Would you believe that it’s already six weeks through the Super Rugby season? I feel like there have been so many different twists and turns already that have made this campaign one of the most exciting in recent memory.
With another week in the bank, it’s time for us once again to delve into all the numbers and performances to produce yet another edition of our Players of the Round series.
5. Ruben Love (1 Point)
To start with, I have been banging on the desk about this for a while, but I do think that through the early portion, the way the Hurricanes have been playing and the talent throughout their side does make them the team to beat.
What has also made them so dangerous is that they have been showing this without their biggest wildcard in Ruben Love, who this weekend against the Highlanders returned to the 10 jersey. Love looked as though he hadn’t missed a beat, throwing huge skip passes, cross-field kicks, and in classic Love fashion bursting through the line with blistering speed, which tore the southerners to shreds.
I am not saying this performance makes him the All Blacks 10, but if Dave Rennie truly wants to pick on form and Love plays at this level, there is a real chance.
4. Filipo Daugunu (2 Points)
Devan Flanders has quickly become one of the best blindside flankers in the country, and I would not be surprised if I start hearing calls for him to be in a Dave Rennie All Blacks side very soon.
He is a powerful and athletic ball runner who constantly causes issues for opposing defenses, while also being a strong lineout option and a very physical defender.
This weekend against the Force, he was the star of the show for the Canes, turning up in front of the crowd he calls home at McLean Park in Hawke’s Bay. Flanders topped the game with 15 carries while also leading the match in metres gained, showing he gets on the ball plenty, and when he does, it generally results in a major positive for his team. Beyond just volume, Flanders also managed to score a try on his home turf, which was certainly the icing on the cake for his massive performance on Friday night.
3. Leicester Fainga’anuku (3 Points)
After returning from a mutli year stint playing for Toulon, Leicester Fainga’anuku is back playing Super Rugby and has had somewhat of a rollercoaster journey to begin his second stint with the Crusaders. This weekend coming off the bench Fainga’anuku showed exactly why his return to New Zealand rugby was so hyped up from fans and media as when he came on agasint Moana Pasifika he dominanted.
With ball in hand its never been a question about how dominant Fainga’anuku is, righto around the 50 minute mark after being brought on he scored somewhat of a solo try on two different carries from about 60 meters out. For Fainga’anuku the question will remain about what position the All Blacks coaching staff see him in as he could certainly get the nod on the wing or at centre.
2. AJ Lam (4 Points)
I have seen plenty in the media recently discussing AJ Lam and why he hasn’t been given an opportunity in the All Blacks. Personally, I haven’t been one of those itching to see him get an opportunity, but wow, he was class on Saturday evening in a fairly average performance from the Blues for portions of the game.
Lam, as we know, has made the move from the wing into the midfield in recent seasons, and I would say that transformation is now complete, as he looks like an out-and-out midfielder with his complete skillset. This weekend he did score multiple tries, which grabs the headlines, but the other work around the park, like the hard metres and line breaks he created, were also huge reasons why he made this list.
1. Cam Roigard (5 Points)
I have been on record saying that, outside of Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard is the first name on an All Blacks team sheet, and that, in my mind, makes him the best player in the country right now, with Savea playing in Japan.
On Friday evening, Roigard showed exactly why that is the case, carving up the Highlanders’ defence in a multitude of ways in what was also an intriguing personal matchup with All Blacks hopeful halfback Folau Fakatava.
While I do believe Fakatava is quality, Friday evening showed exactly why there is a clear level of class between Roigard and the rest of the field when it comes to the New Zealand halfback position. He kicked well in his six attempts while also dominating from the base of the ruck, getting over the line for a couple of meat pies and being among the leaders in the game in regards to metres carried, which is rare for a halfback.
