Nehe Milner-Skudder says he is ready to make the step up with the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty Images
Nehe Milner-Skudder says he is ready to make the step up with the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty Images
You may not have heard of them now, but you probably will during the Super Rugby season. Every year, some players have a breakout Super Rugby tournament. Our rugby writers look at who is likely to be the breakout for each franchise this season.
Blues - Hamish Northcott
Hamish Northcott. Photo / Getty Images
Second five Northcott has an important role to play for the Blues this season in terms of putting pressure on midfielders Pita Ahki and Francis Saili.
Dan Bowden's foot injury has given Manawatu's Northcott, who has been named to start in the No13 jersey outside George Moala in the final pre-season match against the Chiefs at North Harbour this afternoon, more of an opportunity in his first season of Super Rugby.
Ma'a Nonu's return to the Hurricanes means coach John Kirwan is on the lookout for consistent performers in the midfield and could be turning to Northcott to keep Saili, in particular, honest.
Saili, who played two tests for the All Blacks in 2013 but hasn't been involved at the top level since, has struggled to recapture the form which first attracted the attention of Steve Hansen and co.
It was 22-year-old Northcott's consistency with the Turbos that prompted a call from Kirwan and a full contract with the Blues.
Bowden's ligament injury, which requires him to wear a moon boot, will force him out of next week's opener against the Chiefs and possibly their trip to South Africa.
The door is slightly ajar for Northcott - who will be playing with some quality outside backs in the form of Charles Piutau, Tevita Li, Frank Halai and Lolani Visinia - to have a breakout season.
Seta Tamanivalu is set to burst on to the Super Rugby scene in a similar style to the way he last season burst through so many defensive lines.
The Taranaki centre was named player of the year in the ITM Cup after a standout campaign for Taranaki, with a potent combination of power and pace that left would-be tacklers grasping at his heels.
Tamanivalu's form - ranked first in defenders beaten, second for clean breaks and third for offloads - led to him being courted by Super Rugby franchises from the competition's three countries. Much to the chagrin of opposition defences everywhere, he chose the Chiefs.
The toppled two-time champions also have another addition to their midfield ranks. Sonny Bill Williams will again wear the No12 jersey for Dave Rennie's side and when the coach opts to unleash Tamanivalu outside the All Black, the pairing appears a damaging proposition.
Tamanivalu, despite the Chiefs' midfield depth, is guaranteed to have significant game time at centre. The nature of the Super Rugby season, along with a looming World Cup, means Rennie will shuffle his deck and enjoy the opportunity to experiment with different styles.
Charlie Ngatai provides solidity in defence, Tim Nanai-Williams has agility in attack, and Andrew Horrell started in two grand finals.
But Tamanivalu, at 104kg and 1.89m, is almost Williams' peer in terms of size.
The 22-year-old made the most of his first season as a consistent starter for Taranaki, scoring seven tries and propelling his province to its first title.
In doing so, Tamanivalu displayed everything required of a midfielder - footwork, a fend, and an ability to keep alive the ball uncannily akin to his new teammate's.
Tamanivalu idolised Williams while growing up in Fiji, and it looks to be only a matter of time before the apprentice is unlocking defences alongside the master.
- Kris Shannon
Hurricanes - Nehe Milner-Skudder
As Manawatu strode their way to the championship crown during last season's ITM Cup, fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder was at the heart of their counter-attacking abilities.
The Taihape-born 24-year-old was a member of the Hurricanes' wider training group last year, but never had the opportunity to get on the paddock in Super Rugby.
He took that development time back to Manawatu - a province he has represented since 2011 - and produced a stellar provincial campaign.
Milner-Skudder has lighting footwork, is safe under the high ball and hits the line well. He is a former representative touch player and also played league for the Bulldogs under-20s side from 2009-2010.
The Hurricanes have a backline that is full of talent, but fullback is a position of intrigue after the departure of Andre Taylor to Japan.
Milner-Skudder will face competition from former Melbourne Rebel Jason Woodward, who has returned to his home franchise, but Woodward stuttered during last year's ITM Cup as Wellington produced a forgettable campaign.
James Marshall is a utility who could also get a run at fullback but Milner-Skudder, who made his debut for the New Zealand Maori side last year, was given the No15 jersey during last weekend's pre-season game against the Crusaders in Eketahuna and will also wear it against the Blues today.
He said he felt ready to make the jump to Super Rugby.
"I had a few games last year in the pre-season and feel like I've been training pretty well and rubbing shoulders with the AB boys," Milner-Skudder said. "They've helped out a lot."
Milner-Skudder could find himself in a backline full of All Blacks with TJ Perenara at halfback, Beauden Barrett at first five, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith in the midfield and Cory Jane and Julian Savea on the wings.
The word from the Hurricanes camp is that Milner-Skudder has been a big mover during the pre-season and coach Chris Boyd has been impressed with his progress.
- Daniel Richardson
Crusaders - Mitch Drummond
Mitchell Drummond. Photo / Getty Images
How Todd Blackadder will be hoping for a breakout year from halfback Drummond, who was selected for the Crusaders squad last year before he turned 20.
If the former Nelson College first XV captain does impress, it will ease what could be termed a looming halfback crisis for the Crusaders.
With Andy Ellis not due back for the Crusaders from his Japanese sojourn until a few rounds into the competition, there was already pressure on in this pivotal position.
Willi Heinz's broken leg suffered in a pre-season match has turned the dial up even further.
Drummond, who will turn 21 next weekend, played only once for the Crusaders last year - against the Rebels - and appeared to struggle at times for Canterbury.
There is no doubt he has a good pass, but the key for him will be to work on his running game. He didn't run enough for Canterbury, allowing the defence to rush up on the No10. As a former New Zealand Under-19 touch representative, Drummond is clearly an elusive runner. He must back himself a little more, although with Colin Slade and Dan Carter likely to be outside him, guidance shouldn't be an issue.
The only other option at halfback for Blackadder is wider training group player Billy Guyton.
- Patrick McKendry
Highlanders - Elliot Dixon
Elliot Dixon. Photo / Getty Images
Among the Highlanders' hard workers and tyros, several players suggest they will bring their games to a boil this season.
Not, perhaps, with the staggering impact Malakai Fekitoa delivered in his opening campaign for the southern franchise but to the sort of reliable consistency coach Jamie Joseph needs if the squad are to repeat the impression they produced last season.
One player Joseph will look to for that sort of form is loose forward Elliot Dixon, who is going into his fourth campaign. Injury interrupted his initial progress and then his form wavered as he was used in all three loose forward roles.
His 111kg and 1.93m frame fills the physical needs for a blindside flanker, and he has mentioned a preference to create more impact in that position. Now he needs to add more accurate bite to his athletic talents.
"I think I'm a six that can also play seven or eight," he said recently. "I'm happy to play anywhere but I'm thinking six is probably my position at the moment."
Importantly for the franchise, he has signed on to play in New Zealand until the end of next year, and the Highlanders need him to lead and bring others with him. He played most of last year showing frequent signs of his potential.
Raised and schooled in Canterbury, Dixon headed south to where he had more opportunities to make some headway.
He made the national under-20 side, has been with the NZ Maori squad for three years and has played 31 games for the Highlanders.
