BEST BUY: WHETU DOUGLAS

Whetu Douglas was such a hit at the Crusaders in 2017 that they tried to stop him from going to Italian side Benetton at the end of the season. The loose forward wanted to stay, too, but alas the contract had been signed and o he went. Well, he’s back now and with Kieran Read making a late start to the season and Pete Samu moving to Canberra to play for the Brumbies, Douglas’ return is a case of perfect timing. Douglas can play at blindside flanker or No 8. He’s an excellent ball carrier and defender but perhaps his best attribute is his ability to keep going for the 80 minutes. His workrate was o the scale two years ago.