Nickname: Red and Blacks
2020 finish: Fifth in Premiership
Co-coaches: Reuben Thorne and Mark Brown
Captain: Reed Prinsep
GAINS: Jono Kitto (england), waisake naholo (england), Conan O’donnell (Counties Manukau), sam stewart (Manawatu), Henry stowers (Australia)
LOSSES: Harry Allan (Manawatu), brett Cameron (Manawatu), Mitch Dunshea (injury), whetukamokamo Douglas (bay of Plenty), ere enari (Hawke’s bay), Tom sanders (Japan)
GO-TO PLAYER: Mitchell Drummond The nuggety halfback retains this role from last season, particularly as understudy Ere Enari and first five-eighth brett Cameron have headed north.
unlucky to miss out on the initial All blacks squad to Finlay Christie, Drummond is sure to see plenty of game time with back-ups Luke Donaldson and Jono Kitto. This is no Crusaders-style job share arrangement with bryn Hall. A valuable member of the leadership group, his tactical appreciation will be crucial as Fergus burke settles into the no 10 role.
BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER: Liam Allen The loss of experienced loose forwards whetukamokamo Douglas and Tom sanders plus Mitchell Dunshea’s season-ending neck injury sets up a potential breakout season for Liam Allen, a promising blindside/no 8 and capable locking option.
sam Cane’s brother-in-law debuted in Canterbury’s last successful ranfurly shield defence against north Otago a year ago, was later called in as injury cover and has also made his first appearance for the Crusaders, a five-minute cameo off the bench in the Super Rugby Trans-tasman win over the waratahs in wollongong.
OUR PREDICTION: Third in Premiership Should improve on last year’s fifth place in the Premiership, and will surely need to if Canterbury’s first co-coaching duo are retained for a third campaign in 2022.
They boast the talent and experience to secure their first title since 2017 but they can ill-afford another sequence of narrow losses from very winnable contests. Looks very much like a level playing field in the top tier; perhaps Canterbury can take advantage of Tasman having more stars unavailable. commitments.