Players of influence:
Marc Hinton continues his analysis of Super Rugby’s top 50 players. Today he looks at players ranked 40 to 31.
30 Handre Pollard (Bulls)
Age: 24. Position: First
Another superboot off the South African production line, the Boks 10 might be susceptible to the odd off day, but his goalkicking, tactical nous and explosive playmaking abilities make him a valuable performer.
The Bulls have been trying to play a more expansive game, but their style is their style, and they are at their best when that big pack gets go-forward and their 10 puts them in the right parts of the park. That just happens to be Pollard’s forte.
29 Will Genia (Rebels)
Age: 31. Position: Halfback. Like Aaron Smith, Genia isn’t quite the gilt-edged performer he once was. But this outstanding halfback remains an integral piece of the puzzle for the growing force that are the Melbourne Rebels.
Genia remains a smart optiontaker and dangerous threat with the ball, still clears efficiently and is a creative force off the right platform. For the Rebels to take the step up and challenge the Tahs at the top of the conference, they need this bloke strutting his best stuff.
28 Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Age: 25. Position: Lock/No 6. Incredible that one family can produce three top-level All Blacks. Scott, though, broke the mould when he became a forward and signed for the Crusaders – now a vital part of the world-class red-and-black pack as a firstchoice lock.
He’s a big bruiser who eats up the tight yards. But there’s a subtlety to his game that surprises and an off-the-charts workrate. In a team of headdown, bum-up grafters, this guy leads the charge.
27 Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Age: 21. Position: Utility back. Then there’s Jordie, the youngest of the trio of Barrett siblings. Some might suggest 27 is a bit high for a fellow still scratching the surface, but we get a feeling this could be his breakout campaign. He looks ready.
Jordie can play fullback, midfield or wing, can kick goals with his eyes shut, is long limbed and has athleticism and timing that have had him on Steve Hansen’s radar for a while.
Where the Canes play him remains to be seen (fullback or wing primarily), but he looks ready to make big things happen in the capital this year.
26 Sonny Bill Williams (Blues)
fiveeighth. Age: 33. Position: Second fiveeighth.
Too high for someone who has barely raised a ripple on the pond of the last couple of Super Rugby competitions? Maybe. But don’t be surprised if the offloading one is engaged, active and extremely good in this year’s edition.
For the first time in a long, long while SBW is under pressure for his All Blacks spot. In World Cup year. He needs to play (avoid injury), and play well. His Blues need him too. The experienced midfielder is also likely to be energised by Ma’a Nonu’s presence as a pseudo rival-cum-friend.
25 Sam Cane (Chiefs)
Age: 27. flanker.
Not as high as he might be given the horrific neck injury suffered in Pretoria late last season. Can he return to be the player he was? Will he even make it back on the field, given he still faces months of rehabilitation?
There are major doubts about Cane in 2019, but the Chiefs expect him to return for the back half of the season, and that would make him a key figure over the
Position:
Openside run home. He’ll be fresh, motivated and hungry. If his body is right this world-class performer could deliver the impetus when it really matters.
24 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
Age: 27. Position: Halfback.
On top of his game, recently married and ready to make his play for the top halfback spot in New Zealand. Perenara looks poised for a big season, and given the Canes’ potential struggles in the forwards, they will need him at full efficiency.
The voluble halfback doesn’t have the speed or snappy pass of an Aaron Smith, but he’s resilient, rugged, outstanding with ball in hand and revels in the unstructured game the Hurricanes want to create.
He also understands too well the importance of getting his 10 into space.
23 Akira Ioane (Blues)
Age: 23. Position: No 8.
OK, Ioane hasn’t exactly been a consistent performer for the Blues. We get that. But that’s a big