Super Rugby team of the week: Kuenzle edges Harrison, Hooper pips Miller
The penultimate round is done and dusted and the Super Rugby AU finals are around the corner.
But who made our round nine Super Rugby AU team of the week?
✨ Some Marika magic! #SuperRugbyAU #REBvWAR.
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 29, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/54ae4xYNMO pic.twitter.com/Eq2mwCvLdY
1. Pek Cowan - Force
When the Force were giving it to the Brumbies in the first quarter of the match it was in large part because of their forward pack and their veteran prop was at the forefront of that.
2. Jordan Uelese - Rebels
The Wallabies hooker played 75 minutes and was tireless around the field.
He made 10 tackles without a miss and his set-piece work was solid.
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes
This man knows how to find the tryline and Johnson-Holmes is getting better and better with each passing match at tight-head prop.
4. Rob Simmons - Waratahs
Was that Simmons' last match in Australian rugby? If the Rebels beat the Force it could well prove to be the case.
It wasn't a week a week where any lock commanded a spot in the team of the week, particularly when the likes of Matt Philip and Ned Hanigan were yellow carded, but Simmons was influential in the Waratahs' effort, he was good in the lineout and got some post metres with ball-in-hand.
5. Cadeyrn Neville - Brumbies
Re-signed with Australian rugby and backed it up with another strong performance for the Brumbies.
Neville was strong in the lineout and keep an eye on his work around the ruck.
6. Fergus Lee-Warner - Force
Scored the Force's opener and continues to get the business done.
Lee-Warner made 57 run metres and 10 tackles without a miss.
Wallabies smokey?
😤 Chase everything. #SuperRugbyAU #REBvWAR.
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 29, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/54ae4xYNMO pic.twitter.com/zfS4KRlDdP
7. Michael Hooper - Waratahs
It was in the final hour-hour that Hooper stood tall.
First, he unleashed Joey Walton to score and then, secondly, his charge down on Andrew Deegan ended up in the hands of Will Harrison who too scored a crucial five-pointer.
8. Isi Naisarani - Rebels
Two tries, 16 carries and eight tackles.
Need I say anymore?
✌️ Isi at the double! #SuperRugbyAU #REBvWAR
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 30, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/54ae4xYNMO pic.twitter.com/HJbbSBPmm8
9. Nic White - Brumbies
The Wallabies halfback came off the bench in the second half and immediately lifted the tempo.
White managed a linebreak, a linebreak assist and a try assist.
🎯 Nic White threads the needle. #BRUvFOR #SuperRugbyAU
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 28, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/joAyVqm8SL pic.twitter.com/nNJ004O0mT
10. Bayley Kuenzle - Brumbies
Summed up the situation of the game perfectly.
It was evident that the Force were tiring from the midway point of the second half and from that point on Kuenzle started running to the line and turning the ball back on the inside to his outside backs.
11. Tom Wright - Brumbies
Almost 100 run metres (97) and three tackle busts and three offloads in his effort out on the wing.
Wright continues to go hunting for the ball and he's looking right at home in rugby in 2020.
😲 Matt is a mad man! #SuperRugbyAU #REBvWAR
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 30, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/54ae4xYNMO pic.twitter.com/ccc4DILvzb
12. Matt To'omua - Rebels
Without To'omua the Rebels don't get their prized bonus-point.
To'omua's step past two defenders and pinpoint pass to Marika Koroibete out wide in the second-half was class.
He kicked his goals and made his tackles.
It was a captain's knock.
.@NSWWaratahs have kept their finals hopes alive after a thrilling 38-32 win over the @MelbourneRebels. #SuperRugbyAU #REBvWAR
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 29, 2020
READ: https://t.co/54ae4xYNMO pic.twitter.com/SqJ7yHJbDR
13. Joey Walton - Waratahs
Shifting back to outside centre, Walton looked much more comfortable playing outside another straight runner.
His line to run onto Hooper's ball was a cracker.
14. Andy Murihead - Brumbies
Just like Wright, Murihead continues to impress.
His hands are silky and, importantly, he knows how to find the tryline.
The right-winger made 71 run metres, three tackle busts, two offloads and one linebreak.
💰 Bank on it. #BRUvFOR #SuperRugbyAU
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) August 29, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/joAyVqm8SL pic.twitter.com/xTVpYNlMI5
15. Tom Banks - Brumbies
Welcome back to form Mr Banks.
Since returning from the COVID break Banks hasn't quite looked himself, but at long last we saw him running with freedom again.
Banks was on the burst, popping up in the middle of the field and it paid off as he produced his best game of the season.
In total, he made 94 run metres which included seven tackle busts and seven tackles in defence too.
