Four reasons to get excited about Super Rugby trials
The long wait is finally over; this afternoon in Gosford, the Western Force become the first Australian Super Rugby team to play a trial game for 2016, when they play last year’s runner up the Hurricanes.
Tomorrow, it’s the Rebels in action in Auckland, and then this weekend sees the Brumbies and Waratahs clash in Wagga Wagga on Saturday before the Reds host the Crusaders at Ballymore later that same evening (of course, we’re not forgetting the sold out Sydney Sevens either!)
This Sunday marks 100 days since the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final, but more tellingly just 20 until the Brumbies are the first Aussie team in competitive action this year on Friday February 28th.
Without further ado, we present four reasons to get excited about all teams kicking off their pre-season fixtures this week…
1. New players
One of the most exciting things about a new season of Super Rugby is of course seeing the new players in action at each of the five franchises.
Whether it’s the young guns stepping up from the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC), the majority of whom attended our 2015 RUPA Camp in December, players changing franchises or those returning from overseas, we love seeing players in action for their new teams.
Wallabies such as Kane Douglas (Reds), James Hanson (Rebels) and Ben Tapuai (Western Force) are at new teams, as well as international recruits Tomas Cubelli (Brumbies) and Zac Guildford (Waratahs), who call Australia home for the very first time.
Some of last year’s Australian U20s stars have also signed terms at Clubs for the first time, including Matthew Sandell (Waratahs), Lukhan Tui (Reds) and Sione Tuipulotu (Rebels).
2. New game plans
By the end of a Super Rugby campaign, we like to believe that we have a fairly good understanding of how each team likes to play their Rugby. However at the start of a new season that understanding can be, to a certain extent, tossed out the window.
The Waratahs have a new Head Coach in Darryl Gibson, with the former All Black sure to have his own ideas of how to win a second championship for the Sydney-based side, while Melbourne Rebels star Scott Fuglistaller has been singing the praises of new Rebels Assistant Coach Leo Crowley (a countryman of Gibson) and the fresh approach he will bring.
Matt O’Connor has joined the Reds to work with Richard Graham and will look after their attack; they had a wretched run with injury in the 2015 backline, but it will be interesting to see what the likes of Jake McIntyre, Karmichael Hunt, Nick Frisby and Chris Feauai-Sautia are able to do following the departures of Will Genia, Quade Cooper, James O’Connor and Tapuai.
In the nation’s Capital, Stephen Larkham will have brought back plenty of changes and learnings following his time as the Wallabies’ Assistant Coach at the World Cup, and the injection of Cubelli alongside some returning Aussies in Albert Anae, Andrew Smith and Aidan Toua gives the Brumbies a nice looking balance to their squad.
Finally, we have heard plenty about the Western Force’s determination to change their game plan this year, and while the proof is in the pudding that is certainly exciting
The pre-season fixtures are our chance to witness firsthand the tinkering that’s been happening behind closed doors in each state!
3. Last year’s stars return
2015 saw new stars arise, both rookies and otherwise, including the likes of first year player Sefanaia Naivalu and the returning Ita Vaea at the Brumbies.
Meanwhile, David Pocock, Ben McCalman, Liam Gill, Michael Hooper and Sean McMahon displayed the dominance and depth of riches in Australia’s back row stocks by winning each of their Club’s respective individual end-of-season awards.
Nic Stirzaker and Jack Debreczeni continued their blossoming partnership in Melbourne and continued to earn media attention as they edge closer to an International debut, while Dane Haylett-Petty had arguably his strongest Super Rugby campaign yet.
Throw in Australia’s star players such as Israel Folau, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, James Slipper and Christian Lealiifano, and there’s plenty to look forward to in 2016; can these players take their game to the next level?
4. International recruits
Yes, we’ve mentioned Cubelli and Guildford, but there are international stars joining every single franchise this year who will be tasked with using their considerable experience to improve their side’s on-field fortunes and help develop their younger teammates.
Angus Ta’avao joins Guildford at the Waratahs and, importantly, as an Australian-eligible player immediately; could he help bolster the Wallaby front row in the years to come? A strong campaign in Sydney for the former Blues man would certainly provide a great platform.
His former Auckland teammate Culum Retallick brings experience to the Rebels’ forward pack, alongside Irish international Jamie Hagan and 2011 Rugby World Cup winner Adam Thomson, while former Springbok star Peter Grant will be in competition with fellow new recruit Jono Lance for the flyhalf jersey in Perth.
Finally to Brisbane, where Japanese sensation Ayumu Goromaru will look to secure the Reds’ fullback jersey for the year ahead; it’s very exciting!
Click here to see the full list of pre-season fixtures for Australian teams this month.