If the Brumbies fail to finish the year without their first major silverware since 2004, they’ll look back at their stumble against the Force as the moment they bottled it.
The Brumbies might have had to rest several Wallabies under Rugby Australia’s workload management, but making 12 changes and resting several Test stars always looked wrong.
Not only was it another slap in the face of the tournament, resting so many against a plucky Force side, who remain unbeaten at home in 2023, was madness.
Rather than resting one or two here and there over successive weeks, they attempted to rest them in one heap. It came back to bite them in the backside as their discipline, structure and connection went out the back door.
Larkham later explained the Brumbies had mapped out their workload management late last year, saying the six-day turnaround and travel to Perth were contributing factors in the decision. Rip the bandaid off, get it done, and hope they come back with their finals destiny in their own hands was the plan.
But with a top two finish at stake, potentially even top spot, plans surely had to be shelved? The chance to not leave Canberra in June was a big one. And that’s not even bringing in the extra gatekeeping on offer, too.
Now, Larkham’s men are walking a tightrope to finish in the top two.
They’ll likely have to win their final two matches, starting with the Chiefs on Saturday, to stand a chance of finishing ahead of the Crusaders.
The stakes are high because winning one knockout match in New Zealand is possible. Twice, well, history shows it’s impossible. That’s why victory in Perth was essential.
You’ve got to tip your hat to Cron’s Force side.
Changes, mass changes no less, rarely click immediately. Just ask the Brumbies.
But he is getting plenty out of what he’s got to work with. Locks Felix Kalapu and Jeremy Williams have come on leaps and bounds while Super Rugby rookie Max Burey looks comfortable.
That shows Cron’s coaching pedigree.
More and more people are considering answering Cron’s call – he’s a relentless operator in the pursuit of people and success – and that’s being helped by the Force’s encouraging performances.
Their opening 20 minutes was the best rugby they have played all year.
While the Brumbies’ discipline hurt them, they were played out of the game early.
The Force are hoping Izack Rodda returns this weekend. If he does, they’ll add a world class lock to their promising youth.
Max Jorgensen delivered his best game of the year to date against the Drua.
He didn’t impose himself like Israel Folau once did in the fullback jersey, but the subtleties in his work revealed the fine player Australian rugby has at their disposal.
Twice he set up his wingers in the first half by delivering the final pass, but it was his work in the second half that was just as impressive.
With lots of work to be done, he put on a masterclass on how to make an overlap.
Mark Nawaqanitawase benefitted by freakishly playing his part along with Joey Walton in a phenomenal try, but Jorgensen’s footwork and ability to run the ball in two hands helped set up the overlap.
The question is, at 18, is Jorgensen ready for a World Cup?
His sheer talent has him in the conversation, and the calm, composed head on his shoulders is very impressive, but a Junior Wallabies campaign could serve him best.
He would start at fullback for the Junior Wallabies and play alongside his Waratahs teammates Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen.
That trio promises to be the Waratahs’ attacking spine in the years to come – and it could be the Wallabies, too.
History shows that success and combinations forged and developed at the junior levels is vital.
One thing has changed about the Rebels in 2023: people outside of Melbourne actually enjoy watching them.
It’s not just that they’ve played some good rugby in 2023, it’s the style of rugby they have played.
Words (fast and fearless) have translated into actions on the field.
Development has been on show at the Rebels.
Carter Gordon has been Australia’s most exciting player – and in their top five best performers for the season – while Lachie Anderson has gone from a player who couldn’t catch a cold to a reliable, Super Rugby quality winger on both sides of the ball. Both look at home in Super Rugby.
The same can be said about their second row stocks, which are improving by the game and their hard-working back-row.
Now, the polish needs to come.
Thankfully the Rebels management, led by Nick Stiles, has already re-signed their coaching team.
This is different from the Waratahs under Daryl Gibson – whose Wallabies-laden side was breaking up – because the Rebels are on an upwards curve.
In four of Leinster’s past five exits from the European Cup, there is a common denominator: Will Skelton.
The giant lock etched his name into more history in the early hours of Sunday morning, as he helped bring La Rochelle back from the dead in Dublin.
Despite Leinster racing out of the blocks to lead 17-0, La Rochelle inched their way back to trail 23-14 at half-time.
By full-time, La Rochelle had broken the hearts of Leinster again by claiming an incredible 27-26 victory.
Skelton was crucial to their success.
The 31-year-old’s ability to get his side over the gain line from static ball was incredible.
He’s unmoveable at rucks and his work at the lineout was impressive, too.
Ireland’s side is heavily influenced by Leinster, with the vast majority of the players coming out of Dublin in Andy Farrell’s side.
Skelton is Leinster’s kryptonite.
He’s a must for the World Cup because he’ll provide the internationally hardened body the Wallabies need to compete in France, but he’s also a winner.
Before that though, he must put his hand up to be selected for the Rugby Championship.
Skelton’s got to be fit and he can’t just be parachuted into the side at the last second.
Christy Doran’s Australian Super Rugby team of the week
Te Tera Faulkner, Folau Fainga’a, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams, Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Rahboni Vosayaco, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Lachie Anderson, Max Jorgensen.
Keggy
Roar Rookie
ok, NRL player, untested in senior Rugby. :happy:
Christy Doran
Editor
Correct. Opening 20 and last 20. Drua were very poor, worse than the Brumbies. Plus, with so many brumbies missing, reds outplayed everywhere and rebels losing too, it came down to a few close calls. They got one or two picks over Tahs by a whisker. Namely Walton.
Christy Doran
Editor
Or less training. That’s the big one.
Christy Doran
Editor
Best game yet. Great to see him be able to show his worth too.
Christy Doran
Editor
He did, a number of times
Pirate
Roar Rookie
Not at all
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
The Brumbies B team was happy to get the force some press. They also thought it was important to let the force win to make the Brumbies A team work that much harder to get a home final…
jeznez
Roar Guru
For six we have T Hooper, Holloway, Leota, Hanigan, Wright, Anstee as players I prefer. Even play Valetini there and run Wilson, Gleeson or Naisarani at 8. Uru an option as well now he’s back in the loose. If a lock goes to six then Frost has at least two payed there. Even though I prefer him at lock.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
As a six I'm suggesting???
Chris couldn't have been
Roar Rookie
Indeed, the most insightful thing I found from watching the Leinster/La Rochelle final was that Skelton was probably the main lineout jumper for La Rochelle in their dominant second half. There has been much angst that we can't pick Skelton without having to completely rethink the back row... But if he jumps like he did in that final, then the issue is moot
Tim J
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
jeznez
Roar Guru
I remember his performance in that series well. He did the things he does well, very well. His lineout, mail defence and work rate were high. He also was poor at the two key areas he is weak in clean out and scrum. I’m completely with you that his inability to impose himself at the ruck, the need to wrestle players off the ball rather than clean through them is behind where the cards are coming from. He has to be the enforcer though, he’s good but he’s not Victor Matfield to make up for less physical impact. Unless he’s started to impose himself legally at the break down, then I feel we have much better locking options in Rodda, Frost, Skelton, Salakaia-Loto, Philip and potentially Richie Arnold. I think Neville is better than Swain as well, albeit behind the group above.
savant
Roar Rookie
How good was Hamish Stewart? There is no 12 in Australia who can do what he can. Name me a 12 who can go into first receiver and make good decisions and pass well, read the play and run to the right position either side of the ruck, kick out of hand like a first five, secure ball at ruck that otherwise be turned over, tackle better than any other back in super rugby. There isn’t anyone in his class. Of course there are players who make more metres in contact like Paisami and Kerevi. They played 12 for most of our our 38 percent win rate under Rennie - who wouldn’t have a bar of Stewart. But they couldn’t do any of the other things Stewart can do. If I was outside back I’d want Stewart at 12 every time over Paisami and Kerevi.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
I think Swain got into his head he was enforcer in pack ..bad move mentally he got away from his game ..Watched French series again and his debut he was magnificent..Than brain exploded went downhill
jeznez
Roar Guru
How’s his clean out? My knock on him came long before the cards. He’s always had to roll people out of rucks. Has lacked the outright power to clean through a target.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Frost was lighter but stacked on size during the 2022 pre-season. He’s 120kg now. Think he was heavier but has taken a little bit back off.
I’ve been a fan of Foley ever since his Waratahs days. Great player :thumbup:
I haven’t really read any reports mate, just throw Stan on and watch a few Northhampton games. He had a really good season and they only got bested by Sarries in the semis.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Decent season as far as playing good brand and unearthing good flyhalfs..but result are results.
robel
Roar Pro
Missed that.