A Premiership 'New Signing' XV ahead of 2018/19
The coming Premiership season looks set to be a competitive one, with almost all the teams in the division bringing in a wealth of talent who will hope to make an instant impact.
Connor Whittick has been looking at players joining the Premiership from abroad, and assessed what they will bring to their new clubs:
1 Zurab Zhvania (Wasps)
While he’s not the first Georgian prop to play in the Premiership, Zhvania was picked up from Stade Francais where he made a name for himself with dynamic carrying and solid scrum work (he is Georgian, after all). The scrum hasn’t always been Wasps’ strongest asset in recent times, and Zhvania should help rectify this.
2 Franco Marais (Gloucester)
Replacing the departing Richard Hibbard will not be an easy task, but Marais is respected in South Africa and represented their ‘A’ side against the French Barbarians last year.
3 Ruan Dreyer (Gloucester)
A favourite of Ruan Ackermann’s, the tighthead has the big task of replacing John Afoa, so eyes will be on the Kingsholm forward to assert himself at scrumtime.
4 Michael Fatialofa (Worcester)
Played nearly every minute of every match in Hurricanes’ 2016 Super Rugby season, but suffered from a leg infection that kept him out of the game for nearly a year. Will hope to regain his Super Rugby form.
Continue reading below…
5 Franco Mostert (Gloucester)
Easily capable of playing lock and flanker, Mostert is a hard-working South African international who is likely to have a huge role at Gloucester, where he will be reunited with former boss Johan Ackermann. A very big signing for Gloucester and one that reflects how ambitious they are for the coming season.
6 Connor Collett (Newcastle)
Known in New Zealand for his strong defensive game, which pundits have compared him to England World Cup winner Joe Worsley. English qualified and a similar signing to that of Gary Graham last year, who proved to be a huge addition to Newcastle’s back row.
7 Jaco Kriel (Gloucester)
Injury has kept Kriel from seeing too much game time this season, but when fit he is undoubtedly one of the most competent flankers in World Rugby. Equally strong in the loose and the tight, and with an immense engine, Kriel will hope to impress this season so that he will regain his place in the South African setup.
8 Brad Shields (Wasps)
A controversial England selection against South Africa, the Hurricanes captain has won many plaudits in New Zealand, and was a key member of Hurricanes’ Super Rugby winning side in 2016 alongside Fatialofa. Could play a big part in England’s World Cup, with Eddie Jones reportedly a big fan.
9 Nic Stirzaker (Bristol Bears)
Saracens fans may remember this English-qualified scrum half from a brief spell at the Allianz last season. Been an important member of the Rebels squad for the last six seasons, and will be battling with Harry Randall to be Bristol’s first choice nine.
10 Lima Sopoaga (Wasps)
One of the highest profile signings going into the new season, Wasps beat off competition from numerous French sides to secure the signing of Sopoaga, who has been one of the most consistent fly halves in Super Rugby for years. Wasps fans will expect a lot from the man replacing Danny Cipriani, but there are not many tens in World Rugby more up for the job.
11 Andrew Kellaway (Northampton Saints)
The Aussie back broke a record by scoring ten tries in the 2014 IRB Junior World Cup, and joins Northampton Saints alongside another Waratahs winger, Taqele Naiyaravoro. Equally confident on the wings or at fifteen, Kellaway’s age and ability mean he could have an extremely long and successful career at the Midlands side.
12 Rohan Janse Van Rensburg (Sale Sharks)
Like Stirzaker, RJVR had a spell in the Premiership last year where he impressed at Sale, earning himself a long-term contract for the seasons ahead. Two seasons ago the centre was regarded as one of the most talented players in World Rugby, with his immense physicality and pace his most significant assets, but his form has not been the same since a string of injuries. If he can regain his 2016 Super Rugby form he will have a huge role in a new-look Sale backline.
13 Francois Venter (Worcester Warriors)
Another South African international heading to the Premiership, Venter is a dependable and solid player who follows his former coach Rory Duncan to Sixways Stadium, where he will likely partner Ben Te’o in the centres.
14 Alex Cuthbert (Exeter Chiefs)
Cuthbert hasn’t exactly had the best of luck with his recent performances for Cardiff and Wales, but has copped an unfair amount of stick from rugby supporters and pundits. When firing the large winger can be unstoppable, and if any Prem coach is going to get the best out of him it is Rob Baxter. A very intriguing signing and one that could have huge dividends for the Devonians.
15 Charles Piutau (Bristol Bears)
Rumoured to be one of the highest paid players in World Rugby, this will be Piutau’s second spell in the Premiership, where he will reunite with his brother Siale. The former All Black was the former Pro 12’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2017, and is well known in rugby circles for his explosive turn of pace and footwork.
Which of these signings do you think will have the biggest impact in the Gallagher Premiership next season?
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments