Round One of the NRC produced 36 tries across the four games, and some cracking individual performances. Here is the GAGR Buildcorp NRC Team of Week One.
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1. Haydn Hirsimaki (QLD Country)
One of the few things QLD Country could hang their hat on last year was a strong scrum, and Hirsimacki was a big part of this at loose head prop. The team showed plenty more this week, but the scrum was again dominant. Haydn lead the way from Loose Head Prop, causing the Rising front row great concern, whilst also making plenty of tackles across the park.
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2. James Hanson (Sydney Stars)
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure I guess. Now I would never even think about ‘trash talking’ Chibba Hanson, but considered surplus to the Wallabies’ RWC campaign he’s become a bloody good pick up by the Sydney Stars. A barnstorming game, including a try, was enough to show our committed he is to his third team in ARC/NRC history. Honourable mention to Heath Tessman who was the Spirit’s best on Thursday night.
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3. Sef Fa’agase (QLD Country)
Combined with Hirsimacki in a dominant scrummaging performance but also produced numerous strong runs, some massive hits and two tries – one of which was a run away effort over 40 metres. Fa’agase has transferred to Country from City this year to get more game time, and in touch with his Beaudesert roots. This weekend the move paid off for both Fa’agase and Country to full extent.
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4. Steve Cummins (Melbourne Rising)
It’s pretty hard to miss a 2.01 m plus athlete running around the rugby field (except perhaps when he’s shadowed by a 2.08m athlete in Richie Arnold). Cummins was prominent this round for more just his height. Whilst the lineout was strong, Cummins also ran with purpose and found himself in space more than occasionally. He aggression played a key role in winning the breakdown battle as well.
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5. Ned Hanigan (NSW Country)
Hanigan has accepted all challenges so far this year, stepping up to first grade with Randwick and starring with the Australian Under 20s. His form continued with an industrious display for Country against the Rams at Merylands RSL Park on the weekend. Bustling at the breakdown with a number of powerful runs and strong defense, he handled the tough stuff required of a tight forward.
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6. Dave Dennis (Sydney Stars)
The experienced campaigner for Sydney Uni, Waratah captain and Wallaby squad member joined James Hanson at the forefront of an impressive Sydney Stars first up win this weekend against the North Harbour Rays. Formed a formidable flanker combination with skipper David Hickey which is sure to cause a lot of teams problems this year. Snagged the spot just from a busy Jordy Reid of the Rising.
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7. Liam Gill (Brisbane City)
Thrust with the captaincy in the absence of last year’s leaders, Curtis Browning and Dave McDuling, Gill was a standout across the park for the reigning Premiers, Brisbane City. Massive in defense and dangerous at the ruck, he played a key role in an early front runner for the try of the season, in combination with a player still to come in this list. A tough choice this one in light of excellent performances by Hickey (Stars), Conor Mitchell (QLD Country) and Scott Fugistaller (Rising).
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8. Angus Cottrell (Perth Spirit)
The Spirit showed a hell of a lot in their first round loss to Brisbane City and fans will be crying out for more representatives in this team. Cottrell deserves his spot for his high impact game on both sides of the ball and helping to keep a lid on a charging City forward pack in the second half. [/one_third]
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9. Ben Meehan (Melbourne Rising)
Was an absolute jack rabbit in attack for his Rising team in their first round win against QLD Country on the Gold Coast. Scored a deuce, and spent 10 in the bin, in an eventful match. Whilst halves partner Jack Debreczeni was calm and controlling, Meehan was a livewire at the ruck and sparked plenty of his team’s attacking plays. Ian Prior of the Spirit deserves a mention here as well for an excellent match against Brisbane City.[/one_third]
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10. Jono Lance (NSW Country)
This was a tight one between Lance of the Eagles and the Rising’s Debreczeni, the man from Melbourne lost ground with his goal kicking. Lance was equally impressive in his match management and leading his team around the park, but it was his goal kicking that was ultimately decisive in getting his team the win. [/one_third]
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11. Dom Shipperley (Melbourne Rising)
A quiet-ish first half for Shippers, was made up for in the 2nd has he reminded all spectators of his class on the flank. He was elusive with every touch in an epic battle with the rookie Izaia Perese from Country. Ultimately it was some magic footwork by Shipperely down the short side that got him over the try line and secured his team the win. Just edged the impact the speedy Joel Brooks made for NSW Country.
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12. Tom Hill (North Harbour Rays)
After an impressive club season with Eastwood, Hill’s early impact on his team’s match up with the Stars was significant with a nice pass putting his centre partner Michael Adams across for an early try. He would be rewarded with his own try early in the second half and was one of his team’s best in a disappointing loss. [/one_third]
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13. Karmichael Hunt (Brisbane City)
Perhaps gets the spot by default with no real stand out performers in 13 across the first round. Jim Stewart (Stars), Ed Stubbs (NSW Country) and Chris Feauai-Sautia (QLD Country) were contenders but Hunt gets it for a polished performance based on excellent defense and some nice line running, one of which lead to the first try of the match. As the Fox Sports miked up footage shows, he’s a handy communicator as well.[/one_third]
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14. Harry Jones (Sydney Stars)
The young Jones was snagged by the Stars when perhaps he should have been a Ray, being a good Warringah boy. But the Stars has snagged a goodun and Jones repaid the faith with a classy showing in his debut on Saturday, against his former team. He was scored a handy try and will prove an exciting wing combination with the other youngster Henry Clunies Ross.[/one_third]
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15. Junior Laolifi (Brisbane City)
This young Sunnybank flyer lit up the 2014 NRC Grand Final with an incredible run to score the match sealing try, as a replacement to make a name for himself in the competition’s inaugural year. Thrown the starting fullback jersey in the opening match against the Spirit. Once again Laolifi had the Ballymore crowd on their feet with a number of magical runs, setting up Hunt for an early try and then combining with Gill for one of his own. [/one_third]
