Super Rugby 2023
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Three players to watch.
Im keen to have a good look at Fabian Holland. After all the hype
And to see how Love develops if he gets game time at FB. And maybe a run at 1st at times. But he would need a big improvement to his previous starts at first in super rugby. Although he was too young then and not really suited to first but Canes at not strong in this position. Ever since Barrett left. And Cameron starts the year injured so still not strong with only an up and down Morgan and a new player (Godfrey)
Super Rugby never fails to deliver in promoting young talent. Who's a player you have tabbed to make a move in '23?
Hinton: There’s something about Blues flanker Anton Segner that exudes top-end class. He will have to be patient around opportunities in a loose trio with three All Blacks, but this is a kid with all the tools, and set to be an important figure over the next cycle. Watch him come of age.
Cully: Highlanders lock Fabian Holland, although the All Blacks won't get their hands on the 20-year-old Dutchman until ‘25. Holland is out early with a knee injury, but when fit he'll be in the Highlanders' 23. He's big, mobile, learns quickly and competes hard for every inch on either side of the ball.
Knowler: Ruben Love will be worth watching. Injury will delay his start with the Hurricanes, but if the fullback/first-five builds on his performances with Wellington in the NPC last year, and later the All Blacks XV up north, you can expect him to feature in punters’ conversations.
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Couple of players I think will be hitting their straps AND get enough game time to show the goods are Stevenson and ENS.
Both had it rough selection wise last year but then SS fired for the rep end of the year. ENS looks to have grown into himself and may just show what he is capable of.Edit: add Aumua to that list. A good season and he gets to go to the RWC.
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@Crucial said in Super Rugby 2023:
Couple of players I think will be hitting their straps AND get enough game time to show the goods are Stevenson and ENS.
Both had it rough selection wise last year but then SS fired for the rep end of the year. ENS looks to have grown into himself and may just show what he is capable of.Edit: add Aumua to that list. A good season and he gets to go to the RWC.
Aumua is about the only other Canes forward who might make it (but he will replace another 1 in Coles). Lakai for the future but a year too early for him.
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@Winger said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Crucial said in Super Rugby 2023:
Couple of players I think will be hitting their straps AND get enough game time to show the goods are Stevenson and ENS.
Both had it rough selection wise last year but then SS fired for the rep end of the year. ENS looks to have grown into himself and may just show what he is capable of.Edit: add Aumua to that list. A good season and he gets to go to the RWC.
Aumua is about the only other Canes forward who might make it (but he will replace another 1 in Coles). Lakai for the future but a year too early for him.
Couple of years too early probably. Let him learn some lessons first. Talent/skills might be there but knowledge and experience play a big part.
Hinton mentions Segner. Has anyone here seen him IRL? He just looks really lightweight on TV.
Don't forget Blsckadder and Grace coming back into the picture as well.
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@Winger said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Crucial said in Super Rugby 2023:
Don't forget Blsckadder and Grace coming back into the picture as well.
Maybe they were just looking at new ABs.
Nah. It was players to watch at super level.
No way that Love, Segner and Holland are ABs soon.My AB 'bolter' for the year is Stevenson. Admittedly it may be a decision that comes forced by injury or illness but I see a good chance in that a happening.
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The ABs squad will be smaller for the RWC, so players will drop out, rather than players being added. So if you're considering a bolter, it has to be because a player drops out for whatever reason.
Player to watch and possible ABs bolter for me is Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, but that would probably be to replace Sotutu in that backrow, or heaven forbid, an injured Ardie Savea. I think they'll then go for Cullen Grace, but I'd like to think they'll at least consider MMT.
If he has a good season, Blackadder will almost certainly push out one of the loosies. That could be Frizell, because he's leaving NZ, or A Ioane who has been disappointing. Blackadder - with his added versatility - is definitely one to watch.
The figt for the LH spots will also be interesting, with Moody returning.
I can't see much changing in the backline, except RTS dropping out of the squad (Goodhue coming in), and possibly Dmac replacing Perofeta.
The figt will be for a spot on the wing, I think. Clarke needs to step up (but seems undroppable for some reason), but it will probably be between Sevu Reece and Mark Telea. If you want Stevenson to get in, he'll be up against Dmac. Can't see Stevenson winning that. He maybe has a chance if Jordan keeps struggling with his health. -
If Grace is getting a mention Gardiner should be in the conversation too. That kid looked the goods at the end of last season. Needs to show he can back it up this year.
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2023:
The ABs squad will be smaller for the RWC, so players will drop out, rather than players being added. So if you're considering a bolter, it has to be because a player drops out for whatever reason.
Player to watch and possible ABs bolter for me is Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, but that would probably be to replace Sotutu in that backrow, or heaven forbid, an injured Ardie Savea. I think they'll then go for Cullen Grace, but I'd like to think they'll at least consider MMT.
If he has a good season, Blackadder will almost certainly push out one of the loosies. That could be Frizell, because he's leaving NZ, or A Ioane who has been disappointing. Blackadder - with his added versatility - is definitely one to watch.
The figt for the LH spots will also be interesting, with Moody returning.
I can't see much changing in the backline, except RTS dropping out of the squad (Goodhue coming in), and possibly Dmac replacing Perofeta.
The figt will be for a spot on the wing, I think. Clarke needs to step up (but seems undroppable for some reason), but it will probably be between Sevu Reece and Mark Telea. If you want Stevenson to get in, he'll be up against Dmac. Can't see Stevenson winning that. He maybe has a chance if Jordan keeps struggling with his health.I have a feeling that one of BB or WJ won't make it. Nothing to base that on but we always see an injury rule someone out that is pencilled in early (last time it was DMac)
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Crucial Yes very good point about injuries. If injuries strike the locks (or they decide to take 4 locks) someone like Josh Lord could potentially force their way in to the AB squad.
Current plans would be three locks plus Scooter wouldn’t it? Injury to him would cause a lot of rethinking.
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A few new names to keep an eye out for in the Aussie squads.
Mosese Tuipulotu - Waratahs - Midfielder. Brother of Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu - a big bustling midfielder who impressed during preseason.
Max Jorgensen - Waratahs - Fullback/wing. Just a teenager but very highly rated. With Beale no longer featuring is more likely to get game time.
Tom Lynagh - Reds - First five. Son of Michael Lynagh. Just a youngster at 19. His older brother Louis Lynagh got picked by Eddie in an England wider squad but is yet to be capped.
Corey Toole / Ben O'Donnell - Brumbies - outside backs. Both from the Aussie 7s team who won the World Series last season. Toole is smaller but the more dynamic of the two.
Some names familiar to NZ who are new to squads this year (I'm sured i've missed a few): Monty Ioane (Rebels), Taleni Seu (Tahs), Jack Debreczeni (Brumbies), Tamaiti Tua (Brumbies)
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2023:
A few new names to keep an eye out for in the Aussie squads.
Mosese Tuipulotu - Waratahs - Midfielder. Brother of Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu - a big bustling midfielder who impressed during preseason.
Max Jorgensen - Waratahs - Fullback/wing. Just a teenager but very highly rated. With Beale no longer featuring is more likely to get game time.
Tom Lynagh - Reds - First five. Son of Michael Lynagh. Just a youngster at 19. His older brother Louis Lynagh got picked by Eddie in an England wider squad but is yet to be capped.
Corey Toole / Ben O'Donnell - Brumbies - outside backs. Both from the Aussie 7s team who won the World Series last season. Toole is smaller but the more dynamic of the two.
Some names familiar to NZ who are new to squads this year (I'm sured i've missed a few): Monty Ioane (Rebels), Taleni Seu (Tahs), Jack Debreczeni (Brumbies), Tamaiti Tua (Brumbies)
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Chase Tiatia & Felix Kalapu; also Manasa Mataele's younger brother Rupeni, who've I've never seen playing, but if he's anything like Manasa, he'll be an exciting player to watch (all Western Force)
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Vaiolini Ekuasi (Rebels) and Nemani Nadolo (Waratahs)
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2023:
Max Jorgensen - Waratahs - Fullback/wing. Just a teenager but very highly rated. With Beale no longer featuring is more likely to get game time.
Son of PeterJorgensen former Wallabies wing who switched to State House rugby.
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@KiwiMurph have to think Lord has inside running given he has been part of thier plans and they don't often drop people due to an injury.
Hopefully another lock emerges and pushes everyone on, similarly loosies, the likes of Grace, MMT, Robinson, Flanders, Christie, PGS, Lakai (plus a few other names i expect) will all be pushing the encumbants, as will Blackadder who no doubt has an inside running to overtake one of Ioane or Frizzell...def some options out there, but injury could give someone a shot, and make them a legend in a RWC year, NMS styles... 😉
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ESPN has published a series of team previews for the 2023 season:
Super Rugby Pacific 2023: Previewing the Blues, Brumbies, Chiefs, Crusaders
The second season of Super Rugby Pacific is fast approaching, with kick-off now just 10 days away. So how are the Blues, Brumbies, Chiefs and Crusaders shaping up?
Super Rugby Pacific 2023: Previewing the Drua, Force, Highlanders and Hurricanes
The countdown to the second season of Super Rugby Pacific has entered its final week. We preview the Fijian Drua, Force, Highlanders and Hurricanes.
Super Rugby Pacific 2023: Previewing the Rebels, Pasifika, Tahs, Reds
The countdown to the second season of Super Rugby Pacific has entered its final week. We preview the Melbourne Rebels, Moana Pasifika, NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds.
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To cut to the chase in those articles..
FINAL PREDICTIONS
Crusaders
Chiefs
Blues
Waratahs
Brumbies
Hurricanes
Reds
Force
Highlanders
Drua
Moana Pasifika
Melbourne RebelsNot so convinced on that order. Force are way too high and I am guessing Canes are mid pack because they eat to offer hope to Tahs and Brumbies.
