wallabies week two

Written Sunday 11/02/2007

My Wallaby Side From Week Two of Super 14.

1.Loosehead Prop, Benn Robinson, NSW Waratahs, scrummed well against quality opposition and offered a bit around the park in a dreadful game, quite mobile. Greg Holmes, although being the try scorer, got picked off a number of times with his high running action by a committed Crusader's defence. Nic Henderson was close this week

2. Hooker, Stephen Moore, QR Queensland Reds. Dynamic around the park, but one lineout throw let him down, and the side. The best of not a great performance from the hookers in week 2.

3. Tighthead Prop*, Rodney Blake, Qld, Rodney gets the Guernsey again, but none of our tight heads were particularly good in week 2

4. Left Lock, Al Campbell, ACT Brumbies, Played very well, one of those traditional, tight lock roles we used to see.

5. Right Lock*, Nathan Sharp, Western Force. Sharpie really stood up in this game, at the set piece and as a dynamic ball carrier and distributor. a good compliment this week with Al Campbell.

6. Blind Flanker*, Hugh McMeniman, Qld. Gets it again this week over Rocky Elsom on work rate.

7. Open Side Flanker, David Croft, QR Queensland Reds. I've got to go with Crofty this week, he was awesome at the breakdown, and just plays with so much committment and passion.

8.Number 8, Stephen Hoiles, ACT Brumbies. Hoiles was great at the back of a moving scrum in the wet, his service to Gregan in that area clean service probably got him the slot here in a week where the number 8's were quiet.

9. HalfBack*, George Gregan, ACT Brumbies. Gets the slot due to his composure at the back end of a difficult match, George played some smart footy, and so he should given his experience.

10. Flyhalf, Stephen Larkham, offers so much, and delievered reasonably well in difficult conditions, just a really smart player.

11. Left Winger*, Clyde Rathbone, ACT Brumbies, Worked very hard to get some go forward in the wet in Canberra, limited opportunities but got his side over the gain line on a number of occasions.

12. Inside Centre*, Mat Giteau, Western force. Played OK at 10, but is certainly restricted in the limited space channel. He does add so much zip tot his side.

13.Outside Centre, Ben Tune, QR Queensland Reds, I thought Ben was the best of the 13's in week 2, safe in defence and still has a bit of zip from time to time.

14.Right Wing, Mark Gerrard, ACT Brumbies. Delivered a reasonable tactical game in the wet for the Brumbies against the Blues.

15. Fullback, Julian Huxley, ACT Brumbies. Simply, he was the best performed of the Fullbacks from a "rugby" sense in week 2.

16. Reserve Hooker, Brendan Cannon, Western Force, I thought the hookers were not great in week 2, Cannon threw well and is a tough guy around the park.

17. Reserve Prop, Nic Henderson, ACT Brumbies, did enough to shade Holmes from the 22.

18. Reserve Lock*, James Horwill, Qld Reds. Played the house down and maybe he should be in my starting side, close call. He is one to watch, and a genuine tough guy.

19. Reserve Back Rower, George Smith, ACT Brumbies. I thought Phil Waugh was off his best in an ugly, Smith showed some nice touches.

20. Reserve Halfback, Nick Berry, QR Queensland Reds. Had a good game, thought Eddie should have left him on given the match and the match situation.

21. Reserve Flyhalf*, Berrick Barnes, Qld Reds, Still hanging in there although Halangahu played quite well in patches.

22. Reserve Outside Back*, Cameron Shepherd, Western Force, again stays in there and again was a toss up for a start in this 22.

Again some big omissions, Elsom was close, he did play well in a dreadful game of football. Tuqiri, I just can't warm to him as a rugby player, folks, sorry. I note in this morning's press the league guys are stacking up their money to try and get him back, 600 grand being the reported number. Palu too not there.

I do stress these are my opinions only, and will never be tested in the light of day.

Have a great week.

The Man at the Top of the Mountain Didn't Fall There!