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The five-team trade that needs to happen in Super Rugby Aotearoa
It is now just a matter of days before live rugby returns, with Super Rugby Aotearoa, a tournament involving the five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises, set to be rugby union’s first foray back into competitive action since the coronavirus outbreak.
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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has ended lockdown in the country, declaring New Zealand coronavirus-free, and that means the games will be able to be attended by fans, something which should only increase the excitement around those upcoming fixtures.
The Highlanders will host the Chiefs at Forsyth Barr Stadium on June 13th, before the Blues take on the Hurricanes in Auckland a day later, with the Crusaders enjoying a bye week for the opening round of fixtures. Saturday and Sunday should prove to be a sizeable step back to normality for rugby fans all over the globe who have been starved of action over the last few months.
Column inches will at last be able to be filled once again with reactions to games, player performances and a general rejoicing in the return of the sport, though as the countdown ticks ever closer to kick-off in Dunedin, we still have a day or two left to fill the rugby void.
Every eye in the rugby world will be fixed on New Zealand for the foreseeable future and it will be a fitting showcase for the talent on offer at the country’s five Super Rugby franchises. New Zealand has accounted for seven of the last eight winners of Super Rugby, with all of their franchises, bar the Blues, responsible for at least one of those titles.
That said, no side is perfect, despite the Crusaders coming close to testing that theory, and we have come up with an elaborate five-man trade between the franchises that could see each of them rise to even greater heights.
We start with those near-perfect Crusaders, with the side from Canterbury the reigning Super Rugby champions, having completed a memorable three-peat back in 2019. There were very few people not backing them for a fourth title this year, either, before the global pandemic ended the cross-border competition.
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There aren’t too many ways you could improve the Crusaders, thanks to the excellent job they do developing homegrown talent, as well as scouting out diamonds in the rough from other areas of New Zealand and honing them into top-end players. The franchise has been able to pick up second, third or even fourth choice schoolboy players from the Auckland region and develop them into All Blacks, and it is a significant endorsement of the culture and coaching in place under Scott Robertson.
As such, in this hypothetical five-team trade, the Crusaders receive exclusive signing rights to a player of their choice in the Blues’ region. It might be a budding prospect at lock to eventually replace the ageing Sam Whitelock or it could perhaps be a marauding No 8, someone who can fill the long-term void left by Kieran Read’s departure. Think of it as a first round draft pick, if you’re au fait with American sports.
If the Crusaders are able to reach the heights they have by developing less heralded prospects from other regions, the prospect of them picking up a top-end talent is a salivating one.
In order for the Crusaders to get those signing rights from the Blues, they ship on lock Quinten Strange to the Highlanders.
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Strange, 23, has performed well and consistently in the shadows of Whitelock, Scott Barrett and Luke Romano, and a move to Dunedin could free him up to flourish away from those big-name second rows. It’s a loss the Crusaders wouldn’t want to have to deal with, although Mitchell Dunshea has also shown himself to an effective option, whilst promising U20 Zach Gallagher is one to keep an eye on as Barrett’s potential long-term partner in the engine room.
Here are the numbers behind Richie McCaw’s legendary 2011 World Cup final on a broken foot. ? ? ? #AllBlacks #RugbyWorldCup pic.twitter.com/uxzdGOi9sf
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 8, 2020
For the Highlanders, Strange could be a starter week in, week out, bolstering an area of their first XV that has lacked a difference-maker for a while now. A partnership with Pari Pari Parkinson might not grab headlines but the pair would complement each other well, they have their best years ahead of them and they could avoid the bulk of international duty with the All Blacks, freeing them up to make the maximum positive impact for the Highlanders.
The Highlanders’ squad is not as talent rich as it once was and there are few positions they can afford to give up a valuable contributor at. That said, the franchise does have a healthy array of young wing options, including Jona Nareki, Ngane Punivai and Vilimoni Koroi, the latter of whom has joined up for Aotearoa, although it could signal a long-term move from 7s to XVs.
As such, it lets them send the freakishly talented Tevita Nabura to the Hurricanes. Nabura has been unlucky with injuries since making the move to the Highlanders and though they would not want to see him go, the practicality of shoring up the second row and trusting in some of the younger outside back options is the right move for them as they attempt to climb back to the summit of Super Rugby.
The Hurricanes do not lack for talent in Wellington and they are still among the most dangerous sides in global club rugby. They have, however, had their fair share of losses over the last 12 months or so.
The bookies may have listed the Highlanders at a whopping $31 to claim the Super Rugby Aotearoa title, but some significant changes could put the club back on the right track.https://t.co/aQDjfpuhpF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 8, 2020
Beauden Barrett departed for the Blues, something which could yet mean the ‘Canes have to rely on Jordie Barrett more often at fly-half and not in the back three, whilst Ben Lam is set to move to Bordeaux this year after his fantastic breakout campaign in 2019. Furthermore, there is an argument that the Wellington-based side are at their best when Vince Aso is deployed in the midfield alongside Ngani Laumape, something which could leave them short with their wing options.
If Nabura can stay fit, he would be the lit match that sets off the powder keg that is the Hurricanes’ squad, though they have sufficient enough options that they can take a high-risk, high-reward punt on the wing. The Fijian would be a destructive force outside of the tempo and sniping of TJ Perenara and the powerful centre pairing of Laumape and Aso.
In order to bring in Nabura, the Hurricanes would have to give up All Black Vaea Fifita to the Chiefs. It would deplete their options in the back row, though the exciting Devan Flanders could see his opportunities increase as a result, as he attempts to nail down a starting spot alongside Ardie Savea, Gareth Evans and Du’Plessis Kirifi.
Fifita could add plenty to the Chiefs’ back row in conjunction with Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson, although it is perhaps at lock where he could have the most impact. With Brodie Retallick set to return from Japan shortly, Fifita could provide an injection of dynamism in tandem with arguably the most complete second row in the global game. With plenty of talent in the front and back rows, adding Fifita as a contrasting and complementary player to Retallick at lock could help make the Chiefs the most dominant pack in New Zealand rugby.
Rugby Australia have been shown a glimmer of hope in their unlikely battle to sign a 16-year-old schoolboy star, who looks poised to sign with an NRL club.https://t.co/S95gn3hGH0
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 8, 2020
Nothing in life comes for free, though, and we complete our merry-go-round of franchise trades with Brad Weber heading from the Chiefs to join up with the Blues. No one wants to lose an All Black, particularly at a position as influential as scrum-half, but the Chiefs are as able to swallow that loss as well as anyone with Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi on their books.
The Blues, meanwhile, get a proven operator at scrum-half to work in tandem with Barrett, as the sleeping giant that is the northernmost franchise in the country attempts to rouse itself. Sam Nock is a promising player, but Weber gives the Blues someone who can be plugged in immediately and help take the franchise back to the top. If the Blues’ pack can give Weber and Barrett a platform, they will have no trouble unleashing the side’s raw but talented back line.
Blues to Crusaders – Exclusive schoolboy signing rights
Crusaders to Highlanders – Quinten Strange
Highlanders to Hurricanes – Tevita Nabura
Hurricanes to Chiefs – Vaea Fifita
Chiefs to Blues – Brad Weber
Comments on RugbyPass
Eye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
42 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
42 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
42 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
42 Go to comments