Hodgo makes SuperSports' Super XV for 2014

[andrewg]

It's a Wrap, and a Super one at that
by SuperWrap 23 July 2014

"Only one side in a six-team playoff series and the rest of our teams comfortably in the bottom half of the log. That is the sad story of South Africa’s participation in this year’s Super Rugby tournament.

It’s the end of the season, meaning it’s time for the SuperWrap to reveal its teams of the year.

The Super XV, for those new to this game, is a team selected on a weekly basis by our selection panel and in answer to only this question: who was the best in a particular position this past weekend?

Then, once a year, we add up instances of selection and the players with the most ticks behind their names get in our team for the year. It is a time-honoured Wrap tradition and, theoretically, it should give us a list of players who held their form the longest in this marathon season that is now winding down.

This year we ended up with only three South Africans in the Super XV and one of them is not even a Springbok.

This number will hardly be a shock for anyone who has watched this year’s edition. It should, however, be a worry for Springbok fans as we prepare to face the might of the Southern Hemisphere in this year’s Rugby Championship.

New Zealand, in contrast, contributes more than half the team. This seems fair enough as the also contributed half of this year’s playoff contenders. They had four teams in the running right until the final week of league action, and they may very well had all four in the playoffs if it wasn’t for the fact that they had to play each other so often.

Australia is not so lucky. They have only four players in the Super XV and their biggest star, Israel Folau, didn’t even make it. You’d have expected better representation given that they have two teams in this weekend’s semifinals and are undoubtedly title favourites.

Super XV for 2014:

15. Ben Smith (Highlanders),14. Henry Speight (Brumbies), 13. Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12. Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 11. Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10. Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9. TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8. Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7. Steven Luatua (Blues), 6. Matt Hodgson (Force), 5. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4. Will Skelton (Waratahs), 3. Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs), 2. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1. Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)."

Would like to watch the Back Row of Luatua, Hodgson and Whitely in action!!

Very fair assessment by the Super Sports Wrap team with only 3 South Africans.

Check the link if you want to see their South African side.

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/supe...er_one_at_that

[UNCLE BOOG]

Wanna email that article over to Mr McKenzie? Maybe see Hodgo take the turf in a Jersey of golden thread?!

[Alison]

But Hodgo plays 7 not 6???

[AndyS]

Our Saffa brethren swap the 6/7 numbers...

[andrewg]

Wanna email that article over to Mr McKenzie? Maybe see Hodgo take the turf in a Jersey of golden thread?!

I think that we'll have to wait for an injury to Hooper or Fardy to see Hodgo get a run-on game as Higgers is too much of a seagull to give good coverage at 6. Someone has to do the work at the breakdown as neither Hooper nor Higgers does it! T/O is games of Tahs Vs Force in 2014 - Hooper Nil: Hodgo 5.

Hodgo gained his initial Wallaby selection to replace Rocky Elsum at 6 (back in 2010).

Would like to see Hodgo and Hooper playing together at 6 & 7.

We all know that at SXV level Hodgo can cover all back row positions but maybe not at Test level.

[chibi]

I'm happy with that, he's getting the acknowledgement he deserves.

[GIGS20]

But Hodgo plays 7 not 6???

I was sooo close to posting the same comment!

[andrewg]

http://http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/a-dozen-of-the-best-super-rugbys-star-players-20140725-zx0j5.html

Good to see that it's not just the South Africans.

Wallaby Legend Matthew Burke had the following accolade for Matt Hodgson in his SMH/Rugby Heaven article:

Matt Hodgson.

If there was ever a player who represented what it means to play with heart, he is the one. Brilliant for the Force this year and the catalyst for the team having its best season yet. So strong on the ball, and effective in so many turnovers per game. A genuine leader.

PS Michael Hooper didn't get a mention in his 12 best players.

Hodgo's in very good company:

Luke Jones
Willie Le Roux
Jacques Potgieter
Bernard Foley
Beauden Barrett
Bismarck Du Plessis
Brodie Retallick
Israel Folou
Scott Fardy
Ben Smith
Kurtley Beale

[SNOB]

Strang how everyone else can see how good Hodgo is but in his own country he's all but ignored!
Great to see SA making such an unbiased team. I wonder what team our friends at FOXTEL would have come up with?
Probably half the Reds and the rest the Tahs.

[andrewg]

Sevens Heaven – The best ever Aussie 7s team - As nominated by Michael "Snoz" O'Connor

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/sev...ussie-7s-team/

This article confirms that some things just don't change:

Attachment 3433

Hooker: Matt Hodgson

Again, size is so important in modern day sevens and brings this to the team. He was a stand out player for Australia at a time when the team really weren’t performing well on the circuit, without any notable success, yet Matty managed to stand out on the tour consistently. He was the perfect team man, tough and fit, but also very skillful.


Again Hodgo's in good company:

Wing - David Campese
Centre- Glen Ella
Scrumhalf - Matt Giteau
Loosehead - Roger Gould
Tighthead - Cameron Pither
Reserve - Simon Poidevin
Reserve - Ben Tune
Reserve - Brendan Moon
Reserve - Michael Lynagh
Reserve - Tim Horan