Players to watch in Super Rugby 2019
Etene Nanai-Seturo (Chiefs)
The highly-touted young speedster will get his first opportunity in Super Rugby when he starts for the Chiefs tonight against the Highlanders. With just a handful of Mitre 10 Cup games, Nanai-Seturo will be thrown in the deep end to see if he sinks or swims. Still just 19, the Commonwealth Games sevens gold medallist has the opportunity to announce himself as a force in the 15-a-side game this year.
Josh Ioane (Highlanders)
The question of who will replace Lima Sopoaga in the Highlanders’ No 10 jersey has been answered, with 23-year-old Ioane handed the reins — at least to begin the season. With Bryn Gatland and Marty Banks also in the Highlanders system this year, Ioane will be motivated to perform to hold down his position. He showed some positive signs in limited time for the Highlanders last season, and starred for Otago in the No 10 jersey during the Mitre 10 Cup season.
Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues)
Yes, Karl Tu’inukuafe is an All Black and announced himself as one of the strongest scrummagers in Super Rugby with the Chiefs last year. His meteoric rise in 2018 from a Chiefs injury replacement to All Blacks starting prop was a welcome surprise to many rugby fans, but what does 2019 hold for him? With a new team, it’s likely he’ll be battling to hold his place in the All Blacks for the World Cup with the likes of Chiefs prop Atu Moli who is back and healthy after a haematoma in his leg and looking to reclaim his spot in the All Blacks squad. And he’s not a secret anymore — everyone knows what Tu’inukuafe is capable of and he’ll have a lot of eyes on him.
Vince Aso (Hurricanes)
Let’s go ahead and throw Aso into the plethora of options the All Blacks selectors will have to choose from come World Cup selection. The 24-year-old had a breakout year in 2017 and was set to push on in 2018 before a wrist injury ended his campaign. In a strong Hurricanes backline, Aso will have plenty of opportunities to show his speed, strength and defensive ability, and could very well be a dark horse in the hunt for World Cup consideration.
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
For Will Jordan, it’s not a case of if he’ll shine in Super Rugby, but whether or not he’ll get the opportunity. Named Player of the Year in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season after a stellar campaign with the Tasman Mako, Jordan will hope he doesn’t have to spend another season watching from the sidelines at Super Rugby level. The 20-yearold fullback has all the tools required to succeed at the next level and should Mitchell Hunt and David Havili be unavailable, Jordan might make it hard for them to reclaim a starting role.
Ma’a Nonu (Blues)
Almost every Kiwi rugby fan will be keeping an eye on how Ma’a Nonu is tracking. The 103-test All Black returns to Super Rugby this year after a stint in Europe and while he hasn’t specifically said he’s come back for another shot at playing at the World Cup — the timing of his return screams it. Now 36, many will be interested to see if Nonu possesses the same level of power and speed he displayed in his prime. The word out of Blues camp is he’s still a wrecking ball, but time will tell if training paddock form translates to the playing field.