Who’s hot and who’s not: Moana Pasifika make history, another award for Antoine Dupont and concern for Beauden Barrett

Colin Newboult

It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.

THEY’RE ON FIRE!

Moana Pasifika’s outstanding win: In another thrilling day for Pacific Island rugby in 2022, following on from the exploits of Fijian Drua, who beat the Rebels earlier in the competition, Aaron Mauger’s men stunned the Hurricanes 24-19 in Auckland. Moana certainly had the harder task of the two new sides, with them being based in New Zealand and having to face the stronger teams in Super Rugby Pacific, but they’ve adapted well. They’d only played two matches prior to this clash due to Covid-related postponements, but showed enough quality in the defeat to the Crusaders to suggest they could cause teams problems this season. And so it proved as they beat the ‘Canes in extra-time thanks to Danny Toala’s superb counter-attack try. A wonderful moment which was celebrated wildly both on the pitch and in the stands.

Another award for Antoine Dupont: It should have been Gregory Alldritt but you can’t begrudge the wonderful France half-back, who continues to produce in big games and claimed the Six Nations Player of the Championship award. We actually think Dupont had, by his standards, a pretty mixed tournament, but he certainly displayed his class in the final clash against England. The 25-year-old was the best player on the field that day and earned a perfect 10 from us, helping Les Bleus to claim their first Grand Slam in 12 years. He is an unbelievable talent and will be crucial for the French in next year’s World Cup.

Jordan Petaia’s new contract: Speaking of talents, this outside back is one of most promising in world rugby. Injuries have so far halted his progress, but it was a huge coup for Australian rugby as they managed keep hold of Petaia. The 22-year-old was highly sought after from French and English clubs, but he has decided to remain in Australia until 2024. Providing the youngster is fit and on form, he will be part of the Wallabies squad for the upcoming international campaign and could well be a vital part of their squad over the next decade.

Edinburgh create history: Edinburgh have become the first United Rugby Championship side from the northern hemisphere to win a game on South African shores when they triumphed over the Sharks 21-5 in Durban. The extremely wet conditions played right into the hands of the visitors as they controlled the game exceptionally well with a notable performance from Blair Kinghorn, who scored a brace and kicked exceptionally well throughout. An impressive result in a much-improved season from the Scots.

Marlie Packer-led England: Back-row Packer was in sublime form as she scored a brilliant hat-trick in her team’s 57-5 dismantling of Scotland. Packer was not the only player tearing it up as the Red Roses ran in a total of nine tries to produce a very confident start to their Six Nations campaign. England will be looking to kick on from this win as they attempt to claim their fourth successive title.

COLD AS ICE!

URC social blunder: The league’s TikTok account caused outrage last week when they released a video joking about Aled Summerhill being bumped off during Cardiff’s defeat to the Bulls. With Summerhill appearing to suffer a head injury in the incident, if was unwise for those who made the video to add the caption ‘Zzz’ to it. The URC were very apologetic and immediately sacked the agency which runs their account, but you wonder what a major organisation is doing by contracting out social media duties when it plays a huge role in their image.

Jack Nowell’s bad luck: You have to feel for the England and Exeter Chiefs wing as it was revealed he had suffered a broken arm during the Red Rose’s Six Nations defeat to France the previous weekend. Nowell went up for a high ball and landed awkwardly, leaving the pitch in severe discomfort. It looked pretty innocuous at the time but his reaction suggested it was anything but, with the wing holding his arm and looking in pain. He could now be out for the rest of the season, which is a huge blow on a personal level after so many injury setbacks, while Exeter will certainly miss his services having struggled in 2021/22. It’s unfortunately another blow in Nowell’s injury-plagued career of late.

Bismarck du Plessis suspension: There are regular debates around red cards nowadays and what constitutes a sending off, but there was no doubt when the former Springbok hooker received his marching orders in the Bulls’ clash with Munster a few weeks ago. At a ruck, Du Plessis picked up Alex Kendellen and threw him over his right shoulder, which resulted in the back-row landing on his head. It was an awful incident, one no one likes to see in the game, but he has somehow avoided severe sanction. It was strangely deemed at the low-end of severity, which meant a three-game suspension was handed out when all the mitigations had been applied, and he can, as a result, count himself very lucky. Quite frankly, you wonder what players have to do to get longer bans when that is a ‘low entry point’. The mind boggles.

The murder of Federico Aramburu: It was a sad day for the game when the former Argentina outside back was gunned down in Paris recently. He was shot at from a vehicle following an altercation between two groups and according to latest reports the main suspect in the murder was arrested on the Hungarian border with Ukraine recently. Aramburu was 42 years old and represented Los Pumas in 22 Tests and he also made a name for himself with his country’s national Sevens team. The player enjoyed stints with Perpignan, Dax and Biarritz – where he won two Top 14 titles in 2005 and 2006 – in France as well as with Scottish side Glasgow Warriors during the 2010/11 season.

More concern for Beauden Barrett: Star playmaker Barrett took yet another head knock in his return to the field against the Highlanders and had to leave the field after a failed HIA. This is a big concern considering Barrett missed the start of the season due to long-term concussion effects from New Zealand‘s clash with Ireland back in November. It may unfortunately come to a point where Barrett will have to make some informed decisions about the future of his playing career. It is always tragic to see players struggle with a string of head injuries and we hope the 30-year-old makes a swift recovery.

READ MORE: Sunday Social: Women’s Six Nations begins, history made and big hits

Argentina Antoine Dupont Beauden Barrett Moana Pasifika

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