Each week the Green and Gold Rugby Super 14 match reviewers rated the players from the four Australian franchises against a ‘Wallaby Watch’ criteria.
You’d have noticed that at the foot of the match reviews we discussed and rated players thus: (1) Put his hand up (2) Did himself no favours and (3) Bolter watch.
The results of those ratings have now been compiled and the winner is….well, there’s more than one….there’s four….or is that 12! Four winners, four losers and four bolters.
Essentially, Category 1 was the Wallaby player who put his hand up and definitely lived up to his billing, Category 2 was the Wallaby player who did himself no favours by playing below expectations and Category 3 was the bolter who stepped up as a long shot for Wobbly selection.
If you consistently read any of my posts you’ll already know who the three Western Force players are that I’m going to bang on about but maybe not the other guys. So, the easy one first……
Western Force. Lance Free says:
(1) Matt Hodgson (2) Ryan Cross (3) Ben McCalman.
Hodgo was outstanding during the six or seven week period when Pocock and Brown were both out injured. Subbing at No 7 for Bam, he showed that he’s the 2nd best openside flanker in the country (on a par with All Black Daniel Braid at the least) and was a one-man band in a dismembered Force outfit.
His workrate is enormous and although not one of the biggest players around (1.84m, 103 kg) he packs an almighty punch. I don’t think he was quite as effective at No. 6 but in tandem with the other two formed a formidable unit late in the season. He’s a test quality loosie and I’d expect him to be on the bench come the internationals.
He had strong competition from Rabbit O’Connor, who finished a close 2nd and was the only back with consistent penetration. A mention in despatches for Sharpie.
Ryan Cross had a poor Super 14 season and only starting returning to some form late in the piece. A one-trick-pony who runs at people, not space. Tucky Dunning provided some competition for Cross in an injury riddled cameo. He became something of a liability with referees and looks to me to be on the downward slide.
I rated Ben McCalman as the Bolter on five occasions, the highest scoring player in any category. A natural No 6 with size, mobility and skill, I can see why they played him at lock when the three musketeers were reunited just to have him on the park. He’ll be going places this lad, likewise Mitch Inman the rangy outside centre who also is looking the goods.
Brumbies. Brumby Jack says:
(1) Rocky Elsom (2) Salesi Ma’afu (3) Pat McCabe
Interesting that Rocky Elsom led the way after some critics didn’t believe he belonged in the Brumbies and has been labeled at times, lazy. He certainly knows when to pull out a big performance but probably not enough of them over the course of the season.
Salesi Ma’afu was playing in the shadow of his try scoring prop partner Ben Alexander. He made some crucial handling errors this year and sometimes struggled when up against stronger opposition. He was probably the biggest disappointment.
Stirlo has been out of sorts this season with injuries and his next contract on his mind. Brumbies fans expected him to smash the ball up and make huge tackles, but this season there were very few of either. Hopefully he can overcome his back injury and get back to his old ways.
Matt Giteau was probably trying too hard in some of the games where the Brumbies lost. The high expectations placed on him and the chopping and changing of personnel did not help with establishing combinations in a backline riddled with injuries.
Pat McCabe played every minute of every game this season. I didn’t expect him to be a starter but was very impressed. I won’t hide my man love for him as he very much reminds me of Clyde Rathbone and knows only one way – run hard. I don’t recall seeing him kick the ball or make too many errors this season and will be better next season after gaining some experience.
Reds. Juan Cote says:
(1) Will Genia (2) Quade Cooper (3) Will Chambers
Without question the standout is Genia so I really don’t need to go back over everything. He was the most influential Australian player (perhaps of the whole tournament) and the most consistent.
I don’t think I saw a game this year when the opposition were able to control him. Runs, passes, tackles, kicks well out of hand and can out cliche any man in world rugby. If he stays fit this season the Wallabies will win the Bledisloe and the Tri-Nations.
Surprisingly I didn’t think Quade did himself too many favours. His inability to control the game in pressure situations was exposed during the Tahs and Canes game….and to a lesser extent the Highlanders match. If you are 7 points down with 10 minutes remaining in a test match I can think of no one better, but if you are 7 points up with 10 minutes to go?
He’ll be there for sure but probably not as first choice 5/8, that will go to Barnes.
When was the last time a set of twins played for the Wallabies? The Faingaa brothers will be close, as will be Ben Daley, Rocket Rod and Higgers (injuries permitting) but the one who will no doubt be there is Will Chambers.
Chambers started to learn a few short cuts by the end of the season and was strong defensively. He got his running lines in attack sorted and was the king of the off-load – his role in setting up Rocket’s try against the Stormers was a special; caught the ball one handed and delivered the off-load under pressure one handed – noice!!!
Waratahs. Gagger says:
(1) Drew Mitchell (2) Berrick Barnes (3) Kurtley Beale
Hands up goes to Shmoo. He has reinvented himself this year into a tackle busting machine. In a team that doesn’t play as expansively as we would all like, Shmoo went looking for work and got the results.
No favours goes to Berrick for a shocking first half of the season. Sure, he improved in some of those latter games but unfortunately Sookface reverted to type in the game that really counted.
Bolter watch is a three way between Rob Horne, Beale and Ben Mowen. Probably Beale for re-igniting the creativity in the Tahs backline although defensively there’s still a few bugs to iron out.
So, that’s the G&GR quango’s ratings. Bing Crosby would say “accentuate the positive” and there have been some green shoots in the 3rd, 5th and 6th finish to the Super 14.
It’s timely that some of the ‘big guns’ are back in town and we’ll see whether any of the Bolters makes Robbie’s squad on Thursday.
