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Mitre 10 Cup Team of the Week - Round 2
Mike Rehu runs through his Mitre 10 Cup Team of the Week for Round 2.
15 – Will Jordan (Tasman)
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The Tasman fullback is dangerous, all he needs is a gasp of oxygen against an air-tight defence and he wreaks havoc. With his two tries against Southland, he narrowly beats off the challenge of Cantab George Bridge.
14 – Melani Nanai (Auckland)
This guy can do some freakish stuff, from “how did he do that?” to “why did he do that?”. Auckland is benefitting from his ability to get to the try line; 2 wins from 2 a good start for the beleaguered big city boys.
13 – Brayden Ennor (Canterbury)
Originally I had the tyro Quinn Tupaea from Waikato down at centre but I had a genuinely warm feeling seeing one of the U20 RWC 2017 heroes finally get time in his preferred jersey. After an injury last year and the rise of Jack Goodhue he has had a few sniffs on the wing for the Crusaders but he showed he can set up outsides as well as run straight and hard.
12 – Terrence Hepetema (Bay of Plenty)
Terrence the Terror has a family name that sounds like he’d hurt you and he doesn’t disappoint! Honest, direct and strong he is a great foil for Mike Delany inside him.
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11 – Mason Emerson (Hawkes Bay)
Again I had a Waikato player in at left wing, Sevu Reece was exciting with ball in hand but there’s something sizzling about Emerson that compels me to slot him in. He scorches the grass on his sprints down the touchline.
10 – Mike Delany (Bay of Plenty)
The 36-year-old has been instrumental in Bay of Plenty’s 100% record. Nothing phases him, he’s seen it all before and he seems to be a couple of steps ahead of the field at this level.
9 – Brad Webber (Hawkes Bay)
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It was almost a Bay of Plenty trifecta for the inside backs as Richard Judd is setting the world alight as well but Webber’s lightning reactions and speed of foot gives him a slight edge.
8 – Gareth Evans (Hawkes Bay)
Again a pairing with Webber, they work together smoothly to lead success for the team. Evans has led from the front, showing an incredible engine and no shortage of bravery. He’d captain this team.
7 – Dillon Hunt (North Harbour)
Dillon Hunt joins his ex-Otago teammate Evans in the loose forward trio. Their ‘southern men’ work rates are on another level. Hunt has added ball-carrying to his repertoire to go alongside his Wreck-it Ralph play at the breakdown
6 – Dalton Papali’i (Auckland)
Papali’i has been a great foil for Blake Gibson in the Auckland team. His workrate and adherence to the basics has allowed Gibson to play a true 7 role and dare I say he is taking care of some of Akira Ioane’s duties as well.
5 – Tom Robinson (Northland)
This young raw forward has the potential to be the next cult hero from Northland, a la Ranger, Maxwell and Jones. He throws his body around like he has 9 lives. Son of an All Black looks set for a Blues contract.
4 – Ben Nee-Nee (North Harbour)
Nee-nee transferred from Auckland and has impressed with his athleticism. Not the tallest lock but outstanding at lineout time. He also has the knack to be in the right place at right time in general play. Is a great foil for the workhorse Gerard Cowley Tuioti.
3 – Angus Ta’avao (Taranaki)
What a year this fella is having. Held the Chiefs scrum together and made Craig Dowd’s Super rugby XV and he’s continuing his form with the Ranfurly Shield holders. Taranaki’s scrum ascendency laid the platform for their successful defence against the Manawatu Turbos.
2 – Andrew Makalio (Tasman)
James Parsons had his best game of the year but couldn’t oust Andrew Makalio from the hooker’s spot. Strong as an ox and a defender magnet with ball in hand; he played a part in Tasman’s first three tries against Southland.
1 – Ruben O’Neill (Taranaki)
Again part of a successful duo, he gave Michael Alaalatoa a bath and toyed with the 135-kilo prop at will.
HEADS UP for Round 3
Best Match-Up
Two unbeaten Premiership teams, North Harbour and Tasman square off 3.30pm HK time this Saturday.
7 All Blacks back
The AB’s management has released 7 of the squad to play in Round 3. Loose forwards Luke Whitelock and Ardie Savea come back. Nehe Milner Skudder, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Liam Coltman, Shannon Frizzell and Time Perry will also bolster their respective provinces.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments