5 Bold Predictions for Super Rugby 2016

We’ve reached that magical time of year when Super Rugby and the 6 Nations are both in full swing, and the productivity of rugby fans dwindles to a near complete halt. As we look forward to the first weekend of the Southern Hemisphere’s top level of club rugby, here are 5 bold predictions for this season.

The Auckland Blues will actually be competitive:

The Blues have a true abundance of talent across the field. In the pack, they have stars like Jerome Kaino, Charlie Faumuina, Akira Ioane, and Patrick Tuipulotu, and out wide, they have playmakers like Ihaia West, Matt Duffie, Tevita Li, Ben Lam, and Rene Ranger (and yes I am leaving out a few). With that much talent in the side, and a new coaching staff, the Blues are ready to reinvent their image after a disastrous 2015. They certainly laid down a marker in their preseason games, scoring 123 points over three matches while only giving up 31. Tana Umaga seems to have worked his magic on this side, breathing hope into a team that struggled mightily a season ago.

The South African provinces will continue to struggle:

If there is one country that has struggled to retain their best players, it is South Africa. Given that there is more money in Europe, and that leaving will not cost players their spot in the national side, the SARU has a very hard time providing an incentive for players to stay at home in South Africa. Duane Vermeulen, Jean De Villiers and both of the Du Plessis brothers were the latest to join the exodus last season, with Marcell Coetzee, and Francois Hougaard heading north next season as well. South Africa have no shortage of quality players, but they simply cannot develop international quality stars fast enough to replace those leaving, dooming their provincial sides to mediocrity.

Young fly halves will continue to step up:

In 2015, we watched as the likes of Jack Debreczeni, Lima Sopoaga, and Damian McKenzie all stepped up as playmakers for their sides in the 10 shirt. This year I think we are likely to see these three continue to progress, and maybe even raise some eyebrows with their national team selectors. Throw in early injuries to Bernard Foley and Handre Pollard, and it’s likely that we will see some younger players get their chances at 10. If Sopoaga can retain his form, it’s hard to see how the All Blacks can overlook him as they try to replace Dan Carter,

The Highlanders will repeat as champions:

The Highlanders made the Super Rugby title, not as a team packed with stars, but as a team. The neverending hard work of their pack was at the heart of their success, even though not one member of it was selected to play for the All Blacks. Not much has changed from that group, and the confidence that they have will do them a world of good. Their dominant halfback pairing will allow them to put their potent finishers into space throughout the season. With Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman, (one of the more underrated players in the tournament) Waisake Naholo, Patrick Osbourne, and Ben Smith all available for Sopoaga and Aaron Smith, the Highlanders are in a really good place going forward.

Nehe Milner-Skudder will finish as top try scorer:

This may not seem like that much of a bold call, but there are a few reasons why we think it is brave to decide that the Hurricanes and All Blacks wing will score more tries than the likes of Waisake Naholo, Israel Folau and more. The Hurricanes have lost a big parts of their attacking play, with Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, their veteran center pairing, off to France this season. Milner-Skudder is a true playmaker, but like all wings, needs quality inside him to produce consistently. Additionally, he is a known threat this season, and is likely to be marked far more closely. On his side however, is his absurd stepping ability and vision. Give him an inch, and he will score a try, of that you can be certain.