Super Rugby Rants and Raves Round 12 – De Allende continues impressive form

My Rants and Raves for Independent Media following round 12 of Super Rugby

TOP RAVE

Damian de Allende’s strength in contact has always been a trademark, but it’s his decision-making and distribution that was the game changer in the Stormers win against the Bulls. The Bulls, having trailed 12-0, took the lead 17-12 in the 48th minute. All the momentum was with the visitors, but the Stormers struck back two minutes later through De Allende to halt the Bulls’ charge. De Allende produced a glorious “show and go” moment, feinted an offload, held back his pass for a second and then calmly put away SP Marais for the try. De Allende’s play, in that moment, screamed Springbok.

TOP RANT

Lions wing Ruan Combrinck did more damage to his Bok aspirations in five minutes against the Hurricanes in Wellington than most players do in five months. Combrinck is a fan favourite and one of my wing favourites. But his feeble defence can’t be excused. In last year’s Super Rugby final against the Crusaders his game was devoid of defensive presence and his meek surrender defensively at the weekend was a surrender to any Bok wing claim. Hurricanes wing Ben Lam embarrassed Combrinck’s defence, just a few minutes after the Lions wing had missed touch with a basic defensive kick clearance and then hoofed the ball directly into touch with his next kick.

Find the rest of my weekend rants and raves here