5 Super Rugby surprise packages in 2016
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5 Super Rugby surprise packages in 2016
The Super Rugby is well into full swing, let's take a look at who/what has left a lasting impression, both good and bad, so far this season:
CJ Velleman, Edgar Marutlulle
The Kings have conceded a whopping 72 tries, that is 15 more than fellow new boys, the Sunwolves.
Despite their poor defensive form and lack of structure after having the ball for more than three phases, there are two players that stand out for Port Elizabeth side- tackling workhorse CJ Velleman and try-scoring hooker Edgar Marutlulle.
The loose forward topped the tackling count stats for a few weeks while Marutlulle not only got over the whitewash on three occasions but he also gets his basics right. These two have been rare positives for Deon Davids' troops.
Sunwolves:
Speaking of new boys, the men from the Far East have come a long way since their 92-17 thumping at the hands of the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. The Japanese franchise recorded their first Super Rugby win against the Jaguares in Tokyo a few weeks back, but it has to last week's 17-all draw against the joint Africa One Conference leaders, the Stormers. The Sunwolves nearly pulled off a rare win had it not been for a late try from the Cape side that help them avoid embarrassment against one of the new kids on the block.
Lood de Jager:
The South African Player of The Year has certainly flown under the radar for the Bloemfontein outfit.
De Jager has not been putting in any remarkable performances. His lineout form has been putting a big question mark on how his selection into the Bok squad will and can be justified. Lions second-rower Franco Mostert, Stormers' Pieter-Steph du Toit and even fellow Cheetah Francois Uys have all been seen gaining valuable meters and putting in stellar performances to qualify themselves to be named in Allister Coetzee's squad.
De Jager has been left in the dust of his South African counterparts. He has taken an average of 3 lineouts per match.
Cheetahs team-mate Uys has taken nearly twice as much on average while lock Du Toit has secured an average of 5 lineouts per match. It is however Uys and du Toit's involvement both on attack and defence that has given them the edge over the 23-year-old.
Crusaders:
The seven-time champions have a proud and rich history of producing All Black stalwarts, two players in particular should come to mind - Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. The Christchurch outfit have won nine from their eleven matches, which include an eight-match winning streak that was ended by the defending champions, the Highlanders, two weeks back.
This impressive winning form proves that there's life after Carter and McCaw. Players like Jone Macilai , Richie Mo’unga, Jordan Taufua and Johnny McNicholl have certainly put any doubts to rest that Todd Blackadder's men will find the post Carter-McCaw era a tough one to adjust to.
Patrick Lambie:
The Springbok playmaker suffered a season threatening injury during one of the Sharks' pre-season warm-up matches in France. Lambie was set to be sidelined for six months with a hopeful return to full fitness, in time for the June internationals.
The 25-year-old returned to the field for the Sharks in their impressive Round Eleven win over the Hurricanes in Durban when he replaced the impressive and in form Garth April in the second half.
Lambie, however, returned to the starting XV against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires. His late second-half penalty helped the Durban franchise over the the line to bag an important 25-22 victory.
A week later and Lambie is in full control in the eight-try thrashing of the Kings by the Sharks at Kings Park. Lambie was instrumental in setting up Paul Jordaan's first try before he dotted down twice and succeeded with a penalty and five conversions. These performances puts Lambie's form beyond doubt as the fly-half hopes to get named in Bok coach Allister Coetzee's squad for the three-match Test series against Ireland on home soil.
