A week of highs and lows for Australian rugby. Well, one high anyway. But what a high it was: the Reds securing top spot on the ladder with a good victory over the Blues. Sadly the Brumbies and Rebels could not replicate the form of the Queenslanders, and find themselves languishing at the arse end of the table.
Team of the Week:
15. Pat McCabe – BRUMBIES
14. Luke Morahan – REDS
13. Anthony Faingaa – REDS
12. Ben Tapuai – REDS
11. Digby Ioane – REDS
10. Quade Cooper – REDS
9. Will Genia – REDS
8. Radike Samo – REDS
7. Beau Robinson – REDS
6. Scott Higginbotham – REDS
5. James Horwill – REDS
4. Rob Simmons – REDS
3. James Slipper – REDS
2. Stephen Moore – BRUMBIES
1. Ben Daley – REDS
This week’s side needs little explaining. The Reds were outstanding in almost every facet, and are rewarded with 13 of the 15 spots. Ben Lucas and Saia Faingaa are the unlucky two to miss out, as outstanding performances by Pat McCabe and Stephen Moore could not be ignored. Adam Ashley-Cooper, Richard Kingi and Colby Faingaa were the only other players to even get close to the Reds.
Player of the Week:
As much as this may be a foregone conclusion, we have three nominees from each game to present. For the Reds it was Digby Ioane, who won by a fair margin from Will Genia and Beau Robinson. The Brumbies fans put forward Stephen Moore, who got the choccies from Pat McCabe. Lastly the Rebels threw up Richard Kingi for consideration after a good game at the back.
Try of the Week:
Pretty slim pickings this week, hence once again we are drawn to the Reds. In a game of many good tries, I am going with the patient build-up and perfect execution of Quade Cooper’s try that opened the scoring. It was a textbook example of how you score a try by going forward, then going wide – and fast. Cooper and Genia showed incredible maturity to steer the Reds ship around on Friday, and this try epitomised that control. Have a look for yourself:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5QUJlCsAy0[/youtube]
Moment of the Week:
It is now widely known as ‘Rae’s spray’. In the short space of 15 minutes, Tony Rea said all that needs to be said about the Brumbies’ performance this season – both on and off the field. If you are living under a rock and haven’t heard it, do yourself a favour and have a listen here. I can’t wait for the Brumbies v. Force game to see how the players respond.
What was your moment of the week?
