SIX TACTICAL QUESTIONS
01 BRAVE BLUES AT NO 10?
The Blues have signed Stephen Perofeta, the 19-year-old from Whanganui. He’s played for the New Zealand Under 20 side and had a bit of game time with Taranaki. Is he the long-term answer for their long-term troubles at No 10?
If so, will they go with him early – just chuck him out there and back him for the next three years? They didn’t do that with Gareth Anscombe and came to regret it. Or should they go slowly-slowly?
02 SQUIRE AS A SIX OR EIGHT?
The All Blacks used Liam Squire at No 6 and gave clear signals they see him as the heir apparent to Jerome Kaino. But is he really a No 8? What do the Highlanders think? And if they agree he’s a No 6 shouldn’t he play there? And if he does player there, what does that mean for Elliot Dixon? And how many questions can we ask about one player?
03 THE SECOND COMING OF AARON SMITH?
Aaron Smith fell a long way last year after his toilet troubles. It hurt him being dropped by the All Blacks and his confidence was rocked by what he went through. Time is a great healer though, and so too is hard work and discipline. This isn’t so much of a question, more of a statement – Smith will storm back to form in Super Rugby and reclaim his place as the best halfback in world rugby.
04 THE POWER OF NEHE
Nehe Milner-Skudder is the forgotten man of New Zealand rugby. He has almost become a top secret all over again having missed nearly all of last season with injury.
Can the Hurricanes use him cleverly? Can they build starter moves that allow him to be the strike runner? Will they play him at fullback or wing and does it really matter? It will be a test of their strategic vision working out how to relaunch the career of Milner-Skudder and make him a surprise package all over again.
05 BACK ROW BATTALION
Obviously when they have everyone fit, the Crusaders can field a handy backrow in Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd and Kieran Read. But do they have enough depth behind that trio? Pete Samu has played a bit at this level but he’s the only one of the other options who has. They look talented but inexperienced at loose forward and, in a game ruled by turnovers, might that become a problem?
06 WHO’S NEXT FOR THE HURRICANES?
Let’s be honest, TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett are a brilliant combination and quite fantastically important to the Hurricanes. But what if one or both were to be injured?
The Canes don’t appear to have much in the way of back-up in either role. They are particularly short of quality and experience at halfback and while they have Otere Black in reserve at No 10, is he actually going to be able to deliver what the Hurricanes need? There are plenty of people who say this kid has the goods, but he hasn’t yet had the chance to show it.