Five smart signings

01 LENI APISAI [Blues]

Leni Apisai was the number two hooker at the Hurricanes in 2016. Then he suffered a nasty concussion, missed a lot of rugby and returned to action well behind Ricky Riccitelli in the pecking order.

With Asafo Aumua emerging strongly too, Apisai had to look elsewhere and signed with the Blues.

It was a smart move for both. He’s a genuine prospect is Apisai, with size, mobility and aggression. He’s only 21 and the Hurricanes didn’t want to let him go but with so much quality they didn’t have room for him.

Wouldn’t be a surprise if he finishes the season as the Blues’ first choice hooker.

02 TE TOIROA TAHURIORANGI [Chiefs]

The door is open at national level for a third halfback to take the spot vacated by Tawera Kerr-Barlow and there are few people who reckon Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi will be the one to walk through it.

He has a similar skill-set to Aaron Smith and is built to the same sort of physical dimensions. He might connect nicely with Damian McKenzie.

03 GARETH EVANS [Hurricanes]

Presumably we haven’t been alone in watching Gareth Evans play for the Highlanders these past few years and be more than a little taken with his workrate, effort and contribution.

He gets stuck in, looks quite sharp when he’s in space and adds genuine energy when he’s on the field.

The Hurricanes obviously saw what we saw and fancy his skill-set will work well with their expansive, attacking game. We agree entirely.

04 TOM SANDERS [Crusaders]

For the last two seasons Tom Sanders has been a useful presence at the Chiefs. He’s maybe lacking a little finesse, but lacks for nothing in the effort and workrate department.

He’s a homegrown Cantabrian and the Crusaders have been smart enough to take him back and bolster their pile of seasoned loose forwards. Sanders will carry hard, make some telling tackles and win a few lineouts.

05 TYREL LOMAX [Highlanders]

This guy was well on his way towards becoming a Wallaby. And okay, big deal, you may say given the lack of quality props across the Tasman, but that would be a little harsh and miss the point that Tyrel Lomax jumped ship because he’s also good enough to become an All Black.

He’s a big man and can get about. That bit comes easy. The bit he’ll have to work on is his set-piece contribution but a few months with the Highlanders and eight local derbies should fast track his scrummaging.