Australian Super Rugby teams are showing they're up for the fight

Well, a second week of trans-Tasman contests has just been completed and it’s certainly not going to script.

The Australian teams are playing with intensity not seen in many years.

For the past 3-4 years, many scribes have mentioned the rising crop of Australian talent but we’ve had to be patient as they try and achieve their apprenticeship in the professional environment.

Last year, those frailties were exposed, but this season they are showing some real patience and intensity in defence, which is translating to lower points being scored against them.

All matches this weekend were available for the taking with five minutes to go (perhaps wishful thinking for the Reds).

The Reds’ drop in form is of greatest concern, but perhaps it is James O’Connor’s absence that is hurting.

I say this as some of the individual performances from the Reds are still outstanding.

The likes of Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott are still great and the promising signs of Jock Campbell at fullback are also encouraging. As the top Australian team this year, they are looking a far lesser threat to our neighbours across the ditch than the Brumbies and Tahs.

The Tahs obviously played an under-strength Crusaders, however, we would’ve struggled to convert that to a win in the preceding two seasons.

We must give huge credit to Darren Coleman for this. He is clearly bringing in a strong defence mentality. The roster hasn’t changed a great deal either. Let’s see what he can do with time.

(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

The Force are always in for the fight, but just can’t convert it into a W. No matter who they play on the ladder they seem to be in it to the end. They can’t put away the lesser teams and won’t let go of the better ones.

The Brumbies are clearly the frontrunners for Australian franchises, but do they have what it takes to win the must-win games in the finals?

I think they can, but it has to be on their day.

The Rebels, we just don’t seem to know what we have from week to week. I can’t see them grabbing a win from our New Zealand brothers, but again they can put some great phases of rugby together for small bursts.

This is not what anyone in Australia or New Zealand foreshadowed, but it is making for some fantastic spectacles on Stan and Sky.

Let’s not forget the fantastic spectacle in Fiji, which proves this competition is the correct format.

Both the Drua and Pasifika will be very strong in two years time if this is what they can throw together in their first season.

The other encouraging elements from these matches is seeing some of the depth being created for the Wallabies.

Hooker and fullback have been a worry for selectors, but players are putting their hands up.

Dave Porecki for the Tahs and Loneragan for the Brumbies are showing they could be options and as mentioned earlier, Campbell for the Reds must be putting his hand up as a specialist fullback as well.

The props might be struggling in some franchises, but definitely have us believing that the Wallabies’ front row could be a threat (hopefully this season, and who knows for France next year).

There are three outstanding halfbacks, the fly halves are also throwing up some solid performances for the future, while the locks, back rowers and centres all appear to have some established, and some up-and-coming talent.

The Wallabies selectors are going to have to make decisions, albeit tough ones, across almost all spots. It’s a luxury they have not had for at least five years.

Will they be able to compete with the All Blacks, the Springboks, England etc? Time will tell, but the depth will create competition, which should create better players.

Can this continue for Super Rugby Pacific in the coming weeks? Let’s hope so. There is certainly a vibe in the rugby community that makes us believe again.

Let’s hope it’s not a false dawn. Keep it up, Aussie teams.

Last week, I predicted six wins for Australian franchises over our friends across the ditch.

We currently sit at three. With that in mind, I’m picking five more for a total of eight. This is my optimistic view.

Remember, last year was two wins over the entire five weeks, so we’ve already improved.

Don’t ask me where they come from at this stage, but I’ll take them from any these teams if they can keep performing.