It was a good weekend of rugby results-wise for the two top Aussie teams, but this has been the most difficult week yet to pick standout performers. There are sure to be even more controversial choices than usual.
1. Scott Sio
The Force scrum were pretty impressive but I’m still awarding this to Sio over Pek Cowan. Ben Daley had a bit of a shocker and Cruze Ah-Nau was quiet.
2. Stephen Moore
Pat Leafa, James Hanson and Nathan Charles were both pretty good in patches, but Stephen Moore retains the mortgage on this spot.
3. Kieran Longbottom
The quiet achiever of Aussie tightheads.
4. Cadeyrn Neville
Scott Fardy seemed strangely quiet and his stats back that up. Rob Simmons stats are more impressive but too often I notice him for the wrong reasons, namely silly penalties.
Sam Wykes was just okay so I’m giving this to Neville this week. He seems to be busting his proverbials to prove his place in the starting side and relevance for Australian rugby.
5. Sam Carter
A tougher call for me than the other lock spot. I’ve been in trouble for picking James Horwill before, but I thought he again tried hard in a losing team. Everyone’s darling of the moment Luke Jones was solid but unspectacular this week.
Adam Coleman had another good game, but I’m giving the credit to Sam Carter this week for topping off some impressive work around the park with a try.
6. Angus Cottrell
A lot doesn’t show up in the stats, especially for a guy like Angus Cottrell.
So often after a good tackle or work at the breakdown I’ll look for the number of the player and it will be the Force No. 6. He’s really combative and gets in the face of the opposition, and for all those little things gets the guernsey this week.
Another blindside who had won this spot before but I don’t seem to notice as much is Colby Fainga’a. He probably has more impressive stats than Angus, and fans of his or the Rebels may have a right to a grievance on this one.
7. Matt Hodgson
Without Michael Hooper you might have thought Hodgson was a shoo-in for this spot this week, but I did consider awarding it to the Brumbies unsung hero, Jarrad Butler. He made more tackles than Hodgson, won the same number of turnovers and the same number of carries, and Hodgson was also yellow-carded.
So while I’m awarding it to Hodgson for the quality of his tackles, it is a narrow victory.
8. Jake Schatz
I’m sure I will be roasted for this one.
I really wanted Ben McCalman to do well this week. He still seems to be behind Palu in the pecking order in the eyes of most rugby commentators despite having a better season so far. This week was a chance for him to justify my continued defence of him and stamp himself more firmly in selectors’ minds, but he was a bit quiet.
Scott Higginbotham is another who needs to make his mark. He was more impressive on the stats sheet than McCalman, but is too loose too often.
Ben Mowen was fairly quiet so I’m throwing a bone to Jake Schatz – the sole Reds representative in this team this week.
9. Nic White
There were nooutstanding performances from any of the Aussie scrum-halves this week.
Ian Prior was okay in replacing the usual Force standout Alby Mathewson. Will Genia could get back to his best if given the chance, but he’s not getting any in this current Reds team. Luke Burgess tries hard and plays a different game to others, but just lacks really good fundamentals.
Nic White is your typical yappy energiser bunny of a halfback. While he missed a few kicks for touch going for too much, it was outweighed by the good things he does and I prefer that he takes risks.
10. Matt Toomua
Quade Cooper was widely panned for his performance, but I’m not sure he was quite as bad as some are making out. Fly-half is always an obvious and convenient scapegoat, though even Bryce Hegarty was better than Cooper this weekend.
While Matt Toomua continues to confuse me as a No. 10, I have to award the guy some points for steering the ship to victory. The antithesis of Cooper, he rarely has brain explosions and is so keen for contact.
11. Nick Cummins
There were some good performances by other wingers, but it was a pretty clear win for the Honey Badger this week. Robbie Coleman didn’t show up on the stats sheets much but seems to chase every high ball, fields a few himself and is always pressuring the opposition fielders.
12. Kyle Godwin
It’s about time young Godwinmade it into this team. He has been a bit of a defensive specialist this year so far – as have all the Force team – but this week added some good runs.
13. Marcel Brache
This is the second time the young Force centre has made it into this team, and Tevita Kuridrani is getting further and further away from the Wallabies No. 13 jumper. I’m not saying Brache will replace him, but Adam Ashley-Cooper is in much better form there so far this year.
Brachel made some mistakes but seemed anything but overawed, and was really noticeable around the field – perhaps because the South African commentators had around four different pronunciations of his surname. Don’t ask me what the correct one is.
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
Tough choice this one. Joe Tomane looked really good and I’m confident would have nabbed this if not for going off really early with a suspected broken eye socket courtesy of teammate Ben Alexander.
Dom Shipperley has some good stats, but the number of high balls that went unchased was a bit of a disgrace for the Reds and the wingers have to take some of that blame. I think his stats more reflect the helter-skelter game that this was.
Male Sa’u made some good metres but the stats tell me he made zero tackles, and I just can’t abide that as a stat.
Which leaves me with Dane Haylett-Petty and Pat McCabe, who came on early for Tomane. Neither of them had really good numbers, but I’m going to give it to the former. This won’t be a popular choice but he had some good touches.
15. Jesse Mogg
Two kiwis in Jayden Hayward and Jason Woodward were the most complete players at fullback this round.
Then there are the Aussies Mike Harris and Jesse Mogg. Mogg has his frailties but 20 carries for 98 metres, pretty good fielding at the back and 21 kicks to continually pinthe Sharks back in their territory gets him over the line.
At risk of derailing my own topic, an interesting topic of conversation might be the fact that many of the star performers in the Aussie sides are their import players: Potgeiter at the Waratahs, Mathewson at the Force and Woodward at the Rebels.
Does this show canny recruiting on behalf of those teams and good coaching and player development, or is this a sad indictment on the state of Australian rugby?
Luke of Mosman
Guest
Interesting that you've opted for Longbottom. He reminds me of a French-style tight-head - not massive, but very strong and technically sound. Does a fair bit of work around the park too. At this stage I'd have him ahead of Kepu and Alexander, with Sio and Slipper the looseheads. Wallabies pack for France: 1. Sio 2. Moore 3. Longbottom 4. Skelton 5. Simmons 6. Fardy 7. Hooper 8. Palu
Crazy Horse
Guest
I actually think that the lack of certainty in most positions is a plus this far out from the World Cup. In the not too distant past many of the so called stars seemed to have hit the cruise control. virtually assured of selection regardless of form they were quite happy to have a gold jersey and the pay check that went with it but that was it. Now that has changed. Perform or be dropped. Behave or have your contract will be ripped up and they all know it. I would hope that by this time next year the squad and starting team is virtually locked in. There is the rest of this S15 season and the first half of next years, afull international test program and the inaugural NRC between now and then to allow all the contenders to show they've got what is required. As for new talent, watch for Luke Burton (Australian Under 20's Vice Captain) who may make his debut at 10 this week for the Force. He is a serious talent of the future. I can't wait to see him blooded and paired with Godwin. The other youngster I like is Alofa. He'd certainly be on my short list for EOFYT.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Higgers plays well but seems to fancy himself as an outside back, often leaving a big hole where the number 8 should be.
SamPro
Guest
Did you watch games or just stats and news articles?
SamPro
Guest
James, you're spot on. Couldn't have said it better myself.
james
Guest
Mate, the reds wingers didnt chase the ball dont you mean winger* JJ was the one not chasing the ball. the ball didnt go down Shipperleys side in the second half. As the crusaders bombaded JJ, Im very surprised he held his spot. Rod Davies is much better. Dom Shipperley was the best back for the reds. He has stood up and provides some power in the backs, many dont know but he can kick both feet but doesnt like wasting ball by kicking it away like the other guys he rather test the defence and run at them. he was the winger of the week.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
From memory the ref had just warned Hodgo that the team was infringing at the breakdown too much. Almost straight after that Hodgo infringed. So do you call that a team or individual? Look, guys like McCaw and Moore and Hodgson are going to get a lot of penalties and sometimes take it too far and get yellow cards. I don't think that automatically cancels out their good work. Now come here big boy and let me tweak your cheek.
Squirrel
Guest
Great team back on the money. Agree Higgers played unreal the first two games but has dropped off, agree re penalties
baldy @ Manly
Guest
If HIGGERS & SIMMONS keep giving penalties at the rate they do every game there is very little chance of the Wallabies beating NSW Country let alone the All Blacks & S.A. They are giving penalties out of frustration due to turnovers & lack of patience
Ben Gath
Roar Rookie
I see Godwin as Australia's answer to Conrad Smith the quite achiever who does what he needs to and does it bloody well.
Ben Gath
Roar Rookie
I see Godwin as Australia's answer to Conrad Smith the quite achiever who does what he needs to and does it bloody well.
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
I get this feeling that because Godwin has flown under the radar for so long now that he is going to benefit from this in the long run. He will gradually build up his experience and when he's ready for the big time, he'll stay there. So much pressure is put on our younger players to step up that they never get a chance to develop long enough at provincial level. Suddenly the pressure cooker gets to them and something gives. Godwin will play many tests for the Wallabies, it may not start for a year or two, but when he does I get the feeling he'll be one of our most reliable players.
Damo
Guest
I wouldn't be giving a jersey of the week to anyone who kicked the ball 21 times!
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Glad it's not just me seeing that. Thanks bryan. I completely agree on the wingers too. I am positive there is still room for more Shane Williams types at the top level of the game.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Yeah I think I'm going to escape wholesale roasting today. Article lost in a sea of others or everyone has just given up on them. I think you can pick up from the article I was uncomfortable picking even 1 Red player this week and maybe it was me subconsciously throwing them a bone. I'll tell you what: Seeing as you seem to be the only interested reader today, I'll reverse my pick and go for Higgers. I do miss the more angry Higgers of years past though. I remember him being more in-your-face and getting into little spats with opposition players more. Sometimes a bit too Rob Simmons like though which is not good. Captaincy seemed to be the best thing for him in that the aggression became more controlled but the pendulum seems to have swung maybe a little too far for me. Imagine him being as big a pain in the proverbial as Stephen Moore is at the breakdown these days.
bryan
Guest
Robbie Coleman, the Terrier... I hate to know just how many kicks he sprinted after... again and again. Shame that Professional rugby has gone towards the big winger, with Tomane and Speight clearly first choices for the Brumbies.
Existentialist
Guest
WNM, Not a bad list. But ... Was Hodgson's 'yellow' a team card or individual? Can't seem to justify (in my eyes) leaving your team a man down for 10 min for flouting the legalities of the breakdown. Sort of cancels out a lot of his good work. Awarding him a place on your esteemed list seems hypocritical. Like letting grandma tweak your cheeks an extra time for giving you that shitty Christmas sweater ... But I digress
PiratesRugby
Guest
Yes, Sam Carter is a legitimate pick. I probably disagree more with Neville to be honest. I reckon Jones was great last year too and no-one really took much notice. I agree that Higgers was not sensational. To be sure, he's been a little disappointing given the way he came on last year. I wonder whether he's trying to do too much. In the game against the Canes he was still very good. The fact that you gave it to Schatz is mysterious. The Reds were really poor. The Reds forwards are making Genia and Cooper look terrible. I think your roasting has only just begun on this one. The rebels scrum has been tremendous. I wonder whether the Rebels management can put a highlights package together. It wasn't that they drew penalties from the other side thereby demonstrating their cunning. They just competed hard for every scrum (as did the Canes) and the result was a fantastic contest. If rugby wants to make scrums interesting for the fans, get both teams to compete like the Rebs and Canes did last week. It is a unique part of our game and we should celebrate it. There was one scrum that held fast for about 20 seconds on the Rebs feed. The crowd roared. There was really no movement but 16 men were committed to getting the ball. It was a 2 tonne system packed against itself and it was magnificent to watch. Neither side had any thought of bringing it down. I think I'm going to have a little cry now...
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Don't know what to say to that. Yes it WAS a pretty embarassing weekend for wingers. Nominate someone else for me.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Er, Sam Carter? Look, I know Luke is very good and if you saw my article the other day on Wallaby contenders, you'll know I am picking him for one of the lock spots. And Sam Carter conversely didn't even figure in those contemplations. But we have also entered into this messiah phase for Luke Jones. I'm not saying you are doing this but many have a tendency to overinflate our expectations and opinions of these players out of all proportion - we start calling them 'world class' and 'best in the world' - and then when they later don't fulfil our expectations the worm turns. It's all boom or bust. This week: Luke Jones good but Sam Carter better. On props and scrums I'm sure you saw the article earlier in the week on Wallaby prop prospects. I was amazed at the variability in opinion - even among the experts. It's difficult with props to point to a try-saving tackle, break down the blindside, etc. - especially for someone like myself. To me Longbottom ALWAYS looks solid but, although I watch all their games, you seem to be a keener observer of the Rebels than I am so I will bow to you on this one. What can I say about Higgers? I fondly remember his first game this season (was it) when he scored a try at the death and was just everywhere in that game. And I was happy to give him credit where due: http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/03/03/super-rugby-round-3-aussie-team-of-the-week/ But Higgers hasn't risen to the same level since. Is he playing to a gameplan or is he just playing his natural game? I think the latter. I don't have it in for him - I guess I just personally prefer a different style of player and that comes across in how I rate them. Having said that, for what it's worth I overturned my own scoring system and suggested Higgers should be in the Wallaby starting line up: http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/05/02/australian-super-rugby-team-week-recap/