For the final preview for the upcoming Super Rugby season, I take a look at the New Zealand conference. With the last three winners coming from New Zealand it would take a brave person to bet against it happening again.
Hurricanes
Last season – Champions
Key player – Beauden Barrett
Where better to start than last year’s champions. The Hurricanes were Champions on merit, they played some great rugby and were the third highest try-scoring team with 72.
Beauden Barrett was the top scoring player in the tournament and was 24 points better off than his nearest challenger.
He enjoyed a stellar season where he grabbed hold of the All Blacks 10 jersey and cemented himself as one of the premier 10s in the world. The big challenge this season will be can they repeat their heroics.
Having lost a home final in 2015 and going one better in 2016, they are definitely the team everyone will be gunning for. They have retained 95 per cent of the starting team with only Victor Vito and Willis Halaholo departing.
Nehe Milner-Skudder will return to a backline with game breakers all through it from TJ Perenara at scrum half to Cory Jane and Julian Savea on the wings. They will be there or there abouts again but will they retain their crown.
Prediction – Finalists
Blues
Last season – 11th
Key player – Rieko Ioane
The Blues vastly improved under Tana Umaga last season. With a strong pack containing four All Blacks and the excitement that always follows Sonny Bill Williams will bring something to the backline.
Augustine Pulu is another good acquisition at scrum half from the Chiefs to add some experience to complement Ihaia West. Much is expected of Rieko Ioane.
He was one of the break-out stars of the 2016 for the Blues which has led to people calling for him to get an All Blacks shirt soon. He has the pace and power along with footwork to put the wind up any defensive line.
The Blues unfortunately will suffer from being in the New Zealand conference where it is so competitive and the other teams are further along in their development, but they are certainly a team to keep your eye on.
Prediction – ninth
Chiefs
Last season – Semi-Finals
Key player – Brodie Retallick
The 2013 Champions are another team that might have peaked a couple of seasons ago and look to rebuild. That isn’t to say they haven’t been a good team for the past couple of seasons but I feel that other teams have over taken them and they have to look to build their squad again.
A big cloud hanging over them is who will be the ten after this season, with Aaron Cruden announcing this is his last year before heading to France. The returning crowd favourite Tim Nanai-Williams will help to cover the loss of Seta Tamanivatu to the Crusaders but a lot is hanging on the fitness of Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
After a horrible year last year with injuries and the departure of Pulu, Kerr-Barlow is very much the first choice scrum half this season. They still have their classy operators in the pack with Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane and all eyes will be on Damian McKenzie to see if he can repeat his 2016 form that forced him into the All Blacks squad.
Prediction – Quarter finals
Crusaders
Last season – Quarter Finals
Key player – Kieran Read
The perennial finalists had a tough season last season as they continued their rebuild. Making the quarters represented a decent result for the men from Christchurch.
Crusaders legend Todd Blackadder has moved to the UK to coach Bath, and that may be the biggest loss for the ‘Saders during the off season as Canterbury coach Scott Robertson makes the step up. Namani Nadolo’s departure will literally and figuratively leave a big gap on the wing but Seta Tamanivalu’s signing from the Chiefs is a quality addition.
Signing Richie Mo’unga to a three year deal was also great news so they can start to build a team knowing who their long-term ten is and with the World’s best No.8 in Kieran Read still playing incredible rugby they will continue their upward trajectory.
It may be one season to early before they really make a huge impact on the tournament but if they start well then it could be a different story.
Prediction – Quarter finals
Highlanders
Last season – Semi Finals
Key player – Lima Sopoaga
Tony Brown has some huge boots to fill following the departure of Jamie Joseph. Under Joseph the men from the Deep South turned their fortunes around. They have a back line that consists of arguably the world’s best scrum half and full back.
They have power runners on the wing with Waisake Naholo and Patrick Osborne with Malakai Fekitoa and try scoring machine Matt Feddes in the centres.
It is also a huge year for Lima Sopoaga. With Cruden off at the end of the season, the main challenger to Barrett’s 10 jersey will be Sopoaga.
If Barrett has a weakness it is his goal kicking, an area that Sopoaga is most consistent, with his success around the 80 per cent mark compared to 70 per cent of Barrett.
Sopoaga’s ability to keep the score line ticking over could be the difference for the ‘Landers this season. With a pack that contains a lot of young, hungry players such as Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire, Shane Christie and Daniel Leinert-Brown they are a match for most up front as well.
The team culture that is evident in Otago is the reason that I think they could be the team to beat again.
Prediction – Winners
SAVAGE
Guest
Agreed.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Akari Two words: Ihaia West Blues are going nowhere near the playoffs until they get a fly half who is All Black calibre. West (or Piers Francis) is not your man.
canadiankiwi
Guest
The Chiefs have not reached anywhere near their performances of their championship years since Wayne Smith left the franchise after their second consecutive Super 15 title in 2013. Quite honestly, Dave Rennie is an over-rated coach who has won nothing on his own despite an enormously talented Chiefs squad the past three seasons. Additionally, many problems with team culture off the pitch has popped up under Rennie's watch since Smith's departure. This season will be no different. PS Charlie Ngatai may very well miss the entire season as he is still suffering with concussion nine months after his injury. PSS it's ALB who plays 13
Old Bugger
Guest
No he didn't, considering he fronted up to SR, in mid-season. But finally Rennie just may, have a pack that doesn't get bull-dozed, all over the park....?? Hello's selection above includes 7 former/current ABs plus Leitch who is an international, in his own right. If they just stay injury free, then this season, will be interesting indeed.
Highlander
Guest
Hi mate, big fan of both hames and Edmunds, Brendon might make it back before seasons end, but we were light after losing him last year. Both will go close to international standard if they can get and stay injury free. Hames didn't embarrass himself in a black jersey when given a shot either did he.
woodart
Guest
auckland has always been at the top of the npc comp. the blues arent auckland.
Pinetree
Guest
I don't think the Lions are one year wonders. They had a solid season in 2015, and built on that in 2016 being finalists. The NZ teams will take points off each other, but the Lions do not have any NZ teams to face. They were clearly the 2nd best team last year, and I cannot see many of the Aus or other SA conference teams beating them this year. The Lions top of the ladder for me. But agree that this conference system needs to go, and the way it has been set up since 2011, and made worst in 2016 is not a formula that will always allow the best team to win.
Riccardo
Guest
Good article Rob. Highlanders are certainly contenders; maybe another party at Tony's? As the Hurricanes have got the monkey off the back now my money's on them. Strong squad with the addition of the other Barrett and the incumbent Barrett coming off the back of a stellar season. The Chiefs have a great pack too. Hames has been a revelation and will only get better. Such a shame that the conference set-up means that a couple of our teams will miss out to inferior squads come litmus time.
Riccardo
Guest
Thank-you Akari. Us Blues fans need that injection of positivity. I think Pulu and Sonny could lift West to perform where his talent suggests he should be operating.
Old Bugger
Guest
HL I know Hames had discipline issues but JJ's luck ran out, when Edmonds did his leg in. JJ didn't pick Hames in his first squad and relied on Edmonds as his LH prop. He had the SA lad (can't remember his name) as his No2 LH but Hames was the real deal if he'd just kept the fists by his side. JJ had no other choice so Rennie swooped when his front-row stocks were getting smashed and Hames joined midway in the season. He did OK to get himself an AB cap so now, he and Graham, are the Chiefs LH props. Hopefully Laulala is raring to go and Harris, just has to rid himself of whatever curse he has when it comes to injuries. I agree - Rennie has an impressive front row this year so fingers x-ed, that the injury curse has been given a touch-up by the coach's boot.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
he will THRIVE - he will be even better than he was with the Reds and/or WBs...shame he played for the WBs as being NZ born he could have been an AB
Highlander
Guest
Very impressive front row, looking forward to Laulala having an injury free season, got Black written all over him for mine.
Sylvester
Guest
Crusaders should be better without Blackadder. Robertson's approach, based on Canterbury's ITM Cup style, will be to attack so that bodes well if it all clicks. Nadolo formed so much of their attacking threat. That's the big loss, but hopefully they won't be the one-trick pony they have been for the past few seasons.
allblackfan
Guest
I'll be interested to see how Digby Ioane fits into the NZ/Crusaders setup.
Rob Seltzer
Roar Guru
Apologies, oversight on my part
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Yes it is a similar side to last year and last year they were probably the 2nd best team in the comp. Losing in the semis to the Canes despite a huge injury toll accross the season. Injury will be a factor this year too but I think theyll go close...again.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Yes.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Nice preview Rob. Just one thing though. Reiko Ioane has already got an AB's shirt.
Tim Reynolds
Roar Pro
Rieko Ioane already has his All Black shirt!
Akari
Guest
Every time I see/hear "Chiefs" being mentioned, I am reminded of Donald Trump, stripper and poor treatment. They topped it off by the abuse of parking officers earlier this year. I'm sure coach Rennie is wishing that he left the joint at the end of the super rugby last year. This is why I'd be disappointed if they made the finals this year. The Blues were playing exceptionally well in the last rounds of super rugby last year and the recruitment of Augustine Pulu is a master stroke from Tana Umaga. With Luatua and Kara Pryor again leading the forwards and Pulu in charge of the backs, the other Kiwi teams will likely find it hard to stop the Blues. A top 4 finish for the Blues at the possible expense of a rebuilding Saders in the NZ conference at least. They may even surprise us by making the top 2 in the NZ conference