Super Rugby 2019

YOUR FREE GUIDE TO THE 2019 INVESTEC SUPER RUGBY SEASON

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WELCOME TO YOUR FREE GUIDE TO THE 2019 INVESTEC SUPER RUGBY SEASON

Managing Editor: Oliver Lee Editor: Campbell Burnes Sub-Editor: Elise McDowell Contributing Writer: Stephen Nell

SUPER RUGBY 2019 CONTENTS 20 04 FOCUSING ON THE REDS AND REBELS

SUPER RUGBY 2019 PREVIEW

06 CRUSADERS HUNT A SECOND

PREVIEWS 2 2 TEAM OF THE BULLS

THREE-PEAT

AND STORMERS

CHIEFS HOPE TO 09 LEAVE INJURY

CURSE BEHIND

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TO 27 GET KNOW THE

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1 6

Pagination: HNZL 2014 Printing: PMP Auckland

CLOSE 1 8 ALOOK AT THE

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SUNWOLVES AND LOS JAGUARES

SUPER RUGBY 2019 MATCH SCHEDULE THE 24 ASSESSING LIONS AND THE SHARKS

7 SUPER RUGBY 28 1FACTS WORLD 30 RUGBY CUP 2019 DRAW

THE 10 CAN HIGHLANDERS RISE TO THE TOP?

12 HURRICANES LOOK FOR RETURN TO GLORY DAYS SEEK 14 BLUES BOOST FROM COACHING SHUFFLE NOTE: The TAB odds quoted throughout the magazine were correct on 31 January 2019. For the latest updated odds visit tab.co.nz

ISSN 2463-5499 (Print) ISSN 2463-5502 (Online)

COPYRIGHT: Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to use of material in this magazine.

THE 2019 SEASON!

SUPER RUGBY PREVIEW

The changes worked. Last season’s streamlined Super Rugby saw a more competitive Australian Conference and the Jaguares making the play-offs at the third attempt. Campbell Burnes runs the rule over Super Rugby 24.

Super Rugby is far from perfect as a cross-continental competition. But there is a more stable look to it in 2019. While the broadcast rights are up for renewal after next year, the product looks better as it enters its 24th season.

For starters, all the teams (bar one, due to the total being an odd number — 15) will kick-off on the same weekend for the first time since 2016. Last season the South African franchises were let loose a week before Australasia in order to accommodate a Springboks-Wales Test match in Denver in June, while the 2017 Lions tour (of the UK and Irish variety) played havoc with the scheduling.

The Waratahs’ Allianz Stadium is under revamp, so it is back to the future for the Sydney Cricket Ground and Brookvale Oval. Palmerston North and Invercargill are back on the host venue list for the Hurricanes and Highlanders respectively. The Chiefs are taking their June 1 clash with the Crusaders back to Suva, Fiji.

South Africa is going all super hero for its derbies, with teams to wear jerseys inspired by the Marvel comics. After a breakout 2018, in which they won in New Zealand and Australia, the Jaguares have a new coach in Gonzalo Quesada and a new logo, which bears a marked resemblance to the old Cheetahs logo.

The play-offs permutations are simpler, as we saw in 2018. The three conference winners will host quarterfinals, as will the highest-placed wildcard team based on tournament points. So the tantalising prospect of all five New Zealand teams in the play-offs remains — provided the Blues get their act together, of course.

In Australia, all home matches will be themed to support initiatives such as community rugby, ANZAC Day, heritage and women’s rugby. In New Zealand, we will see a campaign centred on ‘Raising the Stakes’.

Themed rounds will include well-being, a salute to service (ANZAC) and a diversity round.

The fans will also enjoy the fact that Super Rugby will run for 21 weeks uninterrupted, other than two byes for each team. There is no June window due to Rugby World Cup. We last saw this type of season structure in 2015.

The two-time defending champion Crusaders will enter as strong favourites, and why wouldn’t they with such a settled roster? Some high-profile skills coaches (Carlos Spencer at the Hurricanes and Riki Flutey at the Highlanders) will seek swift impacts.

There is little between the other four New Zealand franchises if you look at pure talent.

Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato has the honour of hosting the season opener on February 15, where the Chiefs are sure to give the Highlanders a warm welcome. The Brumbies and Rebels lock horns in Canberra to kick-off the Australian local derbies straight afterwards.

But, in keeping with the mantra of expanding the game, we will again see Sunwolves matches in Singapore.

The Australian Conference hauled itself up off the canvas in 2018, even as the Wallabies were imploding.

The Waratahs (twice over the Highlanders), the Rebels (over the Blues) and the Brumbies (over the Hurricanes) shattered the long-running trans-Tasman hoodoo. The Waratahs look the best equipped to challenge and have thrown a lifeline to problem child Karmichael Hunt, while another maverick, Quade Cooper, will seek new heights at the Melbourne Rebels.

In South Africa, it will take some effort if the Lions can reach a fourth straight final. It is more likely that the Sharks, who won the Currie Cup, and the Bulls, moulded last year by John Mitchell (who has joined England), will be in the mix.

The Sunwolves have made slow progress but may be galvanised by flying the Japanese flag in Rugby World Cup year.

STAKING A CLAIM: The Crusaders have already staked their claim as the most successful franchise in Super Rugby history. Can they push on for a second three-peat?

SUPER RUGBY 2019 page 4

The basic premise of Super Rugby remains entertainment. Tries, to be clear. There will be plenty of those. We just hope common sense prevails and we do not have too many intrusions by the TMO, the referees do not bin every player who tries to go for an intercept, and they allow an aerial contest for two players whose eyes are on the ball.

That’s not too much to ask for Super Rugby 24, is it?

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SETTLED SQUAD FOR THREEBy Campbell Burnes They have made just six changes favourites to emulate the class of 1998–2000 and clinch LAST YEAR: NEW ZEALAND COMPETITION: CHAMPIONS CONFERENCE AUSTRALASIAN GROUP NZ CONFERENCE: FIRST NEW ZEALANDCRUSADERS CONFERENCE Taking their time to hit their Coach: Scott Robertson Captain: Sam Whitelock Home ground: AMI Stadium Website: www.crusaders.co.nz Tickets: www.ticketdirect.co.nz Contact: PO Box 755, Christchurch Phone 03 379 8300 Email: info@crfu.co.nz Crusaders TAB odds: $3.50

MOTIVATED: Can Israel Dagg again use the Crusaders as a springboard back into the All Blacks?

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stride, the Crusaders did not lose after March 17, peaking at exactly the right time with some well-executed displays in the play-offs. They also found time to beat the French Barbarians in June. Job well done.

LUCK OF THE DRAW: They don’t leave Australasia until May 4, and this season they don’t face the Sunwolves or Jaguares.

Four of their first five opponents are from the New Zealand Conference, after which skipper Sam Whitelock should be back from his break.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: The Crusaders might just have one of Super Rugby’s most settled rosters. That spells trouble for the hunting pack of 14 teams seeking to halt the reigning champions’ winning streak at two crowns. Good luck with that.

Scott Robertson’s squad is riddled with class, experience — both at international and Super-level — and bolstered with quality role players, such as Ben Funnell, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall and Tim Bateman.

Captain Sam Whitelock will not play until March as he is preparing for Rugby World Cup, while other front-line All Blacks will be drip-fed back into the fold through February and March.

Do not expect the Crusaders to hit their straps until at least April.

They are the masters at building into a marathon Super season.

The coaches — Scott Robertson, Jason Ryan, Brad Mooar (in his

E-PEAT TILT

from their 2018 squad, leaving the Crusaders as a third straight Super Rugby title. last campaign before taking up the reins with the Scarlets in Wales) and Ronan O’Gara (whose innovations and skills work were highly prized in 2018) — know how to make incremental improvements to a winning team.

After missing 80 per cent of the 2018 season after back surgery, Kieran Read should be ready from the get-go, while Matt Todd will transition back from Japan, anxious to again prove he is one of the top two No. 7s in the country. He was fit to rank as the top No. 7 in Super Rugby in 2018.

Then there is Jordan Taufua, desperately unlucky to fall injured after winning an All Blacks call-up. He will be jumping out of his skin, which is not good news for opponents.

There is not one franchise with more locking depth than the Crusaders, who can call on five quality second-rowers, including Luke Romano — the outstanding No. 4/5 of the Mitre 10 Cup. Quinten Strange has made big strides in the last 18 months.

The front-row is settled, and the loss of double centurion Wyatt Crockett has been offset by the return of Joe Moody. Harry Allan is the rookie prop and is full of raw potential.

Seta Tamanivalu has departed but George Bridge, who scored 15 tries in 2018, will lead the way on the flanks. Tasman’s star fullback Will Jordan should get a run if David Havili is used more in the midfield, while we wait to see if Israel Dagg can rediscover his mojo after a stint in Japan.

The Ryan Crotty–Jack Goodhue combination is almost without

peer at this level and should, all things being equal, be the All Blacks midfield. There is no reason why Richie Mo’unga cannot continue to dominate in the No. 10 jersey. He has a back-up in accurate goalkicker and All Black Brett Cameron.

If rookie outside-backs Ngane Punivai and Leicester Faingaanuku get their chance, history tells us they will make a good fist of it.

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WHO’S NEW: Forwards: Harry Allan, Whetu Douglas (returning). Backs: Ere Enari, Brett Cameron, Ngane Punivai, Leicester Faingaanuku.

WHO’S THROUGH: Forwards: Wyatt Crockett, Pete Samu.

Backs: Jack Stratton, Mike Delany, Seta Tamanivalu, Jone Macilai.

LIKELY FINISH: Winning an exacting competition like Super Rugby is never a given, especially with the strength of the New Zealand Conference, but you would be a brave punter to be outlaying big money on the Crusaders not claiming their record-extending 10th title.

CRUSADERS SQUAD Forwards: Michael Alaalatoa, Harry Allan, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor, Mitchell Dunshea, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Ethan Blackadder, Billy Harmon, Matt Todd, Tom Sanders, Jordan Taufua, Kieran Read, Whetukamokamo Douglas.

Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Bryn Hall, Ereatara Enari, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Hunt, Brett Cameron, Tim Bateman, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Ngane Punivai, Leicester Faingaanuku, Manasa Mataele, George Bridge, Israel Dagg, David Havili, Will Jordan.

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FRONT-ROW INSURANCE AT CHIEFS

Last season the Chiefs did well enough considering they had the most extraordinarily unlucky run of injuries, so they have understandably opted for extra cover in the front-row.

LAST YEAR: like he normally does at fullback, kicked his goals NEW ZEALAND COMPETITION: FIFTH and was the stat-based player of the competition. More CONFERENCE NZ CONFERENCE: THIRD The Chiefs outdid themselves given their personnel issues, finishing with an 11–5 regular season record before being edged 32–31 by the Hurricanes in the quarter-final.

LUCK OF THE DRAW: The Chiefs host the Highlanders on opening night, so there will be an early pointer to their 2019 prospects. They hit South Africa and Argentina in late March and return to Suva, Fiji for a return match versus the Crusaders on June 1.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: The Chiefs might be a hard one to pick in 2019. While they clearly again have the talent to reach the play-offs, it is unlikely they will have the wherewithal to push for a third title, after their golden era of 2012–13. That is because they have lost some key men, have doubts over others and will be praying for fewer injuries than in 2018.

That last desire should not be difficult as some kind of injury curse struck their front-row stocks last season.

When scrum coach Carl Hoeft departed for Japan early in the piece, Nick White stepped-up, and the promoted Angus Ta’avao and Karl Tu’inukuafe did so well they wore black before year’s end. The latter has signed with the Blues, but the Chiefs have chosen no fewer than seven props, five (including rookie Reuben O’Neill) of them All Blacks. That has meant a 22–16 squad split, rather than the tried and tested 21–17. The onus, then, is on the backs to show their resilience. But they will miss Charlie Ngatai above anyone else. He was the glue in the midfield. Now if anything happens to Anton Lienert-Brown, they look very green in this area. ALB, who showed real progress in his attacking game with the 2018 Chiefs, may have to wear the No. 12 jersey, which may not be his preference. While young comer Etene Nanai-Seturo is capable of playing centre, can he do it at this level?

Aucklander Tumua Manu is an interesting newcomer after a stellar Mitre 10 Cup campaign.

Toni Pulu’s pace will be missed on the wing, but Shaun Stevenson and 2018 excitement machine Solomon Alaimalo ensure ample X-factor.

We all wanted to see how Damian McKenzie would go at pivot last season. Quite well, actually. He played

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of the same is required. The top halfback spot should again be fiercely contested between Brad Weber and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

Dominic Bird and Liam Messam will be missed in the pack, so this could be the time for Taranaki bruiser Pita-Gus Sowakula to shine. Sam Cane is on the mend from a broken neck, but the Chiefs are well served at openside. Men like Taleni Seu and Luke Jacobson should be primed to consistently show their qualities.

Brodie Retallick’s fitness will be crucial and he may be paired with the talented young Waikato lock Laghlan McWhannell who has made rapid progress out of St Peter’s School in Cambridge.

Plenty there for second-year head coach Colin Cooper and his staff to work with. They might, however, need a spot of luck along the way.

CHIEFS

Coach: Colin Cooper Co-captains: Sam Cane and Brodie Retallick Home ground: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Website: www.chiefs.co.nz Tickets: www.ticketdirect.co.nz Contact: PO Box 4292, Hamilton East 3247 Phone 0800 424 4337 Email: info@chiefs.co.nz Chiefs TAB odds: $8.50

WHO’S NEW: Forwards: Reuben O’Neill, Laghlan McWhannell, Pita-Gus Sowakula. Backs: Jack Debreczeni, Tumua Manu, Bailyn Sullivan, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Ataata Moeakiola.

WHO’S THROUGH: Forwards: Mitchell Graham, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Dominic Bird, Liam Messam.

Backs: Charlie Ngatai, Regan Verney, Johnny Fa’auli, Levi Aumua, Sam McNicol, Toni Pulu, Tim Nanai-Williams.

LIKELY FINISH: The Chiefs should be a lock for the play-offs due to having a dozen All Blacks in the ranks and some prime young talent. But questions remain: can Sam Cane play enough of the campaign after his neck injury? Is there enough midfield depth?

Will the rugby gods give them an injury break?

CHIEFS SQUAD Forwards: Kane Hames, Reuben O’Neill, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta’avao, Atu Moli, Sefo Kautai, Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie Retallick, Michael Allardice, Fin Hoeata, Laghlan McWhannell, Tyler Ardron, Taleni Seu, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Karpik, Sam Cane, Pita-Gus Sowakula.

Backs: Brad Weber, Jonathan Taumateine, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Damian McKenzie, Tiaan Falcon, Jack Debreczeni, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tumua Manu, Bailyn Sullivan, Sean Wainui, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Ataata Moeakiola, Solomon Alaimalo, Shaun Stevenson, Marty McKenzie.

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PRODUCTIVE: As ever, Brodie Retallick will be the main man in the Chiefs pack.

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WILL SOLIDITY AND CONSISTENCY BE ENOUGH?

Like the Crusaders, the Highlanders have a relatively settled roster, but there remains a nagging feeling that they are only a few injuries away from looking bare in 2019. and game plan. Now it will be A Smith and AN Other.

LAST YEAR: NEW ZEALAND That latter player could be Josh Ioane, who looked the COMPETITION: SIXTH CONFERENCE HIGHLANDERS

Coach: Aaron Mauger Co-captains: Ben Smith and Ash Dixon Home grounds: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin; Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill Website: thehighlanders.net.nz Tickets: www.ticketdirect.co.nz Contact: PO Box 6070, Dunedin 9059 Phone 03 479 9280 Email: contactus@highlanders.net.nz Highlanders TAB odds: $7.00

NZ CONFERENCE: FOURTH After taking the Crusaders’ scalp in March — the last team to beat the champs — the Highlanders were unable to come home with a wet sail, dropping two games to the Waratahs and losing three of their last four to drop out at the quarter-finals stage.

LUCK OF THE DRAW: The Highlanders again have a favourable draw. They have no long-haul flights (other than to Tokyo in late April) until mid-May, while they finish with two home games against the Bulls and the Waratahs in Invercargill.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: The Highlanders took the broom to some of the 2018 pack as they seek to push on and challenge more strongly for the championship they last won in 2015.

In reality, it was only a small number of fringe players who were shown the door. There remains a solid core of hard-nosed campaigners, a new prop in All Black Tyrel Lomax and a trio who are returning from stints in Japan — Ash Dixon (co-captain), Tom Franklin and Elliot Dixon.

You may struggle to nominate big names in that pack, until you drill down and see that five of the loose forwards have worn the All Blacks jersey and Jackson Hemopo thoroughly deserved his promotion in 2018. He seems to be seen as a loosie higher up, but is gold for the Highlanders as a lock.

Pari Pari Parkinson is fresh off a superb Mitre 10 Cup campaign with Tasman and is an aerial athlete. His time is now.

Jack Whetton, son of former All Blacks skipper Gary Whetton, is an interesting newcomer, having shown good form with Auckland.

Tyrel Lomax is the main man in the scrum, while Liam Coltman will again job-share with the admirable Ash Dixon.

X-FACTOR: Marty Banks is back after a year’s hiatus from the Highlanders.

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If everyone is fit in the loose forwards, there are going to be selection headaches for Aaron Mauger. Liam Squire will be champing at the bit, while Shannon Frizell has more work to do to fully convince the All Blacks selectors of his national rating.

Since 2011, the Aaron Smith-Lima Sopoaga partnership has controlled the Highlanders’ tempo

goods for Otago, Bryn Gatland, who knows Forsyth Barr Stadium well, or the returning mercurial Marty Banks. All three can kick goals and bring different strengths to their No. 10 game.

The rest of the backline looks very settled. The midfield combination of Tei Walden and Rob Thompson bore fruit in 2018, while Waisake Naholo, who scored 10 tries, and his back-three pals Tevita Li and Ben Smith are as good as any. Smith will be desperate to finish his decade-long association with the Highlanders on the highest possible note.

The appointment of former British and Irish Lions five-eighths Riki Flutey as skills coach is a fascinating one.

Like Aaron Mauger, he feels skills are a constant work-on and how this impacts on the already high skill-level of some of the players will be instructional.

WHO’S NEW: Forwards: Ray Niuia, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Sef Fa’agase, Ayden Johnstone, Jack Whetton, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u. Backs: Folau Fakatava, Bryn Gatland, Marty Banks (returning).

WHO’S THROUGH: Forwards: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Guy Millar, Aki Seiuli, Kalolo Tuiloma, Alex Ainley, Dan Pryor. Backs: Josh Renton, Fletcher Smith, Lima Sopoaga.

LIKELY FINISH: The loss of Lima Sopoaga will hurt but the Highlanders again have class in key positions and some hard-nuts in the pack to make the play-offs.

The big question remains: how deep can they go if there are injuries?

HIGHLANDERS SQUAD Forwards: Liam Coltman, Ray Niuia, Ash Dixon, Tyrel Lomax, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Sef Fa’agase, Ayden Johnstone, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Franklin, Jack Whetton, Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u.

Backs: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Folau Fakatava, Josh Ioane, Bryn Gatland, Marty Banks, Teihorangi Walden, Rob Thompson, Matt Faddes, Patelesio Tomkinson, Richard Buckman, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Tevita Nabura, Tevita Li, Waisake Naholo, Josh McKay, Ben Smith.

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PLUM ERA CAN KICK-START After two years of ‘what ifs’, the Hurricanes have a new days of 2016.

LAST YEAR: NEW ZEALAND COMPETITION: FOURTH CONFERENCE HURRICANES

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Coach: John Plumtree Captain: Dane Coles Home grounds: Westpac Stadium, Wellington; CET Arena, Palmerston North Website: www.hurricanes.co.nz Tickets: www.ticketek.co.nz Contact: PO Box 7201, Wellington South Phone 04 389 0020 Email: mail@hurricanes.co.nz Hurricanes TAB odds: $4.50

So to 2019 with John Plumtree moving up to take the head coaching reins, as he did at the Sharks back in the day. Some key men, as ever, have departed — including Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Michael Fatialofa and Julian Savea. Fatialofa might just prove the most difficult to replace, though Wellington player of the year James Blackwell looks ready to earn his Super Rugby spurs.

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LUCK OF THE DRAW: After an opening-round roadie to Sydney, the Hurricanes are not back in the capital until round four, but they do make a welcome return to Palmerston North on March 1.

Unusually, they do not head to South Africa until rounds 14–15.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: There was something not quite right about the Hurricanes in 2018. At their best, they were still capable of tearing sides apart — Ben Lam was the chief benefactor with no fewer than 16 tries on the wing — but there was an underlying brittleness that was exemplified in the convincing 30–12 semi-final defeat to the Crusaders.

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NZ CONFERENCE: SECOND The 2018 Hurricanes edged out the Chiefs on bonus points in the regular season and again edged their old rivals in the quarter-finals, but they came a cropper at the hands of the Crusaders in the semi-finals.

POWER: Vaea Fifita will bring his power game to the No. 6 jersey in 2019.

Vaea Fifita will surely relish the chance to wear the No. 6 jersey on a consistent basis, something that was just not possible when Brad Shields was leading the Hurricanes. A big campaign from

T IN STYLE

head coach and a renewed focus to regain the glory Fifita will help the Hurricanes and give headaches to the All Blacks selectors.

Gareth Evans is now an All Black after playing like one for much of 2018. He will be a lock for No. 8, while Ardie Savea will just be Ardie Savea for the Hurricanes — top quality.

Dane Coles will relish the chance for consistent game time after a frustrating couple of seasons, while 2017 sensation Asafo Aumua will have a job on his hands just to get onto the bench at the expense of the admirable Ricky Riccitelli. Can the injuryplagued Alex Fidow engineer a break-out season and show us he can be New Zealand’s answer to the Tongan Thor Taniela Tupou?

As ever, much will rest on the shoulders of halves TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett. We should enjoy the latter as he may not even play Super Rugby in 2020.

His back-up Fletcher Smith is more than capable after a classy Mitre 10 Cup with Waikato.

Vince Aso is back from injury and could partner Ngani Laumape in midfield. Matt Proctor, who is heading to Northampton, could equally suit up at centre.

There is again a veritable embarrassment of riches in the outside backs. Nehe Milner-Skudder will be amped for one last memorable campaign, Ben Lam will be seeking to recapture his form of April–May 2018 and Jordie Barrett would love to play again with the freedom of 2017. Waiting in the wings, literally, is Auckland flyer Salesi Rayasi, who loved

his first pre-season so much he re-signed until the end of 2021.

With no less than four centurions in the ranks, the Hurricanes have the wherewithal to again rattle the competition.

WHO’S NEW: Forwards: Fraser Armstrong, Geoff Cridge, Liam Mitchell, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis. Backs: Richard Judd, Fletcher Smith, Billy Proctor, Salesi Rayasi, James Marshall.

WHO’S THROUGH: Forwards: Reggie Goodes (retired), Michael Fatialofa, Murray Douglas, Blade Thomson, Brad Shields. Backs: James Booth, TJ Va’a, Ihaia West, Julian Savea, Peter Umaga-Jensen (injured).

LIKELY FINISH: The TAB again rates the Hurricanes highly, second on the overall winners’ slate, and why wouldn’t they?

There is a new regime but plenty of class, particularly in the backline. They will contend hard, especially if they clinch the New Zealand Conference.

HURRICANES SQUAD Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves, Alex Fidow, Fraser Armstrong, Ben May, Toby Smith, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, James Blackwell, Sam Lousi, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Liam Mitchell, Geoff Cridge, Gareth Evans, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Vaea Fifita, Sam Henwood, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi.

Backs: Richard Judd, Finlay Christie, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith, Ngani Laumape, Vince Aso, Matt Proctor, Billy Proctor, Wes Goosen, Jordie Barrett, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Salesi Rayasi, Nehe Milner-Skudder, James Marshall.

OFFICIAL BEER OF THE HURRICANES

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The Blues dropped a bombshell not long before Christ m change after the 2018 season imploded in spectacular LAST YEAR: NEW ZEALAND COMPETITION: 14TH CONFERENCE BLUES

Coach: Leon MacDonald Co-captains: Blake Gibson and Patrick Tuipulotu Home grounds: Eden Park, Auckland; QBE Stadium, Albany Website: www.theblues.co.nz Tickets: www.ticketmaster.co.nz Contact: PO Box 77012, Mt Albert, Auckland 1350 Phone 09 846 5425 Email: info@theblues.co.nz Blues TAB odds: $19.00

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NZ CONFERENCE: FIFTH There was the usual plethora of injuries but key men also failed to fire. Eden Park, once such a fortress for this franchise even in the darkest Sir John Kirwan days, was anything but. Only four games were won in all, and just the lowly Sunwolves placed below the Blues on the log.

LUCK OF THE DRAW: The Blues open to the Crusaders at Eden Park before a road trip to Argentina and South Africa. Then it’s home to Albany and two months without leaving the country. They finish on June 15 after trips to Brisbane and Wellington.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: It’s all change in the Blues’ coaching ranks, but will that signal an arrest in the precipitous decline of 2018?

2018 head coach Tana Umaga has stepped down and will now look after the defensive work, which allowed Leon MacDonald — straight from Tasman and with deep knowledge of the systems at the Crusaders — to step up and take the top job. Tom Coventry replaces Steve Jackson as the forwards coach, and the hope is that he can fire-up this under-performing pack and take them to the same heights he took the 2012–13 Chiefs.

It is hard to know exactly what to make of the big shift in coaching roles with MacDonald-Umaga.

We’ll let you know in June, but it might be just what was needed to shake the place up — Umaga’s messages were clearly falling on deaf ears by last May. As ever, the Blues showed patches of quality in 2018, but fell, ignominiously, at Eden Park, to

defencecareers.mil.nz 0800 1 FORCE NZDF Defence Careers

SOLUTION

mas with a coaching reshuffle, but something had to fashion. the likes of the Sharks, Rebels and Jaguares. They should have won their first two games, and then lost confidence and personnel to the injury curse — though no worse than the Chiefs.

A close inspection of their 2019 roster shows they have dispensed with some dead wood and have in fact lost just three experienced players — Jerome Kaino, George Moala and Pauliasi Manu.

None of that trio, however, offered significant quality output last season.

So it is time to welcome prop Marcel Renata (back from the Hurricanes) and lock/loosie Tom Robinson (son of All Black Alastair), who was promoted after a stellar Northland campaign. We also hope to see the further flowering of young talent such as Hoskins Sotutu and Harry Plummer.

Then there is the signing of 37-year-old Ma’a Nonu for his third stint at the franchise. Fit to rank as one of the nation’s great No. 12s, he skipped the Mitre 10 Cup after four seasons at Toulon and is said to be in top shape. But where does he fit, given Sonny Bill Williams and TJ Faiane, after a tremendous campaign with Auckland, are both better at No. 12, as is Nonu? Will we see Rieko Ioane shifted to centre?

The halves and outside backs are settled enough, so it is just a matter of whether Otere Black can be the man to run the cutter.

In the pack, expect big campaigns from the new co-captains Blake Gibson and Patrick Tuipulotu and from No. 8 Akira Ioane, who was sensational at the start and tail of 2018, indicating that new

All Black Dalton Papalii will have to wear jersey No. 6 or 20. The scrum should be solid with Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Karl Tu’inukuafe as the pillars.

Nothing has changed with the expectations of long-suffering Blues fans.

WHO’S NEW: Forwards: Jed Brown, Hoskins Sotutu, Tom Robinson, Jacob Pierce, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu’inukuafe. Backs: Levi Aumua, Ma’a Nonu, Tanielu Tele’a, Harry Plummer.

WHO’S THROUGH: Forwards: Jerome Kaino, Glenn Preston, Kara Pryor, Murphy Taramai, Pauliasi Manu, Isaac Salmon, Mike Tamoaieta. Backs: George Moala, Tamati Tua (injured), Matt Johnson, Bryn Gatland, Daniel Kirkpatrick.

LIKELY FINISH: We say they have the potential every year and then they flatter to deceive, but signing a current All Black (Karl Tu’inukuafe) could make a difference. Nonu’s return will be a red herring if whoever plays at No. 10 cannot exert authority.

So let’s just say they will be pleased to rise off the foot of the New Zealand Conference.

BLUES SQUAD Forwards: Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Scott Scrafton, Jacob Pierce, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tom Robinson, Jimmy Tupou, Dalton Papalii, Blake Gibson, Jed Brown, Hoskins Sotutu, Akira Ioane.

Backs: Sam Nock, Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Ruru, Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu, Levi Aumua, Tanielu Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Melani Nanai, Matt Duffie, Michael Collins, Jordan Trainor.

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2019 SEASON’S DRAW

INVESTEC SUPER RUGBY GAME SCHEDULE F DATE

GAME

VENUE

NZ TIME

WEEK 1

DATE

GAME

VENUE

NZ TIME

WEEK 6

FRI, 15 FEB

Chiefs

v

Highlanders

Hamilton

7:35 pm

FRI, 22 MAR

Blues

v

Highlanders

Auckland

7:35 pm

FRI, 15 FEB

Brumbies

v

Rebels

Canberra

9:45 pm

SAT, 23 MAR

Hurricanes

v

Stormers

Wellington

7:35 pm

SAT, 16 FEB

Blues

v

Crusaders

Auckland

7:35 pm

SAT, 23 MAR

Waratahs

v

Crusaders

Sydney

9:45 pm

SAT, 16 FEB

Waratahs

v

Hurricanes

Sydney

9:45 pm

SAT, 23 MAR

Sunwolves

v

Lions

Singapore

11:55 pm

SAT, 16 FEB

Sunwolves

v

Sharks

Singapore

11:55 pm

SUN, 24 MAR

Bulls

v

Chiefs

Pretoria

2:05 am

SUN, 17 FEB

Bulls

v

Stormers

Pretoria

4:15 am

SUN, 24 MAR

Sharks

v

Rebels

Durban

Jaguares

v

Lions

Buenos Aires

10:40 am

4:15 am

SUN, 17 FEB

SUN, 24 MAR

Reds

v

Brumbies

Brisbane

6:05 pm

FRI, 29 MAR

Hurricanes

v

Crusaders

Wellington

7:35 pm

FRI, 29 MAR

Waratahs

v

Sunwolves

Newcastle

9:45 pm

9:45 pm

SAT, 30 MAR

Blues

v

Stormers

Auckland

7:35 pm

Reds

v

Rebels

Brisbane

9:45 pm

BYE: Reds

BYES: Jaguares

WEEK 2 FRI, 22 FEB

Highlanders

v

Reds

Dunedin

7:35 pm

SAT, 23 FEB

Sunwolves

v

Waratahs

Tokyo

5:15 pm

SAT, 23 FEB

Crusaders

v

Hurricanes

Christchurch

7:35 pm

SAT, 23 FEB

Brumbies

v

Chiefs

Canberra

WEEK 7

SUN, 24 FEB

Sharks

v

Blues

Durban

2:05 am

SAT, 30 MAR

SUN, 24 FEB

Stormers

v

Lions

Cape Town

4:15 am

SUN, 31 MAR

Sharks

v

Bulls

Durban

2:05 am

10:40 am

SUN, 31 MAR

Jaguares

v

Chiefs

Buenos Aires

10:40 am

SUN, 24 FEB

Jaguares

v

Bulls

Buenos Aires

BYE: Rebels

BYES: Lions, Brumbies, Highlanders

WEEK 3

WEEK 8

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ENDS IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

FRI, 1 MAR

Hurricanes

v

Brumbies

Palmerston North 7:35 pm

FRI, 5 APR

Highlanders

v

Hurricanes

Dunedin

7:35 pm

FRI, 1 MAR

Rebels

v

Highlanders

Melbourne

9:45 pm

FRI, 5 APR

Reds

v

Stormers

Brisbane

10:00 pm

SAT, 2 MAR

Chiefs

v

Sunwolves

Hamilton

7:35 pm

SAT, 6 APR

Lions

v

Sharks

Johannesburg

6:10 am

SAT, 2 MAR

Reds

v

Crusaders

Brisbane

9:45 pm

SAT, 6 APR

Crusaders

v

Brumbies

Christchurch

5:15 pm

SUN, 3 MAR

Lions

v

Bulls

Johannesburg

2:05 am

SAT, 6 APR

Blues

v

Waratahs

Auckland

7:35 pm

SUN, 3 MAR

Sharks

v

Stormers

Durban

4:15 am

Rebels

v

Sunwolves

Melbourne

Jaguares

v

Blues

Buenos Aires

SAT, 6 APR

10:40 am

9:45 pm

SUN, 3 MAR

SUN, 7 APR

Bulls

v

Jaguares

Pretoria

2:05 am

BYE: Waratahs

BYE: Chiefs

WEEK 4 FRI, 8 MAR

Hurricanes

v

Highlanders

Wellington

7:35 pm

FRI, 8 MAR

Rebels

v

Brumbies

Melbourne

9:45 pm

SAT, 9 MAR

Crusaders

v

Chiefs

Christchurch

5:15 pm

SAT, 9 MAR

Blues

v

Sunwolves

Albany

7:35 pm

WEEK 9

ANZAC WEEKEND

FRI, 12 APR

Crusaders

v

Highlanders

Christchurch

7:35 pm

FRI, 12 APR

Rebels

v

Stormers

Melbourne

9:45 pm

SAT, 13 APR

Chiefs

v

Blues

Hamilton

7:35 pm

SAT, 13 APR

Brumbies

v

Lions

Canberra

9:45 pm

SAT, 9 MAR

Waratahs

v

Reds

Sydney

9:45 pm

SUN, 10 MAR

Lions

v

Jaguares

Johannesburg

2:05 am

SUN, 14 APR

Sharks

v

Jaguares

Durban

1:05 am

4:15 am

SUN, 14 APR

Bulls

v

Reds

Pretoria

3:15 am

SUN, 10 MAR

Bulls

v

Sharks

Pretoria

BYES: Sunwolves, Waratahs, Hurricanes

BYE: Stormers

WEEK 10

WEEK 5

EASTER WEEKEND

Chiefs

v

Lions

Hamilton

7:35 pm

FRI, 15 MAR

Chiefs

v

Hurricanes

Hamilton

7:35 pm

FRI, 19 APR

FRI, 15 MAR

Brumbies

v

Waratahs

Canberra

9:45 pm

FRI, 19 APR

Sunwolves

v

Hurricanes

Tokyo

10:00 pm

SAT, 16 MAR

Stormers

v

Jaguares

Cape Town

6:10 am

SAT, 20 APR

Sharks

v

Reds

Durban

1:05 am

Highlanders

v

Blues

Dunedin

7:35 pm

SAT, 16 MAR

Sunwolves

v

Reds

Tokyo

5:15 pm

SAT, 20 APR

SAT, 16 MAR

Highlanders

v

Crusaders

Dunedin

7:35 pm

SAT, 20 APR

Waratahs

v

Rebels

Sydney

9:45 pm

SUN, 17 MAR

Lions

v

Rebels

Johannesburg

2:05 am

SUN, 21 APR

Stormers

v

Brumbies

Cape Town

1:05 am

BYE: Bulls, Sharks, Blues

BYES: Bulls, Jaguares, Crusaders

All times listed are New Zealand local times and were correct at time of print.

For up-to-date information on SUPER RUGBY 2019 visit www.super.rugby SUPER RUGBY 2019 page 16

oliverlee.co.nz

FOR THE 2019 SEASON DATE

GAME

VENUE

NZ TIME

GAME

DATE

VENUE

NZ TIME

WEEK 16

WEEK 11 FRI, 26 APR

Crusaders

v

Lions

Christchurch

7:35 pm

FRI, 31 MAY

Blues

v

Bulls

Auckland

7:35 pm

FRI, 26 APR

Sunwolves

v

Highlanders

Tokyo

10:00 pm

FRI, 31 MAY

Rebels

v

Waratahs

Melbourne

9:45 pm

Sunwolves

v

Brumbies

Tokyo

5:15 pm

SAT, 27 APR

Hurricanes

v

Chiefs

Wellington

7:35 pm

SAT, 01 JUNE

SAT, 27 APR

Waratahs

v

Sharks

Sydney

9:45 pm

SAT, 01 JUNE

Chiefs

v

Crusaders

Suva

7:35 pm

SAT, 01 JUNE

Reds

v

Jaguares

Brisbane

9:45 pm

SUN, 02 JUNE

Sharks

v

Hurricanes

Durban

1:05 am

SUN, 02 JUNE

Lions

v

Stormers

Johannesburg

3:15 am

FRI, 07 JUNE

Highlanders

v

Bulls

Dunedin

7:35 pm

FRI, 07 JUNE

Reds

v

Blues

Brisbane

9:45 pm

SAT, 08 JUNE

Crusaders

v

Rebels

Christchurch

7:35 pm

SAT, 08 JUNE

Waratahs

v

Brumbies

Sydney

9:45 pm

SUN, 28 APR SUN, 28 APR

Stormers Jaguares

v v

Bulls Brumbies

Cape Town Buenos Aires

1:05 am 9:40 am

BYES: Rebels, Reds, Blues

BYE: Highlanders

WEEK 12

WEEK 17

FRI, 3 MAY

Crusaders

v

Sharks

Christchurch

7:35 pm

FRI, 3 MAY

Reds

v

Sunwolves

Brisbane

9:45 pm

SAT, 4 MAY

Hurricanes

v

Rebels

Wellington

5:15 pm

SAT, 4 MAY

Highlanders

v

Chiefs

Dunedin

7:35 pm

SAT, 4 MAY

Brumbies

v

Blues

Canberra

9:45 pm

SUN, 09 JUNE

Lions

v

Hurricanes

Johannesburg

1:05 am

SUN, 5 MAY

Bulls

v

Waratahs

Pretoria

1:05 am

SUN, 09 JUNE

Stormers

v

Sunwolves

Cape Town

3:15 am

SUN, 5 MAY

Jaguares

v

Stormers

Buenos Aires

7:40 am

SUN, 09 JUNE

Jaguares

v

Sharks

Buenos Aires

7:40 am

BYE: Lions

BYE: Chiefs

WEEK 18

WEEK 13 FRI, 10 MAY

Blues

v

Hurricanes

Auckland

7:35 pm

FRI, 14 JUNE

Highlanders

v

Waratahs

Invercargill

7:35 pm

Rebels

v

Chiefs

Melbourne

9:45 pm

FRI, 10 MAY

Rebels

v

Reds

Melbourne

9:45 pm

FRI, 14 JUNE

SAT, 11 MAY

Bulls

v

Crusaders

Pretoria

5:10 am

SAT, 15 JUNE

Jaguares

v

Sunwolves

Buenos Aires

10:10 am

5:15 pm

SAT, 15 JUNE

Hurricanes

v

Blues

Wellington

7:35 pm

7:35 pm

SAT, 15 JUNE

Brumbies

v

Reds

Canberra

9:45 pm

SUN, 16 JUNE

Stormers

v

Sharks

Cape Town

1:05 am

SUN, 16 JUNE

Bulls

v

Lions

Pretoria

3:15 am

SAT, 11 MAY SAT, 11 MAY SUN, 12 MAY SUN, 12 MAY

Highlanders Chiefs Lions Brumbies

v v v v

Jaguares Sharks Waratahs Sunwolves

Dunedin Hamilton Johannesburg Canberra

1:05 am 4:05 pm

BYE: Crusaders

BYE: Stormers

WEEK 14 FRI, 17 MAY

Hurricanes

v

Jaguares

Wellington

7:35 pm

FRI, 17 MAY

Rebels

v

Bulls

Melbourne

9:45 pm

SAT, 18 MAY

Blues

v

Chiefs

Auckland

7:35 pm

SAT, 18 MAY

Reds

v

Waratahs

Brisbane

9:45 pm

SUN, 19 MAY

Lions

v

Highlanders

Johannesburg

1:05 am

SUN, 19 MAY

Stormers

v

Crusaders

Cape Town

3:15 am

BYES: Sharks, Sunwolves, Brumbies

WEEK 15 FRI, 24 MAY

Chiefs

v

Reds

Hamilton

7:35 pm

FRI, 24 MAY

Brumbies

v

Bulls

Canberra

9:45 pm

SAT, 25 MAY

Sunwolves

v

Rebels

Tokyo

5:15 pm

SAT, 25 MAY

Crusaders

v

Blues

Christchurch

7:35 pm

SAT, 25 MAY

Waratahs

v

Jaguares

Sydney

9:45 pm

SUN, 26 MAY

Stormers

v

Highlanders

Cape Town

1:05 am

SUN, 26 MAY

Sharks

v

Lions

Durban

3:15 am

BYE: Hurricanes

www.super.rugby

INVESTEC SUPER RUGBY 2019 FINALS QUARTER-FINALS SAT, 22 JUNE

Team 1

v

Team 8

SAT, 22 JUNE

Team 2

v

Team 7

SAT, 22 JUNE

Team 3

v

Team 6

SAT, 22 JUNE

Team 4

v

Team 5

SEMI-FINALS SAT, 29 JUNE

F irst-seeded quarter-final winner

v

F ourth-seeded quarter-final winner

SAT, 29 JUNE

S econd-seeded quarter-final winner

v

T hird-seeded quarter-final winner

SAT, 06 JULY

v H IGHER RANKED SEMI-FINAL WINNER

FINAL L OWER RANKED SEMI-FINAL WINNER

NB: Times, dates and venues subject to change

page 17 SUPER RUGBY 2019

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM PREVIEWS

By Campbell Burnes

BRUMBIES: Wing Toni Pulu has taken his talents across the Tasman. WARATAHS: Kurtley Beale will be central to the on-field fortunes of the Waratahs.

BRUMBIES

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE

LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: 10TH AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE: THIRD Coach: Dan McKellar Captain: Sam Carter Home ground: GIO Stadium, Canberra Website: www.brumbies.com.au Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au Contact: LPO Box 5039, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617. Phone +61 1300 228 278 Brumbies TAB odds: $23.00 CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: The Brumbies were slightly better in 2018 but missed the play-offs as the Australian Conference standard lifted overall. That consigned them to third position in the conference, edged by the Rebels. They were actually competitive against the New Zealand teams and beat the Hurricanes 24–12, but didn’t win enough of their derbies to finish 7–9.

Opening with two home games, the Brumbies do their big road trip in April to Cape Town and Buenos Aires.

NEW SOUTH WALES WARATAHS

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE

SUPER RUGBY 2019 page 18

LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: THIRD AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE: FIRST Coach: Daryl Gibson Captain: Michael Hooper Home ground: SCG, Brookvale Oval, Bankwest Stadium Website: www.waratahs.com.au Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au Contact: Locked Bag 1222, Paddington, Sydney, NSW 2021 Phone +61 2 9323 3300 Waratahs TAB odds: $15.00 CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: As always, there is enough talent at the Waratahs to indicate they could upset plenty of teams.

Last year they did just that by reaching the final four, beating the Highlanders twice and only succumbing to the Lions in a Joburg semi-final, though acquitting themselves well. It was a hefty advance from the many lows of 2017 and credit must go to head coach Daryl Gibson, who engineered the turnaround. With Simon Cron,

Key defections include the retired centurion prop Ben Alexander, Auckland hooker Robbie Abel and former North Harbour prop Nic Mayhew. But they have picked up a couple of Kiwis — former Northland and Hurricanes lock Murray Douglas and Chiefs flier Toni Pulu, the fastest man in the competition. Former Wallabies prop James Slipper is a new recruit after a turbulent 2018 season, while new Wallaby loose forward Pete Samu transfers from the Crusaders — in hopes that some of that winning culture rubs off.

Dan McKellar and his coaching staff did a lot right in reshaping the way the Brumbies play. They scored more tries and looked more likely on attack in general, but that did not draw the crowds at GIO Stadium, which were the lowest in franchise history. Will it be as simple as racking up wins?

As ever, they will lean on the experience and quality of captain Sam Carter, talisman David Pocock and five-eighths Christian Lealiifano, all of whom may not be in Brumbies colours next season. Some good news in January saw fullback/wing Tom Banks re-sign until 2022. Will the likes of Scott Sio, Henry Speight and Tevita Kuridrani follow suit?

Chris Whitaker and new defence coach Steve Tandy, formerly of the Ospreys, Gibson has the coaching jigsaw puzzle sorted. Now it is just a matter of again inspiring his often erratic charges to the top of the Australian conference.

The roster is an interesting one. The likes of Michael Hooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Israel Folau and Sekope Kepu will lead the way, but watch out for former Bay of Plenty centre Lalakai Foketi, hooker JP Sauni (who played one game for Auckland in 2017) and hefty 135kg South African lock Le Roux Roets.

Other prominent names include Wallabies Ned Hanigan, Tolu Latu and Nick Phipps. Can they put it all together without offending the injury gods?

Their home base of Allianz Stadium is out of action so the Waratahs will be opening up at Brookvale Oval, the home of the NRL team the Manly Sea Eagles, while also making use of the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground and Bankwest Stadium (the new stadium in Western Sydney). Nomads off the field, they will seek a more solid on-field base to satisfy their hardbitten supporters.

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THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM PREVIEWS continued from page 18 QUEENSLAND REDS

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE

LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: 13TH AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE: FOURTH Coach: Brad Thorn Captain: Samu Kerevi Home ground: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Website: www.redsrugby.com.au Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au Contact: PO Box 3458, Newmarket, QLD 4051 Phone +61 1300 753 733 Reds TAB odds: $81.00

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: The 2018 gains seemed incremental but the Reds under Brad Thorn look to be a long-term work in progress.

They went from 4–11 to 6–10 and while some of their defensive work needs more starch, much of their pack output was positive. In particular, tighthead prop Taniela Tupou — the Tongan Thor — made tremendous progress under Thorn, bringing solidity to his scrummaging. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa cracked the Wallabies, as did No. 8 Caleb Timu, off the back of their work for the Reds.

MELBOURNE REBELS

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE

LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: NINTH AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE: SECOND Coach: Dave Wessels Captain: TBC Home ground: AAMI Park, Melbourne Website: www.melbournerebels.com Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au Contact: PO Box 4046, Richmond East, VIC 3121 Phone +61 1300 467 323 Rebels TAB odds: $41.00 CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: The Melbourne Rebels were the big improvers of 2018 but they still could not seal an historic play-offs berth.

Edged out by the Sharks on points differential, they still recorded a 7–9 finish, which was rather an improvement on the parlous 1–1–13 from 2017.

The big signing for 2019 is Quade Cooper, who languished in club footy in Brisbane for much of 2018. The 30-year-old could form a potent halves combination with Will Genia, as they have done

REDS:​Taniela Tupou made big strides in 2018 and needs more of the same this Super Rugby season.

SUPER RUGBY 2019 page 20

Thorn has opted for a mainly locals-first policy, which will not pay dividends this year but could bear fruit from 2020. He needs buy-in and patience from the staunch Queensland faithful.

The Reds will lean on the likes of loose forward Scott Higginbotham, lock Izack Rodda, centre Samu Kerevi and X-factor outside backs Filipo Daugunu, Jordan Petaia and Chris Feauai-Sautia.

An interesting new recruit is former Blues, North Harbour and Yamaha Jubilo first-five/fullback Matt McGahan. Clearly he is not in the same class as Quade Cooper, but Thorn is to be applauded for sticking to his guns and plotting a future for the Reds without Cooper, who has flown the coop to the Melbourne Rebels.

McGahan is capable of bringing flair and the Reds’ backline needs a lot of that commodity to go with their hard-nosed pack.

The draw will be instructive. A first-round bye is followed by a trip to old rival Highlanders, then they host the Crusaders and round off the first month with the grudge clash versus the Waratahs in Sydney.

The Bulls and Sharks are on the April slate in the Republic. in the past at the Reds and in the Wallabies.

Jack Debreczeni’s departure to the Chiefs opened up that position. Outside Cooper and Genia could be Matt Toomua, but he will not be done with the Leicester Tigers until the beginning of May at the earliest. Reece Hodge will be the floater in the backline and will bang the long goals.

Despite the loss of the bullocking Amanaki Mafi, the Rebels can still look to seasoned and quality cattle — such as lock Adam Coleman, prop Ben Daley, midfielders Billy Meakes and club captain Tom English, outside backs Dane Haylett-Petty, Jack Maddocks and Marika Koroibete — for X-factor and performing when the chips are down. Centre Sione Tuipulotu is fresh off a stint with Yamaha Jubilo in Japan’s Top League.

Experience will be vital if they are to shake their finals footy hoodoo and get more numbers through the AAMI Park gates.

The Rebels kick-off the Australian Conference in Canberra on February 15 and hit the Republic in March. Their byes are in rounds two and 11. Four of their last six games are at AAMI Park, including the regular season closer against the Chiefs.

REBELS:​Once a fixture at the Queensland Reds, Quade Cooper has found a new home in Melbourne.

oliverlee.co.nz

THE SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM PREVIEWS

BULLS: Lood de Jager will lead by example.

BULLS

SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE

STORMERS: Pieter-Steph du Toit brings versatility to the pack.

LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: 12TH SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE: FIFTH Coach: Pote Human Captain: Lood de Jager Home ground: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Website: www.thebulls.co.za Tickets: www.ticketpros.co.za Contact: 416 Kirkness Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0007.

Phone +27 12 420 0700 Bulls TAB odds: $41.00 CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: The Bulls have had an enormous fall from grace since the halcyon days of Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana, but 2019 may well be a year in which they take a significant step back to good health.

Former All Black coach John Mitchell, in his solitary year in charge in 2018, brought some refreshing ideas to their attack, even if it did not translate into good results. While not having staying power, Mitchell laid a foundation on which new coach

STORMERS

SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE

LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: 11TH SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE: FOURTH Coach: Robbie Fleck Captain: Siya Kolisi Home ground: DHL Newlands, Cape Town Website: www.thestormers.com Tickets: www.thestormers.com/tickets Contact: Newlands Terraces, 8 Boundary Road, Newlands 7700. Phone +27 21 659 4500 Stormers TAB odds: $41.00 CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: On paper the Siya Kolisi-led Stormers look an exceptional team but challenges off the field are threatening to torpedo their hopes.

While not announced due to apparent political sensitivities, the management is set to be bolstered

by Western Province’s Currie Cup coaching team of John Dobson (breakdowns), Dawie Snyman (backline) and Norman Laker (defence).

Paul Treu, an assistant coach who claimed he had been unfairly discriminated against last year, is unlikely to be involved after head coach Robbie Fleck

SUPER RUGBY 2019 page 22

By Stephen Nell

Pote Human can build. In Human the Bulls did not get the coach they wanted to replace Mitchell.

Matfield was their man, but he preferred home comforts and a gig as a SuperSport pundit over the insecurity of coaching.

Nonetheless, the Bulls — emboldened by the financial muscle of equity holder Remgro — strengthened their side with the likes of Springbok No. 8 Duane Vermeulen, hooker Schalk Brits and winger Rosko Specman. Off the field they have appointed a vastly experienced director of rugby in Alan Zondagh and a new chief executive in Alfonso Meyer — both individuals with ties to the investment holding giant Remgro.

Springbok lock Lood de Jager is the new captain.

The three-time champions have a handful of very talented players that are approaching maturity. This includes De Jager’s likely lock partner, RG Snyman, and exciting fullback Warrick Gelant.

There are also two excellent ball-poaching back-rowers in Roelof Smit and Marco van Staden, while the experience of first five-eighth Handré Pollard and centre Jesse Kriel will carry them at the back. Last again? Not likely. and senior assistant Paul Feeney were exonerated of wrongdoing. Nonetheless, there’s an unpleasant politically-loaded air about rugby in Cape Town.

In addition, administrative power struggles at the Western Province Rugby Union are threatening to spill over into the public domain.

The main consideration will thus be to what extent Fleck can shield his players from likely distractions.

Provided the entire operation can present a united front, the Stormers should do well. It’s up front where they look decidedly mean. Eben Etzebeth, the hard-as-nails Springbok lock, is crucially set to be fit after missing the Stormers’ entire campaign last year.

Then there are other meanies, such as props Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Wilco Louw. Fleck will be able to partner Etzebeth with Pieter-Steph du Toit, but may move the latter to blindside flank thanks to the availability of an exceptionally talented young second-rower in JD Schickerling. If there is a significant weakness it is at halfback where the Stormers will mostly rely on an ageing Jano Vermaak.

However, the forward pack is complemented by gas out wide and the play-offs beckon if Fleck is afforded a stable and non-politicised working environment.

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THE SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM PREVIEWS continued from page 22 LIONS LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: SECOND SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE: FIRST

But make no mistake, there is a decent spine with skipper Warren Whiteley, hooker Malcolm Marx, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and wing Aphiwe Dyantyi.

Coach: Swys de Bruin

Former Sharks second-rower Stephan Lewies has been signed to step into the void left by Mostert, but that could be a problem. A lot could depend on how much value they can extract from Marx, in particular. There are few hookers, if any, in the game able to rival him for sheer presence in general play and breakdown skills.

Captain: Warren Whiteley

SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE

THE SHARKS

SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE

Home ground: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Website: www.lionsrugby.co.za Tickets: www.ticketpros.co.za Contact: Corner Currey and Staib Street, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2028. Phone +27 11 402 2960 Lions TAB odds: $7.00 CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: While still a powerful side at full strength, the Lions increasingly look a franchise that is approaching the end of an era.

Former coach Johan Ackermann, now in charge of English Premiership side Gloucester, has poached three of his old stalwarts in lock Franco Mostert, tighthead prop Ruan Dreyer and back-rower Jaco Kriel. In addition, they have lost other quality players in second five-eighth Rohan Janse van Rensburg and loosehead prop Jacques van Rooyen.

Given the idiosyncratic Super Rugby format, the Lions were without a doubt fortunate to make it to last year’s Super Rugby final. This year they will do well to top the South African Conference.

LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: EIGHTH SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE: THIRD Coach: Robert du Preez Captain: Louis Schreuder Home ground: Jonsson Kings Park, Durban Website: www.sharksrugby.co.za Tickets: www.ticketpros.co.za Contact: Jacko Jackson Drive, Stamford Hill, Durban 4025.

Phone +27 31 308 8400 Sharks TAB odds: $61.00

Akker van der Merwe and Thomas du Toit — are standouts.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: The Sharks were crowned South Africa’s domestic champions after winning the Currie Cup in October last year, which suggests that the franchise is overall in a decent space.

There is some very good young talent coming through, but Super Rugby is not a young man’s game and that is what it may become for the Lions if injuries to key players strike.

Nonetheless, they still have it in them to knock over big dogs, though perhaps not as ruthlessly and consistently as before.

There was a significant setback with a pre-season injury to blindside flank Jean-Luc du Preez, who could miss the first two months of the 2019 campaign after sustaining an injury while playing for English club Sale in the off-season.

Du Preez is one of head coach Robert du Preez’s three sons in the set-up — a family affair that is a bone of contention. All three — Jean-Luc, Dan and Robert — are accomplished players and key men for Du Preez senior.

Robert du Preez junior is a maturing first five-eighth with the ability to run the game, while second fiveeighth André Esterhuizen is the embodiment of the team’s physical nature.

At the same time, they can’t lay claim to being South Africa’s premier side when all teams are at full strength.

Notwithstanding last year’s Currie Cup win, the jury is still out on Du Preez senior as a coach and this is likely to be a defining campaign for him.

Last year their limitations were brought into sharp focus with a 40–10 quarter-final defeat to the Crusaders and there haven't been new signings to strengthen the side.

On their day the Sharks can knock over any other team and you certainly can’t write them off in the South African Conference.

The Sharks do have smatterings of quality. They have a decent pack and the front row — Tendai Mtawarira,

LIONS:​Malcolm Marx has a fair claim to be the best hooker in the world.

SUPER RUGBY 2019 page 24

Their coach, Swys de Bruin, is also a salt-of-the-earth man who deserves much of the credit for the exciting attacking rugby the Lions have played.

That said, it’s again difficult to see them troubling the best teams in the competition if they make it to the play-offs.

SHARKS:​Tendai Mtawarira is vastly experienced in the vaunted Sharks pack.

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ARGENTINE & JAPANESE TEAM PREVIEWS

By Stephen Nell

LOS JAGUARES: Experienced international Joaquin Tuculet is fit to return this season. SUNWOLVES: Kiwi Michael Little will now co-captain the team.

SUNWOLVES

LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: 15TH AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE: FIFTH Coach: Tony Brown Co-captains: Michael Little and Craig Millar Home grounds: P rince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo; Singapore National Stadium, Singapore.

Website: www.sunwolves.or.jp/en Tickets: www.e-tix.jp/super-japanrugby/en

AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE

Contact: 107-0061, 2-7-21 4F Kita-Aoyama Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Phone +81 120 639 021 Sunwolves TAB odds: $401.00 CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: With Japan gearing up to host the Rugby World Cup, there will be much meaning attached to every game the Sunwolves play this year.

Even though results may not necessarily be a pointer to what one can expect from the Cherry Blossoms later in the year, the Sunwolves are the most important ambassadors for Japanese rugby in the build-up to the tournament.

Last year’s head coach Jamie Joseph is now solely focused on the Japanese national team, which has

LOS JAGUARES

SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE

LAST YEAR: COMPETITION: SEVENTH SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE: SECOND Coach: Gonzalo Quesada Captain: TBC Home ground: Estadio José Amalfitani Website: www.jaguares.com.ar Tickets: www.ticketek.com.ar/jaguares Contact: Dardo Rocha 2950, Martínez, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Phone +54 9 11 4898 8500 Jaguares TAB odds: $21.00 CAMPAIGN PREVIEW: How will the Jaguares cope without Mario Ledesma as their coach and the loss of talismanic first five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez?

Those are the key questions going into a 2019 campaign that will be laced with expectation after the great progress they showed in 2018.

Last year they handed out beatings to all four South African franchises in Buenos Aires, including a 54–24 humiliation of the Bulls. They also achieved notable away victories against the Blues, Chiefs, Brumbies and Rebels. It was

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allowed former All Blacks pivot Tony Brown to take the reins at the Sunwolves. Brown’s vast rugby intellect and attacking nous makes him a great asset for a team that generally plays delightfully expansive rugby when it hits its straps.

Captaincy duties will be shared between the exciting centre Michael Little and Otago loosehead prop Craig Millar.

The Kiwi-influence will indeed run deep in most of what the Sunwolves do. First five-eighth Hayden Parker’s boot is also a tremendous asset and was the single biggest factor in inspiring them to a 26–23 win over the Stormers in Hong Kong last year. Rene Ranger, a prolific former winger at the Blues, will add some experience and gas at the back.

It’s a great pity for the Sunwolves that Wallaby back-rower Sean McMahon’s season ended before it had even begun with a foot injury. His experience of 26 tests in a gold jersey certainly would have served them well.

Still, this may well be a season where the Sunwolves increasingly shed the tag of “easy beats”. They are the shop window for Japanese rugby leading up to the World Cup and Brown has a squad that will be comfortable with that responsibility. the Jaguares’ most successful campaign to date, but their ability to build on that will depend on how successfully they handle transitions.

Gonzalo Quesada has succeeded Ledesma as coach and as a former first five-eighth himself will know that adequately replacing the playmaking abilities and kicking strengths of Sanchez will be key.

In the past, Juan Martin Hernandez might have been a banker in the No. 10 jersey, but he has retired. More than likely the first man tasked with wearing the No. 10 jersey will be the promising Domingo Miotti.

Quesada does have two key internationals fit in tighthead prop Enrique Pieretto and fullback Joaquin Tuculet. Pieretto missed the 2018 campaign due to a serious knee injury, while Tuculet’s campaign was cut short in May with a similar problem. Tuculet’s ability at the back is well-known and the Jaguares will cut a few teams to shreds using him in concert with the likes of Emiliano Boffelli, Bautista Delguy and Ramiro Moyano.

Up front they’re also dripping with international experience, so making the quarter-finals is a realistic goal. They may even progress beyond that if they can adequately compensate for the loss of Sanchez. page 27 SUPER RUGBY2019

SUPER RUGBY — 23 YEARS OLD

SUPER RUGBY FACTS, FIGURES AND STATS

By Campbell Burnes — Here are 17 facts about the 23-year-old Super Rugby competition.

Liam Messam was at his best in the Chiefs’ 2012ˉ13 glory years — when they won two Super Rugby championships back-to-back.

2008 At the time it was the biggest upset in Super Rugby history,

The Highlanders beat the Crusaders 26–14 in Christchurch.

according to the TAB. Two weeks later the Crusaders, suitably chastened, won their seventh crown.

87 highest by far in the 2018 competition.

Super Rugby tries scored by Ma’a Nonu for the Hurricanes, 53 Blues and Highlanders. A productive return to the Blues could Lineouts won by Franco Mostert of the Lions last season, the

conceivably see him overtake the current record-holder Doug Howlett, who sits on 59. Coincidentally former All Blacks wing Howlett played for the same three franchises as Nonu.

1708 Cost of Sanzar’s first Super Rugby TV deal, which lasted $555m 10 years from 1996–2005.

Final record tally of Super Rugby games for the Crusaders 202 by now retired loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett.

Consecutive games for the Crusaders played by former 104 All Blacks three-quarter Caleb Ralph.

The number of tries scored by the 2017 Hurricanes, the season 97 record for a team. The Crusaders crossed for 90 last season on Points scored by Dan Carter — still the record.

the way to glory.

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MA’A NONU in tryscoring mode for the Hurricanes in 2015.

38 which was for the Chiefs in 2011.

The number of times that the Blues have failed to make the 17 Super Rugby play-offs, out of 23 seasons in total.

The age (and 288 days) at which James O’Connor made his 17 Super Rugby debut; the youngest in competition history.

The record number of tries scored by Ben Lam in 2018.

16 The Hurricanes flyer broke the record first created by the

Age at which Tana Umaga played his final Super Rugby game,

Brumbies’ Joe Roff in 1997 and equalled by Rico Gear (Crusaders) in 2005 and Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes) in 2017. Lam’s efforts saw him enter the conversation around possible All Blacks wings. Laumape racked up another nine tries in 2018, while George Bridge (Crusaders) and Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs) both chalked up 15.

4 New Zealand franchises, though never the Blues — in whose Former All Blacks midfielder Pita Alatini appeared for four

region he now lives and works.

3 been involved: Crusaders (2002), Hurricanes (2003–10) and now The number of Super Rugby teams with which Colin Cooper has

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Chiefs (2018–19) as head coach.

1 Waratahs prop Matt Dunning.

Former New Zealand referee Steve Walsh officiated the 2007 1 Super Rugby final between the Sharks and Bulls.

The number of drop goals kicked in Super Rugby by former

SUPER RUGBY 2019 page 28

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Match your passion at mypurpose.mil.nz, search NZDF Defence Careers on Facebook or call 0800 1 FORCE now.

RWC 2019 MATCH SCHEDULE

All match times are New Zealand local time — note that Daylight Saving Time begins on 30 September. All times are correct at time of going to press but are subject to change. For up-to-date information on the Rugby World Cup 2019 visit www.rugbyworldcup.com

POOL A

POOL B

POOL C

POOL D

IRELAND SCOTLAND JAPAN RUSSIA SAMOA

NEW ZEALAND SOUTH AFRICA ITALY NAMIBIA CANADA

ENGLAND FRANCE ARGENTINA USA TONGA

AUSTRALIA WALES GEORGIA FIJI URUGUAY

FRI, 20 SEPT, 10:45 pm Tokyo JAPAN v RUSSIA

SAT, 21 SEPT, 9:45 pm Yokohama NEW ZEALAND v SOUTH AFRICA

SAT, 21 SEPT, 7:15 pm Tokyo FRANCE v ARGENTINA

SAT, 21 SEPT, 4:45 pm AUSTRALIA v FIJI

SUN, 22 SEPT, 7:45 pm IRELAND v SCOTLAND

Yokohama

SUN, 22 SEPT, 5:15 pm ITALY v NAMIBIA

Higashiosaka City

SUN, 22 SEPT, 10:15 pm ENGLAND v TONGA

Sapporo City

MON, 23 SEPT, 10:15 pm WALES v GEORGIA

Kumagaya City

THU, 26 SEPT, 7:45 pm ITALY v CANADA

Fukuoka City

THU, 26 SEPT, 10:45 pm ENGLAND v USA

Kobe City

TUES, 24 SEPT, 10:15 pm RUSSIA v SAMOA

Sapporo City

WED, 25 SEPT, 5:15 pm FIJI v URUGUAY

Toyota City Kamaishi City

SAT, 28 SEPT, 7:15 pm Shizuoka Prefecture JAPAN v IRELAND

SAT, 28 SEPT, 9:45 pm Toyota City SOUTH AFRICA v NAMIBIA

SAT, 28 SEPT, 4:45 pm Higashiosaka City ARGENTINA v TONGA

SUN, 29 SEPT, 6:15 pm Kumagaya City GEORGIA v URUGUAY

MON, 30 SEPT, 11:15 pm SCOTLAND v SAMOA

Kobe City

WED, 2 OCT, 11:15 pm Oita Prefecture NEW ZEALAND v CANADA

WED, 2 OCT, 8:45 pm FRANCE v USA

SUN, 29 SEPT, 8:45 pm Tokyo AUSTRALIA v WALES

THUR, 3 OCT, 11:15 pm IRELAND v RUSSIA

Kobe City

FRI, 4 OCT, 10:45 pm Shizuoka Prefecture SOUTH AFRICA v ITALY

SAT, 5 OCT, 9:00 pm Tokyo ENGLAND v ARGENTINA

THU, 3 OCT, 6:15 pm GEORGIA v FIJI

SUN, 6 OCT, 5:45 pm NEW ZEALAND v NAMIBIA

SUN, 6 OCT, 8:45 pm FRANCE v TONGA

Kumamoto City

SAT, 5 OCT, 6:15 pm Oita Prefecture AUSTRALIA v URUGUAY

Kumagaya City

WED, 9 OCT, 10:45 pm WALES v FIJI

SAT, 5 OCT, 11:30 pm JAPAN v SAMOA

Toyota City

Tokyo

Fukuoka City

WED, 9 OCT, 8:15 pm Shizuoka Prefecture SCOTLAND v RUSSIA

TUES, 8 OCT, 11:15 pm Kobe City SOUTH AFRICA v CANADA

WED, 9 OCT, 5:45 pm ARGENTINA v USA

SAT, 12 OCT, 11:45 pm IRELAND v SAMOA

SAT, 12 OCT, 5:45 pm NEW ZEALAND v ITALY

SAT, 12 OCT, 9:15 pm ENGLAND v FRANCE

Fukuoka City

Toyota City

Oita Prefecture

FRI, 11 OCT, 11:15 pm Shizuoka Prefecture AUSTRALIA v GEORGIA

SUN, 13 OCT, 11:45 pm Yokohama JAPAN v SCOTLAND

SUN, 13 OCT, 4:15 pm NAMIBIA v CANADA

QUARTER FINAL 1

QUARTER FINAL 2

QUARTER FINAL 3

QUARTER FINAL 4

SAT, 19 OCT, 8:15 pm Oita Prefecture WINNER POOL C v RUNNER-UP POOL D

SAT, 19 OCT, 11:15 pm WINNER POOL B v RUNNER-UP POOL A

SUN, 20 OCT, 8:15 pm Oita Prefecture WINNER POOL D v RUNNER-UP POOL C

SUN, 20 OCT, 11:15 pm WINNER POOL A v RUNNER-UP POOL B

Kamaishi City

Tokyo

SUN, 13 OCT, 6:45 pm USA v TONGA

Yokohama

Higashiosaka City

Higashiosaka City

SUN, 13 OCT, 9:15 pm WALES v URUGUAY

SEMI-FINAL 1

BRONZE FINAL

SEMI-FINAL 2

SAT, 26 OCT, 9:00 pm Yokohama WINNER QUARTER-FINAL 1 v WINNER QUARTER-FINAL 2

FRI, 1 NOV, 10:00 pm Tokyo RUNNER-UP SEMI-FINAL 1 v RUNNER-UP SEMI-FINAL 2

SUN, 27 OCT, 10:00 pm Yokohama WINNER QUARTER-FINAL 3 v WINNER QUARTER-FINAL 4

Kumamoto City

Tokyo

FINAL SAT, 2 NOV, 10:00 pm Yokohama WINNER SEMI-FINAL 1 v WINNER SEMI-FINAL 2 SUPER RUGBY 2019 page 30

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