Best of the best: The top five players in Super Rugby AU in round five
Round five of Super Rugby AU saw both home teams claim crucial wins at home, which saw the Rebels hold their place in the top three while the Reds moved up to first.
For the first time in over a year, the Rebels returned to play in front of their home fans, and they didn’t disappoint.
It was simply a clinical performance from the hosts against the visiting Waratahs, leading 33-0 until late in the match when the Tahs crossed for two tries.
In the other match, the Force were tough opponents for the Reds at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, but went down 26-19. The boot of former Reds player, Jake McIntyre, kept the Force in the contest, but they couldn’t quite get over the line after being outscored five tries to one.
After each round of Super Rugby AU this year, I’ll list who I thought were the top five players of the round. The top three players will be given points of three, two and one, to be added to an MVP watch list throughout the season.
Considering that this week, another set of new players made the top three, the ‘honourable mentions’ will now also be given 0.5 points each this season – including players from the first four rounds. This is both to reward those players, and to allow for a deeper look at who has been a consistently top performer.
Here’s the top five players from round five.
Hunter Paisami (Reds) – 3 points
The Wallabies centre stood out on Saturday night, with his impact helping the Reds claim a crucial win which saw them move up to first on the ladder. Paisami scored a double, but generally he was impressive.
After conceding their first points of the night through a McIntyre penalty, the Reds managed to hit back soon after through Paisami’s first try.
The Reds went wide in their second phase off a lineout, with the centre playing a part in Jock Campbell’s impressive break down the right edge. In the next phase, Paisami came charging in, and never seemed like he was going to be stopped once he got his hands on the ball.
Getting the ball off Tate McDermott at scrumhalf, the 22-year-old ran in-between Brynard Stander and the referee on his way to the line – it was a great heads-up play.
But while that was a great example of his pace, strength, and bravery, his second try was arguably more impressive. The Reds were down 14-16 at this stage, but Paisami helped give his side the lead that they wouldn’t give up again.
This try was a textbook example of why you should always run with the ball in two hands.
As he ran at the line, he threw a dummy pass before backing himself to run through a gap in the Force defence. He ended up running roughly 30-metres without too much trouble, on his way to the try-line.
By the time the full-time whistle had sounded he’d made six runs and 11 passes.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1373860901992943617
Matt To’omua (Rebels) – 2 points
Even though To’omua was only on the field for 51 minutes against the Waratahs, the impact that he did have on the match was simply crucial.
Let’s start with the highlight play that has without a doubt caught plenty of fans’ eyes, that being of course his try of the seasons contender.
From nothing really, To’omua got the ball from scrumhalf Joe Powell at the half-way line. But the passage of play that followed really does show his class.
Just like Paisami, with the ball in two hands, the flyhalf threw a show-and-go before backing himself through a hole in the Waratahs defensive line. A chip and chase, and the favourable bounce that sat up perfectly, saw him score what has to be one of the best individual tries I’ve seen.
But other that that, the captain’s leadership guided his team around the park effectively, with the Rebels playing arguably their best game this season – in front of their home crowd too.
His kicking was once again accurate, finishing the night with an 18-point haul. Also out of hand as well, his kicking was effective.
Again, he may have only played 51 minutes, but I couldn’t really fault his performance.
Richard Hardwick (Rebels) – 1 point
Hardwick’s work rate and impact around the breakdown was outstanding in round five, and I’m sure most would agree that he deserves to be in the conversation for being one of the best players in the round.
The 26-year-old showcased his skill at the breakdown against the Tahs, with his side winning some penalties on the back of his work in that area.
The Rebels so nearly benefited from one of those efforts early-on, with Hardwick tackling Waratahs fullback Nawaqanitawase before releasing, and then attempting a steal. From there, the Rebels had an attacking lineout five-metres out, but after getting to the line, were ruled to have been held up.
Another effort in the 45th minute saw him make a tackle, bounce back him onto his feet to make another, before releasing and getting over the ball.
Defensively as well, he worked hard to get involved, making 13 but missing four.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1373814132986638341
Honourable mentions
Fraser McReight (Reds)
The work rate of the Wallaby was once again elite, seemingly involved in a lot of the play as result.
Take his involvement in a passage of play in the 58th minute as an example, which so nearly led to a great team try.
Jordan Petaia broke through the Force line around halfway and from then, you could see McReight putting in the work – making an effort to be there in support. Once he did get the ball, McReight was tackled by Byron Ralston.
McReight did manage to pop the ball up to Bryce Hegarty, but the replacement dropped the ball with the line in sight.
McReight did also have a try ruled out early in the 47th minute.
To sum it up though, he made the equal-most tackles of any player in the round with 18, and he didn’t miss any. He also had five carries for 25 metres, and made seven passes.
Tate McDermott (Reds)
McDermott played what was potentially his best game of the 2021 season so far, scoring a try and assisting two more in the win over the Force. He also managed to beat five defenders on the night.
The scrumhalf, who was very impressive last season, caught my eye just 90 minutes into the match with a run he made from a scrum.
For the third time in this article, it was another example of a player running with the ball in two hands (after initially running with it tucked under his arm), and it so nearly paid off. Instead, the ball was knocked on by the Force, as McDermott attempted to send Jordan Petaia through a gap with a pass.
Soon after though, McDermott made an impact on the scoreboard by crossing for the first try of the match. Off another scrum, Harry Wilson popped the ball to the scrumhalf six metres out from the line, before McDermott used his pace and agility to fight his way to the line.
2021 Finn Morton’s Super Rugby AU MVP watch
= 1st: Fraser McReight (Reds) and Marika Koroibete (Rebels) – 3.5 points
= 3rd: Matt To’omua (Rebels), Mackenzie Hansen (Brumbies) and Tim Anstee (Force) – 3 points
6th :Fergus Lee-Warner (Force) – 2.5 points
= 7th: James O’Connor (Reds), Alex Mafi (Reds) and Pete Samu (Brumbies) – 2 points
=10th: Filipo Daugunu (Reds), Tom Banks (Brumbies), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies) and Noah Lolesio (Brumbies) – 1 point
= 15th: Carlo Tizzano (Waratahs) and Taniela Tupou (Reds) – 0.5 points
Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments