Melbourne Rebels five-eighth Carter Gordon has stormed to the front in Stan Sport’s Australian Super Rugby Pacific player of the year race after another strong performance against the Queensland Reds in round five.
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 season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
Jones did not want to single out Gordon when asked about his hot form by his podcast co-host David Pembroke.
But he told reporters that “it’s not too late for anyone” when quizzed again on Gordon’s World Cup chances.
“I’m not going to comment about specific players at this stage but I think we’re looking out for players who want to be selected,” Jones said.
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“Kearnsy (ex-Wallaby Phil Kearns) was talking about (Max) Jorgensen.
“He’s come through, he’s 18-years-old, and he could play in the World Cup.
“There’s no reason he couldn’t play in the World Cup and there’s a couple of others like that. I think every position is wide open.”
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MORGAN TURINUI, Former Wallabies and Waratahs back
3 points: Vaiolini Ekuasi, Rebels No.8
“When they are in trouble, he really stood up for them. He’s got the hard carries. Even little things like his ground work when he gets tackled, his ball presentation. I hate seeing a big bloke make a great carry, land on the ground and just sort of wait for him.
“He works hard on the ground, he gets back to his feet. He’s looking to be physical defensively. He’s got a short passing game and he showed all of that on the weekend.
“I thought he was outstanding, easily the best player from the Australian team for the round. I would have thought he could qualify (for the Wallabies) in a few years.”
2: Carter Gordon, Rebels five-eighth
“Couldn’t not.”
1: Tim Anstee, Force flanker
“He was good. We keep talking about being in the fight, well he was in the fight. That was a good (Blues) backrow he was up against and I thought he was in everything. Just helped them stay in it.”
STEPHEN HOILES, Former Wallabies, Waratahs and Brumbies forward
3 points: Carter Gordon, Rebels five-eighth
“It’s the hair. I’ve just really enjoyed his approach to the game and his way of playing, his style of footy. He’s making the rest of the Rebels jump on board and I know the forwards are laying a great platform for him but an easy three points in my opinion.”
2: Joe Pincus, Rebels fullback
“He’s been down there for a couple of years and I’ve been waiting to see him play this style of footy, been expecting it for a couple of years. He had a good game.”
1: Taleni Seu, Waratahs forward
“He’s been fantastic off the bench and at some stage I think they’ve just got to go, ‘mate, you’re playing 60 minutes, not 30.’ He’s been excellent for the Waratahs and he was again against his former team (Chiefs). You want him to carry hard.”
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles have their say on the Joseph Suaalii signing, the rise of the Rebels, and the Waratahs struggles
SEAN MALONEY, Chief rugby commentator for Nine and Stan Sport
3 points: Brad Wilkin, Rebels flanker
“Another filthy mullet – Brad Wilkin. I called his name so many times the other night and you talk about (Richard) Hardwick not being there and getting that on-ball presence. He just does so much of the rubbish work for that side. He was everywhere again the other night.”
2: Carter Gordon, Rebels five-eighth
“I can’t remember seeing a fly half run with that lack of fear towards big men, mixing his game up, hitting it sweet off the boot. Just beautiful.”
1: David Feliuai, Rebels centre
“I can’t get away from the Romanian Rumbler (Feliuai used to play in Romania). That’s one point for the story and he scored a try last week. And then on the weekend he just had Reds looking over their shoulders, left and right.”
Flook rocked by marauding Rebel
LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND FIVE
13: Carter Gordon
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
2: Tom Wright, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, John Ulugia, Fraser McReight, Joe Pincus, Tim Anstee
1: Max Jorgensen, Dave Porecki, Tom Lambert, Josh Flook, Lalakai Foketi, Gareth Simpson, Liam Wright, David Feliuai, Taleni Seu
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