Best of the best: The top 10 locks in Super Rugby 2021
Super Rugby AU is now just days from starting, while Super Rugby Aotearoa is just over a week away. As the competitions edge that little bit closer, five RugbyPass writers have ranked each position across Australia and New Zealand.
Then by going across all five rankings, a list of the top 10 players per position had been finalised.
We have already revealed our thoughts on who are the best fullbacks, wings, midfielders, flyhalves, halfbacks, No. 8s and flankers on each side of the Tasman, with locks being next up.
The writer-by-writer rankings will soon be made available on the RugbyPass Instagram account, while the average rankings have been used to calculate the following list.
1) Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
Whitelock returned to the Crusaders last year in search of a career revival. Up-and-coming players had put pressure on the now 32-year-old to hold his place in the All Blacks, but since returning to New Zealand, he’s been all class.
Whitelock used his experience, leadership, and rugby IQ to once again to standout at the set-piece; also holding his own around the park. In his 150th Super Rugby match for the Crusaders, he was arguably the man-of-the-match, largely for those reasons.
The seasoned veteran really doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon too, backing it up with an impressive run of tests in the black jersey last year.
2) Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Tuipulotu had arguably his best season in a Blues jersey last year, playing consistently high-level rugby and so nearly leading the Blues to a title.
The Auckland franchise’s skipper appeared in career-best shape, looking fit and fast which led to his dominance on the field. It was revealed by England centre Joe Marchant, who was playing for the Blues at the time, that Tuipulotu was running 9.4 metres per second in Blues training.
Even though he sometimes went quiet while playing for the All Blacks, you can’t question the strides the 28-year-old made in the development of his game.
3) Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
After missing all of Super Rugby Aotearoa with an injury, Barrett is primed and ready to lead the Crusaders this season.
Barrett is held in high regard by pundits, fans and players, showing versatility that not many second rowers embody. He’s very quick, is effective at the set-piece and is a natural leader who could guide the Crusaders to another Super Rugby crown.
He’s not perfect though – there are at times some disciplinary issues with his game, but you can’t say that he’s not world-class. The All Blacks could really benefit from having a fully fit Scott Barrett available in their ranks once test match rugby returns.
4) Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs)
Vaa’i was one of the breakout stars of Super Rugby Aotearoa last year, earning four All Blacks caps at just 20-years-old on the back of his form.
That’s not to say that this was always the plan though, but he handled the big moments well. On the brink of his first All Blacks camp, playing in the North vs South clash, Vaa’i made the most tackles of any player at the time he was subbed off.
As the test season went on, the All Blacks had a bit of a locking crisis but he really stood out when his name was called. He has plenty of potential so for him to already be ranked this high on this list is a credit to what he achieved last year.
5) Quinten Strange (Crusaders)
After making his Mitre 10 Cup debut at just 19-years-old, Strange’s game has come a long way during his time at the Tasman Mako and the Crusaders.
At 24-years-old, he was named in Ian Foster’s All Blacks squads for last year, and even though he didn’t earn a cap partly due to injury, it wouldn’t surprise many to see him get one this year.
He’s an exciting player who brings plenty to the set-piece, and would add plenty to the All Blacks’ growing list of promising locks.
6) Mitchell Dunshea (Crusaders)
The fourth and final Crusader on this list, Dunshea is another player to watch. His work rate is impressive and he was rewarded for that last year – albeit not immediately.
While not initially involved in Ian Foster’s All Blacks squad, Dunshea was called into the camp as an injury replacement for Quinten Strange.
For the Crusaders, he was consistent, starting often, proving reliable in defence and doing plenty of work around breakdown.
The 25-year-old remains on the cusp on national selection, but might get there this year if he takes his chances when he’s on the park.
7) Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds)
The Wallabies had a bit of a locking crisis of their own after the 2019 World Cup, but found a long-term answer in a familiar face – but it is worth noting that he’s the only Wallaby on this list.
Salakaia-Loto is physical, especially in defence, but he runs hard as well and that makes him a handful for any and all opposition. At the lineout, I thought he stood out in moments, and stepped up as a leader in a young Reds side.
While there was a sour moment late last year which saw him red carded against the Pumas, he’s certainly a player to watch who still has plenty of development left in his game.
8) Pari Pari Parkinson (Highlanders)
Parkinson has proven himself to be a promising up-and-coming talent out of the Highlanders, and it wouldn’t have surprised many if he’d been ranked higher on this list.
He works hard around the field, and is a quality option at the lineout for any team he plays for – standing at 204cm.
The 24-year-old has a big year ahead of him, though, with All Blacks selection well and truly a chance. He may have missed out on North vs South honours last year, but expect him to push on as develops his game, and looks to take it to the next level.
9) Josh Dickson (Highlanders)
Prior to a broken leg sustained while playing the Crusaders in round four of last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa, Josh Dickson was head and shoulders above every other player in the competition at the lineout.
The 26-year-old had more than double the number of lineout takes (14) every other player across the country, and was handy at pinching the opposition’s ball at the set piece as well.
That illustrates how he has worked his way to becoming one of the brightest uncapped second rowers in New Zealand after breaking out with some eye-catching displays in 2019, so expect Dickson to work well in tandem with Parkinson again this year.
10) James Blackwell (Hurricanes)
After another strong showing for the Hurricanes last year, Blackwell has justifiably been included in this list.
He’s always been a player who has seemingly had an abundance of energy, doing absolutely everything for his team – including putting his head in some dark places around the breakdown.
As one of the hardest-working players in Super Rugby, could international honours be on the horizon for the 25-year-old?
Comments on RugbyPass
Good to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
16 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
16 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
16 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
16 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
16 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
16 Go to comments