Blues
Last year: Top qualifiers (13-1), beaten finalists.
Coach: Leon McDonald (fifth season).
Key forward: Hoskins Sotutu. He needs a big season to convince All Blacks selectors he needs to go to the World Cup, and new laws should allow the big No 8 to get plenty of space.
Key back: Beauden Barrett. The Blues backline is stacked but the great first five will hold the keys to success yet again.
The oil: From front to back, the Blues really are loaded. Kurt Eklund and a handful of solid props are backed by Tom Robinson, Dalton Papali’i and Akira Ioane in a dynamic pack, and Finlay Christie can just shovel the ball to the likes of Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. They were the best team in 2022 until failing to turn up in the final. You got to lose one to win one, as they say.
Meikle’s prediction: Champions. If only so we don’t have to see the Scott Robertson break dance yet again.
Crusaders
Last year: Second qualifiers (11-3), champions.
Coach: Scott Robertson (seventh season).
Key forward: Scott Barrett. Big and bruising, the bulkiest Barrett brother can take a team with him.
Key back: Richie Mo’unga. The Graeme Hick of rugby has consistently underwhelmed for the All Blacks but he is a Super Rugby master, and will want to leave a winner before heading to Japan.
The oil: Everyone knows the Crusaders will be good again. There is class and experience all over the park. Remarkable depth in the front row, the likes of Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace and Tom Christie in the loose, and a backline that sizzles with Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Will Jordan. Pablo Matera is a big loss, and there could be disruption mid-season when Robertson is NOT named All Blacks coach (put your money on the Joseph/Brown ticket).
Meikle’s prediction: Beaten finalists. We’d all love to see them finish 10th but the reality is there is way too much class for this team to drop out of the top four.
Hurricanes
Last year: Fifth (8-6), beaten quarterfinalists.
Key forward: Not hard to choose this one. Ardie Savea is the best player in the country. The Hurricanes will go precisely as far as he can carry them.
Key back: Jordie Barrett. Had a big year in 2022 and can now finally settle into the No 12 jersey.
The oil: It’s a fairly settled Canes squad with a real sprinkling of talent. Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax and Dom Bird provide support to the peerless Savea, Brett Cameron is a solid pick-up at pivot, and Josh Moorby, Ruben Love and Bailyn Sullivan can all play. Everyone expects loose forward Peter Lakai and midfielder Riley Higgins to contend for rookie of the year honours.
Meikle’s prediction: Fifth. Could be finalists, could be eighth. A real wildcard team.
Chiefs
Last year: Third (10-4), beaten semifinalists.
Coach: Clayton McMillan (third season)
Key forward: Samisoni Taukei’aho. The break-out All Blacks star of 2022 is a hooker of special ability.
Key back: Damian McKenzie. The crafty wee blighter is back from Japan and is bound to cause some carnage.
The oil: Half of the Chiefs strongest XV is really quite special — Taukei’aho backed by Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Anton Lienert-Brown, Shaun Stevenson and McKenzie. But depth and consistency could be issues.
Meikle’s prediction: Sixth. Nuisance value but not much more.
HIGHLANDERS SHAPE UP - Tomorrow
