THE SUPER 2018 CREW
RATING COAST’S RUGBY STARS:
HAMISH STEWART (left) TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: Flyhalf GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Bond University player. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Rising star. Debuted last year and could get more opportunities in 2018 given the departure of Quade Cooper.
ALEX MAFI TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: Hooker GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Bond University player. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Ready for a big season after working his way up the pecking order.
ANGUS BLYTH TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: Lock GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Tweed product, attended TSS, Bond University player. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Scored a Super Rugby contract despite still being eligible for Australia under-20 team this year.
JAMES SLIPPER TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: Prop GOLD COAST CONNECTION: A TSS old boy, Bond Pirates junior. Remains affiliated with Bond University. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Keen for a big season after long injury lay-off.
BEN DALEY TEAM: Melbourne Rebels POSITION: Prop GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Attended All Saints Anglican School, studied law at Bond University, represented Gold Coast Breakers. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Ready to start life with his third Super Rugby franchise after Western Force’s exit.
JONO LANCE TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: Flyhalf GOLD COAST CONNECTION: TSS product. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: 2011 premiership winner returns after stints at Waratahs, Force and Rebels.
ROB SIMMONS TEAM: NSW Waratahs POSITION: Lock GOLD COAST CONNECTION: TSS product. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Reigniting career after being axed by the Reds.
KANE DOUGLAS TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: Lock GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Grew up in Yamba, brother of former Titans prop Luke Douglas. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Rollercoaster ride last year saw him dropped from the Reds before being picked in Wallabies squad.
SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: No.8 GOLD COAST CONNECTION: TSS product. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Handed the reins as the captain to spark the Reds.
KARMICHAEL HUNT TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: Utility back GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Inaugural Gold Coast Suns AFL player. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Future is up in the air after his latest drug-related misdemeanour.
SEF FA’AGASE TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: Prop GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Beaudesert junior. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Now 26, still forging his way. Named on the bench for season-opener.
IZACK RODDA TEAM: Queensland Reds POSITION: Lock GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Born in Lismore, grew up in Evans Head. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Young gun on the rise. Made Wallabies debut last year less than a week after his 21st birthday.
RICHIE ARNOLD TEAM: ACT Brumbies POSITION: Lock GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Murwillumbah product, played for Bond University. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Injured-plagued big man has switched from the Force to join his twin brother.
RORY ARNOLD TEAM: ACT Brumbies POSITION: Lock GOLD COAST CONNECTION: Murwillumbah product, played for the old Gold Coast Breakers. SUPER RUGBY PROSPECTS: Wallabies lock revved up after losing starting spot to twin Richie for season-opener.