LIAM NAPIER assesses the Kiwi Super Rugby team next year.
BLUES
Best recruit: Josh Bekhuis
Tom Donnelly is replaced with another hard-working southern soul. Locking stocks were problematic for the Blues last season - only Patrick Tuipulotu's rapid rise covered the cracks.
Bekhuis is a solid lineout target and someone not shy of doing the hard graft. Previous Blues' tight fives haven't grasped this aspect, preferring the flasher approach.
Jimmy Cowan's competitiveness should also keep Bryn Hall honest.
Losses: Benji Marshall, Baden Kerr, Tom McCartney, Liaki Moli, Chris Noakes, Jackson Willison, Piri Weepu, Tom Donnelly, Kane Barrett
Biggest defection: Benji, no, scrap that. Ma'a Nonu
Nonu's ability to cart the ball up and out of trouble is irreplaceable. With talented but raw playmaker Ihaia West expected to run the cutter, the Blues need some calm heads outside him.
Question ma
Who will play centre? The Blues have a host of talented second five-eighths - and no specialist centre.
Pita Ahki and George Moala are the favoured candidates - with Francis Saili, Daniel Bowden and Hamish Northcott all lining up to play 12. Ahki, though, is more accustomed to second-five and Moala best suited to wing.
Balance is crucial in any midfield pairing. With a lack of experience and specialist centre, the Blues could struggle in this area.
New kids on the block:
Hamish Northcott (second-five), Blake Gibson (flanker), Greg Pleasants-Tate (prop), Matt Moulds (hooker), William Lloyd (lock), Melani Nanai (back three), Matt Vaega (midfield)
One to watch:
Of the seven rookies, Northcott looks the most promising.
He thrived at second-five under Jason O'Halloran's guidance at Manawatu. At 93kg, possibly a tad on the small side. Interesting to see if he gets a decent crack.
CHIEFS
Best recruit: Sonny Bill Williams
Williams will go some way to addressing the lack of size the Chiefs backline suffered from this year. Throw in Hosea Gear on the wing and it's clear power will feature prominently.
The three lettered man - SBW - should provide punch in the midfield, offloading prowess and give Aaron Cruden valuable time and space.
Losses: Gareth Anscombe, Bundee Aki, Nick Crosswell, Robbie Fruean, Josh Hohneck, Tanerau Latimer, Mils Muliaina, Robbie Robinson, Mahonri Schwalger, Kane Thompson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma
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rks:
Biggest defection: Tanerau Latimer
In each of his 109 games for the franchise, Latimer embodied the character the Chiefs pride themselves on.
Every time he took the field he gave his guts and frequently bled for the cause. Such mana will be difficult to replace.
Question marks:
Set piece. The Chiefs were battered up front and at times battled for dominance in the scrum and lineout last season.
Their game-plan of targeting the fringes around the ruck with hot-stepping backs also became predictable.
New kids on the block:
Michael Allardice (lock), Leon Fukofuka (halfback), Mitchell Graham (prop), Bryce Heem (wing), Quentin MacDonald (hooker), Marty McKenzie (first-five), Sean Polwart (flanker), Toni Pulu (wing), Seta Tamanivalu (centre), Siate Tokolahi (prop)
One to watch:
At NPC level, Taranaki centre Seta Tamanivalu proved near-unstoppable. Power, pace and a devastating fend combined with destructive results.
Now we find out whether those skills can transfer to Super Rugby, where he will be paired in probably the competition's biggest midfield, with Williams inside him.
HURRICANES
Best recruit: Nehe Milner-Skudder
Most will naturally point to Ma'a Nonu's overdue homecoming, but the Manawatu fullback could be the find of the year.
Milner-Skudder may struggle for game-time behind other fullback options Jason Woodward, Matt Proctor and Cory Jane but expect him to grab his chance when it arrives.
His vision and ball-playing ability was enhanced with a stint in the junior ranks at the Canterbury Bulldogs and he will only thrive further with New Zealand Maori.
With the right guidance, Milner-Skudder could follow in the footsteps of uncle George and cousin Henare and be an All Black within two years.
Losses: Marty Banks, Tim Bateman, Ash Dixon, Jack Lam, Alapati Leiua, Faifili Levave, Hadleigh Parkes, Mark Reddish, Andre Taylor, Cardiff Vaega
Biggest defection: Alapati Leiua
Leiua's versatility leaves a major void. The Samoan international found a home at second-five but is just as adept on the wing. His aggression, strength and anticipation saw him go close to All Blacks selection. Big loss.
Question marks:
John Plumtree faces a testing task.
Rugby in the capital has long been blessed with scintillating backs. Nothing changes again next year. It's the forward pack where a lack of grunt has been problematic.
Plumtree said this week in his former role as Sharks coach the South Africans felt the Canes had a soft underbelly up-front. His brief is now to transform that notion.
New kids on the block:
Willis Halaholo (midfield), Vince Aso (wing), Christian Lloyd (lock), Geoffrey Cridge (lock), Iopu Iopu-Aso (loose-forward), Jason Woodward (back three), Leni Apisai (hooker), Otere Black (first-five), Hugh Renton (loose-forward)
One to watch:
One of numerous players who battled for form during Wellington's disastrous campaign, Jason Woodward will be keen to restart his return.
Woodward came home to, ultimately, pursue higher honours, but faces no shortage of competition from within this squad to hold down a starting spot.
HIGHLANDERS
Best recruit: Waisake Naholo
Quality finishers are gold at this level. Naholo could be on the end of a backline that features Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne and Ben Smith.
That should provide plenty of try-scoring chances - and, as this 23-year-old proved with the 'Naki this year, he will take and create them.
After limited opportunities with the Blues, the Fijian-born wing will relish showcasing his x factor talents in the south.
Losses: Josh Bekhuis, Phil Burleigh, Matias Diaz, Jarrad Hoeata, TJ Ioane, Chris King, Brayden Mitchell, Winston Stanley, Brad Thorn, Frae Wilson, Willie Ripia
Biggest defection: Bekhuis
Thorn didn't play enough this season to be considered a major loss. Bekhuis has been a key figure but Tom Franklin's emergence should cover his absence.
Question marks:
Cohesion: The Highlanders continue with their nomadic theme of selecting players from across the country. Blending those contrasting styles and combinations will be a challenge.
Quality depth in influential positions is another concern.
New kids on the block:
Pingi Tala'apitaga (prop), Ross Geldenhuys (prop), Josh Hohneck (prop), Brendon Edmonds (prop), Ash Dixon (hooker), Alex Ainley (lock), Mark Reddish (lock), Dan Pryor (flanker), Waisake Naholo (wing), Marty Banks (first-five), Lee Allan (flanker), Sam Anderson-Heather (hooker), Joe Latta (lock), Josh Renton (halfback), Tei Walden (second-five), Ryan Tongia (back three)
One to watch:
After four consistent years with Northland, largely unheralded flanker Dan Pryor deserves his belated call up. His tireless efforts will fit right in at a franchise that flies under the radar and defied all predictions last season.
CRUSADERS
Best recruit: Jone Macilai
Spotted playing a Fijian sevens tournament, Macilai's speed was a lethal asset for Northland's backline. Other than Nemani Nadolo, the Crusaders' backline struggled for size and punch this season.
Robbie Fruean's addition will help and Macilai's unique abilities should push Johnny McNicholl hard for a starting spot.
Losses: George Whitelock, Tyler Bleyendaal, Zac Guildford, Adam Whitelock, Reynold Lee-Lo, Corey Flynn
Biggest defection: Corey Flynn
None will be dramatically missed, but having been a long-serving member Corey Flynn leaves a hole. Jordan Taufua should continue his growth in George Whitelock's absence.
Question marks:
Killer instinct: Finding a way to put teams away is crucial. Blowing the final against the Waratahs looms large over this campaign.
Two finals and four semi-finals under Todd Blackadder show this team consistently rank among the best without taking out the title.
Attack also needs to improve - at times the Crusaders were guilty of playing too laterally.
New kids on the block:
Ged Robinson (hooker), Scott Barrett (lock), Alex Hodgman (prop), Tom Sanders (loose-forward), Jed Brown (flanker), Richie Mo'unga (first-five/fullback), David Havili (back three), Nathaniel Apa (midfield)
One to watch:
Codie Taylor looks full of promise and should step up with Flynn in France but Robinson's experience could prove valuable in a long season where rotation is often needed.
The veteran hooker won't be content to occupy the bench.
- Stuff
