Scott Robertson, the All Blacks’ coach, will be looking for new talent when Super Rugby Pacific begins next week. Liam Napier identifies five talents that have the potential to make an impact this season.
Ruben Love
Position: Hurricanes Utility
Age: 22
If he keeps fit, Ruben Love will be pounding on Scott Robertson’s door. Love, one of the most explosive prospects to emerge from New Zealand rugby in recent years, missed last year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a groin rupture after playing through the pain in Wellington’s NPC season. He returned for eight minutes in the Hurricanes’ quarter-final defeat. His absence harmed Super Rugby and the Hurricanes in particular. Love is a talented Manawatū sportsman. He excelled in cricket and rugby at Palmerston North Boys’ High School before moving to the city. Love, who is built like Damian McKenzie, is at ease playing first five-eighth or fullback. While he’ll probably spend time in
This season, his best option appears to be fullback, which matches his innate attacking ability. The Hurricanes are anticipated to embrace Brett Cameron’s commanding presence in the first five, giving Love the freedom to cut loose from fullback. He has played for New Zealand Māori and the All Blacks XV, making him a strong candidate to represent the All Blacks. Love spent a month in Sydney with famous speed coach Roger Fabri, along with NRL stars Joseph Sua’ali’i, Jason Saab, and Bronson Xerri, for preseason training. That stint, along with his already impressive acceleration, could set the 22-year-old up for success.
Levi Aumua
Position: Crusaders midfield
Age: 29
One of the season’s main talking topics is how Levi Aumua transfers his destructive ball carrying from the Super newcomers to the reigning champs. Aumua encapsulates a terrible recruitment reality: in order to advance his All Blacks career, he felt compelled to switch from Moana Pasifika to the Crusaders. From an individual perspective, the move makes great sense. However, losing their top midfield weapon, as well as powerhouse flank Timoci Tavatavanawai, to the Highlanders, does nothing to improve competitiveness. With Jack Goodhue and Leicester Fainga’anuku departing for France, Aumua appears likely to partner Tasman colleague David Havili in the Crusaders midfield. So far in his career, he has played for the Chiefs, Blues, Japan, and
Moana and Aumua depended nearly solely on power. Ironically, Aumua’s spectacular performance against the Crusaders last year put him on their radar. Despite playing for a competitive squad, Aumua had defeated 73 defenders at the end of previous season. He turned down the Blues to sign a two-year contract with the Crusaders, and now that he has mastered all aspects of professionalism, including drastically improving his diet, Aumua can fulfill his dream of representing the All Blacks. While Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, and Anton Lienert-Brown have the All Blacks’ midfield locked down, with Havili, Quinn Tupaea, and Billy Proctor providing other alternatives, Aumua’s forceful point of difference could be enticing, but he must also demonstrate his defensive ability.
Pari Pari Parkinson
Position: Highlanders Lock
Age: 27
Pari Pari Parkinson believes it’s now or never. Parkinson, who stands 2.04 metres tall and weighs more than 120 kilograms, possesses all of the physical traits required for a successful test career in the second row. Until now, Parkinson’s disease has progressed in fits and spurts. Frequent physical setbacks have hampered his attempts, in part because he has not always adhered to the diet and training regimen required of full-time professionals. Every athlete matures at a different pace, but if Parkinson ever will
Take advantage of his full ability; now is the moment. The Highlanders need him to constantly stand up and provide a commanding physical presence in Shannon Frizell’s absence. The combined exits of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick have also reduced the number of test locking stocks. Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, and Patrick Tuipulotu, who will return from a broken jaw, lead the All Blacks’ second-row list, with Sam Darry on the fringes, but Scott Robertson could benefit from Parkinson regaining form to strengthen the depth chart.
Stephen Perofeta
Position: Blues first five-eighths.
Age: 26
The development curve of Stephen Perofeta is surrounded by a conundrum. On the surface, he appears to be competing with Damian McKenzie to replace Richie Mo’unga as the All Blacks’ playmaker. While this season gives an opportunity for Perofeta to make his case with the Blues, Beauden Barrett’s mid-year return from Japan will undoubtedly complicate matters. Perofeta can, at least temporarily, step out of Barrett’s shadow and use the knowledge he imparted on to run the cutter for the Blues. Perofeta is a smooth, sophisticated operator. His tendency to frequently challenge the line, offload, and create for those around him
Many people underestimate his ice-cold goal-kicking ability. Perofeta has evolved in recent years, completely accepting the responsibility that comes with being the team controller. His cameo appearances with the All Blacks in 2022, before being pushed out by McKenzie’s comeback, vastly underestimate his skills. Perofeta made a 50-second debut against the Pumas in Christchurch, one start at fullback in Japan, and a one-minute cameo against Scotland in Edinburgh, but the All Blacks never trusted him in his natural position. With the playmaker job at the Blues fixed for this season, Perofeta appears to be ready to demonstrate his abilities.
Cortez Ratima
Position: Chiefs Halfback
Age: 22
Much of the attention on New Zealand’s new halfback era, following Aaron Smith’s test retirement, has been on Cam Roigard, the obvious heir apparent, and his struggle with TJ Perenara at the Hurricanes. However, some have their own allegations. Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava have both gained test caps, with Christie being favored over Roigard off the bench in the World Cup semifinals and final. Noah Hotham, a talented 20-year-old, is the Crusaders’ future at nine after impressing with his running game last season. And then there’s Cortez Ratima. Brad Weber’s move to France opens the way for Ratima.
He hopes to improve his impression once he heals from a high ankle strain that has limited his pre-season participation. Ratima will fight with Xavier Roe and former All Black Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi for the Chiefs’ vacant starting halfback position, but if he can recover the dynamic running threat and support play he demonstrated last season, Ratima should have plenty of time to build his case. Playing inside Damian McKenzie won’t hurt either.
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