Who to watch in season 2019
The haves, have nots and never wills of Super Rugby
With Super Rugby kicking off season 2019 tonight in Hamilton, NZME’s leading rugby writers indulge in some crystal ball-gazing.
Patrick McKendry
Winner: Crusaders Best team, most depth, and Scott Robertson is the best coach in competition. They know what it takes. Semifinalists: Crusaders, Lions, Hurricanes, Waratahs For the Crusaders, it’s just what they do, the Lions will be guaranteed a place when they win SA conference, the Hurricanes’ backline will light a few fires and the Waratahs could be a real danger. Last place: Sunwolves The Japanese side are on a hiding to nothing with their travel schedule and limited player-base. Standout player: Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders) Mo’unga will again excel at first five, leading to the inevitable comparisons with All Black rival Beauden Barrett. Player on the up: Harry Plummer (Blues) Superb for Auckland last year – first five Plummer is only 20 and one to watch. A good long-term bet for Blues. Team on the up: Blues – because of the Leon MacDonald factor, plus they can’t get much worse (they came second to last in front of the Sunwolves last year).
Liam Napier Winner: Crusaders Semifinalists:
Crusaders: Even with the challenge of managing All Blacks’ rest periods, and the late returns of Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read, it’s difficult to back against the defending champions. Three successive titles appear well within reach. Hurricanes: Tight five is again the major worry, particularly at lock where Sam Lousi’s pectoral injury does not help. Elsewhere the Hurricanes typically harness as much, if not more, strike power as anyone. Much depends on how Fletcher Smith or Jackson Garden-Bachop runs the ship when Beauden Barrett is rested. Highlanders: The readiness of first fives Josh Ioane and Bryn Gatland will be tested but the Highlanders pack has a nice blend of size and skill which should suit home comforts under the roof. They also boast squad continuity from last year. How they fare without the influential Smiths, Aaron and Ben, will be telling. Waratahs: Stacked with Wallabies once again and the recruitment of Karmichael Hunt and Adam AshleyCooper will help squad rotation. Capitulated at the backend of last season, and should have learnt those lessons. Comparatively weak conference helps accumulate points. Last place: Reds Tony Brown has recruited well for the Sunwolves – luring several Kiwis. And there is little to inspire about Brad Thorn’s Reds. Standout player: Ngani Laumape Recently recommitted to New Zealand rugby and will be highly motivated in World Cup year. If given a decent platform, another destructive season is in the offing for the midfield wrecking ball. Player on the up: Dalton Papalii The bolter in the All Blacks last year, Papalii may struggle for game-time with Blake Gibson named Blues cocaptain. More accustomed at No 7, it would not surprise to see the sizable Papalii get a run at blindside in a trio with Akira Ioane and Gibson. Team on the up: The Rebels should continue their rise from easybeats to credible competitors while the Bulls, directed by Handre Pollard and having recruited Springboks Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Brits and Cornal Hendricks, look the best of the South African bunch.
Christopher Reive
Winner: Hurricanes For the second year in a row, I'm buying into the potential the Hurricanes have. Semifinalists: Hurricanes, Crusaders, Lions, Chiefs: A similar picture to last season in that the Hurricanes and Crusaders will be the best two teams, the Lions will be the best of the South African conference, and the big-hearted Chiefs will continue to find ways to succeed. Last place: Sunwolves. I'd like to say they'll improve a lot, but I just can't see it happening this year. Standout player: Beauden Barrett is going to stamp out any doubts people may still have of him being the All Blacks first-choice No 10. Player on the up: Lachlan Boshier should own the Chiefs No 7 jersey with Sam Cane sidelined. He showed plenty of potential last year. Team on the up: The Blues are a genuine playoff contender this season if their squad stays healthy.