The influx of about 10 Australian players into the NPC in New Zealand has split opinion, with some provinces arguing they were left with no option after unsuccessfully scouring their club rugby ranks, while others suggested they should look a bit harder.
But the competition, which starts next weekend, is nothing short of an outstanding development window for players such as No.10 Tane Edmed. If you are looking for a Kiwi province to support, make it North Harbour, where Edmed and fellow Australian Ben Grant will be playing alongside the likes of one-Test All Black Shaun Stevenson, cult hero prop big Karl Tui’inukuafe and decorated former Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall.
Tane Edmed will benefit from a stint in the NPC.Credit: Getty
That Edmed-Stevenson combination at 10-15 should be fun, and it’s almost impossible to think the experience won’t make Edmed a better player – and the Kiwis are footing the bill.
4. Contraction equals concentration.
Australian rugby fans have been burnt before in terms of waiting for a performance uplift that never came when five Super Rugby teams went to four. But it is becoming apparent that the Rebels’ demise is going to have an altogether different effect than the fall of the Western Force.
The arrival of Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota and Darby Lancaster at the Waratahs is plainly good news, especially under the stewardship of Simon Raiwalui and Dan McKellar, while the Reds are looking nothing short of stacked after the arrival of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
The arrival of Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou is good news for the Waratahs.Credit: Getty
There is a line being drawn under the performances of Australian teams over the past few years, and it would be a surprise to see them fall beneath it next year. What the ceiling looks like depends on a whole range of factor, but the target has to be two semi-finalists in 2025.
5. The Bok the Wallabies must cancel out.
Springboks loosehead Ox Nche appears to have gone to the next level this year, relishing the extra responsibility of starting in the absence of the injured Steven Kitshoff.
He’s such a damaging scrummaging because of his build and natural strength and it’ll be through Nche that South Africa will try to get the scrum penalties they thrive on.
Presumably, Tupou will start in the No.3 jersey for the Wallabies, and it really is in fixtures like this that will decide Tupou’s standing in the game, and ultimately his contractual worth.
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It’s been hard to get an accurate formline on Tupou this year, although he made it clear in an interview with colleague Jonathan Drennan that the uncertainty over his next move post-Rebels had been hanging over him. With that now sorted, will we see Tupou reach the heights we know he can? It’s arguably the most pivotal one-on-one in the Test.
