Super Rugby Round 5: World Cup Watch

The first of a weekly feature, we pick out the players that are impressing in Super Rugby, and look at their World Cup chances later this year.

Beauden Barrett
Hurricanes, New Zealand

Beauden Barrett was quick to catch the eye of the rugby purists on Saturday, as he steered the ship in a commanding performance that helped see the Hurricanes beat a spirited Blues side.

The Blues continued to kick-off deep, and made Barrett’s men play from their own 22m. Barrett used his forwards in midfield instead of clearing to touch, and brought his wingers Savea and Proctor into the game from second phase ball. As the Blues wingers began to edge forward, leaving fullback Visinia the solitary man at the back, Barrett was able to probe the corners with his boot, having worked the ball up the field through his team’s slick handling, and powerful running.

It was a mature performance from the fly-half, who made a strong statement to Steve Hansen and co. The big concern for Barrett on the night however was to be his wayward goal kicking. With rival Aaron Cruden’s change in kicking tee giving him that extra bit of distance, and a certain Dan Carter’s return, Barrett will need to up his percentages if he is to cement a World Cup spot.

Damian De Allende
Stormers, South Africa

Damian De Allende has rapidly burst onto the scene in the last two seasons, and despite not performing to the best of his ability in international colours, he is once again proving his worth in this year’s Super Rugby competition. Jean De Villiers’ knee injury in the autumn has left much of the public paying far more attention to De Allende’s performances, and in the last two weeks, he has come through with shining colours.

Opposite two world heavyweights in as many weeks, as far as inside centres go, De Allende played Francois Steyn off the park, as he showed his strength in the tackle, keen eye for a break, and often found space for those around him. De Allende then reconfirmed his class against Sonny Bill Williams on Saturday, as he broke the line on more than one occasion. The Capetonian’s one handed offload to set up a try, ensuring a despairing Aaron Cruden hand wouldn’t interfere with the pass, demonstrated the skill set of a man who has put his name firmly in the hat for World Cup selection.

Stephen Moore/Ben Alexander
Brumbies, Australia

Stephen Moore was at the forefront of everything the Brumbies did well on Saturday against the Reds. The hooker rarely fails to give a performance that propels him above his peers. He is bigger and taller than most hookers, and his ability to read the game is reminiscent of a player with two digits on his back. The Wallabies are, however, in worryingly unknown territory, and in a World Cup year, they will need to turn to men like Moore for guidance.

Ben Alexander is another who possesses qualities beyond his immediate duties. The tight head helped dominate the Reds’ scrum on the weekend, and showed his feel for the game by bagging two tries himself. For one, he drifted late into a space that wasn’t covered by the Reds’ defence, and close to the line, he used his physique to fight his way over. It’s always enjoyable to see a front row nestle his way over the line, but come World Cup time, the true test for both Moore and Alexander will be the scrum.

The Wallaby scrum has been a target for teams over the years, not least for the British and Irish Lions in 2013, where Alexander had to bare the brunt for not being able to contain Alex Corbisiero. Alexander will have to have a few tricks up his sleeve when he takes on some of the best scrummagers in the world come September. One feels Corbisiero, if fit, will be licking his lips at the thought of an Alexander rematch in Pool A.

By Ross Jones-Davies (@ross_jd)