One of the most enjoyable things about following a sport is seeing how that new or exciting player fares when he’s called into the fray.
Whether you’ve seen him in action for another club or if he’s an unknown quantity, there’s something special when you see that signing take the field.
One such player is Englishman James Haskell, who despite being a great international has produced mixed performances so far; another is the Frenchman Freddie Michalak; who proves week after week that not all Frenchmen should be known for their inconsistency.
These two players have got me thinking, who do I want to see don a Super Rugby jersey?
The bustling American Todd Clever did it. Why can’t other “minnow nation” players do it?
For that matter wouldn’t some of the up-and-comers from traditional rugby nations benefit from Super Rugby experience?
So, to appease my curiosity this armchair expert has jotted down an XV of the players I’d love to see play in our great tournament.
1. Soane Tonga’uiha (Tonga)
Northampton’s monumental prop is known as much for his size as he is for his bullocking runs. Soane missed out in his first attempt to play Super Rugby but as a new man with international experience he’d cut the mustard.
2. Yusuke Aoki (Japan)
The diminutive, but hard-working, hooker was a highlight in Japan’s World Cup campaign and would be perfect for the quick pace of Super Rugby. It’s time to break the mould of Japanese-born players playing exclusively in Japan and Aoki could be the first.
3. Tom Court (Ireland)
This Aussie-born man-mountain has certainly taken to the Irish Rugby and way of life, but would he perform on home soil? He’s another who just missed out on Super Rugby his first time around and would no doubt relish a second shot.
4. Julio Farías Cabello (Argentina)
The big hustling flanker/lock was a stand out for Argentina in the World Cup with his huge tackle counts. He knows how to defend and would no doubt stand out as much in Super Rugby as he will in this year’s Rugby Championship.
5. Joe Tekori (samoa)
Did anybody say Super Rugby doesn’t have enough goose-stepping second rowers? Tekori is capable of doing both the basics of being in the tight five, as well as bringing that X-factor.
6. Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)
A Georgian mightn’t be as marketable as a Fijian-flier, but fans would certainly come around to the now-famous Gorgodzilla’s style of rugby. Capable of covering second row and the entire back-row he’d be an asset to any team.
7. Michael Leitch (Japan)
The young New Zealand-born but Japanese-raised opensider impressed at the World Cup. Leitch is a kind of rare on-baller seven that any side needs and would no doubt come at a fraction of the price.
8. Robert Barbieri (Italy)
The Italian knows how to run the ball. And he runs hard. Trapped behind Parisse in the Italian line-up for a few years the Canadian born player has recently come to the fore by showing his ability to play 7. If you love how Jarred Saffy plays you’ll love Barbieri.
9. Ben Spencer (England)
Rising to prominence through his success in the Oxford-Cambridge Varsity game, Spencer has a big future. He’s still young and can do the number one thing a halfback needs to do: create fast-accurate ball. No doubt he’ll crack the England squad soon.
10. Duncan Weir (Scotland)
Having just picked up his first Scottish cap, Duncan has a build that wouldn’t look out of place on a modern-day hooker. Still, he’s electric with ball in hand and will no doubt grow as he gets more time in Scotland’s colours. A year or two of Super Rugby wouldn’t hurt a player like Weir at all.
11. Simon Zebo (Ireland)
Many thought the Munsterman would gain his first cap this Six Nations but alas it didn’t happen. Possessing speed to burn and a great understanding of the game, this man wouldn’t look out of place in any Super outfit.
12. Albert VuliVuli (Fiji)
Some backs like to dance around people; VuliVuli likes to dance through people. The Fijian of Queensland Reds experience is one of those rare players that make damaging runs look so natural. Can play across the backline.
13. Tommaso Benvenuti (Italy)
This Italian-born-and-bred back is proving to be one of the great victories of Italy’s development system. He has the footwork and hands to be a world rugby great and Italy’s on-field improvement can already be partly attributed to him at just 21 years old.
14. D.T.H. van der Merwe (Canada)
The Canadian with the bottle-blonde hair proved in this World Cup that he can match it with the best of them in the centre. He would no doubt look at home doing the finishing in any Super Rugby outfit.
15. James So’oialo (Samoa)
Younger brother of famous All Black Rodney, James sports an equally notable haircut in the form of a mullet. James has just been involved in the terrific Samoan World Cup Campaign and shows the kind of decision-making and swagger you love to see from a fullback.
Who would you like to see play Super Rugby?
How do you think these guys would go?
Bakkies
Guest
Blair Connor Dane Haylett Petty Paul Warwick Connor is young and going great guns at Bordeaux hard to fathom why he didn't get a Super Rugby contract
enforcer
Guest
I believe I never said what team I'd like to see them play for. I'd be happy to see them suit up for any team and their certainly wasn't geared specifically at the Australia sides. That being said all Aussie sides are aloud 1 already capped foreign player, these guys would make great choices as that one player. I'm not advocating all 15 get picked for the Brumbies squad tomorrow.
Denby
Guest
I think the Tahs would put him on the bench or play him out of position and then wonder why he is not performing.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Politics, Hoy, politics. Cant escape it, even in rugby ;)
Hoy
Roar Guru
Interestingly, the leading point scorer in Brisbane club rugby prior to the ARC couldn't get a game in any of the teams during that tournament. Bit like Hewitt couldn't get a go for the wallabies I guess. I always wondered why.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
For the Australian conference, why in Gods name would we even consider any player for Super 15 who isn't currently playing Premier Rugby in Australia? What sort of rubbish article is this? Who gives a Flying Hori about OS players getting 'experience' in Super Rugby. If the Saffas and Kiwis think it's good, then bully for them. I would think the majority don't and would argue they have better depth than those players mentioned in the article within their own yet to be identified ranks. We bleat about the supposed lack of talent and experience in Australia, but ramble on about who we would like to see from OS playing in our comp. More to the point would be selecting a NSW (Sydney) XV and a QLD (Brisbane) XV selected from those playing Premier rugby (but not yet identified for an Academy or QLD / NSW 'A' side). A difficult task by any standard, even on this forum as most supporters probably only follow one of those Premier teams and have limited knowledge of those outside their own team environment. However, a team such as this would be more to the point and of greater benefit to Australian rugby than a whole lot of OS imports. I would be far more interested in those players within Australia who may potentially step up in years to come but not yet identified. Unfortunately I don't have the overall knowledge from within the Brisbane Premier ranks but if anyone from Sydney or Brisbane has, then to me that would be far more interesting and we would have players to watch whilst enjoying the Premier rugby kicking off in a month or so.
Ben S
Roar Guru
At this juncture (and there's a lot of rugby to be played) I think this could be the best Lions squad that I've ever seen in my lifetime. The 1997 tour was the first tour I was old enough to appreciate.
Ben S
Roar Guru
But if we're talking in terms of excitement and/or draw cards then Spencer is pretty much a long shot. At best he's arguably the 6th best English scrum half in the EPL.
Colin N
Guest
Gresev I think was the Russian 8 you were on about. He actually signed for Wasps on a short-term deal, but considering their injury problems, he hasn't played many games which is a shame. There's another Russian, though, who didn't play any games during the World Cup because of an injury he picked up two days before the first match, called Andrei Ostrikov. He's been outstanding for Sale this year: Good in the lineout, solid scrummager and very mobile - he would be perfectly suited to Super Rugby.
allblackfan
Guest
That Russian No 8 and halfback would cut it as well, I reckon!!
rl
Guest
They are all currently unavailable - by the look of it Piri Weepu ate them
granville
Guest
but i would also like to see our entire Australian frontrows go to England to play/train there and learn how to scrum properly, watching England destroy Ireland in the scrums were scary...........but i think recruiting foreign players will hurt Australian rugby because we do not have that much depth and we need to develop our own players, e.g look at the Waratahs, they should have developed 2more halfbacks for Australia instead of bringing in a South African, it will hurt our rugby development if the ARU opens the door for foreign players. England and France have the depth thats why they are able to recruit alot of foreign players.
SAMURAI
Roar Pro
And make him play in the forwards, then at least he'll get some touches on the ball.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
I'm sure they be start playing soon, Klusta ;)
SAMURAI
Roar Pro
Fumiaki Tanaka is still 27 years of age, can't wait to see him at the next RWC.
kovana
Guest
Eh? Fumiaki Tanaka? He is 26.
Denby
Guest
I wouldn't mind the Tahs recruiting George North.
enforcer
Guest
I heard he's around 36 but I haven't done any research into it.
Denby
Guest
I agree, it would be a complete waste to end up with something akin to the EPL. All the money in the world yet when England assemble they haven't won anything since 66.
kovana
Guest
I want that Number 9 for Japan playing in the Super Rugby comp.. He was one of their best players i have seen IMO.