Here it is – the G&GR writers’ Super Rugby team of the week for round 5.
The Brumbies, Waratahs and the Rebels had wins whilst the Reds and Force lost but who made the team of the week?
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1. Allan Alaalatoa
The Brumbies scrum started a little slowly but the finished on top. As they did everywhere else. Allan was a big part of that.
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2. Stephen Moore
One of the old men of Australian rugby was at the top of his game. The lineout move for Pococks try was a thing of beauty.
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3. Greg Holmes
Drove a wedge through the heart of the Waratahs scrum. Sent one of the Tah’s looseheads to the naughty chair. One of the only highlights for the Reds in the match.
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4. Sam Carter
Worked hard all night for the Brumbies. contributed at scrum time and lineout too. Honourable mention to Steve Mafi who had a blinder but isn’t eligible for Aussie selection.
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5. Luke Jones
The Rebels v Force game was loose but Jones did the hard stuff and kept going all night.
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6. Scott Fardy
The old men are everywhere this week. The Brumbies back row dominated Fardy did what we know he can. Just about everything. [/one_third]
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7. Michael Hooper
A tough selection as David Pocock was right up there. But he lost points for his penalties and yellow card. I put Hooper’s name up and no one argued.
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8. Jed Holloway
Impressive on debut. Big and rangy he made metres in the loose and worked in the tight.
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9. Nick Phipps
Phipps was a huge part of the blitzkrieg the Waratahs threw at the Reds in the first half hour. He was the second man in to tie up the ball on Beale’s try saver and Legal or not it made the difference.
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10. Kurtley Beale
In most weeks the game Christian Lealiifano would have waltzed in to this spot but Kurtley had a blinder. Put his body on the line and ran the attack with aplomb.
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11. Joe Tomane
Power and speed! There is a lot to like about Tomane.
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12. Matt Toomua
This is where we ran into trouble. There were three guys who had good games this week. Ever reliable Mitch Inman from the Rebels and David Horwitz from the Waratahs. Finally after a game of Rock, Paper, Scissor, Lizard, Spock Toomua got the gong.
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13. Tevita Kuridrani
Caused nightmares all night. His running lines are something to behold, challenging the opposition defence every time he touches the ball.
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14. Henry Speight
Yet another Brumby but what do you expect after such a dominant display? His closest competitor was Matt Carraro from the Waratahs [/one_third]
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15. Reece Hodge
What a night! Named on the wing but moved to fullback after the late withdrawal of Debrezceni. 30 minutes in replacement fly half Mike Harris goes down and he finds himself at flyhalf. He ends up scoring 20 of the the Rebels 25 points and kicks the ball a mile. G&GR Player of the Week.
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