COUPON COUPON Young Super 15 Talent Dazzling
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B12 SPORT Wednesday, March14, 2012 THE PRESS, Christchurch Young Super 15 RUGBY talent dazzling Did we really think that the The back three of my team Super 15 was going to be a Mark also looks to have great depth comedown after last year’s (Dagg, an ageing Jane and World Cup? Did we really Reason Ben Smith could just as easily think that it would be a final be the men in 2015). Graham vanity tour for a band of hair- Henry was right to pick dyeing rock stars? Get out of Comment footballers at the back here. The kids have stormed because they don’t get the stage. They already want exposed in big pressure to be a part of the 2015 World winning teams have all had situations. The Aussies tried Cup. an average age of 27 or 28. to go after Jane and Kahui in No, smash up that thought, Experience is important to get the semi, but players who they don’t want to take part at through the hard moments, have both good hands and a all. They want to win the 2015 but so are the youthful surges rugby brain don’t tend to World Cup. And judging from that keep lifting a team panic. the rugby of recent weeks, through the tournament. The back five of the scrum On fire: Aaron there is every chance that the Forty-four caps is the average will also be strong in 2015. The Smith scores All Blacks will be good of those victorious teams and young Brodie Retallick has the High- enough to defend their title at 43 per cent of last year’s been colossal and will be an landers’ first Twickenham on October 17th. World Cup semifinalists made All Black for many years. try against the Here is a fantasy All their international debuts Sam Whitelock and Read will Waratahs at Blacks team and their after the 2007 tournament. be at their peaks. Thomson or Forsyth Barr individual age on the date of So expect the All Blacks to Kaino will bring experience. Stadium in the 2015 final: Andre Taylor look very different in 2015. And I have picked Latimer Dunedin last (27); Richard Kahui (30), The above team fits the purely off form. He has made Saturday night. Conrad Smith (34), Tim statistical profile and there is tackle after tackle and been Photo: Bateman (28), Robbie a great deal to be excited one of the Chiefs’ best at FAIRFAX NZ Robinson (26); Beauden about. Now, for the first time clearing out men off the Barrett (24), Aaron Smith (26); since Graeme Bachop, there tackler. The Chiefs’ Kieran Read (captain, 29), are signs of a No 9 for the management have also been Tanerau Latimer (29), Adam ages. Smith is a superb hugely impressed with Thomson (33), Sam Whitelock distributor, just as Bachop Latimer’s leadership. (27) Brodie Retallick (24), was, and a fine support The only scanty area Halfback Smith a potential All Black Toby Smith (27), Dane Coles runner. He will also be (other than second-five) is the (28), Owen Franks (27). pushed hard by Tawera Kerr- front row. Owen Franks has Now people will throw Barlow and TJ Perenara. not been at his best and may Manawatu halfback Aaron command one of the top three said Smith hasn’t had to run The Turbos, who have five O’Halloran predicts once their hands up at one or two Competition is good. get pushed by Ben Tameifuna. Smith has the potential to spots. ‘‘He’s got a point of so often because his distri- loose forwards signed up, defences focus more on Sonny of the selections and say, ‘‘no The depth at first five- Dane Coles is the only young break into the All Blacks this difference as the best passer of bution has been so swift. have contracted their three Bill Williams and Richard chance’’. They may well be eighth is almost indecent. The hooker making a case. And I year, but Manawatu coach the ball in the country,’’ The other All Blacks frontline locks again – Fraser Kahui, Cruden will get more right, because this is a team of other week I did an exercise nearly picked Valerie Adams, Jason O’Halloran warns it is O’Halloran said. contenders will probably be Stone, Michael FitzGerald opportunities to run. the moment. For example, with Wayne Smith, only such was the dearth of early days to be talking about ‘‘It is very similar to what Piri Weepu and Andy Ellis, and Rees Robinson. ‘‘At any stage he can go there is no Jerome Kaino slightly tongue in cheek, in looseheads. New Zealand that. he has done at our level. The with Wellington’s TJ Peren- Manawatu flanker Doug berserk.’’ because he has a bust which we came up with 19 either needs to preserve Smith, though, has been major difference between him ara still learning despite three Tietjens has not had a run for FitzGerald has played only shoulder. But those sorts of Kiwi first-fives who we Woodcock in a big pickle jar the form halfback of the first and Jimmy Cowan is that tries for the Hurricanes last the Highlanders yet, with three minutes of the first impact injuries happen more reckoned might make the or bring on Toby Smith, who three weeks of the Super Aaron is a great judge of when weekend. Southland’s John Hardie trav- game. He has been described and more as you get older. England squad. Start with will benefit from competing Rugby competition, tucked in to speed the tempo up and Should Smith take the next elling well, but the Super as a lock-loose forward and Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Barrett, Cruden, for a place at the Chiefs with ahead of Chiefs youngster when to slow it down. And his step, Manawatu might need to season does not finish until O’Halloran wonders if he Carter, Tony Woodcock will Slade, Anscombe, Sopoaga, the Tongan Sona Taumalolo. Tawera Kerr-Barlow. defensive game has improved find an extra Turbos halfback, the end of July. might make a good flanker, all be young enough to play in Quade Cooper and Harris and But New Zealand can be O’Halloran keeps tabs on out of sight in the last year. but the Turbos’ aim is to Turbos prop Ma’afu Fia even if he has been a career 2015, but modern rugby is so you can see how we got there. very proud of its player all seven of his Super Rugby That was the biggest develop- promote talent. has been out with a hamstring lock. Ahead of him at the attritional that only one or Barrett looks like another development. It shames players and is proud that all ment in his game.’’ Manawatu captain Nick injury but O’Halloran Chiefs are captain Craig two will make it from a group superstar. The maturity and England and the dreary rugby who have been playing have The Turbos coaches Crosswell has been on fire for predicts he might be the Clarke and the new young of five that includes Conrad cunning of the Hurricanes’ played in the Premiership by fronted. drummed that into him and the Highlanders and answer once he gets a few discovery, Brodie Retallick. Smith and Thomson/Kaino. kicking game has been a bunch of old timers and But he said it was early O’Halloran noticed him drop- O’Halloran isn’t disturbed at starts. O’Halloran was always Brad Thorn may have remarkable in the opening mercenaries. Despite the days and that All Blacks ping Crusaders battleship him playing lock, saying it is His other Turbos are at the confident Asaeli Tikoirotuma discovered the secret of weeks. Between them Barrett, wretched Kiwi summer, the selectors soon forget how Robbie Fruean in their recent preferable to him being a Chiefs where All Black Aaron would prosper and Dave eternal youth, but he is a Bateman and Smith have future is bright enough to players performed in the first match. bench flanker. Cruden’s goal-kicking has Rennie has eased him in on freak. prompted over half the Canes’ wear shades. I can’t wait for month. He also ran more often in ‘‘The way he’s playing he been first class, as has his the wing. There is good reason that tries by shifting defences with the glare of youthful dazzle But Smith, on current form the win over the Waratahs on has fully bought into it and it tackling, and just his field However, the Turbos will the previous four World Cup- the brilliance of their kicking. from the next Super 15 round. with the Highlanders, would Saturday night. O’Halloran gives us a few other options.’’ kicking needs shoring up. use him at centre. Fairfax NZ DRAWS LPW, Red 1, 10:30am, D Henderson & R 1:00pm; City Eagles v Riverside Bar, Cent 3, STAC 3rd XI, STAC 2, 10:30am; South West STAC v St Bedes White, Casebrook Int 1a, Year 5 Boys Section 1: Cagr 4 v Hals 12, Cagr 9:00am; New Brighton 5 v Marist-Harewood BOWLS Kandula. 1:00pm. 4C Men 1 day: Addington v Richmond, Cricket v Linc-Elles Lions 2nd XI, Hals Dom 3, 1:00pm; St Bedes Black bye. 3, 9:00am; New Brighton 3 v East Shirley 10, 16, Walter 5, 9:00am; MP 10 v OBC 43, Jel 4, DARTS Senior A Men 2 day (Day 2): Heath v Sumner, St Albans 3, 1:00pm; MP Calvglass Importers v 10:30am.