The Wallabies might have a brand new coach, but Eddie Jones is not likely to reinvent the wheel and put a broom through the majority of Dave Rennie’s side.
So for those thinking that the heavy Brumbies contingent will be waved goodbye under Jones think again.
Jones doesn’t have the time to make wholesale changes, nor does he have to either.
The talent is largely there, it’s just about putting the jigsaw pieces together to unlock the missing five per cent of potential that is often the different between winning and losing. Mindset and a clarity of mind is what Jones will focus on.
But in most World Cup years, someone out of the blue puts their hand up and says ‘pick me’.
Max Jorgensen shone on debut in front of Eddie Jones. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Nehe Milner-Skudder had an outrageous year in 2015 and the former NRL player ended up scoring in the World Cup final with sheer ankle-breaking ability.
On Friday night in Sydney, Jones saw two wingers making their debuts deliver similar eye-catching performances.
Max Jorgensen’s performance was the most highly anticipated debut since Israel Folau in 2013 – and even better, it was worth the wait.
Not only did Jorgensen finish brilliantly and go searching for the ball, he showed a calm head on the biggest stage of his career.
Corey Toole was one of the breakout stars in the opening round of Super Rugby. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Nor was he the only one, with Corey Toole’s twinkle feet equally impressive down the left-hand touchline for the Brumbies.
His try was superbly taken while he almost sent Rob Valetini in for another five-pointer with a scrumptious ball.
Both backs are genuine World Cup bolters. But given that competition for places will be fierce and their similar frames, there likely wont be space for both flying outside backs.
Brumbies once again show who’s boss
All the talk was about the Waratahs in the off-season and you can understand why.
They were the big movers last year, recruited some good additions and have Wallabies littered throughout their squad.
One close defeat to the Brumbies doesn’t mean they’re a bad team, but Angus Bell’s injury, which is likely to see him miss the next couple of months, is a catastrophic blow.
While Tom Lambert held his own, Bell’s one of Australian rugby’s most influential players. And he’s only 22.
Darren Coleman has some tough decisions to make in the coming weeks, with Tolu Latu someone the Waratahs need on both sides of the ball. The pecking order at No.10 is another big question that will become clearer in time, too.
But what makes the Brumbies Australian rugby’s best side is their depth.
Despite missing two of their Test hookers, and losing a third within the opening minutes against the Waratahs, the Brumbies managed to not just steady the ship but own it as John Ulugia made a brilliant return.
Blake Schoupp had a memorable debut for the Brumbies. Photo Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
And what about the debut of loosehead prop Blake Schoupp, who did a number on Archer Holz.
Up front the Brumbies won the forward battle and their physicality forced the Waratahs into errors close to the line.
Stephen Larkham deserves some credit with his selection too, with the introduction of Nic White and Noah Lolesio off the bench paying off.
Tom Wright, meanwhile, showed that there is life after Tom Banks, with the fullback’s skills, including his passing game, a feature of his match.
Pressure builds for Thorn’s Reds
Saturday night did not go to plan for Brad Thorn’s Reds.
Injury certainly affected the Reds’ chances of slowing down the Hurricanes, particularly in the tight-five, but their terrible discipline and defence on the fringes reflected poorly on Thorn’s side.
The issues started around the ruck, but they extended to the scrum where the Hurricanes got more and more ascendency at the set-piece the longer the match went on.
The inability to take the chances – poor kicking and simple passes dropped – also meant Tom Lynagh had very few opportunities to put his stamp on the match.
The heavy loss has put them under huge pressure heading into next week’s clash against the Force in Melbourne for Super Round.
The Queensland Reds will face an early test of their nerve against the Force in Melbourne during Super Round. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
After the Force showed character and a new mindset to come-from-behind to beat the Rebels, Simon Cron’s side will feel like they can do a job on Thorn’s side too.
If that happens it will be an uphill battle for the Reds, who face the Brumbies in Canberra a week later.
It will also put more pressure on the Queensland Rugby Union to make an early decision on Thorn’s future.
Law changes pass the mark
We got an early indicator of the law changes during the trial matches, but on first showing in the competition Super Rugby’s law changes proved positive.
Most importantly there was more urgency across the board for the game to play on.
In every match referees could be heard telling the players to move it along.
There did seem to be a slight difference in how referees handled the scrum, with some blowing up time after an initial scrum collapse and others now.
Ryan Louwrens was pinged for taking too long to kick the ball at the base of a ruck as referees clamped down on time wasting in Perth. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Ryan Louwrens even gave away a free kick for taking too long to get away his box kick as the caterpillar ruck formation blew up in his face.
Very little foul play meant proper introspection of the card system took place, but even when some did the game flowed quicker.
Blues and Chiefs set the pace
Anytime the Crusaders lose at home it’s time to sit up and take notice.
They will remain one of the competition heavyweights, but the tournament got another reminder of just how competitive it will be by the Chiefs’ incredible second-half showing.
The Chiefs came from 10-0 down to put on 31-unanswered points to leave Christchurch with the win.
Their victory showcased how lethal they will be with Damian McKenzie and Brodie Retallick in the side, while hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho is another monster in their pack.
Mark Telea was the standout player in the opening round of Super Rugby Blues. Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
Sam Cane, meanwhile, was also another strong performer as he fights to keep his place in the All Blacks starting side.
As well as the Chiefs, last year’s runners-up, the Blues, were the other standout side.
The Blues made the Highlanders’ defence, despite Billy Harmon’s comments post-game, look second-rate as Leon Macdonald’s side put on 60 points in Dunedin.
Mark Telea was the standout player of the round, scoring twice and regularly proving a handful with every touch of the ball.
Their Sunday clash against the Brumbies shapes as the match of the round next week in Super Round.
Christy Doran’s Australian team of the week:
James Slipper, John Ulugia, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Richard Hardwick, Ryan Lonergan, Carter Gordon, Max Jorgensen, Hamish Stewart, Lalakai Foketi, Corey Toole, Tom Wright
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Yep, completely agree. He could fill in, and probably not make too many mistakes. It's where we're at as a rugby nation, isn't it? We're talking about who can kind of 'hold the fort' or 'do a job' for us in the 10 jumper, not who can dominate a game and do the truly greatbthings that someone like Larkham used to do. When it all boils down, we just don't have a 10 like the other top test nations do at the moment, and we're going to struggle come world cup time.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
I'm not blaming Stewart for leaving. Understandable. My criticism is of the Reds player management regime.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
I'm old enough to remember when it used to be the other way around - Greg Cornelson, Chris Latham come to mind as players who moved to Queensland and Ballymore to play in a great culture and grow their game. But accept your point. The Brumbies have taken that role in recent decades, apart from when the player power culture ran amuck for a few seasons ... Jake White came in and fixed that, to the Brumbies benefit.
savant
Roar Rookie
That’s mostly true. It doesn’t mean he wouldn’t do a reasonable job if given the opportunity. Hodge played 10 in a win over the All Blacks. He ain’t a world beater but he could play a role at test level if there’s no one better.
Christy Doran
Editor
Good comment. Liam Wright's leadership and defence nous was certainly missed.
Vince Martin
Roar Rookie
Happens over and over - either like this, or right at the start of their careers, or they seem to struggle to improve at the Reds then go elsewhere and suddenly are outstanding, or get stuck behind someone patently inferior and move elsewhere Not confined to the current time or any particular coach or administration it has been happening for decades
Vince Martin
Roar Rookie
Yep, seemed to me that the Reds lacked fitness and basic skills (and if you like substitute ‘Tahs’ for Reds). On the skills issue, whilst some leeway is fair to less experienced players it really shouldn’t matter if it is you first or 50th SR match - your basic skills should be thee (maybe one key difference between Aus and NZ sides?) Tom Lynagh - some really good moments in a pretty challenging debut, would really like to see him develop into a great player - but he was pretty fragile defensively, will need to fix this (wasn’t on his own on the Reds on Saturday night though). I think we can forgive these defensive errors if we see him learn and get better. But he would benefit from some serious mentoring from a specialist 5/8. I’m actually looking forward to seeing if Noah can step up this year with SL as his head coach at the Brumbies
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Chicken legs has played like that almost his entire career. Amazing how much better players get when they are playing for the Force in the eyes of Force fans.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
My point is that I've never seen Hegarty do anything like Mo'unga, Mackenzie, Barrett, Larkham, Spencer, Carter, Farrell, Sexton, Russell et al., at any level of rugby. He competes against test players all the time, and he's just not as good as they are. He's good, obviously, he's been given the 10 jumper by a Super Rugby coach, but he's not good enough. He's been around for a long time and never shown himself capable of dominating a match or even bettering his opposing 'test level' 10.
savant
Roar Rookie
I don’t understand how anyone can make the judgement that someone is test class or not test class until they play test football. Rennie made this call on a number of players and left the scene with a win ratio of 38 percent. I hope that Eddie is true to his word when he says players select themselves. You pick the players that perform outstandingly week in week out at super rugby level and then give them a chance at test level. Only then will you really know. And what kind a of a message does it send to super rugby players that it doesn’t matter how many tackles you make, or metres you carry, or rucks you hit, or good decisions you make etc. Weve been picking great athletes that do something remarkable occasionally but dont do all the hard yards often enough for far too long. And look at our shining record with all those test class players. Frankly I’d have a player like Hegarty over some of Rennies love child’s. How much worse can we play?
savant
Roar Rookie
If he’d played like that in sky blue everyone in NSW would have been calling for his selection as the Wallaby flyhalf.
savant
Roar Rookie
I don’t agree he only hit his straps in 2022. He was one of the best if not the best inside centres in Australia in 2020 and 2021. Tough as teak he bled for the Reds and topped the tackle count for backs every year - the true measure of attitude and loyalty. He was arguably the best flyhalf in the NRC and was recruited to play that position by the Reds and had been Thorns first choice flyhalf at under 20 and at NRC level. He’d beenThorns fly half for 3 years. When McKay turned up at the Reds he convinced Thorn that Stewart wasn’t a flyhalf ( on zero evidence) and that I believe was the beginning of the uncoupling of the reds and Stewart. It is highly likely that Stewart would have been dropped for Henry last year if it wasn’t for Henry’s injury. In fact he was dropped for Henry against the Chiefs. Ironically the only reds victory over kiwi sides! The writing was on the wall for Stewart. He wasn’t wanted as a flyhalf ( having been passed over for Creighton when JOC was injured) and he wasn’t going to be first choice 12 when Henry was fit. So the choice was leave and be a starter somewhere else or be a bench player at best at the Reds. Let’s be honest here. The reds coaches and management didn’t rate him highly and preferred others over him. You can’t blame players for leaving under those circumstances.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Its obviously open to abuse .. Now I’m not speaking with any authority here , but very recently one of these reports which gave the beleaguered Lions coach a 4 out of 10 from his players was leaked to the press . The jury is still out as to the culprit . But its a dysfunctional board anyway so no surprises . The esteem held by SA Rugby of MyPlayer especially from Rassie is high tho and a rep from the association regularly allowed to sit in and provide feedback on strategic management and coaching meetings . There its pure gold ..Like I said ..If you have big Kahunas you will work with them . If not you will feel threatened . Throwing a curve ball ..I wonder how Eddie Jones would work with them ? ..My guess he is a control junkie so not well but am open to disagreement.
savant
Roar Rookie
Wow. Thanks I didn’t know that. What a fascinating thing to do. What happens if your players are 50/50 on you as a coach? What happens if they love you and you’re losing regularly? How does management react? Do they start witch hunts? How detailed are the surveys? Fascinating psychological study in performance management.
savant
Roar Rookie
I’m a fan with a keyboard. I’m old enough to remember typewriters though! The record is the record. in 5 years Thorn has coached the reds to only one victory over kiwi sides. And that was against 14 men for 70 minutes, the last 40 of which they lost 4 tries to 1. We all get found out when we are brave enough to step into the unknown. Thorn was brave to step up into head coaching without the benefit of a useful apprenticeship. He’s been found out. There is so much to like about what he has done. But everything is brutal at the highest level. There’s still time. But injuries to his tight 5 have been cruel to him. He’s going to struggle to get a platform with his up front troops. And it’s hard to see where the on field leadership and direction is going to come from. On the back of Tates worst game ever, a kid flyhalf, no calm Liam Wright, tyro tight 5, and key players with no option but to try too hard. They should beat the Force next week but it’s hard to see them threatening any of the kiwi sides.
Tim
Guest
The reds two disallowed tries( the first one killed all their momentum, the last one sealed their fate.) and two yellow cards. Killed them. As for Tom he needs to man up on D and quickly. Hidden out on the wing he was a turnstile with 2 maybe 3 tries he let through.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Always! Let’s hope this is just a round one shocker. Go the Reds.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I’m feeling your pain RH. It was easier for us when it was a State side and not a “club” side. But I’ll still be there when the thin times put on weight. :laughing: Thanks for the chat. Like me, try to enjoy the season.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Well what I see is players reach a certain point and development and then at the first opportunity they leave. I get it, its a profession but surely a good career path can be found at the Reds. Tupou for instance pretty clear he wanted out, after all those years put into his development (Though I accept the Reds did get some very good years out of him). I know its swings and roundabouts, but there have been far, far more leave (taking their considerable talents elsewhere) than have arrived and it leads to the situation the Reds are now in (lacking adequate experienced players in the tight 5 and the critical number 10 position).
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Most props are "respectful" of other props. They learn quickly.