Brett McKay: Five young Super Rugby stars to watch in 2016
By Brett McKay
In its two short seasons, the National Rugby Championship has already shown itself to be the domestic proving ground for the best of Australia’s club and fringe Super Rugby players.
Where for years the gap between Premier and Super Rugby around the country appeared too large, the inclusion of the NRC has completed the elite development pathways. An Australian club player being picked up by an NRC side now knows that a good showing will get him noticed by the five Super Rugby franchises, and likewise, those in the Super Rugby system are using the NRC as a proper finishing school.
Here are a few around the country ready to announce themselves in the best provincial rugby competition in the world.
Jono Lance: Eastern Suburbs / NSW Country / Western Force
The 2015 NRC Player of the Series, Lance heads west for his third stint at Super Rugby. After debuting for the Queensland Reds in their Championship year of 2011, Lance played 21 games over three seasons before headi