OPINION: New Zealand Rugby has a strong reputation of bringing through some of the biggest and brightest talents in the world from the grassroots domestic competition to Super Rugby.
And judging by who will make their SR debuts this year, 2017 will be no different.
On the eve of the start of the competition, we take a look at five debutants that will light up the field this season;
Michael Collins - Blues
Signing on to play for Otago in the Mitre 10 Cup back in 2012, the utility back last year headed over to Europe to play for Pro12 side Scarlets where he had a return of three tries from 16 appearances.
Possessing a strong running game, Collins' ability to play midfield, wing or at fullback will be an asset to Tana Umaga.
Johnny Fa'auli - Chiefs
Fa'auli has been around the domestic circuit for some time at Counties Manakau and Taranaki but the Chiefs' shortage of players in the midfield means the 21-year-old will get some SR game time in 2017.
Potentially playing alongside Aaron Cruden, Anton Lienert-Brown and Tim Nanai-Williams, he will undoubtedly be the beneficiary of some good ball and some space. A versatile mid-fielder, Fa'auli is a great runner in the open field.
Jordie Barrett - Hurricanes
One of the most anticipated SR debuts of the past few years, Barrett was very good for the New Zealand U20s last year and was equally as strong for Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup.
Going away with the All Blacks on their end of year tour under their apprentice scheme, Jordie Barrett will get a chance to play outside his older brother Beauden, a combination that is destined to flourish.
Jack Goodhue - Crusaders
Goodhue was looking good to secure place in the 2016 Crusaders Super Rugby side but a cruel season ending injury in 2015 spoiled his hopes.
Signed for 2017 on the back of strong form for Canterbury in the latter stages of last year's Mitre 10 Cup competition, Goodhue is a strong runner with skills gained from his time with the New Zealand Sevens.
With the Crusaders number of outside backs thin, you can expect him to get a lot of game time.
Josh Dickson - Highlanders
Dickson signed for Otago back in 2014 at just 20-years-old so he's not a stranger to the Highlanders franchise, hovering there or thereabouts without cracking the main squad.
A ball-running lock build not all that dissimilar in style to Brodie Retallick, Dickson is a threat in the line-out as well as in general play.
If there's anything we've found out about the Highlanders in the past three years, it's that they have a knack of bringing through hard-working All Black quality forwards so don't be surprised if Dickson comes under that category.
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