Aussie Super Rugby takes: Only one option at No.12, Tahs' find formula

The unpredictability of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season continued in round nine with the then 6th-placed Waratahs upsetting the then table-topping Chiefs, who now sit second on the table. 

The ACT Brumbies travelled north to Suncorp and regained the title of Australia’s best side, as their pragmatism and experienced game drivers got them into the right parts of the field. 

The home side, the Queensland Reds, reinforced that they are the most exciting Aussie side to watch but failed to capitalise on an early 14-point lead due to a continued resistance to playing championship minute rugby. 

The top-tier Aussie derby as well as the huge upset win by the underdog Tahs, gave Wallaby coach Joe Schmidt a decent look at his domestic inside centre stocks, and a couple of performances would have pleased him, but are they enough to prevent him from going overseas? 

The Waratahs finally found the missing piece

Cohesion created the game breaking moments, cohesion was the foundation to the 70-plus tackles in the final stanza, cohesion meant the 18 penalties didn’t hurt them as much as they should’ve. 

In the match day 23, 17 members were part of the majority of the pre-season, 11 of those well-drilled players were in the starting XV and it meant the machine finally began to get out of first gear. 

The cohesion meant the forward pods were running efficiently, the backline was finding space, and the game drivers knew where they needed to go. 

The understanding of the core roles meant X-factor players like Joseph Suaalii could shine. 

A key aspect of the Waratahs roster is the litany of rockstars throughout the side, which can turn half a chance into a five pointer but they need the grunt work done consistently and diligently to create the opportunities. 

The Waratahs’ win was a statement of intent from a side which has a perfect track record at home in 2025 but struggles on the road. 

This win was hardly a victory against a humming Chiefs side, but nonetheless, beating Clayton McMillan’s side is nothing to be sneezed. 

Now, the real proof of their cohesion will be tested on the road as they head to Fiji this week, to face a dangerous and wounded Fiji Drua. 

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

22

36

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

The entertaining Reds must start playing finals footy 

Had you just gone off the stat sheet, you’d think the Reds would’ve won; 59 more post-contact metres, 18 more carries, one more line break, 17 more defenders beaten, 11 per cent better tackle success, 17 fewer missed tackles and 50-50 possession compared to the Brumbies. 

However, when you compare these with what actually happened on the field, it’s clear to see that the only thing which mattered was the time and efficiency in the oppositions 22m.  

The Brumbies are the most efficient side in the competition at scoring form a lineout and this stat was only embedded further after the Reds lost the penalty count 9-6 against the visitors. 

The Reds are yet to find this level of efficiency and as they find their way, they must start kicking their three pointers and consolidating points on the scoreboard, because there is guaranteed to be more rainy, tight games ahead. 

The Reds are one of the most entertaining sides to watch in the entire competition, but they must start to play more direct and conservatively in the pressure moments, do this, and they could be on their way to a home semi-final. 

Brumbies ‘wet weather rugby’ formula

The Brumbies’ greatest attacking strength is their attack following a lineout in an opposition’s 22m-zone, but the reason behind their success is their patience to not deviate from their game plan. 

At times their seemingly monotonous attack, running back into the jaws of the defenders that have just realigned, can seem counter-productive, but it’s this relentless, unforgiving nature of their phase attack which forces mistakes, resulting in either penalties or tries. 

Coach Stephen Larkham will be happy with the game his forward pack and game drivers put together because it was low risk, high pay-off, a strategy which will work in any weather the side will encounter in the weeks leading to the finals. 

The Brumbies showed again why they are the perennial overachievers of Australian rugby, they played the rugby they needed to, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough to get over their semi-final’s hoodoo. 

Wallaby watch: Inside centres give Schmidt something to think about 

The centres are the positions with the least amount of depth in the Wallaby eco-system, and the list is particularly short at inside centre. 

Across the weekend we saw three No.12s go at it and two shone brightly, the Reds’ Hunter Paisami, and the Waratahs’ Joey Walton. 

Walton was by far the standout with 14 carries for one line break, four defenders beaten, as well as 16 tackles. 

Aside from the numbers, Walton was as fearless as ever, but his size remains a potential issue if he is to make the jump to Test level. 

Meanwhile, Paisami made 10 carries for two line breaks, three defenders beaten, and a perfect 5/5 tackle count, numbers like these set a great foundation for his stellar chip-and-chase try. 

Elsewhere, Wallaby and Western Force centre, Hamish Stewart, has been improving, particularly in attack, while the Brumbies’ recruit, David Feliuai, is yet to show the form from last year which got him selected in Joe Schmidt’s first ever Wallabies squad. 

Former Wallaby superstar, Samu Kerevi, is plying his trade in Japan and although he has had a good couple of weeks, his form is difficult to quantify. 

With this in mind, there is really only the option, Paisami, and should injury strike the Queenslander, Schmidt may be forced to get experimental with his selections for the prestigious British and Irish Lions tour.