Great Scott leads the way as Kiwi teams struggle to make an impression
The pickings were slim in round two of Super Rugby.
However, with two weeks of Super Rugby gone it is clear that Scott Barrett has started the year with a serious sense of purpose.
Here is Stuff’s selection for round two.
15. Ben Smith (Highlanders)
Pips David Havili but streets ahead of Jordie Barrett, who looks more and more like a midfielder the longer he plays at fullback.
14. Manasa Mataele (Crusaders)
Potentially serious knee injury was a cruel blow after starting the season as New Zealand’s form wing. Offload to Richie Mo’unga defied the laws of gravity.
13. Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)
Remember a few years ago when the Crusaders’ attack just went side to side? No chance of that happening with Goodhue at No 13. So powerful.
12. Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
Poor old Vince Aso was lost defending at No 12 against the Crusaders and Crotty’s intelligence was one reason why.
11. Ben Lam (Hurricanes)
Was fed scraps but still managed to score two tries and make the Crusaders’ tackling look ordinary at times. Mourad got the wrong 11.
10. Josh Ioane (Highlanders)
Richie Mo’unga would have been given the nod had he stayed on for more than 48 minutes but you can’t ignore Ioane’s contribution over the whole game.
9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
Ran himself into the ground against the Reds and bosses the ruck area like no one else can in New Zealand.
8. Whetukamokamo Douglas (Crusaders)
A definite step up from his performance against the Blues and led the tackle stats for the defending champions.
7. Dalton Papali’i (Blues)
Did anyone really expect the Blues to win in Durban in February? The Sharks have plenty of talent but Papali’i at least didn’t make it easy for them.
6. Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
The power he showed for his sec-
ond close-range try was something else. Decision making a work in progress but has all the makings of a very good No 6.
5. Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Leading the way for the Crusaders pack in the absence of Sam Whitelock. Seems like a nice young man off the field but plays with a controlled rage on it.
4. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
One of the few players to front in Canberra as the Chiefs made individual error after error against a lively Brumbies side.
3. Owen Franks (Crusaders)
There are some encouraging signs that Franks is in better nick this year as that serious Achilles complaint disappears into the rear-view mirror.
2. Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Selected ahead of Liam Coltman on account of the latter’s lineout issues but the big mover this year might be the Chiefs’ Samisoni Taukei’aho, who showed some fight against the Brumbies when he came on.
1. Ayden Johnstone (Highlanders)
Don’t under-estimate this guy’s efforts about subduing the scrum threat of the Reds’ powerhouse tighthead Taniela Tupou. Did some good work around the paddock, too.