Can’t be Defined
ARDIE SAVEA [Hurricanes]
POSITION: Openside HEIGHT: 1.90m WEIGHT: 103kg TRIES 2017: 6 METRES: 635 TACKLES: 138 TURNOVERS: 17 The thing about Ardie Savea is that he’s an unbelievably gifted athlete and footballer. He’s quick, strong, agile and he has the pass and catch of a first five.
He may be struggling to find his feet as an imposing openside in test football, but in Super Rugby he finds a way to use all he is and be an astonishingly influential force.
Savea will pinch crucial turnovers, he will break out of defence, he will score tries, he will kick and chase...he will do something, anything, to change the course of a game and as an all-round talent, there is no one else quite like him.
MICHAEL HOOPER [Waratahs] POSITION: Openside HEIGHT: 1.85m WEIGHT: 103kg
TRIES 2017: 4 METRES: 679 TACKLES: 147 TURNOVERS: 19
Yes, he’s a bit lippy and irritating, but Michael Hooper is also a fantastic player. He is surprisingly quick and good at finding ways to wriggle out of the first tackle and get into his running.
He pops in support in places few other flankers can get to and some of his decisionmaking is particularly good. A game could be drifting and then boom, Hooper gets his hands on the ball, pulls off a small miracle and the Waratahs are back in it.
JORDIE BARRETT [Hurricanes] POSITION: Fullback HEIGHT: 1.95m WEIGHT: 101kg TRIES 2017: 7 METRES: 834 TACKLES: 40 TURNOVERS: 5
The surname kind of tells you everything you need to know. The youngest of the three Barrett brothers currently contracted, Jordie brings a huge portfolio to the Hurricanes. He is a rock solid kick-catch fullback. At 1.95m he’s incredible in the air and watch for the Hurricanes using Beauden to cross-kick to Jordie.
The younger brother also has an innate sense of timing, good footwork, a bit of pace and that Barrett ability to find holes and stretch defences.
He can also kick goals and his stats from last year were hugely impressive for a 20-year-old in his debut season.
AKIRA IOANE [Blues] POSITION: No 8 HEIGHT: 1.96m WEIGHT: 115kg
TRIES 2017: 4 METRES: 395 TACKLES: 79 TURNOVERS: 11
A few years back no one even knew there was a younger Ioane brother. It was all about Akira because at 19, he came into the Blues match day squad against the Force and scored, off the bench, a miracle try where he beat seven defenders.
It was a stunning arrival and showed that Ioane had an enormous future. At 1.96m and 115kg, he’s a huge man. He’s played sevens at the highest level so he has pace and power aplenty and his skills are good.
Put him in open space and the damage he can cause will be memorable.
AGUSTIN CREEVY [Jaguares] POSITION: Hooker HEIGHT: 1.81m WEIGHT: 110kg
TRIES 2017: 5 METRES: 244 TACKLES: 100 TURNOVERS: 15
Who doesn’t love the Pumas captain? This guy can play. He earned the nickname ‘Sonny Bill’ when he played in France such was his ability to offload.
Creevy is mobile, strong and he plays for fun. He loves to pick from the ruck and drive round the fringes where he can find a way to get the ball out of contact. He’s also supremely good over the ball where he adopts such a good body position no one can move him.
But what Creevy really brings is a love of carrying the ball and taking his team forward.