We got around to the final turn in a good and truly meaningful way and headed straight for Super Rugby Pacific.
Not all final positions are locked but we know Blues, Crusaders and Brumby will be hosting in a week.
This week’s column is being typed while I’m smoking a bunch of pork ribs so please forgive any typing mistakes due to my fatty mitts.
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As hard as Tate
Queensland Moana was forced to dig deep against the Pacific and no one but Tate McDermott tapped their reserves.
It is beyond me how he got up after sitting in the hands of Timosi Tavatavanavai, the nominee of the year.
Why he wanted to get off The Tank again was a little crazy after a while, but it stopped him.
The Reds captain obviously does a lot of attacking but his ticks on defense are just as impressive. He even finished on the wing late.
McDermott + Jake Gordon + Nick White = Lots of great selection headaches for Wallabies boss Dave Renny.
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‘Marky Mark’ and Sponky Bunch
Mark Nawakanitawase and Waratara continue to shine, their first win against that opponent in New Zealand in 5195 days against the Highlanders on Sunday.
Nawakanitawas was still in elementary school when Tahs last won in Dunedin when Lotte Tukiri was in one wing and… wait, Timana Tahu is another!
The Eastwood local ‘Markey Mark’ trajectory is on, well, jaw dropping.
Realizing the talent is always wonderful and there is no question that the 21-year-old is crawling into it.
Guess who came back
Last weekend this little column asked where the Brumbies fans had slipped, well, they came back on Saturday night with some poison.
I’ve been working at the stadium for 14 years now and it was as loud as I could hear them, even though their team topped the Blues and went down to the table.
They questioned every decision, lifted every local defensive effort and what could be a match-winning transition when Noah Lolesio takes the field.
The fulltime whistle was met with the chorus of the bus, which gave us a somewhat surreal soundtrack to Bouden Barrett’s heroism.
KEPU continues
Stan Sport teammates Drew Mitchell, Andrew Swain and I were caught after Moana Pacific captain Secope Capu lost to the Reds where the big man has filled us with how much he loves his rugby right now.
Good times with Pacifica are expected to lead to a rugby World Cup campaign by Druke, who hammered the idea into capes.
“Go to France, play with Tonga, it would be great,” his former teammate repeatedly advised.
There is hope here.
The crown of the seven series
The Aussie women are returning home with a little extra baggage after their series-final tournament in France.
Toulouse had a silver medal and Charlotte was crowned the best player of the Caslik series.
Maddie Levy picked up the Rookie of the Year trophy and joined the Faith Nathan and Maddie Ashby tournament ‘Dream Team’.
Get safe women at home and we look forward to your next events starting soon
Get your ticket
Eddie Jones has announced his England squad to face the Wallabies in July and this is a worrying development.
Three Test series are underway in Perth where 13 per cent of the local population has migrated from the UK.
Tickets are being moved but we will really start running as soon as we close on the first Saturday of the month.
You can avoid getting lost in the west by visiting wallabies.rugby/tickets.
Who gives?
Which of the following is the most intelligent, well-chosen member of the Stan Sport team who was denied access to a rental car and bar on the weekends because of his ‘digital license’?
When we pressed it, he didn’t flash his government-approved app – instead he took a picture of his license on his kitchen benchtop.
Wonder if he will try the same with his passport at customs near the Bladeslow time?
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