Five to follow: Super Rugby Aotearoa’s next wave is on the way
With Super Rugby Aotearoa set to kick off it is time to take a look at five youngsters worth a watch over the coming months.
Ngane Punivai, Highlanders
The versatile centre/wing began to make his breakthrough at the Highlanders last season, following an off-season move from the Crusaders. His physical gifts were clear to see during his time at Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup, although a step up to semi-regular appearances in Super Rugby showed that his ability to distribute and create space and opportunity for others around him was also very effective.
Look for Punivai to deliver both punch and precision this season to a Highlanders backline that, if given the right sort of foundation from their pack, could cause defences plenty of problems.
Tamaiti Williams, Crusaders
The Crusaders are in the luxurious position of having a squad that does not need to rely on a raft of youngsters coming in, and thus they have excelled in the art of introducing players as seamlessly as possible. The big question is whether Williams is ready for that this year?
The sizeable tighthead offers an extremely high ceiling and is already a force to be reckoned with in the loose. He has a fair amount of competition to work his way through at the Crusaders, but the franchise and Scott Robertson will both know they could have an extremely formidable anchor
to
their scrum moving
Ruben Love and Brayden Iose, Hurricanes
Rivez Reihana, Chiefs
forward.
We’ve hedged our bets here with Love and Iose, coming in at fullback and No 8 respectively.
Love offers a shiftier option at the back in contrast to the physical stature and control that Jordie Barrett provides, while Iose was a star schoolboy player and has now been given a chance to make good on that early promise and showcase what he can bring at the Super Rugby level.
Bryn Gatland and Damian Mckenzie have been the men with their hands on the reins at the Chiefs of late, but finding a mainstay at 10 has been a challenge for the Chiefs since Aaron
Cruden left for Europe. Reihana is clearly a player that they have their eye on as a potential long-term solution.
Zarn Sullivan, Blues
Death, taxes and New Zealand rugby producing highly impressive fullbacks. Sullivan is the latest off the production line.
Sullivan has the prototypical frame for the position, with the height and vertical ability to dominate contested catches, as well as the long stride to eat up the ground in counterattacking situations. The Blues are packed to the brim with talented options in the midfield and back three, although Sullivan could quickly cement himself as the go-to option at fullback, deployed alongside the likes of Caleb Clarke and Rieko Ioane. — Rugbypass.com
Women’s rugby development officer Kendra Reynolds’ game of each round
Week 1: Rangataua vs Rangiuru
The first round kicks off with a battle between last year’s finalists Rangataua and Rangiuru at Te Ariki Park. In a match that includes females of all levels, from Black Ferns to first-year players, these two clubs always put on a show.
Week 2: Mount Maunganui vs Waikite
Waikite make their return in week two after having a couple of years out of the competition. With a strong history of success, Waikite will be a team to watch in 2021. Week two, Waikite take on the third seed Mount Maunganui; a win here could see Waikite looking like a contender for semis, a place they have been many times.
Week 3: Rangataua vs Mount Maunganui
After a weekend off for Anzac commemorations, Rangataua will take on Mount Maunganui at home. The battle of the two front rows at set-piece is enough to warrant a trip to Te Ariki Park, let alone the electric speed in both backlines.
Week 4: Waikite vs Rotoiti ‘Central Bay Clash’
Waikite get home advantage over Rotoiti. The last match between the sides was in 2018 at Emery Park with Waikite taking home bragging rights in a 22-5 win.
Week 5: Te Teko vs Waikite
Tough pick! Te Teko versus Waikite will be an exciting match-up and I doubt it will be an 81-20 scoreline as it was in 2020.
Week 6: Rangiuru vs Mount Maunganui
Have to give this one to Rangiuru over the Mount. Two teams with a number of current and ex-volcanix and a few players from the Black
Ferns’ wider training group will make for some heavy hits and fast running rugby.
Week 7: Te Teko vs Opotiki ‘Eastern Bay Clash’
Te Teko play O¯ po¯ tiki at home. After remaining scoreless in the match-up in 2020, O¯ po¯ tiki, under new coach Shaine Falwasser, will be looking to get on the scoreboard early.
■ All results throughout the season will be available at www.sporty.co. nz/bopdraws. Just choose from the drop-down menus to access the competition, teams and grades you are wanting to see.