Five of the best: The top five players from round four of Super Rugby Aotearoa
As we inch towards the halfway stage of Super Rugby Aotearoa, two teams are shaping as genuine challengers for the inaugural Kiwi title.
The Crusaders’ emphatic 40-20 come-from-behind win over the Highlanders in Dunedin has set-up a mouth-watering clash against the Blues in Christchurch next week in the battle of the two unbeaten sides.
The class exuded by Scott Robertson’s men was clear to see at Forsyth Barr Stadium, and it’s no wonder they’re to taste defeat as opposed to the Hurricanes, who notched up their first victory of the campaign against the winless Chiefs on Sunday.
It was Jordie Barrett’s extreme goal-kicking that stole the show in the 25-18 success in Hamilton, although the visitors were lucky to escape with the win after Scott Scrafton’s second half red card.
With all that in mind, who were the top five performers in round four of Super Rugby Aotearoa?
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Any doubts about Will Jordan’s potential as a future All Black must surely be dispelled at this point of his Super Rugby career after yet another immaculate display for the Crusaders.
The 22-year-old golden boy is making a spectacular case for Super Rugby Aotearoa player of the season after just three rounds of action, with the Highlanders the most recent side made to pay for his exquisite attacking exploits.
His two tries – including an outrageous 70 metre last-minute effort – were accompanied by 127 running metres, 10 defenders beaten, four clean breaks and two offloads to make for a sensational stat sheet.
It are figures like those that has propelled Jordan into the national reckoning, and it would come as no surprise to see the uncapped star continue his mercurial form right through to the Bledisloe Cup series against the Wallabies come the end of the year.
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
It’s no coincidence that the Hurricanes’ maiden win of the Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign coincided with Jordie Barrett’s return from a troublesome shoulder injury.
The 23-year-old utility back slotted right back into his side’s starting XV and played a pivotal role, from a ball-playing and goal-kicking perspective, in securing the first-up victory.
That was reflected in his 37 running metres, four defenders beaten, two clean breaks and two try assists, while he nailed four kicks from five attempts, including a whopping effort from well inside his own half.
Five months after he stunned onlookers with an outrageously large penalty goal against the Jaguares, Hurricanes fullback Jordie Barrett has done it again. #CHIvHURhttps://t.co/rwNRn0b4Vj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 5, 2020
Showcasing his world-class ability in various aspects of the game could well place Barrett as New Zealand’s best fullback, even more so considering he outshone fellow All Blacks No. 15 Damian McKenzie on Sunday.
Whether it’s assisting tries or landing goals from anywhere on the park, Barrett’s return might just be what the Hurricanes need to revive their previously dwindling season.
Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
If Shannon Frizell’s efforts against the Blues acted as a reminder to Ian Foster that he isn’t ready to surrender his place in the national squad to some of New Zealand’s up-and-coming youngsters, his performance against the Crusaders was a statement of intent to claim a spot in the All Blacks’ starting line-up.
Backing up his mammoth showing at Eden Park, the 26-year-old was likened by fans and pundits to an old-school Jerome Kaino with a physically-imposing display on Saturday.
It didn’t matter what side of the ball he was on, Frizell was a handful for the visitors all night long, registering a try after having made a clean break and beating a trio of defenders to barge his way to the line in the first half.
The nine-test loose forward didn’t shy away from his defensive duties either, making a match-high 22 tackles and stealing one turnover, while also securing four of his team’s seven lineouts.
It may be Hoskins Sotutu, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u and Cullen Grace who have been stealing the headlines in recent weeks, but any one of those three have a tussle on their hands if they want to leapfrog the red-hot Frizell in the national pecking order.
Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
It’s taken a while for Ardie Savea to hit his straps in Super Rugby Aotearoa following a lengthy injury lay-off, but the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee is beginning to re-discover his rhythm, as evidenced against the Chiefs.
A menace with ball in hand, the 26-year-old No. 8 wreaked havoc on attack, beating four defenders and breaking the line twice to run for 63 metres, all while playing a key role in Kobus van Wyk’s second try with a damaging carry off the back of a scrum.
Like Frizell, Savea’s defensive efficiency didn’t go unnoticed either, as he recorded eight tackles from eight attempts and won a turnover for good measure.
His return to form will be warmly-welcomed by not only All Blacks boss Ian Foster, but also Hurricanes head coach Jason Holland, who will rely heavily on the services of both Savea and Barrett in the second half of the season.
Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes)
Similarly to Savea, it’s taken some time for Du’Plessis Kirifi to live up the expectation that has surrounded him as one of the most promising young flankers in the country.
It’s a label that befits the 23-year-old following some impressive campaigns in both Super Rugby and the Mitre 10 Cup in years gone by, but a lacklustre start to Super Rugby Aotearoa by the Hurricanes has made it difficult for Kirifi to get back into form.
That changed on Sunday, as the hard-working pilferer’s renowned work rate and ability over the ball was exemplified at FMG Stadium Waikato, where he made 14 from 15 tackles and won a round-high three turnovers.
Kirifi capped off the match with a well-earned try on the back of some strong ball-running by the Hurricanes in the first half, laying the foundations for an improved second half of the season from next week onwards.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments