Super Rugby sides dotted with 19 Makos
Ethan Blackadder will play for the Crusaders in 2018.
The Tasman Makos' impressive Mitre 10 Cup campaign has been reflected by the selection of 19 players from this year's squad among the Super Rugby 2018 teams announced on Wednesday.
Tasman players have been spread throughout the five New Zealand franchises, nine with the champion Crusaders, five with the Highlanders, three at the Chiefs and one apiece at the Blues and Hurricanes. Seven will be making their debuts in the high-profile competition.
Loose forward Ethan Blackadder and fullback Will Jordan are among seven new names in the Crusaders' squad. They join Tom Sanders, Billy Harmon, Jack Stratton, Mike Delany and New Zealand under-20 representative Braydon Ennor as Crusaders rookies. Makos players returning for the defending champions are Tim Perry, Andrew Makalio, Pete Samu, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, David Havili and Mitchell Hunt. Young tighthead prop Ryan Coxon, who had limited game time for Tasman, has been recruited as injury cover.
Tyrel Lomax has been signed by the Highlanders.
The next largest representation is at the Highlanders, who have signed up five Makos' forwards. Veteran Alex Ainley returns for another campaign, along with All Black Liam Squire and three newcomers - prop Tyrel Lomax, plus locks Shannon Frizell and Pari Pari Parkinson.
The Chiefs have picked up three Makos. Impressive utility back Levi Aumua, another Super Rugby rookie, will join prop Kane Hames and midfielder Alex Nankivell at the Hamilton-based franchise, coached this season by Colin Cooper.
Exciting halfback Finlay Christie, who claimed the Makos starting berth for the NPC final, has shifted camp. After getting limited game time at the Chiefs last year the quick passing 21-year-old will join the Hurricanes contingent in 2018.
Will Jordan will play for the Crusaders.
Isaac Salmon has been named by the Blues, a major achievement given the Nelson prop couldn't make the Makos squad at the beginning of the season. He was called into the Tasman front row for their second NPC match and quickly established himself at the higher level, obviously impressing the Blues selectors along the way.
Three Makos who played Super Rugby in 2017 were not included this time around. James Lowe, previously with the Chiefs, and Siua Halanukonuka (Highlanders) have taken their talents abroad, while Billy Guyton (Blues) has missed out on a contract.
Midfielder Trael Joass is expected to again link up with the NZ Sevens side.
Isaac Salmon will join the Blues Super Rugby team.
Makos head coach Leon MacDonald was thrilled with the Tasman representation, especially for the newcomers to Super Rugby.
"It's good reward. Especially for guys like Ethan [Blackadder] who have done it the hard way through just sheer determination and hard work. He's a very good signing for the Crusaders and so is Will [Jordan], who is a special talent.
"Alex [Nankivell] has got his first full contract ... he's been working really hard on his game this year as well. Levi [Aumua] made the big gamble to come across the ditch and give it a go, he'll be thrilled he made the shift.
Pari Pari Parkinson will play for the Highlanders in 2018.
"Isaac [Salmon] wasn't even in our squad at the start of the year, a couple of injuries and an opportunity presented itself and he took it. He's a full time professional now which will be great for him. Tyrel [Lomax] has a massive future and Pari Pari [Parkinson] has an unbelievable skills set so they will both be big assets to the Highlanders," added MacDonald.
CRUSADERS
Forwards: Michael Alaalatoa, Scott Barrett, Ethan Blackadder, Wyatt Crockett, Mitchell Dunshea, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Billy Harmon, Oliver Jager, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Peter Samu, Tom Sanders, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd.
Levi Aumua heads for the Chiefs franchise.
Backs: Tim Bateman, George Bridge, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Mike Delany, Mitchell Drummond, Brayden Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Bryn Hall, David Havili, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele, Richie Mo'unga, Jack Stratton, Seta Tamanivalu.
BLUES
Forwards: Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Dalton Papali'i, Glenn Preston, Kara Pryor, Murphy Taramai.
Shannon Frizell has been recruited by the Highlanders.
Backs: Sam Nock, Augustine Puli, Jonathan Ruru, Otere Black/Daniel Kirkpatrick, Bryn Gatland, Stephen Perofeta, Matt Johnson, George Moala, Tamati Tua, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams, Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melanie Nanai, Jordan Trainor.
CHIEFS
Forwards: Aidan Ross, Kane Hames, Mitchell Graham, Sosefo Kautai, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, Michael Allardice, Fin Hoeata, Taleni Seu, Tyler Ardron, Mitchell Brown, Liam Messam, Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Karpik, Sam Cane.
Backs: Jonathan Taumateine, Brad Weber, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Damian McKenzie, Marty McKenzie, Tiaan Falcon, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai, Alex Nankivell, Johnny Fa'auli, Regan Verney, Tim Nanai-Williams, Sam McNicol, Levi Aumua, Toni Pulu, Solomon Alaimalo, Shaun Stevenson.
HIGHLANDERS
Forwards: Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, Elliot Dixon, Shannon Frizell, Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes , Dan Pryor, Alex Ainley, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson, Kalolo Tuiloma, Siate Tokolahi, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Aki Seiuli, Guy Millar, Ash Dixon, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Liam Coltman.
Backs: Ben Smith, Josh McKay, Tevita Li, Waisake Naholo, Tevita Nabura, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Richard Buckman, Patelesio Tomkinson, Matt Faddes, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Lima Sopoaga, Fletcher Smith, Josh Ioane, Josh Renton, Kayne Hammington, Aaron Smith.
HURRICANES
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Alex Fidow, Reg Goodes, Ben May, Toby Smith, Jeffery To'omga-Allen, James Blackwell, Murray Douglas, Michael Fatialofa, Sam Lousi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Gareth Evans, Vaea Fifita, Sam Henwood, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson.
Backs: Jamie Booth, Finlay Christie, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Jackson Garden-Bachop, TJ Va'a, Ihaia West, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea.
