- Joined
- May 29, 2007
- Messages
- 4,120
- Country Flag
As another season begins a host of new faces will be revealed to the world in Super Rugby colours for the first time.
Who should we be looking out for? Who do you anticipate will make an impact when given the opportunity?
I've got a small list of New Zealand players (I tried to restrict is to two players per franchise, and preferably players who haven't yet been capped at Super level) who I think could be superstars for their respective franchises within the next couple of years.
Blues
Forward - Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland Lock)
Tuipulotu was a bit of an unknown last year prior to the ITM Cup. He was one of the star performers for a good Auckland side, with a great work rate. The Blues are notoriously weak when it comes to the second row this year, and with only one Super Rugby proven performer in Tom Donnelly (a player who plays 60 minutes at best), Tuipulotu could be looking at getting some serious game time this year.
Back - Benji Marshall (Auckland First Five)
Need much be said? After being trumpeted as a potential fullback option this season it looks like Marshall will be given the coveted 10 jersey straight from the get go. Last year one of the Blues' biggest weaknesses was the lack of a strong player consistently playing first five, and much of their success this season will depend on how quickly Marshall adjusts to Union.
Chiefs
Forward - Liam Squire (Tasman Number 8)
Squire is big, strong and fast. He's an ideal physical specimen to play in one of the few Chiefs jerseys not yet owned by any of last year's players. While it's likely someone like Kane Thompson will begin the season at the back of the scrum, if injuries strike then it wouldn't be surprising to see Squire given a go. He had a very good season for Tasman last year and hopefully will bring that form into Super Rugby.
Back - James Lowe (Tasman Wing)
Arguably the biggest strength the Chiefs have is their ridiculous depth. Whilst they have few test players, they have a torrent of quality Super Rugby starters, which means that they're the best team equipped to deal with injuries. James Lowe shows enough promise to indicate that he may be another one of those quality players. Like Squire he was one of the key performers in a brilliant Tasman team in 2013, finishing well for the Makos and doing his part in a number of attacking movements. Lowe will probably have a good chance at starting early in the season due to a fair few injuries the Chiefs have at the moment - if he takes his chance he may be a starter later in the season too.
Hurricanes
Forward - Mark Abbott (Hawke's Bay Lock)
Whilst the Hurricanes have had a number of okay locks over the years, it's been a long time since it was really a strength of theirs. Thrush, Eaton, Broadhurst and players of that ilk are fine, but they don't set the world alight. Abbott, on the hand, looks to change that. He's not the tallest of men, sitting just under two metres, but he's a heavy grafter and not afraid to do the grunt work. With guys like Broadhurst more likely to be found in the backline than in the rucks, someone like Abbott could do wonders for the Hurricanes. Look to see him getting a start early in the season and pushing on from there.
Back - Marty Bankes (Tasman First Five)
Although a fantastic performer for Tasman at 10 last season, it looks like Bankes may find himself starting the season for the Hurricanes as their first choice fullback. Bankes has been strong in the three pre-season matches to date and appears to be preferred ahead of Andre Taylor at this point in this, given Taylor's exclusion from the Hurricanes' touring squad to South Africa. Bankes is a prodigal kicker and while many thought he was outshone by another young first five, Ihaia West, in the ITM Cup last season, he is no slouch and is certainly a much safer player.
Crusaders
Forward - Jordan Taufua (Canterbury Loose Forward)
When looking through the Crusaders squad it became pretty evident that they're a very experienced team, given that very few of their players are uncapped. Taufua received some game time last year but was generally selected behind Luke Whitelock when Read wasn't playing. Given the massive depth in the loosies for the Crusaders Taufua may find himself again not receiving heaps of games time, but he's shown in his few appearances that if given the chance he will make a big impact. Taufua has been one of the best players in the pre-season for the Crusaders and may find himself starting at 8 against the Chiefs in the first match of the season with Read sitting it out. Watch him surpass Luke Whitelock as the next cab of the ranks at 8 if Read is rested in any further matches.
Back - Johnny McNicholl (Canterbury Outside Back)
Again, the lack of inexperienced players in the Crusaders set up means it's hard to pick a 'new' player that will get any game time at all. McNicholl is one of a few rising stars in the outside backs for New Zealand teams and would've likely started many of the Crusaders' matches last season were it not for injury. He can cover both wing and fullback but will likely find himself rotating in the wings alongside Guildford and Nemani Nadolo. He's an elusive runner, a strong kicker and defensively safe, I'm expecting big things from McNicholl this year, he's the kind of guy that could force himself in All Blacks contention come June.
Highlanders
Forward - Gareth Evans (Otago Flanker)
The exodus of quality players from the Highlanders squad has been well documented, but one area where they look to be better than last year is in the loose forwards. Evans was close to being Otago's best player last season, even when asked to play out of position, and would be an ideal starter for a side which at times lacks substance. Evans is a hard worker and moves countless bodies so should be able to help the Highlanders set a solid platform while also being a very secure defender.
Back - Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland Centre)
On the other end of the scale, the Highlanders last season lacked flair in the backs at times - particularly when stricken with injuries. With neither of the midfield positions sewn up by other players, Fekitoa looms as a potential dark horse for the southerners and could find himself starting matches fairly early in the season. He would add size to a relatively small backline and would provide the Highlanders with some heavy impact up the middle.
So, those are my picks for the season - I wouldn't be surprised seeing one of them pick up the best new player of the season come the end of the year!
Who are your picks?
Who should we be looking out for? Who do you anticipate will make an impact when given the opportunity?
I've got a small list of New Zealand players (I tried to restrict is to two players per franchise, and preferably players who haven't yet been capped at Super level) who I think could be superstars for their respective franchises within the next couple of years.
Blues
Forward - Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland Lock)
Tuipulotu was a bit of an unknown last year prior to the ITM Cup. He was one of the star performers for a good Auckland side, with a great work rate. The Blues are notoriously weak when it comes to the second row this year, and with only one Super Rugby proven performer in Tom Donnelly (a player who plays 60 minutes at best), Tuipulotu could be looking at getting some serious game time this year.
Back - Benji Marshall (Auckland First Five)
Need much be said? After being trumpeted as a potential fullback option this season it looks like Marshall will be given the coveted 10 jersey straight from the get go. Last year one of the Blues' biggest weaknesses was the lack of a strong player consistently playing first five, and much of their success this season will depend on how quickly Marshall adjusts to Union.
Chiefs
Forward - Liam Squire (Tasman Number 8)
Squire is big, strong and fast. He's an ideal physical specimen to play in one of the few Chiefs jerseys not yet owned by any of last year's players. While it's likely someone like Kane Thompson will begin the season at the back of the scrum, if injuries strike then it wouldn't be surprising to see Squire given a go. He had a very good season for Tasman last year and hopefully will bring that form into Super Rugby.
Back - James Lowe (Tasman Wing)
Arguably the biggest strength the Chiefs have is their ridiculous depth. Whilst they have few test players, they have a torrent of quality Super Rugby starters, which means that they're the best team equipped to deal with injuries. James Lowe shows enough promise to indicate that he may be another one of those quality players. Like Squire he was one of the key performers in a brilliant Tasman team in 2013, finishing well for the Makos and doing his part in a number of attacking movements. Lowe will probably have a good chance at starting early in the season due to a fair few injuries the Chiefs have at the moment - if he takes his chance he may be a starter later in the season too.
Hurricanes
Forward - Mark Abbott (Hawke's Bay Lock)
Whilst the Hurricanes have had a number of okay locks over the years, it's been a long time since it was really a strength of theirs. Thrush, Eaton, Broadhurst and players of that ilk are fine, but they don't set the world alight. Abbott, on the hand, looks to change that. He's not the tallest of men, sitting just under two metres, but he's a heavy grafter and not afraid to do the grunt work. With guys like Broadhurst more likely to be found in the backline than in the rucks, someone like Abbott could do wonders for the Hurricanes. Look to see him getting a start early in the season and pushing on from there.
Back - Marty Bankes (Tasman First Five)
Although a fantastic performer for Tasman at 10 last season, it looks like Bankes may find himself starting the season for the Hurricanes as their first choice fullback. Bankes has been strong in the three pre-season matches to date and appears to be preferred ahead of Andre Taylor at this point in this, given Taylor's exclusion from the Hurricanes' touring squad to South Africa. Bankes is a prodigal kicker and while many thought he was outshone by another young first five, Ihaia West, in the ITM Cup last season, he is no slouch and is certainly a much safer player.
Crusaders
Forward - Jordan Taufua (Canterbury Loose Forward)
When looking through the Crusaders squad it became pretty evident that they're a very experienced team, given that very few of their players are uncapped. Taufua received some game time last year but was generally selected behind Luke Whitelock when Read wasn't playing. Given the massive depth in the loosies for the Crusaders Taufua may find himself again not receiving heaps of games time, but he's shown in his few appearances that if given the chance he will make a big impact. Taufua has been one of the best players in the pre-season for the Crusaders and may find himself starting at 8 against the Chiefs in the first match of the season with Read sitting it out. Watch him surpass Luke Whitelock as the next cab of the ranks at 8 if Read is rested in any further matches.
Back - Johnny McNicholl (Canterbury Outside Back)
Again, the lack of inexperienced players in the Crusaders set up means it's hard to pick a 'new' player that will get any game time at all. McNicholl is one of a few rising stars in the outside backs for New Zealand teams and would've likely started many of the Crusaders' matches last season were it not for injury. He can cover both wing and fullback but will likely find himself rotating in the wings alongside Guildford and Nemani Nadolo. He's an elusive runner, a strong kicker and defensively safe, I'm expecting big things from McNicholl this year, he's the kind of guy that could force himself in All Blacks contention come June.
Highlanders
Forward - Gareth Evans (Otago Flanker)
The exodus of quality players from the Highlanders squad has been well documented, but one area where they look to be better than last year is in the loose forwards. Evans was close to being Otago's best player last season, even when asked to play out of position, and would be an ideal starter for a side which at times lacks substance. Evans is a hard worker and moves countless bodies so should be able to help the Highlanders set a solid platform while also being a very secure defender.
Back - Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland Centre)
On the other end of the scale, the Highlanders last season lacked flair in the backs at times - particularly when stricken with injuries. With neither of the midfield positions sewn up by other players, Fekitoa looms as a potential dark horse for the southerners and could find himself starting matches fairly early in the season. He would add size to a relatively small backline and would provide the Highlanders with some heavy impact up the middle.
So, those are my picks for the season - I wouldn't be surprised seeing one of them pick up the best new player of the season come the end of the year!
Who are your picks?
He scored five tries last year in Super Rugby.
