The 'Not So Serious' Super Rugby 2012 Awards

The Round Robin stage of this year's Super 15  finally came to an end on Sunday after 18 rounds of action packed rugby. The Stormers, Chiefs and Reds clinched top spots in their conferences and can look forward to hosting some big ties in the coming weeks.

The play-offs still await us, but as not all teams will be involved over the next three weeks.....now seemed as good a time as any (out of equality) to give you Dumptackle Rugby Blog's not so serious take on the end of year 'Award Ceremony'. Sit back, crack open a beer and enjoy the daftness.


The following categories are discussed 'in depth':

The Adam Kleeberger Award for Best Beard, Best 90s Tribute Act, Distinguished Award for Services to Hamburgers, Saturday Night Fever Award, The Piri Weepu Cult Hero Award, Best Mr T Impression and M.F.P (Most Fragile Player).

Read on below to see who made the grade in our satirical Awards Ceremony and leave your own awards in the comments section if you wants your thoughts to be known!




The Adam Kleeberger Award for Best Beard: Jason Eaton (Hurricanes)

The southern hemisphere appreciates a good beard and as usual there was no shortage on display during this year's Super 15. A couple of beauties really caught the eye though, most notably the beards sported by Josh Strauss (Lions) and Jason Eaton (Hurricanes).

Eaton  reverted to his caveman look for the Hurricanes this year and with it came a resurgence in form for the rangy lock. So much so that there were mutterings of a possible All Black's call-up prior to the June Internationals. It never eventualised, but Eaton can at least take some pride from earning the 'glamour award' for most farmers: Best Beard. He's certainly made all of Taranaki proud.

Eaton in all his glory for the 'Canes

Best '90s Tribute Act: James O'Connor (Rebels)

Oh dear, oh dear. James O'Connor is one of the most talented rugby players on the planet at the moment, but his latest trip to the barber left him looking like he'd found Dr Brown's 'Flux Capacitor' from Back to the Future and it all went a bit wrong.

O'Connor's car-crash hair-cut wouldn't have looked out of place in a '90s boy band such as the Backstreet Boys.... Sort yourself out James, the Wallabies' future depends on you!

O'Connor 'wants it that-a-way'

Distinguished Award for 'Services to Hamburgers': Piri Weepu (Blues)

No need for discussion here. Piri Weepu was pound for pound the only contender in this contest. The nuggety half back didn't enter the competition until the mid-way point and straight away found himself facing a barrage of criticism over his weight gain and his inherent lack of professionalism post the World Cup.

 All Blacks' head coach Steve Hansen kept faith with him though and selected him in his squad against Ireland. God bless you Piri for allowing all the slightly podgy arm-chair critics around the world to believe that we too have a chance of playing international rugby.

Piri Weepu enjoyed his 'post-world cup celebrations' a little too much

  

'Saturday Night Fever' Award: Danny Cipriani (Rebels)

 Danny Cipriani's time with the Rebels ultimately ended unhappily, as a series of off-field demeanors and some terrible stuff on it, led both parties to agree to tear up their contract by 'mutual consent'. Cipriani went on to sign for Sale in Manchester, as he looks to revive his England career under new coach Stuart Lancaster.

There is no doubt that the boy has talent, as can be seen by the wonder try below. The dance celebration that followed should be avoided at all cost though. Stuart Lancaster is old school after all. Take a look for yourselves!

'Piri Weepu Cult Hero' Award: Sona Taumololo (Chiefs)

I'm certainly gonna miss this guy. In truth Sona wasn't on most fans' radar before Tonga's famous victory over the Frogs in last year's RWC. His game to has risen to a new level in 2012 though, and the Chiefs loss will be Perpignan's gain in the Top 14.

The loosehead prop got his nose over the whitewash an incredible eight times, just two tries less than the competition leader, Andre Taylor. His all round fitness and ability with the ball in hand was something to truly marvel at.

Just take a look at his solo effort against the Crusaders in round 17, where he made Sir Richard Hugh McCaw look like he was running through treacle. Props aren't supposed to be able to run like that! Still needs to work on the grubber kicks though...

Best 'Mr T' Impression Award: Robbie Fruean (Crusaders)

While the merit of Robbie Fruean's potential All Blacks inclusion still splits opinion, one thing is for sure: he's got a badass hair cut. The Crusaders' outside centre blessed us with this monstrous effort (below) during the 2012 season, which is best described as a 'Mr T Mohawk'.

His coach down in Chrstchurch, Todd Blackadder, remarked after a particularly effervescent performance from Fruean:

 "We thought Firestone or Goodyear might be personally sponsoring him, but if that's what it takes to keep him sharp he can keep the haircut all year".

Unfortunately for us, Fruean shaved it off at the end of May, but he did manage to raise some dough for the 'Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand Foundation'. Top man.

'I pity the fool that don't respect my mohawk!

M.F.P (Most Fragile Player Award): Colin Slade (Highlanders)

Poor old Colin Slade. He is fast becoming New Zealand rugby's forgotten man. Super Rugby's 'Most Fragile Player' had another season blighted by injuries in 2012. Slade suffered a broken leg against the Brumbies early on which brought his campaign to a premature end.

It's sad to see such a talent wasted. Don't forget that despite the criticism he faced during last year's RWC, he is still the player who was named 'man of the match' when Cantebury were victorious in the ITM Cup only a few years ago.

Adding insult to injury, the Highlanders' pivot witnessed young guns such as Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Tom Taylor and Gareth Anscombe all shining for their respective teams at various points throughout the competition.

Slade unlucky with injuries yet again in 2012