Week 14 of the Super Rugby saw the Rebels go down to the Bulls on Friday night and the Waratahs top the Reds on Saturday. Check out our team of the week.
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1. Tom Robertson (Waratahs)
Robertson made the most of his first start after returning from injury. He made the gain line repeatedly, putting the Waratahs on the front foot with his strong carries. He ended with 16m from his 8 runs and made a handy 6/6 tackles.[/one_third]
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2. Alex Mafi (Reds)
Was heavily involved this week. He made 12/12 tackles and was great with ball in hand, running for 32m from his 8 runs. Managed to top it all off with a meat pie.
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3. Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
Putting out a subtle reminder that he wants to be in the Wallabies team at the end of the year, Kepu lead the way with a strong defensive showing making 10/10 tackles.
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4. Izack Rodda (Reds)
Was a serial pest at lineout time, and got through a mountain of work in defence (15/17).
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5. Matt Philip (Rebels)
With strong Wallabies depth at second row, Phillip needs to make heads turn to push into the squad. With his barnstorming running he managed 26m off his 12 runs. If he continues with this good form he may see himself in gold.
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6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds)
A good way to bounce back after some poor form recently. Looked dangerous with ball in hand making 33m and 2 very important offloads.
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7. Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
Another week where Hooper made huge inroads in attack. He ran for 65m with 3 defenders beaten, 1 clean break and an offload. Not as involved in defence as he normally is but managed 8/9 tackles.
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8. Michael Wells (Waratahs)
You’ll find Wells playing in between the touch line and the 15m line as a link player for the Waratahs. He carried well making 30 and made 11/12 tackles. Scored two tries which ended up giving the Tahs the win.
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9. Will Genia (Rebels)
A standout performance from Genia. He ran 13 times for 53m beating 4 defenders and 2 clean breaks. Even a try to top it all off.
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10. Bernard Foley (Waratahs)
In terms of on field play, Foley and Hegarty were pretty close. Foley place kicked superbly which was the difference between the two sides. He ended up with 25 points for the night which included a try.
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11. Marika Koroibete (Rebels)
Normally when we talk about his defence, it is because he makes the picks the wrong man. This week, it’s the compete opposite. Consistently picking the right man, Koroibete made huge hits in defence which forced turnovers or complete shut down the Bulls attack. He also finished two tries on his way to 69 run metres.
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12. Samu Kerevi (Reds)
Absolutely lethal in attack. 13 runs for 58m including 4 defenders beaten, a clean break and 3 offloads. A piece of individual brilliance gave him a try assist as he flicked one out the back of the hand for an open Campbell to run it in untouched.
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13. Chris Feauai-Sautia (Reds)
Sadly an injury cut his night short only making 42 minutes. He was looking good with some strong carries and an intercept into a pop pass giving him a try assist. With just over a half played he still managed 39m with ball in hand.
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14. Jock Campbell (Reds)
Reaping the benefits of playing outside an inform Kerevi, Campbell scored a try off some of Kerevi’s magic running to the try line untouched. He ended with 93 run metres. Lucky to have this spot, as if Rona had more time I think he would have moved above Jock.
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15. Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
The longer Beale is at fullback, the more I believe he should have been playing 15 all along (with Folau on the wing). He has an incredible way of cutting back against the defence and getting inside them. He clocked up 112 run metres with 6 defenders beaten, 1 clean break, 2 offloads and a try assist. He even dotted over for one himself after a strong carry.
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On the fringe of selection:
Curtis Rona – The Tahs need to stop their rotation policy and give Rona back his starting jersey. Only on the field for 25 minutes he made 42 run metres from 4 runs and looked dangerous with ball in hand.
Angus Blyth – Was really close to making the starting lineup this week. The young Reds lock made an impressive 13/14 tackles and pinched one at the lineout. He made 1 run for 1m which ended in a 5 pointer.
Disappointments:
Quade Cooper – Wasn’t quite his night tonight. He wasn’t terrible but 4 costly hand errors and only making 3/6 tackles gets him a spot here.
Bryce Hegarty – To be frank, I thought Hegarty had a great week in terms of on field play. He scored 2 tries and ran for 58m with 5 defenders beaten. He only slotted 1/6 conversions which ended up being the difference between the two side and so he ends up in the disappointments.
Reece Hodge – A bit of an off game for Hodge (which isn’t like him). He just wasn’t involved with only making 4 tackles and gained 0m in attack. 2 handling errors also.
