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)
ethan
Guest
Yeah he looked decent, Smith. Big risk for the Brumbies to sign a kid still in high school, but he must be hugely talented to do so. The next amigo? Let's hope he has the talent without the behavioural issues.
Bakkies
Guest
Smith went to Munster and also played for Montpellier.
nmpcart
Guest
According to the Brumbies website Iona is a flyhalf - it reads as if they still have him under contract: "2014 was a year of growth for Iona as he had spent the entire 2014 season training with the Brumbies top squad before landing a fulltime deal with the club in September last year."
Markus
Guest
WA born flyhalf still in high school. Apparently great direction and monstrous boot. Yep same Smith. Was leapfrogged by Kuridrani as a starting 13 but still a very handy addition in terms of size and experience.
ethan
Guest
Thanks mate. Never heard of Jooste, but I believe Smith has been at the Brumbies before, but took a trip overseas last year?..
ethan
Guest
Unless he is extended squad? Anae was a prop when at the Reds as well, but he can cover hooker. Who knows...
Markus
Guest
Iona was on a one-year EPS contract with the Brumbies this year but hasn't been re-signed yet to my knowledge. They have signed Nick Jooste as a flyhalf and Andrew Smith as cover for outside and inside centre so he may not be able to squeeze in.
Markus
Guest
Last I read he hadn't signed with anyone but was optimistic. The Brumbies already have Moore, Mann-Rea and Anae signed as hookers for next year so it could be tough there for him.
ethan
Guest
"They didn’t just pick the Barbarians side from televised games, Ethan" Of course not, I never suggested they did..
Bakkies
Guest
Well you would think that Sky will just pick up the Thursday game that Foxsports broadcast.
Brett McKay
Expert
They didn't just pick the Barbarians side from televised games, Ethan. Lance was very good throughout the season.. But it's a good point about Iona, he definitely was contracted in 2015. I know there was something of a push toward younger players, but I'm still not sure how Iona fits in..
Brett McKay
Expert
Yes, I just saw that myself Bakkies, it's great news. I was of the belief that the UK deal was one of the major reasons for the hold up - the SANZAR deal was first going to be announced back in March, from memory. Hopefully the rest of it all follows soon..
ethan
Guest
I can only recall 2 televised games for the country eagles. I can't recall Lance in one which means he must have been OK if not outstanding, while in the other he made a few noticeable mistakes. With the form of some of those Brisbane City players, and considering the likes of Lealifano was at 10 in a team that won more than the Eagles, I can only assume Lance must have played out of his skin in the games I didn't see. I'm glad for him though, it must have been hard for him without much opportunity at the Tahs. Interesting to see Iona at flyhalf. I thought he was a centre, and I thought he was with the Brumbies. Unless they've dropped him? Those outside backs are certainly a talented lot, while Tom Hill has impressed me as well with his hard straight running.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
That's great. Hope it's real coverage, not "jump through these five hoops" streaming. I did it easily (I'm IT enabled), but have friends who just gave up.
ethan
Guest
I only saw him play one televised game for Brisbane City this year but he impressed me also.
ethan
Guest
I liked Abel also. Can only assume the Brumbies have him contracted if he's not in this team.
ethan
Guest
I was going to ask that about Hodge... doesn't seem to fit the rules.
Bakkies
Guest
Brett, I see the NRC is mentioned in Sky Sports press release to announce their new five year broadcasting deal which also includes Super Rugby, June internationals, Currie Cup, NPC and the 4 Nations
atlas
Guest
The NZ Heartland XV is selected from the 12 provincial unions who compete in the Heartland Championship, and this year 10 of those unions are represented in the squad . Each year they play NZ Marist for the McCrae Cup. Last year they had two matches v a Cook Islands Residents XV, for one win, one loss New Zealand Heartland XV fixtures: Date: Saturday 7 November Who: New Zealand Heartland XV v New Zealand Marist Venue: Trust House Memorial Park, Masterton Time: 6.00pm Date: Tuesday 10 November Who: New Zealand Heartland XV v Australian Barbarians Venue: Levin Domain, Levin Time: 5.30pm Date: Friday 13 November Who: New Zealand Heartland XV v Australian Barbarians Venue: Cooks Gardens, Wanganui Time: 6.00pm
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Hi Brett I would suggest that young Ben Hyne from Brisbane City will get a gong in a super side when he gets back from touring. He looks like he is going places. Nice young man and well deserved recognition for his season. Even though he is in the 2nd row I believe he will make a great 6 or 8 when he matures. I've watched him since he was a little bloke and he has that ingredient that will get him places a bit of mongrel. Plays for Brothers and looks and plays like the best mongrel that there was Tony Shaw, the exception being that Tony doesn't have hair these days, however when he was captain of the Wallabies in his early days he had long flowing locks, hard to believe I know. Young Ben Hyne is the same type of player hard on the ball and fairly mobile for a big bloke