Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round 4
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 – Will Jordan (Crusaders)
The Crusaders used to be guilty of starting the season slowly but now there’s so much competition for places every week it’s a “prove yourself week” for anyone who gets selected. Jordan has shown he has converted the promise he has had in youth and provincial levels. A flowing Cullen-type runner in open play, and thanks to the sterling work done by his team, he has had plenty of chance to show his wares. Ups to Warwick Gelant (Bulls), who seems to have been around for yonks, but is still only 23. He has removed the mercurial, raw edge to his game and become a consistent, reliable custodian.
14 – Jack Maddocks (Rebels)
A bit like Will Jordan, the Rebel with a cause is so athletic and elusive. He is beginning to understand with Will Genia and Quade Cooper’s vision he will get a load of chances from skip passes, and was in great position to score his two tries against the Brumbies to continue the Rebels unbeaten run. Sevu Reece (Crusaders) was his energetic self in his first Super start for the defending champs.
13 – Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)
Second week in a row. If you get chance, take a look at some slo-mo footage of Goodhue’s footwork in contact. He is such a difficult person to contain, and is putting together an amazing showreel for his application for the starting All Blacks XV. Special mention of 2018 Boks under 20 star Wandisilie Simelane (Lions), who didn’t let an awful first pass in Super Rugby phase him. He is a play-maker and distributor extraordinaire. We’ll hear more about him as the season unfolds.
12 – Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes)
Second week in a row. There are a few Super rugby players waking up in a sweat having nightmares about their tangles with Laumape. Not only did he score two tries, but kept at least two defenders busy all game which created space elsewhere. Still a debate on whether he has the finesse and consistency to unseat the raft of veterans for the All Black role in World Cup year, but brutally stating his case.
11 – Rieko Ioane (Blues)
There’s a joke going round that Rieko has been so quiet in the first three games they might count as his rest period for the national selectors, but he certainly came alive as a finisher against the Sunwolves. The four tries were all catch, pass and score, but that is certainly his core role smashed.
10 – Handre Pollard (Bulls)
Inspirational guidance and leadership from the Bulls fly-half. Apart from Jonny Sexton, it’s hard to believe there is a more pivotal player to the chances of seeded teams leading into the World Cup. His kicking has been awesome and the decision to take a dropped goal with the Sharks 13 points behind but pressing hard was just what you want from a general. Quade Cooper (Rebels) is putting in some consistent performances and his journey is shaping as a great redemptive tale.
9 – Will Genia (Rebels)
Second week in a row. It’s quite common to see big physical leaders lead from front at the coalface, but after 30 mins in Melbourne Genia had become incandescent with rage at his forwards. From that moment on he probed, scrapped and led the Rebels with go-forward and he turned the match around. Jamie Booth (Sunwolves) has a field day around the Blues fringes and looked to be enjoying himself big time.
8 – Akira Ioane (Blues)
Would still love to see Akira stationed as second to last receiver or right on the wing from time to time, but there’s no doubt he is a colossus in the collision. Whetukamokamo Douglas (Crusaders) literally bled for the Crusaders cause as well.
7 – David Pocock (Brumbies)
The wind really went out of the Brumbies sails when their best player was subbed mid-way through the 2nd half. Some awesome pilfering and solid play from the number 8 position at set piece. Interesting to see the changing face of South African loose forward trios during the tounament. This weekend, we saw two players with 7 on the backs who were not the archetypal 6 foot 5, 120 kilo angry Afrikaaner farmer-types. Tim Agaba (Bulls) and Vincent Tshituka (Lions) wore 7 jerseys with aplomb this weekend. The 20-year-old Tshituka is only 93 kilos, and with some strength and conditioning, will be a great long-term prospect.
6 – Ned Hanigan (Waratahs)
There has been a suspicion that the Waratah lacks some physicality for tight-loose play and that’s why they play Jed Holloway at lock as a compromise between line out height and some smash and bash. Both did their jobs against the Reds though with powerful displays. Hanigan threw himself into the contact area and helped give the Waratahs the edge in this clash. Jordan Taufua (Crusaders) is a tireless warrior.
5 – Hanro Liebenberg (Bulls)
As part of the changing face of South Africans 7s we talked about, Liebenberg, who has played most of his rugby at 8 or flank, was moved to lock and looked impressive in their victory over the Sharks.
4 – Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
If the Crusaders-Chiefs game was a trial, then Barrett got one over the surprisingly quiet Brodie Retallick. We may have to question whether Retallick is comfortable with captaincy duties as he has looked distracted this season as his team goes to 0-4. On the other hand, Barrett has been stand out player of the season. He does everything with urgency and energy and sorts stuff out.
3 – Carlu Sadie (Lions)
Admittedly, having Malcolm Marx beside you at scrum time must help, but Sadie led the Lions in flogging the machismo out of the Jaguares. Looks good with the ball as well for a 125kg behemoth. Tyrel Lomax (Highlanders) is shaping well for the All Blacks world without Owen Franks.
2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Second week in a row. I joked last week that Codie Taylor would be itching to get some minutes on the clock and that would have been exacerbated with Dane Coles performance on Friday. Coles revelled in the tight scrappy victory, and Taylor was explosive against a resigned Chiefs line-up. Malcolm Marx is ramping up his form, and I was impressed with the spark of Gaspar Baldunciel (Jaguares). The 22-year-old came off the bench and got the tired Jagaures pack firing with some enthusiasm.
1 – Dylan Smith (Lions)
After such a powerful scrummaging effort against the Argentinians, we can’t leave Dylan Smith in for his second selection for the season. Smith and Sadie have similar effective roles in phase play to Franks and Moody from the Crusaders, and are influential players in their team.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments