There is no doubting the impact that Samu Kerevi had on the Wallabies as he was one of the major reasons for success in the Rugby Championship, having 60 carries for 186 metres and scoring two tries across his five matches.
His attacking potency was irreplaceable compared to any other inside centre in the world. After the disaster of the Bledisloe Cup and then leaving camp for family reasons, Hunter Paisami was left in the shadows as Kerevi replaced him and then completely turned the Wallabies’ results on their heads.
After Kerevi’s injury in the last game versus Argentina, Paisami was called back into the starting outfit for the match versus Japan. After being out of the Wallabies team for just short of two months, Paisami was thrown into the deep end and was expected to have the same damaging capability of the best inside centre in the world. Kerevi’s attacking capability and physical presence on the field was virtually impossible to replace, and Paisami copped the brunt of negativity for his lack of Kerevi-ness.
Yet, Paisami’s performance in Oita was more than respectable in attack and especially impressive in defence.
Attack
Overall, Paisami had seven runs for 13 metres with nine passes. While these stats might sound unsatisfactory, Paisami has simplified his game back to running direct straight lines in attack in contrast to his lateral running and long cut-out passes that were prone to interception against New Zealand. All seven of his carries were straight lines, which is exactly what the Wallabies need to see out of Paisami instead of a distribution role which he played against New Zealand which is totally against his natural instinct.
In the eighth minute, Paisami secures possession of the ball from the kickoff and takes the ball into contact for his forwards to drive over. Again in the 29th minute, Paisami receives the pass out the back from Nic White and instead of pushing the pass out wide, takes the ball into contact for his forwards to drive over. This shows an awareness of his game and that he has learnt from the mistakes of the New Zealand test matches and is deciding to take the ball into contact instead of running the risk of throwing an intercept.
In the 35th minute, the Wallabies win a scrappy line out ball and Cooper receives the ball on the back foot and distributes to Paisami who in turn takes the ball into contact instead of throwing a pass that would put pressure on his outside backs. In the 38th minute, Paisami decides to distribute but does take the ball forward before throwing a short and sharp pass to Valetini who gets over the advantage line. His link role throughout the game enabled players such as Rob Valetini, Rob Leota and Len Ikitau to run up some metres out wide.
This is again evident in the 41st minute when Paisami receives the ball after a well gained run from Tupou, the Japanese backline is on the back foot due to Tupou’s run and Paisami decides to throw the pass to Ikitau who is under no pressure, which enables Ikitau to get well over the advantage line out wide.
In the 49th minute, Paisami receives the ball after a non-advancing maul and takes the ball directly into contact. Although he is hit hard and put well behind the advantage line, he decides to hold the ball and not throw a loose offload to players surrounding him, further showcasing his quick maturity at the Test level. In the 51st minute, Paisami again plays a link role and distributes the ball to Valetini who gets over the advantage line.
It is clear that Paisami is identifying that the Japanese defence is not rushing up and can afford to throw the pass to Valetini without any significant risk and then finally in the 53rd minute, Paisami receives the ball from the restart and takes the ball into contact to enable his forwards to secure the ball at the ruck.
Overall, Paisami did not do anything special in attack, but his discipline to take the ball into contact and enable his forwards to secure the ball was an important factor within the game, and without Paisami trying to straighten up the attack, the consequences regarding intercepts could have been a lot worse than one.
Defence
The defensive aspect of Paisami’s performance was the most impressive part of his performance against Japan. Paisami topped the tackle count with 12 tackles at a 100 per cent tackle rate, and was a key factor in shutting down the dangerous and lethal Japanese backline.
As seen in the video, Paisami made numerous crucial tackles throughout the game. In the 11th minute, the Japanese outside centre Timothy Lafaele makes a break down the blindside of the ruck and looks to link up with his left winger, Paisami tracks back in defence and makes a crucial tackle to shut down the attacking threat. Again in the 17th minute, Japan were looking dangerous out wide with numbers to the left and Paisami identifies the pass recipient and runs infield to shut the ball carrier down before he can get a pass away.
His defensive reads were crucial across the board for the Wallabies. In the 19th minute, the Japanese midfielder receives the ball from the scrum and runs direct, but is hit hard by Paisami who rushes up and puts him behind the advantage line, this then leads to a knock-on a few phases later due to Paisami’s tackle and the work by the forwards at the ruck. Paisami makes three consecutive tackles in the 24th minute, which are all crucial tackles in stopping the Japanese front-foot attack.
In the 45th minute, Paisami rushes up on the Japanese ball runner and puts him behind the advantage line. This leaves the Japanese attack disjointed and clunky, leading to a penalty to the Wallabies, and then finally in the 76th minute, Japan work a turnover inside their own 22 and look to counter-attack with a three on two out wide, but Paisami rushes across the field to make the tackle on the Japanese ball runner, which isolates him behind the gain line leading to Valetini’s turnover and then Connal McInerney’s rolling maul try.
Summary
Although Paisami’s performance against Japan was not full of the most amazing highlight reels compared to the likes of Samu Kerevi, his effort in attack to straighten up the play was pivotal, and his work in defence shut down multiple threatening plays from Japan out wide and in-tight near the ruck.
The expectation that the Wallabies were going to be able to replace Kerevi was never realistic, yet Paisami’s performance added another level of defence to this Australian outfit. Paisami did well to fill the role at inside centre and played a crucial role in the Wallabies’ victory.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Busted I've been a club coach too and agree with you about defence at club level. But at Test level being just a good defensive back is nowhere near good enough. You also have to score lots of tries to beat top 5 in world. All I'm saying is give Perese a go and see how he fairs. We know already that Paisami is not Test standard atm and imo he's a liability WBs can never afford due to his very high error rate.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
G’day Wax. Interesting comments you make. I wasn’t a fan of Parese’s when he was at the Reds and I haven’t seen enough so far to make me change my mind. I note that you make mention of the qualities you see in him and that’s great, but nothing that relates directly to defence. Willingness to defend is not something that can be coached. I tell my teams I’d rather we stop the opposition and only need to score one try to win than try to score six if they have scored five. That doesn’t mean we play a defensive style, just we stop them when they’ve got the ball. Anyone can be taught running lines, draw-and-pass etc and you set your game plan to take best advantage of the skills of the players you have. If Parese’s skill set is what DR and co settle for than good luck to him and the WBs. We’ll all be happy. My choice in skillset is number 1, a player willing and capable to defend. Hope you enjoy the rest of the tour. Looking forward to what unfolds.
OMO
Roar Rookie
Fair enough, but looking at Super Rugby, this year showed that Paisami was overall a better player than Foketi, and Perese's defence was definitely not top tier. For Duncan P, haven't watched enough of him lately to make a judgement but even so, I don't think he made the tour group, so I'd suggest sticking with Paisami for now.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Oscar I have nothing against Paisami. I'm just being hard and fair on a young guy at Test level who's played the worst continuous run of Tests since Nick Phipps. Hunter will be a good provincial level player but has no potential at centre in Test rugby cos he's not big enough and stupidly tries to run over people. Do you want WBs to stay at no 8 in world or do you want them to be competitive in top 3. You don't get into top 3 by being soft and making silly excuses for players or coaches. It's the most brutal sport in world. I repeat, just being a good defender is nowhere near good enough at Test level in the top 5 in world. Perese does have the size, power, running skills and mongrel required and therefore has x10 more potential than Paisami imo. For reasons unknown you've written off Perese before even given an opportunity. I'd prefer either JoC, Perese, To'omua, or even Hooper at centre, for WBs. Paisami is a liability they can't afford anywhere, anytime.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Larkham Yes agree - and Wright only had 1 shocker. Paisami has had 10 in a row and his 11th against Japan was still only a 4 :) Paisami's issues are so severe he needs a few seasons back with Reds to fix them. But he's simply not big enough for a Test centre so has no long term potential there.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Busted. Hard, fair and certainly not harsh Busted. Do you want WBs to stay at no 8 in world or do you want them to be competitive in top 3. You don't get into top 3 by being soft and making silly excuses for players or coaches. It's the most brutal sport in world. 11 Tests is more than enough time to show both good form and potential. Paisami is obvioulsy not Test standard atm imo. And he's simply not big enough to be the power running centre he aspires too and is needed at Test level in 2021. So he has no long term potential at Test level imo. I repeat, just being a good defender is nowhere near good enough at Test level in the top 5 in world. Perese does have the size, power, running skills and mongrel required and therefore x10 more potential than Paisami imo
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
You know WL, I still feel sorry for a fullback called Bruce Cook who only got 1 test back in the mid-70s, dropped for a mistake that was not of his making. TW’s problem may simply be that there are plenty of “equal” wingers around at the same time. Let’s hope for the WB’s sake he can show everyone that he is worth the faith you have in him.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Without Kerevi the Wallabies need another good attacker,having watched Morahan leading a scintillating Bristol attacking display even with Piatau having a off day, he would have been a good option,but I think the Wallabies still possess enough attacking talent to win,even without Cooper,Kerevi and Morahan.
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the article. I said on the roar prior to the Japanese match that Paisami would play well if he got the basics right and the razzle dazzle would come after that. He played well without the razzle dazzle in Japan. I think he’ll play better against the Scots next game. He’ll have JOC inside of him and he is more familiar with him than QC. I think people score players on past performances on the DIY ratings on the Roar. Also it’s hard to replace the likes of Kerevi. I watched the Scotland vs Tonga game and scots backline played well. HP’s defence will be tested against them. They played fast, smart and well. I’ll give some HP haters time to change their mind about him rather than try to convince them. I wasn’t convinced by Ikitau initially this season. I was wrong about him. He was doing the basics well without the razzle dazzle. Then came the razzle dazzle from him. Perhaps HP will do the same by the end of the Spring tour.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Perhaps harsh busted..but recall tom Wright had a shocker in the two test against France and got shelved very quickly by DR and only recently featured again and yet paisami with was given chance after chance along with his errors..paisami will only become much better if DR gives him the same treatment as tom got
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
So I’m being agreed with.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Bit harsh WL? He’s only played 11 tests, started in 10, 5 of those against the AB and all since October 11, 2020. All that in 1 year after rebuilding a career at the Reds since the beginning of the 2020 season and having been shifted from 13 to 12 in both SR and Test teamS. Add to that new family responsibilities. Are you looking for a rugby player growing into his best, not there yet, or a miracle worker because I can’t see any of the new boys, and I’ll include the prodigal son Perese in that group, doing any better.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
David we need to trial someone else at 12 like foketi or perese or Duncan P..worst case scenario beale
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
OMO..he performed decent..but decent performances is not enough for us wallaby roarers and so we have to look at other options like foketi or perese or Duncan P if he is still in the squad..
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Am I being agreed with or disagreed with?
OMO
Roar Rookie
Larkham just want to clarify, you are saying that Paisami performed well against japan right?
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Oscar let's first see how perese does before concluding he is not an option at 12..paisami has been given multiple chances at 12 position and couldn't nail it down...
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
David..if paisami couldn't perform against Japan he is more likely to make more mistakes against the next three opponents...DR needs to trial someone else at 12...
Oscar
Roar Rookie
no comparison between Paisami's defence and Kerevi's.... Paisami's technique, workload and awareness in defence is levels above Kerevi. Argentina used a huge amount of ball and targeted the centres a huge amount, Kerevi's workload in defence just isn't at the same level.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Opposition attacking structures can account for the increased defensive load at 12. Selected Hooper as he would be fast enough to play there.