Super Rugby 2017 Preview

We are previewing all of the Super Rugby teams ahead of the competitions kick-off on Thursday 23 February. Today we have a look at the Southern Kings, Sunwolves, Jaguares, Western Force and Blues keep an eye out for our other previews throughout the week.

The Southern Kings

The Kings had a disappointing return to Super Rugby where they were only able to win 2 out of the 15 encounters. The Kings year didn’t get any better with the union struggling financially and reportedly unable to pay their players and staff.

The Kings will look to put the nightmare of 2016 behind them as they prepare for 2017. Head coach Deon Davids will be hoping he can get the best out of new signing Louis Schreuder and the speedy recovery of Wandile Mjekevu. The Kings start Super Rugby 2017 when they face Jaguares at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 25 February. 

Head Coach: Deon Davids

Notable departures: Steven Sykes (Oyonnax, France), Louis Fouche (Kubota Spears, Japan), Stefan Watermeyer (Retired)

Notable additions: Louis Schreuder (Stormers, Kubota Spears, Japan), Neil Maritz (Sharks, loan), Chrysader Botha (Welwitschias, Namibia)

Captain: Schalk Ferreirra

Forward to watch: Schalk van der Merwe

Back to watch: Wandile Mjekevu

Rising Star: Yaw Penxe

Sunwolves

After picking up a single win and a draw in last year’s addition of Super Rugby the Sunwolves will be hoping that new coach Filo Tiatia, will bring a fresh approach.

New signing Fumiaki Tanaka will be adding a vast amount of much needed Super Rugby experience. The Sunwolves first game however will be against last year’s champions the Hurricanes, in Tokyo, on the 25 February.

Head Coach: Filo Tiatia

Captain: Ed Quirk

Notable departures: Tusi Pisi (Bristol, England), Tomas Leonardi (Leicester Tigers, England),

Notable additions: Willie Britz (Shinning Arcs, Japan), Fumiaki Tanaka (Highlanders), Kotaro Matsushima (Rebels)

Forward to watch: Shota Horie

Back to watch: Fumiaki Tanaka, Koraro Matushima

Rising Star: Koo Jiwon

Western Force

The Western Force 2016 Super Rugby was a disappointing for the Perth Faithful as the Force were only able to beat the Reds and Rebels out of their 15 games. The Force will miss the services of Kyle Godwin and Chris Alcock as they depart to the Brumbies, however the additions of Robbie Coleman and Tatafu Polota-Nau from the Brumbies and Warathas will certainly add some necessary experience and quality to their squad.  The Force, with new coach David Wessels, will start Super Rugby 2017 with a trip to Sydney to face the Waratahs. 

Head Coach: David Wessels

Notable departures: Kyle Godwin (Brumbies), Chris Alcock (Brumbies)

Notable additions: Robbie Coleman (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)

Captain: Matt Hodgson

Forward to watch: Ben McCalman

Back to watch: Dane Haylett-Petty

Rising Star: Chance Peni

Jaguares

Off the back of a disappointing 2016 Super Rugby campaign filled with disciplinary problems and a handful of ‘could-haves’ for the Jaguares, coach Raul Perez will be looking forward to a resurgence in 2017. The Jaguares certainly do not lack the quality players to have a successful campaign, with the likes of Augustine Creevy leading the pack and mercurial fly-half Nicolas Sanchez controlling play. The Jaguares Kick off 2017 Super Rugby against the Southern Kings in South Africa on 25 February.

Head Coach: Raul Perez

Captain: Agustin Creevy

Notable departures: Felipe Arregui (Edinburgh)

Notable additions: Benjamin Macome (Bayonne)

Forward to watch: Ramiro Herrera

Back to watch: Santiago Cordero

Rising star:  Marcos Kremer

The Blues

The Blues head into Super Rugby 2017 after finishing bottom of the New Zealand Super Rugby conference in 2016. Coached by All Black legend Tana Umaga, The Blues, will be hoping that Sonny Bill Williams will add experience and a winning mentality, while Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua and Charlie Faumuina will add the necessary grunt up front. The Blues kick their 2017 campaign off against the Rebels in Australia on the 23 February.

Head Coach: Tana Umaga

Notable departures: Ben Lam (Hurricanes), Tevita Li (Highlanders)

Notable additions: Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), Augustine Pulu (Chiefs)

Captain: Jerome Kaino

Forward to watch: Steven Luatua

Back to watch: Sonny Bill Williams

Rising Star: Rieko Ioane