While Dane Coles hasn't explicitly called said that 2021 will be his final season playing professional rugby, he also hasn't ruled it out. One way or another, a national replacement for the hooker will be needed in the very near future.
With the new Super Rugby campaign just hours away from kick-off, we look at three key match-ups that could define the opening round of the season.
Super Rugby 
Super Rugby Aotearoa 
Super Rugby Super Rugby Aotearoa Super Rugby Super Rugby Aotearoa Super Rugby Super Rugby Super Rugby Aotearoa | Round 7 | P | W | L | D | PF | PA | PD | BP T | BP -7 | BP | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-  Sharks | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 213 | 153 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
-  Crusaders | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 189 | 105 | 84 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
-  Brumbies | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 208 | 115 | 93 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 23 |
-  Blues | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 192 | 134 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
-  Chiefs | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 194 | 128 | 66 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 |
-  Stormers | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 118 | 94 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
-  Jaguares | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 169 | 135 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
-  Hurricanes | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 168 | 135 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
-  Rebels | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 166 | 160 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
-  Reds | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 219 | 176 | 43 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
-  Highlanders | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 91 | 163 | -72 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
-  Bulls | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 115 | 152 | -37 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
-  Waratahs | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 104 | 214 | -110 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
-  Lions | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 109 | 200 | -91 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
-  Sunwolves | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 101 | 292 | -191 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Round 7 |
|---|
| - Sharks |
| - Crusaders |
| - Brumbies |
| - Blues |
| - Chiefs |
| - Stormers |
| - Jaguares |
| - Hurricanes |
| - Rebels |
| - Reds |
| - Highlanders |
| - Bulls |
| - Waratahs |
| - Lions |
| - Sunwolves |
Karl Tuinukuafe Prop 
Kurt Eklund Hooker 
Luteru Tolai Hooker 
Ofa Tuungafasi Prop 
Nepo Laulala Prop 
James Lay Prop 
Gerard Tuioti-Mariner Lock 
Joshua Goodhue Lock 
Tom Robinson Lock 
Patrick Tuipulotu Lock 
Dalton Papali'i Flanker 7 
Adrian Choat Flanker 7 
Akira Ioane Number 8 
Hoskins Sotutu Number 8 
Wales 
England 
Ireland 
France 
Scotland 
Italy 
Fiji 
Georgia 
Australia 
Argentina 
New Zealand 
South Africa 
Exeter Chiefs 
Bath 
Bristol 
Gloucester 
Harlequins 
Leicester 
London Irish 
Northampton 
Sale 
Saracens 
Racing 92 
Benetton 
Connacht 
Ospreys 
Ulster 
Toulouse 
Leinster 
Clermont 
Munster 
Bordeaux 
Gwent Dragons 
Zebre 
Bayonne 
Brive 
Pau 
Worcester 
Agen 
Cardiff Blues 
Kings 
Cheetahs 
Scarlets 
Glasgow 
Edinburgh 
Rebels 
Force 
Brumbies 
Waratahs 
Reds 
Chiefs 
Blues 
Hurricanes 
Highlanders 
Crusaders 
Pumas 
Cheetahs 
Griquas 
Sharks 
Lions 
Bulls 
Stormers 
Sharks 
Counties Manukau 
Hawkes Bay 
Tasman Makos 
Otago 
Wellington 
Waikato 
Canterbury 
Southland Stags 
Auckland 
Golden Lions 
Western Province 
Blue Bulls 
Montpellier 
Castres 
Blues 
