Chris Rattue: Ranger to be All Black bolter

Cartoon / Rod Emmerson

The Super 14 is almost over. It's as good a time as any for this column's rugby awards, hopes, whinges, predictions, musings, confessions.

All Black bolter

It has to be Rene Ranger. He's the best wing prospect in yonks. Ranger and David Smith have that extra something special over the likes of Rudi Wulf, a very good but not ultra-damaging footballer. Smith is a bit small though and too jittery. Ranger has a touch of the Rupeni to him, as if, on his day, he could destroy anyone with ease. He's young and fearless. Now is the time to test and harness that brilliant potential. Ranger seems to relish getting tough on defence as well. He's got attitude. Another prospect, Lelia Masaga, is more fragile and too reliant on others. Like Sitiveni, Ranger looks capable of making something out of nothing, a rare and precious gift essential for a world-class wing in the tight confines of test rugby.

* * *

Give Richie McCaw a rest, and quick ...

It would pay to put Rodney So'oialo, Ali Williams and Brad Thorn into that category as well if the All Blacks want them firing on all cylinders at the World Cup. Graham Henry should seriously consider leaving those four, and perhaps a few other veterans, such as Keven Mealamu, out of this year's end-of-year, yawn-yawn sojourn to Japan and beyond, allowing them decent R and R before a final push to lift the cup. So'oialo is clearly feeling the pinch, and brave and brilliant Richie might be showing signs as well.

The All Blacks are risking it all, expecting McCaw - battered head and all - to keep up this diet of football and still be in prime condition in 2011. This season is also the perfect time to give the injured Williams a break rather than during next year's Super 14.

The All Blacks keep preaching the recuperation message, but never do it properly. (In Dan Carter's case, they actually arranged for him to play more rugby.) Thorn is running on old legs and by the World Cup will be 36. The rugby seasons are too long, and involve too much travel, to expect blokes like these to keep going the distance.

* * *

Bring back Carl Hayman ...

Or change the eligibility rules. He'll be needed in 2011.

* * *

Surprise packet

It's a fairly large packet named James McGougan. The unheralded Chiefs' prop kept on keeping on around the field. I wouldn't have a clue if McGougan is up to test standard in all departments but he must have got himself on to the All Black radar.

Put it this way - it wouldn't be surprising if he got a shot one day, especially as the All Black selectors pick one shock prop a year. There has been a queue of one-hit test prop wonders. These might be as a result of selection mishaps, but it may also be part of what has been a very successful policy to lift the front row standards around the country. It was a major problem area a few years ago which has been turned into a great strength.

* * *

A riveting Lions tour of South Africa

Lions tours don't always pan out as everyone hopes, but they have the potential. A Lions touring squad is a law unto itself ... if the chemistry is right their prospects can soar like a Westpac overdraft, but things can also go horribly wrong. In the professional age, problems such as national divisions may not be so strong which could be a good and bad thing. These Lions will suffer if they try to be too clinical and analytical. A special magic from days past, a willingness to take attacking risks, is what they need.

* * *

Super 14 player of the year

That old chestnut. How do you really judge it, especially when you only see a third of the games at very best? Every team in the competition would have loved Matt Giteau in their lineup though.

* * *

Worst tackler

Kurtis Haiu, especially if you are a frustrated Blues' supporter and want to vent the anger somewhere. Haiu has a serious problem distinguishing between the shoulders and the hips.

* * *

The Crusaders' dynasty is over

A favourite call, which - as a couple of sheep farmers have pointed out - this column has made before. Leon MacDonald is integral to their ways and will be sorely missed. Most importantly, the Crusaders lack power in the backline especially with Casey Laulala said to be departing for Cardiff. The Crusaders were lucky to make this year's semifinals, having one less victory than the fifth-placed Waratahs.

They rely on percentage football but will struggle when they lose the rare geniuses who have made it work. Todd Blackadder's Crusaders looked a little too stuck in the franchise's old ways.

* * *

The Brumbies to win next year's Super 14 ...

An early call, but what the heck. Success will follow the brilliant Matt Giteau when he returns to the well organised Brumbies. There are suggestions Rocky Elsom may also join the Canberra outfit, which will give them an Owen Finegan-type blockbuster to fire up the forwards. I wouldn't put the house on the Brumbies - it's just a hunch based on the Giteau factor.

* * *

Whinge number one

Rugby referees. They look so dammed pleased with themselves as they nail infringements with all the gusto of a parking warden on a bonus scheme. Rugby referees actually have a very difficult job, so hands up here because I have an irrational dislike of them.

Some lunatic in Australia suggested wiring referees to microphones, so their explanations of decisions would boom out around the grounds. The person who suggested this is in serious need of help. If only rugby could find a simpler way so that we didn't need explanations for those decisions. In the meantime, it is better to suffer in silence than have these blokes booming around stadiums.

* * *

Commentators of the year

A new category, designed to heap praise on the Aussies. Marto and co strike just the right tone between run of play, analysis and, most importantly, humour. I always enjoy their work.

* * *

Whinge number two

TV commentators who insist on phase counting. Tallying up rugby phases is about as interesting as counting nostril hairs. Even the Aussies are guilty on that one.

* * *

Someone needs to sort out the national championship and quick

We are bored to despair by continual stories and flip-flops about the future of the NPC. Sort it out troops. The day might have arrived when rugby needs to split its administration into professional (All Blacks and Super 14) and the rest. That way a dedicated body could look after the NPC's best interests.

* * *

Ditto the ELVs

Please, sort out the rules once and for all. The game is difficult to enough to play and understand, without forcing players and spectators to adjust all the time. It's such a mess that a lot of us can't even remember which are the new rules and which are the old. Who could, hand on heart, say the ELVs are better than the old rules or vice-versa? There have been excellent matches in the Super 14 this year and also shockers. Which is the way rugby has always been.

* * *

Someone from these parts will accuse South Africa of skulduggery after the Bulls beat the Chiefs in the Super 14 final

Just a wild guess.

* * *

The Super 14 should review its new refereeing policy ...

Merit appointing with no regard for nationalities is all good and well but it might be wise to revert to the neutrality rule when it comes to a final involving teams from two countries. Having South African Jonathan Kaplan referee Sunday's final in Pretoria is asking for trouble.

* * *

As for rugby confessions ...

None ... but I did pick Cronulla to make this year's league grand final which isn't looking like one of the great tips.