Nickname: Bulls
2020 finish: Fourth in Championship (losing semifinalists)
Coach: Neil Barnes
Co-captains: Mitch Brown and Teihorangi Walden
GAINS: Michael Bent (Ireland), Logan Crowley (Southland), Meihana Grindlay (Auckland), Jesse Parete (Japan), Kyle Stewart (Manawatu), Vereniki Tikoisolomone (Whanganui)
LOSSES: Kaylum Boshier (injury), Warwick Lahmert (retired), Lisati Milo-harris (Southland), Lewis Ormond (France), Sean Wainui (Bay of Plenty)
GO-TO PLAYER: Stephen Perofeta When he is injury-free, the silky skills of Stephen Perofeta are right up there with the very best. The 24-year-old is equally capable in the 10 or 15 jersey and if he hits top form, he could get the bulls over the promotion line.
BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER: Millennium Sanerivi The dynamic young hooker may not get many minutes in this year’s NPC but his rugby education will dramatically increase working with bradley slater and Ricky Riccitelli. His ball-carrying and defensive work are outstanding but, like all young hookers, he needs to work on his core skills at lineout and scrum time.
OUR PREDICTION: Second in Championship There was much to like about the way the bulls played last season, with two close defeats the difference between a home semifinal and having to play away to a rampant Magpies outfit in Napier.
The return of coach barnes is worth an extra win or two in 2021 with the long-term Chiefs assistant coach having a strong squad to work with. Nearly all of last year’s squad is back, which could be another telling factor in the bulls finishing near the top.