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A couple of months ago, Roar contributor Carnivean contacted me on Twitter to propose an article topic of ‘Select one player to improve your Super Rugby team for 2015′ and suggested I give it a crack.
Now, during the off-season, I thought it would be a fun idea to explore and will go through each team with my thoughts and will select two players for each problem position, one from within Super Rugby and one from outside the competition.
So in no particular order, except alphabetically, here we go.
Blues
Looking at the 2015 squad, the two areas of possible concern are at centre and lock. With a host of exciting backline talent, I am sure a suitable answer will be found so I focused on lock and in particular who will partner the exciting Patrick Tuipolotu.
Patrick offers enormous physicality and ball carrying ability so it is the set piece I want to focus on. A strong scrummager and lineout tactician is required to offset the skills of Tuipolotu, so the two choices I settled on were Victor Matfield and Richie Gray.
Brumbies
The full Brumbies squad has yet to be announced and there were only 24 players listed on the official website. Of those listed, the one position that jumped out at me was number eight.
The loss of Ben Mowen as captain but also his lineout nous is an obvious area to address. The best replacement would be Kieran Read from down south, while Sergio Parisse would also be a welcome addition.
Bulls
Right or wrong, when I think of the Bulls I think of a big forward pack and a straight and hard type of rugby. I also tend to think they are one-dimensional in their approach, and while it will be exciting to see Handre Pollard in his first full Super Season and the difference he makes to the team’s attack, they need another attacking spark and I believe that should be at fullback.
I do not believe it is as simple as sticking in a running type player such as Andre Taylor, as the player still needs to be able to conform and play to the team’s best strengths. That is why I would plump for Israel Dagg and Mike Brown, both capable runners who can also play conservatively when required.
Cheetahs
The Cheetahs have certainly lost a number of personal overseas and to rival franchises for 2015, including a number of highly experienced forwards such as last year’s captain Adriaan Strauss.
Experience and leadership would be high on my list of priorities and Richie McCaw would be perfect for this young team. I also have a perverse desire to see what chaos McCaw and Heinrich Brussow playing together would inflict at the breakdown. My pick from up north would be Chris Robshaw.
Chiefs
The Chiefs have an impressive looking squad for 2015, particularly a very impressive and scary midfield! But with Ben Afeaki’s future still unknown due to ongoing concussion problems, loosehead prop is the position I have decided to pick on.
The one player that immediately comes to mind that would suit the Chiefs style of play would be Tendai Mtawarira or ‘Beast’ as he is more commonly known. Marcos Ayerza would be my pick outside of Super Rugby.
Crusaders
Next season sees the Crusaders with another fairly well-rounded squad with not too many glaring holes, at least to my eyes. The only glaring point of weakness could be experience at hooker with the departure of Corey Flynn.
While both Codie Taylor and Ben Funnell are quite possibly the future in that position, and strong recruitment has seen the well-travelled Ged Robinson signed for the season, an experienced rake should be given some thought. Stephen Moore certainly appeals as exactly the right fit for the Crusaders’ environment as does Dylan Hartley from England.
Force
My first thought here was the loss of Kieran Longbottom and what impact that would have on the squad for 2015, but they appear to have a number of talented young men waiting to fill the void. Thinking back to the 2014 season, I felt the Force really lacked some genuine size and strike power in the backs, somewhat similar to the Crusaders in the first half of the season.
When you think back to the impact Nemani Nadolo had for the Crusaders mid-season, a player of that pedigree would be in my sights, even more important with the Honey Badger now overseas. So, a big quality left winger specifically? Julian Savea and George North tick those boxes.
Highlanders
Straight off the bat, the squad seems most lacking at tighthead prop or Lock. I had some real problems trying to decide between the two.
In the end I decided to settle on bolstering the cornerstone of the pack and Owen Franks would be a valuable asset, even more valuable in my view would be Martin Castrogiovanni who, along with Ramiro Herrara, is probably the best in the business.
Hurricanes
With a host of current, former or fringe All Blacks, the new coaching duo certainly have a heap of expectations for the 2015 season. One aspect they will need to find is consistency, a word rarely afforded to this franchise, certainly in terms of quality footy.
So, rather than looking at it from a position specific point of view, I want a consistent performer, particularly one who can inspire both on and off the park. I was mightily impressed with what Jacques Potgeiter brought to the Waratahs and he would be my pick. Paul O’Connell was the first man I thought of outside of Super Rugby.
Lions
The definite surprise packet of the 2014 season, this squad will be looking to build upon that, as well as a successful Currie Cup after making the final last season.
I am not sure why, but when I think of this team I think back to the game against the Waratahs in Sydney. Perhaps because I blogged it, I was struck by the number of errors they made and I feel like what they need is an organiser in the backs, both on defence and attack.
The best going around would be Conrad Smith, who would add a lot of composure and direction in the backs. Johnathan Davies would go alright too I suspect.
Rebels
The Rebels need a first five, simple as that I believe. Dan Carter would be rather useful, as would Johnny Sexton.
Reds
The Reds have certainly made some big name signings for 2015 and will be looking to put a poor 2014 season behind them.
The loose forwards were a big problem for them last season and they look a bit light again, particularly at eight. But in fairness I don’t know an awful lot about new signing Hendrick Tui.
To me, they lack an imposing presence so I would look to Duane Vermeulen to bolster the loose forwards from within Super Rugby and Jamie Heaslip from outside the competition.
Sharks
Simply put, fullback screams out to me as being in need of attention to an otherwise healthy looking squad. Ben Smith would certainly add a new dynamic to the team, as would Rob Kearney, a real standout from the November internationals.
Stormers
Now, I wasn’t sure if I was doing something wrong but I found it difficult to ascertain what the bulk of the Stormers squad was going to look like or what had been definitely confirmed, it is probably because research is not my strongest suit.
Anyhow, I decided to take a different tack, and for this franchise will pick on the coach. Out with Alaistair Coetzee and in with either Michael Cheika or Wayne Smith, preferably both! Joe Schimdt would be worth a phone call too…
Waratahs
The defending champion’s biggest issue is just replacing what they have lost. Their biggest loss was Kane Douglas.
Kane was a workhorse who got through a lot of the unglamorous work and will be missed this season, but now would be the time for an upgrade. My choice would be Sam Whitelock from here or Geoff Parling from the north, both of whom are similar type of players.
So, there are my thoughts Roarers. Who would be the one player you would like to have in your team’s squad for 2015?
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