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Super Rugby Pacific: Everything you need to know

Super Rugby begins its journey sans South African sides in earnest this year, with Super Rugby Pacific set to get underway in mid-February.

Super Rugby Pacific - Hurricanes vs Highlanders
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

Super Rugby begins its journey sans South African sides in earnest this year, with Super Rugby Pacific set to get underway in mid-February.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

A new twist on Super Rugby

Super Rugby gets underway in mid-February and the competition has had yet another revamp as well as a name change. The new format sees Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua join the fray along with the New Zealand and Australian sides.

While the tournament has waned in popularity since the onset of COVID, the injection of these two sides will certainly spice things up.

We take a look at the new competition format as well as a run through of the sides below.

Format

The major positive to come out of the latest Super Rugby revamp is that we’re almost back to the good old system that was so popular in the late 90’s and early 2000’s where each team faced off against each other during the round-robin phase.

The teams will face off against one another across 11 rounds with sides also playing against local geographical rivals in a further three fixtures. These clashes will be known as ‘Rivalry’ fixtures and may have a massive bearing on the tournament standings.

Moana Pasifika will play rivalry matches against some of the Kiwi sides while the Fijian Drua will take on a few of the Australian sides.

Once the round-robin phase comes to a close, we then reach the knockout phase where it’s an elimination-style format that features quarter-finals, semi-finals and a Grand Final.

The season will span a total of 18 weeks with the first game set to kick off on Friday the 18th of February and the Grand Final set for the 18th of June.

The Teams

New Zealand

Crusaders

The most successful team in Super Rugby history will be looking to follow on last season’s Super Rugby Aotearoa win by bagging the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific title.

The ‘Saders are a well-drilled unit but they have lost a lot of experienced campaigners over the past few years, particularly in their pack. They do have some solid young guns, however, who are no longer wet behind the ears after a
couple seasons of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Falling under this category are the likes of Callum Grace and Fletcher Newell. They have also made some smart additions with Argentine international Pablo Matera the most eye-catching.

Their backline looks solid as ever with All Blacks Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, David Havili, Will Jordan and Sevu Reece all oozing class and flair. The key man will once again be fly-half Richie Mo’unga, although they may well be without him for the opening few rounds of the comp as he has been touted to be given a rest period after last year’s heavy schedule.

Strengths: Vastly experienced outfit, electric backline
Weakness: Mounga out for the first few weeks
Player to Watch: Cullen Grace

Chiefs

The men from Waikato will be looking to put the woes of last season behind them when Super Rugby Pacific kicks off. They were so close to a title last season going down 24-13 to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Aotearoa final.

Their hunt for a first piece of silverware since 2013 took a big blow during the off-season with the mercurial Damien McKenzie enacting a clause in his contract that has allowed him to go to Japan on a sabbatical.

With the All Black utility back out of the picture, there is going to be a mountain of pressure on the shoulders of Bryn Gatland, Caleb Trask and new recruit Josh Ioane. While Gatland and Trask are solid enough players, Ioane will be the key to getting this Chiefs side firing as the one-cap All Black offers so much more as a playmaker than the former two fly-half options.

While the Chiefs have lost one All Black in Mckenzie, they have gained another with Brodie Retallick having returned from Japan. The big lock will have a key role to play not only calling the shots on the field but also tutoring promising young second-rowers Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi.

Strengths: Solid midfield and second-row
Weakness: Josh Ioane has yet to settle in
Player to Watch: Josh Lord

Blues

The men from Auckland ended their trophy drought in some style last season as they beat the Highlanders in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final. The win was long overdue with the Blues showing amazing improvement over the last few years under the stewardship of Leon MacDonald.

The problem now is that the pressure is well and truly on the Aucklanders to repeat the feat here as they have a gun side littered with All Blacks. How they handle that pressure will be extremely interesting.

There will also be extra media attention on them with former NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck set for his first taste of Super Rugby action Speaking of All Blacks, and one name that jumps out at you when you look at their squad list is Beauden Barrett.

I really enjoyed the job he did for the Blues last season playing a more subtle role and allowing the likes of Otere Black to steal the show. Black has moved on, however, and Barrett is likely to slot straight back into the starting ten role with the promising Stephen Perofeta – who really came of age during the early salvos of last season’s Mitre 10 Cup – set to be his understudy.

The two pivots have a solid backline to work with and there’s no doubting the Blues will be a real handful this season.

Strengths: Loads of X-factor all across the park
Weakness: The weight of expectation
Player to Watch: Stephen Perofeta

Hurricanes

After a very disappointing 2021, the Hurricanes will be looking to improve this season. That will be easier said than done as the mass exodus at the ‘Canes continued during the off-season with experienced campaigners Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape Vaea Fifita, Ricky Ricaktelli and Gareth Evans all moving on to pastures new.

While the latter three are easily enough replaced, the main concern for the ‘Canes now is that their midfield will pack nowhere near as much punch, especially with Laumape gone and Peter Umanga-Jensen struggling for form.

There has been talk of Jordie Barrett moving into the midfield, which makes a lot of sense as he is one of the few players that can sort of replicate the hardlines Laumape ran.

The ‘Canes also don’t look that sold upfront with their locking and prop stables rather underwhelming. They do have a devastating back row with Ardie Savea and Du Plessis Kirifi sure to cause teams all sorts of problems with ball-in-hand and at the breakdown.

I hate to say this, as I have a soft spot for the ‘Canes but I think they’re in for a long old season.

Strengths: Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett
Weakness: Underwhelming tight-five and a lightweight midfield
Player to Watch: Jordie Barrett

Highlanders

The Highlanders come into this one as a rather unfancied proposition which is fair enough considering they lost a couple solid players during the off-season.

They had a hit-and-miss 2021 struggling in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman while making the Super Rugby Aotearoa final, which they lost to the Blues.

They look extremely light in most positions, especially fly-half where the only two players listed as tens are Mitch Hunt and journeyman, Marty Banks. They will also be without the services of exciting back Jona Nareki for a while, as he did his ACL while playing for Otago in the NPC.

Another loss is Pari Pari Parkinson with the second-rower also suffering a serious knee injury that will keep him out of the entire campaign.

Strengths: Experienced front row
Weakness: Squad depth
Player to Watch: Vilimoni Koroi

Moana Pasifika

The new boys on the block will be looking to make their mark on the comp from the get-go, and they could well do this as they have a solid coaching unit and a decent looking side.

Moana have made some solid acquisitions leading up to the tournament, particularly in the fly-half ranks where they have acquired the services of former Wallaby Christian Lealifano and Hawke’s Bay ten Lincoln McLutchie.

Other names that catch the eye on their squad list are hard running 12 Lemi Aumua, Wallaby prop Sekope Kefua, loosies Jack Lam and Sam Slade as well as former Crusaders 9 Ereatara C. Enari.

Strengths: Fantastic coaching unit
Weakness: Inexperience
Player to Watch: Levi Aumua

Australia

Waratahs

The most disappointing of the Australian sides by far and away last year were the Waratahs. The men from New South Wales went winless in the Super Rugby AU comp and also failed to get a win under their belts in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

The big question is will they improve on that this season? Well, the bar is set truly low and they have some returnees in the form of Ned Hanigan and Jed Holloway, who will sure up their pack somewhat. They also added journeyman frontrower Ruan Smith to their ranks and former Manly NRL rep Tevita Fauna.

Another interesting addition to the squad is British & Irish Lion and Welsh centre Jamie Roberts. 

Despite the off-season recruitment, this Waratahs squad still looks far from the real deal. And while I expect improvement – they should win a couple games against their fellow Australian sides – I really cannot see them getting anywhere near the play-off places.

Strength: A far better forward pack than last season
Weakness: Squad depth
Player to Watch: Izaia Perese

Force

After a rather dismal showing upon their return to Super Rugby, which saw them lose all eight of their 2020 Super Rugby AU fixtures, the Force made good progress last year winning four of their eight games while making it to the play-offs. They weren’t as flash in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman as they lost all five of their fixtures.

Once again, the men from Perth have made some intelligent signings bringing in Izack Rodda from Lyon, Bayley Kuenzle from the Brumbies and Crusaders man Manasa Mataele.

While they have lost some big names – Argentine Tomas Cuebelli is off as is Irish fullback Rob Kearney – they still look a decent prospect this year and could well end up being one of the better performing Australian sides.

Strength: A truly gritty side
Weakness: Squad depth
Player to Watch: Izack Rodda

Brumbies

The Brumbies endured an extremely disappointing time of it last term as they were pipped to the Super rugby AU title by the Reds. They did have a better time of it in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman as they were the only Australian side to beat New Zealand opposition as they registered a 32-12 win over the Highlanders.

They have a very settled squad – 26 of their 2021 campaigners have signed on for this season – full of promising talent and some very experienced rugby players.

Dan McKellar’s side have a bit of an advantage over the rest of the Australian teams as they were the only side to bag a win over a Kiwi outfit last term. They seem to have a knack of being competitive against teams from across the Tasman and this will stand them in good stead.

Strengths: Registered a win against a New Zealand side last term
Weakness: Inexperienced second-row reserves which might impact their usually solid line-out
Player to Watch: Noah Lolesio

Rebels

2021 proved to be a year of almosts for the men from Melbourne as they missed out on the super Rugby AU play-offs by just two points. Like all the Australian franchises, the Rebels struggled in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman failing to win a game while conceding 215 points.

The Melbourne franchise will be able to field a decent enough starting XV but their squad looks rather thin and inexperienced.

Their off-season recruits are hardly eye-catching either with the tried and tested Moses Sorovi joining a mix-match of players that features Sevens converts and in-experienced clubmen.

Strength: Solid outside backs
Weakness: Paper-thin squad
Player to Watch: Andrew Kellaway

Reds

The 2022 Super Rugby AU Champions will be eager to prove they can do t against the Kiwi franchises this term as they failed to win a game against their Trans-Tasman rivals last year.

They are a very well-drilled outfit and probably the most settled of all the Australian sides. The Queenslanders have a very solid backline that is led by talisman James O’Connor. They also have a handy bunch of forwards who are a menace at the breakdown.

In terms of off-season recruitment, they’ve have brought in some very solid young talent including Tom Lynagh, who is the son of former Wallaby Michael and brother of Gallagher Premiership young gun, Louis Lynagh.

Strength: Well-balanced squad
Weakness: Form against Kiwi sides
Player to Watch: Harry Wilson

Fijian Drua

The Drua will embody this new look tournament as there is no doubting they will look to run the ball from all quarters. They did pretty well in the now-defunct NPC and won what was the Australian domestic rugby competition in their second year.

While most of the men who played that final are have now left the side, they have brought in some solid experience with Sevens Gold medalists Napolioni Bolaca, Meli Derenalagi, Kalione Nasoko and Kitione Taliga all signing on.

They also have Fijian internationals Mesu Dolokoto, Nemani Nagusa and Manasa Saulo also joining the squad.

The Drua will be the most entertaining side out there but will that equate to success? I think it just might, which is why I fancy them to claim a play-off berth.

Strength: Fijian flair
Weakness: May well be exposed at the set-piece
Player to Watch: Kitione Taliga

How the season’s likely to play out

You can’t really look past the Kiwi sides for your frontrunners in this comp. I expect the Blues and Crusaders to be the pacesetters for much of the season with the Chiefs possibly in the mix for the title as well. I expect all of the Kiwi sides bar the Highlanders, to make the quarters

The Australian sides will likely underwhelm again with the Reds probably the only team capable of getting a win or two over the New Zealand sides.

The Drua are a really interesting prospect here as they have a bit of experience having played in the now-defunct NRC out in Australia. They could secure a couple shock wins, but I don’t really expect them to be competitive enough to claim anything other than a quarter-final berth.

Moana Pasifika could also be in the running for a quarter-final but this is likely to be a year of development for the new boys.

If I was going for a winner today, I would have my money on the Crusaders – expect Tom Robertson to give us another breakdancing exhibition come 18 June. 

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