Super Rugby 2011 has provided everything that was expected of it: excellent attacking rugby, flashes of extravagance and the Cheetahs and the Lions propping up the rest. As with past seasons this has seen the introduction of a number of new faces and the further development of others who have been around in past seasons but haven't really yet set alight the world. We take a look here at some of these players who have excelled this year in a introductory role.
Jared Payne: The 25 year old utility back has been a major part in the Blues consistent success so far this season. He has followed on from an impressive ITM Cup for Northland where he played mostly at fullback. Payne was pretty kak for the Crusaders last year mainly operating on the wing but has wholly justified being played at centre this season at the expense of Rene Ranger being pushed to the wing. He has provided the Auckland outfit with some much-needed stability and has offered them some good attacking play scoring 2 tries of his own as well as providing 2 assists. The Blues will hope they can pull it together and produce the consistent levels of play that they produced in the late 90's that had all teams coming against them tripping nuts and Payne is exactly the player they need to do just that.
Ita Vaea: This Tongan-born number 8 has impressed many people in this his debut Super Rugby season. The big man is actually the lowest paid professional rugby player in Australia and does it because "I love the game". He seems to have the right attitude but it leads one to wonder why the Brumbies spend all their money hiring all their ex-players as coaches rather than paying their players enough to survive. Let's hope he can keep it up because this Toutai Kefu-like player does present himself as quite a prospect.
Sonny-Bill Williams: A list of this description would have no option other than to include big SBW. The man has been beyond exceptional and in his first season looks like he has been playing rugby union his whole life rather than for just the last two years. The 25 year old really does make the game look easy and as much as it pains me to admit made the Sharks defence look like a bunch of pansies in the Crusaders win on Sunday. The fact that he is a boxer as well as a rugby player pretty much says all that need be said. Sonny Bill is the heat.
Joshua Strauss: The bearded-one as he has been dubbed has popped out of his own arse-hole this year and has been one of the stand-out loose forwards of the tournament so far. The story behind that outrageous beard is that he is refusing to shave until his girlfriend leaves Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape, and moves to Jo'burg to live with him. One would think that such a hardcore looking oke would come up with a more 'gees' story to explain such an epic beard. Aside from all that nonsense he has been a real find for the Lions this tear and they will need him to continue with such great form in order for them lift off the base this year.
Nasi Manu: The 22 year old has been excellent for the Highlanders this season and with Adam Thomson and Alando Soaki has helped his team to a good start to 2011 season. Manu represented Canterbury in last year's ITM Cup and the Highlanders will be well-pleased to have signed the big man for this year's Super 15. Manu has given his side important go-forward ball and he has a pretty sweet afro to go with it.
It's always great having one of these guys in your fantasy team so you can tell your mates that you discovered him when he rips it up for you and no one else has him. Unfortunately I haven't given myself this opportunity too often this season but it isn't too later for you fellow fantasy rugby players. These guys are, for the most part, bargain picks and we hope to see them emulate the form we have seen from them so far as the season progresses.
Jared Payne: The 25 year old utility back has been a major part in the Blues consistent success so far this season. He has followed on from an impressive ITM Cup for Northland where he played mostly at fullback. Payne was pretty kak for the Crusaders last year mainly operating on the wing but has wholly justified being played at centre this season at the expense of Rene Ranger being pushed to the wing. He has provided the Auckland outfit with some much-needed stability and has offered them some good attacking play scoring 2 tries of his own as well as providing 2 assists. The Blues will hope they can pull it together and produce the consistent levels of play that they produced in the late 90's that had all teams coming against them tripping nuts and Payne is exactly the player they need to do just that.
Ita Vaea: This Tongan-born number 8 has impressed many people in this his debut Super Rugby season. The big man is actually the lowest paid professional rugby player in Australia and does it because "I love the game". He seems to have the right attitude but it leads one to wonder why the Brumbies spend all their money hiring all their ex-players as coaches rather than paying their players enough to survive. Let's hope he can keep it up because this Toutai Kefu-like player does present himself as quite a prospect.
Sonny-Bill Williams: A list of this description would have no option other than to include big SBW. The man has been beyond exceptional and in his first season looks like he has been playing rugby union his whole life rather than for just the last two years. The 25 year old really does make the game look easy and as much as it pains me to admit made the Sharks defence look like a bunch of pansies in the Crusaders win on Sunday. The fact that he is a boxer as well as a rugby player pretty much says all that need be said. Sonny Bill is the heat.Joshua Strauss: The bearded-one as he has been dubbed has popped out of his own arse-hole this year and has been one of the stand-out loose forwards of the tournament so far. The story behind that outrageous beard is that he is refusing to shave until his girlfriend leaves Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape, and moves to Jo'burg to live with him. One would think that such a hardcore looking oke would come up with a more 'gees' story to explain such an epic beard. Aside from all that nonsense he has been a real find for the Lions this tear and they will need him to continue with such great form in order for them lift off the base this year.Nasi Manu: The 22 year old has been excellent for the Highlanders this season and with Adam Thomson and Alando Soaki has helped his team to a good start to 2011 season. Manu represented Canterbury in last year's ITM Cup and the Highlanders will be well-pleased to have signed the big man for this year's Super 15. Manu has given his side important go-forward ball and he has a pretty sweet afro to go with it.
It's always great having one of these guys in your fantasy team so you can tell your mates that you discovered him when he rips it up for you and no one else has him. Unfortunately I haven't given myself this opportunity too often this season but it isn't too later for you fellow fantasy rugby players. These guys are, for the most part, bargain picks and we hope to see them emulate the form we have seen from them so far as the season progresses.
Thanks for the insightful article, I wondered where Strauss came from! I think you might be overlooking one or two guys but on the whole good picks!
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