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And so once again, here we are. Super Rugby Pacific. Where eleven franchises fight it out for the honour of claiming second prize behind the Crusaders. A side coached by a man seemingly more interested in locking down a different job for 2024 and beyond.
Such is rugby. Where eyes always seem to be cast further into the distance, say towards Paris on Friday 8th September, when France and New Zealand kick-off the 10th Rugby World Cup. Or towards Eddie Jones. Can Eddie walk the talk and reform the Wallabies? Can Jase Ryan and Joe Schmidt keep Ian Foster out of the way for long enough to reform the All Blacks?
Such is rugby. Awash with ‘everyone else knows better’. Full of contradictions, frustrations, black, white and every shade of grey in between.
Unquestionably, Super Rugby is a damaged brand. Mostly because its owners never respected the brand in the first place, used and abused it for their own selfish purposes, and arrogantly, ignorantly or both, expected rugby fans to swallow it up regardless.
Despite SANZAAR’s failings, despite domestic and geo-political forces pushing South Africa north, despite dalliances with Japan and Argentina coming to nought, despite the trials of COVID, and despite rugby’s ongoing struggle to safety-proof the game without turning its constituency off it, Super Rugby has survived.
Not just survived but, via the addition of the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika and the slow but steady alignment of women’s sides, had new life breathed into it.
Tevita Ikanivere of Fijian Drua (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
The two Pasifika sides have brought a refreshing and necessary authenticity that, even if this has yet to be fully grasped by the wider rugby community, has also renewed the heartbeat of the franchises.
In fact, it is likely that, since the beginning of Super Rugby, our professional franchises have never been as aware and willing to connect to their local communities. And with Eddie Jones a veritable one-man publicity machine, in Australia at least, anticipation levels are higher than in recent times.
How that translates into attendances and viewer numbers remains to be seen. If there is any resumption of the procession of New Zealand franchise wins over Australia that has been the signature of the competition in recent years, it will be hard to maintain interest levels; on both sides of the Tasman.
For now, one pay-off for fans, old and new, is to try to pinpoint the players who will carry their team forward. Players who offer a point of difference. Not necessarily the best players, but men who add another dimension to the viewing experience.
Some are promising youngsters looking for a break-out year, or to build on what they showed last year. Others need to excel to ensure their World Cup place. And others are excitement machines for whom you’d turn down a dinner date with Scarlett Johansson to watch play, no matter the colour of their shirt. Because such is rugby.
In no particular order, starting in Queensland, I’ll be watching Isaac Henry closely. Hamish Stewart’s move west simultaneously provides Henry with increased opportunity and responsibility. Henry has a hard-edged assuredness about him that suggests he’ll become an integral part of the Reds’ midfield.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The Reds also offer an early contender for pick-up of the season; 38-Test Clermont prop, Peni Ravai. Ravai is a beast who, in addressing the Reds’ over-reliance on the injured Taniela Tupou, should be at or near the top of every watch-list.
Waratahs winger Mark Nawaqanitawase entered 2022 known as a player who was yet to fulfil his early promise. By year’s end he was a first-choice Wallaby winger and a genuine threat to any opposition. His challenge is that expectations are now far higher.
In some ways, it’s a similar story for loose forward Langi Gleeson. Rewarded with a Wallaby jersey late in the year but part of a log-jam of players competing for limited World Cup squads, can his explosive running game provide trouble for New Zealand opposition?
To Canberra and I’ll be looking closely at the Brumbies intriguing hooker situation, with Lachlan Lonergan, Connal McInerney and Billy Pollard all now capped by Australia, and all of them looking to advance their international careers.
(Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
But the individual player who stands out is Darcy Swain. Everyone knows his ability, but maturity and discipline aren’t things that fall out of a cereal box. If Swain can demonstrate that his time spent in the room of mirrors has been put to good use, the Brumbies will be in a good space.
My long-shot for pick-up of the season is a player with no profile in Australia, new Rebels’ loose forward Vaiolini Ekuasi. A victim of the log-jam of talent at the Blues, 21-year-old Ekuasi has impressed since arriving and offers a powerful ball-running presence in the absence of injured captain Rob Leota.
Another player certain to excite Rebels’ fans is their Melbourne-born, Italy international, Monty Ioane. All pace and elusiveness, Ioane is determined to ensure that he stays in favour with Test coach Kieran Crowley, and with the Rebels’ keen to play more expansively this year, he may prove to be a revelation.
Over in Perth, a lot will be asked of Izack Rodda. He’s another player on something of a redemption path, and with Eddie Jones’ appointment essentially equating to a spill of all Wallabies’ positions, Rodda has every opportunity, and motivation, to reclaim his second-row spot.
A scroll through the Blues’ squad list should bring a chill to supporters elsewhere. There are X-factor players all across the park, but the individual who has most to play for this season is Akira Ioane.
If Ioane wants to be on the plane to France he needs to convince the All Black selectors that he can deliver the goods in the crunch matches, not simply be there to fill a spot for the easy pool games. That alone should ensure he hits the ground running.
Lurking beneath the Bombay Hills is Te Puke born, Chiefs and Maori All Black centre, Rameka Poihipi. The Chiefs don’t lack for midfield talent, but Quinn Tupaea’s long-term injury offers him a chance to cement his place at a higher level.
It was Poihipi’s try in the 83rd minute in Christchurch that completed a stunning Chiefs comeback win against the Crusaders last year, 24-21. He has a full range of skills, defends well, and is good enough to do it again.
No franchise has a better stable of developing young talent than the Hurricanes. 24-year-old No. 8 Brayden Iose, has been earmarked as ‘star material’ for a while now. 2023 should be the year he starts to deliver on that promise.
Another player offered a golden opportunity as a result of long-term injury, in this case to TJ Perenara, is halfback Cam Roigard. Possessed with a solid pass off both sides, explosive pace off the mark, and a sharp tactical appreciation, Roigard also happens to be blessed with the characteristic that all quality halfbacks have; he’s a yappy bugger.
With Codie Taylor entering the latter stage of his career, 21-year-old George Bell could be excused for biding his time, waiting his turn, recovering from a foot injury obtained in last years’ NPC final. Bell is one of the rare players to have made his Super Rugby debut before playing NPC; his best days are ahead, but once he returns, expect to see a talented young hooker on a fast track to higher honours.
Cameron Roigard. (Photo by Mark Tantrum/Getty Images)
Wider out, Leicester Fainga’anuku’s stellar 2022 season saw him rewarded with a Test cap against Ireland. Things never really happened for him after that, Fainga’anuku leaving the All Blacks’ end of season tour for family reasons, offering an opportunity to Mark Telea, which Telea took with both hands.
New year, a fresh start; don’t be surprised to see Fainga’anuku to step things up again this season for the Crusaders.
Down south, while there is excitement around the arrival of another Leicesterman Freddie Burns, it’s a player returning from a serious injury, Jona Nareki, who I’m most looking forward to watching.
Rugby needs players like Nareki; speed, dodge and power merchants able to transfer their sevens skills and experience to the 15-man game. Watch also for one of the best left boots in the business.
It’s another Fijian flyer who heads up the ‘must watch’ list at Moana Pasifika. Signed off the back off impressive performances for Tasman in the NPC, 25-year-old Timoci Tavatavanawai definitely knows the shortest way to the try-line. Once again, he’ll be a real handful.
Armed now with the knowledge and confidence that they belong at this level, the Fijian Drua are chock-full of similar players. Last year it was Kalaveti Ravouvou who grabbed the headlines, and it was no surprise to see him snapped up by Pat Lam at Bristol, for the 2023-24 English Premiership season. Enjoy him while he lasts.
Enter the talented Ilaisa Droasese, previously with the Reds, but who struggled for game time under Brad Thorn. Settled into his new environment, the Drua are said to be excited at his progress; another sneaky prospect for pick-up of the season.
So much for the theory and analysis. Once the first whistle blows in Christchurch on Friday night, all plans go out the window and things start to take on a life of their own.
By all means, invest heavily in your team. But it’s always healthy to latch on to individual players from other teams too; to keep an interest and, of course, to enjoy good rugby, no matter who is playing it.
Those are some of the players I’ll be keeping a close eye on this season. Who will you be watching?