The Australian Conference Team of the Week is made up of the players I thought performed best at each position during the weekend’s action.
I take into account a number of factors, and try to run purely off what I have seen with my own eyes, rather than looking at stats and deciding that way. I will often favour players who played well at the breakdown or had a solid defensive game, especially in the forwards.
With that in mind, here is my list.
1. Pek Cowan – Western Force
Cowan played a big, physical game at the breakdown, and was solid in defence. He was also a strong ball-carrying presence in attack, and was a valuable option for the halfback, making sure the ball stayed in the forwards against a physical Waratahs side.
He was also a key element to the Force’s driving maul that allowed Matt Hodgson to cross the line for their match-winning try.
2. Pat Leafa – Melbourne Rebels
Leafa was able to help command a perfect lineout on the weekend, with the Rebels not losing any of their own throws. He played a strong running game and was able to help the Rebels gain valuable metres around the park.
3. Tetera Faulkner – Western Force
Faulkner was able to bind into a front row that did not lose a scrum against the Waratahs, which featured two regular Wallaby props in Benn Robinson and Sekopi Kepu.
4. Steve Mafi – Western Force
Easily the Western Force’s most dynamic and exciting player, Mafi was able to continue his strong play into this round against the Waratahs.
He was highly involved in the Force attack, carrying the ball forward through packs of defenders, winning lineouts and was immense at the breakdown, forcing the ball to be turned over a number of times.
5. Lopeti Timani – Melbourne Rebels
Timani played on Friday like an extra back-row forward, quick on his feet and ran nearly 50 metres in total, a large amount of metres for a second rower. As well as being quick and athletic, Tomani was also a rock defensively and a physical presence at the breakdown.
6. Colby Fainga’a – Melbourne Rebels
He was able to turn the ball over at the breakdown, and even when he wasn’t turning the ball over, he was the opposition flanker’s worst nightmare. Fainga’a was also able to score a phenomenal try, has three recorded tackle busts and always looked to offload the ball during a tackle.
7. David Pocock – Canberra Brumbies
Pocock might definitely have to be considered as the Wallaby number seven, with Michael Hooper coming off the bench based on current form. He scored a try that arguably would have won the match if it weren’t for his team’s goal kicking issues.
He is also a big presence at the breakdown and was able to turn the ball over, making a very hard time for his opponent.
8. Scott Higginbotham – Melbourne Rebels
It was hard to chose between Ben McCalman and Scott Higginbotham and I’m sure there wil be many selection headaches come Wallaby time. Higginbotham plays such a strong and physical game, and being the only superstar or Wallaby-starting calibre player on the Rebels, he will stick out like a soar thumb whenever he is hot.
He scored a try on Friday night against the Blues, but his athleticism in the lineout, as well as busting tackles and his physical play when running the ball off the nine is what put him into my team of the week.
9. Ryan Louwrens – Western Force
With Ian Prior out, and Alby Mathewson starting off the bench after coming back from an injury, Ryan Louwrens scored his second Super Rugby try in his second Super Rugby start. He used his slick pass and speed to command the Force attack, leading them to their second win.
10. Jack Debreczeni – Melbourne Rebels
He was everywhere for the Rebels on Friday night, and was the field general in his team’s 20-point victory, orchestrating his team’s play up the field and helping them to score their five tries.
He was also able to score a try of his own, and if he keeps this form up he will be playing for Australia at the next World Cup.
11. Joe Tomane – Canberra Brumbies
Tomane’s try alone was enough to put him at winger for the Round 13 team of the week, but he also played well in general play, despite not really having the opportunity to get much of the ball, as Brumbies were not able to swing it out wide as much as they would have liked to.
12. Mitch Inman – Melbourne Rebels
It was generally a very quite week for the inside centres of the Australian Conference, but Inman was able to carry the ball up the middle of the field, and would offload correctly whenever he saw a viable option. He way a key part of the Rebels attack clicking the way they did.
13. Tevita Kuridrani – Canberra Brumbies
Kuridrani had a monstrous game in attack, creating nightmares for anyone defending his channel in the middle of the field. He ran 63 metres off nine attempts at carrying the ball, and was generally able to bust through the first defender, or at least made the Stormers get another man along to bring him down.
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro – NSW Waratahs
Naiyaravoro and Israel Folau worked together like a pair made in heaven, offloading the ball to each other and never being able to be separated. Naiyaravoro was able to run 90 metres off through using this combination.
He also broke the line after busting through three tackles in one run to stay inbounds and score a try on the wing, which would have been enough by itself to put him in the team of the week.
15. Israel Folau – NSW Waratahs
I almost feel as if picking Folau at fullback explains itself, but for those who weren’t able to watch the game, he simply would not go to ground without busting a tackle, or offloading the ball to a better running option (see Taqele Naiyarovoro).
Even though he didn’t score a try, he was his teams’ most influential running player.
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