I want to counter some of the gloom surrounding Aussie rugby with a look at who the bright up and coming players are around each of our Super teams.
The Reds are top of the class here with their stand out being hooker Andrew Ready.
The 24-year-old Ready meets the number one criteria for a hooker with excellent set piece work. He operates at the centre of a strong scrum and was top of the tree in Super Rugby 2016 lineout, throwing with 91.7 per cent lineout accuracy.
Beyond his core competencies in the set piece he is tough and mobile with breakdown turnover stats of seven penalties forced/turn overs won over the course of 15 games. That is a fine return for a front rower.
The Reds have seen continued improvement from Samu Kerevi and it was great to see him rewarded with a couple of Wallabies caps. His debut performance in gold contributed to one of the most dangerous attacks we have seen from a Wallabies backline in some time.
The Reds also managed to blood some youngsters with Taniela Tupou graduating to the senior side and not looking out of place, his youth for a prop bodes well for how he could develop.
Lukhan Tui looks one to keep an eye on in 2017 as will the likes of Caleb Timu joining from the Broncos and Leroy Houston returning from the UK.
The Waratahs started the season with a pack that was getting steamrolled. Their find of the season was 22-year-old, tighthead Tom Robertson.
The Tahs scrum steadied once Tom was consistently picked in the starting front row following a solid debut in Round 4 against the Highlanders. The stability that Robertson and Tatafu Polota-Nau along with the now-retired Benn Robinson provided was one of the keys in turning the Waratahs season around and saw them narrowly miss the finals.
Paddy Ryan switched to loosehead and was struggling early in the season but had some very promising performances in the final couple of games.
Jack Dempsey looked good in the backrow, starting and ending the season strongly while Jed Holloway started the season well only to once more suffer a season ending injury.
Andrew Kellaway finally got some consistent game time and showed some promising touches. He wasn’t the breakout sensation some thought he might be after his performances at youth level but the bump offs involved in his try against the Sunwolves showed some glimpses of his footwork and drive to make the try line.
Over the course of the season he showed some excellent support lines and played with quite a bit of maturity for a young man.
The Brumbies were a little disappointing in identifying new or developing talent. Their best in this department was probably Rory Arnold who continued his development in his second season of Super Rugby culminating in selection for the Wallabies.
Scott Sio looks to have made some adjustments to his foot position at scrum time since the international break Ruan Smith was solid and looked to take over the first choice tighthead spot, while Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin showed potential with his chances.
Out wide Nigel Ah-Wong was solid and Aidan Toua showed some decent pace but there wasn’t a new name really shining a light coming through their squad.
Sadly the player that could have done that, developing number eight Ita Vaea succumbed to his blood clotting issues and has had to give the game away. He was a highly promising player and it is a shame we’ll not see him reach his full potential. I wish Ita all the best in life post rugby.
The Force’s stand out developing player wasn’t a rookie. 28-year-old Dane Haylett-Petty took his game to a new level this season and was duly rewarded with Wallabies selection. Joining him at the Wallabies was Adam Coleman who did not look out of place in his debut at the higher level.
Jono Lance started the season well at flyhalf before injury set him back. Bench halfback Ryan Louwrens continues to impress with his crisp accurate passing, speed to the breakdown and ability to snipe on the fringes against tiring defences.
The clear standout for the Rebels was 21 year old Reece Hodge, his booming left boot is something relatively rare in Australian rugby and his nine tries was a fantastic return for a rookie. He possesses good size at 1.91cm and 94kgs and if he can develop his goal kicking could become a hugely influential player.
Sean McMahon had his strongest Super season yet proving very difficult to hold on to, beating 48 defenders over the course of the season. His defence was outstanding as well making 126 successful tackles for only nine missed.
Sefanaia Naivalu returned strongly from his broken leg scoring six tries in only ten matches, adding Marika Koroibete to the other wing next season should create a very dangerous attacking unit.
So Roarers, do you agree or disagree? Who have I included incorrectly and who have I missed?
Sammie Fuoco
Guest
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Utah
Guest
Yeah, what he said.
Terry
Guest
We don't particularly need speed or athleticism . Leave that to the backs.... We need mongrel and toughness..You obviously have not seen Holloway or Timani play, so I suppose that and being a one eyed UN ZUDDER is your excuse..
Terry
Guest
Dave_S Mcmahon is there to cover for the back 3.
CUW
Guest
as far as i know japan have 3 8s in the last so many years . the oldest is Ryu holani who has played 44 tests mostly at 8. Tui is the backup 8 to him with 38 tests mostly at blindside and substitute 8 Mafi has played just 9 tests and mostly in the last 2 years at 8. so i guess ur correct in saying Tui isnot the usual 8 - Ryu Holani is :)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
CUW, Tui isn't the usual 8. He's started at flanker 21 times and 8 a total of 6 times. He only started 1 RWC game at 8.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Kerevi has 3 clean breaks (line breaks) in 2 tests at test level. So you're wrong again. He has 2 turnovers conceded in 2 matches. Folau has 3 in those same 2 matches for example. Foley 5. Haylett-Petty 4. Kuridrani 2. He plays 12/13 so skill under the high ball is almost irrelevant. As noted, he doesn't "run into the closest" defender. I'm sure drawing defence in a 5 defender on 3 attackers situation and passing to the winger would be "good decision making" for example. so wrong again. In his 2 tests Kerevi has 1 try assist. Our primary playmaker had 1 in those same 2 tests. Folau also 1. You're going to struggle to cite any objective opinion or measurement to support your assertion. Repeatedly just saying something doesn't automatically make it so Peter! You should try watching the games with your eyes open. It can be quite revealing!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Simmons is widely acknowledged as one of the best scrummaging locks on the tighthead side. He's also a very good cover tackler for a tight forward. I suggest you actually watch a few games and watch Simmons, not Simmonds play.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Thanks for your completely stereotypical assessment of Kerevi without even watching his play. Most islanders may be. He is not.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Does kick actually. Reasonably well but sparingly used. Passes fine. Steps off both feet. Doesn't run into people for no reason. You just make stuff up about him because he's a big islander.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I'd like him persisted with at 12 but he played 13 all season for the Reds so playing oc wouldn't be a shift for him. Highlanders and AB's have got Fekitoa switching around at the moment as well. Agree these guys would benefit with being allowed to develop in a single position
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think the young guy you are thinking of is probably Henry Hutchinson. He looks quality. I hope they try to get Mike Alaalatoa back although I heard a rumour he is looking at playing for Samoa. Either way he is signed for two more years at the Crusaders so we won't see him running around for a Super team any time soon.
CUW
Guest
If he comes then that will be the end of anyone else playing - unless Mafi gets injured. he is a very exciting 8 - sort of a 7S 8. totally different to Tui (Reds) who was the usual 8 for Japan. Eddie Jones plucked him from sone 2nd tier domestic rugger and Mafi became a hit at wold cup. he left Bath after disciplinary issues and Japan was not happy he did not sign for the wolves.
CUW
Guest
u cant play 2 seasons at 12 and just step into 13 at test level against top countries. even a test veteran like ben smith failed at 13. why are guys like conrad smith great at 13 - becoz they have played a hell of a lot of games to earn that reputation. if auzzy want to play kerevi at 13, they shud play him regualrly at every game - whether club or state or whatever. he is too young to be switched around. he does not have enuf experience. also defendingat centers is partnership. algreat centers are partnerships - nonu and smith , umaga and mauger , little and bunce , horan and little , bod and d'arcy , jdv and fourie, ..... so if kerevi is to become a very good center , then he has to play with a regular partner for some time. even the mighty all blacks are now looking for that partnership - it was obvious crotty moala fekitoa , et al have not yet got that understanding going . :)
CUW
Guest
the commentary said around 8 guys in the auzzy U20 team at JWC 2016 are from Queensland. - including Magnay and Tui. i dont know if he played any super rugger , but there is a 19 year old who played in the auzzy 7S team and was even nominated (i think ) as the up and coming players short-list. (forgot the name). i wonder if auzzy are interested in the prop who plays for crusaders - he is a good prospect ; i mean anyone who can be considered adequate sub for all black front rowers has to be good. :) i also think auzzy shud seriously look at developing Pama fou into test player (though he didnot play super rugger this year but will play next year) . he was s standout in the 7S series for auzzy.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I have. Not sure they are all better! Interestingly FoxSports had him as their third highest scoring player in their Fantasy league. Beaten out by McKenzie and Folau. Guess the statisticians on their site are Qld fanboys as well?
Chivas
Guest
No speed or athleticism in that forward pack. The second row are donkeys and the back row would only be a tad better imho. Easy to contain and difficult to consistently get over the gain line and create space for the backs.
Squirrel
Guest
Due to the state of our local comps. We have to just buy kiwis and PI and leaguies. Not much quality around
AndyS
Guest
Some interesting names in all that, thanks guys. Will hopefully get to see a bit more of what these lads can do on the field during the NRC.
concerned supporter
Guest
@Matthew, Jake Mcintyre - cant pass, cant tackle,probably the worst 10 ever in Super Rugy. David Horwitz - needs to vastly improve his passing game. Andrew Kelleway - tries hard, needs to find some pace. Melbourne Rebels have signed u 20 full back - Jack Maddocks - he is a serious player,