Rugby-New Zealand Super Rugby Conference

WELLINGTON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Factbox on the teams in the New Zealand Super Rugby Conference: WELLINGTON HURRICANES (Wellington) Coach: Chris Boyd (third year) Captain: Dane Coles Last year's finish: First (W-11, L-4) Best peformance: Champions (2016) Forwards: Chris Eves, Reggie Goodes, Ben May, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Loni Uhila, Mike Kainga, Dane Coles, Leni Apisai, Ricky Riccitelli, Mark Abbott, James Broadhurst, Geoffrey Cridge, Michael Fatialofa, Sam Lousi, Callum Gibbins, Vaea Fifita, Reed Prinsep, Hugh Renton, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Toa Halafihi. Backs: TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuiorangi, Kylem O'Donnell, Beauden Barrett, Otere Black, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Pita Ahki, Wes Goosen, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Ben Lam, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jordie Barrett. OTAGO HIGHLANDERS (Dunedin) Coach: Tony Brown (first year) Co-captains: Ash Dixon, Ben Smith Last year's finish: Fifth (W-11, L-4) Best performance: Champions (2015) Forwards: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Guy Millar, Siate Tokolahi, Aki Seiuli, Craig Millar, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Josh Dickson, Jackson Hemopo, Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, James Lentjes, Gareth Evans, Dan Pryor, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon Backs: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Lima Sopoaga, Hayden Parker, Fletcher Smith, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Richard Buckman, Matt Faddes, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Tevita Li, Jason Emery, Ben Smith WAIKATO CHIEFS (Hamilton) Coach: Dave Rennie (Sixth year) Captain: Sam Cane Last year's finish: Sixth (W-11, L-4) Best performance: Champions (2012, 2013) Forwards: Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Aidan Ross, Kane Hames, Sosefo Kautai, Nepo Laulala, Atunaisa Moli, Hikawera Elliot, Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart, Michael Allardice, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, James Tucker, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Sam Cane, Mitchell Karpik, Michael Leitch, Liam Messam, Tom Sanders, Taleni Seu Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Finlay Christie, Jonathan Taumateine, Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald, Damian McKenzie, Fa'ase'e (Johnny) Fa'auli, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Solomon Alaimalo, Glen Fisiiahi, James Lowe, Sam McNicol, Toni Pulu, Shaun Stevenson, Chase Tiatia CANTERBURY CRUSADERS (Christchurch) Coach: Scott Robertson (first year) Captain: Sam Whitelock Last year's finish: Seventh (W-11, L-4) Best performance: Champions (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008) Forwards: Michael Ala'alatoa, Wyatt Crockett, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Jed Brown, Mitchell Dunshea, Kieran Read, Pete Samu, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Leon Fukofuka, Bryn Hall, Tim Bateman, Marty McKenzie, Richie Mounga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui, George Bridge, Israel Dagg, Sione Fifita, Mitchell Hunt, Digby Ioane, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele AUCKLAND BLUES (Auckland) Coach: Tana Umaga (second year) Captain: James Parsons Last year's finish: 11th (W-8, D-1, L-6) Best performance: Champions (1996, 1997, 2003) Forwards: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Epalahame Faiva, Charlie Faumuina, Blake Gibson, Josh Goodhue, Alex Hodgman, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Matt Moulds, Brandon Nansen, James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Kara Pryor, Scott Scrafton, Murphy Taramai, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou, Ofa Tu'ungafasi Backs: Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, TJ Faiane, Billy Guyton, Rieko Ioane, Matt Vaega, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Sam Nock, Declan O'Donnell, Stephen Perofeta, Augustine Pulu, Rene Ranger, Jordon Trainor, Ihaia West, Sonny Bill Williams, Piers Francis (Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)