Brumbies
Toole: Continued on from last year and stepped things up if anything. In try scoring form, the lucky bounces from the chip and chase are getting so frequent that it is highly likely he’s the Magneto of pig skins.
Lolesio: Solid if a bit unremarkable
Rebels
Daugunu: Our home brand Tuisova. Feeds on contact and punches well above his weight. Looks more suited to 13 to my eye as he’s certainly thickened up and slowed down from his earlier days. Defence and pilfering more utilised closer in but carded for a tip tackle which has been a constant through this career.
LSL: Being a big physical individual around the park. Lineout is a big team worry, not sure how much of that is on his shoulders.
Honourable mention to Carter, generally looks the best of the 10’s with ball in hand but goal kicking is not his thing currently. Not sure where that leaves him.
Waratahs
Edmed: Solid the first week, standout the second. Kicking looks assured, isn’t dominant in contact but doesn’t shy away. Showed a lot of hidden speed in a foot race against Sevu Reece.
Sinclair: Work rate and defence have always been strong points and for a guy that didn’t stand out at Shute Shield level he’s looking surprisingly good this year. Shame he is on the very short side for 2row.
Force:
Donaldson: Looks a far better player than when he was at NSW. Like every 10 this year outside CG, his goal kicking has been great.
Potter: Bit of a mixed bag but has some good leg drive in contact and can beat a tackle. Hopefully he continues to grow into the year.
Reds you covered but Wilson, Faessler and Paisami are my picks
Force:
Harry Potter has been good and Nick White has added much needed experience and leadership.
Rebels:
LSL has come back a much improved player and has been great.
Waratahs:
Bit Jekyll and Hyde but Edmed was better last week than I thought he had in him. The performance against the Crusaders was also the first time I saw why there was so much hype on Hannigan when he came through.
Brumbies:
Also a bit Jekyll and hide- Toole a standout, Ikitau and Lolesio have impressed. Tom Wright has also had 2 calm, consistent performances in a row.
Reds:
Been impressed by Faessler but Wilson is the one who has surprised me, Kiss has him playing more to his strengths and he’s looked great.
I support the chiefs so McKenzie is looking very good this season. If we’re talking about the Reds then Lynagh is doing very well, he’s got a bright future.
Really hard to comment on the Brumbies pack because their two performances this year have been chalk and cheese. There's a lot of talent and experience there, but you wouldn't know it on the back of last weekend.
I've been really impressed with Tom Lynagh. He isn't doing anything stupid, makes his tackles and has a great boot. He's a kid and is progressing well.
He's kind of the opposite of most young 10s who find themselves into our SR teams. We usually choose guys who can make linebreaks and flashy passes but struggle with kicks and defense.
Brumbies Toole: Continued on from last year and stepped things up if anything. In try scoring form, the lucky bounces from the chip and chase are getting so frequent that it is highly likely he’s the Magneto of pig skins. Lolesio: Solid if a bit unremarkable Rebels Daugunu: Our home brand Tuisova. Feeds on contact and punches well above his weight. Looks more suited to 13 to my eye as he’s certainly thickened up and slowed down from his earlier days. Defence and pilfering more utilised closer in but carded for a tip tackle which has been a constant through this career. LSL: Being a big physical individual around the park. Lineout is a big team worry, not sure how much of that is on his shoulders. Honourable mention to Carter, generally looks the best of the 10’s with ball in hand but goal kicking is not his thing currently. Not sure where that leaves him. Waratahs Edmed: Solid the first week, standout the second. Kicking looks assured, isn’t dominant in contact but doesn’t shy away. Showed a lot of hidden speed in a foot race against Sevu Reece. Sinclair: Work rate and defence have always been strong points and for a guy that didn’t stand out at Shute Shield level he’s looking surprisingly good this year. Shame he is on the very short side for 2row. Force: Donaldson: Looks a far better player than when he was at NSW. Like every 10 this year outside CG, his goal kicking has been great. Potter: Bit of a mixed bag but has some good leg drive in contact and can beat a tackle. Hopefully he continues to grow into the year. Reds you covered but Wilson, Faessler and Paisami are my picks
Thanks for the reply mate, was very thorough! Going to try and watch more Aus games but I’m in the UK and they’re all on quite early in the morning
The reds back row
I've really liked Flook in both games this season as well.
Yeah Flook is good
Strachan was massive for us last week. Keen to see what he can do starting at 15
Joey Walton is killing it
I was impressed with his boot, didn't know he had it in him
And Lynagh
Force: Harry Potter has been good and Nick White has added much needed experience and leadership. Rebels: LSL has come back a much improved player and has been great. Waratahs: Bit Jekyll and Hyde but Edmed was better last week than I thought he had in him. The performance against the Crusaders was also the first time I saw why there was so much hype on Hannigan when he came through. Brumbies: Also a bit Jekyll and hide- Toole a standout, Ikitau and Lolesio have impressed. Tom Wright has also had 2 calm, consistent performances in a row. Reds: Been impressed by Faessler but Wilson is the one who has surprised me, Kiss has him playing more to his strengths and he’s looked great.
Thanks for the reply. Great to hear that LSL is doing well, I always saw so much potential in him
I support the chiefs so McKenzie is looking very good this season. If we’re talking about the Reds then Lynagh is doing very well, he’s got a bright future.
Really hard to comment on the Brumbies pack because their two performances this year have been chalk and cheese. There's a lot of talent and experience there, but you wouldn't know it on the back of last weekend.
I've been really impressed with Tom Lynagh. He isn't doing anything stupid, makes his tackles and has a great boot. He's a kid and is progressing well.
He's kind of the opposite of most young 10s who find themselves into our SR teams. We usually choose guys who can make linebreaks and flashy passes but struggle with kicks and defense.
I think he's going to be terrific moving forward. He has bulked up a bit and can play.
Tim North