New faces, returning legends and a four-peat roadblock: what's not to love about Super Rugby 2020?
It may still be January, but the 25th season of Super Rugby will kick off later this week and it’s hard not to get excited about what the new year offers.
The Rugby World Cup is over and so too are the careers of many of Super Rugby’s greatest stalwarts.
Kieran Read, David Pocock, Handre Pollard and plenty more have left their teams to chase a few extra dollars overseas, which leaves plenty of spots in Super Rugby rosters for young, fresh talent.
The Crusaders, who will be seeking their fourth Super Rugby title on the trot, have lost over 1100 worth of Super Rugby caps. They’ve still retained head coach Scott Robertson, who missed out on the All Blacks coaching job, but even the best club in the world will struggle to replace the sheer quantity and quality of experience and brilliance they’ve now lost.
It’s not just the young guns that will make 2020 a great year – it’s also the return of a number of stalwarts of the game.
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Aaron Cruden, who helped the Chiefs to two titles, will again be on the books for his old team this season. Morne Steyn, who went one better than Cruden and won three titles with the Bulls, is also back on deck. Willem Alberts, who last turned out for a Super side in 2015, has signed up for a stint with the Lions while Wallaby James O’Connor is also back in the competition.
With so many comings and goings, what should fans expect to see from the latest iteration of Super Rugby?
The Crusaders won’t achieve the four-peat
No matter which way you look at it, the Crusaders are going to have to do some serious rebuilding this year.
They’ve lost Read, Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd, Owen Franks, Ryan Crotty, Tim Perry, Jordan Taufua, Ben Funnell, Mitchell Hunt and Tim Bateman from last year’s squad – players who would walk into most international squads around the world.
Richie Mo'unga has been #SuperRugby's top first five over the last three years but that's been helped by the incredible pack at the @CrusadersRugby. He won't have that luxury in 2020, writes @TomVinicombe. https://t.co/MpDhMB0lAY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 15, 2020
They still have plenty of All Blacks on their books in the backline and there are promising up-and-comers that will eventually replace the lost talent in the pack, but it’s evident that 2020’s crop will be a significant step down from what the Crusaders have been able to field for their last three championships.
Contrast their fortunes with the likes of the Chiefs, who’s only significant loss is Brodie Retallick. Last year, the Chiefs managed to stumble into the finals despite going without Retallick, Sam Cane and Damian McKenzie for the majority of the season. The latter two will make a huge difference to their franchise’s campaign, while Cruden’s return will add a bit more experience to the backline. Warren Gatland’s arrival in the Waikato is also a major boon for the team.
Australia’s next World Cup first five will make a statement
Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper and Christian Lealiifano have all left Australia’s shores and only Foley is still eligible for the Wallabies under the Giteau Law.
The Rebels’ Matt Toomua is the only remaining Wallaby with any significant experience at 10 – though some may try to make a case for Kurtley Beale or James O’Connor.
Regardless, the Australian franchises are now being forced into replacing their experienced playmakers with young talent.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7E9b-FgO9x/
It’s not exactly the most well-planned cycle, with many of Australia’s potential future first fives all completely devoid of experience even at the Super Rugby level.
Ideally, the young men stepping into the defectors’’ boots would have at least earned spent some time on the paddock last year, but that’s not the situation the likes of the Brumbies and Waratahs find themselves in.
For the opening week of Super Rugby, relative newbies Isaac Lucas (Reds), Noah Lolesio (Brumbies) and Will Harrison (Waratahs) will all start at 10.
20-year-old Lucas proved a handful for opposition defences in the few matches he played for the Reds in 2019, but that was mainly at fullback. Now, the talented Under 20 star will have to showcase his playmaking skills from closer to the action. Lolesio and Harrison, however, are both uncapped.
The Wallabies’ new head coach, Dave Rennie, will be hoping that one of these young guns can show at least a glimmer of potential at first five, otherwise Australia could be in for another tumultuous World Cup cycle.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1212924881609711616
Newbie midfielders will make waves across the park
Across all 15 franchises, there’s been an exodus of experienced midfielders.
New Zealand has lost Ryan Crotty, Matt Proctor, Ma’a Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams; gone from Australia is Samu Kerevi, who was just starting to put out regular world-beating performances; and South Africa have farewelled the likes of Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Lionel Mapoe and JJ Engelbrecht.
Meanwhile, Argentina’s sole franchise haven’t given up any major midfielders but Japan’s Sunwolves have completely new personnel in the middle of the pitch.
Thankfully, there’s plenty of young centres who have stepped up in the last few years who are now more than capable of taking on senior midfield roles.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7BBTeNAUQV/
The Reds’ Jordan Petaia is possibly the most exciting young prospect coming through the ranks and looked experienced beyond his years at 2019’s World Cup. His Super Rugby season was cut short last year but expect him to make a huge impact in Queensland in 2020.
Equally as promising across the ditch is Quinn Tupaea at the Chiefs. He might struggle for game time as the season advances, with a number of more experienced heads available in Hamilton, but the former New Zealand Under 20 representative will earn his debut against the Blues this weekend.
Over in the republic, 21-year-old Wandisile Simelane had a huge Currie Cup for the Lions and will be desperate for some more minutes with South Africa’s best performing Super team from over the last few years.
There’s also a Super Rugby newbie at the Stormers by the name of Jamie Roberts who should draw a fair amount of attention. After representing Cardiff, Racing 92, Harlequins, Bath, Wales, and the British and Irish Lions, Roberts is now testing his body in the Southern Hemisphere’s premier club competition.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1218101921250185216
The Blues will make the playoffs
‘This will be our year’ seems to have been the Blues’ slogan for the last decade of Super Rugby until about the second round of each year’s competition.
Whilst jaded fans have wisely talked up their chances too much ahead of the 2020 season, there’s plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu and Melani Nanai are the only major losses from last year – and the former two shared the midfield workload due to their various injuries and ailments.
They’ve recruited smartly in the off-season, bringing in England centre Joe Marchant and All Black Beauden Barrett (although he won’t feature until later in the year) and there’s a fairly settled look to the franchise this year.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7rh_gkgkhc/
Of course, there are still question marks over their pack mobility and efficiency, but this Blues side looks as well prepared as any over the last ten years to actually make a run for some Super Rugby glory.
Expect big things from young flanker Dalton Papalii, who will be striving for an All Blacks jersey later in the season.
If the trio of Stephen Perofeta (who is finally fit), Harry Plummer and Otere Black can guide the team from 10, then things could go very well for the Blues this year – especially if they’re still in the playoff hunt come Barrett’s arrival in April.
WATCH: Catch up on all of the very best from Round 3 of the Top League, featuring a host of international stars including Carter, Kahui, Retallick, Kerevi, Marks, Giteau, Snyman, Read, and many more!
Comments on RugbyPass
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood 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.
30 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.
9 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.
30 Go to comments