Australian Super 14 Team of week 1

1. Benn Robinson (Tahs) – Worked hard all game and ended up dominating the much lauded ‘Canes front row

2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies) – Proved the form he displayed on the end of season Wallaby tour was no flash in the pan with strong scrummaging, solid line-out throwing and plenty of ball carries

3. Al Baxter (Tahs) – Played the entire game which is rare for a tight head, looks like he might be the real thing finally

4. Dean Mumm (Tahs) – Ran the line-out and was everywhere around the field, the fact NZ commentators were claiming him as ‘New Zuland’ born proves he went well

5. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies) – like Stephen Moore, has benefited greatly from his time under Maestro Deans plus a truth session with Melon Finnegan

6. Ben Mowen (Tahs) – Rocky who?, if he has beaten his injury curse he will be a great find for the Tahs

7. David Pocock (Force) – Outstanding in a beaten team, carried the Force who would have lost by more had he not been on the field

8. Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies) – Didn’t really set the world alight but then again none of the number eights did either.

9. Luke Burgess (Tahs) – Best of a bad bunch, none of the Aussie half-backs played particularly well but Burgo gets the nod because he made fewer mistakes than the others

10. Gits (Force) – He does everything well all the time, just shaded Portley who gets and honourable mention.

11. Digby Ioane (Reds) – Must be a contender for hardest man to tackle in the Super 14 as he breaks so many tackles and was far more involved than last year.

12. Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies) – Enjoying a renaissance and proving that old dogs can be taught new tricks, the pass he threw to set up Gerrard’s try was a pearler

13. Rob Horne (Tahs) – no sign of second year syndrome here, has put on weight since last year but importantly has still maintained his pace. Shut down Nonu who was replaced with 20 mins to go.

14. Francis Fainifo (Brumbies) – Always looked dangerous with ball in hand and did plenty of work at the back, not a ‘name’ player but backing up last year’s efforts with a good first up performance

15. Mark Gerrard (Brumbies) – Looked great running from deep into a Brumbies backline that was humming, if only he had more pace he would be the Wallaby full-back for sure.