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
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 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)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments