As the RWC kicked off it was like all involved in the NRC decided to up their game from a try-scoring front in an effort to stay front of mind amongst the spectators. The results were incredible with the four games featuring 49 tries, with the 11 scored in the Rising v Rams game the least in a match all weekend. It made picking a Team of the Week pretty damn difficult, but what the hey, here it goes.
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1. Jed Gillespie (Greater Sydney Rams) – 1 TOTW appearance
Gillespie makes his first GAGR NRC TOTW for season 2015 but it’s not through lack of form that he hasn’t been picked before. Consistently one of the best for the Rams this year, his rugged play was a key part of his team getting so close to the Rising. A handy try down the wing helped as well. [/one_third]
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2. Robbie Abel (Canberra Vikings ) – 1
The Vikings just tore the Sydney Stars apart on Thursday night and Abel’s performance was at the centre of the carnage. From the dominant scrums and lineouts to his bulldozing runs (and a cartwheel), Abel was strong throughout his time of the pitch.
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3. Ben Alexander (Canberra Vikings) – 1
Just his 2nd start for the Vikings in season 2015, it wasn’t a bad match to be a part of. Scrummed dominantly and did a lot of tight work in a loose game. Considering the number of tries scored, it’s a surprise he didn’t get one himself.
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4. Sam Louisi (NSW Country) – 1
Louisi’s running and off-load game caused plenty of headaches for the Brisbane City defence and was a big part of the Eagle’s early dominance on Sunday arvo. Whilst Blake Enever of the Vikings came close to consideration, Louisi’s big impact moments were enough to secure him selection. [/one_third]
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5. Cadeyrn Neville (Brisbane City ) – 2
Neville’s running game has been a real asset for the Brisbane City side. He scored a cracking try for Brisbane prior to half time that proved to be crucial in swinging momentum. Neville has a massive motor and never stops running all match.
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6. Jordy Reid (Melbourne Rising) – 1
When you pick one member of the Rising backrow, you’re effectively picking all three so well do they work as a combination. It was Reid who gets the individual plaudits this week for a supercharged performance against the Rams which culminated in a crucial try with minutes to go. [/one_third]
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7. Pauli Tuala (NSW Country Eagles) – 1
When Tuala charged over for an early try against Brisbane at Ballymore, it was a minor setback. When he did it again about 10 or so minutes later (from a Louisi offload), he put his team in prime position for a massive upset. Unfortunately the Eagles couldn’t hold on to the lead but it didn’t stop Tuala from remaining a menace to the Brisbane side. [/one_third]
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8. Jed Holloway (Greater Sydney Rams) – 1
Holloway came damn close to making this team last week, only to be beaten to the ‘jersey’ by a superb Ita Vaea performance. Well this week the roles are reversed and it is Vaea who misses out to the two try hero, Holloway, despite a strong game. Jed scored two tries and led from the front and deserved the win that the Rams just missed out on.
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9. Ian Prior (Perth Spirit) – 1
How can you go past the performance that set a new point scoring record for the NRC of 29 points in a match. Prior snagged a try and kicked superbly (eight from eight) to continue on his excellent form so far this season, and was the catalyst for the Spirit’s first win of the season. Joe Powell from the Vikings was very good too, but couldn’t unseat Prior for this team.
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10. Sam Greene (QLD Country) – 2
Sam Greene returns to the TOTW despite his Queensland Country team going doing in a big loss. However it was Greene’s general play kicking that kept Country close in the early stages. His try and a couple of conversions was enough to place him at the top of the pointscorers’ list for 2015.
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11. Chris Kuridrani (Brisbane City) – 2
The three candidates for this position, Kuridrani, Onehunga Havili of the Spirit and James Dargaville of the Vikings, obviously benefited from being on the end of a dominant backline. Kuridrani’s game is really maturing and is mixing it up through using speed and just brute strength. Stepped up in the 2nd half to spur his team to a big win. [/one_third]
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12. Michael McDougall (Greater Sydney Rams) – 1
The veteran Rams centre, with more NRC starts than any of his team mates, played a crucial role in his side’s heartbreaking last minute loss to the Rising. His two tries (including a try of the season candidate) built important momentum for the Rays and seemed to be the nail in the coffin to the Rising. It wasn’t to be but McDougall’s performance was not diminished. The Spirit’s Kyle Godwin was under consideration for a very handy game against Queensland Country.
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13. Nigel Ah-Wong (Canberra Vikings) – 2
Four tries? Yep that should do it. Samu Kerevi lit up the second half at Ballymore and Dom Shipperley was fantastic for the Rising but how can you go past Ah-Wong’s grand slam? The physicality of Ah-Wong’s game is proving a real boon for the Vikings team and it will be interesting to see if we see more of it in Super Rugby.
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14. Maalonga Konelio (Perth Spirit) – 2
Konelio is back in the TOTW for the second week running after another eye catching performance on the wing for the Perth Spirit. Scoring tries and helping to set them up, Konelio was a danger man anytime he got the ball as Perth steamrolled Queensland Country in Rockhampton. Tom English gets a call out for his handy cameo from the bench for the Rising that changed the game. [/one_third]
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15. Isaac Thompson (Canberra Vikings) – 1
Thompson had a strong game for the Vikings in their first game of the season against NSW Country, but has only just made it back into the side. He was busy again on Thursday night, involving himself consistently and orchestrating many an attacking raid on the unfortunate Sydney Stars defence. His opposite number Tom Kingston tried his guts out, but it was Thompson who took the chocolates for the week.
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