10 OVERSEAS PLAYERS TO WATCH
01 Damian de Alande [Stormers]
He was a bit hot and cold in his earlier career, but De Allande seems to have matured and with it, found consistency in his game. He’s strong and yet stunningly able on his feet.
Has a curious ability to pick holes in the tightest defences and is a natural ball player.
02 Cour tnall Skosan [Lions]
Courtnall Skosan doesn’t need a lot of space to be dangerous. He’s been a regular feature in the Lions for the last three years and shown himself to be a quality finisher.
He relies mainly on his speed and at Ellis Park, where the ground is hard, if he’s played into space you can forget about catching him. He’s gone.
03 Matt Toomua [Rebels]
This guy is a seasoned, classy footballer who brings defensive clout and a smart tactical approach.
He is equally comfortable at secondfive as he is at first-five and his control and accuracy will make the Rebels a better team.
04 Malcolm Marx [Lions]
We all know what this guy does – he steals turnovers like a loose forward and carries the ball as if he’s an outside back – just one built like a tank.
He is a similar proposition to Bismarck du Plessis – brutal, bustling and dynamic and a bit lovably cheeky with it.
05 Israel Folau [Waratahs]
You can’t ignore the threat Israel Folau poses. He remains one of the most deadly runners on the planet. Give him the ball in space and probably no one in the world game would use it better.
Has a licence to play wherever he feels like with the Waratahs and at that level, he doesn’t need much to break any defence open.
06 Handrie Polard [Bulls]
He drifted a bit after making a huge impression in 2014 as a 19-year-old. He’s stuck in, though, and last year he started to return to his best form. He’s got a great kicking game but he’s actually a classy runner and distributor and a genuine threat when he takes the line on.
07 REECE HODGE [Rebels]
Might not be back in action until later in the competition after breaking his ankle in October last year.
But when he does return, watch out for his innate football ability. He can play across the backline having started tests at first-five, centre, wing and fullback. He can kick, run, tackle and pass and if he was a New Zealander, he’d be global superstar.
08 Rene Ranger [Sunwolves]
So technically he’s not a foreign player but he is playing for a foreign club. Who cares, though, because Rene Ranger remains one of those players that is worth watching. He’s still got a bit of pace and a lot of power and he still loves the game. Hopefully he’ll get a bit of ball and will have the desire to be involved because he is a high impact player.
09 Agu stin Creevy [Jaguares]
The Pumas captain probably won’t be around for too much longer. World Cup year might be his last in Super Rugby – hopefully not but we have to be realistic.
Creevy is a throwback who plays with a smile on his face and an obvious love of the game. He’s a big ball carrier, loves a rolling maul and knows how to charm a referee.
10 Jack Maddocks [Rebels]
This guy is a next generation Wallaby and may have the skill-set to make them a better team in future.
He’s happiest at fullback but goes okay on the wing as he’s got ample pace. He has a big boot, too and an energy and hunger that suggests he hasn’t had the confidence drained out of him by being part of a chronically under performing rugby system.