PLAYERS WITH MOTIVATION TO PERFORM

1 : DALTON PAPALII [BLUES]

Was picked by the All Blacks last year but didn’t add to his tally of caps. Has also seen Dillon Hunt arrive at the Blues as a genuine openside and with Akira Ioane playing so well at No 6, Papali’i who can play both roles, is going to have to win early game time in the No 7 shirt and prove his right to hold on to it. He’s a supremely good player with plenty of reasons now to make sure everyone knows that.

2 : LACHLAN BOSHIER [CHIEFS]

The biggest mystery – or maybe it wasn’t – of 2020 was the non-selection of Lachlan Boshier in the All Blacks. He was the form No 7 in Super Rugby but the national team didn’t fancy him.

But he’s a supremely good player and he’ll have moments that change the flow of any game. There isn’t a better turnover exponent in world rugby and watch for him making crucial plays at crucial times that will give the Chiefs a lifeline when they need it.

STEAL IT Lachlan Boshier was the one player many people felt deserved an All Blacks call up last year.

SEVEN HEAVEN Dalton Papali’i has competition for his jersey