Coming into the 2019 Super Rugby season, the New Zealand franchises have taken out the last 4 titles and you’d be apprehensive to bet against one of their 5 strong teams winning the championship in 2019. Stacked with proven international winners as well as an infinite supply line of talent, the Kiwi teams have much to look forward to going into this season.
CRUSADERS
Head Coach – Scott Robertson
Super Rugby titles: 9
Most recent title: 2018
Most capped player: Wyatt Crockett (201 caps)
After winning the Super Rugby title 7 times in 11 seasons between 1998 and 2008, the most successful franchise in the competitions history went 10 years without a title before winning it back to back in 2017 and 2018. Back to their lethal best, it will be tough to put the Christchurch based team down as anything but favourites to take out a 3rd title in a row. The squad is littered with All Blacks all around the park, with resting and injuries seemingly the only barrier standing between them and another successful season.
Key Players:
OWEN FRANKS: Packing down in the front row for his 10th consecutive season with the Crusaders, the All Black centurion is almost certainly the first name on the team sheet week in week out. His notoriety for never scoring a try for New Zealand in 105 appearances means nothing as his effectiveness at scrum time and work rate around the park is unmatched. His presence in 2019 will be crucial for the Crusaders this season as well as the All Blacks come the World Cup.
RICHIE MO’UNGA: Taking over the reins from a so-called Daniel Carter is no easy feat. However, since his debut in 2016, Mo’unga has had a meteoric rise, steering the Crusaders to two Super Rugby titles in 3 years and becoming a mainstay in the All Black setup. His pinpoint accuracy off the tee as well as his decision making and running ability make him one of the most lethal 10s in the game and much of what the Crusaders do this season will be off the back of his distribution and creativity. Going into his 4th season as the first-choice fly half for the Crusaders, the 24-year-old will want nothing but the same as he looks to take his side to a 3rd title in 3 seasons and play an integral part in the All Blacks World Cup campaign.
Player to Watch:
WILL JORDAN: At 20 years of age, Jordan is already being tipped for All Black greatness. Yet to make a Super Rugby appearance, the Tasman Mako will be looking to take advantage of resting and injuries as the season progresses. A natural fullback who can play on the wing if need be, blessed with pace and great footwork, his lack of experience will matter little to him when he gets the chance. Can he step up and take his chances? It’s hard to believe otherwise.
Known to always be slow starters in the competition, the Crusaders will look to get off to the best possible start in 2019. Having kept most of their top players from previous seasons, they should be aiming for nothing less than a 10th title. Their opening game of the season is away against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday 16 February.
Predicted finish: 1st (NZ conference), 1st (Overall)
HURRICANES
Head Coach: John Plumtree
Super Rugby titles: 1
Most recent title: 2016
Most capped player: Ma’a Nonu & Conrad Smith (126 caps)
For many seasons, the men from the capital were said to be the best team never to win a Super Rugby title. In 2015, they fell at the final hurdle at home to the Highlanders. A season later they finally won themselves a championship with talisman Beauden Barrett steering them to a first Super Rugby title in the franchise’s history. In 2019, with a strong squad mixed with experienced All Blacks and exciting youngsters, Plumtree will be looking to add a second title to the trophy cabinet.
Key Players:
DANE COLES: At his best, very few can compete with the 32-year-old in the hooking position. Having missed out on most of the 2017 season and the entirety of the 2018 season, Coles will be itching to get back onto the field and prove his worth to the All Black selectors. Blessed with strength, agility and pace complemented by his decision making and leadership qualities, writing him off as past his prime will be at your own peril. He’ll need time to get back into the gauntlet that is Super Rugby, but if he can find his feet at this level in 2019 he’ll be sure to be an integral cog for the Canes if they are to have a successful 2019 season.
JORDIE BARRETT: Playing in the shadow of the 2016 and 2017 World Rugby Player of the Year has done little to hinder the youngest of the three Barrett brothers from becoming one of New Zealand’s best outside backs. Having made his debut for New Zealand in 2017 at the age of 20, Barrett has earned himself 9 All Black caps. Still 21, he’s got a long and no doubt successful All Blacks career ahead of him. His size, athleticism and ball skills make him a potent attacking weapon and his chemistry with brother Beauden is there for all to see. He’ll be looking to fire on all cylinders come the start of the season and will be aiming for nothing less than a spot in the All Black XV come the World Cup.
Player to Watch:
BEN LAM: After a record-breaking season in 2018, in which Lam scored the most tries ever in a Super Rugby season with 16, one could feel he was hard done by having not cracked a spot in the All Blacks squad. However, if Ben Lam can emulate the season he had last year he will definitely be pushing Rieko Ioane for that left-wing spot. Breaking the record again will be a tough task, but his blistering pace and brutal physicality, along with his exceptional ability to fall off tackles will be vital in the Hurricanes going deep into this year’s competition. With stacks of competition on the wings in the Hurricanes setup, Lam will need to prove himself every game as he pushes to achieve his All Black dream.
The Hurricanes have built their playing culture around aggressive defence and lethal counter attack. If they can improve on their discipline and composure, they can definitely push for a second Super Rugby title. Their opening game is against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday 16 February.
Predicted finish: 2nd (NZ conference), 4th (overall).
CHIEFS
Head Coach: Colin Cooper
Super Rugby titles: 2
Most recent title: 2013
Most capped player: Liam Messam (179 caps)
The Chiefs finished the 2018 season in 3rd place in the New Zealand conference and 5th overall. However, they finished the season with the 3rd most points. Players like Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown cemented their place in the elite of New Zealand players whereas other such as Solomon Alaimalo and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi put their names into the hat for higher honours with breakout seasons. The 2 time winners eventually lost out to the Hurricanes by a single point in the Quarter finals.
Key Players:
Damian McKenzie: It’s hard to believe that DMac is only 23 years of age. With 21 New Zealand caps to his name this is the biggest season of his career so far. His eye will be on an All Black starting XV jersey come the World Cup and that will very much depend on what he produces for the Chiefs. He has been eased into international duty but it’s hard to see anything but all guns blazing from the counter attacking magician. Can he deliver when it matters most? The Chiefs will sure hope so
Brodie Retallick: The 2014 World Rugby Player of Year is one of the best forwards in rugby. His work rate in the engine room is incomparable. Coupled with his soft hands and eye for the game he’s every opponent’s worst nightmare. Staying fit throughout 2019 will be crucial for the Chiefs’ chances this season as well as the chances of a 3rd World Cup title in a row for the All Blacks.
Player to Watch:
Etene Nanai-Saturo: The New Zealand Sevens star is just 19 years of age and has been touted as one to watch this season. Blessed with mesmerising pace and footwork the Counties Manakau player is the definition of x-factor. With Solomon Alaimalo missing the first few weeks of the season with a broken wrist, Nanai-Saturo will look to make a name for himself in Super Rugby. All Black honours may be a distant dream for the youngster but he’ll be given the platform to explode onto the scene in 2019. Stay tuned.
The Chiefs will look to kick on from their solid 2019 season. With teams like the Crusaders and Hurricanes to compete with in the NZ conference the men from Hamilton need their stars to step up and claim some big scalps. On paper the ability is there. Now they need to execute. The Chiefs’ opening game is at home against the Highlanders on Saturday 15 February.
Predicted finish: 3rd (NZ Conference), 6th (Overall).
HIGHLANDERS
Head Coach: Aaron Mauger
Super Rugby titles: 1
Most recent title: 2015
Most capped player: Ben Smith (129 caps)
The 2015 winners finished fourth in the NZ conference and 6th overall in 2018, eventually losing to the Waratahs in Sydney in the quarterfinals. Having kept most of their players from 2018, the loss of Lima Sopoaga will be a massive blow to the squad. How they adapt with the likes of Marty Banks, Bryn Gatland and Josh Ioane playing in the pivotal fly half position will be crucial to how their season shapes up. Aiming for a spot in the quarterfinals will be their main priority.
Key Players:
Aaron Smith: Not much needs to be said about the feisty Half Back, who has proven his quality season after season. His distribution and communication are unmatched in world rugby and the way he directs his team across the park, whether for the Highlanders or All Blacks is nothing short of brilliant. He’ll have to step up even more this season being partnered up with inexperienced 10s. It’s almost impossible to think that a player with his pedigree wouldn’t be able to shoulder the increased responsibility.
Ben Smith: The ageless fullback has very much become part of the furniture at the Forsyth-Barr stadium. He is a proper professional who leaves everything out there every time he steps on the field. Equally reliable on the wing or at outside centre, the highest capped Highlander of all time is 32 and going into his 13th season of Super Rugby. Will age catch up with him or will he prove once again that he is a crucial cog for the Highlanders and All Blacks in 2019? Only time will tell.
Player to Watch:
Pari Pari Parkinson: Standing at 204cm and weighing in at 128kg it’s hard to believe that head coach Aaron Mauger described the lock as “athletic”. However, at 22 years of age it’s easy to see why the heads at NZ rugby are already getting excited by his potential. After a few Super Rugby appearances last season, Parkinson toured with the NZ Maori and had a strong season with Tasman in the Mitre 10 Cup. How he copes with the step to playing Super Rugby will be interesting to see, and he will no doubt be under the microscope for those involved with All Black rugby.
The Highlanders have undeniable quality in their ranks, however, with the loss of their number 10 as well as the inexperience in the pack, it’ll be tough for the Highlanders to push for a top 3 finish in the NZ conference. However, if they can gel as a unit right from the start they may be able to prove their doubters wrong. The Landers’ opening game of the season is away against the Chiefs on Friday 15 February.
Predicted Finish: 4th, (NZ conference), 8th (overall)
BLUES
Head Coach: Leon McDonald
Super Rugby titles: 4
Most recent title: 2003
Most capped player: Keven Mealamu (175 caps)
The perennial underachievers in the NZ conference have finished as the worst kiwi team in the competition for 5 years in a row. A 14th place finish last season forced management to make a change at the top. With Leon McDonald taking over the reins from now assistant coach Tana Umaga, the Auckland based franchise will hope they can finally give their fans something to cheer for after many seasons of misery. With sheer talent across the park, the Blues will be hoping that their squad can finally achieve some positive results with a fresh start in 2019.
Key Players:
Ma’a Nonu & Sonny Bill Williams: If inexperience was the issue last season then the Blues have definitely dealt with it in the most effective way possible, bringing in two of the most potent ball runners in the game. If the Blues are to get themselves out of the state of limbo that they currently find themselves in it’s imperative that the pair click as a duo and get off to a good start. Both players are looking to make the All Black squad and both know what it takes to get there. Hopefully they will put their best foot forward, with the backing of the rest of the squad.
Akira Ioane: One of the most devastating players with ball in hand, the older brother of the incumbent All Black left wing has failed to make the step up to international level. With obvious qualities such as size and pace, his maturity and decision making will be key to his success on the field this season. He has the quality to make the All Blacks squad for the World Cup. Hopefully this motivates him enough so that the neutral rugby lover can witness what we’ve all been waiting to see from Akira.
Player to Watch:
Otere Black: A player who has been spoken about for a few years now, the former Hurricane has had to bide his time playing behind Beauden Barrett for 3 seasons. The Blues have snapped him up and with no established 10 at the franchise this is his best chance yet to repay the faith. Still only 23 years of age, Black has the chance to make the fly half position his own. With players like captain Augustine Pulu as well as experienced campaigners such as Ma’a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams around them, the youngster has the perfect platform to show everyone what they’ve been waiting patiently for.
Even though the positivity around the Blues is well documented this pre-season, it’s tough to see them finish above any of the other four NZ sides. Any improvement this season will depend on every player stepping up and putting their team’s interest before their own. Can Leon McDonald turn a bunch of misplaced talent into a giant crushing force? Their first task of the season is against the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday 16 Feb.
Predicted finish, 4th (NZ conference), 11th, (overall).
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