Super Rugby Pacific's MVP and the uncapped players pushing for the All Blacks and Wallabies
At the halfway stage of Super Rugby Pacific, the RugbyPass roundtable writers from New Zealand and Australia – Alex McLeod (AM), Jordan King (JK), Nick Turnbull (NT), Ben Smith (BS), Jack O’Rourke (JO) and Tom Vinicombe (TV) – review their pre-season predictions and deliver their verdicts for the remainder of the season.
Who will end the season as Super Rugby Pacific MVP? Has this changed from your pre-season roundtable pick?
AM: Pita Gus Sowakula or Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea are two frontrunners for that accolade on the basis of their efforts in the first half of the season, but it may well be that Beauden Barrett will end the season with the MVP title. He hasn’t played enough to claim that prize just yet, but his influence for the Blues in the few games he has featured in has been immense. You just need to look at his performances against the Chiefs and Crusaders over the last fortnight, as well as his display against the Highlanders before he sustained a concussion, to see how important he is to this Blues side. If they do end up winning Super Rugby Pacific, Barrett will be at the forefront of their success. Funnily enough, that’s in stark contrast to my pre-season pick for MVP, which was Crusaders star and Barrett’s chief All Blacks rival Richie Mo’unga.
JK: As mentioned above, Savea’s form and track record of consistency should see him win the award, but he won’t as a consequence of playing in a losing side. I tipped Richie Mo’unga to claim the MVP gong, even with missing the first couple of weeks, and it’s fair to say that boat has probably sailed. If I had to change my answer with all that I know now, it’d be between Tom Christie and Dalton Papalii. The latter would have a slight edge with being the alpha in his clubhouse, although it’d be silly not to recognise how influential the Crusaders openside has been for them up until the point at which I’m typing this.
NT: I think Tom Christie of the Crusaders has been superb this season and will get the chocolates. His efforts in defence and around the ball have been exceptional in the opening stages of the season. Hard often unseen graft but absolutely invaluable work. As the old wisdom goes, titles are won on the back of defence and Christie brings that like no other. My choice has changed from a three-way split between Michael Hooper, Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. But at least I’ve stayed consistent with an open side flanker.
BS: My pre-season pick was Beauden Barrett, who probably hasn’t played enough games to put together the bones of an MVP season. His games against the Chiefs and Crusaders in which the Blues won both adds a lot of weight. If he can continue this down the stretch and into the playoffs he can still put forward a worthy case. I’ll stick with my pick.
JO: I had Tongan Thor tipped as a potential MVP but the form of Ardie Savea has been undeniable so far. He has been a big part of the reason the Hurricanes are sitting where they are now. Nothing short of inspirational for the Canes skipper.
TV: Rieko Ioane still hasn’t quite hit his straps for the Blues and will no doubt go on to play a big role in the latter half of the year, but it might be Stephen Perofeta who will be able to put his hand up at the end of the year as the key cog in the Blues’ success. When you consider how influential Perofeta was for the Blues in the early rounds against New Zealand opposition, it’s those successes that have paved the way for the Blues to make a genuine run at a genuine title for the first time since 2003. With Beauden Barrett back on deck, Perofeta’s usefulness might fade, but that won’t diminish the impact he’s already had on their season so far.
Which uncapped player will be picked for the All Blacks or Wallabies after this season? Has this changed from your pre-season roundtable pick?
AM: Of those I selected in my All Blacks squad based on the first half of Super Rugby Pacific, I included three uncapped players – Pita Gus Sowakula, ex-Wallabies prop Jermaine Ainsley and Crusaders starlet Leicester Fainga’anuku. All three players warrant due consideration from Ian Foster, and it will be interesting to see if any of them make the cut. As for the Wallabies, Nick Frost was one of numerous newbies named in Dave Rennie’s 40-man squad last month, and given Australia’s lack of depth in the second row, it wouldn’t surprise to see him earn his first test cap this year. These picks differ from my pre-season selections, which were comprised of Folau Fakatava and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for the All Blacks, as well as Suliasi Vunivalu, Pone Fa’amausili and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco for the Wallabies.
JK: Folau Fakatava was the guy I’d put down initially, and I still think he’s in with a shout, but the position which will have the biggest shake up is looking like it’ll be the front row. So, I’d be buying some Ollie Norris stock in the hope his efforts and potential are rewarded by the national selectors for when the Irish visit in July.
NT: Nick Frost. He was my pre-season pick and he has since been selected in the 40-man Wallabies squad. It’s reported that he has signed a contract with a Japanese club, however it is understood he may now be looking to get out of that contract. The former Crusaders academy player has a serious amount of speed for a big man and that could give the Wallabies an edge. Who doesn’t love a big man who can motor?
BS: The bolter for the All Blacks should be Leicester Fainga’anuku after dynamic form on both the left wing and at centre. Another one out of left field could be Cortez Ratima. The All Blacks halfback stocks are aging and there needs to be some more youth in the position group. Aaron Smith will be 35 years old next year, TJ Perenara will be 31, Finlay Christie will be 28. Folau Fakatava won’t be capped unless dispensation is granted under the new residency eligibility laws. Ratima has been impressive and has the youthful zip the others don’t. He is worth blooding to see what he can do at the next level.
JO: Suliasi Vunivalu has returned from injury to take his place on the wing for the Queensland Reds and he is an excitement machine. If he can stay fit, we could see him in Wallabies colours for the July test series against England. A bolter that has emerged during the season is his fellow Queensland teammate Jock Campbell. The Wallabies are still searching for a long-term option at fullback and Campbell was included the Wallabies first squad earlier in the year.
TV: Leicester Fainga’anuku still looks destined for the big leagues and while he’s perhaps not been quite as impressive this year and in 2021, he’s still been one of the top players in the competition, whether in the centres or on the wing. Zarn Sullivan, meanwhile, might still be a couple of seasons away from wearing the silver fern. The other big mover in NZ is tighthead prop Fletcher Newell, who could help breathe some fresh air in the All Blacks’ front row stocks.
Comments on RugbyPass
This 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.
2 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 commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to comments