Brumbies prop James Slipper has rocketed into second place in Stan Sport’s Australian Super Rugby Pacific player of the year race after his two try masterclass against the Waratahs in round six.
After each round the Between Two Posts team of Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles are handing out their 3-2-1 votes towards their ’Posty’ awards.
The stakes are high in 2023 as Wallabies coach Eddie Jones runs the rule over the Test contenders with the ultimate carrot of a place in the Rugby World Cup squad.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific and Super W seasons on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
Slipper’s hilarious interview after try-scoring heroics
MORGAN TURINUI, Former Wallaby and Waratahs back
3 points: James Slipper
“How can you not? He got his core role right, he’s in the physical stuff in the middle and especially one of the tries was absolutely outstanding.”
2: Len Ikitau
“He was excellent. I think he’s a gun. He needs points, he’s the Wallaby 13, everything he does is class. I thought he was influential. He would have got four (points) if he played 80 (minutes).”
1: Harry Wilson
“He impressed in a losing side.”
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STEPHEN HOILES, Former Wallabies, Waratahs and Brumbies forward
3: James Slipper
“You’ll find most props are quick over 10m, they’re power athletes.”
2: Harry Wilson
“I know they lost but I thought his start to the game really brought the energy and it wasn’t his performance why they lost. I thought he was one of the shining lights in a side that did pretty well against a good Crusaders side.”
1: Michael Hooper
“Best game for the Tahs (this year). I think he led that energy and a big reason they scored a lot of their points was Hoops’ involvement.”
Hooper sets his winger away
SEAN MALONEY, Nine and Stan Sport commentator
3: Jed Holloway
“The man that carried three defenders over with him.”
2: James Slipper
“Two tries, two points. I was astounded at his pace for the first try. He was quick. He was flying through. It wasn’t just the tries, he was into it all night. We’ve spoken before about how impressive he’s been since he moved to Canberra and he even got to do the post-game… ‘I only get on the panel if I score two tries.. now you want to be my mates’?”
1: Jordan Petaia
NEW PODCAST: Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles analyse Eddie Jones’ intriguing first Wallabies squad and a Brumbies-Waratahs derby for the ages
LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND FIVE
13: Carter Gordon
8: James Slipper
7: Langi Gleeson
6: Cadeyrn Neville, Ryan Lonergan
5: Nick Frost, Brad Wilkin
4: Pete Samu, Jordan Petaia, Andy Muirhead
3: Rob Valetini, Lachlan Lonergan, Stacey Ili, Richard Hardwick, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Jed Holloway, Harry Wilson
2: Tom Wright, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, John Ulugia, Fraser McReight, Joe Pincus, Tim Anstee, Len Ikitau
1: Max Jorgensen, Dave Porecki, Tom Lambert, Josh Flook, Lalakai Foketi, Gareth Simpson, Liam Wright, David Feliuai, Taleni Seu, Michael Hooper, Jordan Petaia
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