DESPITE the Sunwolves only winning two out of nine Super Rugby games so far this season, it has been a season to remember for one Gunnedah native.
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Ben Gunter has forged forward during his first season with the Sunwolves and in the process has ticked off one of his life goals, playing Super Rugby.
"Being with the Sunwolves is an unreal experience and it's great to be learning from my coaches and teammates," Gunter told the Leader.
"I couldn't ask for anything else and then on top of that, getting to play against the big names of the game, that's me living a dream."
Currently, the Sunwolves sit on the bottom of the Australian conference ladder with only two victories against the Chiefs and the Waratahs to their name.
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Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the Hurricanes, who after trailing for much of the match found another gear in the second half to record a 29-23 victory.
Gunter said there was plenty of positive signs for the Sunwolves, despite the loss.
"We had a lot of changes in the second half and players moving around, which we had to adjust to, but that's rugby," he said.
"We started to panic and put pressure on ourselves, which lead to them coming back and wining the game.
"It was disappointing but hopefully we can bounce back."
With the Sunwolves recording narrow losses earlier in the season to the Reds, Blues, and Waratahs, Gunter believes his side can match it with anyone in the competition.
"I think there will be some more wins for us down the line," he said.
"When we play our game and our style of rugby, we can beat any team in the competition.
"We have shown that.
"There will be more wins for sure, we are a great team and I'm confident we can do it."
The 22-year-old has overcome hamstring injuries throughout the early part of the season and believes he still has plenty of improvements to make to his game.
"I keep growing my game every week," he said.
"Playing Super Rugby is really the top level of footy, it shows that you can't afford to make mistakes because you will pay in points.
"As for me, I want to work on my attacking game a bit more, bring some more foot work and offloads to my game."
The Sunwolves remain a mathematical chance to reach the playoffs and will look to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes when they play host to the Highlanders in Tokyo on April 27.
In the round's other Super Rugby action, Glen Innes Native Alex Newsome and the NSW Waratahs recorded a stirring three-point victory over the Melbourne Rebels.
Newsome continued his recent run of good form carrying the ball 12 times for a combined 53 metres in his side's win, as well as beating five defenders and competing six passes.
Meanwhile, Qurindi native Sam Carter completed 14 tackles in the Brumbies gutsy two-point victory over the Stormers.
