Five New Zealand Super Rugby men on a mission for the 2017 seasonPHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES It wasn't the happiest of times for Aaron Smith by the end of 2016. As Super Rugby rolls into action on Thursday night in Melbourne, with the Rebels hosting Tana Umaga's Blues, we pluck out five men on a mission in 2017 from the five New Zealand franchises. Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes)A hamstring injury has kept the New Zealand rugby find of 2015 out for the Hurricanes' first game of the new season in Japan, but it's not expected to detain him for long. If they can get Milner-Skudder up to speed quickly, they have a very good chance of repeating the dose in 2017. Ioane has an incredible package of skill, speed and athleticism, with size to go with it, and just needs to transfer that to the Super Rugby stage on a consistent basis to enter the national picture.

Source: Stuff February 22, 2017 23:48 UTC