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The Blues are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Auckland, who play in the Super Rugby competition. Like New Zealand's four other Super Rugby teams, the Blues were established by the NZRU in 1996. One of the most successful teams in Super Rugby history, the Blues won the competition in its first two seasons, 1996 and 1997, and again in 2003, as well as a Trans Tasman competition in 2021, additionally, the team were finalists in 1998 and 2022 and semi-finalists in 2007, 2011 and 2023.
The Hurricanes is a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Wellington that competes in Super Rugby. The Hurricanes were formed to represent the lower North Island, including the East Coast, Hawke's Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatu, Poverty Bay, Wairarapa-Bush, Wanganui and Wellington unions. They currently play at Sky Stadium, having previously played at the now-defunct Athletic Park.
Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa Umaga is a New Zealand former rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. Since 2016 he has been coach of the Blues in the Super Rugby competition.
Rodney So'oialo is a New Zealand rugby union player who recently played in Japan for the Honda Heat. He is now the director of rugby and head coach at Trinity College Kandy, Sri Lanka. Previously, he had been a stalwart for the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby competition, making 101 appearances for the franchise. He also made 62 test appearances for the All Blacks between 2002 and 2009. His usual position is at number eight.
Namulauulu Alama Ieremia is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former international player for Western Samoa and New Zealand.
Tamati Edward Ellison is a New Zealand rugby union footballer.
Kurtley James Beale is an Australian professional rugby union representative player who has made over 90 national representative appearances in a ten-year playing career at the world-class level. He is of Aboriginal descent, has had a long Super Rugby career with the New South Wales Waratahs and has played for the Melbourne Rebels and the Wasps club in England. Beale usually plays at full-back or centre but can play fly-half or winger. In 2011 Beale received the John Eales Medal, awarded to Australian rugby's Player of the Year.
Quade Santini Cooper is a professional rugby union player and occasional boxer. Although born in New Zealand, he has represented Australia in rugby at international level. He currently plays for Hanazono Liners in Japan, and is a former player for the Queensland Reds and the Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby competition in Australia. His preferred position is fly-half.
The Melbourne Rebels is an Australian professional rugby union team based in Melbourne with teams in the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's competitions. The Rebels made their debut in SANZAR's Super Rugby tournament in 2011. The club shares its name with a former Australian Rugby Championship team, but is unrelated. The team plays home matches at AAMI Park.
Matthew Papali'i To'omua is an Australian rugby union professional player who has played over 35 times for Australia since 2013. He plays for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby and his usual position is at fly-half or inside centre. He has previously played for the Brumbies in Australia and for Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby.
Samuel Lawrence Whitelock is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a lock for Pau in the Top 14 competition.
Beauden John Barrett is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a Fly half for Japan Rugby League One club Toyota Verblitz and for the New Zealand national team.
Brodie Allan Retallick is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, who currently plays as a lock for Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One competition. He previously played for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship.
Samuel Jordan Cane is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Japan Rugby League One club Tokyo Sungoliath and is the former captain of the New Zealand national team.
Ardie Suemalo Savea is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a flanker or number 8 for Wellington in the Bunnings NPC, Hurricanes in Super Rugby and international rugby for the New Zealand All Blacks. Savea was a member of New Zealand's 2019 Rugby World Cup squad and a nominee for 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year.
Reece Hodge is an Australian professional rugby union player who plays in a variety of positions within the backline. Playing his junior career primarily at fly-half, Hodge's initial positions for the Rebels was fullback and wing, while for Australia it was wing, before eventually moving to centre. In his most recent appearance for Australia Hodge played at inside centre. Hodge plays for French club Bayonne in the Top 14 and the Australia national team. Starting his professional career with the Australian Super Rugby franchise, the Melbourne Rebels, by his departure in 2023, he reached 100 appearances for the team, and became the most capped player.
Jackson Kyle Garden-Bachop is a New Zealand rugby union player of Cook Islands descent who currently plays as a fly-half for the CA Brive in the international Super Rugby competition.
Tyrel Shae Lomax is an Australian born New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby. His regular playing position is prop. He is the son of former New Zealand (Kiwis) rugby league prop, John Lomax.
Folau Fakatava is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.
Danny Toala is a professional rugby union player, who currently plays as a midfield back or fullback for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented Manu Samoa internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Samoan heritage.
References
- ↑ "Andrew Blowers - Hurricanes". Hurricanes. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ↑ "Rebels Sign Renowned Leadership and Well-Being Coach". Melbourne Rebels. 12 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ↑ Andrew Blowers at AllBlacks.com