My first-up column went OK apparently, so here we go again.
This week’s hit is brought to you from the waiting room of my local vet, who I’m certain just makes up life threatening diseases for my pup and then charges accordingly.
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WALLABIES IN WAITING
It’s coming around quick, really quick.
Wallabies vs England in July and we’ve just got our first look at what Dave Rennie has in mind with his 40 man squad.
If we were going on form – Jed Holloway had to be one of the first picked and that’s what’s come to be.
Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens are joined by Lori Cramer as they talk Super W, Super Rugby Pacific and Six Nations. Seanny and Mehrts have some new jerseys on, the NSW refs sent in pies and Lori offers up a selection for the ‘Weird Cat XV.’
Holloway has been on fire through the first five weeks of Super Rugby with his stand-up strength in the tackle shutting down runner after runner.
He’s come back from overseas in career best form and looks certain for Test time if he keeps on the same trajectory.
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IT’S LIKE A TEST MATCH
At halftime of the Brumbies vs Reds thriller, Nic White declared the first 40 minutes were like a Test in terms of the physicality.
It’s hard to remember an all-Aussie Super Rugby game that’s hit harder and there was drama all the way through to the final whistle.
With two minutes to go, the Brumbies threw a loose pass which was grubbered ahead by Reds captain Fraser McReight.
Crucially, Rod Iona spun around to tidy up the loose ball but appeared to grab McReight’s jersey in the process, preventing the backrower from a run to the ball and try line.
It looked clear as day to those in the commentary box, the officials saw different and no TMO was called for the match-defining moment.
FIVE-FA AT THE SCG
Wallaroos backrower Em Chancellor declared Waratahs winger Mahalia Murphy as the most exciting player in Super W on last week’s episode of Stan Sports Rugby Heaven.
Em knows what’s up.
Mahalia went on to score FIVE tries in her side’s big win against the Rebels.
The NSW win streak is now into the 20s but Fijiana Drua lay waiting and remain unbeaten themselves.
Young Rebel in tears after painful loss
GET CARTER
Melbourne’s young fly-half Carter Gordon was inconsolable following their loss to the Tahs.
The talented playmaker missed a kick to touch late in the game which could’ve maybe, potentially, POSSIBLY given them a chance to win the game.
The reality is, the Rebels had burned countless chances in that same part of the field in the 70-odd minutes previous.
In no way, shape or form was Carter responsible for his side slumping to their 10th straight loss.
In a sign the Rebels are sticking strong, his teammates rushed to console him and offer a shoulder.
There are brighter days ahead for the ‘Burn Boys.’
Drua’s fierce pre-match challenge
MEDIA MAGIC
In addition to bringing the on-field flair to SPR, the Fijian Drua media team have been bending backwards to make sure commentary crews have plenty of background on their stars.
They’ve been wonderful.
So, here’s a couple of fun facts I can in turn share with you all, verbatim as they say.
RUSIATE NASOVE: Enjoys riding horses in his village, up to his farm and herds goats on horseback.
ISOA NASILASILA: He is really into astronomy and learning about the stars.
And finally, my favourite….
JOE TAMANI: Fascinatingly, for someone fairly tall and used to being lifted in the lineouts, Joe is not a fan of heights at all.
WHO DAT? Which Stan Sport commentator plagiarised his producer and co-caller’s Golden Slipper tips to nail the coveted first four?
You’d think there’d be a sling for his colleagues… nope… nada, zip.
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