the second row.
One shock inclusion for the Blues is former Crusaders lock Luke Romano, who has amassed 136 games for the southern franchise since 2011 and another 63 for Canterbury - the only domestic teams he's ever represented. Tuivasa-Sheck was due to make his much-anticipated NPC debut, when COVID-19 suspended the competition and eventually ruled Auckland out of contention, as the city's Alert Level 3 lockdown dragged on.īut Blues coach Leon MacDonald finally seems to have tipped his hand on where he sees Tuivasa-Sheck's skillset fitting, naming him in the centres, alongside All Blacks utility Rieko Ioane. An official Auckland photoshoot even portrayed 'RTS' in both No.13 and No.14 jerseys, just to further muddy the waters. Tuivasa-Sheck, 28, rocked both rugby and rugby league codes with his January announcement that he had signed with NZ Rugby and the Blues for 2022, sparking conjecture over what position he might fill in the 15-a-side format.Īfter playing wing and fullback in league, he left the Warriors' 2021 NRL campaign early to link with Auckland and begin his rugby re-education, after starring across both codes at Otahuhu College.
#CROSSCODE A PROMISE IS A PROMISE PLUS#
Former NZ Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been named in the Blues midfield line-up, as the five NZ franchises - plus newcomers Moana Pasifika - reveal their squads for next year's Super Rugby Pacific.