Brumbies vs Waratahs: Super Rugby live scores

Riddler, I too don’t like booing the kicker. However If it’s the incident I’m thinking of, on the tv it would appear the crowd was booing the kicker….at the ground on the big screen, they were showing the dubious ‘knock on’ that led to the scrum, just before the Tahs try. Banks had the ball in hand with no one in front of him…….it was a 14 point turnaround, that’s why the crowd were booing. On tv though it would obviously appear we were booing the kicker.

Valetini has got to be the unluckiest rugby player on the planet. Of all the injuries he could suffer, it's his knee that seems to repeatedly cop it. The replay of the supposed dislocation was pretty sickening to watch. I really hope the injury isn't as bad as it seems, as he has the potential to be a special player if he can stay fit.

True. But you want your 9 to be alert to that kind of play, and to push the line.

Yeah, I think they were better than I gave them credit for!

I thought Simone, Lealiifano and Banks played well. All had significant moments in defense and were pretty good on attack too.

A totally inept display from the Tahs and the coach has to cop it as well. Everyone knew what the Brumbies game plan is and the Tahs fell straight into it. Kick deep and keep the Brumbies in their half but no, we couldn't do something simple like that. No great kudos for the Brumbies either. Two Tahs players in the bin at different times so the Brumbies were playing 14 men for 20 minutes of the game but could only score three tries (including a penalty try) against the Tahs. I don't think the Kiwis or the Saffas are too worried.

I did say more a mobile Ben McCalman. I always felt the big dog was a yard off being a great number 8. He had a big heart and his defensive effort against Wales in the 2015 RWC was memorable, making back to back to back tackles on the Wallabies try line down to 13 men. McCaffery seems to have superior ball playing skills and I've gotta admit I'm really enjoying watching him play.

Hope we see Poey, Alaalatoa and Hunt all playing in the return fixture.

Yep, they are missing Naiyaravoro big time from last year and missed Hunt tonight. There was so little go forward in tight before offering the ball wide. Add to that a high number of unforced errors, Holloway dropping one cold, Fitzpatrick messing two lineout throws, Polota-Nau another, Simmons placing the ball in Simone's arms, etc, etc, etc and they turned a bit headless chook. I think the criticism of Foley and Beale being unable to change tactics during a game were displayed again tonight. Foley kicking the ball away aimlessly with six and a half on the clock and 6 points down sealed it for me. I would have hooked him too.

Gavin, “Tahs have been reading too many of the press items” Well if they are reading any of these pages and posts here they certainly wouldn’t be burdened with hubris.

Oh, mate, I hope he is better than Ben McCalman, he's a lot quicker and has better footwork! I loved McCalman, but I really hope McCaffrey is a better player...

He reminds me a bit of a more mobile Ben McCalman. He looked totally gassed at the 60 minute mark but kept sucking in the big ones. Big heart!

The results support your virw

I agree. Poey is a legend, and our greatest player since George Smith, but Samu and Cusasck are both very good 7s. The gap in class between Hunt and Beale is far wider than between Samu/Cusack and Poey. I think Alaalatoa was the biggest loss of the three, to be honest. He has been the best prop in Australia this year, and I thought our scrum would have destroyed the Tahs had he been available.

It’s called “creating space” ... by digging a hole...

Sounds odd to say it (Poey being the legend he is) but in many ways I think Hunt’s presence is more important to the Tahs than Poey’s is to the Brums.

Another blinder for Foley, though he faded a bit after that pin point chip to set up Hooper's try. He is playing his way out of the Wallaby 23, maybe even the Tah's starting 15. Going form worse to worst. I think he has focused a lot on his defence - which is improved - determined to defend his channel. Constantly having big blokes picking him out and charging at him has taken a toll on other parts of his game. As people have noted, he stands a bit deep in attack, dropped as few. Goal-kicking has fallen away a bit.

To be fair, it’s possible to be neutral and biased. All of us outside NSW hate NSW. It’s what brings this great country of ours together. The national anthem should be a song about how much we hate NSW. ;)

Corw, “taught a few lessons by Phipps at scrum/breakdown time.” Some of those lessons might be best left unlearnt. One snaffle that Phipps got away with was a fail by Jackson. Phipps was half a metre offside when he charged into his opposite at the ruck. Can’t fault Phipps’ comittment (or boot throwing). But there are other things.

Thugby “As a Tah’s fan I’ve always cut B.Foley some slack as he is brave as hell, tries his guts out and occasionally puts in a top game. But seriously, they should call a Royal Commission if M.Cheika et al select B.Foley as 5/8th for the WB on his form over the last 10 months or so. I don’t know what’s wrong but he is really struggling and should reduce his workload for a while.” Yep, I’ve been saying as much for at least a year. The most overworked 10 in this hemisphere. And arguably not quite a 10.