Loose forward Billy Harmon will assume the captaincy of the Highlanders for 2023 Super Rugby Pacific, under new head coach Clarke Dermody.
The Māori All Black captained Canterbury to the final of the just-completed National Provincial Championship and will tour Europe with the All Blacks XV next month.
"From my very first discussion with Billy, he was keen to do the job," said Dermody, who assumes the reins from Tony Brown. "Clearly, his level of play on the field is always top notch, but he also brings some great leadership skills to the role.
"He is a pretty calm and collected sort of a guy, and I thought he did an outstanding job with Canterbury this year. I am sure he will add a great deal to our leadership environment this season."
Harmon takes the leadership from incumbent and the franchise's most-capped player, Aaron Smith.
Dermody has added Super Rugby debutants in Bay of Plenty loose forward Nikora Broughton, and Otago lock Will Tucker and first-five Cameron Miller, while former Chiefs winger Jonah Lowe switches allegiances and Otago wing Jona Nareki returns from injury.
"Will, Cam and Nikora have all demonstrated their potential over the last 12 months," said Dermody. "We believe they have bright Super Rugby futures in front of them.
"It's always exciting to see younger talent come through and imagine what they could achieve in a Highlanders jersey."
Highlanders: James Arscott, Connor Garden-Bachop, Marty Banks, Mosese Dawai, Folau Fakatava, Sam Gilbert, Scott Gregory, Mitch Hunt, Vilimoni Koroi, Jonah Lowe, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Fetuli Paea, Aaron Smith, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jermaine Ainsley, Leni Apisai, Nikora Broughton, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Ethan De Groot, Billy Harmon, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Luca Inch, Ayden Johnstone, James Lentjes, Andrew Makalio, Rhys Marshall, Saula Ma’u, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Pari Pari Parkinson, Hugh Renton, Jeff Thwaites, Will Tucker, Sean Withy
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The champion Crusaders have added five new players for the defence of their Super Rugby Pacific title, naming their 38-strong squad for 2023.
Samoa international and ex-Blues outside back Melani Nanai returns to New Zealand, and has signed for the red-and blacks, after a stint with English club Worcester Warriors.
Former Crusaders halfback, turned England international Willi Heinz returns to his old side, after winning 19 test caps for his adopted country and returning to Canterbury for this season's NPC.
After an outstanding provincial campaign for Canterbury, George Bell, 20, has moved up from the Crusaders academy into the fulltime squad, as back-up for All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor.
Another NPC standout, Tasman wing Macca Springer, is also upgraded to a senior contract, after playing 2022 as a development player. The 19-year-old has a prime opportunity to push for a regular Super Rugby spot, with All Black George Bridge leaving New Zealand for France.
Several players have also been released to continue their careers elsewhere. Aside from Bridge and Argentina's Pablo Matera, who won't return, ex-All Blacks halfbacks Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Bryn Hall will be missing next season.
Hooker Shilo Klein, first-five Simon Hickey and utility back Isaiah Punivai also won't be back with the Crusaders, while winger Kini Naholo has signed for the Hurricanes.
Crusaders: Joe Moody, Finlay Brewis, George Bower, Oli Jager, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Brodie McAlister, George Bell, Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Whitelock, Zach Gallagher, Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Sione Havili, Cullen Gradce, Corey Kellow, Dominic Gardiner, Mitchell Drummond, Willi Heinz, Noah Hotham, Richie Mo'unga, Fergus Burke, Taha Kemara, Dallas McLeod, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Pepesana Patafilo, Macca Springer, Sevu Reece, Melani Nanai, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan
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Kini Naholo - younger brother of former All Black Waisake Naholo - will play for the Hurricanes in 2023, after the Wellington side unveiled their squad for next year's Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Naholo, 23, is one of five new players in the Hurricanes' 38-man squad, with former All Blacks first-five Brett Cameron also heading to the capital.
Winger Naholo was contracted to the Crusaders in 2022, but found gametime hard to come by, behind All Blacks Sevu Reece, Leicester Fainga'anuku and George Bridge.
Wellington duo Riley Higgins, who made his Hurricanes debut as injury cover in 2022, and Peter Lakai, who impressed in the Lions' victorious NPC campaign, have also been included, while Waikato's Dan Sinkinson is the other new arrival.
The 2023 squad will also miss several previous players, including Jackson Garden-Bachop, Wes Goosen, Scott Scrafton, Blake Gibson and Teihorangi Walden.
Hurricanes: Owen Franks, Tyrel Lomax, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilo Tosi, Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Jacob Devery, Dominic Bird, James Blackwell, Caleb Delany, Justin Sangster, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, TK Howden, Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Jamie Booth, Brett Cameron, TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan, Cam Roigard, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jordie Barrett, Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Salesi Rayasi, Julian Savea, Dan Sinkinson
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Playmaker Damian McKenzie has returned from his stint in Japan to be named in the Chiefs' 38-man squad for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
McKenzie, 27, missed this year's campaign to play for Tokyo Sungoliath, but is back in Chiefs contention for next year - 10 years after their last Super Rugby title.
Their squad boasts 15 capped All Blacks, with seven in the current squad.
Four new faces have arrived, with lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit and utility back Ngantungane Punivai both trading Dunedin for Hamilton to sign from the Highlanders.
Peniasi Malimali of Counties Manukau and Jared Proffitt of Taranaki have also inked their first Super Rugby deals with the Chiefs.
"Over the last three seasons, some young, talented players have developed exceptionally well," said Chiefs director of rugby Warren Gatland.
"There is a nice balance between the youth we have in the squad and experienced internationals. There have not been many changes in the squad and we believe we will benefit from that continuity.
"After making the semi-finals in 2022, we hope that we would have learnt from that experience and can push to be in the mix again next year."
Chiefs: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Sam Cane, George Dyer, Samipeni Finau, Bryn Gatland, Josh Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Lord, Peniasi Malimali, Damian McKenzie, Laghlan McWhannell, Atu Moli, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Alex Nankivell, Emoji Narawa, Ollie Norris, Simon Parker, Rameka Poihipi, Jared Proffitt, Ngantungane Punivai, Cortez-Lee Ratima, Rivez Reihana, Brodie Retallick, Xavier Roe, Aidan Ross, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Bradley Slater, Pita Gus Sowakula, Shaun Stevenson, Angus Ta'avao, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tyrone Thompson, Quinn Tupaea, Tupou Vaa'i, Brad Weber, Gideon Wrampling
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Former captain and All Black Patrick Tuipulotu has returned to the Blues ranks for Super Rugby Pacifc, after missing the 2022 season.
Tuipulotu, 29, was an absentee this year, taking a sabbatical with Toyota Verblitz in Japan, while the Blues finished runners-up back home. Dalton Papali'i captained the team in Tuipulotu's absence, but the All Blacks lock provides another key All Black, as they aim to go one better.
Aside from Tuipulotu and Papali'i, a further 11 All Blacks make up a core of the Blues' 38-man squad, along with some fresh faces as well.
Northland youngster Rob Rush - son of NZ Sevens icon Eric Rush - will get his first taste of Super Rugby, along with Josh Fusitu'a in the forwards.
Among the backs, current NZ Sevens star Caleb Tangitau is a new addition, fresh from winning silver at the Rugby World Cup Sevens and bronze at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
One notable omission from the side is forward Josh Goodhue, who could still be named in one of the four other NZ-based Super Rugby sides.
"Obviously, we want to go one further," said coach Leon MacDonald. "I know the boys will come into Blues HQ ready to hit the pre-season with some purpose - we know the hard work starts this side of Christmas.
"We took some really promising strides last season, so for me, as a coach, it's about building on what went well, while also bringing some fresh thinking and ideas to the table."
Blues: Adrian Choat, Sam Darry, Kurt Eklund, Josh Fusitu'a, Alex Hodgman, Akira Ioane, Nepo Laulala, James Lay, Dalton Papali'i, Taine Plumtree, Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Tom Robinson, Rob Rush, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Cameron Suafoa, James Tucker, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Soane Vikena, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Zarn Sullivan, Caleb Tangitau, Mark Telea, Tanielu Tele'a, Roger Tuivasa Sheck
