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Given the Waratahs’ position on the table and their good looking run home, Darren Coleman’s decision to rest three of his Test players against the Blues at Eden Park was a simple one.
The Waratahs, Coleman and the players aren’t where you should aim your anger, that’s at the respective Unions – Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby.
But both Unions are contributing to the frustration at the sprint that is Super Rugby.
Compare Super Rugby to the French TOP 14, English Premiership and South Africa’s new partners in Europe, the United Rugby Championship, and the former premier domestic competition in the world is almost half the length.
To enforce one to two week breaks, even in a World Cup year, is sheer lunacy for a competition needing star power.
How many Australian sides will make the Super Rugby semi-finals?
The Brumbies are strong odds, but another? It would surprise greatly.
It means around two thirds of the Wallabies’ cohort for the World Cup will have another two weeks of no rugby.
While domestic powerhouse teams like Leinster have huge squad numbers, what use is it blooding emerging talents like Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen when the Waratahs were lambs to the slaughter against the Blues.
The match was over before it started.
It’s a terrible look that not only harms the overall product but also short-changes the very people you’re trying to convince to walk through the gates.
Eddie Jones didn’t come up with Rugby Australia’s policy – that was put into effect before he was catapulted into the role – but even he should have stepped in to stop the ridiculous rule.
Simon Cron wasn’t able to lure the big name recruit he desired in his first year in charge, he might not even get one next year either, but already the coach is having a positive impact at the Western Force.
Highly regarded by the Waratahs playing group before being headhunted by Sir Steve Hansen to join his Japanese side, Cron’s detail is rising to the surface.
The Force have struggled for points in the past, but that isn’t proving an issue in 2023.
Players like Jeremy Williams have come on in leaps and bounds, too.
But the biggest improvement is the mindset shift this year.
Their performances against the Rebels and Moana Pasifika didn’t give you confidence, but their tenacity and mental fortitude saw them team come-from-behind victories.
That’s half the battle because few teams ever deliver complete performances, but good teams win when they’re not at their best. The All Blacks did that regularly in the previous decade.
Even during their disappointing tour of New Zealand, the Force played until the final whistle and were the last team to score in all three defeats.
If there is something to smile about in Australian rugby compare the Carter Gordon of 2022 to 2023.
In the Rebels’ opening match of last year, Gordon struggled. He dropped balls and it was obvious his confidence was nowhere.
A week later he was dropped and it was only at the end of the season he started to find his feet.
After being given the keys to the engine following Matt To’omua’s departure, Gordon is now running the show. He feels and looks like he belongs.
His cross-field kick inside his goal line against the Crusaders was a case in point. It was straight out of the Quade Cooper playbook. Just as significant was his decision-making with ball-in-hand.
The Crusaders attempted to cut down the space outside him, rushing up on the Rebels’ midfield.
Carter Gordon of the Rebels is tackled during the round nine Super Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and Crusaders. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
It led to Gordon having to dummy and run to the line. He didn’t find space but nor did he panic either. It was another sign of his developing maturity.
Gordon shone at the Wallabies’ training camp last week. He’s the form No.10 in Australia and looks like a future No.10 for the Wallabies.
Is the World Cup a leap too far? Perhaps, but he’s certainly narrowed the gap with Noah Lolesio, whose three years of international experience – and goal kicking – can’t be underestimated.
Three years ago Dan McKellar was trying to work out how to get Fines-Leleiwasa onto the field.
McKellar, already with two excellent halfbacks (Nic White and Ryan Lonergan) at his disposal, encouraged the speedster to practice on the wing so he could perhaps sneak onto the bench.
Fines-Leleiwasa understood it, but that didn’t mean he liked it.
A halfback with a natural ability to pop out from the base of the ruck and create things around him, he had to return to the Western Force to spread his wings.
Now he’s blossoming.
Fines-Leleiwasa has always brought pace and attacking potency off the bench, but with the benefit of time in the saddle he’s starting to finally find his feet at the start of matches. Hitherto, that’s been his Achilles heel.
Starting is an entirely different proposition to finishing. It requires a sense of structure and setting the tempo rather than simply injecting pace into the match.
Don’t be surprised if Eddie Jones takes a look at him.
Round nine is Australia’s time to flex their muscles.
After Stephen Larkham rested half-a-dozen of his best against the Crusaders last month, the Brumbies travel to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes.
If the Brumbies want to host a semi-final and fire a shot, it’s a game they’ve got to take at least a point away from.
It will be a game Jones watches closely.
For players like Darcy Swain, Rory Scott, Lolesio and Corey Toole, it’s a game they need to show up at.
Ditto the Waratahs as they host the Highlanders.
After consecutive 40-minute showings against New Zealand opposition, the Rebels can’t take their foot off the gas if they want to make the finals.
They might be the most improved side in Australian rugby, but they need a win. Moana Pasifika can’t be taken lightly.
Christy Doran’s Super Rugby team of the week:
Tom Robertson, Tom Horton, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Trevor Hosea, Tim Anstee, Brad Wilkin, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Carter Gordon, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Manasa Maetele, Chase Tiatia.
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.