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Best of the best: The top 10 midfielders in Super Rugby 2021
As the Super Rugby Aotearoa, Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competitions inch closer to kick-off, a panel of RugbyPass writers have taken it upon themselves to rank the best players across New Zealand and Australia in each position.
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Some have gone for a statistical approach, while other have trusted their gut, but the end result has yielded a list of the top 10 players per position.
We have already revealed who we believe to be the best wings and top fullbacks throughout Australasia, but now we turn our focus to the midfield.
The writer-by-writer rankings will soon be available on Instagram, but here is the overall rankings that have been calculated as an average of the five scribes’ lists.
1) Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
The Mr Dependable of the Chiefs and All Blacks backlines, Anton Lienert-Brown takes the top spot in our overall rankings of the midfielders this year.
With 49 tests to his name at the age of just 25, Lienert-Brown has established himself as one of the premier midfielders in New Zealand since bursting onto the scene as a fresh-faced 21-year-old in 2016.
That much is reflected in how each of the RugbyPass writers ranked Lienert-Brown, with the Chiefs veteran taking top spot in four of the five individual lists.
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Given his twinkle-toe footwork, solid defensive game and quality distribution skills, that should come as little surprise, with Lienert-Brown expected to dominate the No. 12 and No. 13 jerseys for the Chiefs and All Blacks in the years to come.
2) Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)
Similarly to Lienert-Brown, Crusaders star Jack Goodhue has become one of the most reliable players at both Super Rugby and test level.
Equipped with a distinguished passing game, the 25-year-old is also as firm as they come defensively. Both attributes made him a key cog in the Crusaders’ four-peat between 2017 and 2020.
Goodhue will once again be at the forefront of the Christchurch franchise’s quest to add a fifth straight title to their name this year, especially with midfield partner and fellow international Braydon Ennor out for the majority of the season.
3) Jordan Petaia (Reds)
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One of the brightest young talents to emerge out of Australia in quite some time, Jordan Petaia is at the crux of the youthful revolution currently underway at the Reds.
After making his Super Rugby debut as an 18-year-old three years ago, Petaia was still an uncapped teenager when he travelled to Japan for the 2019 World Cup with the Wallabies.
The fact he made his test debut at the tournament while that and inexperienced speaks volumes of his talent and potential.
It’s that talent and potential that will make Petaia a vital member of a powerful Queensland backline – which also features James O’Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Tate McDermott and Suliasi Vunivalu – as they aim to go one place better than last year’s runners-up finish to the Brumbies.
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4) Rieko Ioane (Blues)
The subject of a high-profile move from the left wing to centre last year, Rieko Ioane shone brightly in the No. 13 jersey as part of a resurgent Blues side that dominated Super Rugby Aotearoa.
It was there where Ioane’s attacking ability was on full show, with his top-end speed and large physical frame wreaking havoc for opposition defences as he starred in the position of which he made a name for himself as a schoolboy.
While he is still adjusting to the nuances of the positional switch at test level, the 23-year-old again looms as one of Super Rugby Aotearoa’s top prospects as the Blues look to build on their second-place finish in 2020.
5) Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes)
It took some time to get going in last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, but former schoolboy sensation Peter Umaga-Jensen finally came of age for the Hurricanes in 2020.
Utilising his 1.87m and 102kg body to devastating effect, Umaga-Jensen found himself in scintillating form at the backend of last season, with his definitive performance coming in his side’s win over the Crusaders in Christchurch to end the home side’s four-year unbeaten run at Orangetheory Stadium.
Other compelling displays against the Blues in Wellington and Chiefs in Hamilton helped earn him a test debut against the Wallabies at Eden Park last October.
Should he continue those comprehensive performances this season, Umaga-Jensen will be well-placed to further embed himself in the All Blacks set-up later on down the track.
6) Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes)
Another Hurricanes midfielder to blossom in last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa, Ngani Laumape put the world on notice with a barnstorming display in his side’s victory over the Blues at Sky Stadium.
Eager to impress following criticism of being too one-dimensional, Laumape did just that as he showed off an broad array of skills to complement his powerhouse ball-carrying abilities that make him one of the most damaging attacking players in New Zealand.
It’s not as if the 27-year-old hadn’t impressed in years gone by, scoring 44 tries often in emphatic fashion for the Wellington franchise since 2016, but his dynamite impact was reemphasised not only in that Blues clash, but also the following week in the win over the Crusaders in Christchurch.
While he couldn’t replicate that form for the All Blacks, there’s no doubting the quality Laumape possesses, and he will form one half of an outstanding midfield pairing with Umaga-Jensen.
7) Hunter Paisami (Reds)
Possibly Australia’s answer to Laumape is Reds starlet Hunter Paisami, who emerged out of nowhere to play a starring role for the Queensland side in their second-place Super Rugby AU finish.
Similarly built to Laumape at 1.72m and 96kg, Paisami packed a punch in his debut Super Rugby campaign, partnering well with Petaia in the Reds’ midfield to earn Wallabies honours in his first season of asking.
The 22-year-old featured all six of Australia’s tests last year to show his worth in Dave Rennie’s camp, which will prove valuable for the Reds in their bid for their first Super Rugby title in a decade.
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8) Braydon Ennor (Crusaders)
Sidelined for the Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, Crusaders centre Braydon Ennor is still regarded highly enough by the RugbyPass writers to earn a place on this list.
That’s because his size, pace and distribution skills make him one of the most well-rounded midfielders going in New Zealand.
Had it not been for the ruptured ACL he picked up in the North vs South clash last year, Ennor would have added to his sole test cap in 2020 and would have been a key member of the Crusaders’ tilt to retain the Super Rugby Aotearoa crown.
Nevertheless, hopes remain high that the 23-year-old will return to action in time for the inaugural Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition between May and June.
9) Reece Hodge (Rebels)
Capable of covering a multitude of positions across the backline, Reece Hodge has found a home for himself in the Rebels’ midfield.
There he brings with him a raft of skills, of which include his raking boot and playmaking qualities that saw him flourish at No. 10 in Australia’s surprise win over the All Blacks in Brisbane last November.
It may be that he’s deployed there for the Rebels, or he could feature at fullback or on the wing, but regardless of where he plays, the Melbourne franchise’s hopes of improving on their third-place finish in Super Rugby AU will be placed on Hodge’s shoulders as one of only five capped Wallabies in the squad.
10) Vince Aso (Hurricanes)
Now a long-serving member of the Hurricanes, Vince Aso has proven himself to be equally adept in the midfield or on the wing for the Wellington side.
With Laumape and Umaga-Jensen forming a dangerous partnership in the middle of the park, Aso might be better utilised out wide this season, but it shouldn’t matter where he’s played as he is just as dangerous in either position.
Quick, agile and able to finish off a number of tries that few others could, Aso gives the Hurricanes much-needed depth in their backline and stands as an important figure in the franchise’s ranks this season.
Honourable mentions
As is always the case, there were a select few players who missed the cut despite nominations from various writers.
Two of the most popular players to have missed out were Blues regular TJ Faiane and new Western Force recruit Tevita Kuridrani.
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Irae Simone (Brumbies), Sio Tomkinson (Highlanders) and Hamish Stewart (Reds) also featured on at least of of the writers’ rankings.
Comments on RugbyPass
Exciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
11 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
3 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
3 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
3 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
11 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to comments