Thursday 24 October 2013

ITM Cup For Beginners: Finals Review

This weekend will bring a close to a wonderful season of domestic rugby in New Zealand. All sides in this competition produced some fabulous running rugby with a high standard of skill from all players. And now all that's left to be decided is who will be promoted to the Premiership, and who will claim the Premiership crown

Championship Final:

Tasman Makos 26 v 25 Hawke's Bay, Friday 25th October 7.35am

Tasman:

1.Tim Perry, 2.Quentin MacDonald, 3. Sila Puafisi, 4.Alex Ainley, 5.Joe Wheeler, 6.Gary Redmond, 7.Shane Christie (captain), 8.Liam Squire, 9.Billy Guyton, 10.Marty Banks, 11.Mitchell Scott, 12.Tom Marshall, 13.Kieron Fonotia, 14.Bryce Heem, 15.James Lowe.
Reserves: 16.Francis Smith, 17.Siua Halanukonuka, 18.Tevita Cavubati, 19.Vernon Fredericks, 20.Mark Swanepoel, 21.Andy Symons, 22.Robbie Malneek.

Hawke's Bay:

1.Max Lahiff, 2.Ash Dixon, 3.Brendon Edmonds, 4.Michael Allardice, 5.Mark Abbott, 6.Mike Coman (c), 7.Brednon O'Connor, 8.Karl Lowe, 9.Alby Mathewson, 10.Ihaia West, 11.Penikolo Latu, 12.Andrew Horrell, 13.Richard Buckman, 14.Telusa Veainu, 15.Zac Guildford.

Reserves: 16.Ged Robinson, 17.Adrian Barone, 18.Trent Bosswell-Wakefield, 19.Tony Lamborn, 20.Chris Eaton, 21.Adam Bradey, 22.Michael Vuicakau.

Review

Tasman celebrate. Credit: Alden Williams
What a game. Everything anyone would want from a final. The skills levels were exceptional, and physicality was moan inducing and this was a very tight contest that went down to the wire.

Hawke's Bay started the brighter, forced a fantastic turnover, before Ihaia West put Zac Guildford over for a 3rd minute try. Tasman were stunned, and somehow pulled a try back to level matters, but Hawke's Bay were in control. A further penalty from West put them back ahead.

From there, Tasman started making inroads, with James Lowe coming to the fore. Two penalties from Banks put them 13-10 ahead with 10 minutes left before half time. James Lowe then sparked some magic, first with an initial break from his own half after a wonderful Shane Christie offload, and then after a quick throw from Quentin McDonald, Lowe was able to draw the last man and send Liam Squire over for his 7th try of the year.

Back came Hawke's Bay, and a period of concerted pressure on the Tasman line ended with referee Glen Jackson giving the magpies an attacking penalty on the Tasman 5m line. The exciting Ihaia West who was enjoying a fine game saw a massive numerical advantage and took the quick tap. The entire Tasman defense were caught unawares except Marty Banks, who intercepted on his own 5m line and ran in the try from 95 metres. Tasman lead at the break 23-10.

Hawke's Bay were determined to get back, and were camped in the Tasman half for the first 10 minutes of the second half without any joy. Ihaia West had missed 3 kicks at goal, and Hawke's Bay were now turning down kicking opportunities to go for a try that would put them back in the game. Eventually openside flanker Brendon O'Connor barged over to make a game of it at 23-17, before a Marty Banks put the scores out to 26-17 with a long range penalty.

Ihaia West finally nailed a kick with 5 minutes left, leading to a frantic final minutes. The game was end to end, with Hawke's Bay going close a few times before being penalised in Tasman's 22. Eventually, Brendon O'Connor turned over a ball in his own 22, setting Hawke's Bay up for one last attempt. A break from Trent Bosswell-Wakefield and some brilliant support work from Brendon O'Connor put sub scrumhalf Chris Eaton over in the corner.

Ihaia West, the 21 year old who has already missed 3 kicks, had a very difficult touchline conversion to win it with the last play of the game, but was unable to , giving Tasman a win that they deserved given their performances overall.

Preview

Tasman have been the undoubted best team in the Premiership, and Hawke's Bay have been the best of the rest, so it's no doubting that both these teams deserve to be here.

Tasman have named a strong team, with Super Rugby experience complimenting exciting prospects throughout the team. Tim Perry and Quentin MacDonald bring Super Rugby experience with the Blues to Sila Puafisi's 5 Tongan caps. Joe Wheeler and Alex Ainley are honest workhorses in the second row, while Liam Squire is Tasman's top try scorer from No.8, and his form, along with Shane Christie's has earned them their first Super Rugby contracts, 22 year old Squire with the Cheifs, and 28 year old Christie with the Highlanders. Liam Squire is the beautiful combination of beastly power with lethal pace, and a deceptive step, as shown by his try against Southland in the semi final. 

Marty Banks has had a remarkable rise so far. Photo: Photosport
Marty Banks has been the talk of the Tasman team, being a reliable goalkicker, and his form has also earned him his first Super Rugby contract with the Hurricanes. 24 year old Banks has had a roundabout way to get to this stage, going to play rugby in Russia, before impressing with Buller in the Heartland Championship and earning a spot in Tasman's extended squad for this year's ITM Cup. Banks has taken every opportunity with both hands to get here, and is a message to every potential youngster out there to keep working.

Tom Marshall continued his outstanding form with the Crusaders to guide Banks, while James Lowe has in been the star of the team in my opinion. Lowe's pace and vision has created countless opportunities, while Tasman undoubtedly play their offloading game with much higher pace and accuracy whenever Tom Marshall is on the field. If they are in the mood, Hawke's Bay will not be able to keep up.

The Magpies also have considerable Super experience, with Max Lahiff of the Rebels and Ash Dixon of the Hurricanes in the front row, and Brendon O'Connor and Karl Lowe in the back row providing much of their leadership. If things start to go Hawke's Bay's way. The talents of Alby Mathewson, Andrew Horrell Telusa Veainu and Zac Guildford will be itching to punish Tasman at any cost.

Ihaia West has been outstanding this year and will have many offers to play Super Rugby next year.
Photo: Graham Palmer
Ihaia West is one of Hawke's Bays best prospects, and arguably their player of the year this year. Recently called up to the Maori side, this gingerhaired wizard has created quite a buzz back in New Zealand with a dummy, a left-foot step, a startling burst of speed and a crowd pleasing dive, West set himself apart as a player capable of rare brilliance on the big stage. West's individual matchwinning try was a joy to behold in the semi final. New Zealanders are now asking "Who is this red-headed Maori kid? How good is he? And will he playing Super Rugby next year?" If you haven't heard of him yet, you will soon. 

His similarities with Quade Cooper don't just end with his dancing feet an speed, but like Cooper, his defense isn't good enough for coaches to have him defending on the front line, and he often finds himself defending from the fullback position where he can do damage on the counter attack.

The previous match between these two this season was a narrow victory for Tasman, 18-9. I think Tasman will be too strong again, but it'll be a much higher scoring game. Tasman by 10.

Premiership Final:

Wellington Lions 13 v  29 Canterbury, Saturday 26th October 7.35am

Wellington:

15. Charlie Ngatai, 14. Matt Proctor, 13. Tim Bateman, 12. Shaun Treeby, 11. Alapati Leiua, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Frae Wilson, 8. Victor Vito (capt), 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Brad Shields, 5. Api Naikatini, 4. Mark Reddish, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2. Motu Matu'u, 1. John Schwalger.

Reserves: 16. Reggie Goodes, 17. Eric Sione, 18. Kaipati Gaualofa, 19. Faifili Levave, 20.Adam Hill, 21. Tomasi Palu, 22.Joe Hill

Canterbury:

1. Joe Moody, 2. Ben Funnell, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Joel Everson, 5. Luke Katene, 6. Luke Whitelock, 7. George Whitelock (c), 8. Nasi Manu, 9. Andy Ellis, 10. Tyler Bleyendaal, 11. Johnny McNicholl, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Adam Whitelock, 14. Patrick Osborne, 15. Tom Taylor.
Reserves: 16. Marcel Cummings-Toone, 17. Paea Fa'anunu, 18. Dominic Bird, 19. Jordan Taufua, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Rob Thompson, 22. Colin Slade.

Review

A game that had so much billing and lots of potential was nearly ruined by the conditions. The wind meant that there wasn't as many offloads as one would have hoped as teams decided to play territorially, but there was still an impressive amount of ball handling skills and a limited number of mistakes. Hookers did extremely well not to have as many crooked throws as there could have been, and passes that left the hands going backwards often ended up a few metres in front.

Nevertheless, there was a hell of a game played, and Canterbury got off to a great start after Patrick Osborne punished a poor kick from Frae Wilson from a scrum to gift a try to Andy Ellis. Canterbury were unable to regather the resulting kickoff, and Lima Sopoaga got Wellington off the mark with a wonderfully struck penalty in the conditions.

Wellington started to get on top, and were pushing the line for minutes before Lima Sopoaga spotted a gap to put his side in front 10-7 at the break.

George Whitelock lifts Canterbury's 6th title in 6 years.
Source: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images AsiaPac
That was as good as it got for Wellington, who have lost 6 finals since their last win in 2000. Canterbury dominated the second half, playing a smart territory game, and controlling possession. George Whitelock had a fantastic game and kept Ardie Savea unusually quiet. Canterbury had two tries disallowed before Ryan Crotty went over in the corner after the entire Wellington team were attracted to a ruck on the opposite side of the pitch. Sopoaga was able to keep Wellington within 7 points with a penalty, but a fortutiously awared try in the last few minutes from George Whitelock ended the game as a contest with Canterbury winning their 6th in a row.

Preview

Canterbury have a huge test ahead of them if they want to win the Premiership title for the 6th time in a row on Saturday. Wellington have been by far the best team in the competition and don't look like they will be stopped. Wellington will feel they have a point to prove after only having 6 players in Steve Hansens touring squad, while Canterbury have double that number with 12 representatives.

Shaun Treeby has been outstanding in midfield for Wellington this year, and the pace and power of Leiua and Proctor will case Osborne and McNicholl all sorts of problems.

Motu Matu'u is a hard hitting hooker, and Toomaga-Allen will look to dominate the scrum against new All Black Joe Moody.

Ardie Savea is a star in the making and will look to prove that in the final.
Photo: CHRIS SKELTON/Fairfax NZ
New All Black squad member, Luke Whitelock will have a deadly backrow to contend with, all of whom will feel they should have been picked ahead of the 22 year old. The battle of the back rows will be key for this game, and George Whitelock will have to contend with Ardie Savea, who has the pace of a winger, power of a number 8 and the hands of a centre, but is deadly at the breakdown.

Tom Taylor and Ryan Crotty will give Canterbury some direction, while Andy Ellis will control the game from the base. Ellis has been in fine form, and is unfortunate that he is a couple of years older than the current New Zealand scrum halves, none of which have the control of a game that Ellis displays.

Tyler Bleyendaal is showing Canterbury and Crusader fans that their might be life after Dan Carter. Photo: radiosport
The player I've been most impressive with this season is outhalf Tyler Bleyendaal. He has the game management of a Ronan O'Gara, and the eye of a gap like Ian Madigan. This 22 year old is sure to get some opportunities for the Crusaders next year with Dan Carter's sabbatical and Colin Slade's injury history. Another outstanding talent to watch.

Canterbury may be coming into form at the business end of the season like usual, and while experience usually counts, I can't see anyone stopping the Wellington train that's been rolling over teams so far. One thing is for sure. This is one game of the weekend not to miss.

Currie Cup For Beginners: Final Preview

It's been eleven long weeks, and just as the Rugby Championship finishes, the showpiece of South African rugby is on this weekend. In a repeat of last year's final, Western Province will be defending their crown against the Natal Sharks. A host of returning Springboks should mean that this game has the potential to capture the imagination in the way that New Zealand and South Africa did in that memorable test match in Ellis Park three weeks ago.

Unlike last year, Western Province come into this game as heavy favourites, and will be hoping not to choke with that tag like the Sharks did. The tag of favourites is certainly justified having gone the season unbeaten, with the only blots being two draws against the Golden Lions and the Blue Bulls.

The two games between these sides were one score affairs, with late scores for the Sharks putting a shine to their performance in a dismal 25-19 loss to WP in Round 5 in Newlands, while it was a much tighter affair in the return game in Round 10, with Demetri Catrikilis late penalty giving Province a slight bit of breathing space in the final minutes. Round 10 marked the initial return of the international players, and the Sharks can improve again as further international stars like Patrick Lambie didn't feature as heavily.

Munster eyes will be on Gerhard van den Heever, playing his last game before moving. Photo RugbyRedefined
Irish eyes will be on Gerhard van den Heever, who will be playing his final game in South Africa before joining up with the Munster squad. He's had a good Currie Cup campaign, as demonstrated by his start in the final, but a return of only one try in the competition won't be setting pulses racing in the same manner as his youtube highlights.

Van den Heever is part of an exciting backline featuring the in form Gio Aplon, chasing a return to Springbok colours, and the talented Cheslin Kolbe, who was the star of the South African Under 20 side this year. Kolbe is one name to keep an eye on, as he will be featuring in debates on World XVs in a number of years time.

In the centres, Jean de Villiers moves out to outside centre to accomodate 21 year old Damian de Allende, who is enjoying his breakout season, and looks set to offer more in coming seasons in Super Rugby and beyond. His form is good enough to keep Juan de Jongh on the bench. Demetri Catrakilis is building on an impressive Super Rugby debut season for the Kings, and has managed to continue his form with Western Province, and will be partnering 23 year old halfback Louis Schreuder.

The pack has plenty of youthful experience, with Pat Cilliers and Steven Kitchoff both young props with South African caps, joined by 22 year old hooker Scarra Ntubeni, while returning Springbok Eben Etzebeth joins DeKock Steenkamp in a formidable second row partnership that will look to dominate the lineout and get through a mountain of dirty work. It will be left to Duane Vermuleun, in the form of his life, and Siya Kolisi to provide the ball carrying, while Deon Fourie will continue his fast growing reputation as one of South Africa's best poachers.

Strength in reinforcements will be provided by  Frans Malherbe, Brok Harris, Michael Rhodes, Schalk Burger, Nic Groom, Kurt Coleman and Juan de Jongh in what looks a strong, experienced and surprising youthful Western Province team. Schalk Burger is slowly making his comeback after injury hell for the former IRB Player of the Year in the last two years.

They might need it, as the Sharks have named close to their strongest possible team. Jean Deysel has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, so Willem Alberts replaces him. Not a bad replacement in the current South African blindside to bring in?

It'll be an all Springbok front row with Tendai Mtawarira, and the du Plessis brothers after Bismarck was somehow cleared of any suspension for stamping





22 year old Piet Marais and the impressive Pieter-Steph du Toit will be packing down in the second row, with Alberts, Daniels and Marcell Coetzee making up an impressive back row.

Patrick Lambie finally gets a start after being on the bench for so long for South Africa, and his fitness will be interesting to watch, he'll be partnered by the experience Charl McLeod while the youngster Cobus Reinach, who impressed many in Super Rugby is on the bench. Frans Steyn makes a return in the inside centre position, and will be partnered by Louis Ludik, while the Sharks back three has a mixture of pace and power with Odwa Ndungane, Lwazi Mvovo and SP Marias, the 24 year old from the Kings.

This game is clear to be a forward orientated battle, and will be an absorbing contest with two enormous packs battling it out. Sharks probably have edge in the scrum, but Eben Etzebeth is likely to rule the skies with his quick leap. The battle of the backrows will be fascinating with a mini Springbok audition between Marcel Coetzee and Siya Kolisi, in particular set to excite. A big performance from Catrakilis might interest Springbok selectors too, while out wide it'll be the skill and speed of Kolbe and Aplon against the raw power and pace of Mvovo and Ndungane. Sure to be an enthralling contest.

Western Province by 5.

Sink or Swim?

Let me tell you a story of two scrumhalves. They were born not 40 miles from each other, a year apart. Both started on their Junior World Cup teams. Both starred as their teams created huge shocks in beating the mighty baby Boks; and this season, both are first choice for their team, and started and starred in both Heineken Cup games. The only difference between them is that one was included in his country's squad for the November internationals, while the other wasn't.

Why am I telling you this? Well, it all started over a month ago, when Joe Schmidt originally announced his 41 man squad for a training camp. These series of tweets from Nigel Pearson (@SplottBoy) got me thinking about how young players are given more of a chance in Wales than in Ireland. This week's announcements of squads for the end of year tests emphasised this point with the two scrumhalves.


And if you haven't guessed already, the scrumhalves are Rhodri Williams and Kieran Marmion.

Should players be thrown in the deep end?

Well, Ireland don't seem to expose young players to the international arena, a point highlighted by the fact that one of the uncapped players in the Irish squad named this week is 32 year old spring chicken, James Coughlan.

But it does seem to be how they do it in Wales, and a look at two current British and Irish Lions in their squad, George North and Leigh Halfpenny suggest this. Both capped at just 19 years of age, George North made a huge impact from the beginning, scoring two tries on his debut against South Africa, prompting Bryan Habana to say that Wales had found a real gem; "George looks good enough and mature enough to become one of the greats," said Habana. "You don't say that lightly, but he's laid a great foundation and played a lot better than any 18-year-old I've seen."

Tom Prydie is one of the examples of harming a players career by exposing them too soon. Photo Getty Images
While North and Halfpenny are clear success stories of throwing youngsters into the deep end, it hasn't always worked for the Welsh. Remember Tom Prydie? It's nothing to be embarrassed about if you don't. Having just turned 18, Tom Prydie made his senior Welsh debut against Italy in Wales's final game of the 2010 6 Nations. To give you a hint at how his career has gone since then, he made his debut for Wales Under 20s a full two years later. In total, he has 3 Wales senior caps, but at the grand old age of 21, he still has time (and lots of it).

Another approach is the new scheme that New Zealand are incorporating. In naming their squad for their Northern tour, Ardie Savea, and uncapped 20 year old with enormous potential, was named as a "non-playing apprentice". The idea is that Savea will get used to how things are done in the New Zealand camp, learn from their coaches and senior players, so that he feels comfortable in that environment before he's pushed too soon.

New Zealand are also very good at telling under-performing players to work on their game in specific ways. In 2010, 21 year old Aaron Cruden made his debut for New Zealand. Despite showcasing his incredible offloading skills and attacking flair, the New Zealand management decided that he didn't have enough game management and that he needed to work on his kicking. Sent to work on this in the ITM Cup, Cruden spent a season away from the national setup improving himself and came back a better player, and has established himself as arguably the second best outhalf in world rugby.

The same thing has happened with Piri Weepu, who needed to work on his speed and fitness, with Liam Messam, who needed to work on his work ethic and work in the tight, and that is why Victor Vito is in the form of his career with Wellington in the ITM Cup, because he's been told to work on his game. In New Zealand, they have the trust to know that when they are told to improve, they have time to work on their game and be able to come back and be selected for their national side.

A look at other nations will see that Italy dropped Andrea Masi in the deep end in 1999 as a 19 year old, but it was only 2008 when he really started to show what he was capable of. France are currently picking 19 year old Gael Fickou, but neglecting to choose the other 19 year old Christopher Tolofua, Scotland have recently selected exciting 20 year old Mark Bennett and 19 year old lock Jonny Gray.

England have had a mixed bag of it too, from Matthew Tait's mediocre career, to Owen Farrell being nominated for the IRB Player of the Year in 2012, aged just 21. The biggest case of where exposure of young players to worldwide fame is bad is Danny Cipriani. Tempted by all the vices that come with being famous, one too many bar fights, boozy nights and the glamour of a model girlfriend has proved to much for Cipriani, who has faded into obscurity, at just 25.

Another player on the verge of wasting huge talent is James O'Connor. Part of the trio of outrageous talented by troubled Australian stars of Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale, O'Connor was only 18 when he made his Australia debut. 44 caps later, he's shown too many his obvious talent, and to others he's been involved in missed team meetings, bust ups and recently being too drunk to board a flight at an airport. At just 23, James O'Connor still has time to resurrect his career.

Gordon D'Arcy would never have become an Irish legend were it not his friends setting him straight. Photo: Inpho
Just ask Gordon D'Arcy. In May 1998, D'Arcy was a talented full-back just finished with the Senior Cup for the last time with Clongowes, and preparing for his Leaving Cert that June. Then, the then coach Warren Gatland surprised many by calling him up for the summer tour to South Africa. D'Arcy declined so he could do his Leaving Cert, and did get his first cap later that year against Romania. The world was at D'Arcy's feet, and he looked set for a full and long career as Ireland's saviour. He was even touted as a bigger prospect than Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O'Driscoll.

And then he nearly blew it. Just two years after declining the call up that would have meant he missed his Leaving Cert, the Irish centre was a mess. Twice he turned up at Leinster training sessions with enough evidence of the night before for club officials to want him sent packing. He had made the Ireland 1999 World Cup squad, but was nothing more than a spectator. From there, things only got worse. So much worse in fact, that he didn't make the 2003 World Cup squad. Worse, it wasn't a story. He had pretty much slipped off the monitor. Matt Williams was his coach at Leinster at the time "There were people who wanted to throw him out. I had to fight hard to get him a contract."

After he vanished off the international radar, it took until friends took him aside and gave him "the best advice I have ever had . . . sending me down the right path for a change".

The change was that he was named the 2004 6 Nations Player of the Tournament, became a British and Irish Lion, and the rest is history. He may have made his debut a few months before O'Driscoll, but that's why he's 50 caps behind him. In fact, when O'Driscoll was getting his 50th cap, D'Arcy earned his 10th in the same game.

So complete was the turnaround in D'Arcy's fortunes after being thrust into stardom overnight, that it was suggested in media circles that he could help another troubled star when the an early dramatic announcement on the international stage threatened to blow his career.

This troubled star debuted for his country at an early age. A game winning performance in a Six Nations game catapulted him to wider recognition, but his relationship with his high profile girlfriend started to raise questions about his attitude. Further drunken antics and fights with teammates were the beginning of his fall from grace. Since then, he's jumped from team to team, while his antics have continued, dashing any hopes of him fulfilling his promise.

I could have been talking about many players there, and if you had said Danny Cipriani, you would have been wrong.

In 2005, Gavin Henson had the world at his feet. Just like D'Arcy he wasn't in Wales's next World Cup squad, but managed to fight his way back for a Grand Slam. From there, his career effectively ended. If only he had D'Arcy's friends to have set him on the right path. Henson was the 2001 IRB Junior Player of The Year, and never got to fulfil his talent after being released into fame at too young an age. 

The Junior World Cup is a fantastic tournament for breeding young players, from Henson back in 2001, to more current superstars like Eben Etzebeth. Etzebeth was only 20 when he made his debut last year, but already he's become a world class second row. South Africa aren't afraid of letting their youngsters have a chance, as 2012 Junior Player of the Year Jan Serfontein can prove. Exactly one year after winning that award he had made is full debut for South Africa.

And what of one of the players Serfontein beat to win the award? JJ Hanrahan did what no Irish player has done before or since, and that was be nominated for the Young Player of the Year award when Serfontein won it. Nine Springboks caps later for Serfontein, and Hanrahan is only just breaking into the Munster squad, and an Ireland cap seems a few years away yet.

Ireland haven't always been this slow bringing players through, which D'Arcy and O'Driscoll can attest too. More recently, Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls have been fast tracked into the national set up, to varying degrees of success.

So which is better? Should you expose young talent to the harsh world of international rugby and let their talent speak for themselves and blossom like George North, or will the spotlight be too much, and lead to off field problems and a downward spiral?

Ultimately, it's all down to the mental strength of the player in question. But I think there are things that a coach can do. The current New Zealand model of easing a player into the setup, before allowing them a small number of substitute appearances in meaningless games, before gradually trusting them with starts and important games. If at any stage the player doesn't fulfil expectations, time spent with their province working on specific aspects of their game while knowing that another call up isn't far away seems to get the best out of each player. This also develops trust while building a squad, which is what Ireland needs for any competition that they hope to win.

Time will tell if the scrumhalves mentioned earlier will go fulfil their potential or go by the wayside.