Chiefs player Johan Bardoul in action during the Super Rugby match in Hamilton last week. Photo/file
Chiefs player Johan Bardoul in action during the Super Rugby match in Hamilton last week. Photo/file
Johan Bardoul has taken just two games to prove he belongs in Super Rugby.
The 27-year-old Bay of Plenty Steamers blindside flanker made a solid debut for the Chiefs against the Blues in round one but took his game to another level in last weekend's 40-16 thumping of the Crusadersin Hamilton. Story continues below.
After joining the fray from the bench after 10 minutes to replace Brodie Retallick, Bardoul was simply irresistible up against All Blacks Richie McCaw and Matt Todd.
He made 10 thumping tackles, three crucial turnovers, ran and passed like a midfield back and created an impressive loose forwards trio with All Blacks Sam Cane and Liam Messam.
Cane has been highly impressed with his Bay of Plenty mate's work rate and impact.
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"He has been outstanding hasn't he? All season he was a real workhorse and real physical for Bay of Plenty and then to be able to come in, in just his second game, and step up against a virtual All Blacks pack to perform the way he did, is testament to him," said Cane.
"It was real pleasing to see him go well. He epitomises really what the Chiefs are about, putting your head down and working hard for each other. He has been a great asset for the side."
Cane was in superlative early season form himself.
Sam Cane of the Chiefs is tackled during the round 11 Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Chiefs at Canberra Stadium on April 25, 2014 in Canberra, Australia.
He topped the tackle count with 16 and stole a turnover, ran well in general play and his cut out pass to Sonny Bill Williams in the build-up to Charlie Ngatai's match defining try was a special moment.
"Our performance against (the Crusaders) was right up there. Over the last few years we have pretty much won a lot of arm wrestles and have a good record of coming out on top in games like that," Cane said.
"But there have not been too many times we have put teams to the sword and put them away comfortably. We were pumped up for that one. Yeah it was pretty pleasing."
"Our forwards really set the tone for that one. We took it to them and had it over them physically. We turned up in a good mind set and I have always said that makes a loose forward's job a lot easier."
Cane is looking forward to tonight's clash with the Highlanders at Waikato Stadium in what is traditionally a high scoring affair.
"They are quite an innovative team and they like to play at quite a high tempo as well. They have some pretty good players in key decision making areas and are really good off turnovers so we are going to have to be pretty good at holding on to the ball. They love that broken field stuff."
Chiefs v Highlanders Waikato Stadium, tonight, 7.35pm
