All eyes on RTS but Tasman remain the benchmark
Welcome home, Roger TuivasaSheck.
There is no doubt that one name stands out above all others in this year’s NPC Premiership.
Tuivasa-Sheck, the brilliant former Warrior, has signed for Auckland and will look to lock down a spot in a backline that is stacked with firepower.
The presence of Caleb Clarke, Solomone Kata, Salesi Rayasi, AJ Lam and Zarn Sullivan means that coach Alama Ieremia faces a challenge to fit them all in, and don’t disregard outstanding young No 12 Corey Evans.
Yet, for all that star power it would be disrespectful not to state that Tasman remain the benchmark. The Mako have been there, done that. They’ve won the past two titles and are such a well-run province on and off the field that the chasing pack will have to raise their games to beat them.
It doesn’t harm having Quinten Strange, Pari Pari Parkinson, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Alex Nankivell and Mitch Hunt, either.
The Bay of Plenty look like the best of the rest, although the bookies like traditional heavyweights Canterbury and Wellington.
Former Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson will lead the Steamers, who will be run well by the classy Otere Black at No 10, while Chiefs’ Kaleb Trask and Sean Wainui will provide plenty of firepower.
AUCKLAND Last year: Forwards:
Runners-up
Adrian Choat, Akira Ioane, Albert Anae, Alex Hodgman, Angus Ta’avao, Blake Gibson, Felix Kalapu, Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Hamish Dalzell, Jamie Lane, Jordan Lay, Kitiona Vai, Leni Apisai, Marcel Renata, Niko Jones, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Robbie Abel, Scott Scrafton, Sione Tuipulotu, Soane Vikena, Terrell Peita, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa Backs: AJ Lam, Bryce Heem, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans, Dan Hollinshead, Harry Plummer, Jonathan Ruru, Jordan Trainor, Rieko Ioane, Roger TuivasaSheck, Salesi Rayasi, Sam Wye, Solomone Kata, Taufa Funaki, Zarn Sullivan Coach: Alama Ieremia (fourth season) TAB odds: $4.50 Look out for: Roger TuivasaSheck. When Tuivasa-Sheck takes the field for the first time, it will be most anticipated provincial debut in years. The 28-year-old is likely to start in the No 14 jersey, although he may move closer to the action as the season progresses. He has all the tools to make it in rugby, the game he played as a schoolboy, but the clock is already ticking for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Auckland aren’t short of options in the outside backs, so the pressure is already on.
WAIKATO
Last year: Fourth
Forwards: Hamilton Burr, Rob Cobb, George Dyer, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Mitch Jacobson, Ayden Johnstone, Sefo Kautai, Jack Lam, Sekope LopetiMoli, Tom Martin, Laghlan McWhannell, Steven Misa, Liam Messam, Ollie Norris, Simon Parker, Samisoni Taukei’aho, James Thompson, James Tucker Backs: Tepaea Cook-Savage, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Mosese Dawai, Rhys Dickinson, Matty Lansdown, D’Angelo Leuila, Anton LienertBrown, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Xavier Roe, Fletcher Smith, Bailyn Sullivan, Quinn Tupaea, Beaudein Waaka, Gideon Wrampling
Coach: Ross Filipo (first season) TAB odds: $9
Look out for: Gideon Wrampling. The powerful young centre/wing could get plenty of opportunities with Anton Lienert-Brown and Quinn Tupaea on All Blacks duty. Already tipping the scales at more than 100kg, the 20-year-old is an excellent ball carrier with the pace to get on the outside.
BAY OF PLENTY
Last year: Third
Forwards: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Sam Cane, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Kurt Eklund, Penitoa Finau, Nathan Harris, Kohan Herbert, Haereiti Hetet, Mitch Karpik, Benet Kumeroa, Tevita Mafileo, Aidan Ross, Angus Scott-Young, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jeff Thwaites, Pasilio Tosi, Tu’ukalikali Vaipulu, Stan van den Hoven, Nathan Vella
Backs: Otere Black, Luke Campbell, Leroy Carter, Inga Finau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Cassius Misa, Emoni Narawa, Mathew SkipwithGarland, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Chase Tiatia, Kaleb Trask, Sean Wainui, Joe Webber
Coach: Daryl Gibson (first season)
TAB odds: $7
Look out for: Naitoa Ah Kuoi. The Steamers have recruited well in the forwards, picking up Ah Kuoi, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Whetukamokamo Douglas and Aussie Angus Scott-Young. That quartet should make them one of the best packs going around, and Ah Kuoi has the physical attributes to be a dominant force at NPC level.
HAWKE’S BAY
Last year: Won Championship (promoted)
Forwards: Jason Long, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Joe Apikotoa, Namatahi Waa, Joel Hintz, Ash Dixon (C), Kianu Kereru-Symes, Jacob Devery, Geoff Cridge, Tom Parsons, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Bryn Evans, Brodie Retallick, Elijah Martin, Josh Kaifa, Brendon O’Connor, Gareth Evans, Marino Mikaele,Tu’u, Solomone Funaki, Devan Flanders, Josh Gimblett, Will Tremain, Frank Lochore
Backs: Brad Weber, Folau Fakatava*, Ereatara Enari, Connor McLeod, Lincoln McClutchie, Caleb Makene, Harry Godfrey, Danny Toala, Ollie Sapsford, Neria Fomai, Stacey Ili, Dennon RobinsonBartlett, Kienan Higgins, Jonah Lowe, Lolagi Visinia, Anzelo Tuitavuki
Coach: Mark Ozich (fourth season) TAB odds: $11
Look out for: Danny Toala. There’s no getting away from the fact that the loss of halfback Folau Fakatava (knee) is a huge blow, even though Canterbury halfback Ereatara Enari is a good pickup. As a result, the Magpies will need other players to step up in the top division and the talented midfielder Toala fits the bill.
WELLINGTON
Last year: Sixth
Forwards: Iona Apineru, Fraser Armstrong, Asafo Aumua, Dominic Bird, James Blackwell, Dane Coles, Pekahou Cowan, Caleb Delany, Alex Fidow, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Xavier Numia, James O’Reilly, Bruce Kauika-Petersen, Taine Plumtree, Vincent Sakaria, Ardie Savea, Sam Smith, Josh Southall, Tyrone Thompson, Keelan Whitman Backs: Tomasi Alosio, Vince Aso, Connor Collins, Connor GardenBachop, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Wes Goosen, Richard Judd, Brandyn Laursen, Ruben Love, Aidan Morgan, Pepesana Patafilo, TJ Perenara, Billy Proctor, Julian Savea, Peter Umaga-Jensen Coach: Leo Crowley (second season)
TAB odds: $6 Look out for: Ruben Love. The Hurricanes have invested in the playmaker at No 10, so they will no doubt be keen to see Love develop in that role in 2021. His footwork and pace are outstanding, but his game management needs to go up a level to release Wellington’s lethal midfield and outside backs. The return of former All Blacks lock Dom Bird should mean plenty of quality ball to work with.
TASMAN Last year: Forwards:
Winners
Atunaisa Moli, Isieli Tu’ungufasi, Isaac Salmon, Samuel Matenga, Ryan Coxon, Andrew Makalio, Samiuela Moli, Quentin MacDonald, Pari Pari Parkinson, Quinten Strange (co-captain), Antonio Shalfoon, Mahonri Ngakuru, Max Hicks, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Anton Segner, Jacob Norris, Hugh Renton, Sione Havili Talitui, Taina Fox-Matamua Backs: Finlay Christie, Jack Grooby, Louie Chapman, Mitch Hunt (co-captain), Campbell Morgan-Parata, Tim O’Malley, Alex Nankivell, Levi Aumua, Fetuli Paea, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Mark Telea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Taine Robinson, Tom Marshall Coach: Andrew Goodman (third season, first sole charge)
TAB odds: $3.20
Look out for: Tom Marshall. The 31-year-old returns from five years overseas and will provide valuable experience in the absence of David Havili (All Blacks). Marshall was an underrated player during his time in New Zealand and his all-round game and versatility should assist No 10 Mitch Hunt greatly. The Mako have a big pack and strike weapons out wide – they are simply a wellbalanced side that knows how to get the job done.
CANTERBURY
Last year: Fifth
Forwards: Liam Allen, Finlay Brewis, Tom Christie, Sam Darry, Mitchell Dunshea, Zach Gallagher, Mitchell Gibson, Cullen Grace, Billy Harmon, Oliver Jager, Shilo Klein, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Brodie McAlister, Joe Moody, Fletcher Newell, Conan O’Donnell, Luke Romano, Sam Stewart, Henry Stowers, Codie Taylor, Sam Whitelock, Tamaiti Williams Backs: Cameron Bailey, George Bridge, Fergus Burke, Jack Debreczeni, Luke Donaldson, Mitchell Drummond, Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Jono Kitto, Manasa Mataele, Josh McKay, Dallas McLeod, Richie Mo’unga, Waisake Naholo, Rameka Pohipi, Isaiah Punivai, Ngatungane Punivai, Coach: Reuben Thorne and Mark Brown (co-coaches, second season) TAB odds: $4.50
Look out for: Fergus Burke. The young Crusaders No 10 has to take control of an under-performing province who were even in the relegation conversation last year. The signing of Waisake Naholo stole the headlines, but his knee issue may limit his involvement and Burke will dictate Canterbury’s fortunes.