Look who's back: All the New Zealand stars that have returned for a supersized Mitre 10 Cup
Every cloud has a silver lining and from a New Zealand rugby point of view, the silver lining of the COVID pandemic is undeniably the return of a number of experienced operators from around the world for what’s shaping up to be an exciting provincial season.
There was hope that some of the former All Blacks and Super Rugby players that are based in Japan might temporarily make themselves available for this season’s Mitre 10 Cup but that hasn’t transpired due to a raft of complicated issues. However, there will still be a healthy contingent of experienced operators who have returned home and will be donning their province’s colours in the coming weeks.
Simon Hickey – Auckland
Former King’s College first five Simon Hickey previously spent four seasons with Auckland and two with the Blues before heading to Europe at the end of 2016.
Following successful stints with Bordeaux Begles and Edinburgh, Hickey signed with the Hurricanes late in the Super Rugby Aotearoa season and has now found himself back with his home province.
Hickey will compete with Harry Plummer for the starting playmaker role.
Kieran Read and Baden Kerr – Counties Manukau
When Baden Kerr re-signed with Counties, it was considered a little bit of a coup. When it was announced that Kieran Read would finally be packing down with the South Aucklanders for a Mitre 10 season, all hell should have broken loose.
The former All Blacks captain has had a lengthy break from the game, playing just a handful of matches for Toyota Verblitz before the Top League season was called to a halt. New Zealand hasn’t seen a fully refreshed Read take the field for many a year so how the powerful loose forward fares in the provincial game is anyone’s guess.
The addition of Kerr, who left NZ in 2014 for England but ended up in Japan, also offers the Steelers a much needed experienced hand at first five.
Liam Messam and Patrick Osborne – Waikato
Liam Messam is the gift that keeps on giving for the Waikato region. The former sevens star left New Zealand following the successful 2015 World Cup in England and represented Toshiba Brave Lupus for four seasons but also popped back to the homeland to grab a couple of extra seasons with the Chiefs. Now that Messam has finished up his one-year stint in France, the most capped Chief of all time is back adding his experience to a young Waikato squad. Adam Thomson will also be present, having returned to NZ last season to link up with Otago.
In a rugby year like no other, the importance of #Mitre10Cup being a success for @NZRugby should not be overlooked.
But for the young players, this is also the first big shot at the big time, and that matters too.
Read my latest on @RugbyPass ?
https://t.co/ZcSx0TvvBf— Michael Pulman ????? (@realmikepulman) September 8, 2020
Flying Fijian Patrick Osborne, meanwhile, was on hand for the Highlanders’ Super Rugby title win in 2015 and will be looking to reach a half century of provincial caps in the upcoming season. Osborne, like so many others, has recently been based in Japan.
Bryn Evans and Lolagi Visinia – Hawke’s Bay
When Bryn Evans was called up to the All Blacks in 2009, few across the country had heard of the grafting second-rower who’d played just a handful of Super Rugby matches. Injuries curtailed Evans’ career in New Zealand but the brother of Hurricanes flanker and Magpies teammate Gareth had plenty of success in Europe with London Irish, Biarritz and Sale.
Lolagi Visini’s career followed a completely different trajectory. Visinia was seemingly destined for greatness and made a big impact when he first arrived onto the scene as a rangey outside back for Auckland but eventually ceded that higher honours would probably never arrive and he made the decision to depart NZ in 2016. Having played in France and Japan, the 27-year-old still has plenty to offer Hawke’s Bay on his return to the country.
Julian Savea – Wellington
‘The Bus’ was once a regular figure on the Wellington, Hurricanes and All Blacks wings – dominating opposition wherever he went. When his time in the national set-up looked to be coming to an end, Savea headed to Toulon where he shifted into the midfield.
With ample options throughout the backline, there are no certainties where the returning hulk will line up – but you’ll certainly feel for whichever man ends up marking him. Savea has his sights set on an All Blacks recall so expect to see him firing from week one.
Quentin MacDonald and Kieron Fonotia – Tasman
Tasman have bolstered their already formidable side with the inclusion of wings Sevu Reece and Mark Telea, but they’ve also managed to bring two of their former stars back home for the upcoming season.
Quentin MacDonald notched up almost 80 appearances for the Mako between 2007 and 2015 before taking his wares to Oyonnax in France. The 31-year-old hooker spent time with the Crusaders, Blues and Chiefs during his time in NZ and will go toe-to-toe with Andrew Makalio for minutes.
Kieron Fonotia has spent the better part of the last four years in Wales while also representing Samoa. While Tasman are absolutely stacked in the backs, Reece and Will Jordan’s elevation to the All Blacks might open up a spot for the midfielder on the wing.
Jamie Mackintosh and Josh Hohneck – Otago
Betrayals don’t come any worse than this – at least from a Southlander’s point of view. Whoppa, as Jamie Mackintosh is affectionately known, clocked up over 120 matches for the Stags over an 11-year career with the side but will represent Otago this year.
With 88 Super Rugby caps to his name and stints playing in France and the United States (plus two matches for the All Blacks), Mackintosh will add plenty of experience to a front row that will also welcome the return of Josh Hohneck. Hohneck has represented Gloucester since 2016, managing to tick off a Premiership century shortly before the COVID-enforced suspension of the season earlier this year.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets 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?
11 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.
10 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.
11 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.
24 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.
10 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.
17 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 comments