Who needs a Super season?
To see the true quality of a player, you just have to watch some Super Rugby. In the case of younger players still looking to crack into a national team, what better competition than the toughest one in world rugby to show what they can do? looks at three
Having been the best junior player in South Africa for the past two years should say enough about the firecracker that is Curwin Bosch.
He excelled for the Junior Springboks during last year’s Under-20 World Championship in England, where he was nominated for Player of the Tournament, and his eye-catching abilities proved early on just why he is such a massive prospect.
The Port Elizabeth-born Bosch started at fullback in the Junior Boks’ opening win against Japan, where they came from behind to beat the Japanese 59-19, with Bosch converting all eight of SA’s tries and kicking a penalty to boot. As the main kicker, Bosch was the top scorer for his side with 63 points.
Yes, he’s represented SA at U18 and U20 level (to great success), but one of his biggest milestones was at Kings Park last year, where he made his Super Rugby debut for the Sharks – who won a battle-ofthe-contracts to pen Bosch – against the Cheetahs.
The Sharks Academy product has impressed with his passing game, his clever feet and a body that can dodge and swerve through defenders and, of course, his astounding kicking abilities from hand or tee. He is a match-winner who also brings his part on defence.
Bosch is the kind of player who simply has to be in the Springbok squad in the future. Who knows, give him one big Super season and that future might just come sooner than expected.
JORDIE BARRETT
Jordie Barrett is a fascinating young man. This season, he will become the third member of the Barrett family to play for the Hurricanes, after his father Kevin and older brother Beauden. There’s also the fact that he looks very similar to the World Player of the Year. But while he might bear an eerily resemblance to Beauden, he doesn’t share the same abilities with his brother.
Well, there’s just one really – that electrifying pace. Yeah, Jordie doesn’t quite have that.
Not Beauden’s pace anyway, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have pace.
He has a shockingly good skill-set of his own. Jordie has a physical sting on both attack and defence, and his cool-headed temperament in any situation is one of his biggest assets (just like his brother).
The utility back can play at flyhalf, fullback and inside centre, and his potential has been spotted by the All Blacks as well, as they included him as a non-playing “apprentice” for their end-of-year tour last year, just like they did with flank Ardie Savea back in 2013.
It’s not hard to see why the Hurricanes have also scooped up Jordie for their Super Rugby title defence this year.
He showcased his wide array of skills in June for the New Zealand U20s, before racking up 123 points to help Canterbury to yet another Premiership title. Then he went on to bag the junior and Mitre 10 Cup Player of the Year awards. Doubt his talent at your peril. If he replicates his performances of last season, his stint with the All Blacks won’t be an apprenticeship for much longer.
SIONE TUIPULOTU
Sione Tuipulotu made history in 2015 when he and Rob Leota became the first Victorian players to play Super Rugby without having to leave their home state, when they were signed by the Rebels. The combative centre, who played in every game for the Melbourne Rising in the 2015 National Rugby Championship, made his record even greater when he contributed to the Rebels’ 25-23 win over the Reds at AAMI Park in March last year during his Super Rugby debut.
The Frankston-born and raised midfielder had a good bow against the Reds.
So far he’s had five matches with the Rebels, but there’s no telling what more he can reveal this season.