Pat Lam announces 30-man Blues squad for 2012 Super Rugby campaign – Super Rugby News
Auckland based New Zealand Super Rugby Franchise, Blues, has announced their 30-man squad for the 2012 Super Rugby campaign. Club officials revealed their squad for the upcoming Super Rugby season on Tuesday, November 1.
Blues head coach, Pat Lam, has expressed his satisfaction on the final squad. He said, “This is definitely the strongest squad I've named in my time with the Blues.” He made these comments while talking to the officials of the Blues official website.
The 30-man squad comprises of 17 forwards and 13 backs players. All Blacks World Cup winning forwards player, Keven Mealamu, will lead the Blues side in the 2012 Super Rugby season. Besides him, the squad also consists of All Blacks international Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu.
The squad features many young upcoming players. This includes David Raikuna from New Zealand Sevens, Gareth Anscombe, Pauliasi Manu and Angus Ta'avao from Blues wider training group and local player George Moala.
Lam added, “If you look at the group we've named, there are only four players out of the 30 that are new to the franchise " - Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu, David Raikuna and George Moala.”
Lam has expressed his confidence that the young players will be able to develop skills and further enhance their understanding regarding the game while playing with senior players. Blues squad contains eight All Blacks international players, which were part of the All Blacks outfit that lifted 2011 Rugby World Cup title by defeating France in the final.
Lam further added, “That's exciting when you look at Piri and Ma'a who were superb during the World Cup and were nominated for the IRB Player of the Year award, and also Moala and Raikuna - two young wingers who will learn from a lot from the experienced guys.”
Additionally, Samoan born New Zealand All Blacks international winger, Rudi Wulf, marks his return to the Super Rugby competition with Blues. He moved back to Blues from the French top 14 outfit Toulon.
Commenting on return of Wulf, Lam said, “Rudi exemplifies the ultimate professional player. He is pretty much the Kevvie of the backs in way he trains, his commitment and he's a great team man. He's someone that is certainly going to help us a lot next year.”
The Blues 30 man squad for their 2012 Super Rugby campaign consists of
FORWARDS: Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Charlie Faumuina, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Brad Mika, Liaki Moli, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Angus Ta'avao, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock .
BACKS: Gareth Anscombe, Michael Hobbs, Alby Mathewso, George Moala, Lachie Munro, Ma'a Nonu, David Raikuna, Rene Ranger, Benson Stanley, Sherwin Stowers, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Rudi Wulf.
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