Rugby: Canes star in Form XV

It is about halfway through the regular season of Super rugby, time to look at who is playing well, who isn't and who is putting in a good shift for little reward. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn picks a form XV from the New Zealand teams.

Fullback
Most of those at the back have been solid, but Ben Smith stands out. Great under the high ball and making plenty of metres with ball in hand.

New boy Nehe Milner-Skudder has looked dangerous on attack for the Hurricanes. Charles Piutau has been in the headlines but not just for his job.

As for Damian McKenzie, if you believe what you hear and read he is a combination of Christian Cullen, Jeff Wilson, Don Clarke and George Nepia.

Perhaps not.

Wing
Hosea Gear came back to win an All Black jersey. He had better know where the nearest clothing shop is, because that is the only way he is going to get one.

Waisake Naholo has been mightily impressive - scores tries, makes metres, bumps off defenders. Julian Savea has been doing the same thing for the Hurricanes. Cory Jane is playing well, as is Bryce Heem. Frank Halai does not get involved enough for the Blues.

Centre
Conrad Smith just keeps delivering week in, week out for a Hurricanes team cruising along at the top of the table. Makes his tackles and creates for those outside him.

Malakai Fekitoa has done plenty of good things and is a dangerous runner. The Blues have had plenty of different centres, while Charlie Ngatai impressed before getting injured.

Second five-eighth
Ma'a Nonu is back in Wellington under a coach he likes, and is playing well, getting through plenty of work. Ryan Crotty is working hard in a Crusaders backline, while Sonny Bill Williams is on and off the field.

First five-eighth
Colin Slade is off to France but he has been playing well and leading the way for the Crusaders.

Lima Sopoaga has plenty of admirers and is a dangerous runner. Daniel Bowden was injured to start with but has played well now he is on the field.

Beauden Barrett looks the part and is popping up in the right places. You'd never bet your house on Aaron Cruden's goalkicking.

Halfback
Aaron Smith is a clear first, with the others a fair way back. TJ Perenara has scored some nice tries and appears to have improved from last year.

He is concentrating more on his game. No-one else is in the picture.

No 8
His side may have lost seven in a row, but it has hardly been the fault of Jerome Kaino. Made plenty of metres with the ball and racked up some good hits on defence.

Hurricane Blade Thomson impressed but had moved forward, while Kieran Read is only just getting under way. You'll never get a bad game out of Nasi Manu.

Flankers
Sam Cane has shown he is the obvious heir apparent to Richie McCaw. Matt Todd has done nothing wrong and been a good link man for the red and blacks.

One who has made an impact is Callum Gibbins, of the Hurricanes. The Wellington-based side has lost nothing with the injury to Ardie Savea.

On the other side, Brad Shields has been playing well and Liam Messam is at his usual high standard.

Jordan Taufua has been destructive. One wonders why McCaw is not given the Crusaders No 7 jersey and simply plays there.

Locks
It looked like time had passed James Broadhurst by, but he has come back strongly this year and is a hard runner who has been getting round the field. Scott Barrett from the Crusaders looks a goer, while Dominic Bird has disappeared.

Joe Wheeler and Tom Franklin have given as much as they have got.

Props
Owen Franks has brought up 100 games and is putting in a solid day's work. Wyatt Crockett is getting by, but there is a sniff of controversy about his play.

You cannot miss Ben Tameifuna with that hair. He is doing nothing wrong but will never be an All Black. Charlie Faumuina is not the reason the Blues have lost seven out of eight.

The likes of Josh Hohneck and Ross Geldenhuys are working hard. Ben Franks appears to be playing some of his best rugby.

Hooker
The cupboard is bare. Through injury, wayward throwing and rotation, there is hardly a clear candidate.

Hika Elliot has returned from oblivion, but there are still doubts.

Ben Funnell is playing all right for the Crusaders, but has throwing issues. The Blues hookers are in and out of the starting side.

Dane Coles is injured. Highlanders hookers Ash Dixon and Liam Coltman are playing well.

Add a Comment