Six players who will have a massive bearing on the competition

1 Shaun Stevenson [North Harbour]

After injury destroyed his 2016, Stevenson bounced back in Super Rugby 2017 with a handful of outings confirming he belonged. A finisher of note, who can twist defenders’ ankles with his step and swerve at high speed, is just as comfortable at fullback or the wing and is not afraid to have a crack.

With a long gait that makes him even more elusive, the Auckland-native is one that Waikato have let get away.

2 Patrick Tuipulotu [Auckland]

There’s no doubting he has the game for test rugby but the Auckland lock has endured a troubled nine to 12 months with doping accusations, form drop offs and missing out on the Lions game due to poor timekeeping.

If he gets a string of games together and brings his dynamic running to the park, he’s a player who can dominate and is a chance for an All Blacks recall. Has some ground to make up.

3 Mitchell Hunt [Tasman]

After his clutch Super Rugby heroics this year, Hunt has shown his hand and will have the responsibility of marshalling the Makos. With Banks gone, the jersey is his to grab and he has the confidence to own it.

Hunt’s ice-cool head and sure boot will be vital and you can add him to the growing list of first-fives that Auckland have waved on. A physics student in his spare time, Hunt is a throwback to the old days when rugby wasn’t Plan A.

4 David Havili [Tasman]

Smashing Super Rugby statistics in 2017, Havili has realised his potential at fullback and hopefully he has lost his utility tag. The elusive runner has been a revelation at the back during Israel Dagg’s absence and will be full of confidence in a Tasman backline that complements his game.

If his combination with James Lowe can flourish, Tasman will be hard to contain down the flanks and from deep.

5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti [North Harbour]

A promising player at the end of 2016 with a lanky frame that didn’t shout physicality stunned in 2017 Super Rugby with a lengthy chain of outstanding performances.

In unison with Blues lock Scott Scrafton, Cowley-Tuioti has shown he has muscular intentions and has hurt a few bodies whilst making a name for himself at the lineout and in his other core roles.

Keeping his ascent going will be the key and if he has Jarrad Hoeata next to him, there will be some action.

6 Augustine Pulu [Counties Manukau]

Hands down, the two-test All Black is the most direct and ambitious halfback going around, period. A prevailing figure on the paddock, Pulu provides invaluable leadership to his teams and if his inside backs are tuned in, his half breaks can turn to gold.

With so much endeavour and creativity around the fringes, his game dictates a lot of a team’s structure which presents the above challenge to his teammates. Influential is an understatement.