Wynne Gray: The stunning return of the crosskick

Lima Sopoaga of the Highlanders looks to kick the ball during the round two Super Rugby match. Photo / Getty Images.

We've had the up 'n under, the grubber, the wipers and even Ali Williams trying a cross field bomb as ways of breaking down defences.

For a spell Daniel Carter used the hanging punt to taunt defenders around the corner flags.

In the latest Super rugby round, a variety of attacking crosskicks drew dollops of reward and amazement as Lima Sopoaga, Beauden Barrett and Elton Jantjies unleashed their skills.

They all involved high degrees of difficulty while the opening salvo from Sopoaga might have been the best. His attacking work was infectious.

On the run, Sopoaga hit a flat punt which took out three defenders and gave an alert Waisake Naholo an unimpeded run past the bewildered defenders. It was a stunning piece of thought and execution from Sopoaga and another notch in his claims for All Black elevation.

The Hurricanes were ragged but Barrett provided one glossy piece of skill when he chipped a kick over the Reds defence for Wes Goosen to grab and race round one defender for a debut game touchdown. It was a heads up play matched by classy delivery.

In the rain in Johannesburg, Lions five eighths Elton Jantjies delivered two of the knockout blows against the Blues with a crossfield punt then a dinky reverse chip which both produced tries. It was high level skill in difficult wet conditions as Jantjies and his teammates exposed the gulf between teams tuned into their work.