1
All Black props rated hardest hitters in Super Rugby Pacific
By Ben Smith
The Super Rugby Pacific captains have given up their first-hand knowledge on the hardest hitters in the competition with a handful of All Blacks making the cut.
Leading the way was Highlanders loosehead prop Ethan de Groot who took multiple votes as a hitman who made ball carriers pay.
It's no surprise the 25-year-old is at the top of the list after leading a tight five rejuvenation for the All Blacks in 2022.
De Groot was part of the front row trio including Samisoni Taukei'aho and Tyrel Lomax that led a turnaround in the latter half of that year that resulted in a Rugby World Cup final appearance a year later.
The Southland prop immediately made his presence felt on the tour of South Africa in 2022 by belting a number of Springbok forwards as the All Blacks rediscovered a hard-nosed defence.
Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu was quick to name All Black prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi as a power hitter in Super Rugby.
The 31-year-old has long been a force in defence when he connects, well remembered for a crunching hit on former Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley in 2017.
Foley was cut in half by a Tu'ungafasi special that saw the ball pop skyward in that Bledisloe Cup clash.
For the Hurricanes, powerful hooker Asafo Aumua was tipped by Brad Shields while former Crusader Sione Havili was mentioned by Moana Pasifika captain James Lay. Crusaders captain Scott Barrett named one-cap All Black Cullen Grace as the club's hardest hitter.
Wallabies tighthead prop Taniela Tupou was named by his international propping partner Allan Alaalatoa while Australian flanker Michael Wells was also nominated.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
3
Tyrone Green decision has huge bearing on his international future
4
Five legends to be inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame
5
Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
Go to comments