BLUES

LOCATION: Auckland, New Zealand

COACH: Pat Lam

2011 RESULT: 4th

TEAM RUNDOWN: A first semi-final finish in eight years showed the sleeping giants of Super Rugby may have woken back up. With dangerous All Black backs Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu transferring from the Hurricanes, on top of a Test-quality pack, the Blues definitely have the firepower to be a major force.

SQUAD: Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Angus Ta’avao, Tony Woodcock, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Anthony Boric, Liaki Moli, Filo Paulo, Ali Williams, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Brad Mika, Peter Saili, Alby Mathewson, Piri Weepu, Gareth Anscombe, Lachie Munro, Michael Hobbs, Ma’a Nonu, Benson Stanley, George Moala, David Raikuna, Rene Ranger, Rudi Wulf, Isaia Toeava, Sherwin Stowers