Sure, there is the rumble again in the Super Rugby Pacific between the Brumbies and the Reds, but we had that the other week already.
Forget over the ditch.
Very few people, at least in Sydney, are aware of this game as the media do not appear to cover Super W.
This weekend’s ‘should be’ most anticipated game is Friday’s Super W game between the Waratahs and the Fijiana Drua. Both teams are undefeated with the Fijiana Drua on top of the table with a better for and against.
The Fijiana Drua have hit the Australian Buildcorp Super W competition like a freight train – fast, strong, skilled and fit. With three wins 66-5 over the Rebels, 27-12 over the Reds and 45-17 over the Force. They have performed outstandingly and didn’t have a lot of preparation before the start of the competition.
The Fijiana Drua squad is made up of 23 local players and eight overseas based players. It is a mix of Fijian 15s players, a few former sevens players, a couple of League players from the News Zealand Warriors and Fiji, plus a player from the UK women’s Saracens team.
Usually with Fijian teams you could hang in there, wear them down in the set piece and then get away in the last 15 to 20 minutes. That is not the case with the Fijiana Drua they are running all day. Just like their men and women’s sevens teams they are highly skilled, love the contact, transition quickly after a turnover and offload at every opportunity.
The expectation is that the Fijiana Drua will just pound away, wear the Waratahs down in both attack and in defence. Once worn down the flood gates open and the Fijiana Drua run away with it. As Rebels captain Mel Kawa said “It was like playing sevens for 80 minutes”.
It is going to be interesting to see how the game plays out. On the Stan show ‘Between Two Posts’ with Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens, Waratahs’ player Lori Cramer basically indicated they would have to tighten the game up, slow it down and not get into a fling it around tryfest.
This will be interesting to see how they execute this game plan as the Waratahs have been scoring a lot of tries especially by star fullback Mahlia Murphy. (Even the props Bridie O’Gorman and Eva Karpani have made the highlight reel with in open space runaway tries a la Matt Dunning.)
Who to look out for in the Fijiana Drua?
Their front row is strong with Vika Matarugo leading the way. In the backs fly half Merewalesi Rokouono, wing Vitalinia Naikore and full back Roela Radiniyavuni are dangerous.
On the Waratahs side it will be interesting to see the selections. The forwards ability to withstand the Fijiana Drua will be critical.
While the Waratahs have got some experience with taliswoman Grace Hamilton, Emily Chancellor, Emily Robinson and Sera Naiqama, the player who has impressed has been Anita Faimasui Brown at 6 whether starting or off the bench. The Waratahs will need her strength.
In the backs the plan has been the Jonah Lomu strategy, just give it to Mahlia Murphy. Not sure whether she will get the same opportunities this week but she is an absolute star. The centre pairing of Georgina Friedrichs and Katrina Barker is very good but they don’t have the size, so would not be surprised if Nicole Nathan is slotted in to provide some size.
Similarly the wingers have speed and agility, just not sure about their size with the rampaging Fijiana Drua. Also of interest will be to see who plays fly half with Pauline Piliae having started in all three games so far but Arabella Mckenzie is probably available after her stint in the Super Rugby Aupiki.
Let us hope it delivers as a a block buster, it is quite possible that the Fijiana Drua could turn up and blow our Waratahs off the park – noting the Waratahs haven’t lost a game since the start in 2018.
There are also other Super W games this weekend. The Reds v Rebels on Saturday, (expect the Reds to get the win here), note this game is on free to air 9Gem. Then on Sunday is Brumbies v Force which should be a cracker of a game.
As a side issue, it would be really interesting to understand why Rugby AU has scheduled (according to rugby.com.au) the Super W semi final on a Thursday at 10am, and the final while on a Saturday is on at 10am.
They need to look at NRLW, AFLW and A-League W as to how to appropriately schedule women’s games.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Reading the other article on women's rugby in NZ, it seems both NZ and Australia just don't focus on women's rugby. No sure if it's intentional by the national rugby bodies as they don't rate its value or maybe they just don't have the money to invest in it properly.
Totally Incompetent
Roar Rookie
To add to your perplexity, I'll tell you this: being based in Italy, I subscribed to a seasonal pass offered by SanzarTv (in Italy Super Rugby wasn't broadcasted at all at the start of the season) that enables me to watch streaming live and on demand Super Rugby Pacific. There was no offer in order to watch Super Rugby Aupiki e Super Rugby W and because I wanted to I have even written to them asking if there was a way to integrate them into my subscription, maybe with an upgrade. They had never even answered me. Luckily, I have been able to find some of the games on YouTube, but only days later, whereas I would gladly pay something to have them at my fingertips
Totally Incompetent
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Cheers JC, I dont understand the lack of promotion of Super Rugby generally but in particular Super W and this game. It is almost intentional not to promote this game which is odd when it has so many story lines - 2 unbeaten teams, both play exciting footy then you have the journey story of the Fijiana. Just weird. I think where I get irritated is seeing the coverage of AFLW, ALeague women and then NRLW with the former 7s players being promoted as stars.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Thanks Hugh, a great write up. The Super W games have been really great to watch
JC
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the catch-up, Hugh. I’m hoping that Hamilton’s leadership will give the Tahs a winning edge but the Drua do look very intimidating. Something has to improve around promotion of Super Rugby, both women’s and men’s comps (and the timing of the women’s finals doesn’t help but perhaps it’s a Stan decision). It’s crazy not to make the most of what promises to be a thunderous top-of-the-table clash on Friday.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
I did include the link to rugby.com.au which has the draw. But to assist you the game is being played on the Gold Coast Cbus stadium 4.05pm
DJ
Roar Rookie
Yes agree on both of those. Grace has had a bit of a standout so far.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
I think the Brumbies/ Force game will be a tight match. From the Brumbies have been impressed by Grace Kemp in the forwards and also like the look of Ella Ryan at fullback
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
There is nothing better than a prop in open space with that look of both determination & confusion in the eyes. And yep GH is a star, she is not the most flamboyant No.8 with pace and skill but she is critical to the team. Really noticed it in the first game when she wasn't starting but when she came off the bench the team just lifted.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
I have a bit of fear too but at the same time a lot of anticipation to see how it plays out. As you say, the Tahs will have to be very disciplined for the whole game.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Hi Hugh, the Fijiana are just taking the Super W by storm which is great. Unfortunately, I fear for your Tah team. Though they are the one team in the comp that can tighten play up but they will have to be very disciplined & stay to script.
Joe King
Roar Rookie
Really looking forward to this game.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
It doesn't help when you don't tell us where and what time Friday's game starts.
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
I really like the way Tah-Ws go about their business, great cohesion and GH is real star, but mostly I love the free running props.
DJ
Roar Rookie
We're looking forward to the Brumbies Force game, hopefully a nice dry track. Drua v Waratahs should be a cracker. Super W has been great this year, get there on the weekend if you can. Those times for the finals are a bit disappointing though after a pretty well run normal season