Magpies lock Bryn Evans is returning to Super Rugby with the Highlanders after a 10-year absence from the competition. Photo / Paul Taylor
Magpies lock Bryn Evans is returning to Super Rugby with the Highlanders after a 10-year absence from the competition. Photo / Paul Taylor
A dozen Hawke's Bay Magpies were among those named in the New Zealand franchises' Super Rugby squads for 2021.
The biggest contingent is at the Hurricanes, who signed winger Lolagi Visinia for next season in addition to holdovers Pouri Rakete-Stones, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Gareth Evans, Devan Flanders and Danny Toala.
Magpieswinger Jonah Lowe was at the Wellington-based franchise from 2018 through to this year, but has moved on to the Chiefs, where he joins halfback Brad Weber.
Magpies winger Jonah Lowe is on the move from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs for 2021. Photo / Ian Cooper
Lock Bryn Evans has claimed a place at the Highlanders, where he will hope to play his first Super Rugby game since 2011 when he left to play in England.
Although he played limited minutes for the Magpies this season behind the in-form trio of Geoff Cridge, Tom Parsons and Walker-Leawere, Evans was said to be a massive influence on the Hawke's Bay squad off the field in particular, along with a fellow veteran in the now-retired Sona Taumalolo.
The older Evans brother joins Folau Fakatava and Marino Mikaele-Tu'u in Dunedin along with Magpies skipper Ash Dixon, who will once again co-captain the franchise with Aaron Smith.
Dixon is also captaining the Māori All Blacks on Saturday in their match against Moana Pasifika in Hamilton.
Isaia Walker-Leawere is starting behind him in the second row, while Pouri Rakete-Stones and Jonah Lowe were named to the bench.
The Moana Pasifika playing 23, which could include Marino Mikaele-Tu'u and Folau Fakatava, is expected to be named today.
Super Rugby squads 2021
Blues Hookers: Ray Niuia, James Parsons, Soane Vikena Props: Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, James Lay, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti , Sam Darry, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Patrick Tuipulotu Loose forwards: Blake Gibson, Dillon Hunt, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Taine Plumtree, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Jonathan Ruru Inside backs: Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer Midfield: TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Tanielu Tele'a Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Jone Macilai-Tori, Emoni Narawa, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Zarn Sullivan, Mark Telea
