A pretty big weekend for sports fans, an Aussie won a Grand Prix amongst underdog grand final victories across the codes, the Wallabies were shit against a terrible Springboks side, and there was some wind affected NRC that was full of surprises. I've nominated some key performances of potential and signed Tahs for 2017.
After another sizeable investment in my local Dan Murphy's I watched first versus last game setting up the man cave for the first day of invaders, so part of the review isn't too specific. For starters though, Paddy Ryan didn't impress on either side of the scrum, struggling against the Tongan Thor and not featuring around the park as I had hoped to see. I guess Fletcher Dyson and David Fitter also played up front for the Wallabies, he's got plateaued written all over him though he's still good enough for a Super Rugby matchday 23 when you consider Tilse's long career.
Tim Buchanan didn't get much good ball at the lineout as Clarrie Moore struggled to hit the target, and was outmuscled at the breakdown by big QLD Country boys Taniela and Thorn. Even Ned Hanigan, Sam Figg and Rohan Perry weren't at their best as the NSW Country pack struggled to dominate as they've done in the first half of the competition.
Deegan and Horwitz didn't particypularly shine, and despite all the doom and gloom the boys nearly chased down the 20-point deficit - and I'd have to admit Reece Robinson was close to the best on the park. I would like to see Christian Kagiassis in another 12 months, that boy runs straight and hard.
I got a closer look at the Rays replay on the Sunday morning, and man - dat Irea Simone is da bomb! If there's any weakness though, he seems to struggle passing from left to right and had a couple of turnovers against him due to poor technique - though this kid can really play. There's players across codes you'll recognise as having endless amounts of time to appraise and execute - I always think of Mark Waugh and Wayne Carey - and Simone seems to have just that at 2nd five-eighth. I can't wait to see him explode onto the Super Rugby scene, hopefully with a full contract!
Otherwise Damien Fitzpatrick had another blinder and scored twice, and continues to lead the competition's tackle count. Connor Vest is still worth a look at a supplementary gig at lock, Dempsey as generation next is showing he's nearly ready to be generation now, and Michael Wells also played a big game controlling the back of the scrum nicely and getting a decent pushover try. Ta'Avao off the bench is really good at this level but needs a big offseason in the gym.
In the backs - you know I'd like to see Matt Lucas go to the Force as captain and really give it to the other Super Rugby scrummies as he's only going to get late minutes at the Tahs. Positive and inspiring leader, with a great passing and kicking game and fearless if not fully effective in defence. He's been great for the Rays this year and is probably in the top-5 scrumhalfs going around in Australia - incl. the Wallabies.
Enough about Simone, easily the premier 12 in the competition. Harry Jones was pretty good too, backing up well to score twice and sensationally finding his rampaging captain to set up another. Con Foley - I reckon he goes well too, great centre paring with Simone.
I watched the Rams replay tonight - great win in Melbourne on the weekend and some mentions deserved for Tyrone Viiga who scored three and bombed one, and Apolosi Latunipulu who showed great tryline defence more than once to save certain tries which just adds to his obvious attacking prowess. Viiga isn't the biggest 8 though like a good eighthman he loves the collision and has great control at the base of the scrum. Either he or Wells would deputise soundly for Holoway next season.
Senio Toleafoa continues to frustrate, he's always close enough to the breakdown but not often enough either in it nor moving bodies out of it. I think it was Tafau who partnered and outplayed him this week in Skelton's absence as he did in round one.
Last round coming though the Eagles and Rays have already secured home semis the week after - let's hope by some funky mathematical chance the Rams get to join them as they've played really well of late. I hope Gordon is back for the Eagles soon as well as Clark for the Rays - loving the NRC in 2016!
