By Tim Mosey

We have reached the half way point in the QLD Premier Rugby competition so I thought I’d have a crack at picking a team of the year, so far.

There are plenty of candidates from all of our clubs and it’s impossible to keep everyone happy, so this article aims to stir the pot a little and create some debate at the rugby over the weekend.

1. Campbell Wakely (UQ)
Wakely is the benchmark for front rowers in the competition. His “carries per game” is unrivalled across the first 9 rounds. Scrum time is solid with him on the field.

2. Alex Casey (Souths)
Casey has a sublime skill set for a hooker. He can offload, put a back into space, scrummage, hit a man in a lineout and fold into a ruck like a Mack truck.

3. Jake Simeon (Souths)
Simeon partners outstandingly well with Casey in the Magpies front row. He works the hooker over nicely in scrum combat, particularly when the referee stands with the halfback on the loosehead side.

4. Nathan Den Hoedt (Sunnybank)
The Bank’s captain has been a beacon of light for the Dragons. His work rate across the park has been extensive and he’s their go to man at lineout time. The lanky second rower also hits the ruck with venom.

5. Roberts Puliuvea (Wests)
Puliuvea has been one of the steady hands in a Wests side failing to fire so far this year. In tight, Puliuvea is a handful, scorching into contact with all his 110kg of bone and muscle. He will be hoping the rest of his forward compatriots can emulate his form in the second 9 rounds.

6. Simana Halaifonau (Souths)
A damaging defender and ball carrier, Halaifonau gives coach Elia Tuqiri confidence that the loose work he does on the fringes of the ruck will net Souths meters at the gainline. Halaifonau is one of the competitions better ball carrying forwards.

7. Michael Richards (GPS)
Selected at openside, Richards represents the typical Brisbane club rugby backrower: hard on the ball, uncompromising with ball in hand and damaging in defense. Richards leads GPS week in week out with a class and stature revered in the First Grade competition.

8. Dillon Wihongi (Wests)
Wihongi leads the competition for tackle busts. His ability to find space through defenders and in behind the gain line is a shining light for the Doggies. Wests will want to exploit his ability with ball in hand if they are too charge up the ladder as they did in the back half of 2017.

9. Nick Chapman (Norths)
Touch and go with Liam Dillon of Wests and Shane Tetzlaff of Sunnybank, Chapman displays an unrelenting approach to his work at Shaw Rd. The crafty number 9 was a standout in the Eagles win against Wests and his combination with flyhalf Nick Jooste has kept Norths competitive.

10. James Dalgleish (UQ)
The former Gregory Terrace star is the competition’s leading point scorer. Dalgleish adds a credible defensive edge to his sword and directs the UQ side around the park with dexterity. He can be the difference for UQ in the latter stages of matches with his ability to continually turn up at first receiver – a trait some young 10’s in the competition may wish to mirror.

11. Savenaca Totovosau (Easts)
The try scoring machine has dished up 8 tries so far. His speed and ability to break a tackle will be key to Easts maintaining their top four spot in round two. The Fijian born star is also uncompromising with ball in hand.

12. Matt Gordon (Easts)
Easts’ skipper can distribute, carry hard over the advantage line, ball play and hit like Manu Tuilagi. He will be hoping to continue his consistent form and gritty approach to his rugby. Gordon gets the job done week in week out – no flashiness, just solid toil. The kind of guy everyone wants to play with.

13. Connor Chittenden (Norths)
Chittenden deserves a spot in either of the two QLD NRC squads this year in my eyes. He’s been Norths best player by a bull’s roar every week (equal with Duncan Paia’aua v Wests). Defensively or with ball in hand the Eagles centre ensures oppositions will discuss him on Tuesday night before they play Norths.

14. Emori Waqavulagi (Souths)
Electric. Unpredictable. Skillful. Just some of the descriptors one could use to describe Waqavulagi so far this year. His impact on the competition has been unequivocal. In space he is untouchable. Lachlan Maranta had his hands full when Souths took on Wests at Sylvan Rd. Waqavulagi left the Reds contracted outside back standing with his hands on his hips as he skipped across the tryline.

15. Albert Nikoro (GPS)
Nikoro is my pick of the year so far. Each week without fail Nikoro delivers the full compliment of skills to the opposition. His ability to assess the situation in front of him and select the correct option is quite remarkable. Coach Anthony Mathison pointed to him early in the season as one to watch and he hasn’t disappointed yet. Keep an eye on him come August.

Reserves
16. Ryan Freney (GPS)
17. Fred Burke (GPS)
18. Salesi Manu (Bond)
19. Tyrell Barker (Easts)
20. Tainui Ford (Bond)
21. Liam Dillon (Wests)
22. Nick Jooste (Norths)
23. Alex Gibbon (Brothers)

Club of the Round – Brothers.

While Brothers 1st Grade side will be hoping to improve in round two, the rest of the club is thriving with all grades and colts sides in the top four.

2nd, 3rd 6th grade and Colts 1, 2 and 3 are all leading the competition and Brothers lead the chase for the club championship, the Doherty Shield.