THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are favourites to continue their rise in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific in the eyes of the 12 captains as they officially launched the season in Auckland last week.
While not nominated to make the final, the skippers backed the Fijian Drua to continue their rise after their maiden finals appearance.
The Drua tallied half the votes when asked for the team most likely to surprise fans in 2024, with Moana Pasifika also rated highly along with the Force and Rebels.
Backing up this belief is the recognition of how tough it is to win in Fiji, which was also rated the toughest place to travel along with Christchurch.
It was closely followed by Eden Park and GIO Stadium, where the Brumbies have enjoyed considerable success against Kiwi teams in the past years.
Defending champions Crusaders are the favourites to final.
Seven out of 12 captains believe Rob Penney’s men can back it three finals in a row after taking out the 2023 title.
There were three other teams thrown up, with the Chiefs and Blues receiving multiple votes whilst the ACT Brumbies were the lone Australian team.
The sustained Crusaders’ dominance was shown throughout the poll, with the Christchurch-based team the side captains most liked defeating.
Interestingly, the NSW Waratahs were the only other team to receive multiple votes, with three captains admitting they enjoyed knocking off Darren Coleman’s side the most.
The spread of talent across the 12 teams was best displayed in the MVP voting, with 11 players named across eight clubs.
Jake Gordon, Rob Valetini, Tate McDermott and Len Ikitau were the Australians that were mentioned by the skippers, with Damian McKenzie the lone player to receive multiple nominations.
Gordon was also selected twice by skippers as the most annoying player to face, with Chiefs enforcer Naitoa Ah Kuoi also receiving two votes.
Super Rugby Pacific 2024 Captain’s Survey
1) Which other team outside of your own is most likely to reach the Grand Final? 7 (votes): Crusaders, 2: Chiefs, Blues, 1 vote: Brumbies
2) Which other team outside of your own will surprise fans in 2024? 6 (votes): Fijian Drua, 2: Moana Pasifika, 1: Rebels, Brumbies, Force, Hurricanes
3) Which team do you love to beat the most? 4 (votes): Crusaders, 3: Waratahs, 1: Reds, Rebels, Chiefs
4) What is the toughest away trip in Super Rugby? 3 (votes): Fijian Drua, Crusaders, 2: Brumbies, Blues, 1: Waratahs, Highlanders
5) Which other player from an[1]other club is most likely to win SRP MVP? 2 (votes): Damian McKenzie, 1: Len Ikitau, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Luke Jacobson, Jake Gordon, Mark Telea, Rob Leota, Rob Valetini, Scott Barrett, Tate McDermott, Taniela Tele’a
6) Who is the most annoying player to face? 2 (votes): Jake Gordon, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 1: Angus Bell, Tate McDermott, Fraser McReight, Ethan de Groot, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Kurt Eklund, Du’Plessis Kirifi , Samisoni Taukei’aho
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