Super Rugby Aotearoa won rave reviews in its 2020 starter season, and there are few who say the second edition will be as appealing.
As far as 2021, the volatile climate of COVID-19 offers no promises to anyone.
Attendance can be limited at different levels, as the next revolution lies.
The turmoil will be the same for the course – just ask the Blues after last week’s three-day Auckland lock that stopped training and suspended their preseason game against the Crusaders at Put off Eden Park.
Overcoming any other COVID hurdles we can, however, expect to see some of the best competitive rugby on the planet, with a critical relocation of Super Rugby this season the strong product nature of New Zealand derbies has been proven.
Nine of the 19 games completed this season were decided by seven points or less – six of which were no more than three.
While the Crusaders start warm favors to capture Scott Robertson’s fifth consecutive title, competitions like tight fighting will be a major theme again this year.
That’s because this year’s landscape starts out pretty much like the last one – just with the Blues losing Beauden Barrett to Japan; likewise the Hurricanes with their captain TJ Perenara taking a season out to run on the yen and leaving a big hole in the ‘Canes halves’.
Even without Barrett, on paper the Blues should have the best chance to challenge the Crusaders, with Leon MacDonald gathering real depth in his forward pass that will allow his team to play a number of ways. .
Aotearoa ‘s major Super Rugby changes come in the form of a final round – and two polarizing control tests; introduce a captain challenge and score a goal line when an attacking player is held up or kicked to the ground by the defensive team.
The two tweaks are likely to have a different effect, with an expectation that will only become apparent when coaches and players figure out how to handle situations to their advantage.
Last season’s early SRA rounds, played in front of a sold-out crowd after being locked up, were missed by a breakdown when referees seized a number of penalties. their efforts to create faster and cleaner property.
Hopefully this season starts on a calmer note where the players, not the whistle, drive talking points, and there are plenty of them.
Warren Gatland’s return home was a disaster last year as the Chiefs lost all eight SRA games. At times, they were thwarted by mentioning blunders but Gatland’s successful defense plan in Wales culminated in the Chiefs ’sexual assault attack.
With Gatland having pledged to the British and Irish Lions series against the Springboks this year – wherever that takes place, if at all – Bay of Plenty and New Zealand Maori Maori coach Clayton McMillan is set to into his gap.
When Gatland returns in 2022, McMillan will return to the role of assistant. In the meantime as MacMillan’s philosophies shape the Chiefs, who will carry a chip on their shoulders into this season, offer only one subplot.
Up the road and across the Bombay Mountains the Blues have recruited strongly by attracting Nepo Laulala’s All Blacks prop and single-try opener Dillon Hunt, the last among the country’s top defenders and they belong to the Gaels.
No one replaces the threat of a world-class attack like Barrett but the Blues playmaker used All Blacks at fullback over the top-five last year. So the return to Otere Black should not be much changed.
With the recent All Blacks Caleb Clarke, Hoskins Sotutu and brothers Ioane, Rieko and Akira, the Blues are not attacking firepower. The talented addition of Zarn Sullivan and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens sets up a tantalizing battle for the full-back role with Stephen Perofeta, too.
In Wellington the main task is how to fill the gaping holes that Barrett and Perenara left in successive years.
At half-back the Hurricanes have to turn to spies Luke Campbell and Jonathan Taumateine while Jackson Garden-Bachop takes on the first five duties after reduced veteran Simon Hickey, back from five years abroad, suffered a knee injury at the end of the season during preseason.
Ardie Savea takes over the captain of the Hurricanes, while Dane Coles approaches his potential Super campaign, and he does so with his brother Julian on his return. from France.
Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape will have to play influential roles if the Hurricanes can stay in the mix, while Salesi Rayasi seems to be making his mark on the edge after scoring 14 attempts in 10 games for Auckland during the division season.
Further south the Crusaders are still, well, the Crusaders vaunted although their depth will be determined by center Braydon Ennor and back hook Andrew Makalio out for the season. All wings of the Blacks, George Bridge (one month) and Tom Sanders (two months), miss big pieces.
As long as Richie Mo’unga stays healthy, though, the Crusaders are still curious for another title. A package that includes All Blacks certainty Codie Taylor, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Cullen Grace and Joe Moody helps red-and-black cause.
The only other question is whether Tamati Ellison will replace Mark Jones who was previously a Welsh shield in the Crusaders ’coaching staff either win.
Further south, Tony Brown’s rise to lead the Highlanders for the next two seasons – after Aaron Mauger’s release – is the final piece of the New Zealand puzzle.
With only two All Blacks at the moment – Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell – on his books, Brown has a difficult job. That is always the story with the Gaels, however. And every year they find ways to compete.
Led by Brown, expect their creative kicking game to emerge.
Liam Squire is expected to return from Japan, after his last appearance for the All Blacks before the 2019 World Cup.
Kazuki Himeno, the loose player who starred in the World Cup campaign in Japan, should be fit for New Zealand’s vibrant style. Solomon Alaimalo ‘s turn from the Chiefs will also strike a special strike on the outer back.
The Highlanders have early things, however, as Wallabies prop Jermaine Ainsley seems to have gone for the season and his front-back Ayden Johnstone is still recovering from a decision he suffered. in September last year.
Stress at the set piece can crumble any side. This is partly why the Crusaders and Blues, with the best packs in the competition, seem to be making it to the finals.