FIVE BIG QUESTIONS
01 CAN THE BLUES KEEP CLIMBING?
The Blues were a considerably better side in 2016 than they were in 2015. Tana Umaga made a significant difference in his first year as coach. They didn’t storm up the table as such, but they did win more games. However, what he did instil was a defensive structure, a gameplan that the players knew, and a spirit and confidence that hasn’t been seen in years. In other words, a foundation to push on.
A handful of good players – Sonny Bill Williams, Augustine Pulu, Jimmy Tupou and Pauliasi Manu – have been persuaded to come on board this year as have a few new coaches and the feeling is that they can climb to the next level.
Whatever potential the Blues had last year it is considerably higher now, but can they fulfil it? Do they have the desire and hunger to be better again? It was easy enough to improve last year as they had been truly awful in 2015.
Will they be able to work even harder, build yet more attacking ploys and tighten their defensive structures now that most teams take them seriously? Can they find the consistency they will need to become a playoff team – win back-to-back games and win regularly on the road?
In a nutshell, can they cope with the increased level of expectation?
02 BETTER THAN THAT
The Chiefs inflicted carnage on themselves after the season finished last year with their party celebrations. The reputation of the club was dragged through the mud and their standing in the community damaged.
It hurt the players but more so, it hurt coach Dave Rennie who has been a miracle worker since he arrived in 2012.
This is Rennie’s last campaign before he heads to Glasgow. He’d dearly love for the Chiefs to win a third title on his watch and make big strides to restoring their reputation. So, really, the question is will Strippergate be the making or breaking of the Chiefs? Can they use that whole unsavoury incident as the catalyst to become a better team on and off the field and restore their pride?
Or will it, as has happened with some clubs in different codes that have endured major scandals, break their spirit?
03 ONE IS NEVER ENOUGH
It took the Hurricanes 20 years to win a title. A title that, at times, it felt they were never going to win. The relief, the elation, the sense of defiance was huge when they were crowned champions in 2016.
They produced a stunning end of season run – going unbeaten from mid-May and not conceding a try in the playoffs.
Are they going to be happy with being champions just once or are they the sort of team that has the mental resolve to say they want to build a dynasty?
Can they put a line under last year and say it counts for nothing unless they go back to the beginning, work like dogs all over again and deliver the same stunning rugby? It is one thing trying to become champions, another all together to defend a title.
04 FRESH THINKING
It’s all change at the Crusaders where they welcome an almost entirely new coaching and management team. Remember when Dave Rennie arrived at the Chiefs – he led them to a title in year one. When Chris Boyd arrived at the Hurricanes – he led them to the final in year one...a title in year two. So there is history of new coaches having instant success.
If new man Scott Robertson is going to have a similarly dramatic impact at the Crusaders, much will depend on his ability to breathe new tactical life into a side that looked a little stale and devoid of creativity by the last few games in 2016.
The Crusaders have the players to be successful. That box is ticked. The big question is whether Robertson can build a robust and dynamic gameplan that is good enough to regularly beat the other New Zealand sides.
05 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
The Highlanders, once again, have managed to hang on to the bulk of their squad. They are, then, based on what we know about this squad, a potential champion team.
But they need two players in particular to be in form and to avoid injury. One is, of course, Ben Smith – the best fullback in the world and arguably the most influential player in Super Rugby. We all know that his running lines, decision-making and use of the ball is brilliant.
The other key player is Aaron Smith and again we all know what he brings skillswise. But the bigger question with him is how quickly can he recover his form and confidence after the events of late last year when he got himself into a bit of strife.
Can he control his emotions – not be over eager to prove himself? Can he manage his energy to ensure he doesn’t put too much into pre-season and the early part of the year? Can he, basically, return to being the world’s best halfback?