Another week of Super Rugby is in the books, which means it’s time for us to crack into yet another edition of the Players of the Round series. As we did last week, there are going to be five names on the list, each earning corresponding points based on their ranking that will go towards the Player of the Year table.
With it being another outstanding round, there were plenty of names brought to the table, but with our five ready to go, let’s crack into it.
5. Caleb Tangitau (1 Point)
I have been giving this guy his props for a while now, and it seems that mainstream media is finally catching on to just how good he is. Caleb Tangitau is one of, if not the brightest winger prospect in New Zealand, and Saturday night once again showed why. While the Highlanders would not have been happy with the lack of opportunities he was provided, when he did see the ball come his way he was nothing short of devastating.
Tangitau led the game in line breaks, defenders beaten and metres carried, while also dotting down for his second try of the season. That in itself was a spectacular moment, as he showed off his pace, bursting through the Chiefs’ kick chase untouched from 50 metres out.
If Tangitau continues on this trajectory, I would say an ABs jersey won’t be too far in the horizon.
4. Josh Beehre (2 Points)
Next up is another very promising youngster in Blues lock Josh Beehre. The former New Zealand U20 product has taken his opportunity in Patrick Tuipolotu’s absence in his stride and, in tough conditions against the Force in Perth, was pretty special.
Beehre is a genuine tight lock who gets the majority of the grunt work done for his side, even though it might not always stand out on television. He led his side in tackles and turnovers won, and also got stuck in with eight carries on attack.
The biggest highlight of the day for Beehre, though, was his massive shot on Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who early in the second half was levelled as the ball jolted free, allowing the young lock to win his side a much needed turnover.
3. Callum Harkin (3 Points)
The trend of younger players continues as we switch to the Friday night game between Moana Pasifika and the Hurricanes, which saw the home side run away with it after a shaky opening 10 minutes.
One of the stars of the show was Hurricanes second year fullback Callum Harkin, who, with the plethora of injuries endured by the Canes over the past 12 months, has been thrust into plenty of game time. This weekend, getting the nod to start at fullback in the season opener, Harkin took his chance. He made smart decisions and was devastating with ball in hand, creating plenty of line breaks, beating defenders and recording three try assists on the night.
What was even more impressive was that Harkin was moved into the primary pivot role after Brett Cameron sustained what looked to be another serious knee injury in the 30th minute. This meant Harkin shifted into the key role at first five for 50 minutes, and to say it looked natural would be an understatement.
2. Charlie Cale (4 Points)
We could not go through this list without picking one of the many elite performers in what has become one of the biggest upsets in recent Super Rugby history. That game, of course, was the Brumbies’ drubbing of the Crusaders in Christchurch, where they put 50 points on them and secured their first win against the Crusaders at home in 26 years.
For me, there could have been a couple of names who made this list, but the one that stands out is Brumbies No. 8 Charlie Cale. The two test Wallaby is making himself a real option for the national side and will bolster the incredible depth Australian rugby seems to be producing in the loose forward positions.
Cale showed he could become one of the very best on Sunday afternoon, making 16 carries and leading all forwards on the pitch for metres gained for his side. On the defensive side of the ball, Cale did not disappear either, making the third most tackles for his team with 16 on the day.
The icing on top for Cale was the two tries he scored, both coming at moments when the game was still in the balance. His ability to find the try line in back to back weeks looks like a knack he is developing and will be something to watch as the season goes on.
1. Fehi Fineanganofo (5 Points)
Coming in first place this week, we head back to the New Zealand capital, where one of the most recently announced departures from New Zealand rugby showed exactly the kind of talent we are losing overseas. Fehi Fineanganofo is a dazzling winger with the ball in his hands and one of the premier finishers in Super Rugby, based on his body of work over the past season and a half. This weekend against Moana Pasifika, he showed just how potent he can be, leading the competition in metres carried with 164 and topping the line break count with six.
Add in his two try evening, which easily could have been a hat trick if he had not incredibly and unselfishly handed his third to teammate Josh Moorby while standing over the try line.
For the Hurricanes, they continue to have a plethora of wingers at their disposal, and Fehi Fineanganofo might be the next great one if he can earn further national recognition before he heads overseas.
Leaderboard After Round 1
1. Miracle Faiʻilagi (5 Points)
2. Fehi Fineanganofo (5 Points)
3. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (4 Points)
4. Charlie Cale (4 Points)
5. Callum Harkin (3 Points)