Sam Cane (left) and Dane Coles will again provide some star power to Super Rugby Aotearoa.
OPINION: Super Rugby Aotearoa begins with the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders in Dunedin on Friday night. There will be plenty to discuss, and debate, over the coming months. Stuff rugby writers Richard Knowler, Robert Van Royen and Marc Hinton give their views on 10 talking points.
1 The new goal-line drop-out rule will mean fewer 5m scrums which, for obvious reasons, will annoy many forwards. Will the game be better or worse for this law variation?
Richard Knowler: Better. The game must do everything it can to convert the non-believers. Lots of scrums, usually preceded by collapses and re-sets on the tryline, isn’t a good look. Something has to change.
Perenara has his faults, and constantly chirping the refs didn’t reflect well, but his decision-making and willingness to work like a huntaway dog on a high country station was so important for the Canes. And now he’s gone.
Robert van Royen: TJ Perenara’s somewhat erratic passing won’t be missed, but the ‘Canes will dearly miss the yappy Perenara’s energy and leadership, and his ability to push out to first five-eighth in the second half, as he did so often last season.
Marc Hinton: Perenara without a doubt. Barrett is a more influential player, but the Blues cover pretty well for his absence (Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta and Harry Plummer) and it’s not like they don’t have firepower elsewhere in their backline.