Round Two of the NRC produced heaps more tries across the four games, a couple of upsets, and some cracking individual performances. Here is the GAGR NRC Team of Week Two.
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1. Haydn Hirsimaki (QLD Country) – 2 weeks in the team
For the second week in a row, ‘Schmacki’ was the cornerstone of a wonderful QLD Country scrumming performance. One again his team suffered a loss, however Haydn gets his second ‘Team of the Week’ Cap. Not just for his scrummaging either, as Hisimacki tackled tirelessly in a hell of a tiring game.[/one_third]
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2. James Hanson (Sydney Stars) – 2
Chibba Hanson once again stood out across the park for the Stars this week past, up against many of his former Reds team mates. Hanson was a real handful ball in hand, throwing the last (forward) pass for an early try, and generally being a strong presence across the park. His reward is a trip to Chi-town as part of the wider Wallaby training squad.[/one_third]
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3. Jermaine Ainsley (Perth Spirit) – 1
The rugged Ainsley gets his NRC TOTW debut this week after a powerful all round performance in the Spirit’s first home loss of the season. Whilst the Spirit were run over by the Rays, the Perth team’s scrum was once again a weapon with the kiwi born Ainsley at the forefront of it. Ainsley JUST get’s the spot from Sam Talakai of Brisbane City who was very good v the Rising.
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4. Cadeyrn Neville (Brisbane City) – 1
New Reds’ signing Neville proved he was ‘someone’ with a busy game against his former team mates, and his work rate was integral in City successfully challenging for the Horan Little Shield. Dominant in the line out, Cadeyrn was also prominent at the ruck and was rewarded with a try in the 2nd half.[/one_third]
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5. Ned Hanigan (NSW Country) – 2
Another very busy performance by the young gun Hanigan, for the defeated Eagles, was enough to secure him back to back TOTW selections. Hanigan’s robust play is definitely getting noticed by the fans, and is sure to be equally talked about by elite coaches. The Tahs surely have a plan for him next year considering their number of departing players. [/one_third]
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6. Dave Dennis (Sydney Stars) – 2
Dennis is another, like Stars team mate James Hanson, who some thought was unlucky to miss a Wallaby RWC spot. Like Hanson, though, Dennis has been able to funnel his disappointment into another team in yellow (or Australian Gold) in the Sydney Stars. Dennis was a key player in his pack’s hard and fast approach on Thursday night when they created havoc in QLD Country’s defensive line. Jordy Reid from the Rising deserves a mention for a relentless showing v Brisbane.[/one_third]
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7. David Hickey (Sydney Stars) – 1
As a Queensland fan, Stars skipper David was like most hickies – pretty hard to miss and a bloody annoying. The man was just everywhere. With fellow TOTWer Dave Dennis, the Stars physicality in attack through the pack caused no end of problems for the QLD Country outfit. Scored a crucial try early in the first half, but was busy all game. Boyd Killingworth from the Rays was very close to snagging this spot for his strong showing in the west. [/one_third]
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8. Ita Vaea (UC Vikings) – 1
Last year Ita Vaea used the NRC, playing for NSW Country, to prove he was over a career threatening illness to pick up a renewed contract with the Brumbies. Ironically, making his debut for the Vikings this year, he came in like a wrecking ball against his former team at a usually peaceful Woollahra on Saturday. Strong runs, big metres and massive hits – that’s what we love from our 8-men.
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9. Josh Holmes (North Harbour Rays) – 1
The experienced Josh Holmes and his team mates flew to Perth very much the underdogs after a first round loss to the Stars. The Rays bounced back though and downed the Spirit convincingly with no small thanks to Josh Holmes. Holmes was busy across the park, as all NRC 9s must be, but it was his control and his enthusiasm that proved decisive for his team’s win.
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10. Sam Greene (Queensland Country) – 1
The Reds are busy looking for a replacement flyhalf for Quade Cooper next year. They’ve locked two youngsters up, in Jake McIntyre and Greene and the performance of the Country flyhalf this week would have given Reds fans some confidence. In a losings side he kicked effectively, set up his outside men and scored a smart try. His willingness to stand flat and take on the line was perhaps the most pleasing aspect of his play. Meanwhile, Jono Lance was again very good for the Eagles.
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11. Iziah Perese (Queensland Country) – 1
The Reds are supposedly set to sign two current NRL wingers. The question that must be asked is simply, “why?” Why, when we have talent such as this teenage sensation who has stood out in his both his NRC matches this year. His performance v the Stars showed enough for this lowly fan to suggest he is Super Rugby level already. Fast, strong and seemingly smart. Pretty valuable commodities for wingers. Bloody rare in 18 year olds. Between him and Gibbon, of Brisbane City, I reckon the Reds have two pretty damn good rugby wingers ready to go now. [/one_third]
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12. Lloyd Johansson (Melbourne Rising) – 1
The big LoJo came pretty close to getting the 12 jersey in last week’s TOTW, after a powerful game against QLD Country. Well his claims couldn’t be denied this week after he backed it up with another strong showing, this time against Brisbane City. The former Wallaby has proven to be a real go forward man for his team and sure he’s using his bulk, but some deft footwork is also helping. Managed to keep on top of Samu Kerevi this week, at least for the first half.
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13. Nigel Ah-Wong (UC Vikings) – 1
There is no doubting that Nigel Ah-Wong is a super talented rugby player. He was a long time star with the Sunnybank club in Brisbane and made the Reds squad as a backrower. But after seeing him clock 40m times faster than the backs, coach of the time Ewen McKenzie considered playing him in the backs. And that’s where the Vikings are getting their worth out of him with a barnstorming game from Nigel on the weekend more of the same that he produced in the 2014 NRC. Next step – doing it at Super Rugby level. [/one_third]
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14. Harry Jones (Sydney Stars) – 2
The Stars are blessed with a couple of flyers out wide, unfortunately a bad injury to Henry Clunies-Ross v Country, may have robbed them off one. On the other wing, however, Jones continues to shine with his class and speed. Having time on your hands is normally a claim to be made of a flyhalf or scrumhalf, not of a winger. But it’s something Jones seems to possess as he demonstrated in a beautifully taken try against QLD Country. Time and space. Wonderful to watch.[/one_third]
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15. Tom Kingston (Sydney Stars) – 1
Whilst the Stars pack was strong, and the aforementioned Jones classy, Tom Kingston put in a Man of the Match performance for his team in their FOX SPORTS broadcast game last Thursday night. Settling in to the fullback spot very handily, Kingston proved dangerous every time he managed to get his hands on the ball at Leichhardt Oval. Kingston has always had a lot of promise and will be hoping for repeat showings to secure a new contract for next year.
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