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Sunday, April 22, 2012

Super Rugby Rookie XV So Far

So nearing the halfway point of the Super Rugby season, which rookies and youngsters have made big impressions this season so far?

*Rookies here mean players who have played less than 2 seasons - 2nd season players must have played less than half of all scheduled competitive games for their team in their 1st season.

1.Ben Tameifuna, Chiefs
2.Motu Matu'u, Hurricanes
3.Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Hurricanes
4.Eben Etzebeth, Stormers
5.Brodie Retallick, Chiefs
6.Siya Kolisi, Stormers
7.Michael Hooper, Brumbies
8.Brad Shields, Hurricanes
9.TJ Perenara, Hurricanes
10.Beauden Barrett, Hurricanes
11.Tom Kingston, Waratahs
12.Tom Taylor, Crusaders
13.JJ Englebrecht, Bulls
14.David Raikuna, Blues
15.Willie le Roux, Cheetahs
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5 comments:

  1. Phil @ DumptackleApril 22, 2012 at 10:10 PM

    Johan Goosen has got to be in there somewhere!

    and how about the new prop for the stormers..think his name is Kitshoff??

    Was impressed with Toomaga-Allen around the field but not sure about his scrummaging ability.

    Also how about Craig Burden of the Sharks at hooker.

    Pretty good team though...I have been amazed by how much young talent there seems to be coming through this year.

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  2. UnknownApril 22, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    Yeah there are so many good first fives who have emerged this year. Beauden Barrett for me has been the most impressive - he's playing like a 30-year-old veteran rather than a 20-year-old rookie. Craig Burden is not really a rookie - he actually started back in 2006 as a winger.

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  3. ScottyApril 22, 2012 at 10:39 PM

    There are plenty of elligible first fives also Goosen, Jantjies and Anscombe. Toomaga- Allen is part of a terrible tight five for the Hurricanes. There are surely some better tight forwards from South Africa. What about Juandre Kruger? He has been playing in the northern hemisphere though, but he hasn't played much Super Rugby although you have 2 good locks there.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 23, 2012 at 11:01 AM

      Toomaga-Allen has done well for me given he is such an absolute rookie. In the loose, he's been terrific and will get better in the tight as he gets older - it's quite frightening to think how good he could be, no wonder the Hurricanes signed him up so quickly. I think a lot of the tight forwards from South Africa have already played 2 full seasons.

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  4. ScottyApril 22, 2012 at 10:42 PM

    I don't think David Raikuna deserves selection. Willie Le Roux only seems to play on the wing. What about Jesse Mogg and Jo Tomane from the Brumbies? Mogg is a fullback.

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