Boxengasse » He is leading the league with 1,106 rushing yards

Australias record in the Super Rugby tournament is hardly in the back-slapping category. Just four titles in 20 years. You can now make that four titles in 21 years, after Australia failed to field a semi-final candidate this season.In spite of the drama over the Brumbies missing out on a semifinal berth following a disallowed try against the Highlanders last Friday night, 2016 would rank among Australias worst Super Rugby seasons. All five teams were sadly off the pace for most of the competition, while several struggled with serious off-field issues.Greg Growden runs his rule over each Australian teams 2016 campaign.BrumbiesThey deserve credit for being the only local team to make the finals, but it was still a disconcerting season for the Brumbies- suffering the stumbles before securing the Australian conference.They first had to overcome a long-running off-field saga that revealed serious divisions within the ranks, and eventually saw its chief executive Michael Jones leave the organisation after expressing concerns over various Brumbies financial issues. Then the Brumbies appeared to struggle with their on-field direction, becoming more of a forward based outfit the longer the season went, moving well away from its traditional stance of being Australias most flourishing and inventive attacking unit.In the end, the often stodgy Brumbies had to turn to a reliable forward pack that knew for the second season running how to use the driving maul to full effect to keep them ahead of the Waratahs on the competition table. Their most consistent performers were all up front, with prop Scott Sio, hooker Stephen Moore, locks Rory Arnold and Sam Carter and backrowers Scott Fardy and David Pocock having strong seasons. They also made the best signing of the year, with their Argentinean half-back Tomas Cubelli easily the best No 9 in the Australian conference. Cubelli was instrumental in the Brumbies making the quarterfinal cut.Whether the Brumbies can remain Australias leading province in 2017 is debatable as they are losing an abundance of talent who are either heading overseas or interstate.Mark: C plus. 2015 mark: B2014 mark: B plus2013 mark: B plus.WaratahsJust two years after winning the Super Rugby title, the Waratahs slid to 10th position- putting their coach Daryl Gibson under enormous pressure. What was so disconcerting about the Waratahs was that they had several good chances to make the finals, but squandered every one of them.For most of the season they appeared disjointed, and were never able to get over the loss of midfielder Kurtley Beale through injury. In the few games that Bernard Foley and Beale combined, the Waratahs attack showed some menace, but that dropped off after Beale was sidelined.One player who cannot be blamed for the provinces demise is their captain Michael Hooper. He did begin the season way off colour, prompting a rebuke from former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer who described his form as dreadful. Hooper could have easily sulked after such a pointed public attack. Instead he focused on improving his game, and for the rest of the season was among the best performers in the Australian conference. He had several exceptional games, in particular against the Stormers in Cape Town.It was also clear Hooper had matured as a skipper, never letting the occasion get to him. His leadership will be crucial in Tahland in coming years, especially next season following the departure of numerous players from their successful 2014 campaign.Mark: C 2015 mark: B minus2014 mark: A plus2013: C plusRebelsThey suffered several dreadful losses in particular against the Crusaders in Christchurch, but the Rebels continue to hold up well against the other Australian provinces. One can never dispute the Rebels enthusiasm, while they have in their favour a shrewd coach in Tony McGahan. Under McGahan there is a no-nonsense policy at the Rebels.The loss of Scott Higginbotham was as expected difficulty to overcome, but back-rower Sean McMahon by the end of the season showed he has the skills and enthusiasm to become a crucial upfront leader, producing several quality performances. His final round effort against the Reds was exceptional, almost singlehandedly beating the opposition.The Rebels struggled late in the season with an overwhelming injury list, while No 10 Jack Debreczeni sometimes appeared to be affected by the pressure of being the teams prime playmaker. There is still a sense of promise, especially as the province possesses one of the best attacking players in the competition- Sefa Naivalu. They are still several players off from being a formidable team.Mark: C 2015 mark: B plus2014 mark: D2013 mark: DRedsFollowing the departure of head coach Richard Graham after a few rounds, for a short time under the command of Nick Stiles and Matt OConnor there was a resurgence within the Reds. But that soon petered out and in the end it was another underwhelming season for a team that not so long ago was a powerhouse of Australian Rugby.While half-back Nick Frisby is a trier and had several commendable games, the Reds still desperately miss the talents of Will Genia, Quade Cooper and co, with the side seriously short of midfield authority. Opposition teams consistently exposed them in that area, and also took advantage of an often substandard defensive alignment. No wonder there was a sense of relief in Brisbane late in the season when Cooper was sighted back in town and indicating that he may be back in the Reds colours next season.Centre Samu Kerevi attempted to bring back some aggression and thrust out wide but often lacked backup, while Liam Gill, Greg Holmes and Andrew Ready were the best in a pack that were one of the better performers at scrum and lineout time.Stiles, this week appointed the new Reds coach, has an enormous task in 2017, especially with Holmes and Gill departing. At least the Reds have begun their recruitment drive positively by signing George Smith and luring Stephen Moore back to Brisbane. The tension will be eased further if Cooper returns. Maybe, just maybe, a Reds revival?Mark: D 2015 mark: F2014 mark: F2013 mark: BForceAnother miserable season for the Force. They were winless at home, had to replace their coach Michael Foley during the competition, the Australian Rugby Union took over the running of the struggling province, and they suffered disciplinary dramas following a boozy night in Bloemfontein. They also had to cope with a tough Super Rugby draw- and not surprisingly finished with only two victories- against the Reds and Sunwolves.There werent too many bright moments in their season, especially after Matt Hodgson, their most loyal player, was ruled out through injury. Without Hodgson and Ben McCalman, the Force were rudderless. Their best player was easily full-back Dane Haylett-Petty, who justifiably made the Test team before even he slipped up in Bloemfontein.The ARU have agreed to prop up the Force, and confirmed that the province is staying in Perth, but the problem remains- how to lure players from the other side of the country, which has led to them relying on overseas signings, particularly from South Africa. Whoever their new coach is will be walking into the toughest job among the Australian provinces.Mark: F 2015 mark: F2014 mark: B2013 mark: C Wholesale Authentic Air Jordan . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. Cheap Nike Authentic Air Jordan . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. http://www.cheapauthenticairjordan.com/ . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. Cheap Authentic Air Jordan Online . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. Authentic Air Jordan Sale . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn quarterback Sean White will be back in the starting lineup against Georgia, and coach Gus Malzahn is hoping his star tailback will be able to play, too.The nations No. 4 rusher, Kamryn Pettway was expected to practice Tuesday or Wednesday after injuring his left leg on a long run against Vanderbilt, Malzahn said.Were not ruling out Pettway yet, he said Tuesday. I wouldnt be surprised if he plays, but at the same time weve got other guys that will be ready to go. Weve got a lot of confidence in those guys.Pettway and White have led the eighth-ranked Tigers resurgence into Southeastern Conference and playoff contenders.White didnt play until the second half against Vanderbilt with an undisclosed injury. He led the Tigers back from a 13-10 halftime deficit after the offense struggled behind John Franklin III. White completed 10 of 13 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.Malzahn, who said White didnt practice last week, said the sophomore will start in Saturdays game at Georgia.Hes not 100 percent or we would have started him last week, Malzahn said. He went in there and did a solid job. Hell be better this week than he was last week. Well see how it goes in practice. Last week he didnt take any practice reps. He did warm up on Thursday just to see what he can do but he didnt take any practice reps.He said coaches will be smart about how much White throws duuring practice.ddddddddddddPettway has also been an integral part of Auburns offensive improvement. He is leading the league with 1,106 rushing yards despite not getting a carry in the opener against Clemson and sitting out the Louisiana-Monroe game. Pettway pulled up at the end of a 60-yard run in the fourth quarter, clutching his left leg. His 138.3 yards per game is fourth nationally.We have to prepare as if hes going to be there, said Georgia coach Kirby Smart, who recruited Pettway while an assistant at Alabama. If hes there or not, theyre going to be able to run the ball, trust me. They did it at the beginning of the year sometimes without him.Pettway has been the workhorse with 121 carries in the last four games. Hes the first Auburn running back who has rushed for 150-plus yards in four straight games since Bo Jackson during his 1985 Heisman Trophy season.Kerryon Johnson has run for 616 yards and nine touchdowns but has been nursing an ankle injury that sidelined him against Arkansas.Malzahn said linebacker Tre Williams and leading receiver Tony Stevens also return after missing the Vandy game with injuries. Stevens also sat out the Mississippi game.---More AP college football at: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 . ' ' '