Super Rugby Team of the Week: Round 13

I don't agree Genia and Hooper are overrated ( except as a captain) but Beale, Folau( not that it matters now) Simmons and Kuridrani are elevated higher than they deserve in the genuine world class and consistency stakes. Simmons to his credit, is having one of his best seasons this year though. Kuridrani has lifted some aspects of his game as well but he often does not translate it to international level with consistency and that has been his problem.

They only took two 9's to the last WC because Perenara and Smith are not injury prone and it freed up a position for another selection in the back three or back row. Weber might be in the RC squad but I don't think they will pick 3 x 9's in the WC squad. They don't need two.

Foley?

I think Hodge is definitely quicker than Speight but he should be at the back for me at 15 but I think Cheika will put DHP there – however IMO that would not be a mistake so much, but just not the best option. DHP is not really an impact player off the bench, so he will no doubt get the 15 spot unless he is kept on one wing at the expense of a specialist winger. But his lack of top end gas could get exposed at a WC in that position…the real decision may come from who he uses as his centre combination or if Beale get preference at 15. If he does that then I would have KMH at 12 ( he defense stats are impressive) and Kerevi at 13 with Hodge on one wing. Kuridrani could offer impact off the bench with Kerevi moving to 12. You have to have some serious impact off the bench these days and some players can offer this more than others even if they could start

”…more powerful through the contract…” Hell Fionn, Folau should have hired him then ????

So John, the Crusaders – and this year one of the best sides ever – and who have not lost a final at home in how long? And will top the table so all home games including the final itself, won’t win the title? I think it’s already over bar the shouting – almost – but hey good luck with that prediction – enjoyed the read though tks

“‘We don’t want to go overboard, but arguably the best openside in Super Rugby?” No arguments at all – he simply is – no question and another fantastic display in a losing Hurricanes side against the Jags last night – in ridiculous form and a class above the rest right now and one of the best drives in the carry in the game:period at 8 or 7. Will be at 7 or 8 for the AB’s with Read or Cane at 6 IMO. Hansen simply cannot afford to leave him out of the run on side despite his impact off the bench – his is just too good these days. The AB’s will have one of the very best back rows at WC and the backup is impressive as well – they are well stocked in the back row and filling 6 will not be a problem – they have several class options now including Scott Barrett. Read is looking the best I have seen in nearly two years as well. His game against then Bulls was superb. Cane has always been the AB’s hit man because of his brutal tackling. That is some back row! Tom Banks needs to improve his defense but in attack may well be Australia”s best option on the wing. Kerevi has been in superb form this year and he and Kuridrani would make a strong centre pairing with Hodge at 15 IMO. George Bridge quite simply, is going to be one of the great AB’s and no I don’t say that lightly. He is total class and has a superb rugby brain on him and is a very good FB as well and very quick. I would not be surprised to see Ioane on one wing and him on the other. At the very least, he will be on the bench now DMac is out and also because the form of Jordie Barrett is hard to ignore, with that massive boot on him, and he is superb in the air at 6.6″. Ben Smith and Ioane are dead certs of course.

We will see John. Anyways, nice article man.

Weber is not a bad no 3 HB for the ABs , certainly would not let u down . I think Hansen would make a mistake not to pick him for RW. ALB is leading the Chiefs backline, really has matured n getting better. Jacobson is your typical Kiwi loose forward, fearless, hard as nails n gives no quarter....another couple of years n with a little bit of polishing n who knows....possible AB.

Brad Weber and Anton Lienert-Brown along with Luke Jacobson have been the standout performers for the Chiefs this season. It hasn’t been the best of seasons for the men from Waikato, but these three players have stood out for them. Weber is surely getting closer to a recall for the All Blacks. He is third in line for the halfback spot after Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara. Lienert-Brown is just all class. He surely should start with Goodhue or at least come off the bench for the All Blacks.

It shows that the Kiwi teams are peaking at the right times. They just know when to fire. It looks like a Kiwi team will win it again at this stage. Only time will tell though.

DHP seems to punch well above his skill ‘weight’. He has serious rugby smarts. Maybe he’s not as slow as he looks. He certainly looks slow but somehow slices through? I can’t settle on a back 3. This discussion is very good though. Banks and Hodge should get an early crack. Who else? Dunno. Beale on bench.

What about Jessie Kriel ?

@Markus I think you over-rate TK :) And there's lots over-rating of Aust players here I notice. Hooper, Beale, Foley, Genia, Folau, Simmons are all on that list with TK imo. Don't forget Australia is ranked at no 5-6 in world for good reasons. And consider the win-loss record the past 3 years. But this year we'll find out exactly where we rate and I really hope I'm wrong :)

I starting to notice a pattern n it is disturbing if u are not a Kiwi. As we get towards the end of the SR season , the team of the week tend to be dominated by Kiwis....started around week 11 .

What????????????? No Waratahs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speight kept up easily, he just stayed behidnd TK like any support runner should. I also don’t really mind about top end speed. Speed off the mark + elusiveness much more important, in which Speight is definitely ahead of Hodge. Hodge has a better boot, is more powerful through contract, faster and is a much better defender than DHP; but DHP better under the high ball, better positionally, much more elusive and considerably better ball player.

Simone has his best game of the season last week.