With the resumption of Super Rugby days away but the memories of the June Tests still fresh, there is one task to do before fully concentrating on provincial duties again.
There have been some significant movers over the past month, men whose stocks have surged noticeably in advance of The Rugby Championship. Here are 10 who can reflect happily over the past month, and a suggested XV based on performances in the Australia v Wales, New Zealand v Ireland and South Africa v England Test series.
Coach Foley fronts Waratahs board
1. Berrick Barnes (Australia). Before Christian Lealiifaano’s injury, he might have been on the outskirts of the Wallabies’ squad. Now it would be something of an injustice if he does not make the 22, at least, for the first Bledisloe Test. Character – and no little skill – in abundance.
2. Nathan Sharpe (Australia). The Wallabies’ second-rower completely spooked the Welsh lineout, and the visitors would have picked up one Test had he not done so. The Lions will be praying that he stays retired next time. Also influential with his carries and short passing game.
3. Steve Hansen (New Zealand). Some surprisingly bold selections have paid off, and New Zealanders are a lot less fretful now about depth in positions No.4, No.7, No.9 and No.10 than they were one month ago. There will be a few concerns about the scrum, but the lineout didn’t lose a single throw in three Tests.
4. Wycliff Palu (Australia). The Wallabies’ pack now has a major physical presence again. His ability to come through an intense three-week period bodes well for the future, because the Wallabies desperately need his ability to win the gainline. Standout moment was wading straight through the middle of the Welsh ruck in Brisbane. Very handy option at the front of the lineout, too.
5. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Australia). Those picking him ahead of Stephen Moore would have been in the minority, but it now appears he has reclaimed the No.2 starting jersey. Questions remain about his throwing, but Moore has also had problems with his aim at the Brumbies. Needs to sort out the scrum though.
6. Aaron Smith (New Zealand). If the All Blacks are not being subdued up front this little halfback is going to cause all sorts of problems. Immaculate, crisp delivery – and the competitiveness to lift Irish No.7 Sean O’Brien and dump him on his backside in defence.
7. Sam Cane (New Zealand). Cane had acquitted himself adequately but not spectacularly at the Chiefs, and certainly hadn’t made the impression of Michael Hooper or Liam Gill. But his displays against Ireland justified the selectors’ faith, and more. Has all the attributes of a classic All Blacks No.7 – as a link player on attack as well as a defender.
8. Cian Healey (Ireland). A snarling, intense ball of muscle who carried the ball with serious purpose, especially in the second Test in Christchurch. Lions form: especially with his improved set-piece work under new scrum coach Greg Feek.
9. Marcell Coetzee (South Africa). The Springboks’ omission of Heinrich Brussow is still bewildering, but the young Sharks back-rower carried out his duties with aplomb. Exceptional ball-carrying ability, especially when his side is on the front foot.
10. Pieter de Villiers (South Africa). It has not attracted much fanfare, but one of the storylines of the Springboks’ series was the quality of their scrum, especially when Jannie du Plessis was on the field. New scrum coach de Villiers, who played his Test rugby for France, has made an immediate impact.
June XV from the three-Test series involving Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, Ireland and England:
Cian Healey (Ireland), Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa), Jannie du Plessis (South Africa), Brodie Retallick (New Zealand), Nathan Sharpe (Australia), Willem Alberts (South Africa), David Pocock (Australia), Richie McCaw (New Zealand), Will Genia (Australia), Dan Carter (New Zealand), Digby Ioane (Australia), Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand), Conrad Smith (New Zealand), JP Pietersen (South Africa), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
mania
Guest
kissass
Damo
Guest
Thank you dcnz, Sam and Kuriku. It is such a joy to read kiwi rugby opinion without the 'Aussie bash'. For the record kuruki, I am one of those Aussies who does not care much about international league or cricket so I am rarely in the room when the yobboes on cheap beer are beating their green and gold chests. I wouldn't watch cricket much when Warne and McGrath were dominant because as Parkinson's pointed out - the Aussie cricket team did not wear their success very humbly. To counter your point about Aussie bleating on league and cricket threads. Well they are not rugby threads. And on rugby threads there is too much Jarmen, Hori and Mania and not enough of yourself, Sam, Moaman, Dcnz. etc. And I know that there are Aussie meatheads on rugby sites too. But I would bet that the 'insult'' stats on this thread for instance would put a lot more black jerseys than gold in the bin.
ted
Guest
zzzzzz
Jarmen
Guest
Just a few comments up your countryman accuses new Zealanders of arrognace I guess he just decides to ignore the arrogant posts from Australian posters like you Mike
Jarmen
Guest
And you have the gall to call New Zealanders arrogant, maybe you should look in that mirror Ted
Sidney Flat
Guest
Thats a releif....we learn nothing from you.. ;-)
Donnytwo
Guest
Yeah i mean Sam Whitelock. There are so many Whitelock's i lost count. Had a great series and will have a good AB career.
ted
Guest
"Ted why do you think so many Kiwi’s cheer for anyone playing against Aussie" It's Australia......not Aussie. At least say against "the Aussies" or against "Australia". Look forward to coming Bledisloe clash against Kiwi...eeerrr you get it?
Mike
Guest
Hi Fernando. Good to hear from an Argentine. We are looking forward to matches against your team.
Mike
Guest
What is your problem Tui - who has suggested that Carter and McCaw are "crap"? Anyone? Who has suggested that Barnes and Pocock are "much better"? Anyone? And who has suggested the Wallabies are "really the number 1 side"? Anyone?. You appear to be yet another deluded and defensive kiwi who cannot comprehend that a comparison of performance in just three tests is not the same thing as a general evaluation. Let one person suggest that Pocock might have played better than Richie McCaw in a particular match and you get a red haze before your eyes, and the brain shuts down. Fortunately we get a number of intelligent and educated kiwis posting on this site. You might learn something from them.
Tui
Guest
Ha ha ha they are at it again the poor Aussies. Yes Carter and McCaw are crap. Berrick Barnes and Pocock are much better and the Wallabies are really the number 1 side....
mania
Guest
WP - not sure how long feeks been there
wannabprop
Guest
Agree with Banger. Mania, how long has Feek been with them? The Irish scrum improved dramatically over a season ago, pretty much as soon as Healy and Ross came on board.
mania
Guest
ireland have gregFeek as scrum coach. an ex-AB
mania
Guest
sam whitelocks workload is phenominal. his ruck and maul work is second to none. whitelock and retallick are work horses and proper tight5 dark arts magicians. romano as an impact and cover but these two should be the AB's starting locks for the season.
mania
Guest
isnt that the same as TPN's. grass cutting with no arms and all head. TPN's in the wrong sport. give the man a helmet, he'd be awesome at gridiron.
Banger
Guest
Paul, I pretty much agree with your 15, on all bar one position. I would have picked the Irish tight head Ross over Du Plesis. And to think that not too long ago the Irish scrum was about the only one that the Wallabies could compete with. There needs to be some kind of research into how they have improved this facet of their play so much, and apply it to the wallabies
Ben S
Roar Guru
Yeah, Lydiate too, although Lydiate uses his arms like Worsley used to. Hartley gets down on one knee or as low as possible and tends not to use his arms, like Faingaa, as Jutsie pointed out. I can see him getting penalised for it in the future. Agreed re: Cole - one thing I've noticed with Cole is that he does tend to push the boundaries of the ref. Interesting to read Vickery and Mark Regan note that Cole is probably close to being the first name on the teamsheet. He could be awesome over the next few seasons.
Colin N
Guest
Or Lydiate, the master of the scything tackle. Re: Cole, Ben. It's something I noticed he was doing more of in his time with Leicester last season. He played flanker in his younger days and he's obviously got exceptional upper body strength. Generally stopped giving stupid penaties away as well, although there were a couple of occasions last Saturday when he went back to his old ways.
John
Guest
A combined audience of only 354,000 (142,000 on FoxSports, 212,000 on Channel Nine) tuned in to the afternoon test match. Don't think we will see another afternoon game for a while. Meanwhile NRL games are attracting Friday night audiences of 1,243,000 and Sunday afternoon games attract 817,000.