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There was a lot to like about the Australian sides this weekend. The Reds won in South Africa for the first time since 2006 whilst recording their third straight win for the first time since 2004. The Waratahs defeated the Blues in a high quality game with the exciting Rob Horne and Kurtley Beale both back in the starting team and showing their class.
The story of the Brumbies was all about the return of Julian Huxley, and it was an encouraging performance by Hux. However the game was also significant for the debuts of two young open sides in Michael Hooper and Colby Faingaa, as well as the composed performance of teenage fly-half Matt Toomua.
So let’s look back at the round and come up with the key players and plays.
Team of the week:
15 Peter Hynes (REDS) 
14 Nick Cummins (FORCE)
13 Digby Ioane (REDS)
12 Anthony Faingaa (REDS)
11 Pat McCabe (BRUMBIES)
10 Daniel Halangahu (WARATAHS)
9 Will Genia (REDS)
8 Stephen Hoiles (BRUMBIES)
7 Matt Hodgson (FORCE)
6 Scott Higginbotham (REDS)
5 Nathan Sharpe (FORCE)
4 Dean Mumm (WARATAHS)
3 Tim Fairbrother (FORCE)
2 Tatafu Polata-Nau (WARATAHS)
1 Ben Alexander (BRUMBIES)
There was a fair bit of competition this week, which is a good thing, and a sign of our improving depth. On the wing the likes of Adam Ashley-Cooper, Scott Staniforth and Lachie Turner all pushed their respective cases. Robbie Horne was excellent at 13 for the Tahs whilst Kurtley Beale could well have snagged this week’s fullback spot with James O’Connor at inside centre. The Brumbies halves pairing of Matty Toomua and Patrick Phibbs also were very effective, whilst Chris O’Young from the Force was also in contention for a spot.
Our forward depth is very exciting at the moment highlighted but the number of different names coming up each week. For the Reds Leroy Houston, Jake Schatz and Rob Simmons had their best games in professional football, whilst Saia Faingaa and Van Humphries maintained their season high form. At the Tahs Cliffy Palu was a constant danger, David Dennis and Kane Douglas very industrious and the two props, Al Baxter and Benn Robinson, lead a very strong scrum. Good mates Mitchell Chapman and Stephen Moore were very prominent for the Brumbies with Rocky Elsom improving his consistency. Young Ben McCalman from the .jpg "PH")
Force is showing a lot of potential, whilst Tom Hockings and Nick Henderson were also prominent.
Player of the Round:
Another tough selection I feel. Peter Hynes was masterful, and his experience was vital, at the back for the Reds. Daniel Halangahu controlled the game beautifully for the Tahs. Stephen Hoiles displayed all his skills, both playing and captaincy, for the Brumbies. Nathan Sharpe was dominant against an excellent Bulls pack for the Force.
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Try of the Round:
Some normality has returned this week, with two fairly solid options for the try of the round. The first was scored by Josh Valentine when he showed a bit of footwork I, for one, never knew he had. But he was set up beautifully by a handy Ashley-Cooper pass and yet another strong run by Pat McCabe.
The 2nd option was the steam train effort of one Tatafu Polata-Nau. A simple line out moved worked perfectly and saw Taf charging down the tram lines and over the last line of Blues to score. Awesome efforts – you can see them in the videos at the bottom.
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Moment of the Round:
The trip. As a whole, Quade still had a good game with some excellent game play, but when you break down elements, and not just the trip, to me he looked distracted. When Quade is distracted, he loses focus and crazy stuff starts to enter his game. He has started this year in superb form focusing solely on his game and his own (ARU/QRU required) personal growth. He has benefited by being mostly at home throughout this time.
We are now half way through the season, the Reds are away for about a month, and it is contract time. The ARU are holding off until after his court case and there is an offer on the table from a club in France and they want him to sign NOW. Then there’s the option of joining good mates James O’Connor and David Pocock in Perth. There’s no doubt the Rebels will be talking to his manager as well.
In short, Quade now has a lot on his plate and, on tour, a lot more time to think about it. I reckon it showed in the game on the weekend, most obviously through that ridiculous trip. It could be a defining moment for Quade. If all the pressures of his future get to him we could see an implosion. If he is able to refocus himself and get back to how he started the season, well it could be the making of the man. Let’s wait and see.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyqLQg9kTm0[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5RK4CXTLgE[/youtube]
