Super Rugby squads 2027 - who is strongest?
The Super Rugby squads for 2027 have been confirmed with the odd surprise and the continuation of some teams showing depth across their squads.
The Crusaders have :16 players who are current or former All Blacks while the defending champion Hurricanes have 18.
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The Blues look to have a squad of young players but still have the likes of Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Darry at lock along with the experienced Josh Beehre.
They also have Aride Savea and a returing Reiko Ioane.
The Highlanders look to be a litte stronger with Ethan De Groot, Benét, Saula Ma’u, Jack Sexton and Angus Ta’avao available at prop while Fabian Holland if he can stay fit set to be a huge asset.
There's some talent in the loose forwards with Lucas Casey, Shannon Frizzell and Sean Withy, however a lack of significant depth across the squad will leave Jamie Joseph hoping for an injury-free season.
The Chiefs have seen a few changes, but again have a strong squad from front to back and have Canterbury captain Brodie McAlister joing them along with Daniel Lienert-Brown.
The outside backs for the Chiefs look like try-scoring machines if they can get the ball with Leroy Carter, Isaac Hutchinson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Sinkinson, Kyren Taumoefolau and Frank Vaenuku listed.
Blues squad
Props: Ben Ake, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Mason Tupaea, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Flyn Yates
Hookers: James Mullan, Eli Oudenryn, Bradley Slater
Locks: Josh Beehre, Tristyn Cook, Sam Darry, Jack Lee, Patrick Tuipulotu
Loose forwards: Torian Barnes, Cam Christie, Che Clark, Jed Melvin, Ardie Savea, Anton Segner, Malachi Wrampling
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Taufa Funaki, Nic Shearer
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Cam Millar, Rico Simpson
Midfielders: Pita Ahki, James Cameron, Leo Gordon, Rieko Ioane, Zarn Sullivan, Xavi Taele
Outside backs: Kade Banks, Caleb Clarke, Darby Lancaster, Payton Spencer, Rory Taylor, Cody Vai
Chiefs squad:
Props: George Dyer, Paula Latu, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tevita Mafileo, Ollie Norris, Jared Proffit
Hookers: Taine Kolose, Brodie McAlister, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tyrone Thompson
Locks: Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Jai Knight, Josh Lord, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Tupou Vaa’i, Aisake Vakasiuola
Loose forwards: Kaylum Boshier, Jahrome Brown, Luke Jacobson, Corey Kellow, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi
Halfbacks: Richard Judd, Cortez Ratima, Charlie Sinton
First five-eighths: Tepaea Cook-Savage, Taha Kemara, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders: Kyle Brown, Anton Lienert-Brown, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea
Outside backs: Leroy Carter, Isaac Hutchinson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Sinkinson, Kyren Taumoefolau, Frank Vaenuku
Crusaders squad:
Props: Tamaiti Williams, Finlay Brewis, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Seb Calder, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Clément Castets
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Manumaua Letiu, George Bell
Locks: Liam Jack, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Scott Barrett
Loose forwards: Xavier Saifoloi, Ethan Blackadder, Dominic Gardiner, Xavier Treacy, Christian Lio-Willie, Finn McLeod, Oli Mathis, Johnny Lee
Halfbacks: Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham, Mitchell Drummond
First five-eighths: Rivez Reihana, James White, Richie Mo’unga
Midfielders: Jake Te Hiwi, Corey Evans, Toby Bell, Cooper Roberts, Leicester Fainga’anuku
Outside backs: Johnny McNicholl, Kurtis MacDonald, Macca Springer, Maloni Kunawave, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
Hurricanes squad
Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Tito Tuipulotu, Rohan Wingham
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Vernon Bason, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu
Locks: Alefosio Aho, Caleb Delany, Dylan Eti, Hunter Morrison, Hugo Plummer
Loose forwards: Oliver Haig, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Cam Roigard, Jordi Viljoen
First five-eighths: Brett Cameron, Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love
Midfielders: Tāmiro Armstrong, Jordie Barrett, Heremaia Murray, Billy Proctor, Jone Rova
Outside backs: Josh Gray, Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngane Punivai
Highlanders squad
Props: Jermaine Ainsley, Josh Bartlett, Ethan De Groot, Benét Kumeroa Saula Ma’u, Jack Sexton, Angus Ta’avao
Hookers: Henry Bell, Ioane Moananu, Jack Taylor
Locks: Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Tomás Lavanini, Josh Tengblad
Loose forwards: Nikora Broughton, Lucas Casey, Shannon Frizell, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Joseva Tamani, Will Stodart, Sean Withy
Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, Adam Lennox, Dylan Pledger
First five-eighths: Josh Jacomb, Mika Muliaina, Patrick Pellegrini
Midfielders: Meihana Grindlay, Reesjan Pasitoa, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Josh Whaanga
Outside backs: Finn Hurley, Jona Nareki, Stanley Solomon, Caleb Tangitau, Tuna Tuitama, Xavier Tito-Harris, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Hurricanes squad
Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Tito Tuipulotu, Rohan Wingham
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Vernon Bason, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu
Locks: Alefosio Aho, Caleb Delany, Dylan Eti, Hunter Morrison, Hugo Plummer
Loose forwards: Oliver Haig, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Arese Poliko, Brad Shields, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa
Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Cam Roigard, Jordi Viljoen
First five-eighths: Brett Cameron, Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love
Midfielders: Tāmiro Armstrong, Jordie Barrett, Heremaia Murray, Billy Proctor, Jone Rova
Outside backs: Josh Gray, Fehi Fineanganofo, Callum Harkin, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngane Punivai
Highlanders squad
Props: Jermaine Ainsley, Josh Bartlett, Ethan De Groot, Benét Kumeroa Saula Ma’u, Jack Sexton, Angus Ta’avao
Hookers: Henry Bell, Ioane Moananu, Jack Taylor
Locks: Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Tomás Lavanini, Josh Tengblad
Loose forwards: Nikora Broughton, Lucas Casey, Shannon Frizell, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Joseva Tamani, Will Stodart, Sean Withy
Halfbacks: Folau Fakatava, Adam Lennox, Dylan Pledger
First five-eighths: Josh Jacomb, Mika Muliaina, Patrick Pellegrini
Midfielders: Meihana Grindlay, Reesjan Pasitoa, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Josh Whaanga
Outside backs: Finn Hurley, Jona Nareki, Stanley Solomon, Caleb Tangitau, Tuna Tuitama, Xavier Tito-Harris, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
