This is exactly what has happened as we reach the half way point of the Super XV regular season. With a tremendous campaign to date I thought it provided a great opportunity to look at the players and rate them on their work so far.
The front row club has been quietly achieving with ‘Whoppa' and Chris ‘Mule' King leading the way. The ‘Mule' is often forgotten about but he has been like a rock in the scrums. We really miss him when he is not partaking in the action; this is when the opposition gain some dominance upfront so Kees Meeuws the scrum coach has a bit of work to do yet with the bench boys.
The lads in the second row make up the remainder of the tight five, this was an area where we did not have a lot of depth to cover injuries and the last thing Jamie Joseph wanted to see was Jarred Hoeata go down.
However, this was exactly what happened in pre season; up to the plate steps Nick Crosswell, the converted loose forward was outstanding and threw his body literally into everything and filled the role of a hard man before picking up a knee injury. Josh Bekhuis has been instrumental in the performance of the engine room making his presence felt on the field but needs to grow as we enter the back half of the season.
The loose forwards have been a mixed bag, ‘'Thommo' is playing out of his skin dominating the lineout on our throw and constantly stealing the ball from the opposition. John Hardie got off to a flyer but came to a screaming halt due to injury.
Haskell has added a physical dimension to the 7 jersey but I feel he is being beaten on the ground by the true fetchers in the opposition teams. Nasi Manu is proving to be a real work horse and I suggest no one else in the comp carries the ball more than him; exceptional.
Aaron Smith: we knew had potential but what a season for him so far, still a little wet behind the ears which shows at times with poor decisions but higher honours loom for this lad.
Jimmy on the other hand has had limited opportunities but is always solid when he comes on but doesn't provide the crisp ball like Smith.
Lima and Colin started well but both succumbed to serious injuries early on, they get a pass mark but it would have been great to see them kick on; not this year it seems.
Ellison, Treeby and Burleigh have been solid in the midfield in all games, Tamati's always threatening whilst Treeb's runs it up hard and they both tackle like men possessed. Burleigh is slightly different often providing key passes to the outsides. The coaching staff could not ask for more from these boys, whatever the combination in the midfield we have enough class to match any team in the comp.
Ben Smith has been hampered with concussion recently but has always been threatening with the ball and it took a spark from him versus the Rebels to get us into the game. Look for him to be dangerous once the head issues subside. Smith will be key on the fast tracks in SA.
No one can move like Buxton Popoali'i. he is incredible on his pins often beating opposition players and creating chances from nothing, a great man to have on the bench. Hosea Gear has been dangerous at times with electrifying pace but needs to lift his work rate, we need him to be more involved.
The back half of the year does not have so many home games for our mighty Landers but they have proven they are capable of winning away from home, so prepare the alarm clock and get the billy on for those early mornings over the next few weeks as our boys enter Bokkie country.
Let's really get behind them now and keep the momentum rolling.