The countdown to the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific is into its closing days.
In our final installment of season previews, we look at our last block of four teams [in alphabetical order]: Moana Pasifika, Rebels, Reds and Waratahs.
MOANA PASIFIKA
Coach: Aaron Mauger
Captain: Sekope Kepu
Last year: The second new franchise to join Super Rugby, Moana Pasifika have pushed hard over the past few years to be included in the competition. Given the greenlight only late last year, Pasifika have had to deal with COVID and competition from France and Japan to build a strong roster, with the squad basing themselves in Auckland through preseason.
This year: There aren't too many expectations of this squad. Cobbled together with internationally experienced former stars, NPC battlers and journeymen, Pasifika will struggle to make an impact in their first year of the competition, especially as they face all five New Zealand franchises for the opening eight rounds. Smashed in their only preseason match and then hammered by a COVID outbreak just a week before the opening round, preparations for the season have taken an almighty hit and they'll be forced to wait until Round two before they take to the field for their first ever Super Rugby match. With so much going wrong, captain Sekope Kepu and experienced players such as Christian Lealiifano and Jack Lam will need to step up and take charge. It'll be a long season for Moana and there's a strong possibility they will go winless, but building combinations and finding their feet could see some late victories on the cards.
Draw: Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Blues, Chiefs, Force (H), Rebels (A), Waratahs (H), Fijian Drua (A), Reds (A), Brumbies (H)
Prediction: 12
REBELS
Coach: Kevin Foote
Captain: Michael Wells
Last year: It was another disappointing season for the Rebels, falling below expectations again and failing to secure a Super Rugby AU playoff spot, before they were beaten convincingly in the Trans-Tasman comp. Their poor AU campaign soon saw long time head coach Dave Wessels shown the door, before defence coach Kevin Foote took on the role as interim coach for the TT series, eventually rewarded for his work with the fulltime gig at the end of an arduous season. The forced retirement of Dane Haylett-Petty from concussion was a significant blow, with the loss of Reece Hodge to a knee injury adding to the mix, while experienced campaigner Matt To'omua struggled to make his mark at fly-half early in the year. Despite the poor results, the Rebels found some diamonds among the rocks, with Carter Gordon making an impressive debut and making the No.10 jersey his own. Meanwhile, Andrew Kellaway needed only a couple of appearances to make his mark and earn his Wallabies call up.
This year: With an eight team playoff system, the Rebels will need to play consistent football to squeeze their way into the qualifying finals, and with a nice mix of youth and experience they should have high hopes of reaching the top eight. After an explosive international season, eyes will be on Andrew Kellaway to see if he can back it up at Super level and give his side an edge, while pressure will be on Carter Gordon to pull the strings for an exciting backline. Meanwhile, big things will be expected of Matt Phillip as he returns from Europe to bolster the second row, but the loss of Isi Naisarani in the backrow will be hard to overcome, so too Marika Koroibete on the wing. To reach the finals though, the Rebels will need experienced stars Reece Hodge, Matt To'omua and Michael Wells to step up and lead their side from the front.
Draw: Reds (A), Force (H), Fijian Drua (A), Brumbies (H), Waratahs (A), Drua (H), Force (A), Reds (H), Crusaders (A), Moana Pasifika (H), Blues (A), Chiefs (H), Hurricanes (A), Highlanders (H)
Prediction: 10
REDS
Coach: Brad Thorn
Captain: Liam Wright, Tate McDermott
Last year: In front of the biggest domestic rugby crowd in 20 years, the Reds ended their 10-year premiership drought with a 85th-minute victory over the Brumbies to claim the Super Rugby AU title. It was a great start to the year and a culmination of a three year rebuild, but injuries and below par performances in the Trans-Tasman comp had heads down as they finished seventh. James O'Connor continued to impress at No.10 following his 2019 return, while Taniela Tupou added more clips to his highlight reel and his scrummaging went to a whole new level. Their strength up front was perfectly complimented by their damaging ball runners in the backline, with Hunter Paisami regularly appearing as a wrecking ball through opposition defensive lines. Their set-piece was impressive, but the lack of star power at the backend of the season couldn't be overcome.
This year: Retaining much of their 2021 squad, the biggest losses for the Reds are Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Bryce Hegarty, the latter having taken over the fullback duties for much of last season. This year, Jordan Petaia will at some stage being given an opportunity to make the role his own as he comes back from luckless injury run, while young gun Tom Lynagh has generated plenty of hype following an impressive performance in an early preseason clash which could see him take on the fly-half role earlier than expected. He'll be competing with young Jock Campbell though, who's appearance at playmaker in their trials has given Brad Thorn plenty to think about. With Wallabies aplenty, there'll be expectations for the Reds to perform, especially with a packed back-row and a scrum that menaced many sides last year, but there are plenty of questions after back-to-back losses in the preseason.
Draw: Rebels (H), Waratahs (A), Force (A), Fijian Drua (H), Brumbies (A), Waratahs (H), Brumbies (H), Rebels (A), Hurricanes (A), Chiefs (H), Highlanders (H), Blues (A), Moana Pasifika (H), Crusaders (A)
Prediction: Quarterfinalists
WARATAHS
Coach: Darren Coleman
Captain: Jake Gordon
Last year: Winless through the whole of 2021, nothing seemed to go right for the Waratahs. With questions of poor culture swirling ahead of the opening match of the season, things seemed to go from bad to worse after they lost their captain Jake Gordon early in the season before coach Rob Penney was given the flick after just six rounds of Super Rugby AU. It was their worst season in the professional era. The Waratahs came close to ending their winless run on a few occasions, but failed to find the finishing polish to see themselves over the line. Michael Hooper's absence left a huge hole in the side, with no true leaders stepping up in his place, while their set-piece was a rabble for much of the season. Injuries certainly played a part; in their final match of the season NSW had wingers playing in the centres while their halfback was on the wing. Despite the bleak season, there were some silver linings, with Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi performing strongly in midfield, both making their way into the Wallabies squad and eventually making their debuts.
This year: With a new coach and the return of several experienced heads, including Michael Hooper, Waratahs fans will be hoping for a big turnaround after last year's disastrous results, but finding their way back into playoff contention will be tough. Hooper's return, as well as Jed Holloway, and the signing of British & Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts gives the Tahs a big boost, while Perese and Foketi will need to continue their form to give the backline an edge. There'll be plenty of competition for the starting playmaking position with both Ben Donaldson and Will Harrison making statements last year, but questions remain over who'll be taking the No.15 jersey. Lachie Swinton will need to step up this year and clean his game after he was regularly pinged and found himself on the naughty chair on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, Angus Bell has taken his game to another level after his time in Wallabies camp last year and he'll be supported up front by Harry Johnson-Holmes and Te Tera Faulkner. Although not much can be read from preseason performances, going 2-0 in trials and displaying a hugely improved defence, it appears this new squad under Coleman could make a dent in 2022.
Draw: Fijian Drua (H), Reds (H), Brumbies (A), Force (H), Rebels (H), Reds (A), Drua (A), Force (A), Chiefs (A), Crusaders (H), Moana Pasifika (A), Hurricanes (H), Highlanders (A), Blues (H)
Prediction: Quarterfinalists