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Can Australia's Super Rugby sides restore the faith in 2022?
Super Rugby Pacific’s inaugural season is set to kick off on Friday night with the Waratahs hosting new-kids-on-the-block Fijian Drua.
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While the Super Rugby AU season produced countless exciting moments throughout 2021, the Australian sides took a bit of a tumble during the Trans-Tasman portion of the year, with the five teams recording just two victories between them throughout their 25 matches.
With the trans-Tasman derbies again set to take place during the back-end of the season, this weekend presents Australia’s finest the opportunity to reassert themselves heading into a new campaign.
Following Friday’s season-opener, the Reds will host the Rebels in Queensland on Saturday night before the Brumbies take on the Western Force to close out the round.
How do the Australian teams stack up ahead of the new campaign?
Brumbies
(Last season 6-2 in AU, 1-4 in Trans-Tasman)
Dan McKellar’s final year in charge will provide extra fuel for the side controversially pipped after the siren in last year’s domestic final against the Queensland Reds. A horror trans-Tasman draw gave them few chances to shine. Breakout Test seasons for Len Ikitau and Rob Valetini see them return as headliners but there is no shortage of pedigree in Canberra.
Fijian Drua
(Super debut)
A pre-season win over the Melbourne Rebels combined trademark counter-punching flair and some impressive set-piece work. Boasting Olympic gold medallists, based on the NSW north coast and due to play out of Brisbane, the newcomers will carry the hopes of a nation and be fun to watch under storied coach Mick Byrne. Former Blues pivot Baden Kerr, who also spent time with Saracens, will be the side’s only Super Rugby-capped player in round one.
Western Force
(4-4, 0-5)
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Have handed the playmaking keys to 20-year-old Brumbies recruit Reesjan Pasitoa, the returning West Australian talent among five handy additions from Canberra this season. They’ve added starch elsewhere too with Wallabies lock Izack Rodda a difference-maker and depth on the bench. Will begin from their Gold Coast base but hope to make Perth a stronghold upon their return.
Melbourne Rebels
(3-5, 0-5)
A spate of injuries have the Rebels starting the season on the back foot, with high-profile quartet Andrew Kellaway, Rob Leota, Trevor Hosea and Pone Fa’amausili all missing this weekend. New coach Kevin Foote has backed another young No.10 Carter Gordon to fulfil his precise, up-tempo style while Matt Toomua, Reece Hodge, Matt Philip and Joe Powell provide the experience.
Queensland Reds
(7-1, 1-4)
Confident of building on last year’s domestic success by proving to be more competitive against the New Zealand outfits. Alex Mafi’s return from injury at hooker could be key, while James O’Connor and Tate McDermott will be hoping to make their case for a Test partnership in the halves. Taniela Tupou is a different beast in the front row while their backrow depth is second-to-none.
* NSW Waratahs
(0-8, 0-5)
Look a different side to the one that lost every game last season. Ben Donaldson is another young No.10 given his chance, while centres Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi could break games open behind a pack powered by Angus Bell, Jed Holloway, Carlo Tizzano and Lachie Swinton. Michael Hooper’s return after a couple of weeks will give them a timely second wind.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments