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OPINION: All five Super Rugby franchises have revealed their squads for 2021 and there has been a striking recruitment across the country.
Although several of the signings had been announced in advance, the release of the full squads painted a complete picture of the winners and losers among the Crusaders, Blues, Chiefs Hurricanes and Highlanders squads.
Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Liam Squire scores a try for the All Blacks against the Wallabies in 2018.
The Crusaders will be favorites again, but the Blues and Highlanders, in particular, seem to have landed some key recruits.
Stuff takes a look at the biggest signings of the 2021 season and what role they are likely to play.
READ MORE:
* Summary: Super Rugby Aotearoa squads revealed
* Scott Robertson and New Zealand Rugby ‘coming’ on contract extension
* Crusaders lose All Black Braydon Ennor for Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021
* Super Rugby: Highlanders ‘lost their identity in recent years’: Tony Brown
* Super Rugby: TJ Perenara’s departure leaves Hurricanes with little experience at 9-10
* Super Rugby – Blues add a stripe of young newcomers to bolster a deep and impressive team
* Super Rugby: Highlanders land Liam Squire while All Blacks’ dream ‘still burns’
1 LIAM SQUIRE (Highlanders)
He’s back and judging from the video posted by the Highlanders, he looks fresh and in good condition.
An executor for the All Blacks until injuries cut him off in late 2018, Squire is still just 29 years old and has spent 2020 recovering his body after knee and hip surgery.
The Highlanders plan to increase his playing time gradually and have him shoot for the sharp end of the Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Tony Brown looked like the cat that got the cream when he introduced Squire and is convinced he can be an All Black again.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Zarn Sullivan takes a break against Waikato at Eden Park last month.
2 ZARN SULLIVAN (Blues)
The young and stylish playmaker has a great future and also symbolizes something very important in the Blues: Rising stars like Sullivan, Sam Darry (Canterbury) and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki) now see Auckland as a path to the All Blacks.
Sullivan is likely to rank at fullback, but No. 10 is probably his long-term position, on the Blues and possibly black.
3 NEPO LAULALA (Blues)
Scrum’s demolition of Los Pumas last weekend highlighted their strength and the Blues now have the supporting actions to go head-to-head with the Crusaders.
That assessment will be met with scorn in Canterbury, but the facts don’t lie: The Blues have amassed four All Blacks fixtures and with big men like Patrick Tuipulotu and Josh Goodhue giving the grunt in the engine room, they have the makings of a set. . -a piece of weapon.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Simon Hickey has a great job on the Hurricanes, but his maturity will help ignite his exciting bottom line.
4 SIMON HICKEY (Hurricanes)
Don’t underestimate Auckland’s playmaker, who has leadership qualities and may be exactly what the Hurricanes need in the absence of TJ Perenara.
His low-key play may not attract many headlines, but Hickey is tough and smart and has clearly come back as a best player from his time abroad.
5 XAVIER ROE (Bosses)
It’s a bit like waiting for a bus. The All Blacks have been wondering who could replace Aaron Smith and all of a sudden Roe (Waikato) and Folau Fakatava (Hawke’s Bay, Highlanders) show up at the same time.
21-year-olds are likely to have plenty of playing time in 2021 behind Smith and Brad Weber, respectively, and Roe’s complete game was a feature of the Miter 10 Cup.
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Sione Mafileo has effectively traded places with Nepo Laulala and is a good fit for the Chiefs.
6 SIONE MAFILEO (Bosses)
The North Harbor Bulldozer landed on the Chiefs, offering a lot of reassurance after Nepo Laulala left the Blues.
Harbor’s scrum was immense during the Miter 10 Cup and it was no surprise to see Mafileo summoned on Moana Pasifika’s side to face the Māori All Blacks.
7 SALOMON ALAIMALO (Highlanders)
Will he play winger or winger? The Highlanders have indicated that they will be given a chance to get jersey number 15.
Regardless of where he plays, Alaimalo and Jona Nareki are two-thirds of the three potentially dangerous running backs for the Highlanders.
Dan Mullan / Getty Images
Kazuki Himeno can play back row and his running game will suit the Highlanders.
8 KAZUKI HIMENO (Highlanders)
This kid was world class at the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and his ability to play back row should mean he has plenty of playing time in Super Rugby.
Dynamic with the ball in hand and powerful on the ball, Himeno could well be another reminder that the future of New Zealand rugby must be tied with Japan.
9 WILLIAMS CHILDREN (Crusaders)
Who doesn’t love a 140kg accessory, especially when it also has the ability to carry the ball?
Williams is a young giant and his time with the Māori All Blacks will accelerate his development after a promising Miter Cup 10. Along with his hard-headed teammate Fletcher Newell, definitely one for the future.
FEBRUARY 10 (Highlanders)
The explosive midfielder is likely to be the Highlanders’ 13th alongside Thomas Umaga-Jensen in a powerful midfield.
He has tough lines, produces a lot of volleys and will be a good fit for the Highlanders, who appear capable of putting on a dynamic 23rd game day in 2021.
