I’m going to say it up front. This is the least certain I’ve been about a TOTW this season. I’m not sure why. It was a really interesting round of rugby and I do feel that, in at least three of the games, there were real team performances which makes it tough to isolate individuals. Perhaps I’ve got too many players from one team (a losing team), perhaps I’ve got too many from a game between the two bottom teams, and perhaps I did the wrong thing by picking a bench player. Maybe I’ve stuck with some known stars instead of picking the less well known option?
Anyway, you can be the judge and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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1. Laione Mulikihaamea (Perth Spirit) – 1st TOTW appearance
Let’s get this one out of the way early. I’m not usually a fan of picking a replacement in this team but Mulikihaamea was a key part of an amazing scrummaging effort that saw a 7-man, inexperienced Spirit pack dominate their more fancied Viking opponents in the 2nd half of their clash in Canberra.
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2. Heath Tessmann (Perth Spirit) – 1
Tessmann was back starting for the Spirit and back as captain as well. Again, on the back of the Spirit scrum, it’s tough to overlook the role of the Perth hooker here. On top of the tight stuff, Tessmann was prominent around the park with an excellent work rate particularly close to the ruck.[/one_third]
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3. Jermaine Ainsley (Perth Spirit) – 1
The young Tight Head was one of the finds of last year’s tournament and made his Super Rugby debut earlier this year. For the Spirit he has had to bide his time behind the highly impressive Shambeckler Vui, but had the 3 jersey this week and made every post a winner as part of a team of six Perth front rowers who muscled up big time. [/one_third]
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4. Will Skelton (Western Sydney Rams) – 1
Skelton manned up magnificently in this massive match for the Rams. Having missed their last match against the Rising, you could see the determination in Skelton’s play. His discipline was tight and his focus was keen as he worked hard in defense and threatened the line in attack constantly.
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5. Lukhan Tui (Brisbane City) – 2
Now this guy’s exciting. It’s remarkable to think he is still so new to the game, because the work he does on the field is that of a player with years of rugby under his belt. I can’t remember the last time Australian rugby had a lock this physical who uses his body like such a weapon. [/one_third]
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6. Jack Dempsey (Sydney Rays) – 2
The NRC has really provided Dempey a chance to show off his running game. With Australian Rugby looking for ball running forwards, the timing could not be better for the Rays backrower. He was at it again on the weekend with another try and a number of powerful runs. Sam Figg and Rhys Allen had a great battle in the Eagles v Rams match.[/one_third]
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7. Tupou Sopoaga (Western Sydney Rams) – 2
It was an interesting little battle between probably the two standout opensides from the NRC when Rowan Perry took on Sopoaga. Sopoaga just comes with those couple of little extra weapons in the arsenal, particularly ball in hand and with his offload. The skills were on show for all to see on the weekend. [/one_third]
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8. Tyrone Viiga (Western Sydney Rams) – 2
Viiga was at his powerful best again on the weekend despite spending considerable time off the field with a head knock and then yellow card. He was a force to be reckoned with whilst on the field and scored two more tries, to go with his three last week. Brynard Stander was excellent for the Spirit too and scored two tries of his own. [/one_third]
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9. Jake Gordon (NSW Country Eagles) – 2
This was one of the tough decisions on the back of some good performances by Waldo Wessels (Rams), Ryan Louwrens (Spirit), Dewet Roos (Rays), Moses Sorovi (Brisbane) and James Tuttle (QLD C). In the end I just felt that Gordon’s technical game surpassed the others as did he ability to make the big play as needed. A tough field though. [/one_third]
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10. Jake McIntyre (Brisbane City) – 1
There is no denying McIntyre is at his best when he is taking the ball to the line and that’s what he did on the weekend v QLD Country. His pass to Toby White for his 2nd try, his cheeky kick to Alex Gibbon and then even cheekier quick tap and pass to the same player, were all signs of a classy player. It’s a pity we’ve taken to the last game to see it in all its glory. Angus Sinclair, of the Rays, displayed some handy skills in his time at 10 as well.
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11. Harry Jones (Sydney Rays) – 2
Jones’s work rate across the park was excellent this game and when he got the ball he showed his attacking danger, proving a threat whenever he got the chance. Eli Sinoti for the Vikings was one of the few from his team to show any spark for his team.[/one_third]
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12. Sione Tuipulotu (Melbourne Rising) – 1
Tuipulotu’s form has clicked into gear in the last couple of weeks as Melbourne fans have seen the best of his powerful running and strong defence. His combination with Tom English in the centres is proving a real asset and has set the team up for an exciting finals campaign. [/one_third]
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13. Izaia Perese (QLD Country) – 3
Perese was like a pocket Samu Kerevi at Ballymore on the weekend. His try, powering through the entire Brisbane City front row, was remarkable in itself, but his consistent ability to make metres through the defensive line is mouth-watering. Particular when you consider him running outside Kerevi for the Reds next year. [/one_third]
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14. Reece Robinson (NSW Country Eagles) – 2
Returning to his more traditional wing position, having starred at fullback for the Eagles last week, Robinson had an outstanding game against the Rams. Robinson had a big role in two of the three first half Eagles tries, in addition to picking up one himself. He’s certainly seems to be picking up the nuances of the game now, thanks to the NRC. [/one_third]
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15. Albert Nikoro (Western Sydney Rams) – 1
Nikoro has been solid for the Rams all season but had his best game for them on the weekend. The former Perth Spirit player had many great runs for the Rams, and looked like an imposing figure to deal with at fullback. TOTW regular Tom Banks showed glimpses of his class again on the weekend with a try saving tackle and a well taken 6 pointer.
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