To wrap up another sensational season of the National Rugby Championship, the only thing really left to do is drop some names.
The are the guys who have come out of the 2017 NRC ready to take their game to the next level in Super Rugby.
And yes, there will be some liberties taken here today. Some of these guys have played Super Rugby already, some of them haven’t and still might not in 2018. But I reckon the vast majority absolutely will.
The obvious starting point is the champion Queensland Country side, who in taking out the 2017 tournament, finished with the leading try-scorer, the leading points-scorer, the Player of the Final, and even though I’m still not sure how this was a different person, the Player of the Season. (And I promise no more about that.)
Filipo Daugunu scored 13 tries for the season, which is a pretty decent strike rate for ten games. Except that he didn’t play ten games, he only played eight, not featuring in the first two games while Izaia Perese started on the right wing. It wasn’t until Round 4 we got our first look at Daugunu, and for defending teams, what they mainly saw about him was the no.14 on his jersey as he ran away to score yet another try.
So, 13 tries in eight games, but a streak of ten tries in his first four games. We hadn’t heard of him until Round 4, yet by Round 8, he’d been unveiled as a Queensland Reds recruit. The 13 tries included two hat-tricks – and one of them in the final against Canberra – and four against the Greater Sydney Rams in Round 7.
He’s a great finisher, of that there is no doubt, but with a background in football, he has a more than useful kicking game, including at goal. If the Reds can create the space for him next year, he’ll do the rest.
James Tuttle is a bit of a known quantity, having displaced Nick Frisby in the Reds no.9 in 2017, and the promise he’s already showing was undoubtedly a major reason why the Reds couldn’t – or wouldn’t – make room for Will Genia. But Tuttle’s play during the NRC showed a new level of maturity, and control, and though there were plenty of flashier or more explosive players getting the headlines for Country, there weren’t too many more important that their scrumhalf.
(Photo by Jason O’Brien/Getty Images)
Tuttle finished with 103 points from his NRC campaign, including 40/55 conversions. Still only 21, he’s got a surprising amount of senior experience under his belt now, and promisingly for Reds fans, he’s playing like it.
Duncan Paia’aua is even more of a known quantity, and doesn’t need much more written about him here. What will be fascinating to see next year is whether he starts becoming more of a focus in attack for the Reds, popping up at first receiver a la Kurtley Beale for the Waratahs. And given he’s already worn the Wallabies no.10, this might be an interesting test of the cordiality and co-operation between state and national programs.
Caleb Timu has a huge opportunity to lock down the Reds blindside or no.8 starting position next season, with doubt around Hendrick Tui’s status for 2018. Having already played the two seasons allowed for foreign marquee players, you’d have to think it a long shot that any dispensation for Tui would be allowed, given the emergence of a player like Timu, and with Scott Higginbotham still contracted for 2018.
Timu was a bit of a slow-burn during the NRC, really only getting the headlines in the last few weeks of the competition, but they were certainly headlines worth reading. He averaged around ten carries and ten tackle attempts per game, for more than three metres per carry, and an 85 per cent tackling success rate. And if he’s shone like this after just a few months with Brad Thorn, imagine his possible impact and output after a full off-season.
Then there’s Taniela Tupou, who didn’t pick up any awards per se, but did run over blokes for fun. By the end of the NRC season, and particularly that semi-final display against the Fijian Drua, his schoolboy YouTube clips were playing out for real.
(Image: Sportography)
More importantly, his scrummaging is showing real signs of promise, even if he did get a bit of a touch-up in the first half of the Final. He gets a lot of a credit for the way Country were able to claw their way back into the scrum contest in the second half, and it’s actually a shame he won’t get to work with Mario Ledesma from a Wallabies perspective going forward. Let’s hope the next national scrum coach reads from the same page.
From the Canberra side of the final, Rob Valetini must be short odds to debut in Round 1 next season for the Brumbies. The former Melbourne schoolboy had an incredible campaign at with the back of the scrum or on the blindside, with an impressive work-rate, a more than useful breakdown presence, and a surprisingly athletic attacking game. He reminds me so much of Isi Naisarani this time last year, and we all know what kind of season he had in 2017.
The Naisarani-Valetini combination is more than a bit mouth-watering for Brumbies fans, especially when you lob the David Pocock cherry in on top, but I wouldn’t rule Vikings skipper Tom Cusack out of the mix either.
Cusack was a surprise packet for a lot of people this NRC season, especially for those who hadn’t seen a lot of his transition back to XVs after four years in the Australian Sevens set-up. Only 24, but with a wealth of worldly experience already, I’m sure Cusack will add to his two Super Rugby caps in 2018.
Some wildcards to finish: I’ll be really interested to watch how the Melbourne Jacks, McGregor and Maddocks develop under Dave Wessels in 2018. Maddocks has already had a taste of Super Rugby, but I reckon it won’t be long until McGregor does too.
And likewise, I’ll be interested to see how the Waratahs manage the development of Mack Mason and Maclean Jones. Both looked more than comfortable at NRC level, and deserving of Super Rugby game time in 2018.
So that’s a wrap on the NRC for 2017. It turns out that knocking sound I’ve been hearing for a few weeks now is the sound of leather on willow.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I certainly don't see a future Elsom, am hoping for a future Fardy but he needs to toughen up significantly. Have long thought Dempsey is a 7 but we have such strong contenders for the role through Pocock, Hooper, Gill, McMahon, Fainga'a, Hardwick and Dempsey himself that it is no surprise players are challenging for other positions or finding their opportunities elsewhere.
Fionn
Guest
I agree with most of that. I guess we will have to wait and see on Hanigan. He has a good attitude and tries hard, but I just don't see this future Elsom that many seem to see. I see a future Dean Mumm or a future Rob Simmons. The problem is that he is so much shorter than them and thus will not be as good in the line out and scrum. The problem with the Dempsey + Hooper + either Hanigan or Holloway is that, while Dempsey and Hooper are individually good and very good players they're both on the small, light side for their position. Them + Hanigan together equals a back-row that is less than the same of the parts to me. I don't think you want 3 light, mobile back-rowers. Nick Bishop spoke about how Dempsey would probably be shifted to 7 if he played in England. I think that is the way the game is going and he will simply be a bit too small to really compete with 6s like Valetini or Haylett-Petty or Timu/Higgers. Anyway, only time will tell. Having the hamstring ripped off the bone sounds horrible and I wish him the best. However, he needs some serious S and C work. He and Holloway have been injured far too much far too young.
Train Without A Station
Guest
He’d already played 3 seasons and the ARU limits imports to 2. I think because he missed all of 2015 with a broken leg they allowed the Reds to sign him for 2017.
Cynical Play
Guest
medication time Marto.
Jacky
Guest
Nothing wrong with Simmons
Nate
Guest
Kepu Latu Robertson/Ryan Hannigan Simmons Dempsey Hooper Holloway Gordon Foley ? Simone Folau Naiyaravoro Beale
jeznez
Roar Guru
If Dempsey is out for the season that is a big blow. Initial reports were three to four months but I thought reading it at the time it seemed a little short. The Tahs certainly don't have the depth of other squads in the position but their open side is top drawer. If Dempsey makes it back then they have another very strong member. Hanigan - just needs a couple months off to rip into the gym and then we'll see how he goes. Particularly playing alongside the other two we just need him to turn into a ruck monkey to go with his cover defence and lineout work. A big improvement at scrum time is needed as well. Am particularly worried by all this talk that Hanigan could be shifted to lock - his scrummaging is weak at flank and is potentially a disaster in the 2nd row. Holloway is actually a better lock option as he is heavier, older and taller - but he too would be small for the position. And he like Dempsey just needs to get himself injury free. Hopefully they are just keeping us on tenterhooks before announcing they are signing Coleman. (ideally on a massive ARU top up to infuriate all the Tah haters out there! :D ) I'm scared to say it (hope I don't jinx him) but one nod for Hanigan is that he so far has been very durable. He might not be winning contact but he certainly isn't shirking it. Hooper too is a highly durable player. These guys have big motors and the ability to stay on the park which is not to be sneezed at.
Nate
Guest
12 Simon 13 folks 15 bele
sheek
Guest
Really PK? "Should be NSW Country and Sydney City, fixes any tribalism and alignment issues". Again, really? And where do the NSW Country players come from? Sydney, just as almost every Qld Country player comes from a Brisbane premier rugby club. The logic is truly baffling. Why don't we just name the NRC teams after the planets, since very few players actually come from the region they're supposed to be representing.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Not a single WA Pindan Cup player mentioned from the many who played for the Spirit. As they've had their pathway to the top destroyed (and now all the infrastructure that supported the team) it's probably not surprising.
Fionn
Guest
Jeznez, I actually agree that the back-row isn't too bad at all, I think every team's back-row is decent. That said, I do think that it is probably relatively the weakest, especially if what is said about Dempsey needing 12 months off is true.
jeznez
Roar Guru
replacing comment as can see you lads have had the argument below
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Dunno Cam, dropping Cooper to make way for Stewart? I still think Cooper is one of the 2 best 10s in Aus SR (I'm deliberately skirting the X vs Y debate ...). I've only seen a bit of Stewart, in a couple of the U20 WC games and the last 2 NRCs, so I'm hardly well-educated, but I didn't see him look anything more than "steady" and "promising". And has he got the tools to play 15? DP is still learning the ropes, a full-time shift to 10 could be a stretch for him in 2018. The Reds will score a lot more tries with QC at 10 I reckon.
Marto
Guest
So why does Chuckles pick him as starting lock Neil.. HUH ??
Marto
Guest
Mr Play , When he was in Red he was a hopeless tackler and a weakling in contact . Right ?? He`ll play 200 tests now he wears baby blue ...
Buk
Guest
Thanks for your various blurbs on the NRC, Brett, much appreciated. Don't get to see any of it over here in kiwiland, except patches on u tube after the event. Loved the result (Queensland Country) & Thorn's emergence as a successful coach Hope it does not prove to be a false dawn for Queensland Super Rugby.
JP
Guest
I heard from insiders that Dempsey is out for 12 months -Hamstring Tendon torn form bone.Similar injury to James Horwill in 2010.Doubt if Jack will be playing in 2018 Brett.
John R
Roar Guru
I get the feeling that Hore has been given heavy cost cutting mandates from the board, so the lack of recruitment, and Gibson being put back on the tools as defence coach is more an austerity measure than anything else.
John R
Roar Guru
Tahs have signed Tom Staniforth from the Brumbies at lock as well. As Piru put it so beautifully some time ago, still too many 'skinny white wimps' (LOL) in the pack. A far cry from the TPN, Kepu, Skelton, Potgieter, Palu days.
Damo
Guest
Great summary Brett. I think the fact that we are having such animated and positive discussions on the back end of the NRC season says much about the competition's progress and value. I've been very interested in the progress of Hamish Stewart this year as well. He is not the finished arrticle but he has to take a fair bit of credit for the performance of Country's backline. If you watch him you can see he is making a lot of good decisions on the run. He also seems to love contact, with the ball in hand and defensively. Even though the Australians didn't do so well I think his time on the Under 20's campaign was good for his confidence. I guess he has a bit of problem in 2018 to actually get a start in the Reds 15 because he really is a 10, and just maybe 12. I guess we will see- I just hope it doesn't lead to a move offshore.