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Matt Hodgson has been the backbone of the Force’s efforts this year but in the face of adversity you cannot fault the commitment, workrate and leadership of Captain Nathan Sharpe.
Hodgo was consistently outstanding at openside when he took over from Bam Pocock due to injury and continues to impress in his other loose forward roles.
However, Sharpie has been a colossus amid a team that got off to the worst possible start in the Super 14.
The loss of Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth and others was going to be softened by the recruitment of Andre Pretorius, Brett Sheehan, Matt Dunning, Mark Bartholomeusz and a return to full fitness of Wallaby Cameron Shepherd.
Not!
A disastrous run of injuries trashed any chance of the Force grabbing a top half of the table spot.
Sharpie has come well and truely into his own in these difficult circumstances. There has never been any doubts about his leadership credentials but there have been some corners of the rugby fraternity that question his form and ability to completely satisfy a lock’s job description i.e. not tight enough for a tight fiver.
Sharpie has certainly proved his abilities beyond any doubt even to the most blinkered of detractors.
Last year it appeared he was on the verge of having his international career terminated due to some of these concerns, but was possibly saved by the injury toll to some of his competitors.
Sure, he’s often tried to play a loose forward role when not in a set piece, but who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. He’s not hanging loose any more, he’s operating a bit closer to the ruck and he gets over the gain line more often than not.
If you have a look at the match stats for the 13 Super 14 games, he’s the go-to man with the most forward runs - although Matt Hodgson also has one hand on this mantle.
Not only that but in the lineout he’s calling himself when the pressure possessions are required to be won, especially in the red zones and he’s definitely not shirking any ruck/maul engagements.
All up, he’s been the most impressive Australian lock in the Super 14 and looks assured of being the No 1 selection when Robbie comes calling.
The question on everyones lips (over in the West) - will he get the nod at Captain or Vice Captain?
Gagger/CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
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