0
Iain Payten's Tri Nations report card
- Iain Payten
- From: The Daily Telegraph
- September 18, 2010 12:00AM
Source: The Daily Telegraph
IT was yet another season where Wallabies fans were left feeling like they'd sailed the Sydney to Hobart over huge swells - rolling violently between the peaks and troughs of an eventful Test winter. With awards season upon us, Iain Payten runs his eye over the good, the bad and the ridiculous from 2010.
The Golden Dingo: Player of the year
Anyone mentioned the name George Smith recently? Nope, and the reason why is the winner of the 2010 Golden Dingo - David Pocock. The form of the nuggety openside breakaway has not only been stunning but relentlessly consistent as well. Even with refs cracking down on the breakdown, Pocock was like a hyena on Red Bull with 17 turnovers in six Tri Nations games. He bulldozed through 94 tackles at an average of 16 a game and was among the best ball-runners at the line as well. Formerly a promising rookie, Pocock is now indisputably the complete package.
Runner-up: tireless veteran lock Nathan Sharpe. His best year.
Rookie of the Year
Front-row rookies grew on trees this year, and James Slipper and Saia Faingaa both pressed for top honours. But the award goes to bruising No. 8 Ben McCalman, who slipped into Test rugby like it was a comfortable pair of trakky pants.
Most improved
First, second and third in this category goes to Kurtley Beale. Whipped into shape by a frank discussion with Robbie Deans last year, a leaner Beale impressed with every start at fullback. Several long-range tries and his burning of Conrad Smith last weekend linger in the memory, but not more than that 55m kick on the siren in Bloemfontein.
Best try
Some good flashy ones against the Boks but Drew Mitchell's simple 71st-minute effort in Bloemfontein wins for its significance. Got Australia back in the game after they'd let a lead slip, showing great composure. Helped break the high veldt drought.
Church Mouse award
Given to the quietest player for the year - step forward Rocky Elsom. The skipper is the world's best No .6 when on fire but by his high standards this season was only a smouldering one.
Elsom did, however, make big strides as a captain. Watch for a big tour from the Rock.
Best tackle
Yes we still lost but Lachie Turner's try-saver on Mils Muliaina last weekend was brilliant. Pulled him down a metre short of the line. Can Robbie Deans drop Turner now?
Toughest rival
Toughest nuts to crack were those little books where referees keep their yellow cards. Mainly against New Zealand. Mainly with flanker/winger Richie McCaw on the field.
Clown of the Year
The only nomination again: c'mon down Peter de Villiers. Take your pick of the lunacy this year - World Cup conspiracies, FoxSports misquoting him (on TV), defending an alleged cop murderer.
It can't just be that English is his second language. He comes up with this cuckoo stuff in his head first.
Chiropractic award
Most in need of some remedial back work would have been the rookie Wallabies scrum after getting bent into pretzels by England in June. Ouch. Good experience for them you'd hope, and the scrum did improve overall.
Lara Bingle award
As in "the where the bloody hell are you?" award. Has to go to the Springboks, who were a shadow of their former selves and won just one game. Runner-up was Bakkies Botha's brain. Last sighted in 1996.
Tri Nations First XV
1. Benn Robinson 2. Kevin Mealamu 3. Owen Franks 4. Nathan Sharpe 5. Brad Thorn 6. Jerome Kaino 7. David Pocock 8. Kieran Read 9. Piri Weepu 10. Dan Carter 11. Kurtley Beale 12. Ma'a Nonu 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper 14. Cory Jane 15. Mils Muliaina
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225925560504
Reply With Quote
