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Ex-All Black picks out the key signings from each NZ Super Rugby Pacific team
The announcement of each team’s squad list for next year’s inaugural edition of Super Rugby Pacific caught the eyes of fans across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands earlier this week.
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From a Kiwi standpoint, the unveiling of each squad gave onlookers a chance to properly assess which of the five New Zealand franchises – all of whom have dominated the competition in recent years – look best-placed to challenge for the title in 2022.
Most neutrals will agree that the Blues and Crusaders stand as the early frontrunners to push for silverware after they picked up this year’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman and Super Rugby Aotearoa titles, respectively.
The star power and depth across both squads will make both teams a formidable threat to whichever team they come up against.
In the case of the Blues, the Auckland-based franchise have nine All Blacks who played test rugby in 2021 in their ranks, with a further three Kiwi internationals in the form of Caleb Clarke, Alex Hodgman and Luke Romano.
The additional signing of former NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has increased the hype and anticipation surrounding Leon MacDonald’s squad.
However, ex-Blues captain James Parsons believes the strength of his former side’s squad is underpinned by the competitiveness for starting spots in certain positional groups.
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Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Parsons pointed to the recruitment of former Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli as an unheralded signing made by the Blues, but one that is significant due to the depth it gives their squad in the No 2 role.
The former two-test All Black suggested that the Blues will be a better team for the competition Riccitelli, who ex-All Blacks squad member, will provide for 2020 North Island representative Kurt Eklund and promising youngster Soane Vikena.
“I think there’s been some great signings by the Blues. One is Ricky Riccitelli,” Parsons told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“We know how awesome he’s been for the Hurricanes when he stepped into that role, and I think the competition between himself, Kurt Eklund and Soane Vikena will be awesome for their individual growth, but also for the Blues with everyone vying for minutes, which is great.”
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Parsons said the Chiefs are in a similar position at first-five following the arrival of one-test All Blacks playmaker Josh Ioane from the Highlanders.
A Crusaders star has pinpointed which side poses the biggest threat to his team’s chances of winning a sixth Super Rugby title in as many years in 2022. #SuperRugbyPacific https://t.co/qsoOxRK4Wa
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 27, 2021
With All Blacks star Damian McKenzie missing next year’s season to play in Japan, Ioane is set to compete for the No 10 jersey alongside the likes of Kaleb Trask and Bryn Gatland, which Parsons said is an exciting prospect for the Hamilton-based franchise.
“If you look at the Chiefs, first-five depth is pretty exciting. That competitive environment is a big thing,” he said before acknowledging the importance of Brodie Retallick’s return to the Chiefs for the first time since 2019.
“I just mentioned that with the hookers [at the Blues] there, but I think Josh Ioane played some fantastic footy towards the backend of this NPC. You’ve got Kaleb Trask there. He’s proven to perform really well there at Super level.
“Bryn Gatland, I don’t need to wax lyrical about him, because I’ve pretty much done that for the last two years, but I think that’s exciting for them, and with Damian heading off, bringing a guy like Brodie Retallick back into the mix is special as well.”
Similarly to their North Island counterparts, Parsons said the Hurricanes will benefit from the acquisition of ex-Blues flanker Blake Gibson, who will challenge incumbent Hurricanes openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi for the No 7 jersey.
“I think the Canes have done really well recruiting-wise. Tei Walden, Blake Gibson, some really solid, experienced guys to bring into that group to set the back three alight and maybe challenge a couple of players in there for spots,” he said.
“Du’Plessis Kirifi’s there [with] Blake, that competition is key, so I think most sides have recruited well.”
Further south, Parsons said the arrival of Los Pumas star Pablo Matera and three-test All Blacks halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi has only made the Crusaders stronger as they eye their sixth title in as many years.
“Pablo Matera down at the Crusaders, and I think Triple T [Tahuriorangi] is a big one,” he told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, which featured long-serving Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall on the panel.
Tyrone Thompson isn’t like fellow Chiefs newbies Gideon Wrampling, Samipeni Finau and Cortez Ratima, who all hail from the Waikato. Instead, he’s been plucked out of the Wellington NPC team. #SuperRugbyPacific #Hurricaneshttps://t.co/FaRWumSobQ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 27, 2021
“We’ve spoken about him on here, but that depth at halfback is key because we know, and I’ll touch wood as I say this, but they’ve been very fortunate that Bryn and Drummy [Mitchell Drummond] have stayed fit for three or four years, but having that security of someone that’s represented the All Blacks in that third spot is massive.
“I suppose it’s not really fair for me to say third spot, is it? I suppose it’s straight away a blank canvas. You boys will be competing for that No 9 jersey from the get-go.”
As for the Highlanders, Parsons added that the arrivals of franchise legends Gareth Evans and Marty Banks gives the Dunedin club some much-needed experience as they continue their rebuild following the mass exodus of 2019.
“The Highlanders bringing back Gareth Evans, sort of replacing Liam Squire, I think players like that have been awesome, and Marty Banks, as well, I think is key for them.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments