Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Best of the best: The top 10 locks in Super Rugby 2021

(Photo by Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images)

Super Rugby AU is now just days from starting, while Super Rugby Aotearoa is just over a week away. As the competitions edge that little bit closer, five RugbyPass writers have ranked each position across Australia and New Zealand.

ADVERTISEMENT

Then by going across all five rankings, a list of the top 10 players per position had been finalised.

We have already revealed our thoughts on who are the best fullbacks, wings, midfielders, flyhalves, halfbacks, No. 8s and flankers on each side of the Tasman, with locks being next up.

Video Spacer

Owen Farrell is honest about England’s Six Nations title chances.

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      Owen Farrell is honest about England’s Six Nations title chances.

      The writer-by-writer rankings will soon be made available on the RugbyPass Instagram account, while the average rankings have been used to calculate the following list.

      1) Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)

      Whitelock returned to the Crusaders last year in search of a career revival. Up-and-coming players had put pressure on the now 32-year-old to hold his place in the All Blacks, but since returning to New Zealand, he’s been all class.

      Whitelock used his experience, leadership, and rugby IQ to once again to standout at the set-piece; also holding his own around the park. In his 150th Super Rugby match for the Crusaders, he was arguably the man-of-the-match, largely for those reasons.

      The seasoned veteran really doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon too, backing it up with an impressive run of tests in the black jersey last year.

      2) Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)

      Tuipulotu had arguably his best season in a Blues jersey last year, playing consistently high-level rugby and so nearly leading the Blues to a title.

      The Auckland franchise’s skipper appeared in career-best shape, looking fit and fast which led to his dominance on the field. It was revealed by England centre Joe Marchant, who was playing for the Blues at the time, that Tuipulotu was running 9.4 metres per second in Blues training.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Even though he sometimes went quiet while playing for the All Blacks, you can’t question the strides the 28-year-old made in the development of his game.

      3) Scott Barrett (Crusaders)

      After missing all of Super Rugby Aotearoa with an injury, Barrett is primed and ready to lead the Crusaders this season.

      Barrett is held in high regard by pundits, fans and players, showing versatility that not many second rowers embody. He’s very quick, is effective at the set-piece and is a natural leader who could guide the Crusaders to another Super Rugby crown.

      He’s not perfect though – there are at times some disciplinary issues with his game, but you can’t say that he’s not world-class. The All Blacks could really benefit from having a fully fit Scott Barrett available in their ranks once test match rugby returns.

      4) Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs)

      Vaa’i was one of the breakout stars of Super Rugby Aotearoa last year, earning four All Blacks caps at just 20-years-old on the back of his form.

      That’s not to say that this was always the plan though, but he handled the big moments well. On the brink of his first All Blacks camp, playing in the North vs South clash, Vaa’i made the most tackles of any player at the time he was subbed off.

      ADVERTISEMENT

      As the test season went on, the All Blacks had a bit of a locking crisis but he really stood out when his name was called. He has plenty of potential so for him to already be ranked this high on this list is a credit to what he achieved last year.

      5) Quinten Strange (Crusaders)

      After making his Mitre 10 Cup debut at just 19-years-old, Strange’s game has come a long way during his time at the Tasman Mako and the Crusaders.

      At 24-years-old, he was named in Ian Foster’s All Blacks squads for last year, and even though he didn’t earn a cap partly due to injury, it wouldn’t surprise many to see him get one this year.

      He’s an exciting player who brings plenty to the set-piece, and would add plenty to the All Blacks’ growing list of promising locks.

      6) Mitchell Dunshea (Crusaders)

      The fourth and final Crusader on this list, Dunshea is another player to watch. His work rate is impressive and he was rewarded for that last year – albeit not immediately.

      While not initially involved in Ian Foster’s All Blacks squad, Dunshea was called into the camp as an injury replacement for Quinten Strange.

      For the Crusaders, he was consistent, starting often, proving reliable in defence and doing plenty of work around breakdown.

      The 25-year-old remains on the cusp on national selection, but might get there this year if he takes his chances when he’s on the park.

      7) Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds)

      The Wallabies had a bit of a locking crisis of their own after the 2019 World Cup, but found a long-term answer in a familiar face – but it is worth noting that he’s the only Wallaby on this list.

      Salakaia-Loto is physical, especially in defence, but he runs hard as well and that makes him a handful for any and all opposition. At the lineout, I thought he stood out in moments, and stepped up as a leader in a young Reds side.

      While there was a sour moment late last year which saw him red carded against the Pumas, he’s certainly a player to watch who still has plenty of development left in his game.

      8) Pari Pari Parkinson (Highlanders)

      Parkinson has proven himself to be a promising up-and-coming talent out of the Highlanders, and it wouldn’t have surprised many if he’d been ranked higher on this list.

      He works hard around the field, and is a quality option at the lineout for any team he plays for – standing at 204cm.

      The 24-year-old has a big year ahead of him, though, with All Blacks selection well and truly a chance. He may have missed out on North vs South honours last year, but expect him to push on as develops his game, and looks to take it to the next level.

      9) Josh Dickson (Highlanders)

      Prior to a broken leg sustained while playing the Crusaders in round four of last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa, Josh Dickson was head and shoulders above every other player in the competition at the lineout.

      The 26-year-old had more than double the number of lineout takes (14) every other player across the country, and was handy at pinching the opposition’s ball at the set piece as well.

      That illustrates how he has worked his way to becoming one of the brightest uncapped second rowers in New Zealand after breaking out with some eye-catching displays in 2019, so expect Dickson to work well in tandem with Parkinson again this year.

      10) James Blackwell (Hurricanes)

      After another strong showing for the Hurricanes last year, Blackwell has justifiably been included in this list.

      He’s always been a player who has seemingly had an abundance of energy, doing absolutely everything for his team – including putting his head in some dark places around the breakdown.

      As one of the hardest-working players in Super Rugby, could international honours be on the horizon for the 25-year-old?

      ADVERTISEMENT

      Hong Kong SVNS | Day 1

      Behind the Scenes with the Australian Rugby Sevens Team in Hong Kong | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 9

      The Rise of Kenya | The Report

      New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

      When the referee is put in an impossible position? | Whistle Watch

      The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

      Boks Office | Episode 38 | Six Nations Round 5 Review

      Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      0 Comments
      Be the first to comment...

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      S
      Salazar Berlanga 2 hours ago
      Super Rugby Pacific's rebirth can finally restore the missing All Blacks edge

      I live in an unstable region, so I'm always ready for surprise curfews or my aunt dropping by uninvited to borrow some cooking oil. To protect my future from both, I swept $530,000 under the floor in Bitcoin- my emergency parachute.Well, things went downhill. Protesters filled the streets like a rowdy rave, with pepper spray in place of glow sticks. In the chaos, security personnel took my laptop and everything that wasn't bolted down. That's where I store the keys to my Bitcoin wallet. When I say I swallowed a brick, I am not kidding.I pictured myself telling my future self, who lived under a tarp, how I used to have half a million dollars but lost it since I had forgotten to encrypt my drive. "Great job, Past Me," I would be saying while heating canned beans over a candle.But fate, or possibly my guardian angel who was finally done laughing at me, intervened. During a hushed meeting with a journalist friend (we whispered like we were plotting an espionage thriller), he mentioned Tech Cyber Force Recovery. These folks were not just tech geniuses; they practically wore digital capes.I phoned, and the reassuring voice I received was so reassuring, I almost asked them to fix my love life too. They labored in their homes with the frenzy of an explosives specialist defusing a bomb. They constructed my wallet information from recovery fragments I barely remember creating. It was like magic shows where magicians extract bills from a hat, except the hat has been confiscated by the authorities.Thirteen days passed, and I received the call. My money had been returned. I was so relieved that I hugged my aunt, who naturally took the chance to request additional cooking oil.Tech Cyber Force Recovery did not just save my Bitcoin; they saved my future. And they gave me a newfound respect for proper backups and encryption. If you are in a tricky spot or just want to avoid awkward family requests during every political crisis, call them. They are the real deal and possibly part wizard, part therapist.CALL OR WHATSAPP THEM THOUGH+.1.5.6.1.7.2.6.3.6.9.7

      19 Go to comments
      D
      Deneen Welch 2 hours ago
      Waratahs turn to 'tough bugger' for captaincy with more history on the line

      I am a business woman living in the diaspora, and my desire for affection and care mirrored that of anyone else. My search for love commenced with me signing up for an online dating app, where I encountered an Asian man. Following a period of communication, he introduced me to what she described as a popular investment platform in Asia, I trusted him so much that I failed to carry out an investigation. According to him, substantial profits were being earned there, and her presentation was so compelling that it piqued my curiosity. Unbeknownst to me, I was being catfished.  he provided evidence of his earnings and even sent me a watch as a token of her affection. Consequently, he gained my trust and affection, which marked the beginning of my financial losses in Bitcoin. I had complete faith in him and invested over a million US dollars. Upon recognizing the extent of my investment in this fraudulent scheme, I attempted to withdraw my profits from the investment program, as I had utilized my business capital. My requests were disregarded, and they continually requested additional funds. Frustration mounted, and my supposed partner became hostile after I ceased sending money. Seeking assistance, I discovered RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS. They assessed my circumstances and confirmed my worst fear: I had become a victim of a pig-butchering romance scam. I was disheartened, as I genuinely believed I had found love again following a difficult divorce. Fortunately, RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS specializes in recovering Bitcoin sent to fraudulent or scam wallets. After collaborating with RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS, they successfully recovered my scammed Bitcoin. They are my permanent solution for cybersecurity. I strongly endorse RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS for crypto tracing and recovery. If you find yourself in a similar situation or involved in a suspicious investment platform, contact RUDER CYBER TECH SLEUTHS 

      0 Go to comments
      e
      eandrew7 5 hours ago
      Crusaders vs Moana Pasifika: New best 10 in Super Rugby contender, Superman Savea

      I live in Dubai, a city epitomizing luxury, innovation, and rapid growth. Known for its iconic skyline, cutting-edge technology, and thriving economy, Dubai attracts people from all over the world, creating a melting pot of cultures and opportunities. With its growing real estate market, it has also become a hotspot for investors seeking profitable ventures. However, despite all its appeal, Dubai is not immune to the risks that come with the digital age, including online scams. Unfortunately, I learned this lesson the hard way when I fell victim to a fake online real estate investment scheme.I had come across an online platform that promised high returns from real estate investments in Dubai. The website appeared professional, with attractive visuals and solid claims of lucrative deals. Enthusiastic about the opportunity, I decided to invest a considerable amount of money AED 300,000. The platform made everything seem so legitimate, with detailed reports, customer support, and even seemingly real testimonials. As someone who lives in Dubai and is familiar with the local real estate market, I believed this was a solid investment opportunity.However, things began to take a turn for the worse after I made the transfer. At first, the returns appeared on the platform, but when I tried to withdraw some funds, I encountered strange delays. Soon, the website started malfunctioning, and the support team became unreachable. My investment appeared to have disappeared, and I realized that I had been scammed. It was a crushing experience to lose such a significant amount of money, and I felt both helpless and frustrated. Determined not to give up, I searched for ways to recover my funds and came across Trust Geeks Hack Expert Website, www://trustgeekshackexpert.com , a reputable company specializing in tracking down online fraud and helping victims get their money back. I contacted their team, and they took immediate action, carefully investigating the fraudulent platform I had invested in. Within a short period, Trust Geeks Hack Expert successfully tracked the fraud and managed to recover my AED 300,000.Dubai is an exciting place to live and invest, but this experience taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of being cautious when it comes to online investments. The city's dynamic nature and rapid growth also attract scammers who try to take advantage of people like me. Thanks to the diligent efforts of Trust Geeks Hack Expert, I was able to recover my funds and learn to be more careful when navigating online investment opportunities. for assistance, Email: info@trustgeekshackexpert.com (TeleGram Trustgeekshackexpert) & what's A p p  +1 7 1 9 4 9 2 2 6 9 3

      3 Go to comments
      R
      RedWarriors 5 hours ago
      'We had a good plan, we saw the opportunity to beat the Sharks': Leo Cullen

      I think Leinster had a plan to win both matches.

      The defensive pressure was impressive and it made things hard for sharks with the greasy ball. That’s not an academy team though, a lot of those guys have two SA tours under their belt and a load of Leinster caps. There were a few new caps but so few as to not effect the system. Gunne was a first start but he has had a good few appearances and is a talent in play and attitide.


      Sharks reaction to some early errors seemed to shout “Here we go again”.

      As good as Leinster played and as hard as they made it, I assumed that Sharks would have the quality to find a way. Leinster slowed the rucks just enough to cause Sharks some issues and overruns etc.

      The great Eben Etzebeth was missing and he is clearly great in motivating and driving a team as well as in play. Some thing more than Etzebeth missing. The Leinster players not playing today will be cheering and sucking energy from that performance as much as if they were there. That’s the spirit in the club. Anyone can see how bonded and loyal Snyman, Barrett and Slimani are in a small period of time. I think Leinster have a special setup up there, but Sharks are definately below average in belief, confidence and spirit based on Saturday.

      Obviously a straight forward kick for a draw was available at the end but I don’t think that would have been acceptable and Sharks must go for the win at home.


      Note: Zebo said in coverage that if Erasmus has the reigns with Sharks they would be no1 in URC and Champions Cup ‘By a distance’. I don’t agree with that ofcourse but in between sucking up to Erasmus he is clearly pinpointing what he believes is a coaching issue.

      4 Go to comments
      TRENDING
      TRENDING ‘Hats off to the Kiwis’: Australia fall to rivals at Hong Kong Sevens ‘Hats off to the Kiwis’: Australia fall to rivals at Hong Kong Sevens
      Search