The 11 Super Rugby Pacific teams have announced their squads for the 2025 season, with the Crusaders confirming that Scott Barrett will step down as captain.
Barrett, the current All Blacks skipper, will not have the club responsibilities on his plate in the upcoming campaign, with a new leader to be revealed at a later date.
The Crusaders will be keen to bounce back from a dismal 2024 campaign that saw them finish in ninth position, which piled the pressure on head coach Rob Penney.
James O’Connor arrives
They’ve signed James O’Connor, Kyle Preston, Xavier Saifoloi, Aki Tuivailala ahead of the new season and boast an impressive forward pack, if they can all remain fit.
“We’ve got a great group, and all the coaches are looking forward to getting our hands on them and preparing together here at Rugby Park,” said head coach Penney.
“There is fantastic depth and a great mix of experience and youthful energy coming through. We’re excited to see what this group can do and build off our 2024 season.”
The other notable news from the 2025 squad announcements is the sight of Wallabies sensation Joseph Suaalii, who starred against England, in the Waratahs squad.
Also making the switch to the Waratahs is Wallabies tighthead prop Taniela Tupou and a key try-scorer at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham last week, Andrew Kellaway.
The Blues will be keen to retain the Super Rugby Pacific title they won last term and are bolstered by the return of All Black Beauden Barrett from his stint in Japan.
Super Rugby Pacific 2025 squads
Blues
Forwards: Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu’a, PJ Sheck, Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, James Mullan, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Ben Ake, Che Clark, Cameron Christie
Backs: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Xavi Taele, Corey Evans, Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Bryce Heem, Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay, Payton Spencer
Brumbies
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Tevita Alatini, Liam Bowron, Charlie Cale, Nick Frost, Lachlan Hooper, Tom Hooper, Lachlan Lonergan, Cadeyrn Neville, Billy Pollard, Luke Reimer, Blake Schopp, Rory Scott, Lachlan Shaw, James Slipper, Tuna Tuilima, Rob Valetini, Rhys van Nek, Harry Vella
Backs: Austin Anderson, Hudson Creighton, Jack Debreczeni, David Feliuai, Harrison Goddard, Len Ikitau, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Andy Muirhead, Ben O’Donnell, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Klayton Thorn, Corey Toole, Shane Wilcox, Tom Wright
Comment: Rugby Australia ‘bet the house’ on Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and looks like they have hit the jackpot
Chiefs
Forwards: Aidan Ross, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Reuben O’Neill, Samisoni Taukie’aho, Brodie McAlister, Bradley Slater, Tupou Vaa’i, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Josh Lord, Jimmy Tupou, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Jahrome Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson, Sione Ahio Jared Proffit, Fiti Sa
Backs: Xavier Roe, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Daniel Rona, Kaleb Trask, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Poihipi, Gideon Wrampling, Leroy Carter, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Emoni Narawa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Malachi Wrampling, Josh Jacomb
Crusaders
Forwards: Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Codie Taylor, Ioane Moananu, George Bell, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Tahlor Cahill, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Cory Kellow, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Anderson, Xavier Saifoloi
Backs: Mitch Drummond, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Taha Kemara, James O’Connor, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Macca Springer, Will Jordan, Johnny McNicoll, Kyle Preston, Aki Tuivailala
Fijian Drua
Forwards: Emosi Tuqiri, Haereiti Hetet, Livai Natave, Tevita Ikanivere (cc), Mesulame Dolokoto, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Samuela Tawake, Meli Tuni, Peni Ravai, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Sailosi Vukalokalo, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Meli Derenalagi, Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa, Motikiai Murray, Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Joseva Tamani
Backs: Frank Lomani (cc), Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala, Caleb Muntz, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Kemu Valetini, Isikeli Rabitu, Iosefo Masi, Inia Tabuavou, Waqa Nalaga, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Selestino Ravutaumada, Epeli Momo, Taniela Rakuro, Ilaisa Droasese, Junior Ratuva, Vuate Karawalevu, Ponipate Loganimasi
Highlanders
Forwards: Ethan de Groot, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Rohan Wingham, Sosefo Kautai, Henry Bell, Jack Taylor, Soane Vikena, Will Stodart, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Lui Naeata, Hayden Michaels, Hugh Renton, Nikora Broughton, Josh Bartlett, Veveni Lasaqa, Te Kamaka Howden, Tom Sanders,
Backs: Folau Fakatava, Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Ajay Faleafaga, Jake Te Hiwi, Thomas Umaga Jensen, Tanielu Tele’a, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Taine Robinson, Caleb Tangitau, Jonah Lowe, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Finn Hurley, James Arscott, Josh Whaanga, Michael Manson, Josh Timu
Hurricanes
Forwards: Tevita Mafileo, Raymond Tuputupu, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Siale Lauaki, Josh Taula, Tom Allen, Jacob Devery, Asafo Aumua, Zach Gallagher, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Will Tucker, Caleb Delany, Arese Poliko, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Brayden Iose, Brad Shields, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders
Backs: Cam Roigard, Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Harry Godfrey, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Kade Banks, Fehi Fineanganofo, Kini Naholo, Ruben Love, Lucas Cashmore, Jordi Viljoen, Tjay Clark, Brett Cameron
Moana Pasifika
Forwards: Abraham Pole, Alamanda Motuga, Allan Craig, Ardie Savea, Chris Apoua, Irie Papuni, James Lay, Lotu Inisi, Michael Curry, Miracle Faiilagi, Ofa Tauatevalu, Ola Tauelangi, Pone Fa’amausili, Samiuela Moli, Samuel Slade, Sama Malolo, Semisi Paea, Sione Havili Talitui, Sione Mafileo, Tomasi Maka, Tito Tuipulotu, Tom Savage
Backs: Aisea Halo, Danny Toala, Fine Inisi, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Jonathan Taumateine, Julian Savea, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Losi Filipo, Melani Matavao, Neria Fomai, Patrick Pellegrini, Pepesana Patafilo, Solomon Alaimalo, Tuna Tuitama William Havili
Reds
Forwards: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa’agase, Liam Wright, Ryan Smith, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, George Blake, Angus Blyth, Fraser McReight, Connor Vest, Harry Wilson, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Alex Hodgman, Josh Canham, John Bryant, Trevor King, Max Craig, Matt Gibbon, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Backs: Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Mason Gordon, Jock Campbell, Frank Goldsbrough, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Louis Werchon, Tom Lynagh, Kalani Thomas, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu, Tim Ryan, Will McCulloch, Dre Pakeho, Jude Gibbs, Lachie Anderson
Waratahs
Forwards: Adrian Brown, Angelo Smith, Angus Bell, Ben Grant, Charlie Gamble, Clem Halaholo, Daniel Botha, David Porecki, Ethan Dobbins, Fergus Lee-Warner, Hugh Sinclair, Isaac Kailea, Jack Barrett, Julian Heaven, Leafi Talatiana, Langi Gleeson, Mahe Vailanu, Mesu Kunavula Miles Amatosero Rob Leota Siosifa Amone, Taniela Tupou, Thomas Lambert, Brad Amituanai, Ale Aho
Backs: Andrew Kellaway, Archie Saunders, Darby Lancaster, Henry O’Donnell, Jack Bowen, Jack Grant, Jake Gordon, Joey Walton Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Lalakai Foketi, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Tane Edmed, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly, Jackson Ropata, James Hendren
Western Force
Forwards: Sam Carter, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Kane Koteka, Atunaisa Moli, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Marley Pearce, Reed Prinsep, Tom Robertson, Papillon Sevele, Darcy Swain Tiaan Tauakipulu, Josh Thompson, Carlo Tizzano, Mitchell Watts, Jeremy Williams
Backs: Max Burey, Ben Donaldson, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Mac Grealy, Bayley Kuenzle, Ronan Leahy, Divad Palu, Reesjan Pasitoa, Dylan Pietsch, Doug Philipson, George Poolman, Harry Potter, Matt Proctor, Henry Robertson, Hamish Stewart, Patelesio Tomkinson, Nic White
READ MORE: Opinion: ‘Brilliant’ Joseph Suaalii proves he has the potential to be ‘the figurehead of Australian rugby’
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