Nel clearly best in competition

Otago No8 Dylan Nel  training at Logan Park earlier this week.
Green Island No 8 Dylan Nel training for Otago last year. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Premier rugby has just past the halfway point, so it seemed fitting for sports writer Adrian Seconi to name his form XV. 

Loosehead

University bookend Kilipati Lea could shunt a house sideways. Produced a destructive effort against Green Island last weekend.

Hooker

University rake Ricky Jackson has impressed but Green Island's Jake Fowler has been tremendous in the loose and gets the nod.

Tighthead

Giant Harbour prop Saula Mau is an immovable object with a sizeable engine.

Locks

Taieri's Ben Morris has been getting the basics done, while Kaikorai powerhouse Petelo Sinamoni adds grunt to the second row.

Blindside

Tight call. University's Sam Dickson hits hard. Kaikorai's Christian Lio-Willie is a dangerous carrier. But Harbour utility Charles Elton is where he needs to be when there is work to be done around the ruck.

Openside

Take your pick between Jack McHugh or Slade McDowell. McDowell probably nabs more turnover ball and operates behind a tight five which is not quite as dominant as University's. He's our man.

No8

Dylan Nel has been immense and is easily the best player in the competition. The Green Island and Otago No8 takes two or three tacklers with him every time he carries the ball.

Has scored six tries as well.

Halfback

Not as much depth in this position as there has been in the past. Green Island's James Arscott has been clearing the ruck nicely and Taieri's Bob Martin has made some clever touches. Martin gets the start.

First five-eighth

Ben Miller is developing nicely in the role and has done a good job of sparking the dangerous Kaikorai backline. He is closing in on 100 points for the season too.

Second five-eighth

Green Island's Raymond Nu'u has cast aside plenty of would-be tacklers and done some terrific set up work for his outside backs as well.

Centre

Aleki Morris is a key plank in the Harbour backline. Others have been getting the tries but he is often influential.

Wingers

Southern outside back Mackenzie Haugh would be lucky if he tipped the scales at much more than 70kg. But there is something magic about him. He is the leading scorer in the competition with 12 tries, which is twice as many as anyone else. Dunedin's Oscar Schmidt comes highly recommended, so he nabs the other slot.

Fullback

Taylor Haugh creates an opportunity just about every time he comes into contact with the ball. He has blistering pace and can change direction in a nanosecond.

Form XV 

Taylor Haugh, Oscar Schmidt, Aleki Morris, Raymond Nu’u, Mackenzie Haugh, Ben Miller, Bob Martin, Dylan Nel, Slade McDowell, Charles Elton, Petelo Sinamoni, Ben Morris, Saula Mau, Jake Fowler, Kilipati Lea.

 

 


 

 

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