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NSW Country Eagles playmaker Jono Lance has been named as the player of the season in the second year of the National Rugby Championship.
Lance played a starring role as general of the NSW Country side that went 4-4 through the season, missing the finals only due to bonus points.
Lance, who will join the Western Force next season after stints at the Reds and Waratahs in Super Rugby, played every game of the Eagles’ campaign, playing a starring role in controlling the side as well as with the boot.
Jordy Reid from Melbourne Rising was second in the voting while the Brumbies and table-topping Vikings backrower Ita Vaea was third.
Lance said he was pleased to be out on the park after a couple of seasons without much game time for the Waratahs.
“I haven’t played too much footy over the past couple of years so the NRC has helped me find my feet again. I had lost a bit of confidence so this has been absolutely perfect for me.
“We’re disappointed we let ourselves down with one or two performances that meant we didn’t quite make the top four but the last eight weeks have been pretty special with the Country Eagles, playing with guys looking to make that next step into Super Rugby.”
In other news, the ARU have announced the 26-man Australian Barbarians squad that will play a two-match series against the Heartland VX from New Zealand in November this year.
The Barbarians squad was chosen by a panel chaired by Adrian Thompson of the Australian Rugby Union, coaches Darren Coleman and Brad Harris and Stephen Hoiles.
“This tour is a really good opportunity for players that have already made the step up to the NRC to push their claim for further honours. It is also the perfect opportunity for the selected players to play in a different environment,” Thompson said.
“We’ve selected a young side that I’m sure will meet a Heartland XV team that will be tough and physical. I’m certain they’ll be excited at this unique opportunity to play a touring Australian team.”
Forwards
Props
Cameron Orr (Greater Sydney Rams) – 20
Hayden Hirismaki (Queensland Country) – 27
Tyrel Lomax (UC Vikings) – 19
Duncan Chubb (Melbourne Rising) – 27
Hookers
Luke Holmes (North Harbour Rays) – 31
Ryan Dalziel (CSU Country Eagles) – 27
Locks
Matt Philip (Sydney Stars) – 21
Ben Hyne (Brisbane City) – 21
Phil Potgieter (Queensland Country) – 20
Backrowers
Waita Setu (Brisbane City) – 23
Rowan Perry (UC Vikings) – 21
Sam Figg (CSU Country Eagles) – 23
Dean Oakman-Hunt (UC Vikings) – 22
Pauli Tuala (CSU Country Eagles) – 30
Mark Baldwin (CSU Country Eagles) – 22
Scrumhalves
Mitch Short (CSU Country Eagles) – 20
Dewet Roos (Greater Sydney Rams) – 25
Flyhalf
Rod Iona (UC Vikings) – 24
Centres
Reece Hodge (North Harbour Rays) – 21
Andrew Robinson (Sydney Stars) – 21
Tom Hill (North Harbour Rays) – 25
Charli Clifton (CSU Country Eagles) – 24
Outside backs
Maalonga Konelio (Perth Spirit) – 26
Paul Asquith (Greater Sydney Rams) – 22
Jarome McKenzie (CSU Country Eagles) – 24
Harry Jones (Sydney Stars) – 19
Coaches
Darren Coleman (CSU Country Eagles)
Brad Harris (UC Vikings)
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