Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round 9
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 Tom Banks (Brumbies)
Banks took the opportunity to remind the Wallaby selectors that life without Izzy Folau might not be as tough as they fear. Having said that I doubt that Banks will wear the 15 jersey in big tests later in the season. He appears to have a light kicking game and showed the annoying penchant of running cross-field, unlike Damian McKenzie. Ben Smith (Highlanders) showed glimpses of his class in his 150th Super game. I have been really impressed with the maturity of Warrick Gelant (Bulls) this season. He seems to have been around for years but he is only 23 and he has shaved the loose edges off his game to have a strong balance of safety and creativity in his game. His return from injury was instrumental in the Bulls improvements as they tickled up the Reds 32-17.
14 Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Started on the right wing but caused carnage on the left flank in the second half. Finished with zeal and the empathetic pass to space that Mitchell Drummond caught with glee was world class.
13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
The Fijian has struck a rich vein of form with a powerful display for the Brumbies as they dismissed the Lions 31-20. He is one of those players who seems to have sharp edges on his frame, a nightmare to tackle (ask poor stitched up Lionel Mapoe) and a potent defender. For a big man (192cm/ 102kg) he has agile footwork.
12 Anton Lienert Brown (Chiefs)
What a battle royale in Hamilton between the two All Black 12’s Nonu and ALB. Nonu launched himself (literally) to power in for a try at the 59-minute mark to start a Blues comeback, then got another to give them a chance with 2 minutes to go. ALB had to step up as the creator when Damian McKenzie hobbled off and was influential in the style the Chiefs resorted to win the match.
11 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers)
One of those players that ghosts through gaps and makes the most of his line breaks with good decisions and precision passing at speed. The way he ran in his first try with a solo run from 38 metres just doesn’t happen anymore with defensive systems the way they are. And the try he set up for Damian de Allende from a run off a line out was superb. Braydon Ennor (Crusaders) was prominent as well.
10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Mo’unga has it all. He has the mastermind, a great kicking game and above that he has incredible pace, and exceptional ability to break the line and is a tough little defensive nugget. Rugby Player Index has him at world number 1.
Domingo Miotti (Jaguares) continues his stellar Super rugby career start with a staunch performance as the Jaguares smashed the Sharks 51-17.
9 Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares)
This guy has become such key lynchpin in the Jaguares. Keeps his forward pack focused, kept the heat off his green flyhalf and is everywhere in support. Will play a big part in the Pumas shot at the RWC later this year as well. Depending on Creevy’s fitness it wouldn’t surprise me if they give him the captain’s armband for the tournament. Brad Weber (Chiefs) was electric too and hats off to Herschel Jantjes for his energy.
8 Paul Schoeman (Bulls)
As Duane Vermeulen took a well deserved week off I am sure the Reds weren’t expecting a threat from number 8. Wrong. This guy was everywhere, wading through yards of ball carrying, big tackles and presence in the tackle. Worked well in tandem with another comeback kid, Marco van Staden.
7 Dalton Papalii (Blues)
The 2018 star has been a little understated this season but he underlined what he can bring to the party at the Battle of the Bombays. Prominent at the tackle and on the fringes he was very thirsty for work. His battle with Lachlan Boshier was one of the many mini-battles that went on round the park and made for such an enticing delight.
6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares)
The second week in a row. Has added much more to his game than the raw power and determination we saw at the start of his career. The chip and chase try from 65-metres out against the Sharks was the velvet glove. The Sharks promised to come out and turn things around in the second half but were dealt the iron fist by Matera in the 43rd minute. 28-10 at that stage the fat lady started warming up.
5 RG Snyman (Bulls)
Threw a crazy pass with his first touch but as he said in his Man of the Match interview, he was just throwing off the rust. This guy’s skill set is incredible and I am sure once he gets to top game-play fitness he’ll work on his scrummaging and clean-outs but shapes as a great foil to someone like Etzebeth at the RWC.
4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
The rangy second ranker never lacks for effort but I don’t think I have seen him more animated. Seemed to be trying his luck with the offside line at the end of the game but I think he won the ambassadorial battle with referee Angus Gardiner.
3 Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders)
Has never fully convinced as a scrummager but fits in well with a Crusaders pack flush with All Blacks. Had one of his best games and as a recognition of that didn’t get replaced till very late.
Battle supreme up front with Malcolm Marx and may not have been quite as dynamic as the Lions captain but he had a lower error rate and his team won. Agustin Creevy was enthusiastic off the bench in his comeback as well and certainly won ‘the Barnacle of the Week’ award.
1 Karl Tuinukuafe (Blues)
Everything this guy does is packed with power but what finesse he showed with his double handling in the buildup to Melani Nanai’s try just before halftime! Kept Nepo Laulala under control at scrum time as well. James Slipper is influential as well and upping his game around the field.
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
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 comments