Super Rugby is back, with crowds and it’s featuring just the New Zealand based sides so we know it will be top quality.
The Super Rugby Aotearoa competition kicks off this weekend with two matches starting with the Highlanders hosting the Chiefs in Dunedin.
Then we get a rare Sunday afternoon treat with the Blues and Hurricanes facing off at Eden Park in the timeslot that has traditionally been shunned by Kiwi rugby.
We’ll be tipping every Super Rugby Aotearoa match this season starting with these plays here!
When the original edition of the Super Rugby competition was paused, these two sides were headed in very different directions.
The Chiefs had won four of their six matches played and were well and truly in the mix for the New Zealand conference and even the minor premiership.
For the Highlanders though, they had clearly overtaken the Blues as the basket case franchise of their country, with one win from six matches, sitting only just above the Waratahs and Sunwolves on the ladder.
After three months away from the game, this probably won’t lead to any 60 point blowouts as a bit of rust for these teams will be inevitable early on.
But the Chiefs should still do this comfortably, they are the much better side and if they click, the Highlanders will have no answer.
Circumstances can be very cruel sometimes, the Blues were enjoying their best season since 2011 when the competition ended.
With five wins from seven games and sitting just one point behind the Crusaders, the Blues were no doubt headed to the finals and some shrewd recruiting during this down time has only made them stronger.
While Aussie fans will be glad he is confined to the shores New Zealand and is unable to torment their teams, Dan Carter could be the difference for the Blues here.
He might need a few games to get back into match fitness but when you’re at the level of him, he should help the Blues get over the line here.