Round 8 of the Buildcorp NRC saw some cracking rugby played across the country with a lot of names sticking their hand up for the prestigious GAGR Team of the Week.
[one_third last=”no”]
1. Pettowa Paraka (Brisbane City) – 1 TOTW appearance
Paraka was part of a dominant Brisbane City performance that saw the reigning champions race out to a 32-5 lead with about half an hour left to go in the match. Paraka scored a try himself and then combined with fellow prop Sam Talakai to put lock Ben Hyne over in the corner. Worked hard and scrummed strongly.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
2. Tom Sexton (NSW Country Eagles) – 1
Sexton came out of the blocks in turbo speed, perhaps inspired to put one over his former Melbourne team mates as he sets to head west to the Force. His aggression was a key component in the Eagles’ strong start and he was rewarded with an early try. Luke Holmes was once again a strong candidate for the Rays.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
3. Ollie Hoskins (Perth Spirit) – 1
The big burly young prop from the Cottesloe Club has come through the system out west representing his state throughout his teenage years. This NRC he has been showcasing his abilities even further and his strong scrummaging, big defence and handy ball work was all on show again on the weekend as the Spirit tore through the Greater Sydney Rams at Concord Oval.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
4. Lopeti Timani (Melbourne Rising) – 1
Timani showcased a physicality of play last Thursday night against the Eagles that pretty much no other player in the NRC is capable of. In one particular phase he CRUNCHED three defenders in a row with huge hits. May have been yellow carded but it was worth it for the damage he caused. [/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
5. Tom Staniforth (NSW Country Eagles ) – 3
Staniforth has secured his third TOTW selection in a row thanks to a strong game against the Melbourne Rising where he came up against his TOTW locking partner. Staniforth’s work rate was big, as were his charging runs. Part of the almost unfair locking depth the Brumbies have for season 2016.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
6. Harry Bergelin (North Harbour Rays) – 1
There have been many wonderful backrow performers and performances this year in the NRC and Bergelin’s game against Queensland Country sits right up with them. The rugged backrower was never far from the ball, both in defence and attack, securing much possession as well as the Man of the Match award. Jordan Smiler of the Vikings was a very close candidate here as well.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
7. Liam Gill (Brisbane City) – 4
The battle between Gill and Jarrad Butler of the Vikings was always going to be a key one. Butler was wonderful for the Vikings however it was Gill’s on ball instincts that came out on top on the day, and a factor in Brisbane doing the same. Always a menace at the ruck, it was his support play, strength and awareness that saw him score a late decisive try. [/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
8. Jed Holloway (Greater Sydney Rams) – 2
It’s tough to get selected in a team such as this whilst on the losing side – just ask the Vikings players! Holloway, however, was a standout candidate due to yet another inspired performance for the Rams in their loss to the Spirit on the weekend. His hat trick of tries is perhaps symbolic of his team’s over reliance on him, but the class is there. Colby Fainga’a was superb for the Rising as well and was just edged out by Jed![/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
9. Nick Frisby (Brisbane City) – 1
Pickle has had a very solid year without perhaps reaching the same heights as his 2014 NRC. This match however he raised his game a level and produced when it counted. He was key to unleashing his attacking backline (and forward pack, to be fair) which blew the Vikings away in the first half. Ben Meehan for the Rising had an enterprising game against the Eagles and was a close consideration. His hair looked fantastic too.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
10. Ian Prior (Perth Spirit) – 2
So good have the scrumhalf performances been this NRC that often I’ve wanted to pick a 9 at flyhalf in my TOTW just to do them credit. Well the Spirit assisted last week by picking Prior to wear the 10 and he did so with absolute class. The Spirit ran riot against the Rams and Prior was at the heart of it all as he has been all season. Jake McIntyre of Brisbane City put in a very polished performance as well.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
11. Jarome McKenzie (NSW Country Eagles) – 2
Having fought his way back from serious injury McKenzie’s speed may yet be at the level it has been, but his strength in contact and smart running lines have been a real asset for the Eagles out wide. Scored a cracking try and was dangerous every time he got the pill.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
12. Henry Taefu (Brisbane City) – 1
The quiet achiever in an all-star Brisbane City backline Taefu has developed into a crucial element of it’s success. Mixing the muscle with the brains, the Sunnybank product runs hard in denfence, has a handy off-load and kicks astutely. Has formed a very dangerous combination with Samu Kerevi and, who knows, one that may graduate to the Reds next year. [/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
13. Maalonga Konelio (Perth Spirit) – 3
Konelio has been one of the out and out stars of the NRC in 2015. Spending time on both the wing and outside centre hasn’t restricted his effectiveness and he was at it again against the Rams. The Spirit were full of running and Konelio was in his element as one of the most dangerous runners in the competition. Samu Kerevi produced some key plays for Brisbane City as well in a strong showing. [/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
14. Junior Laloifi (Brisbane City) – 4
The try-scoring genius just keeps on producing, scoring his 11th try of the season against the Vikings on the weekend. But he’s also helping create them too and possesses unique instincts to find himself in the right place at the right time to either score or contribute to the try scoring. Faamanatu Apineru of the Spirit was also excellent and a constant danger. [/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
15. Jonah Placid (Melbourne Rising) – 2
Placid’s maturity is growing by the match. He put in a highly polished performance for the Rising in their important Thursday night win over the NSW Country Eagles. He remains an electric runner and dangerous counter attacker, as the Eagles received firsthand experience with in Geelong last week.
[/one_third]
