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By Max Bryden
April 14, 2014
Round Nine of Super Rugby featured two season defining local derbies, whilst the Rebels continued their New Zealand road trip with a stop off in Waikato, taking on defending champions the Chiefs.
The Reds and Brumbies kicked off proceedings with a fiery encounter on Friday night. The Reds were desperate to bounce back after their loss to the Force last week, with a loss endangering their finals hopes. A slow start by Queensland gave the Brumbies an unassailable lead, the conference leaders holding on for hard fought 23-20 victory.
The Rebels fell just short in New Zealand for the second week in a row, going down to the Chiefs 22-16 in wet conditions. Down 19-0 after just 25 minutes the Rebels launched a fight back, with Japanese international Shota Horie scoring their only try for the match.
The Western Force continue to shape as the form team of the competition after they registered their fifth straight win on the weekend. Returning from a tough South African road trip the Tahs couldn’t contain a rabid honey badger that bagged plenty of meat on his way to a hat trick, helping the Force to a 28-16 victory.
This is without a doubt the strongest Australian Conference we’ve ever seen, as the Brumbies, Western Force and Waratahs all sit inside the top six. As we reach the half way mark of the competition, we take a look at the players featured in this week’s Players’ Spotlight.
1.1. Tom Staniforth
Tom Staniforth became the youngest ever tight five forward to make his starting Super Rugby debut on the weekend, aged 19 years and 241 days.
A Canberra local, Tom realised his dream when he was named to start for the Brumbies of Friday night, signing a two week contract with the conference leaders.
Suncorp Stadium was the cauldron for a baptism of fire, as the young lock found himself lining up against Wallabies Captain James Horwill.
In a crucial match for both teams, Tom put in a workman like performance as the Brumbies maintained second place on the ladder. Defensively he was sound making seven tackles, whilst in attack he made four carries, the bulk of which coming in tight around the ruck.
An Australian U20’s representative, he is tipped to captain the side when they compete in the IRB Junior World Cup to be held in Auckland later this year. With a huge future ahead of him, Tom Staniforth is definitely one to keep an eye on.
1.2. Rod Davies
On the other side of the field, ‘Rocket’ Rod Davies celebrated an exceptional milestone when he ran out for his 50th Reds cap.
Renowned for his blistering pace and electric feet, the Wallabies winger proved a constant threat as the Brumbies struggled to contain him. The fastest man in the Reds backline, Rod managed nine carries night for a total of 49 metres, making three clean breaks in the process.
Completing two tackles on considerably larger opposition it capped a solid performance by the Queensland number 14, although the Reds fell agonisingly short on the night.
When he isn’t turning heads on the rugby field, Rod is catching the attention of female’s right around the country. Back in 2012 Rod was named in CLEO magazines Most Eligible Bachelors of the year alongside former Wallabies star James O’Connor.
1.3. Tom English - @Tom_Engo
Tom English enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Rebels in 2013, after making nine appearances for the club he was awarded the Rebels Rookie of the Year Award.
A former Australian Sevens representative, Tom has continued to impress in 2014, making the number 11 jersey his own. Possessing the perfect balance of speed and size, he has been touted as a long term option for the Wallabies at outside center.
Fronting up against the Chiefs, Tom put in a typically tough performance. The Rebels flyer made eight carries for an impressive 53 metres, making one clean break in the process.
Showing his versatility Tom was even called upon to pack down on the side of the scrum, although we think his technique might need a little bit more practice, as seen in this photo.
Away from rugby Tom studies an Arts and Science Degree at Sydney University. Living with fellow Rebels and Sydney Uni teammates Nic Stirzaker and Angus Roberts he claims to be the chef of the house. You can search #ThreeLadsInAVan to follow their adventures in the house!
1.4. Nick Cummins - @NckCmmns
The Honey Badger has been the talk of Australian Rugby this year, in the headlines again this week after he bagged a hat trick of tries for the Western Force.
After making his Super Rugby debut for the Force in 2008, Nick Cummins has been a crowd favourite. His ability to ‘bag some meat’ is a huge factor why the Force are sitting in fourth position on the ladder, currently enjoying their best ever win streak.
Nick made four carries on the weekend, notching up a massive 183 metres. With three clean breaks and 15 points to his name, the Badge continued a run of form that will surely see his name as one of the first on the Wallabies team sheet, when they face France in June.
A massive year in 2013 came to fitting end when Nick was awarded the 2013 RUPA Medal for Excellence. The Medal of Excellence recognises the important roles undertaken by players both on and off the field. With voting restricted to Australian Super Rugby players it is more than just a best and fairest award and aims to acknowledge outstanding results achieved in the local community and on the rugby field.
1.5. Cam Crawford - @CamCrawford1
Cam Crawford returned for the Waratahs on the weekend after a stellar 2013 season. In his first year with the Waratahs since joining from the Brumbies, Cam formed a deadly partnership with Wallabies star Israel Folau.
The move proved a successful one, the elusive winger notching up the highest tries to games ratio in the competition, with an incredible eight tries in just seven games.
Now fully revered from a shoulder reconstruction, Cam finally got his chance to impress as he tries to recapture the form that had him in line for a Wallabies call up last year. In a new look Waratahs back three; Cam completed seven carries for a total of 46 metres, beating two defenders in the process he also made one clean break.
Away from rugby Cam studies a Bachelor of Commerce and Arts Degree. With a strong passion for music Cam describes himself as a real crowd pleaser on the guitar.
Milestones
The Reds-Brumbies clash was the backdrop as a number of career milestones were reached.
After missing the previous two games with a shoulder injury, Saia Fainga’a was finally able to register his 100th Super Rugby appearance. Although it wasn’t the result he would have hoped for against the team he made his debut for, it’s a fantastic effort nonetheless.
Congratulations to Ed Quirk who scored his first Super Rugby try. The fiery red head was a pest at the breakdown all game and was eventually rewarded with a five pointer.
Quade Cooper was ever reliable with the boot, with his name a mainstay on the score sheet he became just the 11th player to pass 700 Super Rugby points.
Rod Davies ran out for his 50th Reds cap, marking a special moment in his career.
Teenager Tom Staniforth made his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies when he faced up against Wallabies Captain James Horwill.
Over in Perth there were two debutants, as Waratahs backrower Tala Gray and Western Force back Chris Tuatara-Morrison also made their Super Rugby Debuts. ‘Tahs scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin who earned his 50th Cap for the Waratahs.
Across the ditch, Melbourne Rebels lock Hugh Pyle celebrated his 50th Super Rugby cap. A key member of the Rebels pack Hugh will be looking to celebrate in style when the Rebels return home to face the inform Force next week.
Congratulations to all of these players on the momentous achievements they reached in their careers on the weekend.
Words by Tom Connor - @TomConnor06
http://www.rupa.com.au/news/archive/...otlight-week-8
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