Canterbury juggernaut set to rumble on
Howit works
Canterbury may be void of three big names from their 2016 campaign, but they still shape as hot favourites for the this year’s national provincial championship, which kicks off tomorrow.
The red-and-blacks have lost All Blacks Jordie and Scott Barrett (both to Taranaki) and fringe All Black Jack Goodhue (Northland), yet they can still claim to have one of the most formidable starting sides in the competition.
Their forward pack has multiple Super Rugby players at each position with Matt Todd and Luke Whitelock one of the strongest loose forward duos in provincial rugby.
Canterbury’s backs don’t have the same depth they had in previous seasons, but the likes of Richie Mo’unga, Tim Bateman, Rob Thompson and George Bridge are all classy operators.
There are plenty of teams circling in the hope of stopping the Ranfurly Shield holder’s streak or eight of the past nine provincial titles, none more so than last season’s runner’s-up Tasman.
Despite beng dealt a blow with David Havili’s elevation to the All Blacks, the Makos have a strong squad highlighted by the return of loose forward Jordan Taufua from Counties Manukau and the continued improvement of first fiveeighth Mitchell Hunt. Two backs to watch will be monster wing Levi Amua and young star Will Jordan.
But Canterbury’s biggest rival could be a traditional foe.
Auckland have been helped by the likes of Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala and Patrick Tuipulotu being deemed surplus to the All Blacks’ requirements.
Toss in Hurricanes tryscoring ace Vince Aso, dynamic loose forward Akira Ioane, exciting fullback Melani Nanai and experienced first five-eighth Dan Bowden, and Auckland have a formidable look.
Counties Manukau are also well positioned for a tilt at the title with the return of three of their favourite sons in Tim NanaiWilliams, Baden Kerr and Stephen Donald.
Three to watch for the Steelers are midfielder Orbyn Leger, utility back Luteru Laulala and halfback Jonathan Taumateine.
Taranaki are also likely to feature among the contenders, but will be hoping coach Colin Cooper’s last season with the team before taking his Super Rugby post is more like Scott Robertson’s with Canterbury rather than Chris Boyd’s with Wellington.
After impressing for the Blues against the British and Irish Lions, there will be plenty of interest in first five-eighth Stephen Perofeta’s growth. Seta Tamanivalu has the ability to break the game open from the midfield.
The pressure will go on the Waikato this season after a disappointing 2016 campaign. A repeat of that record will have then in relegation zone.
The recruitment of Dwayne Sweeney, Zac Guildford and Pita Ahki gives them plenty of experience in the backs. Watch for wing Sevu Reece and flanker Luke Jacobson to shine.
Damian McKenzie should also see time for them this year and will be a handful for defenders.
North Harbour could be in for a tough year after gaining pro- motion from the championship.
The last two teams to do so have been demoted the very next season.
Bryn Hall and Bryn Gatland make for a handy 9-10 combination while Tevita Li and Matt Duffie are dangerous outside backs and George Pisi has returned to offer some experience in the midfield.
Meanwhile, the Championship division appears to be Wellington’s to lose. Julian Savea’s dumping from the All Blacks was a major bonus for the Lions, who also have Wes Goosen and Ben Lam in the outside backs. They have three experienced heads battling for the No 10 jersey in Trent Renata, Dan Kirkpatrick and Jackson GardenBachop.
The forwards will be led by the hardworking Brad Shields, but the man to watch will be hooker Asafo Aumua.
Aumua took the spotlight with his impressive campaign for the New Zealand under-20s, but most forget he was also Wellington’s leading tryscorer last season with six.
Otago will again be contenders as they rely on an accurate, hardworking side with few superstars.
New Zealand sevens star Vilimoni Koroi could be one to watch in the backs. Fletcher Smith is a promising young first fiveeighth, while Michael Collins had a good season at fullback with the Blues.
Bay of Plenty have former All Black Mike Delany back on deck to lead the team around the park while Tom Franklin adds steel to the pack.
Hawke’s Bay have a hefty list of exits, but will be hoping some of their young stars can fill the void.
It will be an interesting battle for the No 10 jersey between the Hurricanes-bound Ihaia West and Chiefs recruit Tiaan Falcon. Richard Buckman, Jonah Lowe and Sam McNicol give their backline plenty of firepower.
Manawatu should be better after back-to-back down seasons.
They have recruited an interesting group for 2017 including Kenyan sevens star Willy Ambaka, former New Zealand Under 20s first five-eighth Jade Te Rure and returning former Highlanders and Chiefs loose forward Nick Crosswell.
Highlanders lock Jackson Hemopo should feature prominently in the pack, while Bluesbound No 10 Otere Black will shoulder much of the load in the backs. All Blacks Ngani Laumape and Nehe Milner-Skudder may get some matches.
If injuries allow Northland to get their best team on the park, they could be the dark-horse.
Their backline features Crusaders wing Jone Macilai, former All Black Rene Ranger, Goodhue and rising stars Sam Nock and Solomona Alaimalo.
Toss in a forward pack with Dan and Kara Pryor, Jack Ram, Josh Goodhue and Matt Moulds and they shape as a side capable of causing plenty of upsets.
On the other hand, Southland head into the season as favourites for the wooden spoon.
They will need to hope Elliot Dixon can rediscover some form to help spur on the team which has few big acquisitions to suggest they can improve on last season’s results.