Is there a squad in Super Rugby more exciting than the 2018 Hurricanes?
Well yes but throw promising front rowers Asafo Aumua and Alex Fidow into a team already stacked with All Blacks stars such as Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Dane Coles, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, Ngani Laumape, Nehe Milner-Skudder and a certain former AB with a point to prove, Julian Savea, and you have all the ingredients to mount a series challenge.
Interestingly the Hurricanes have, of all places, looked to Melbourne for much of their recruitment, signing Jackson Garden-Bachop, Toby Smith and Murray Douglas out of the Rebels.
Garden-Bachop and Ihaia West - the latter swapping in for Otere Black - are handy additions and will ensure there is decent back-up to Barrett, while flanker Gareth Evans joins the loose forward mix after previously turning out for the Highlanders.
Arrivals: Asafo Aumua, Alex Fidow, Toby Smith, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Murray Douglas, Sam Henwood, Gareth Evans, Jamie Booth, Finlay Christie, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ihaia West.
Departures: Loni Uhila, Mike Kainga, Leni Apisai, Mark Abbott, James Broadhurst, Geoffrey Cridge, Callum Gibbins, Hugh Renton Toa Halafihi, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Kylem O'Donnell, Otere Black, Pita Ahki, Cory Jane.
Keep an eye on: Ngani Laumape forced his way into the All Blacks, after scoring 15 tries for the Hurricanes. Can his midfield partner Vince Aso, who scored 14 last season, follow suit?
