At long last Australia’s Super Rugby sides brought some semblance of what’s required to win big games of footy. Yet, it still wasn’t enough in most cases.
Indeed, Australia only had one winner across the Anzac weekend of trans-Tasman rugby, with the Brumbies keeping their strong record over the Hurricanes by sealing a memorable 27-19 win in Canberra.
That’s a strong reminder of the challenges ahead for Australian rugby.
Nonetheless, the Reds and Waratahs, albeit only for one half, produced the type of rugby that is needed to progress deep into the competition.
Despite both sides missing several stars, the physicality the Reds and Waratahs was a massive step up from what we have seen.
The Reds lost another at the death against a New Zealand side. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
The Reds fronted for 70 minutes before letting themselves down, while the Waratahs produced their best 20 minutes of rugby this year against the Chiefs.
They were proactive in the way they attacked – Joey Walton saw space early and found Mark Nawaqanitawase – and their forwards picked up where they left off against the Crusaders.
In the end, the Waratahs’ defence let them down.
Spacing and numbering up let them down in the second half, with the Waratahs’ midfield too narrow when Emoni Nawara scored.
Soon after in the 54th minute, the Waratahs put five players on the blindside despite only two Chiefs on that side of the ruck. It came as no surprise that the visitors then shifted the ball to the open side and found space. It was a costly six minutes.
The Reds, too, will be kicking themselves for tossing up possession. It stretched their defence and ultimately came back to bite them.
By comparison, the Brumbies didn’t concede a point from the 47th minute as their defence held firm.
That’s where they won the match.
WHY NOT BOTH?
The debate in recent times is whether Tom Wright or Andrew Kellaway should start for the Wallabies in the No.15 jersey, but Joe Schmidt could do worse than play both in the starting side.
Kellaway was one of a few players who left Christchurch with his stocks still in place.
The fullback, who has found himself on the wing at times this season, just continues to make the right decisions. That’s no shock, but it’s an underappreciated factor.
His main rival for the No.15 jersey can’t always say the same thing, but it is a factor that’s improving in the Brumbies fullback’s game.
Wright was one of the Brumbies’ best yet again against the Hurricanes and his ability to create and put teammates in space is unique in Australia.
Tom Wright’s impressive season continued against the Hurricanes. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
His early long-racking kick saw the Brumbies win the territory battle, which allowed the home side to attack the Hurricanes from the outset.
Wright’s quick hands to free up Rob Valetini ahead of Ollie Sapsford’s try in the 19th minute was quality.
Later, in the 52nd minute, he put the ball on the toe behind the defence and almost put Sapsford away for his second, with the winger knocking the ball on in goal.
Five minutes later, with the Hurricanes sensing the chance to run over the Brumbies, he took the quick throw to himself, ran back to the defensive line and found space. It was a match turning moment, but he also sized up the situation, knowing he had support if he was tackled and picked out a hooker.
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The knock on Wright has always been his decision-making, but with Kellaway a strong communicator and a fine winger in his own right, could Schmidt play both in the back three?
It could give the Wallabies their own Willie le Roux-esque fullback.
YOUNGSTER SHOWS UP WALLABY
Suli Vunivalu was not just a surprise selection in Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad but a remarkable inclusion ahead of Kellaway on the bench for the opening two fixtures of the tournament.
Yet in 80 minutes, 20-year-old Tim Ryan showed more in one match – a run-on debut of all things – than Vunialu has throughout his rugby career.
Although Vunivalu has shown glimpses of what he’s capable of, it’s nothing on the instinctual performance Ryan delivered against Vern Cotter’s Blues.
Even before jetting off down the left-hand touchline to score his opening two tries, Ryan’s audacious chip-and-chase close to his line was extraordinary for a player so fresh in his career.
It might not have been a highlight to rival Billy Slater’s try in State of Origin at the same venue two decades earlier in front of a packed house, but it was arguably more daring given it was near his line and against a formidable Blues side.
Ryan’s third try and ability to create something out of very little showcased his explosive speed.
Sterner tests lay ahead. His eye-catching performance means opponents will be on alert for his desire to run the ball.
But this was one of the most memorable starting debuts in Super Rugby history.
INJURY THAT SHOWS WEIGHT COUNTS
Rebels duo Matt Gibbon and Sam Talakai won’t be the only pair that is shown up by Fletcher Newell and George Bower at scrum time this year.
The pair was smashed at the scrum, leading to Kevin Foote replacing the entire front-row, including Alex Mafi, just after the half-hour mark against the Crusaders.
Quickly, the Rebels managed to slow the Crusaders’ progress after Jordan Uelese and Taniela Tupou entered the fray.
Yet, missing from the pack was 125kg lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
It’s often forgotten how important a strong scrummaging lock is behind a prop and Salakaia-Loto’s absence proved telling.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto’s absence was felt from the Rebels pack. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
It wasn’t just there either, with the Rebels’ lineout crumbling without the second-rower.
Salakaia-Loto missed the clash after sustaining a foot injury at the end of the Rebels’ win over the Highlanders earlier in the month. It’s expected he’ll miss the rest of the regular season for the Rebels.
That’s a huge blow to their finals ambitions, with the Rebels still in need of picking up a couple of points along the way to ensure their qualification.
Schmidt will also be keeping a close eye on the lock, conscious of his heavy frame in a land where second-rowers are rare commodities.
WHY NEXT ROUND COULD DETERMINE WHO WEARS THE WALLABIES 10 JERSEY
Who wears the No.10 jersey for the Wallabies remains the most intriguing selection ahead of Schmidt’s first squad selection.
At present, none of the candidates are the complete packages.
Consistency remains one of the biggest concerns.
Last week Noah Lolesio struggled against a well-beaten pack, but the 24-year-old stood up against the Hurricanes. It was a timely response.
Carter Gordon’s kicking game isn’t yet sound enough for Test rugby.
Noah Lolesio had a successful outing against the Hurricanes in Canberra on Sunday. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Questions remains whether Ben Donaldson is a fly-half or fullback after another patchy performance against the Highlanders, with the Force No.10 struggling to command himself at Super Rugby.
Up in Queensland, Tom Lynagh is a player on the rise but still looks a year or two away when the Wallabies need to win now. While in NSW, Tane Edmed needs to win more matches for the Waratahs.
With the Rebels to host the Blues, the Reds to travel to Christchurch and Force to meet the Chiefs in Waikato, Schmidt will be watching all three playmakers closely.
Christy Doran’s Australian Super Rugby team of the week
Harry Johnson-Holmes, Julian Heaven, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Darcy Swain, Ryan Smith, Rob Valetini, Liam Wright, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Tim Ryan, Tamati Tua, Hunter Paisami, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Maybe Wright is a #10. He's tough and can tackle.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Wow. Mate that’s harsh. First, Tom Wright has been brilliant, week in week out. He’s doing things at 15 that other players just can’t do, and he’s not making mistakes. He and Tua were the best two players on the park against the Hurricanes, and they’ve been the Brumbies’ best all year. For me, the proof is right in front of us; The Brumbies are our top team, they’re playing some great attacking footy, and the two players pulling the strings are Lolesio and Wright, which is in turn allowing Tua to play well. The Brumbies struggled against the Chiefs and Blues, and that was a worry, but they turned that around against the Canes. They also beat the Blues and Hurricanes handily last year. So, for me, it’s Lolesio edging Gordon at 10, and Wright at 15 with daylight second.
rusty
Roar Rookie
Foley was never even fit to polish Quade's boots!!
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
Quade Foley? :silly:
BrumbyMario
Roar Rookie
jeez now that would be interesting to see (Tom Wright @10 for Brums when Noah has a rest)... but of course prefer to see Tom stay @15 to maintain the current (winning) Brumbies team dynamic.
rusty
Roar Rookie
Quade what's his name.
Dualcode
Roar Rookie
Frontrowers and flyhalves issues pretty much sums up a long TRC ahead for the Wallabies, but Round 11 will show who's hot and who's not for the AU teams.
The Strategist
Roar Rookie
I don’t agree he is our form 10 and personally I would not waste more test matches on him. I would also not select Tom Wright in my Wallabies 23 in any position. I would only pick specialists and unfortunately Wright has been moved around to try to solve problems in the past and is no longer a specialist. He would have to compete for a wing position and he would not be in my first few wingers. I would say none of our current SR 10’s are good enough. Of the 5 of them the only ones I would invest in for the Wallaby 10 position is Gordon and Lynagh. They are the only 2 with enough upside. They both control games, make others look good, are tough enough and can defend in position confidently. Both are currently not experienced enough but neither is Lolesio and he has none of those upsides. Lolesio’s upside is goal kicking and that is it for me. Lolesio is this era’s Foley.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Scoring tries hasn't been the wallabies problem though... Under Rennie they averaged 3 tries per game. That's enough to win a test match, the problem was they let 4 of them in. Discipline (not Wrights strong point), and game management (territory battle) are where they lack. Kellaway is also perfectly capable of distributing, rebels had the most tries behind only the canes a couple of weeks back. Here is an article showing kellaway mixing it up with gordon as wright does with noah. Just because he isn't as flashy, doesn't mean kellaway is less effective. Brass tax, Schmidt may look at noah/wright and kellaway/gordon as package deals and in that case noah's goal kicking may win out. https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/why-the-rebels-will-not-go-gently-into-that-good-night/
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
I hear you. I'd really just like to be able to take it to other teams and put tries on them. For 20 years we've struggled to score tries. Also, Wright has been positionally perfect this year, and his defence has been very good. I rate Kellaway, he's fantastic, but he's a ball runner alone, not a playmaker, whereas Tom has amazing vision, hands, step, and pace.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
I hear you, and in the past I've been frustrated with Noah, mainly because of his lack of assertiveness and direction. In the past it has almost seemed like he doesn't want the ball. Larkham ALWAYS wanted the ball, and always seemed to be creating something. However, this year, Noah has really improved. He's more confident, he's bouncing around behind the ruck calling plays and demanding the ball, changing direction and telling players where to run. He's improved, mate. Currently, he's our form 10. I like Carter, but he's been average this year and now there's even talk of a switch to league. Unless Tom Wright makes a miraculous switch to 10 (and he could, he's that good), Noah is the man.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Wright could be given license to roam at wing just like marika has in the past and mac hanson for ireland. Kellaway's defence and communication at the back is too important given the inexperience of the 10 and rest of the side. Wallabies problems generally stem from defence and game management, not attack, so lets fix them first.
Steve
Roar Rookie
Fully agree. Wright has been by far the best Super 15 for Aus sides this year and deserves first shot. If he goes backwards at Wallaby level again, then so be it. The level of attacking threat that the Aus sides pose is the big difference this year. They are still conceding points (and losing games) but the standard of attack from the Brumbies and Reds in particular has been much higher. Wright is a great example of that and creates space for those around him. I agree that Kellaway is the better decision-maker and will have fewer mistakes. But he's not even in the same league in terms of playmaking or running.
The Strategist
Roar Rookie
When you think of the great rugby 10's around the world now and in the past can you see Lolesio being one of them? I can't. 99% of people when they watch rugby watch the game. I do to. But then I go back and I watch players. When you watch players you learn about what they bring to the team and game. Lolesio is not and has never been central to the Brumbies like great 10's are. Watch what DMac brings to the Chiefs at the moment. He is central to their game. He calls it and the team follow. I have never seen the Brumbies follow Lolesio. I agree he has improved and his goal kicking is solid. But he offers almost zero leadership on the field, makes lots of errors and is often part of the missed tackles that leads to opposition teams scoring.
Docshay
Roar Rookie
MO
Roar Rookie
Kellaway can mostly play 15 on D and Wright mostly on attack with the other playing wing without stuffing anything up structurally.
Greg Hughes
Roar Rookie
Vunivalu cost the Reds by coming in from his wing and leaving space. Overrated. Also, if Carter improves kicking he is our number 10. His defence is so much better.
cs
Roar Guru
You have a savage tongue Mr Guess!
Guess
Roar Rookie
Few games ago he was replaced because he was missing. Reds dropped off cause they were gassed
Guess
Roar Rookie
He's been dropped for bad performance :laughing: