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 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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
piru
Roar Rookie
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. Because less professional rugby players in the Australian system will generate.... more? We tried this, it didn't work remember
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Look, I used to love Daugunu. Was a big fan of his and fully endorsed his wallaby promotion. But am I the only one who thinks he's making a lot of stupid errors? All the intent but just lacking in the basics. Especially his tackling and ball retention. Sincere question.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
The NSW B team is again doing a lot better than the A team and have done so over much of the time SR has been in existence. I also think you will find a lot more Wallaby players have been developed and coached to suucces through the Brumbies franchise and ACT pathways than Rebels or the Force, but by all means chop off another limb and see how that helps Australian rugby. “Every time any of you enter a room the average IQ goes down”…
Chivas
Roar Rookie
He kicked a goal... he didn't steer them anywhere.
Ray
Roar Rookie
Tooly Mac Hansen played at almost every position for the Brumbies, including 10, and he was a very elusive player and capable in every position without cementing a spot. If he had stayed 1 more season, with Banks leaving, i am sure he would have had the 15 jersey, but young players get impatient for success, if it doesn't come early.
Seth
Roar Rookie
Depends how long he has lived in oz since 2018 i would have thought.? Not sure
carnivean
Roar Rookie
Hooter you've nailed it. Petaia was capable of doing wonderful things but he was not at Wallaby standard for many skills nor temperament. The ABs wouldn't have considered picking him until he worked on a number of core elements. But here we had the media and a number of posters jumping on his bandwagon from a very young age. From what I've seen this year he's done a lot of work to become more consistent and it's paying off so far. I feel like the previous 2 paragraphs could swap Petaia for Wright and still be accurate, except for the age bit. If only the media could provide a balanced coverage on these guys as they emerge.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Nella is has always been very unfit. The advantage that Nella has though his core job is to scrum which he is top notch at. Nella
TonyH
Roar Rookie
Don't forget that Donald was good enough to steer the Darkness to a World Cup win!
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Ferret, that is exactly the way Tupou has played for years !
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Carnie, not sure how you think the media works, but they need new hereos to write about. I recognise that Max is not in the top 3 or even 5 wingers in Australia at the moment, but that doesn't stop me being excited to watch his rise from schoolboy to Super Rugby. The same as I started being excited by the potential Suli brought, but now have him ranked no 10 winger in Aust. And loved it when Kellaway made it to the Wallabies and killed it. Daugunu has been playing the house down this year, and would love to see articles about him. There was plenty written about Marky Mark at the end of last year. There was quite a bit written about the rebirth of Kellaway 2 years ago when he came from the clouds and cemented his place in the team. Everyone gets their turn.
Ray
Roar Rookie
Jeznez Yes, that is so, but he played in the John I Dent Cup here in Canberra for a couple of years before he got loaned to the Sevens in 2022, so at least he was known by the Brumbies. His core skill of speed was basically inherited and the sevens would have honed his overall game. However, I think the step-up is more significant for the two props to a profession Super rugby level. I do remember the debut of Archer Holz against TT in Canberra and that was frightening.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
How about Jordan Petia? Fits into the mold of Carnivean's post perfectly (albeit it looks like he may finally be living up to his potential).
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Mean tango too.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
I think they'd be more fun to watch... like the old days!
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Wright display Australian schools flyhalf
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Justin Harrison, George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Joe Roff, Marco Caputo. Saia Fainga’a, Anthony Fainga’a, Ben Darwin (I think), Matt Giteau, Rod Kafer, Peter Kimlin, Joe Powell. These are just the locals that went on to be Wallabies and does not account for the many other players from the junior system that played for the Brumbies. According to the ABS the population of NSW was over eight million in 2021. The population of the ACT is less that 500,000 of course there is a larger playing pool to draw and select from. Many Brumbies have come from regional NSW but if they are counted you will say that they are “non-local” or a “product of the Waratahs system”. The fact remains that even with this larger pool to draw from that as a club they have underachieved in terms of Super Rugby. I reckon if you were to ask some of the past players they would agree.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Absolutely! Brings back the "game for all sizes" theme.
woodart
Roar Rookie
if aus wants to improve the speed, physicality and intensity of yr players, you NEED to restart yr nrc again. city club comps will not do it.keep the five super teams, they are working out.
Fumbles
Roar Rookie
They ignored Noah twice before going to him. It was Len Ikitau that made the try. I am unsure whether he is given permission to run the back line. Carter is given that permission and is thriving.