Brumbies player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Pacific
The Brumbies have entered a tough patch of their draw in Super Rugby Pacific. In the next three weeks they have to take on the Blue and Crusaders while the first step was the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night.
Judging by the 6-2 split on the bench and the muscularity in the trenches, the Brumbies wanted to physically stamp their mark on this game and led at halftime, 18-14, with some brutal attack and bruising defence.
For all the power exhibited, the Brumbies were well down on territory and possession but they made the most of every opportunity to win 38-28 and keep their second spot on the table. The Aussies will be happy with their efficiency; points materialised with every visit to the attacking 22.
It was an interesting template to get right against a Kiwi side and it will be fascinating to see if the strategy will continue to be successful in the next fortnight. The Blues and Crusaders be warned, this is a tough Brumbies squad!
Here’s how the Brumbies rated:
1. James Slipper – 8
A lot to love about the test match centurion. The senior starter in the front row got around like a colt making some good tackles, a team-topping 15 when he left the field, and giving Angus Ta’avao an uncomfortable time in the set-piece. Off at 52.
2. Folau Fainga’a – 8
I was licking my lips at this brawny match up at hooker and the Aussie got the better of his opposite Samisoni Taukei’aho. His only blemish was missing a jumper in the first attacking lineout, but vigorous leg pumping in a lineout maul led to his try in the 18th minute. Every one of his 15 hits was made with venom and even got back for a mark on the run in the 37th minute.
3. Sefo Kautai – 8
A return to old stamping ground for the prop, having played 11 games for Waikato 2016 and being a Chiefs squad member in 2017. He showed a potent mix of power and mobility, the 16th-minute scrum penalty that led to the Fainga’a try was a highlight for him, as well as brave claims for the loose ball on the ground in the 34th and 50th minutes. Off at 52.
4. Darcy Swain – 7.5
A player who always needs to control his emotions but has matured well in the last year or two. Not the greatest start with an offside charge down attempt in the 1st minute, but some good work at the breakdown, especially a good counter rucking in the 10th minute and joined Jahrome Brown as top tackler after 80.
5. Caderyn Neville – 7
A great beast to have in your engine room. Good source of lineout ball for the Aussies and off at 59 minutes.
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6. Rob Valetini – 8
Muffed a try in the 14th minute, beaten by Bryn Gatland and a disobedient ball. Made a brilliant run into a gap in the 72nd minute to seal the deal, setting up Billy Pollard.
7. Jahrome Brown – 8.5
The Hamilton Boys’ High School old boy looked like he was having a school reunion, getting his hair tousled every time he chopped down one of his many schoolmates in the first few minutes but after half an hour he was proving to be a source of major annoyance to the Chiefs. The signs in the crowd showed the whanau was there and he played for every one of them. An energetic charge set up momentum for Len Ikitau’s try but his best work was on defence. He’s certainly let the Chiefs franchise know that he’s one that got away.
8. Pete Samu – 9
Majestic display from the ex-Crusader. Top metres from either team, top lineout takes and 15 tackles. A full 80-minute display of skill and power. So many things to love with his ball running but my favourites were the athletic collection from the kick-off at 12 minutes and a fearless turnover in the 41st minute.
9. Nic White – 8
The little general was at his best behind a feisty pack. Scored his first try of the season after 7 minutes, spotting a hair’s breadth of space down the blind. Did a lot of work changing the point of attack around the breakdown, keeping the Chiefs guessing. There was a period where the home team looked like they were getting back into the match but he turned the tide wonderfully with a 50-22 kick at 50 minutes. Off at 59.
10. Noah Lolesio – 6
Good cog in the machine who didn’t overplay his hand. Strong placekicking and got buffeted in defence but didn’t shirk.
11. Andy Muirhead – 7.5
One of those quiet achievers who suited the style of play his team choose. Chased box kicks like a crazy dog after a stick at the beach. Some intrepid defence as well. A smart interception in the 6th minute shut down a Chiefs attack and he smashed Narawa in the 64th.
12. Irae Simone – 4.5
Not one of his best games, was one of the few players outplayed by his opposite. Made an unfortunate spill in the 9th minute to give away possession and moments later got his hand in the way of a Quinn Tupaea pop to Nankivell but the try was scored. Missed four tackles and put in some aimless grubber kicks instead of setting up a recycle.
13. Len Ikitau – 7
Like many of his backline mates, was pretty anonymous in the first half. I love the way he snaps into action when he gets the ball in hand though. Secured a great finish in the 44th minute and made a brave burst for the line in the 51st.
14. Tom Wright – 7.5
The competition’s leading try-scorer couldn’t add to his tally of seven but more importantly, he set up two for his team. He added some thrust in midfield after some lateral movement that led to White’s try with a good pass to the left flank. Then, in the 44th minute, he committed two defenders to give Ikitau a run in. Great catch off the touchline at 60 to deny the Chiefs an attacking lineout.
15. Tom Banks – 6.5
One of those players who always ends up with more metres than you’d pick, grabbing 66 mainly from just running kicks back. Like Muirhead, he spent a lot of time chasing kicks, especially in the 45th and 50th minutes. There’s always a suspicion that his kicking from hand is a little wonky; he muffed an up and under at 60 minutes.
Reserves:
16. Billy Pollard – 6
On at 65 and made a great run on the jet stream of Valetini to score the try that put the icing on the cake.
17. Scott Sio – 5.5
On at 52 and was solid in defence.
18. Alan Ala’alatoa – 6
On at 52 with his buddy Sio, made 9 tackles in 28 minutes and was solid at scrum time.
19. Nick Frost – 6
On at 59 and conceded a penalty straight away at a maul. Nice save on the line to pivot, spin and get back in the field of play in the 78th minute. Seven tackles in 21 minutes is a fine effort. He’s quite an enigmatic player who may have his best ahead.
20. Rory Scott – 5
On at 65 and showed his speed and tenacity.
21. Tom Hooper – 5
On at 73 and battered away.
22. Ryan Lonergan – 7
On at 59 and kept up the outstanding pressure exerted from scrum-half. He was very accurate and showed some good game management.
23. Ollie Sapsford – 5
On at 73. The visitor from the Hawke’s Bay would have been happy to close the game out for his adopted team.
Comments on RugbyPass
Wow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
1 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
12 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
1 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
1 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
16 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
16 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
4 Go to comments00 😍 U
1 Go to commentsSabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.
3 Go to commentsJake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
16 Go to comments