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Next weekend is important. The Brumbies – Australia’s great hope – will play the Crusaders across the ditch and the underwhelming Waratahs have a chance to remind themselves, as much as anyone, what they can do when they play the Chiefs in Sydney.
But based on the opening month, it’s clear that a gulf between the two rugby nations still exist.
With the exception of the Brumbies, the gap remains as large as ever. Will it ever change? Almost certainly not with five franchises in Australia.
The NSW Waratahs Women take on Force and the Tahs men battle the Chiefs in an enthralling double-header on Friday, 24 March at Allianz Stadium.
The Waratahs’ early season struggles have put more pressure on Australian rugby. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
The Rebels and Waratahs were both beaten on the fringes, which tells you about the level of physicality and fitness required to challenge at the top levels.
Both did, however, have their moments.
As for the Reds, they will improve when they get some of their tight five forwards back. But that explains the issues of their depth and, indeed, Australia’s.
The Force’s new captain Michael Wells hit the nail on the head regarding where the franchise remains.
Wells, who captained the Rebels and was previously a regular for the Waratahs, said they had had up to 10 new players and another on Sunday. No side can build combinations with that level of turnover.
It’s certainly not all doom and gloom. The bulk of Dave Rennie’s 44-man training squad from January are stepping up.
Even others not on the list, like Max Jorgensen, Josh Flook and the Brumbies’ unheralded bunch (there are too many to name), are showing what they are made of.
Next weekend will be a crunch moment for Wallabies hopefuls, particularly the Waratahs.
What is it: the chicken or the egg?
Is the Brumbies’ talent identification better or the program? Perhaps both.
The Brumbies were nowhere near their best on Saturday against Moana Pasifika, their defence was not at its resolute best and their attack clunky at times in the midfield, but they still managed to notch up a cricket score.
And so they should, with Moana Pasifika’s side one that will grow and develop in time but nowhere near finals ready in 2023.
But the point still stands that the Brumbies managed to come out heavy winners on a night that they weren’t close to their best, with two of their best players – Allan Alaalatoa and Len Ikitau – out.
That will give them confidence because squads need time to develop and share the load.
Blake Schoupp (C) and his front-row partner Rhys Van Nek show the Brumbies’ program is thriving. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Just as importantly, they now have a halves pairing that is interchangeable. No other side in Australia, perhaps even across the ditch, comes close to that.
Their front-row stocks took a giant step forwards, too.
Rhys Van Nek and Blake Schoupp have been the two most important signings in this year’s comp from an Australian perspective.
It says something of the program the Brumbies have – and Dan Palmer’s skill as a scrum coach – that the duo haven’t looked out of place on centre stage despite arriving at the franchise this season.
The Rebels were well-beaten by a Chiefs side missing several ofits stars.
Clayton McMillian gave Sam Cane and Brodie Retallick well-earned rests, while brought on Samisoni Taukei’ago and Damian McKenzie off the bench. Yet, they still won 44-25 and didn’t score in the final 28 minutes.
But amid the frustrating opening 50 minutes, where the Rebels were burned on the fringes, with the visitors simply unable to repel the home side’s pace and physicality, a couple of players stood up.
Brad Wilkin was superb, but Carter Gordon was excellent.
Carter Gordon is starting to command himself as the Rebels’ playmaker. Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
The occasion poor kick still exists in his game, but Gordon ran to the line and played crucial roles in three of the Rebels’ tries.
His involvements in the first try were brilliant.
He ran to the line and beautifully held it up for Reece Hodge to run through a hole. Soon after, his cut out pass to allow Alex Mafi to score was perfectly summed up and executed by the playmaker.
Then his inside ball to Lachlan Anderson on the stroke of half-time was superb. This was a side that had conceded 27 points and needed something to get themselves into the game.
Later, he demanded the ball quickly from James Tuttle and his decision-making once again came to the fore as the Rebels scored out wide.
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Gordon isn’t simply waiting for the ball to come to him, he’s demanding it. He’s wanting touches and he’s ever-present.
Defensively, too, Gordon is the most physical playmaker in Australian rugby and his ability to tackle was also on show.
Eddie Jones will have noticed.
Next week’s test against the Reds shapes as another test for the 22-year-old.
Picking a Test back three is as much about balance as anything. It also takes into consideration the midfield, too.
When Samu Kerevi is in the midfield, one perhaps doesn’t need as much size on the wings.
But very few Kerevis exist in the world; it’s why England have notoriously struggled without Manu Tuilagi and France did before Jonathan Danty’s return in the Six Nations. Ditto, Ma’a Nonu with the All Blacks and Bundee Aki for Ireland.
It’s, in part, why Jones will be keeping a close eye on Suliasi Vunivalu.
Vunivalu’s ceiling is huge. Those that saw him running hard down the edges and searching for the ball against the Blues and Crusaders would have been brimming with excitement.
But a month into the Super Rugby season and Vunivalu’s not yet purring.
In fact, he looks short of confidence.
There’s still months of action to get up and going, but Vunivalu has a long way to make up.
In contrast, the Brumbies’ back three are sizzling.
Corey Toole along with Max Jorgensen have been the breakout stars of this year’s comp this side of the ditch, but the Brumbies’ extra years of conditioning are showing.
Toole is quick. Rapid fast, in fact. His inside pass to Ben O’Donnell showed his skill set, too. Flying down the left, his left-to-right pass was better than most of Australia’s playmakers.
Andy Muirhead and his wing partner Corey Toole have been in great form for the Brumbies. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images
Andy Muirhead, too, continues to get better.
The Brumbies winger quietly goes about his business. He’s a rover and slippery across the field. There’s a hint of Mack Hansen about him. Hansen’s immense quality was the fact he could cover multiple positions and serve as a playmaker, too.
Given he and Toole are similarly short wingers two probably doesn’t go into one from an international perspective, but they’re both vital players in Australian rugby.
Pone Fa’amuasili has for years threatened to make something of his career. Now’s his chance.
The giant tight-head prop is finally fit and starting to motor.
He represented the Wallabies last year and then missed Rennie’s January training squad. He wasn’t injured, he was merely left out.
That tells you about Fa’amuasili’s attitude.
In the Rebels’ opener against the Force in February, Fa’amuasili was individual and simply looked for the big hit. Individual players seldom make teams.
But over the few weeks Fa’amuasili has started to show what he’s capable of.
Pone Fa’amausili is starting to show what he’s capable of. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Along with Cabous Eoff, the front-row duo were two of the positives coming out of the Rebels’ loss, as they made huge metres in tight off the bench and showed some grunt at the scrum despite the referee’s questionable officiating.
With Taniela Tupou racing the clock to be fit, Fa’amuasili represents one of the big question marks for Jones. If he’s fit and switched on mentally, which remains a big if, he could rocket into contention.
Christy Doran’s team of week:
James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Pone Fa’amausili, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Liam Wright, Brad Wilkin, Langi Gleeson, Gareth Simpson, Carter Gordon, Corey Toole, Stacey Ili, Josh Flook, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.