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Five of the best: The top performers in round nine of Super Rugby AU
By Finn Morton
The Super Rugby AU finals series is beginning to take shape after the Brumbies defeated the Western Force in Canberra, and the Melbourne Rebels finished with a losing bonus point against the Waratahs.
The Brumbies came into their fixture against the winless Force knowing that a victory would secure them a home final in a few weeks’ time.
The Force came to play, turning down two early shots at goal which led to the opening try of the night. But once again, they couldn’t make the most of their promising start and were played out of the game by a better team, losing 31-14.
In the other match, it was effectively a quasi-quarter final with both the Waratahs and Rebels able to lock in playoff berths depending on the result.
The Tahs led by 14 points with 20 minutes to go, but a late fightback saw the Rebels trail by just two with just under 10 minutes to play.
The game finished 38-32 to the Tahs, with the losing bonus point keeping the Rebels in control of their destiny ahead of a clash with the Force next Saturday.
While a number of players impressed last week, here were just five of the standouts from round nine.
Irae Simone (Brumbies)
Simone has played himself into national contention after being named in Dave Rennie’s most recent PONI list earlier this month.
His performance on Friday night was another classy showing, and the 25-year-old must be getting even closer to his test debut week to week.
He’s simply outstanding when he’s on song.
While Simone was impressive in attack, finishing with the second-equal most running metres of the round with 46, it was his playmaking that really impressed. His control and comfortability around the park when stepping into the first receiver role was admirable, and led the Brumbies well.
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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