Wycliff Palu leads John Eales medal count after spring tour

[travelling_gerry]

December 03, 2009

Blockbusting No.8 Wycliff Palu has capped a dramatic form turnaround by being named the Wallabies' best player on their spring rugby tour.
Axed during the earlier Tri-Nations series, Palu credited some stern words from his mother as he excelled on the recent five Test tour to Japan and Europe.

For the first time player voting for the annual John Eales Medal award is to be announced in three stages, with the first update after the spring tour revealed on Thursday.

Palu leads the votes taken among the players each each of the Tests against the All Blacks, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with 113 votes.

This year's John Eales Medal winner Matt Giteau is second with 102 votes, following by Wallabies young guns David Pocock (86) and Will Genia (72) and fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper (52).

The next phase of voting to be revealed will include the four Tests against Fiji (in Canberra), England (in Perth and Sydney), and Ireland (in Brisbane) next June.

Voting in next year's six-Tests Tri Nations series will remain secret until the winner is announced in October.

AAP

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...016959,00.html

[mudskipper]

well done Palu and Gits... Pocock did very well for his game time...

[GIGS20]

I have to admit, I don't see eye to eye with the players at all right now. Palu's been pretty good, but I'd have to say for consistency Genia first, daylight second. Bam gets an honourable mention, but would surely have lost points to Smith who he pretty much shared a number with, AAC was strong but hardly exciting, Gits was a complete dog's breakfast.....even Brumby Brett Harris is questioning his selection.

Here's an IDea, who do you think should be leading the tally at this stage. Mine are below

Genia
Palu
AAC
Bam

[mudskipper]

I

Here's an IDea, who do you think should be leading the tally at this stage. Mine are below

Genia
Palu
AAC
Bam

their all good contenders... It will come down to injuries and time on the field to get the voting points.. thats Gits big advantage...

[GIGS20]

their all good contenders... It will come down to injuries and time on the field to get the voting points.. thats Gits big advantage...

My question wasn't who will win eventually it was who leads it now.......just like the article said.

Gits may have somebody's balls in a vice and be able to magically manufacture time on the field, but how does he use it?

[James]

No disrespect to those who polled well but the two Bens have been playing great and consistently and at least one of them should be on the list.

[BDAVEY]

i DONT RATE PALU SORRY HES IS BIG THATS ALL HIS COVER WORK AND FIRST TO BREAKDOWN IS VERY LIMITED AND HE IS COVERED BY THE FACT THAT HE HAS POCOCK AND ROCKY AND SMITH DOING 120% OF THEIR SHARE. BROWNY MORE OF A NUMBER 8 LOOSE FORWARD PALU JUST A BATTERING RAM

[James]

I'm not normally a Palu fan but you can't say he didn't play well on tour. If Brownie wants another shot at 8 he'll have to have a really good S14.

[Timbo]

On the basis that quality of play runs from crap to good, I reckon you CAN say that Palu did not play well. He may rate an OK - but there were a good few ahead of him - including all of the front row and the rest of the back row. If Bam cannot get it on the basis of too few minutes on the field, then Genia would be my nominee.

[palitu]

yeah, Palu tends to get the ball knocked out of his hands WAY too much for and international player, especially one who's drawcard is a big strong runner, that can break the line. When near the line, would nice to see him get the ball, look like he's going to go for the line himself like he usually does) then flick it off to support player. That would work a lot since every one knows he likes to back himself.

He played much better this tour, and better than browny did.

I dont thik he should be winning the tally, Genia, AAC or a Benn.

[GIGS20]

i DONT RATE PALU SORRY HES IS BIG THATS ALL HIS COVER WORK AND FIRST TO BREAKDOWN IS VERY LIMITED AND HE IS COVERED BY THE FACT THAT HE HAS POCOCK AND ROCKY AND SMITH DOING 120% OF THEIR SHARE. BROWNY MORE OF A NUMBER 8 LOOSE FORWARD PALU JUST A BATTERING RAM

did you take shout pills yesterday Bill?

[jargan83]

[GIGS20]

Yeah it was sitting somewhere between capslock and ROID RAGE!!!!!!!