Here the top XV Aussies players for round 1 2015
The Green and Gold best XV is out, some choices were no brainers, for other ones we had a bit of a debate, the verdict is out, open for comments, as usual.
Our first row is dominated by the Brumbies, as well as the midfield, but it is not only the ACT that shine in the ideal Aussie XV. In the second and third rows players from both surprise winners, the Force and Rebels, make their mark. At flyhalf Mike Harris at his first start with the Melburninans gets the nod from GAGR, despite having started as fullback.
No Reds have been chosen, however someone smartly suggested Big Kev as a Brumbies MVP, and Rob Horne, is demand to be the only Waratah to deserve the honour.
[one_third last=”no”]
1 Scott Sio
(Brumbies) Very solid game from Scott Sio, never caught unprepared by the Reds’ forwards.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
2 Josh Mann-Rea
(Brumbies) The veteran picked up from where he left off last season, a confident no frills performance that gave stability and precision to the Brumbies set pieces, before handing the position back to Stephen Moore.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
3 Ben Alexander
(Brumbies) As with Josh and Scott, Ben was instrumental in creating the platform for the Brumbies backs and never gave up.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
4 Luke Jones
(Rebels) A beacon in the line out, Jonsey played a solid game in Christchurch. He was also very quick to help out the back row against some legends of the game from the Crusaders’ jersey.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
5 Lopeti Timani
(Rebels) Awarded not just for the first try of the 2015 season, but mainly for his constant efforts in the ruck and the solid partnership with Jones.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
6 Angus Cottrell
(Force) A close call, Sean McMahon (Rebels) played very well as well, but the yellow card, although not fully deserved, may had cost his team the spot in the Team of the Week. Cottrell gets the nod not just for his try, but mostly for the number of opponents he managed to take out of contest.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
7 David Pocock
(Brumbies) The captain is back and firing on all cylinders, his leadership and quick movements put the Reds on the back foot.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
8 Ben McCalman
(Force) He dominated the lose forwards contest at Allianz Stadium in a man of the round performance for Force’s first round 1 victory in 10 years.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
9 Nic White
(Brumbies) Excellent kick in open play, White has showed pace and vision, his passes to the backs where always precise and timely. The Brumbies have to thank him for Tomane’s try at the end of the first half, first for his precise kick for touch, second for his pass to Coleman.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
10 Mike Harris
(Rebels) He should have played at fullback, but Jack Debreczeni’s injury forced him to move to flyhalf. A successful move for the Rebels, Harris orchestrated the team well and most of all gave them important points from the boot to hold on in the last 10.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
11 Rob Horne
(Waratahs) Even in a team disaster, a winger does what he have to, he scores try. Horne showed legs and movements that reminded us of his last ditch try against South Africa in Perth. He earned his position in the Team of the Week.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
12 Christian Leali’ifano
(Brumbies) Finally back on track with the boot, Leali’ifano has demonstrated all his value. In open contact he was a constant reminder to Karmichael Hunt of the physicality of the code.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
13 Tevita Kuridrani
(Brumbies) A bag of one try and one try assist for the powerful centre, he too, was very physical in the contacts with union’s recruit Hunt.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
14 Luke Morahan
(Force) The move west hasn’t damaged the speedy Morahan, the Force supporters are waiting to see him forming a deadly duo with the Honey Badger.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
15 Robbie Coleman
(Brumbies) The competition for the jersey number 15 at the Brumbies is tougher, with Robbie starting the season on a high.[/one_third]
