Five emerging players who will get our attention
1 Quinten Strange [Tasman]
To establish yourself as a starting lock for Tasman at the age of 19 is something special, and with so much more development and maturity to come, the six-cap Crusader can only get better from here.
A standout in the ultimately unsuccessful New Zealand Under 20’s last year, Strange got his big chance in the first round of the Mitre 10 Cup. In stark contrast, his locking partner Alex Ainley could almost be his dad.
2 Stephen Perofeta [Taranaki]
Being touted as the next best thing is one thing but showing it against the British & Irish Lions is another.
Although his big night wasn’t perfect, Perofeta showed more than a few snippets of his poise, creativity and skill-set. With the experience and class surrounding him at Taranaki, Perofeta’s growth will be rapid especially if Charlie Ngatai and Seta Tamanivalu are those off his shoulder.
3 Luteru Laulala [Counties Manukau]
If he gets time at fullback, the more nimble of the Laulala brothers playing in New Zealand will turn heads. His gift for hitting gaps with perfect timing onto the ball presents a challenge to his midfield, but if all parts combine, the Steelers have a weapon in the wide channels.
Nippy across the track but also with a boot and head for the game, the youngest of the four Laulala/Steelers brothers could also find himself pushing for returning first-five Baden Kerr’s jersey.
4 Brayden Iose [Manawatu]
With so few loose forward choices at coach Jeremy Cotter’s disposal, Iose will be fast-tracked into the big boys league.
A star schoolboy only last year, the Palmerston North Boys’ No 8 captained the New Zealand Secondary Schools team and has been earmarked for big things for some time.
The only thing to hold him back will be his physical growth, his maturity evident already at the tail end of 2016. An aggressive, evasive and lithe athlete, Iose has the base talent to end up in another sort of black jersey.
5 Asafo Aumua [Wellington]
If the Cake Tin wants another cult hero for when Ardie Savea is on International duty, then try-scoring freak Aumua is the man. The hooker was amazingly the leading try merchant for the Lions last year and smashed down three tries in the recent Under 20 World Cup final.
A brutal ball runner with annoyingly good body position, Aumua has plenty of size and strength and knows how to use it.