Super Rugby Team of the Week - Round Two
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. Israel Folau (Waratahs) 2nd selection in two weeks. Continued his good form in Tokyo with two tries and gets the call over his compatriot Tom Banks (Brumbies). Banks was a fire-cracker on attack and showed real pace.
14. Gerhard van den Heever (Sunwolves). The South African took advantage of the Japanese ?Barbarian style to show sizzling pace in the collection of his brace of tries. Bautista Delguy (Jaguares) and Melani Nanai (blues) kept defences busy as well.
13. Jordan Petaia (Reds). This was probably the most competitive position this week, some quality performances in the 13 jersey this week. The 18 year old was freakish in his strength through the hips and ability to keep his feet. What an amazing prospect for the Wallabies. Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Tevita Kurindrani (Brumbies), Shane Gates (Sunwolves), Matias Orlando (Jaguares) and Lukhanyo Am (Sharks) all nipping at his heels.
12. Ryan Crotty (Crusaders). Kurtley Beale (Waratahs) and Samu Kerevi (Reds) played well in their first outings for the Super season but Crotty put in the classic Warwick Taylor performance, oozing glue as the rest of the Crusaders backline cut capers.
11. George Bridge (Crusaders). Bridge constantly delights with his silky running skills. Could he be the Kiwi bolter for this year’s World Cup?
10. Josh Ioane (Highlanders). The message has been that all players have been working hard over the off-season but maybe we should do a Boudjellal DNA test on this young fella. He has really matured and looks a different player; the kicking, passing and tackling skills have been irrepressible. It’s great to see Christian Leilafano (Brumbies) stepping up as well in RWC year. He was very much the conductor in the Brumbies orchestra in their stunning win over the Chiefs.
9. Tomas Cubelli (Jaguares) The Argentinian returned from two seasons at the Brumbies to show he has grown while he was away. The Jaguares are renowned for poor game management but with Cubelli at the cutter there is some certainty.
8. Jack Dempsey (Waratahs). The number 8 enjoyed the open nature of the match up against the Sunwolves. He’ll have tougher days but he continuing his good come back from long-term injury.
7. Kwagga Smith (Lions). Kwagga’s been at the gym. The shoulders and upper body show he has evolved from sevens specialist to man who is keen to play an influential role at this year’s World Cup. His new physique has improved his ground game and collisions and he hasn’t lost the ball-playing skill and decision making in open play.
6. Shannon Frizell (Highlanders). Steve Hansen laid down the challenge last week and boy did some number 6s step up. Frizell might not have the noticeable mop of red hair like the impressive Tom Robinson but he uses his preposterous power to win collisions and convert chances into five pointers close to the line. You don’t get bigger macho clashes than a Bulls v Jaguares match up and Marcos Kremer was the scariest hombre in BA.
5. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers). It was inconceivable that the Stormers would win with 26 minutes left at Newlands. They’d continued their moribund form and looked to be heading to a sorry 0-2 record. Then on came the Springbok star and he dragged the Cape Town team to a victory with his sheer will and physical power. Ruan Botha (Sharks) was an obelisk all around the park.
4. Scott Barrett (Crusaders). Second selection in two weeks. Both the Crusaders and the Hurricanes missing leaders it was important for others to step up. Scott Barrett was the exemplar of that, with two tries early in each half and brute physicality he will leave Scott Robertson and Steve Hansen no chance to leave him out of starting line-ups in 2019.
3. Owen Franks (Crusaders). What is the best adjective for a tighthead? Solid? That’s what big Owie does season after season and Crusaders diehards love him for it.
2. Akker van de Merwe (Sharks). Second selection in two weeks. Continued his mixture of brute power and mauling knowledge to make a real difference against the Blues.
1. James Slipper (Brumbies). It seems like Brad Thorn’s casting aside of Slipper, Cooper and Hunt has been a win-win. All three players have asserted themselves at their new clubs and the Red’s team spirit is palpable. Slipper won his battle against Nepo Laulala and set a solid platform for his team’s victory.
Rugby World Cup City Guides – Kumamoto:
Comments on RugbyPass
Four 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.
15 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.
1 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 commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments