The Melbourne Rebels returned home to AAMI Park and put on a show against the Waratahs on Friday night before the Reds outlasted the Force at Suncorp.
But who made our Team of the Week for Round Five of Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU.
1. Tom Robertson – Force
The scrum doctor was back to his best on Saturday night as the Force gave it to the more-fancied Reds pack at scrum time. Robertson was in everything and while Taniela also gets TOTW honours, they shared the spoils opposite each other at Suncorp.
2. Feleti Kaitu’u – Force
See above. Kaitu’u was brilliant for the Force yet again, as he continues to find his feet at this level. Kaitu’u came from nowhere last year to be selected in a wider squad by Wallabies boss Dave Rennie and did his selection chances no harm on Saturday night.
3. Taniela Tupou – Reds
We were SO CLOSE to selecting Greg Holmes here, and not just for sentimental reasons! It was ding dong up front on Saturday night and Holmesy showed their still plenty of fight in his legs. Taniela is starting to wind up after a slow-ish start to the season by his own standards.
4. Sitaleki Timani – Western Force
Speaking of old legs – how about big Sitaleki Timani winding back the clock at Suncorp Stadium. Big Sita won a huge ruck turnover in the first half and he was immovable over the ball. Looks lean and fit, and hasn’t missed a beat in just his second game back in Australia. Does a Wallaby return beckon in 2021??
5. Trevor Hosea – Rebels
It’s taken him a year to finally play at home, but boy oh boy did he make the most of it! A Wallaby in waiting, Hosea again proved this is his stage. Towering at over 2m tall, he’s not afraid to take the ball and run with it. And we can’t look over how nice his dad was during that pre-game interview, speaks volumes to Trevor’s success and future potential.
6. Josh Kemeny – Melbourne Rebels
One that got away from the NSW Waratahs, and aren’t the Rebels happy about it. Looks like Superman and there were some heroics on Friday night at AAMI Park. Tall for a blindside as well, which must pique the interest of Wallaby selectors.
7. Richard Hardwick – Rebels
Fraser McReight unlucky but Dickie Hardwick was immense on Friday night. Brutal in defence and superb in attack - there’s no wonder he leads the competition stat-sheet in tackles and turnovers. He had a tough opposite number in Carlo Tizzano, however Hardwick proved that with age, comes wisdom. Finally injury free and flourishing.
8. Harry Wilson – Reds
Brynard Stander and young Harry Wilson went at it on Saturday night, and it was a sight to behold. Harry just edged Brynard on points but we were just glad to see two big ball-running number eights go hell for leather in Australian Rugby.
9. Tate McDermott – Reds
A tough position to pick but Tate gets the choccies after terrorising the Force defence all night long. His opportunistic try was pure McDermott – improvising and he picked from the base, darts short-side, creates a gap with his speed and forces himself over the chalk.
10. Matt To’omua - Rebels
To’omua’s performance on Friday night was all class. A chip and chase try, three penalty kicks and two conversions - the Rebels success was largely driven by their captain. The Wallabies number 10 jersey has turned into a real contest – which is weird to say as 12 months ago we didn’t know who was going to step up a grab it.
11. Marika Koroibete – Rebels
71 run metres, 4 defenders beaten and 1 clean break, need we say anymore? In his third straight selection in Team of the Week, Koroibete continues to just layer cement on his hold of the Wallabies starting wing.
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12. Hunter Paisami – Reds
Player of the Round? If he isn’t, Hunter is a close second. What a transformation from Paisami over the last year. Unwanted in Melbourne, and now indispensable in Queensland. Plays above his weight every week and has a turn of pace. James O’Connor noted on Saturday night how impressed he was with Hunter’s growth as a second playmaker too.
13. Jordan Petaia – Reds
Still has teams targeting his ball carry but Jordan Petaia edged out some tough competition from Rebels outside centre Stacey Ili and his opposite number from Saturday night, Tevita Kuridrani. Long may he remain injury free – and don’t forget that he’s still just 21..
14. Lachie Anderson – Rebels
A standout on the Sevens World Series and now at home in Super Rugby. Anderson’s transition to the 15-man game has been seamless. Anderson’s work rate off the ball and ability to support his teammates has obviously transitioned from the Sevens game. Hope his passport is still in date as the Olympics are looming and Tim Walsh would surely welcome him back with open arms!
15. Tom Pincus – Rebels
Tom has been unlucky in previous weeks, most notably his performance against the Force in Round Four but has more than capably filled the void of injured skipper Dane Haylett-Petty.
