For Aussie but individuals stand out

Speight is back. That’s what Brumbies coach ‘‘Bernie’’ Larkham would have been saying after his double last week against the Waratahs. It has taken a while for him to find his form again. He’s been in and out of the national team with injury, and that has put a dent in his confidence, especially when your job is to run at full tilt and score tries.

Speed and size are his attributes, but what has been impressive is his work rate off the ball. I remember David Campese telling wingers: ‘‘Don’t just stay on the edge. Get involved and get a touch.’’ Speight is doing that with great reward. Kyle Godwin The move to the Brumbies was a great call. If anything, he should have left the Force earlier. Having quality players around him has lifted his game. Mind you, it’s still a work in progress, but I imagine he would be eating up all the information coach Larkham would be dishing up.

If there is a facet of his game that still needs attention, it’s his kicking in general play. An inside back needs to be able to control a game and a No.12 needs to provide relief for his five-eighth. That’s where the smarts of playing rugby come into it – having that control to approach a match like a game of chess, and when it’s time to strike, you go hard. Samu Kerevi

You have moments in your career when you have your best game, yet one blemish ruins all the hard work. Kerevi would have felt like that a few weeks back against the Crusaders with that final penalty that cost his team the game. But you learn from those things.

What we learnt was that after recovering from an ankle injury that excluded him from last year’s tour he has lost none of his ability to carry the ball in contact and put a dent in defensive lines. Tom English

Enthusiasm is key for this big utility back. No longer can he be the rookie and, positionally, he has matured. Starting on the wing he has now made his presence felt in the centres.

A strong ball carrier who is building to become a valuable asset for Australian rugby.

That maturity as a player is all about making the right play at the right time, knowing when to go and when to pass, and that is coming. He could be a bolter for a call up in the June test series. Tolu Latu

Having played second fiddle to Tatafu Polota-Nau for the past few years, it’s amazing what an opportunity can do. A new zest for the game has seen Latu play uninhibited rugby.

There was always the question ‘‘what can this bloke bring to the game’’, and is he a mini version of his predecessor? The answer to the latter is no, and now we are seeing the results.

His size allows him to be strong in contact and effective in tackles.