Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round 13
As Eric Rush once said, “this is just one man’s opinion”. Please add your picks and your favourites in the feedback box below.
15 Dane Haylett Petty (Rebels)
Solid as a rock at the back as the Rebels beat the Reds and had some good yardage as he charged upfield. Will be a good battle with Kurtley Beale to see who will take the Wallaby fullback’s guernsey in the first test later this year.
14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
The Crusaders wing got the the upper hand in the battle of the pocket rockets with Rosco Speckman. A hat trick to show off a wide range of his skills; pace to finish, fast frantic feet in less space, then some good elevation in a jump to go over after some magic cross kicks form Mo’unga. Getting close to averaging 100 running metres per game. Henry Speight (Brumbies) was devastating in Canberra in one of those games where ehe couldn’t keep away form the ball.
13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Ran amok in the first 50 against the Sunwolves. Has danger written all over him on both sides of the ball.
12 Harold Vorster (Lions)
The inside centre was having his first start since round three and was all quality in the Lions win over the Waratahs. Can match the power of the other 12s in the South African franchises but Vorster has a deeper range; some silky stepping skills and canny distribution. Good impetus from the bench from Alex Nankiwell (Chiefs), awesome straight running that led to what might be try of the season.
11 George Bridge (Crusaders)
Second week in a row. Didn’t get tries on the board but his work rate was at an industrial scale. Popped up on the right wing as much as the left to use width as a weapon against the Bulls. Great decision in the lead up to Reece’s first try that didn’t look so flash when he wound his way across field but it all became clear when he linked up and the champs had a 5 on 2 out to the right. Also set up Dunshea’s try with a delicious line break.
10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
What can you say? The Crusaders had a plan that was a little like a bullfight. Run the Bulls around for 30 minutes (where they scored two tries from Mo’unga) then come in with the sword. The two tries they scored late in the first half were down to sheer exhaustion of the Bull’s defence.
9 Brad Weber (Chiefs)
The epitome of a gutsy little man, Weber never gives up and has some real pace to get from phase to phase but when someone makes a break he is invariably on the shoulder like a seagull after a chip. Two great tries in a much-needed victory over the Jaguares. TJ Perenara (Hurricanes) was at his spoiling best against the Blues.
8 Elliot Dixon (Highlanders)
The rangy number 8 cracked 100 games for the franchise and has put a string of performances together that has kept Shannon Frizell on the bench. Good team man. Kieran Read (Crusaders) is finally firing on a few cylinders.
7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
The second week in a row where he has had to go trench warfare and curtail his free running antics for the good of his team. Zealously went about smashing Blues runners. Just a marvelous athlete who could play in the midfield at a pinch.
6 Kwagga Smith (Lions)
He is Africa’s answer to Savea. A talented athlete and a real competitor. So strong in the legs and he uses his strong base brilliantly at the breakdown. Jordan Taufua (Crusaders) added another level of confusion in the hunt for the AB 6 spot.
5 Tyler Ardron (Chiefs)
The Chief’s locks were giving away a lot of size in taking on the Sharks; Ardron and Mitchell Brown were not even as large as the South African loose forwards! Exposed at lineout time, they shone with their sheer work rate around the park. Ardron gets the gong for his last-minute scrag of the tail of Curwin Bosch’s jersey. If he hadn’t stalled the flyer it was probably game over for the Kiwis. Mitchell Dunshea showed similar qualities for the Crusaders. The try he scored down the left flank with the ball under the right arm showed some wingers up for technique.
4 Matt Philip (Rebels)
When his man is on song he looks every inch an international lock. Great work rate and line out skills. Also Rob Simmons from the Waratahs had a very good game running some strong lines on attack alongside his boiler room work. Ruan Botha (Sharks) is a huge lump of a man and provides great verve in the collision and at the ruck.
3 Alan Alaalatoa (Brumbies)
The second week in a row. In a great patch of form and alongside James Slipper and Scott Sio one of the best front row units in the comp.
2 Malcolm Marx (Lions)
What a powerful hooker, his presence in the scrum is intimidating for any opponents and his work in the tackle area is exemplary.
1 Atunaisa Moli (Chiefs)
Had a couple of hiccoughs with penalties at scrum time against Coenie Oosthuizen that he may debate but apart from that, he was a leading light for the Chiefs. He must be very close to the 5th propping spot for the Rugby World Cup.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments