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
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments