Beauden Barrett
Leaving aside that dodgy moustache (it’s not Movember!), Barrett has been class personified in the opening rounds of the Super 15 this year. While many predicted the Canes to suffer, Barrett has brought intelligence and organisation to the backline. His intuitive understanding of when to run, pass and kick is quite mesmerising. He has looked to the manor born and his grubber through for Corey Jane’s try was the icing on the cake.
Leaving aside that dodgy moustache (it’s not Movember!), Barrett has been class personified in the opening rounds of the Super 15 this year. While many predicted the Canes to suffer, Barrett has brought intelligence and organisation to the backline. His intuitive understanding of when to run, pass and kick is quite mesmerising. He has looked to the manor born and his grubber through for Corey Jane’s try was the icing on the cake.
Jacques Potgieter
The Bulls ripped the Cheetah’s apart in round 2 and Jacques Potgieter played a hugely influential part in their victory. As John Smit remarked during the game he seemed like ‘a man possessed’. Potgieter hit rucks with such ferocity that the Cheetahs couldn’t cope. He added huge physicality to the Bulls and the cheetahs really struggled with the collisions, even after Francois Houggard was rather harshly sent off. After Kruger showed that he could ably replace Matfield, the Bulls may just have found a new enforcer for Bakkies Botha too. Good times in Pretoria.
Eben Etzebeth
At only 20 years old, this guy looks like a great prospect for the Boks. The Stormers have always been billed as the excitement machines in the backs but sometimes they lacked in the forwards. With Etzebeth and Bekker in the lock forward positions, the Stormers look like a fine team who could challenge anyone.
Andrew Hore
Some may have thought that Hore’s career was winding down after being sacked by the Hurricanes. No chance though. Hore is on current form the number 1 hooker in New Zealand. He has added another dimension to the Highlanders and his work on the floor creating turnovers has been outstanding. Keven Mealamu must be looking over his shoulder.
Tawera Kerr Barlow/ Aaron Smith
These two have been outstanding at scrum half for the Chiefs and Highlanders respectively. Kerr Barlow’s inclusion onto the run on team was forced due to Brendon Leonard’s injury while Aaron Smith got his chance due to All Black Jimmy Cowan’s waning form. Both showed the goods and were at the heart of their sides’ victories, producing electric service and showing a good eye for the gap around the ruck area. One senses a changing of the guard in this position in New Zealand.
Rob Kearney
There were a couple of moments in the France- Ireland game when you just looked at the screen and thought...how the hell did he do that? Kearney was impeccable under the high ball, retrieving everything in his sight flawlessly. Some of the kicks he had no right to win...but he did. Kearney is showing the form that made him a Lion in 2009 and his combination with Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls is proving to be very fruitful for Ireland.
Adam Ashley-Cooper
There will be some Waratah fans who would possible prefer to still have Kurtley Beale than Ashley-Cooper in their team. Cooper showed his worth though with his best provincial performance in years against the much hyped Rebels. Personally I think that the Waratahs have a potentially explosive backline if Cooper moves to centre, alongside Berrick Barnes and Rob Horne. Through in Drew Mitchell and you have a backline that could cause any team problems.
Yoann Maestri
It’s difficult to assess France on current form. Are they showing any real signs of progress or not under Saint-Andre? Either way they have found some young talent this year. Aside from Wesley Fofana who continues to take to International rugby like a duck to water, France has unleashed the giant Yoann Maestri on their opponents this year. He proved to be a real force on the pitch and one suspects we will be hearing quite a lot about this lock forward. The first natural successor to Fabien Pelous.
Phil Burleigh
Burleigh must have been wondering if his chances were slipping way. At 25 year of age, he had been on the outer at the Chiefs but the Bay of Plenty man was on fire for his new side the Highlanders, against the Crusaders. He often took the ball up on the first phase from set plays a la Jamie Roberts and consistently brought a momentum to their attacks. Further performances like that will have the national selectors keeping a close eye on him.
Phil Burleigh
Burleigh must have been wondering if his chances were slipping way. At 25 year of age, he had been on the outer at the Chiefs but the Bay of Plenty man was on fire for his new side the Highlanders, against the Crusaders. He often took the ball up on the first phase from set plays a la Jamie Roberts and consistently brought a momentum to their attacks. Further performances like that will have the national selectors keeping a close eye on him.
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