Ahead of the opening round of Super Rugby Pacific 2023, Sky Sport lead rugby commentator Grant Nisbett has run his eye over the five New Zealand franchises.
Round 1 kicks off on Friday night as the reigning champions Crusaders host the Chiefs in Christchurch while the Waratahs take on the Brumbies across the ditch.
With a huge year of rugby ahead, including the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Nisbett believes all squads have plenty to prove and has taken a closer look at the 23-man squads each side has named for the first round of the season.
“I don’t know whether the Blues have gone backwards,” Nisbett told SENZ Mornings.
“I mean when you look at the players they’ve lost, I think probably the only really significant ones are Karl Tu’inukuafe, maybe Luke Romano who – he’s retired of course - but they’ve got Patrick Tuipulotu back.
“I think they’re looking probably as good if not slightly better than what they were last year, another year to settle in I suppose. I wouldn’t be writing the Blues off just yet.”
The Blues, captained by loose forward Dalton Papali’i, boast some of the biggest stars in world rugby with Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke all in their starting backline to face the Highlanders on Saturday night.
“I always look at the Chiefs and think there’s enormous depth in the Chiefs and I think there is again this year,” Nisbett added.
“The team they’re putting out (on Friday) night is a very, very strong one.
“The Hurricanes … it’s hard to know with the Hurricanes, they come and they go a wee bit but they’re tough to beat on their day, we all know that. They start in Brisbane this week.
“Crusaders, well they’re just the Crusaders aren’t they really and there’s been some big changes down at the Highlanders, mainly in the coaching area and it looks as though they’ve beefed up their squad as well.
“So look, I think all five New Zealand franchises, given all we’ve seen at pre-season games … are looking pretty damn good at this early stage.”
The Highlanders will host the Blues at Forsyth Barr Stadium while the Hurricanes will head to Queensland to take on the Reds later on Saturday night.