Super Rugby Top 20 players: Kurtley Beale, Henry Speight headline countdown of players 20-16

SUPER Rugby is back and to celebrate its return, we’re counting down the Top 20 Super Rugby players, beginning with positions 20-16.

Super Rugby Top 20 players: 20-16

SUPER Rugby is back this weekend with seven mouth-watering fixtures taking place across all three nations, beginning with the Crusaders and Rebels on Friday night.

To celebrate the return of rugby’s top provincial competition, we’re counting down the Top 20 Super Rugby players. Today we begin the countdown with 20-16.

Our panel of experts — The Courier-Mail’s Jim Tucker and The Daily Telegraph’s Jamie Pandaram and Iain Payten — have cast their vote, from which our final top 20 was formed.

What do you think of our Top 20 Super Rugby players list? Join in the debate by tweeting us at @FoxRugbyLive and @Rugby_Gold by using the hashtag #SuperRugbyTop20.

20. KURTLEY BEALE

Controversial Waratah Kurtley Beale is no stranger to the headlines, but the talented utility back will be hoping the only attention he receives is for his match-winning ability in 2015.

Beale was an integral member of the Waratahs’ title-winning squad, but the Di Patston text message saga while on Wallabies duty threatened to end his career in Australian rugby.

Beale made the equal most try assists (9) and second most linebreak assists (17) of any player during the 2014 Super Rugby season. A continuation of that form will ensure the Tahs remain in contention for back to back crowns.

19. HENRY SPEIGHT

Fijian-born Henry Speight was electric for the Brumbies last season, with his form earning him a long-awaited Wallabies debut on the spring tour.

Despite missing seven Super Rugby matches due to injury, Speight still led the Brumbies in run metres (873) and tackle busts (44), enormous statistics for a winger in a curtailed season.

It is difficult to identify standout players in the Brumbies’ star-studded backline, but should he remain fit throughout 2015, Speight may just be the ace in their golden pack.

18. MALAKAI FEKITOA

After failing to crack the Blues’ first XV in 2013, Malakai Fekitoa made a gutsy and ultimately fruitful move to the Highlanders, where his dominant season earned him eight All Blacks caps by the end of 2014.

It was a rapid rise for the young centre, who led the entire competition for run metres (1410) and made the equal most tackle busts (68).

With the lure of a long term deal and a first World Cup to keep him focused, expect a barnstorming season from the 22-year-old.

17. JEROME KAINO

Blues legend Jerome Kaino has signed on for another season and appears destined to bring up his 100th cap for the franchise, becoming just the fifth player to do so.

Few other players possess the devastating size and power of Kaino, and at 31 years of age he remains a vital asset for both club and country. In 2014, he achieved career highs of 9.3 runs and 50 metres gained per match on average in Super Rugby.

Speculation is rife that the big back rower will sign for a European club from 2016 onwards, but the lure of a swan song against the British and Irish Lions in 2017 may prove more appealing than the extra dollars on offer overseas.

In any case, with so many options on the table, expect Kaino to increase his bargaining power with another impressive season for his beloved Blues.

16. AARON SMITH

All Blacks scrumhalf Aaron Smith’s sharp passing and running ability makes him a constant threat in attack for the Highlanders.

On the ball, Smith led his side in try assists (7) and linebreak assists (8) in 2014, while also crossing for four tries of his own.

While his place in the All Blacks’ side doesn’t appear to be under threat, Smith can cement his place in Steve Hansen’s preferred XV with another solid season at the Highlanders’ scrum base.

Originally published as Super Rugby Top 20 players: Kurtley Beale, Henry Speight headline countdown of players 20-16