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'Reminds me a bit of Christian Cullen': Ex-All Black makes Love comparison
By Ben Smith
The Hurricanes impressive fullback Ruben Love is the form No 15 in Super Rugby according to former All Black Justin Marshall.
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His form back three included two All Blacks in Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece, but the 22-year-old fullback who has been “sensational” couldn’t be ignored.
The dynamic playmaker has illustrated all his skills on the end of a firing backline at the Hurricanes and higher honours could be coming.
Marshall compared the young fullback to two All Blacks, Will Jordan and retired legend Christian Cullen.
“When you think of the style of player that Will Jordan is, who is missing out of our game at the moment, Ruben Love really reminds me of him,” Marshall explained to Sky Sport’s The Breakdown.
“And he reminds me a bit of Christian Cullen and the way he used to play.
“His explosive step that he’s got, the ability to think about counter-attack first, not when he gets kicked the ball and think ‘okay I’ll kick it back’, he’s like ‘can I open up this defence by running at them’ and taking on a defender I can see is compromised.
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“I just love that attitude.
“His spark and his energy are a big part of why the Hurricanes are so dangerous.”
The Hurricanes have the most prolific attack in the competition after eight rounds, registering 37.4 points per game and 5.4 tries per game, the most in the competition.
They are also ranked first in offloads, line breaks, and defenders beaten, highlighting the explosive talent they have.
Love has been a phenomenal ball player out wide with five try assists, but as a running threat himself he has seven line breaks and two tries. His seven line breaks are second most on the team behind winger Josh Moorby with 12.
The Hurricanes’ No 15 is certainly building a case for an All Blacks call up but there is plenty of competition.
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Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson has also been making plays with five try assists himself, equal with Love for fourth most in the competition, while Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens has five tries in seven games for the Highlanders.
Beauden Barrett is also an option at fullback after playing there for the All Blacks at last year’s Rugby World Cup, who will return after a stint with Toyota Verblitz.
Love seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.