Brumbies player ratings vs Hurricanes | Super Rugby Pacific
The Brumbies have ensured that Australia will be represented in this year’s Super Rugby semi-finals after a rousing 35-25 defeat of the Wellington Hurricanes at GIO Stadium in Canberra this evening.
The home side were under early pressure after a number of infringements, with Hurricanes sharp-shooter Jordie Barrett capitalising via the boot, giving the visitors a lead going into the sheds at half-time. Yet in what was a role reversal, it was the Australians who lifted the tempo of the game in the second half and the New Zealanders couldn’t cope with that pressure and the Brumbies ground out the result.
This is how the Brumbies rated.
1. James Slipper – 7/10
Ensured the Brumbies had a solid platform from the scrum and his battle with Owen Franks was one the fascinating one-on-one personal contest within the broader encounter. Another no-frills James Slipper performance.
2. Folau Fainga’a – 7
Bagged himself a try and was industrious in all facets of the game. Kept his head for most of the match and despite the early pressure, hung in there and delivered a sound performance. One for the Wallabies selectors to ponder.
3. Allan Alaalatoa – 7.5
Lead the way, especially defensively in the tighter channels. Nailed down his side of the scrum, even when it was under some serious pressure. A quality captain’s knock.
4. Darcy Swain – 6.5
Money-man for the Brumbies lineout and delivered there. A solid effort around the park but fell off the odd tackle. Appeared to have played through an injury when his team needed him. A solid, respectable performance.
5. Cadeyrn Neville – 6.5
Akin to his locking partner, he delivered at the set-piece that again was a real weapon for his side. Didn’t shirk it in defence and worked himself hard in the dark areas.
6. Tom Hooper – 8
The best Brumby on the park. Exhaustive performance altogether. Be it a carry, clean out or tackle Tom Hooper had a big hand in it all. At a time when the game could have been taken away from the Brumbies, he never stopped working and epitomised everything the Brumbies stand for. Well played, that man.
7. Luke Reimer – 6.5
Worked himself hard at the recycle and whilst he didn’t secure any actual turnovers, he ensured that a quality Hurricanes back row didn’t dominate that aspect of the game. Solid performance and clearly a player of the future.
8. Pete Samu – 7.5
Really came to life in the second half and took the game to Hurricanes with a physical and intelligent performance. He carried well through the middle but also down the edges and it’s not often Ardie Savea is the second best in his position on the park but Samu had his measure tonight.
9. Nic White – 7.5
Ran his team around well. The execution wasn’t always there but the option taking was often the most optimal. Was staunch in his cover defence and set his side up well for the win.
10. Noah Lolesio – 6.5
Like most of the Brumbies, his second half was better than his first. He did lift the tempo and looked to be more direct with his carries, which subsequently made his attack more potent. Was guilty of a few poor mistakes but overall, a solid night for him.
11. Andy Muirhead – 4
Not his best night out. Was defensively poor and never really found his way into the attack with any great potency.
12. Irae Simone – 7
Showed a real control of balance in his footwork to score a nice individual try against some serious line-speed. Had a number of other impressive touches on the ball and was a genuine threat in possession. Didn’t have it all his own way in defence but overall, a good night out for him.
13. Len Ikitau – 5.5
Was having a fair game until he was red-carded for a high tackle. It was a shame as his defence prior to that tackle had been spot-on.
14. Tom Wright – 6
Scored a wonderful try near the end to seal the deal yet prior to that was a bit haphazard on both sides of the ball.
15. Tom Banks – 7.5
One of the Brumbies’ best tonight. Had a hand in a number of the tries and managed to score a fine one himself down the right edge, stretching the Hurricanes’ defence. A wonderful way to sign off his last game in Canberra.
Reserves:
16. Lachlan Lonergan – 7.5
Brought some genuine impact on both sides of the ball – exactly what the Brumbies needed to help shut out the Hurricanes.
17. Scott Sio – 7
Really led the second-half surge with a strong performance all around. Carried well and was physical against a hard Hurricanes outfit.
18. Sosefo Kautai – N/A
Came on in the 75th and didn’t see enough.
19. Nick Frost – 7
Strong in the air, strong on the ground. Wallabies colours beckon.
20. Rory Scott – N/A
Came on in the 75th and didn’t see enough.
21. Jahrome Brown – 7
Strong defensive performance. Not much was getting past him tonight. Another who muscled up when it was required.
22. Ryan Lonergan – 6.5
A steady set of hands to help shut the Hurricanes down.
23. Ollie Sapsford – 6.5
Played with some genuine grit and didn’t shirk taking on some of the Hurricanes’ bigger bodies. Did his job well.
Comments on RugbyPass
I bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
19 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
19 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
9 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
9 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
28 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
19 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
28 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
19 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
90 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
4 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
9 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
19 Go to comments