FIVE WILD CARDS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
01 JORDAN TRAINOR [Blues]
The Blues went to some trouble to secure the services of the former St Peter’s College fullback. Trainor is a New Zealand Under 20 rep with the all round skills to flourish in the professional game. He’s quick, he reads the game well and he’s brave. His trump card is that he kicks well out of hand and for goal – something the Blues haven’t had in a fullback since the days of Adrian Cashmore.
02 MITCHELL KARPIK [Chiefs]
The former King’s College openside missed all of last year with serious injury. That gave him a chance at least to put some meat on his smaller frame and ready himself for a huge season. How much game time he will have with Sam Cane around is hard to know – but when he does get on, watch him. He’s all action, fearless, fast and a genuine old-fashioned forager. If you are old enough to remember Marty Holah in his prime – Karpik is the modern version.
03 SAM LOUSI [Hurricanes]
The Auckland-born Lousi is a solid man. He’s 2m tall and 130kg. That’s big. But the 24-year-old is a natural athlete at that size, which is why the Hurricanes pinched him from the Waratahs.
There’s no doubt Lousi has the raw physical gifts, but the challenge is going to be teaching him to be effective in a game in which he doesn’t have much experience, having spent three seasons with the Warriors.
Lousi is in the right place to learn the game fast and watch out when he does, at least one person is going to regret trying to tackle him this year.
04 DIGBY IOANE [Crusaders]
Digby Ioane, maybe because he was born in New Zealand, has always been an impressive player. No matter whether the Wallabies were going well or indifferently under Robbie Deans, Ioane would be standing out. Best used on the wing, he has the experience, size and skills to go hunting for the ball, score tries and play others into space. He’ll make sure the Crusaders don’t miss Nemani Nadolo as much as they feared they might.
05 RICHARD BUCKMAN [Highlanders]
Okay hands up...we confess to liking this guy a little more than perhaps we should. But then he’s easy to like. He plays for the team. He puts his body on the line, makes smart decisions and does lots of little things during a game that make a difference.
He missed most of last year through injury and the Highlanders weren’t quite the same without him. He goes okay on the wing but he proved that second-five is his best spot and he brings a presence to the role that stops opposition defences from drifting wide early. The most unlikely looking athlete, he always manages to surprise.