From Michael Cheika to the Honey Badger, Super Rugby is producing some talking points

FROM a triple Cheika to the Honey Badger and the circus that is Benji Marshall’s selection, Super Rugby hasn’t been short of a headline in 2014.

Cheika (L), Cummins (C) and Marshall have grabbed the headlines in 2014.

LAMBASTED for a sluggish opening few rounds, Super Rugby has come alive over the last month on the back of several unthinkable upsets, some spectacular tries and an ever-expanding collection of heavy hits.

But for a game that sometimes struggles to capture the “off-field” spotlight – particularly here in Australia – the 2014 Super season has had the soap-opera element needed to transcend rugby’s usual fanbase and extend out to the masses.

And while individuals such as Michael C – wait, that’s too obvious, let’s call him M.Cheika - will be hoping it’s the on-field action that has people talking, let’s hope the headline melting pot keeps on bubbling.

Here’s our pick of the season so far …

MOWEN A MARKED MAN

Has there been a more spiteful build-up to a Brumbies-Waratahs clash in the history of Super Rugby? We certainly don’t think so. And it’s all thanks to that wonderful watering hole, Dublin. The Waratahs players stopped short of naming Ben Mowen as the dibber-dobber from the Wallabies’ spring tour but you couldn’t shake the feeling there was going to be a little extra niggle in the round-five encounter. It mattered little in the end however as the Brumbies produced a superb first-half to all but end the clash before half-time.News_Rich_Media: Brumbies captain Ben Mowen has hit out at reports he dobbed in Wallabies teammates for drinking on the Spring Tour, while also anticipating a thriller against the Waratahs on Saturday.

CALL THE GLAZIER, CHEIK’S CRACKED IT

Famous for his fiery temper, Michael Cheika couldn’t hide his frustrations as the Waratahs ran out of time in Canberra and slumped to their first loss of the season. Disappointed with the way the scrum had been refereed in the closing stages, Cheika cracked a window in the coaching box as he exited at full-time. The Brumbies took great delight in sending the glazier’s bill up the highway to Moore Park.News_Rich_Media: The Waratahs’ confidence - and the NSW coaches box - were left worse for wear in Canberra Saturday night after the aggressive Brumbies claimed a satisfying victory over their fierce rivals.

THE BENCHY CIRCUS

Benji Marshall’s switch to rugby was always going to generate plenty of intercode interest but the week-to-week circus his selection creates at the Blues is something out of the ordinary. Sir John Kirwan may as well just open proceedings by announcing Benji’s jersey number first, then continue in the usual 1-15 format from there. Benched, dropped completely, starting and then benched once more – the former Kiwis captain is battling in his adopted code.

HONEY BADGER GOES GLOBAL News_Rich_Media: Western Force's Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins delivers yet another round of entertaining quotes after the Force's impressive win over the Chiefs

Rugby fans have long known about the comic genius of Nick “The Honey Badger” Cummins but his post-game interview after Western Force’s upset win over the Highlanders has taken his profile to a whole new level. Given the title as the “most Australian man ever”, Cummins explained the story of his nickname to Sky Sport New Zealand and in doing so opened up new territory for the Honey Badger to roam. We’ve been busier than a one-armed bricklayer in Baghdad trying to keep up with his antics ever since.News_Rich_Media: The best of Nick Cummins interesting post match presser following the Western Force's win over the Highlanders

REFEREE AWARDS RIDICULOUS TRY

There’s nothing quite like a referee howler to get people talking and when you start hearing the response “even I know that isn’t a try” from your local barista, you know you’ve got an absolute shocker. That was the case in the Blues’ loss to the Lions in Johannesburg, with referee Stuart Berry and TMO Johan Greef deciding a try had been scored despite the most blatant knock-on you’re ever likely to see. That wasn’t the last we’d hear of Berry either.News_Rich_Media: Coenie van Wyk crossed for a controversial try in the Lions' narrow victory over the Blues on the weekend after the referees failed to rule what looked like a clear knock on.

PENALTY COUNT EVEN TOOVES COULDN’T FATHOM

We’re not sure if Geoff Toovey watches any rugby but we reckon the referee-loving Manly coach was one of the first people on the phone to Reds coach Richard Graham after the Queenslanders found themselves on the end of an 18-4 penalty count from yep, you guessed it, Mr Berry. We can’t confirm the following, but the conversation reportedly went a little something like this:

Toovey: Richard, it’s Toovs. Mate, 18-4? Not even a few square-ups?

Graham: G’day, Toovs. Not a square-up in sight. Ridiculous, hey?

Toovey: Come on, come on. They’re out to get us, Graz. What’d they need, a high-definition TV or something?

Graham: I’m calling for an investigation.

LIONS COACH SHARES ‘WINNING’ SECRETS

Just when the Reds thought they’d put a difficult trip to South Africa behind them, Lions coach Johan Ackermann made one final attempt to stick the boot in by offering the Stormers a few pointers. Strangely, it had little to do with which referee to pray for and was all about the scrum. “The Reds do not have the strongest front row and start bending the rules when you put them under pressure at scrum time. You can also put them under pressure with lineout drives.” Ackermann’s advice wasn’t enough for the Stormers however as the Reds triumphed 22-17.News_Rich_Media: Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham not putting much into reports the Lions have been giving the Stormers tips on beating his side

WHITE BAITS CHEIKA

They’ve had somewhat of a fractured relationship over the last two years and Jake White did his best to further rile Michael Cheika after his Sharks defeated the Waratahs last weekend. Among a couple of other friendly digs, White said post match: “I just want to see if our coaches’ box is still all right, because I have to get (chief executive John Smit) to get some insurance for it.” The window reference was one of course to Cheika’s earlier misdemeanour. Let’s hope the Sharks and Waratahs meet again in the finals – it could be a beauty.

ONE MORE MAKES IT A TRIPLE CHEIKA

Sorry, Cheik. We can’t ignore the latest reports to come out of Africa even though it’s probably the last thing you need ahead of this week’s clash with the Stormers. The Waratahs coach is reportedly under investigation after South African TV network SuperSport made a complaint to SANZAR. SuperSport alleges Cheika threatened a cameraman while he was down on the sidelines speaking with officials. Check out the video and make your own mind up!News_Rich_Media: Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is under investigation for allegedly abusing a cameraman while on the sidelines during his side's loss to the Sharks in Durban last Saturday night.

IT’S JUST A GAME, FELLAS

We’ve had a bit of fun with this today and hopefully it’ll all be taken in the right spirits. The most important thing to remember is it’s just a game, no matter how much we love it. Unfortunately we’ve had a few unwanted reminders of that fact this season with news out of New Zealand Piri Weepu suffered a minor stroke and Robbie Fruean has had to undergo further heart surgery. There’s also Alex McKinnon’s terrible incident in the NRL. Player enjoyment and safety should be paramount – that’s what gets kids playing our game.