Before I start, let me put on record that I’m an optimistic person.
The New Zealand teams have a plethora of talent and are a class above in terms of ball handling and strategy. But having said that, did the Aussie teams make an impression?
In short, yes.
Firstly, the Drua did extremely well against the top-of-the-table Blues. They’re not part of the Australian set-up but deserve a mention.
To lose to the top New Zealand team by a relatively small margin – and potentially a try toward the death making it a ten-point difference – is a result for World Rugby and Super Rugby Pacific. The Drua have been fantastic additions and will thrive in years to come.
When it comes to the Australian teams against our brothers across the ditch, we clearly need improvement.
After the Force-Moana Pasifika match was cancelled we were left with eight games.
Waratahs versus Chiefs.
The Chiefs were dominant from the start, largely thanks to Ill-discipline from the Tahs, though the pleasing thing to take away from the game was that when the teams were level, so were the Tahs.
The scoreline might suggest otherwise, but the Tahs have improved immensely from last season. Next week’s game will be telling, but they have to improve their discipline if they’re going to beat any Kiwi opposition. But they’ve definitely improved, and I’m picking them for one New Zealand scalp this year.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Reds versus Hurricanes
Well, what do you say about this game? The Reds have some outstanding players, but they’re young. To be outscored 30-0 in the last 50 minutes is not great. There were individual standout performances spread across the Reds, but error rate was way too high.
Fraser McReight is the next Wallabies No. 7 without a doubt after Michael Hooper, and Harry Wilson’s intensity is outstanding. If both can be squeezed into the Wallabies 22-man squad, it must be done.
But the Reds have definitely slid from last year. I was hoping for a 3-2 result from the Reds against Kiwi opposition this year, the Hurricanes being one of their victories, but I think we’d be happy with one. It depends on what Brad Thorn does, but losing so emphatically will weigh heavily on them. I’m now hoping for two wins for the remainder of the season
Rebels versus Crusaders
Everyone knew this would be a tough game for the Rebels. Despite heroic moments, they have failed to string together consistent form. The first 30 minutes were solid, but it then turned into a rabble. It’s like watching the Tahs last year.
I don’t see them winning a game against Kiwi opposition, but I’m happy to be proved wrong.
Brumbies versus Highlanders
Yes, this was the top Aussie team playing the lowest Kiwi team, but it had some real intent to it. Out of the Australian Super Rugby teams, the Brumbies appear to be the only ones able to stick to their structure. They dominated from the begging and applied points pressure when the Highlanders came back. They are one from one and I’m picking another two.
The week in summary
The Australian teams have improved immensely, and at least two teams have the capacity to win pretty much any game, but their mental headspace is not right.
I still think we need another year to be competitive for three teams, with maybe another year on top of that for the remaining two.
I know the Kiwis will laugh, and I’m sure you’ll come at me for this article, but the Aussies are coming good.
I have estimated six wins from 25 – not including the Force for now – which is not ideal, but it’s better than last year, and the youth, if they don’t go to Japan, will be better for every performance.
Let’s see how it pans out, but the Brumbies and Reds can go for 80 minutes, and Tahs under Darren Coleman will take another year or two.
In short, the Aussies are competing, and I like what’s in their future – if we can keep them.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
This week will be very interesting. We’ve all had a taste (almost – sorry MP and Force fans), of what the others bring. I still think it will be a 3-1 split, I don’t see Blues,Cheifs or Crusaders outside top 4. Although , how does the playoff work? 1v8 2v7 etc?
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Brumbies and Reds can both finish top 4. It could be 2-2. But the Reds hve to win this week to do so. Let’s see aye.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Yes. An incomplete performance that left 14+ points on the field through some simple errors, but still dominated the gain line and territory is reasonably called convincing.
DNZ
Guest
Well they dominated all facets of the game and I doubt anyone watching it felt that the Highlanders were ever really within touching distance of the Brumbies. It wasn't perfect but it was a pretty convincing win.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Someone has to do the work Kris. Would you prefer we all do it angry like you do? Silly laughs or just enjoying living?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, but I think the top 8 are still a little harder to pick at this stage, so I went for top 4 as a prediction as I think that’s a given at this stage.
Martin Gordon
Guest
I am optimistic about the Australian performances. Considering the tahs lost basically their best player in bell in the first 2minutes into the game, as well as the likely wallabies starting hooker. Then to go down to 13 with roberts leaving the field. And I am aware of the rule but roberts goes for 10min, in the reds v canes game the creighton pass is knocked down and it results in a try for the canes. It seems like it is ok to run into the attacking line and knock the ball down as long as it’s it backwards, seems cynical. Back to the tahs, Harrison goes off with a knee injury and we lose Horton. We have gordon and hjh throwing line outs. No wonder there was a loss. The tahs are an improved side and will continue to improve. The reds missed joc. All the effort but needed a conductor. Rebels lost toomua early and Hanson. They were always going to lose to the crusaders but worked hard to get those tries at the end. The key thing is that generally Australian teams don’t have enough dept. the brumbies are the one team that can cope with some things not going their way. Things are moving in the right direction and I can’t wait to next week. Reds will be better for the run, same with the tahs, rebels will also improve with leota getting another game aswell as hoseathopefully back soon, the force will be up and about and hopefully the brumbies just keep their physicality. Looking forward to it.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Top 8 for finals this year.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
An 11 point win by the 2nd ranked Aus team over the 5th ranked NZ team is ya know..convincing??
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Fair enough about the dislike for teams in baby Blue. Most Kiwis are the same but the Blue is a little darker…
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Good point about the coaching, coaching in Australia has improved also. The Tahs have improved and wether people like him or not, Thorn had taken the Reds to new heights. The Brumbies controlled the game against the Highlanders well overall… A good/great player and team starts with a strong coaching system, this why your article resonates well with me… :thumbup:
Riggers
Roar Rookie
Thanks Mad Kiwi, Yes there is certainly talent and the NRL have taken a lot as well. It is difficult to keep them in Australia, but if we can 3 teams can definitely be competitive and 4 if we can get the right coaching in place. For the record, I believe we have some good coaches as well, but they’re all off shore unfortunately.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
A good article Riggers, much appreciated. As a Crusaders fan I can definitely say that there has been progression from the Australian teams which is great to see. I agree about if the young talent remains then the teams and Wallabies will only get stronger, along with the fan base. I have said since I joined the Roar last season that Australia has great talent coming through and for the first time in along time there is genuine competition for squad places.
Andrew
Guest
I agree I think the Aussie teams are improving and I’m hoping to see a much improved Wallabies team I think we need to see the continuing use of young players I think they look good with Dave Rennie at the helm. Let’s hope we see good results against England I’m an All Black supporter but enjoy seeing the Wallabies playing well So no I’m not going to blast you but am in agreement I actually think the Rebels ended up doing really well against the Crusaders So here’s hoping we will have a fairer competition this year
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Hi Paulo… your comment “ I think the Australian posters are far more critical and scathing than the Kiwis.” Will be taken a little out of context. We are only “scathing” when it comes to the Tahs because there is one thing all Aussies who are not from NSW have in common it is our lack of respect for any sporting team wearing baby blue (and Cheika) I know I can sometime throw the odd barbs at a diving James slipper or an over rated Tom Banks, but in general I stick to giving the Tahs a good rubbing like every good Queenslander should. So with that said.. 51 points… even the rebels didn’t have that many scored on them.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Oz side of the comp did considerably better then what I expected particularly for the first round where I was expecting the speed of the Kiwi game to dominate from the kick off. Was surprised to see the Kiwi teams with so many errors.
wigeye
Guest
:unhappy: :laughing:
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Hi James… I did like almost all Of your comment except for that “go Tahs” rubbish at the end. Otherwise very well said.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Suli can stay. Depending on the heath of Jordan P I think we will see Stewart drop into 10, Hunter to 12, Flook to 13, Jordan P to one wing and Campbell retained at 15. I left Brad a Voice mail with this recommendation.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Pretty easy to do better than expected when you’ve got low expectations. It’ll certainly be interesting in the next few weeks to see how this pans out.