Tom Wright started the Brumbies’ semi-final as a triple threat and the favourite to wear the No.15 jersey for the Wallabies at this year’s World Cup. Unfortunately, he will leave Hamilton as a triple concern.
With a number of Wallaby hopefuls already on the Gold Coast, Eddie Jones would have hoped to have written down Wright’s name in the fullback position to face South Africa next month on Saturday night.
But after a night where little came off for the mercurial playmaking fullback, Jones will be thinking about reaching for the pencil rather than the pen.
Indeed, any lingering concerns over Wright playing at fullback was brutally opened as the rocks and diamonds nature of his game returned at the pointy end of the Super Rugby season.
His ugly night at fullback contributed to the Brumbies semi-final defeat, as the clinical Chiefs ground down Australia’s best to win 19-6 at home.
First, there was his needless gift to the Chiefs in the opening minutes as Wright dropped the ball on the toe to give away possession and relieve the pressure for the home side.
At that point, the Brumbies were hot on attack and battering away. With points gold and field position gold, the visitors needed to keep it tight.
Then on the stroke of half-time, as the Brumbies kept fronting up and playing for each other just like they had done to reach the final four, Wright searched for the sideline from their goal-line dropout.
It was an individual, hot-headed moment that very nearly came back to bite the Brumbies and, indeed, Wright.
“That decision from Tom Wright, you could understand his intent, but execution well off,” former Wallabies outside back Drew Mitchell said in commentary for Stan.
“Puts his team under so much pressure.”
Morgan Turinui added: “I think if you’re Tom Wright in that dropout, you’ve got to drill it as hard as you can. Now this pressure, this could be the match right here.”
Tom Wright struggled for the Brumbies against the Chiefs as his decision-making came back to haunt him. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Later, as the minutes ticked by in the second half, Wright’s decision-making – the great concern over the 25-year-old – once again was exposed.
His late decision to kick in the 43rd minute didn’t come back to haunt him, as it ricocheted into a teammate’s hand.
“We just saw there, Tom Wright coming from the back field, the kick, it was poorly executed, they got away with it,” Mitchell said.
“Sometimes you miss your executions because you’re trying to think between two different decisions. Back your first and just go with it.”
Turinui added: “That’s a great lesson. Whatever your first instinct is, just go with it. Especially in wet-weather, finals footy.”
Tom Wright passes during the Super Rugby Pacific Semi Final match against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato on June 17, 2023, in Hamilton. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Unfortunately, Wright’s decision-making did hurt later in the 69th minute, as the fullback was held up “getting caught too upright in his carry” just short of the halfway line, as he attempted to seize back the momentum lost over the previous few minutes.
“A little bit there for Tom Wright of what you’ve been talking about Drew, first instinct looked like he was going to kick there,” Turinui said.
“Don’t get bored of the kick battle. It’s 9-6, the team that dominates where the game is played is going to win this game. It does not matter who has the ball.”
Unfortunately for the Brumbies, the scrum resulted in another three points as Damian McKenzie slotted a long-range penalty.
Needing a try and time no longer their friend, Wright’s frustrating night continued as his basketball-style pass on the edge was called forward as he hoped to find the retreating Andy Muirhead. Once again, it backfired.
Wright is by no means the first player to leave New Zealand shores with his stocks hurt. The question is, how badly will they be looked upon by Jones?
With few standout alternatives, as well as Max Jorgensen long odds to be fit for the World Cup, could he see them as a lesson for Wright to learn from?
After all, his impressive season with ball-in-play had helped the Brumbies reach the semi-finals.
But with Test matches, particularly crucial knockout matches at a World Cup, notoriously won and lost on pressure-filled moments and decisive decision-making, particularly from the person wearing the No.15 jersey, it will be something Jones will want answers from.
Jones doesn’t mind mistakes being made. He just wants lessons learned.
Meanwhile, another Tom, Tom Hooper, put his hand up for the Wallabies as he got through a mountain of work during an 80-minute performance.
Shifted to openside flanker to give the Brumbies another bigger body in the back-row, the decision was an astute one by Stephen Larkham.
As Rob Valetini rolled up the sleeves and delivered another starring role, Hooper made 15 tackles and was the Brumbies’ second-highest ball-carrier behind his back-row teammate. He even put pressure on the breakdown in a game that was fierce from the outset.
His missed tackle on McKenzie late in the piece wouldn’t have been missed by Jones, with work-rate crucial for any flanker, but it was likely enough for the Wallabies coach to think the rising 22-year-old is strongly worth considering for his wider Rugby Championship squad.
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
I was being kind to myself :)
PeterK
Roar Guru
The positives - he played better than Frost. He worked hard, good grafting effort, high work rate. The negatives - he just doesn't fulfill the power lock or lineout general role well. The brumbies maul didn't work, nor was the lineout strong, nor the scrum , 3 of his key areas. None of his ball carries were powerful like Valetini's, none of his tackles were dominant. The maul didn't score any tries, the lineout wobbled a lot, vulnerable again, the scrum was beaten a few times as well, all areas which are key for him. Not one area did he dominate nor have any impact in. Intl level is another step up and Neville just doesn't have a point of difference, doesn't make an impact , is a good journeyman who is a hard worker. Philip is the same except his carries are marginally better AND he runs a good lineout. Rodda is even better in all areas and a better lineout general. Skelton, LSL and Arnold are all better power locks. The concern is the large drop in form of Frost, Neville could easily be ahead of him right now and is ahead of Swain.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Pete I’ve got to ask what you thought of Neville’s performance and his stats over 68 odd minutes? Even if he’s not your guy.
MO
Roar Rookie
Ok but I’d pick for his power and work rate. He catches well enough and can kick enough. He takes some ball carrying off the six and I’ve seen him counter ruck. Plus he can show the kids how to work hard ????
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
He did, but playmakers often do, especially when trying to enable others to play. And some teams cannot knit it together on the day, such as the Blues’ and Brums’ last day. The superior teams dictate play and limit the creativity of the opponent. Chiefs and Saders will fascinate the students of tactic, coaching and execution. The Chiefs coaching team are on the wrong side of a mountain of rugby choreography. Maybe they will find some holes in the red N black?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Many opining that Wright is wrong, but I’m not writing him off yet. Two wrongs don’t make a right, or a 15.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Sorry that you feel that way RR. I presume then, that you have watched every game Jock has played. And I’m doing so, I wonder how many eyes you’ve kept on him? I’m not looking for an argument but every other person who has worn the 15 in Australia for the past 2-3 years has been a part-timer. And please don’t compare JC with Kurtley Beale. Campbell has kicked according to team game plans and instructions, with which I don’t necessarily agree. And I assume you’ll not agree with me, or anyone else from Qld, which is fine. We’re all allowed our opinions.
Big A
Roar Rookie
Christy had him as wallaby captain the other day
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
That and the one arm handcuff on the refs and ARs.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I could live with Wright at 15 with JP, Kels or Hodge covering from bench. TW can switch to wing.
Markus
Roar Rookie
"Cut off their rolling maul, and they struggle to find points." That just hasn't been true this year. Their number of maul tries is down while their total tries is way up, the only teams that scored more points this season were the Canes and the top of the table Chiefs. Their biggest issue had been their defence, which showed a marked improvement most of this game. Simone was a huge loss, neither Tua nor Sapsford are at that level. Sio Fainga'a and Banks were all big losses too, in spite of Wright's attacking form at the back.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Room for both Revok. I'd be taking 19 forwards: 1. Sio, Slipper, Bell 2. Paenga-Amosa, Latu, Faessler 3. Tupou, Alaalatoa, Fa'amausili 4. Frost and one of Rodda/Philip 5. Skelton, Salakaia-Loto 6. Holloway, Hooper 7. One of Hooper/McReight/Wilkin 8. Valetini and one of Wilson/Gleeson Utility/Bench. Samu Holloway gives you a second lineout captain behind the Rodda/Philip pick with Frost/Salakaia-Loto in the third rank. He and Hooper give us the flexibility to play Skelton with any of those 8's even though none of the three 8s are strong jumpers.
Revok
Roar Rookie
Lonergan is a poor scrumhalf. Needs to work on is game management and decision making.He looks lost at times.
Revok
Roar Rookie
Cooper never had a bad game.
Revok
Roar Rookie
Holloway played most of his tests at lock when we were down a few .I`ll take Tom Hooper as the tweener. Holloway can stay home.
Big A
Roar Rookie
fair enough Rocky - i hope you had your raw egg shake this morning before your run at dawn - have a good day man
PeterK
Roar Guru
He is not that good under the highball and not a good kicker. I could see both wingers that AB's select as being better, so 50/50.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@Busted I cannot believe you guys still push for Campbell. Are you all 1 eyed Queenslanders ?? Jock, unfortunately, has done almost zero in 2023 except miss a lot more tackles. His on field punting is poor too. He does nothing but punt it down middle of field same as Kurtley Beale did
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@Big A Yes Brumbies are my no 1 but with Chiefs as my no 2 I'm ok with them winning in a close fought match. I'm definitely supporting Chiefs this week. It's been a great SRP comp this year imo. I don't want anything changed atm :thumbup:
Harty
Roar Rookie
Everyone gets upset and blames the ref. It’s part of the grieving process :) This is an Australian site so expect it to have an Australian slant and don’t worry about it.