10 OVERSEAS PLAYERS TO WATCH
01 FACUNDO ISA [Jaguares]
What a specimen this man is and, after making a huge impression in the Rugby Championship, he’s a good bet to be even more e ective in Super Rugby. A punishing No 8 who loves nothing more than running with the ball. Oh actually, he might love crunching opponents in driving tackles more.
02 FAF DE KLERK [Lions]
Maybe this is stretching things, but he’s South Africa’s version of Aaron Smith. A little halfback with great speed, great awareness and a bullet pass. He was the one who got the Lions playing at tempo last year.
03 SEKOPE KEPU [Waratahs]
Super Rugby isn’t an easy competition for props to make their mark. It’s fast, open, ball-in-hand rugby rather than set-piece and collision stu . But Kepu can do the latter as well as he can the former and is a useful operator no matter what level he’s playing at. Has returned to Sydney after an unhappy stint in France and may want to prove a point.
04 QUADE COOPER [Reds]
Say what you like about Quade but at Super Rugby, he can be useful. There will be space for him to dance and for all the grief he’s been given over the years, some of it began because he was actually quite good and it was a mark of respect. Seems to be in a happy place mentally and with the Reds possibly on the way up, he could go quite well.
05 WARREN WHITELEY [Sharks]
One of the better No 8s in world rugby and one of the few South Africans who can be trusted to give everything he has in every game he plays. Has the motor to make excellent support runs, can pass and catch and makes a lot of good decisions as captain.
06 EDGAR MARUTLULLE [Bulls]
You might remember Edgar Marutlulle from last year. He was playing hooker for the Kings and well enough that the Bulls have poached him. Lacks a bit of size but not pace, vision or athleticism. Embarrassed a few players last year and seemed to be about on the money with his core skills.
07 CLÉMENT POITRENAUD [Sharks]
This is a fascinating signing by the Sharks – they have picked up veteran French fullback Clément Poitrenaud, presumably on the cheap. He was a talent in his day and if he’s still got a bit of pace, he could be an astute acquisition for the Sharks.
08 BERNARD FOLEY [Waratahs]
A tidy play maker with a steady radar when he kicks for goal. He’s a good runner, too and if Foley can take charge of the backline and get a bit of ball coming his way, then he’ll make sure the Waratahs use it well. Seems to have a good temperament.
09 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM [Reds]
The former Wallabies No 8 has returned after a stint in Japan. He’s an abrasive character with a good range of skills that was perhaps never quite appreciated by former Australian coach Robbie Deans. Higginbotham is a good athlete, too and a few years in Japan should have given him a strong aerobic base from which to play at pace this year.
10 TEVITA KURIDRANI [Brumbies]
Well known to New Zealanders of course because he’s played a fair bit of football for the Brumbies and Wallabies. But Tevita Kuridrani hasn’t yet shown the full extent of his game. If he can develop some confidence, be given the ball more then watch him become a real factor in the midfield this season.