Super Rugby Pacific: Kiwi squads named for 2024 season

The Super Rugby Pacific squads have been announced for the 2024 competition, as a fresh Rugby World Cup cycle creates opportunities for sides.

For the five New Zealand franchises in particular, stars such as Richie Mo'unga and Sam Whitelock for the Crusaders, Beauden Barrett for the Blues and Aaron Smith for the Highlanders have all departed the scene, leaving lofty spots to be filled.

Other All Blacks such as Ardie Savea and Sam Cane will also be missing as they take well-earned contracted sabbaticals overseas.

There's also been some well-documented recruitments already confirmed with Angus Ta'avao joining the Blues, Julian Savea heading to Moana Pasifika and former Wales international Leigh Halfpenny signing on with the Crusaders.

Along with the player movements, Scott Robertson's appointment to All Blacks coach has meant there will be plenty of change in the coaching boxes too with Blues coach Leon MacDonald and Hurricanes coach Jason Holland joining his set-up.

Here are the New Zealand-based Super Rugby Pacific squads for 2024:

Coach: Clayton McMillan

Props: Sione Ahio, George Dyer, Kauvaka Kaivelata, Ollie Norris, Reuben O'Neill, Jared Proffit, Aidan Ross.

Hookers: Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tyrone Thompson.

Locks: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Tupou Vaa'i, Jimmy Tupou.

Loose forwards: Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau, Tom Florence, Luke Jacobson, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Malachi Wrampling-Alec.

Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Xavier Roe, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

First-fives: Josh Ioane, Damian McKenzie, Kaleb Trask.

Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Gideon Wrampling.

Outside backs: Liam Coombes-Fabling, Peniasi Malimali, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson.

Key gains: Quinn Tupaea. Tupaea missed the entire 2023 season nursing his knee injury but will be a welcome return in the midfield alongside Anton Lienert-Brown next year.

Key losses: Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick, Brad Weber, Pita Gus Sowakula. A tonne of experience and a tonne of power will be absent from the Chiefs in 2024. It will fall on the likes of Damian McKenzie, Luke Jacobson and Tupou Vaa'i to fill the void.

Coach: Clarke Dermody

Props: Jermaine Ainsley, Ethan de Groot, Luca Inch, Ayden Johnstone, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u.

Hookers: Henry Bell, Ricky Jackson, Jack Taylor.

Locks: Mitchell Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Pari Pari Parkinson, Will Tucker.

Loose forwards: Nikora Broughton, Oliver Haig, Billy Harmon, Max Hicks, Hayden Michaels, Hugh Renton, Tom Sanders, Sean Withy.

Halfbacks: James Arscott, Folau Fakatava, Nathan Hastie.

First-fives: Ajay Faleafaga, Cameron Millar, Rhys Patchell.

Midfielders: Jake Te Hiwi, Tanielu Tele’a, Josh Timu, Matt Whaanga.

Outside backs: Martin Bogado, Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert, Jonah Lowe, Jona Nareki, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai.

Key gains: Timoci Tavatavanawai. Joins after a strong season with Moana Pasifika as well as Tasman in this year's NPC. Could add to the long list of power wings to shine in the deep south.

Key losses: Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell. Two of the Highlanders' finest. Smith had his prodigy in Folau Fakatava waiting to take over at No.9 but Frizell's absence, especially after a fine Test year, will be felt.

Coach: Tana Umaga

Props: Abraham Pole, Donald Brighthouse, James Lay, Sateki Latu, Sekope Kepu, Suetena Asomua.

Hookers: Samiueka Moli, Sama Malolo, Tomasi Maka.

Locks: Irie Papuni, Ofa Tauatevalu, Samuel Slade, Tom Savage, Viliami Napa’a.

Loose forwards: Alamanda Motuga, Lotu Inisi, Miracle Faiilagi, Ola Tauelangi, Semisi Paea, Sione Havili Talitui, Solomone Funaki.

Halfbacks: Aisea Halo, Ereatara Enari, Jonathan Taumateine.

First-fives: Christian Lealiifano, William Havili.

Midfielders: D’Angelo Leuila, Fine Inisi, Henry Taefu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo.

Outside backs: Anzelo Tuitavuki, Danny Toala, Julian Savea, Neria Fomai, Nigel Ah Wong, Otumaka Mausia, Viliami Fine.

Key gains: Tana Umaga, Julian Savea. What more can you say? Moana Pasifika have added a tonne of experience and leadership with these two acquisitions alone alongside Christian Lealiifano and Sekope Kepu. Now its about making the most of them in this untapped pool of talent.

Key losses: Timoci Tavatavanawai, Levi Aumua. The two standards of a difficult 2023 for Moana Pasifika. They'll be hard to replace with what they brought to the team, but just like the departed pair did, someone will emerge to lead this waka.

Coach: Clark Laidlaw

Props: Siale Lauaki, Tyrel Lomax, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi

Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, James O’Reilly

Locks: Caleb Delany, Ben Grant, Justin Sangster, Josh Taula, James Tucker, Isaia Walker-Leawere

Loose forwards: Devan Flanders, TK Howden, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai, Brad Shields

Halfbacks: Richard Judd, TJ Perenara, Cam Roigard

First-fives: Brett Cameron, Aidan Morgan

Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen

Outside backs: Harry Godfrey, Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngatungane Punivai, Salesi Rayasi, Daniel Sinkinson

Key gains: Brad Shields. The former England international is back at his old stomping ground and looking to make an impact and it's a perfect fit, given who the Hurricanes have lost this season...

Key losses: Ardie Savea, Dane Coles. Speaking of, two of the Hurricanes' finest will be missing this year after taking their talents to Japan. Once again, a lot of experience and leadership will be missed at another Kiwi club.

Coach: Vern Cotter

Props: Joshua Fusitua, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, PJ Sheck, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi.

Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, Soane Vikena.

Locks: Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Laghlan McWhannell, James Thompson, Patrick Tuipulotu

Loose forwards: Adrian Choat, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Rob Rush, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Cameron Suafoa.

Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki.

First-fives: Stephen Perofeta, Lucas Cashmore.

Midfielders: Corey Evans, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Meihana Grindlay, Harry Plummer.

Outside backs: Kade Banks, Caleb Clarke, Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan, Caleb Tangitau, Mark Telea.

Key gains: Angus Ta'avao. With the departures of a few more All Blacks props, the recruitment of Ta'avao is a big win for the Blues, especially given reports the Chiefs didn't want to lose him. He'll bring some veterency and stability to a squad that will embrace it.

Key losses: Beauden Barrett, Nepo Laulala, Tom Robinson, Alex Hodgman. A quartet of influential Blues starters and while there's still plenty of talent in their positions to cover them, it's the off-field stuff that will be missed most. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also exits.

Coach: Rob Penney

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Brodie McAlister, George Bell, Ioane Moananu.

Props: Joe Moody, Finlay Brewis, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell.

Locks: Scott Barrett (capt), Quinten Strange, Tahlor Cahill, Zach Gallagher, Jamie Hannah.

Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Corey Kellow, Dominic Gardiner.

Halfbacks: Noah Hotham, Mitchell Drummond, Willi Heinz.

First fives: Fergus Burke, Taha Kemara, Rivez Reihana.

Midfielders: David Havili, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Ryan Crotty, Jone Rova.

Outside backs: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Macca Springer, Manasa Mataele, Chay Fihaki, Leigh Halfpenny, Heremaia Murray.

Key gains: Ryan Crotty, Leigh Halfpenny, Levi Aumua. Just when you think the Crusaders are losing a tonne of experience, they go and add a Welsh Test centurion and bring back one of their club's greats! Aumua is also a nice addition from Moana Pasifika.

Key losses: Sam Whitelock, Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jack Goodhue, Scott Robertson. A tough list to read for Crusaders fans. It's made even tougher by news Codie Taylor will take a "non-playing sabbatical" for most of the season too.