Super Rugby is back! The 2018 season format brings back 15 teams across 3 conferences and a playoffs qualification system that actually makes sense (top 8 points go through!). Lots to be excited about and just like last year, we’ve reviewed how the New Zealand conference is shaping up as the first week of NZ team games gets going.

Enjoy!

BLUES

“This is the Blues year…again…honestly!” Are Blues fans are starting to sound like NZ Warriors fans? With their last playoff appearance back in 2011 (the last time the Warriors made the NRL playoffs strangely enough) it would seem the Blues have forgotten that the Super rugby season actually extends past the conference round robin. Last place in the 2017 NZ conference, but 9th overall means if the Blues are to be truly competitive again they have to start winning some NZ derby games. That, of course, is easier said than done. A tournament win at the Global 10s shows some promise, but have they made the right moves in the offseason to earn a playoff spot this year?

The Good:

Reiko Ioane. Possibly the best finisher in world rugby, the Blues would be wise to use him well and often. The one-two punch of SBW and George Moala is a powerful midfield duo most other teams will envy. A dynamite backline all the way from number 9-15 just bursting with x-factor which may finally have the right flyhalf to ignite them in Stephen Perofeta. An untimely broken hand in preseason has him out for the opening few weeks but Bryn Gatland should do well enough in his absence to kick the goals and keep the backline humming until his return. Tana Umaga appears to have finally turned the corner in building a good culture in the big smoke, he’ll be expecting his lads to give it all ’til the final whistle. Final note: they’re due. Really due.

The Bad:

The departure of Steven Luatua and Charlie Faumuina leave decent sized holes in the somewhat unproven forward pack. Can an aging Jerome Kaino still inspire his teammates to lift their standards? Can Patrick Tuipulotu finally play to his monstrous potential? There is plenty of other firepower in this squad but the limited leadership resources in these charges could be their undoing once more: they were well in the hunt towards the end of several games last season only to lose their way in the big moments. Early W’s in the local derby’s are crucial to building confidence in this Blues campaign, but nothing comes for free in the NZ conference. The hand injury to Perofeta could prove costly to building essential backline combinations that will be required when the pressure is on.

Prediction: 4th

Forwards: Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Dalton Papalii, Glenn Preston, Kara Pryor, Murphy Taramai

Backs: Sam Nock, Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Ruru, Otere Black/Daniel Kirkpatrick, Bryn Gatland, Stephen Perofeta, Matt Johnson, George Moala, Tamati Tua, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams, Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melani Nanai, Jordan Trainor

CHIEFS

A new coaching group with a young talented squad at their disposal, a change of staff can often revitalise a team, but with a new coach comes a new style and it would be unrealistic to expect everything to run perfectly straight out of the gate. A lot rests on the shoulders of their All Black athletes to set the tone early.

The Good:

Damien McKenzie is a pure excitement machine and got better with every game in 2017. Sam Cane and Brodie Retallick are the gold standard in their respective positions and will be the driving force of the forward pack, and a front three all with test caps will go a long way too. Brad Webber will look to put his injury-plagued 2017 season behind him and reach his potential as the charismatic spark behind the forward pack.

The Bad:

Loss of several key cogs to the Chiefs machine. New coach Colin Cooper will attempt to fill the big shoes of Dave Rennie. Big change in the 9-10 department where Aaron Cruden and Tawera Kerr Barlow will be missed dearly, hard to replace that level of experience and excellence. Opening their account vs the Crusaders, and with 8 of their 13 games away from home, it is a rough schedule and will be a fairly tough battle for championship points, home wins are crucial in this campaign. MacKenzie at flyhalf is a gamble of epic proportions, if he shines then so too will the Chiefs. If he barely treads water trying to direct the ship then they’ve lost possibly their best-attacking weapon purely for the lack of a better option in the 10 jersey. Could potentially lead to some quiet games for the outside backs, a real feast or famine scenario for the wingers, who don’t have the same threat of last season without James Lowe on the team sheet.

Prediction: 3rd

Forwards: Liam Polwart, Nathan Harris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Atu Moli, Kane Hames, Mitchell Graham, Nepo Laulala, Sosefo Kautai, Brodie Retallick, Dominic Bird, Fin Hoeata, Michael Allardice, Lachlan Boshier, Liam Messam, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Karpik, Sam Cane, Taleni Seu, Tyler Ardron

Backs: Brad Weber, Jonathan Taumateine, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Damian McKenzie, Marty McKenzie, Tiaan Falcon, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Charlie Ngatai, Johnny Fa’auli, Regan Verney, Levi Aumua, Sam McNicol, Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo, Toni Pulu, Tim Nanai-Williams

CRUSADERS

The defending champs, is this the beginning of another Crusaders dynasty? Quality right across the park. 18 players in the squad have worn the black jersey, some real experience to draw from there. No real signs of weakness when at full strength so expect the ‘saders to be in the mix come playoff time if they can negotiate the early rounds while underpowered.

The Good:

Quality right across the park. Expect this powerful Crusaders team to be well in the mix at playoff time once more. Richie Mo’unga had a good 2017 super rugby reason and a stellar ITM Cup for Canterbury. With Sopoaga signed up in the northern hemisphere at the conclusion of this super season, expect Mo’unga to be putting his hand up for the position of All Black flyhalf understudy behind Beaudy Barrett. Sam Whitelock seems to grow another arm and leg when at the helm of this team so expect nothing different from him when he leads them out into battle again. Will Jordan is another to keep a close eye on, he was outstanding at the U20 World Cup last year and looks to have the goods at senior level too. Doesn’t hurt to have the All Black skipper on your ranks either.

The Bad:

Injuries and offseason surgeries to Kieran Read, Owen Franks and Joe Moody will see them make a late return to the super season, the ‘saders will have a slight vulnerability to their forward pack in their absence so early wins will be even tougher to come by for the notoriously late starting Crusaders. Israel Dagg is also likely to miss a decent chunk of the season too. If competition points are dropped early then top seed and a home semi-final may slip through their fingers with it.

Prediction: 2nd

Forwards: Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor, Mike Alaalatoa, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Scott Barrett, Mitchell Dunshea, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock, Ethan Blackadder, Billy Harmon, Kieran Read, Tom Sanders, Pete Samu, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd

Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Bryn Hall, Jack Stratton, Mike Delany, Mitchell Hunt, Richie Mo’unga, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge, Israel Dagg, David Havili, Will Jordan, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele, Seta Tamanivalu

HIGHLANDERS

Another season, another new coach in Aaron Mauger. Led by 2 of the best Smiths in the business in Ben and Aaron, can they carry the southern lads to the playoff holy grounds again? With only Squire, Naholo and the Smiths likely to be called away for All Black camps, the bulk of this squad should remain together throughout which will help strengthen their combinations. Is there a fairytale finish on the cards for Lima Sopoaga before he departs for the northern hemisphere?

The Good:

A fresh Ben Smith will lead the ‘landers and he’ll be looking to find form early on the back of his sabbatical after last years concussion-plagued season. The loose forward trio of Squire, Whitelock and Lentjes(once he returns from injury) will be competitive enough, and the speed of Buckman and Faddes in the midfield should create plenty of opportunities on the counter-attack. A nice run of home games to kick off the season(vs Blues, Stormers, Crusaders) should help the ‘landers get the season off to a good start, if they can head into that Crusaders match with 2 W’s in the bank then expect that local derby to be a real doozy of a match.

The Bad:

Malakai Fekitoa(now in Toulon) will be greatly missed in the midfield, neither Faddes or Buckman have his line breaking power or defensive abilities. The release of Marty Banks doesn’t help either, the absence of his utility skillset on the bench will hurt. A bye after only one game, and burning their second in round 8, doesn’t bode well for building early momentum or confidence. It’s too early in Aaron Mauger’s coaching career to really know what style of play he will command the ‘landers to put out on the paddock, but if he can galvanise the southern boys early and get points on the board this ‘landers outfit may yet have a say come playoff time.

Prediction: 5th

Forwards: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Guy Millar, Aki Seiuli, Siate Tokolahi, Kalolo Tuiloma, Alex Ainley, Josh Dickson, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Pari Pari Parkinson, Elliot Dixon, Shannon Frizell, Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes, Dan Pryor, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock

Backs: Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Aaron Smith, Josh Ioane, Fletcher Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Richard Buckman, Patelesio Tomkinson, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Matt Faddes, Tevita Li, Josh McKay, Tevita Nabura, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith

HURRICANES

The only team to topple the champion Crusaders in 2017, the ‘canes will be out to reclaim top dog status in the NZ ranks. A very solid squad across the board, an early meeting with the Crusaders in round 3 will give us a good look at who is likely to top the NZ conference.

The Good:

Beaudy. Again in 2017 named World Rugby Player of the Year, he is the major strike weapon in the ‘canes arsenal and if he garners enough attention from the opposition you can expect the rest of his electric backline to run amuck in the empty channels. His strong connection with live-wire halfback TJ Perenara will continue to be a strength also. A relatively unchanged squad from last year, at full strength they will fear no one. With 29 tries between Ngani Laumape and Vince Aso last year in the midfield, smart money says they’ll be scoring in abundance again this season too. Keep an eye on young hooker Asafo Aumua (once fit again) to gain valuable game time experience while Dane Coles makes his way back from injury too.

The Bad:

Coles likely out until June, plus Jordie Barrett and Nehe Milner Skudder will miss the first few weeks minimum as well. Julian Saveas form has always fluctuated somewhat, but this downward trend has lingered far too long, he’s well overdue an uptick or the doors will close for good on his attempt to break the All Black try-scoring record. Two away games first up, followed by a home game vs the champion Crusaders, means another tough schedule to overcome but if they can go 3 from 3 they’ll be sitting very pretty. While they have many talented backs, I can’t help but feel that if Beaudy gets a serious injury then the ‘canes can kiss the playoffs goodbye, such is his importance to this team.

Prediction: 1st

Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Alex Fidow, Reg Goodes, Ben May, Toby Smith, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, James Blackwell, Murray Douglas, Michael Fatialofa, Sam Lousi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Gareth Evans, Vaea Fifita, Sam Henwood, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson

Backs: Jamie Booth, Finlay Christie, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Jackson Garden-Bachop, TJ Va’a, Ihaia West, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea