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.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="1138 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=1138">25 Comments
The only one I’d disagree with JC is Hoiles. I thought ‘Houston We Have a Problem’ had a storming game at No 8 for the Reds, despite them being overshadowed by the Bulls forwards. I guess they play a different type of game with Hoiles a bit looser out wide…Leroy, like all good bro’s, likes the body contact and Maori side-step.
Did you see that article in the SMH magazine yesterday about Baxter’s wife….not only does she share his IQ…is she hot…or what? Come on baby light my fuse!
I was going to put in Leroy but thought better of it as Gagger would have burnt me for being too parochial.
Is Le Fuse’s wife hot?….he is the ultimate quite achiever isn’t he
Looks like Le Fuse has something we don’t know about…..and it is obviously a bit better than his scrummaging ability! I jest on the latter as he did finally step up against Sheridan and co on the last tour. In fact, I agree with you re his performance yesterday against the Canes, although I suspect his performance with his wife is a lot more satisfying…….
From what I saw, Leroy looked pretty good . Haven’t seen Brumbies game yet. Just managed to finish downloading down here on the beach!
Leroy is quite often good but rarely great, a failing that will never see him progress beyond Super 14 I suspect
PS Knuckles Connelly must have been ‘doing a Walshy’ when he wrote today’s ‘Rugby Heaven’ website column for the SMH. ‘Julian Selby’ (Julian Salvi) and Tim Herbert (Dan Herbert) were two notable inclusions…….
Knuckles is a mad punter so it sounds as if he had an each-way bet with Tim Herbert, as for Julian Selby, I suspect Knuckles may have had too much altar wine at last night’s mass.
Extraordinary stuff, link below
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/looking-for-their-golden-opportunity/2009/02/14/1234028348795.html?page=2
No arguments with your ratings Juan, agree with all of them
However others my find what I’ve got below interesting.
Below is the Aussie team of the week using foxsports points scoring system and moving players into the positions they can/did line up in. (note a tie for the 2nd lock position)
Its amazing how under represented the Tah’s are, maybe foxsports takes off 10 points if you’re gay. In any case, Go Dean MUMM!
Team of the Week Team Points
1. Guy Shepherdson BR 15
2. Stephen Moore BR 40
3. Adam Whalley WF 17
4. Mark Chisholm BR 24
5. Van Humphries QR 20
5. Dean Mumm WT 20
6. Richard Brown WF 31
7. David Pocock WF 31
8. Leroy Houston QR 26
9. Ben Lucas QR 11
10. Matt Giteau WF 24
11. Digby Ioane QR 38
12. Stirling Mortlock BR 31
13. Ashley-Cooper BR 25
14. Peter Hynes QR 31
15. Mark Gerrard BR 34
Bobas’s last blog post..Nil All, Good For Qualifying, Bad for Spectators.
Maybe Mexted was doing the scoring for Foxsports in the Tahs v Wellington game. Astounding that Tahs players didn’t dominate.
rating system doesn’t seem too holistic, I prefer going off your thoughts Juan, so long as you watched every match. I saw the whole brumbies one and most of the tahs and force, but only the highlights of the reds.
in that points system
Ioane got 11 tackles bust from 10 runs with the ball.
and Giteau got a point for winning a lineout…
i thought phibbs had a better game then LB. LB has such a poor passing game.
Also Christian L for brumbies. nice stuff
Phibbs looked a little slow, I saw him put through a hole by the forewards off a lineout 2 metres away and ended up having the hole closed by two big guys and they had a tea party waiting for him to hurry up and try and run through it.
Phibbs ended up in a ruck still 2 metres away from the line then GSmith took it to 30cms away then Mortlock hit and spun for his 2nd try of the night.
Bobas’s last blog post..Nil All, Good For Qualifying, Bad for Spectators.
The SMH have released their team of the week. 8 Tahs in their team, How Sam NN beat Gerrardo is a mystery to me.
15 Sam Norton-Knight (NSW) (1)
14 Digby Ioane(Qld) (1)
13 Rob Horne (NSW) (1)
12 Stirling Mortlock (ACT) (1)
11 Lote Tuqiri(NSW) (1)
10 Christian Lealiifano (ACT) (1)
9 Patrick Phibbs (ACT) (1)
8 Leroy Houston(Qld) (1)
7 Phil Waugh (NSW) (1)
6 Julian Salvi (ACT) (1)
5 Dean Mumm (NSW) (1)
4 Mark Chisholm(ACT) (1)
3 Al Baxter (NSW) (1)
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW) (1)
1 Benn Robinson (NSW) (1)
Is the Growden’s handy-work or was aided and abetted by someone?
Regardless, clearly, he/they didn’t watch the Force v Blues game.
Good old SMH. I am surprised they put 2 Qlders in there, normally they only choose one, just to appear as though they are being impartial.
In therms of the front row. Squeaky Moore for sure, is the pick of the rakes, but Robinson and Baxter? Hmm, i think they performed admirable, but remember, the Canes front row is by no means, AB first XV stuff, Tialata keeps getting dropped for his Set piece work, yes Robnson and baxter are consistently performing (at least last year) at Wallaby level.
No the courage under fire award goes to the Brumbies Bookends. Who in a see-sawing affair, made up for the 20 odd kilo deficit (yes i exaggerate a little) to nullify the Highlanders dominance of the set piece and offer the Brumbies the chance to launch raids from stable pill form teh base of the scrum.
Mowey played well thats for sure. And definitely if over his injury ravaged early years, could be the solution to everyones panic over Rocky Horror going north. I dont know what Mowey is wieghing in at this year, but if he has put on some more weight, he will be able to match it with Rocky Horrors intensity and the Tahs, would be surpsied at what little they have given up letting Rock-star go.
Hoiles will be the form 8 of the Super season for Australian Teams, BUT, he wont find himself the Aus 8. If however he plays well enogh and MAdness McMenimen stays of fhte field for injries, look for hoiles to possibly fill the 6/8 spot. He was originally a 6 in his younger days.
How can Phil be picked in front of Pocock??? IF anyone watched the Force game, without him they would have been beaten by 50! TPN in front of Moore?? Gimme a break!!!!
i feel your angst Davey. remember, it IS the SMH. The piece of journalistic trash that was founded by people who still feel the entire eastern seaboard should be named NSW.
TPN should at the moment, be playing park football somewhere, he is playing with all the skills and touch of a lemon. Ferocity maybe, but please, he is part of the teams spine (2,8,9,10,15)…show some SKILLS son.
I agree that TPN, Waugh and SNN are all impressive bits of one-sidedeness.
THe difference with FoxSports is amazing, although how Horne got overlooked is hard to understand.
Also, on a positive note, really nearly all the front-rows did decently and the Tahs and Brumbies did excellently.
I can’t wait for Highlanders v Hurricanes to sort out who really did better :)
Also I can’t wait for Bulls v Blues.
Horne’s Foxsports Points
Total points 17
Area Amount Points
Minutes played 80 +2
Tries 1 +5
Runs 6 +6
Tackles bust 4 +4
Offloads 2 +2
Linebreaks 2 +6
Tackles made 2 +2
Tackles missed 4 -8
Long arm penalties 1 -2
Gsmith missed 4 tackles too but ended up with 22 made tackles not 2.
2/6 tackles is pretty bad in outside centre.
Had he not missed those tackle or got that penalty foxsports would have said he had a better game than AAC.
AAC 25 points
Minutes played 80 +2
Tries 1 +5
Runs 5 +5
Tackles bust 5 +5
Linebreaks 1 +3
Tackles made 11 +11
Tackles missed 3 -6
Oh come on; the Hurricanes front row is rubbish.
Leg Break’s last blog post..Devastated
I think by the end of this year you might be phrasing that comment more broadly LB :)
Bobas, fair point on Horne.
Mortlock really had a helluva game, didn’t he? Proved again why he is my favorite Wallaby player.
Nursedude’s last blog post..A Clever Lion
Planet Rugby’s Team of the Week.
It’s back! As promised, the Super 14 Team of the Week returns after last year’s absence had a fair share of disgruntled readers wondering when the tournament’s weekly top performers would once again grace this website.
The competition kicked off with a roar and a hiss with the nine-try thriller in Dunedin dishing out two of Planet-Rugby’s Super XV for 2009. The physical South African derby between the Stormers and Sharks shows the latter producing the majority of players in our line-up with five in all.
The rest of the teams weren’t far behind, meaning there is quite a mixed bag of players showing their worth from different franchises – just what we like to see…
15 Stefan Terblanche (Sharks): No spring chicken, the veteran full-back showed us once again that at 33-years of age, he still has the cool head and priceless experience to see his team through. Sealed the deal with a try for his side ten minutes from time.
14 Digby Ioane (Reds): The Wallabies winger was a shining light for the beaten Reds, producing the best try of the match with a 53-metre solo effort that included a jink, a weave and express pace. It was one of many excellent moments for Ioane, who, like so many other novices, used last season’s end-of-season Wallabies tour to show that he is of Test standard.
13 Rob Horne (Waratahs): Try-scorer, playmaker, hard in defence -this kid is going places. There was an air of calmness about the teen sensation as he managed to fend off the best efforts of the Hurricanes with a try in the corner that proved to be the difference between the two sides.
12 Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies): Showed once again just why he’s rated so highly. A class act for all to see, Mortlock was unstoppable as he powered over for two tries from close range (taking his Super Rugby try tally to 51) and was responsible for putting team-mate Mark Gerrard away for the Brumbies’ fourth-try bonus point.
11 Henno Mentz (Lions): A promising start for the Sharks discard, looking to rectify his career with the Lions. He is big, extremely fast and has an eye for the chalkdust as he proved against the Cheetahs. His swerve and angle of running means he can beat his opponent one on one with relative ease.
10 Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies): Showed admirable composure for such an untested performer, set up the Brumbies’ third try and struck the match-winning drop-goal for his team on the stroke of full-time. Faced some stiff competition though from Peter Grant, Matt Giteau and Kurtley Beale.
9 Rory Kockott (Sharks): The Sharks’ ace produced a match-winning performance against the Stormers, and put his hand up yet again for Springbok contention. Kockott was handed the kicking responsibilities early in the second half, and didn’t disappoint nailing all of them while also setting up John Smit and Terblanche for the Sharks’ five-pointers.
8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks): Devastating on attack while calm and composed when the pressure was on, the Sharks number eight’s game-breaking skills came to the fore once again with barnstorming runs that kept a capacity crowd on their feet throughout. Any urgency that he exhibited was purely in a controlled measure of his ability to wait for the right moments and strike with a combination of brute force and deft handling.
7 Juan Smith (Cheetahs): The inspirational skipper kept the misfiring Cheetahs in the hunt by leading with example, threatening a number of times with some spectacular forward play. The forward might of Smith ensured momentum, however it wasn’t quite enough to save his team from an opening defeat.
6 Phil Waugh (Waratahs): Quite literally sweated blood, sweat and tears for the Waratahs against the Hurricanes and was a prominent figure in attack and – even more so – on defence. Held his team together admirably, to fend off a last-gasp fightback from the home side.
5 Anthony Boric (Blues): The Blues lock showed against the Western Force exactly what New Zealand coach Graham Henry saw in him a year ago that led to his All Blacks debut – composure, power and ball-handling skills that ultimately led to a crucial touchdown for the party poopers in Perth.
4 Adriaan Fondse (Stormers): In a match dominated by massive clashes and collisions, there was no holding back from the Stormers’ lock who showed he can mix it with the very best – even if it was on the losing side.
3 Jannie du Plessis: The in and out of favour World Cup-winning Springbok directed the Sharks’ scrum with ease, exposing the Stormers’ rawness up front. Disciplined and determined, Du Plessis continues to get through his work with a minimum of fuss.
2 John Smit: With the Sharks down by ten points, Smit showed superior fitness and composure at hooker before being shifted to prop with the arrival of Bismark du Plessis. Demonstrated remarkable tenacity under pressure to fight back with a try that sparked the Sharks revival.
1 Heinke van der Merwe: Once again stood out with his powerful scrumming. Not only did he secure two scrum turnovers late in the final 10 minutes, but he destroyed two Cheetahs tighthead props in Bees Roux and Cobus Calldo.
Planet Rugby’s Super XV: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Stirling Mortlock, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Phil Waugh, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
i can agree with that
i like. I especially like the recognition of Peter Grant and Fondse in teh tight 5, and there is no doubt those Aussies, deserve their spot on the list. horne was explosive (i watched the tahs game agin last ngiht and have to agree, he was strong), Diggers was solid and the only threat in a misfiring reds outfit, and Morty well he has his 3rd wind doesnt he this year, he will look to cement his spot as a wallaby regular, rather than risk being the old guy who is at the downward turn of his career