Game breakers and match makers

Game breakers and match makers

14 Feb 2013

There has been plenty cross-franchise movement in all three countries. Who will make the biggest impact in this season’s Super Rugby tournament?

The SMH’s rugby experts identified their top 20 transfers of players they believe will influence the fortunates of their new respective teams.

Here’s the list (in no ranking order)

1. Butch James (Lions to Sharks)
2. Gareth Anscombe (Blues to Chiefs)
3. Fumiaki Tanuaka (Otago to Highlanders)
4. Peter Betham (Sydney University to Tahs)
5. Clyde Rathbone (retirement to Brumbies)
6. Jason Woodward (Wellington to Rebels)
7. Hugh McMeniman (Reds to Force)
8. Elton Jantjies (Lions to Stormers)
9. Ben Franks (Saders to Canes)
10. Tony Woodcock (Blues to Landers)
11. Alby Mathewson (Blues to Force)
12. Scott Higginbotham (Reds to Rebels)
13. Ma’a Nonu (Blues to Landers)
14. Jaco Taute (Lions to Stormers)
15. Israel Folau (Aus Rules to Tahs)
16. Brad Thorn (Japan to Landers)
17. Michael Hooper (Brumbies to Tahs)
18. David Pocock (Force to Brumbies)
19. Sarel Pretorius (Tahs to Cheetahs)
20 Graham Henry (All Blacks to Blues as technical advisor)

Of the list I rate Henry as the individual who will have the most impact. The man who guided the Blues to two titles in three finals, also experienced the winning feeling when technical advisor for the Blues prior to his appointment as All Blacks coach. This was on his return from Wales.

Hooper and Pocock will be huge, Jantjies if played will make a difference to the Stormers ability to score tries, Israel Folau is the kind of player the game needs and will prove an inspiring cross-code switch.

Fumiaki Tanuaka is a Japanese scrumhalf who plays the game very differently and at a pace that will make him effective in the last quarter to half an hour of a game. His energy against tired legs, especially those lazy pillars of defence at the breakdown will add a dimension to the Highlanders.

Brad Thorn will give the Highlanders leadership and gravitas but when looking at the list of 20 I would say that the fortunes of the campaign influence is limited to just five names in Henry, Pocock, Jantjies, Hooper and Folau. Henry as the tactician and the others as players are all individually good enough to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Your thoughts?

By Mark Keohane


63 Comments

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  • 51.gunther: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:08 am

    @the curse-50:

    You seem to take vicarious delight in all sorts of tragedies that befall this country, aids, rape, murder etc.

    Why should this be any different?

    As you were indeed buddy.

  • 52.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:11 am

    @the curse-50: i have to agree with gunther poopsie.

    you are lower than snake sh it in my estimation.

    you clearly have control issues and are like an office aquaintance that steps up to the water cooler to find the conversation suddenly dies and and uncomfortable silence descends.

    this is because in your rational moments you are quite a friendly sociable chap but when something goes the way you dont like, the red mist comes over you and any weapon, be it secrets told in confidence or weaknesses gleaned through your insatiable desire to fit in, are used to try and hurt others.

    i know your type well and avoid them at all costs but luckily here, on this forum, i dont have to stand around a watercooler and wait for you to ***** off.

  • 53.the curse: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:16 am

    @gunther-51: @The Rangerman-52: yawn… on a crusade gentleman? yet youre both willing to allow NZs social problems to be highlighted without nary a whisper..

    that says just as much..

    now, enjoy your day..

  • 54.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:31 am

    @the curse-53: you are the crusader here pellie, defending nz’s “honour” by posting the worst filth you can dredge up, calling people the K-bomb, trying to justify your behaviour as some kind of counterattack.

    you are pathetic and your credibility is zero in my eyes.

    you enjoy your bitter angry life ok?

  • 55.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:34 am

    @the curse-53: i couldnt give a toss what people post about nz’s ills or south africas ills buddy.

    i dont try to use excuses to wallow in the gutter like you do because of the actions of others.

    the people who post negative things about nz basically own you and you dance like a puppet whilst they pull the strings.

    makes you a poorer person buddy, not me.

  • 56.the curse: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:36 am

    hehe I uses the k bomb once mate, years ago. but you hold on to that ok?

    the mere fact tht every time I post you have a rant is bew di ful

    like I really care about your opinion?

    hahaha big up yourself son.

  • 57.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:42 am

    “big up yourself son”?

    :lol:

    whatever pel.

  • 58.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:45 am

    @The Rangerman-24:
    Ranger, Machangulo is on the mainland point just south of Inhaca Island. There is that narrow channel called H ells Gate that runs right between the mainland and the Island.
    Paradise.

  • 59.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:52 am

    @John Galt-58: ah ok, i heve spent time in the ele reserve, beautiful area.

    less than a week to go.

    i am very excited.

    gotta go man, chat laters.

  • 60.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 08:52 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-40:

    As long as they beat the Bulls all will be good.

  • 61.fantasyrugbyscout: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 10:12 am

    Hey Mark,
    just thought I’d bring it to your attention that these guys are stealing your ideas:

    http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/super-rugby/all-aboard-the-playergoround-20130214-2eg3d.html

    That’s not on!

  • 62.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 10:44 am

    hey guys; if you play SUPER BRU – join ” Paarl Pool” – it should be good fun

  • 63.hendrikp: Reply to this comment
    15 Feb 2013, 11:31 am

    @stormer in a teacup-47:

    I play on FoxSports which is a maximum of 5 players from each team.

    Their scoring system is also far better. Comes down to the players performance/stats rather then what the team is doing which is just silly.

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Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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