Five Youngsters To Watch During Super Rugby Aotearoa - Backs

Five Youngsters To Watch During Super Rugby Aotearoa - Backs

Super Rugby Aotearoa is set to be the first rugby to hit our screens since the global pandemic stalled rugby competitions world wide.

With the Aotearoa (New Zeland) version set to kick off on 13 June, we take a look at five youngsters who will be great value during the 10 rounds of action.

Jona Nareki - Highlanders 


The signing of Nehe Milner-Skudder and the possibility of Ben Smith rejoining the Highlanders will grab the headlines but before the enforced break of Super Rugby, Jona Nareki was making his presences known.

A former New Zealand Sevens star, Nareki enjoyed a rip-roaring start to his Super Rugby career scoring three tries in his first 5 games of the season including a try against the Sharks on his debut in round one.


The 22-year-old will certainly form a brilliant back three with the likes of Smith and Milner-Skudder.

Quinn Tupaea - Chiefs

Warren Gatland is certainly spoilt for choice in his backline with numerous options particularly in his centres. Anton Liernet-Brown is the go to starter with his partner likely to change multiple times over the 10 rounds.

However, one man to get excited about his 21-year-old Quinn Tupaea. An outside centre with excellent pace, Tupaea proved himself at Mitre 10 Cup level with Waikato before earning a Super Rugby contract under Gatland.

He has featured in 4 of the Chiefs 6 games so far this year but may get more opportunities to excite.

Stephen Perofeta - Blues

Some fans may remember the name from Stephen Perofeta who was called home from the New Zealand u20s by then Blues head coach Tana Umaga to face the British and Irish Lions in 2017.

Perofeta started that game against the Lions at the age of 20 but has since struggled with injuries and missed the entire 2019 Super Rugby season. He played all 7 of the Blues matches this season and will look to build on that.

A gifted playmaker, Perofeta can play at both flyhalf and fullback and could dovetail wonderfully with Beauden Barrett who is set to debut in the opening round of the competition.

A mention for Blues winger Mark Telea who has enjoyed a sublime start to his Super Rugby career scoring 5 tries in 7 matches and has beaten an incredible 54 defenders and made 14 clean breaks in those 7 games.

Billy Proctor - Hurricanes

The younger brother of All Black and Northampton Saints centre Matt Proctor, Billy like his brother is an intelligent centre with a wide range of skills that give him the ability to play in both midfield positions.

Proctor has been tipped for great things in New Zealand rugby and the faith put in him is highlighted by the fact that the Hurricanes signed im on a five year deal at the age of 19! The contract is the longest the Hurricanes have offered a player since the club was formed in 1996.

Having represented New Zealand u20s, Proctor made his Hurricanes debut against the Waratahs in Sydney last year and featured in 5 of the Hurricanes 6 games in 2020 so far.

Braydon Ennor - Crusaders

There was plenty of options to chose from in the Crusaders team. Leicester Fainga'anuku, Will Jordan, Fergus Bruke, Eretara Enari and Brett Cameron amount others are fantastic prospects and are worth keeping eye on.

However, one test Braydon Ennor gets our vote. Ennor has already formed a fantastic partnership with Jack Goodhue in the Crusaders midfield and is more than capable of playing on the winger.

Ennor has fantastic speed, passing game and is simply a joy to watch. 

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