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SQUAD John Afoa
Position: Prop Province: Auckland
Height: 1.83m Weight: 126g Birthdate: 16.10.83
Season Games: 10 Total S12 Games: 10
Afoa comes into the Blues this year following an outstanding season with Auckland in the NPC. He is likely to act as backup for Kees Meeuws for most of the games, but might get a game or two if Meeuws is used on the loosehead. Extremely fit for such a big man. Afoa was part of the U21 World Cup winning side. | Orene Ai'i
Position: Utility Province: Auckland
Height: 1.70m Weight: 80g Birthdate: 23.09.79
Season Games: 7 Total S12 Games: 33
The mercurial Ai'i is a talented attacker who offers genuine versatility due to his ability to function at flyhalf, fullback or on the wing. His future at five-eighth seems bleak after his lack of kicking skills were exposed in the NPC, but has found himself more at home at fullback where he has had more space to work with. Unlikely to get much game time though due to the enormous depth in the backs. | Ben Atiga
Position: Utility Back Province: Auckland
Height: 1.75m Weight: 93kg Birthdate: 05.05.83
Season Games: 9 Total S12 Games: 9
Young Ben Atiga will not exactly look back on 2003 with regret, after winning the NZ U21 World Cup, he went on to win the Shield and NPC for Auckland, while also debuting for the All Blacks against Tonga. Able to play at fullback, wing, centre and first-five, fullback is his preferred position. With Muliaina likely to get more chances at centre, this will be the opportunity for Atiga to stamp his mark on the Super 12. | Daniel Braid
Position: Flanker Province: Auckland
Height: 1.80m Weight: 96kg Birthdate: 13.02.81
Season Games: 5 Total S12 Games: 18
The All Black No 3 openside flanker has had an exceptional year with all the sides he has played in. Henry's has huge admiration for the constructive link play of Daniel Braid might also create some intriguing loose forward rearrangements for the All Blacks next year. With Josh Blackie and Sam Harding breathing down his neck, another top season is needed for Braid to maintain his AB spot. | Rupeni Caucaunibuca
Position: Wing Province: Northland
Height: 1.78m Weight: 96kg Birthdate: 05.06.80
Season Games: 4 Total S12 Games: 14
Pace. Pace. Pace. It’s a shame this world-class winger is injury prone. Just when he seems to have hit form again, injury hampers his playing time. Extremely talented athlete, whose pace is undoubted, the Blues will be looking forward to an injury-free Rupeni to complement the other highly gifted backs in the squad. Some of his tries he scored last year were sublime, major attacking weapon for the Blues. | Justin Collins
Position: Flanker Province: Auckland
Height: 1.94m Weight: 101kg Birthdate: 04.09.74
Season Games: 11 Total S12 Games: 60
Arguably one of the form blindside flankers last year, he is a true workhorse. After making the switch from openside, he has excelled in the 6 jersey. Solid, no frills player, Collins is also a genuine lineout option. Offers speed to the pack with his experience at openside, Collins will be the main back-up for Braid too. | Steve Devine
Position: Halfback Province: Auckland
Height: 1.76m Weight: 80kg Birthdate: 21.12.76
Season Games: 6 Total S12 Games: 44
After the saga about his availability for the All Blacks, Devine has cemented his place as the reserve halfback to Marshall. A fiercely competitive halfback, Devine possesses good upper body strength and is dangerous on the break. Spencer thrived on his quick pass in last year’s Super 12, as it gave him that extra second. | Greg Feek
Position: Prop Province: Canterbury
Height: 1.85m Weight: 115kg Birthdate: 20.07.75
Season Games: 2 Total S12 Games: 59
Not the greatest scrummager at this level, but that seems to be secondary to the All Black loose forward propping skills at the moment. Good with ball in hand though, and makes plenty of tackles. He has also appeared for New Zealand Maori. | Rico Gear
Province: North Harbour
Height: 1.79m Weight: 92kg Birthdate: 26.02.78
Season Games: 10 Total S12 Games: 41
An exciting attacking talent, who is coming off an injury wrecked NPC. Gear seems likely to face the same fate as last year by playing back-up to Muliaina at centre. Too classy and decent a player to be on the bench, Gear should come into calculations for that reserve wing spot for the All Blacks. The strongly built Gear, is equally at home in the midfield or out on the wing. | David Gibson
Position: Halfback Province: Auckland
Height: 1.76m Weight: 87kg Birthdate: 04.01.80
Season Games: 7 Total S12 Games: 25
Impressed in last year’s Super 12 final when Devine had to pull out. Possesses one of the more snappy passes around, he is coming off a mixed NPC season where his defence was questioned. Gibson is more of a passer and clearer of the ball first, and a runner when the opportunity presents itself. | Doug Howlett
Position: Wing Province: Auckland
Height: 1.85m Weight: 92kg Birthdate: 21.09.78
Season Games: 11 Total S12 Games: 73
The best winger around without doubt, he formed an awesome back three combination with fellow backs Rokocoko and Muliaina last year. Found himself at fullback for much of last season’s Super 12, and might again to accommodate Rupeni and Joe on the flanks. Howlett will be looking to make amends after an average World Cup by his standards. The scary thing is, that we haven’t seen the best of the flyer yet. | Jerome Kaino
Position: Loose Forward Province: Auckland
Height: 1.96m Weight: 105kg Birthdate: 06.04.83
Season Games: 6 Total S12 Games: 6
The bolter of the Blues squad for 2003, the 20 year-old loose forward has made the jump to Super 12 without playing at NPC level. Kaino was kept back this season to play for Auckland's development squad, but he has been on the production line with Auckland, and nationally, for two or three years. Able to play in all 3 positions, but blindside flanker will be his ultimate position because he is such a top defender. | Nathan Kemo
Position: Hooker Province: Auckland
Height: 1.83m Weight: 103kg Birthdate: 19.01.79
Season Games: 2 Total S12 Games: 2 | Tasesa Lavea
Position: First Five Province: Auckland
Height: 1.76m Weight: 87kg Birthdate: 10.01.80
Season Games: 4 Total S12 Games: 4
The former Melbourne Storm and Kiwi international, has already adjusted well to Union and was the key Auckland’s success last year. While lacking in pace, Lavea has excellent distribution skills. Replaced Ai’i half way through the NPC and was instrumental to Auckland’s sudden surge of form. Will play understudy to Spencer throughout the season. | Luke McAlister
Position: First Five Province: North Harbour
Height: 1.80m Weight: 83kg Birthdate: 28.08.83
Season Games: 2 Total S12 Games: 2 | Craig McGrath
Position: Halfback Province: Auckland
Height: 1.83m Weight: 95kg Birthdate: 02.04.74
Season Games: 3 Total S12 Games: 4 | Angus MacDonald
Position: Lock / Flanker Province: Auckland
Height: 1.97m Weight: 107kg Birthdate: 12.01.81
Season Games: 11 Total S12 Games: 21
After being mucked around between lock and blindside flanker, he seems to have finally found a home at 6. Will have to compete hard with Justin Collins to command a starting position next year at blindside, but should get a spot at lock if Collins is preferred. An accurate forward, MacDonald was invited to the pre-World Cup All Blacks training camps. | Keven Mealamu
Position: Hooker Province: Auckland
Height: 1.81m Weight: 105kg Birthdate: 20.03.79
Season Games: 6 Total S12 Games: 48
Although not the biggest hooker around, the Otahuhu Nugget more than makes up for any perceived deficiency with an energetic and robust approach that invariably sees him pop up all over the field. Mealamu is an accurate lineout thrower with a prominent work rate. He had a stunning Super 12 season that saw him rise ahead of all contenders for the All Black hooker role. | Kees Meeuws
Position: Prop Province: Auckland
Height: 1.83m Weight: 121kg Birthdate: 26.07.74
Season Games: 9 Total S12 Games: 80
Strongman Kees Meeuws has all the kit to fit a prop's reputation. He is immensely powerful, explosive, scrums solidly, is a good ball-handler and scores a few tries these days too. Meeuws has shown a resurgence since moving from Otago, showing an improvement at scrum time. Has shown a recent ability to play at both sides of the scrum. | Brad Mika
Position: Lock Province: Auckland
Height: 1.96m Weight: 120kg Birthdate: 02.02.81
Season Games: 9 Total S12 Games: 27
Powerful ball-carrying forward, who has yet to play for the All Blacks since the experimental tour. More of a ball runner than an aerial lock, Mika is often used to cart the ball up in midfield to set up second phase play. An athletic forward, Mika needs to improve his aerial skills to become a more rounded player. | Malili Muliaina
Position: Fullback Province: Auckland
Height: 1.83m Weight: 90kg Birthdate: 31.07.80
Season Games: 11 Total S12 Games: 39
With numerous options in the squad, Mils should find himself back to his preferred place at centre again. Able to slot in at fullback, wing and centre equally as well, he will be looking to build on what is already an impressive midfield combination with Tuitupou. Classy player, he has magnificent footwork to boot, and should find his linking play better served at centre. A gem of a fullback, he is renowned for his all round skills, pace and low error rate. | Greg Rawlinson
Position: Lock Province: North Harbour
Height: 1.99m Weight: 114kg Birthdate: 14.08.78
Season Games: 5 Total S12 Games: 6
The South African lock, is a native of Durban and first came to New Zealand to play for Bay of Plenty in last year’s NPC. A quiet achiever, and an accurate footballer in the clean out tackle work and line outs. Previously represented the Sharks in 2003’s Super 12. | Joe Rokocoko
Position: Wing Province: Auckland
Height: 1.89m Weight: 98kg Birthdate: 06.06.83
Season Games: 6 Total S12 Games: 19
Rokocoko has the whole package: speed, size, pace and agility. International newcomer of the year, he has already built up an impressive try-scoring strike rate in Tests. Dam fast, hungry for work and most importantly has a nose for the tryline. Stylish winger, he will be hoping to build on a highly promising last season with the Blues. | Xavier Rush (c)
Position: Number 8 Province: Auckland
Height: 1.87m Weight: 108kg Birthdate: 13.07.77
Season Games: 10 Total S12 Games: 75
Rush has played his best year of rugby so far, after a storming Super 12 and NPC. Lead Auckland to the triple crown last year; Super 12, Ranfurly Shield and NPC. Is a better player now, than when he debuted for the All Blacks in 1998. His workrate around the field has improved drastically and he’s the man you want for go-forward. If he has another solid Super 12, he must fancy his chances for higher honours with Henry in charge now. | Carlos Spencer
Position: First Five Province: Auckland
Height: 1.84m Weight: 95kg Birthdate: 14.10.75
Season Games: 8 Total S12 Games: 91
King Carlos finally cemented his place in the All Blacks after playing deputy to Mehrtens for some long. Possesses skills that no one can match in the world, he has cut out some of the inconsistencies in his play. After being mucked around at fullback for a while, first-five is his natural position without doubt. Will probably assume the role of goal kicking next year | Brent Thompson
Position: Loose Forward Province: Taranaki
Height: 1.92m Weight: 105kg Birthdate: 08.04.78
Season Games: 1 Total S12 Games: 29
Draft player for the Blues, following yet another season for the ‘Naki in the NPC. The rangy loose forward is best suited to the blindside flank although he offers excellent cover off the bench due to his versatility. Unlikely to get much match practice. | Sam Tuitupou
Position: Second Five Province: Auckland
Height: 1.76m Weight: 86kg Birthdate: 01.02.82
Season Games: 10 Total S12 Games: 22
Definitely a man who plays well above his weight, he was responsible for some of the most thundering hits in the Super 12. However he is one of the more limited players in his kicking skills, and would need to develop a much more all-round game before he is up to a higher level of rugby. Tuitupou has to be the most accurate and punishing defender we at 12. He is a strong midfielder that can hit the ball up and set targets for the forwards to work from. | Ali Williams
Position: Lock Province: Auckland
Height: 2.02m Weight: 106kg Birthdate: 30.04.81
Season Games: 11 Total S12 Games: 28
After a storming Super 12 he had a poor World Cup when the All Blacks needed him most. His work rate was largely disappointing and was found wanting in the tight work. Brad Thorn kept pushing for his place throughout the Cup, but Williams’ aerial ball skills got him the nod. The selectors put faith in him to come through, but he did not deliver. | Bryce Williams
Position: Lock Province: Auckland
Height: 2.03m Weight: 115kg Birthdate: 14.14.80
Season Games: 5 Total S12 Games: 7
No relation to Ali Williams, Bryce has gone a long way over the past 2 years. The beanpole lock was unwanted by the Blues last year, and was drafted to the Crusaders where he got limited game time behind Jack, Maxwell and Thorn. Will fight for a spot with the more bulkier Mika. | Derryn Witcombe
Position: Hooker Province: Auckland
Height: 1.85m Weight: 114kg Birthdate: 30.10.78
Season Games: 8 Total S12 Games: 29
Not sure why Auckland went to such an extent to trade Witcombe for 2 players to Northland. A solid hooker at best, he again will be the understudy to Mealamu. | Tony Woodcock
Position: Prop Province: North Harbour
Height: 1.86m Weight: 118kg Birthdate: 27.01.81
Season Games: 11 Total S12 Games: 35
A grand performer for North Harbour in the NPC, Woodcock will need to get past the promising Afoa and veteran Feek for a starting spot. He is fine technician who is a diligent worker around the field, Woodcock is highly rated among the rugby circles. A former All Black, he will be hoping for a stellar Super 12 to add to his caps. |
RESULTS February 21 v Brumbies @ Canberra
lost 27-44
Scoring: Caucaunibuca, Mealamu, Spencer tries; Spencer 3 conversions, 2 penalties. | February 27 v Crusaders @ Christchurch
won 38-29
Scoring: Caucaunibuca 3, Spencer 2, Muliaina tries; Spencer 4 conversions. | March 5 v Chiefs @ Auckland
lost 20-27
Scoring: Howlett 2 tries; Spencer 2 conversions; Spencer, Atiga penalties. | March 13 v Reds @ Brisbane
lost 3-20
Scoring: Atiga penalty. | March 26 v Hurricanes @ Wellington
drew 26-26
Scoring: Mika, Rush tries; Atiga conversion, 3 penalties. | April 4 v Waratahs @ Auckland
won 22-17
Scoring: Rokocoko 2, Atiga tries; Spencer 2 conversions, penalty. | April 9 v Bulls @ Albany
won 56-19
Scoring: Rokocoko 2, Tuitupou 2, Gibson, A Williams, Spencer, Atiga, Witcombe tries; Spencer 4 conversions, penalty. | April 16 v Stormers @ Auckland
lost 23-51
Scoring: Ai'i, Gear, Howlett tries; Atiga conversion, Atiga, Spencer penalties. | April 24 v Cats @ Johannesburg
Won 35-28
Scoring: Howlett 2, Tuitupou, MacDonald tries; McAlister 3 conversions, 3 penalties. | April 30 v Sharks @ Cape Town
won 37-26
Scoring: Fulton, Tuitupou, Witcombe, Muliaina tries; Spencer 4 conversions, 3 penalties. | May 8 v Highlanders @ Auckland
won 50-22
Scoring: Howlett 2, Meeuws 2, Muliaina, Gear, Collins tries; Spencer 4, Atiga 2 conversions; Spencer penalty. |
SCORING | | TRY | CON | PEN | DG | POINTS | | Carlos Spencer | 4 | 23 | 10 | - | 96 | | Ben Atiga | 2 | 4 | 6 | - | 36 | | Doug Howlett | 7 | - | - | - | 35 | | Rupeni Caucaunibuca | 5 | - | - | - | 25 | | Joe Rokocoko | 4 | - | - | - | 20 | | Sam Tuitupou | 4 | - | - | - | 20 | | Mils Muliaina | 3 | - | - | - | 15 | | Derren Witcombe | 2 | - | - | - | 10 | | Kevin Mealamu | 2 | - | - | - | 10 | | Kees Meeuws | 2 | - | - | - | 10 | | Rico Gear | 2 | - | - | - | 10 | | Bradley Mika | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | | Xavier Rush | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | | David Gibson | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | | Ali Williams | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | | Orene Ai'i | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | | Angus MacDonald | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | | Justin Collins | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | | Ben Fulton | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | | TOTALS | 44 | 30 | 19 | - | 337 | | OPPOSITION SCORING | 37 | 26 | 23 | 1 | 309 |
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