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Five Australian players to watch out for in Super Rugby Pacific this year
2021 was a monumental year for rugby fans from both Australia and New Zealand, as the sporting rivalry between these two nations took a step towards normality with a Super Rugby Trans-Tasman champion crowned.
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The teams from New Zealand largely dominated that particular competition, with the Blues beating the Highlanders in the Grand Final. But the Australian teams and players showed both last year and the year before that they can play, playing an entertaining brand of rugby in Super Rugby AU.
The Brumbies and Reds met in back-to-back deciders in 2020 and 2021, with both teams winning one apiece – both victorious at home as well.
These performances from the Australian franchises translated into improved performances from the national side as well, with unearthed talent helping guide the Wallabies to two famous wins against the Springboks last year.
As we look ahead to this year, and with the intensity of international rugby ever growing with the World Cup less than two years away, are there any players who could potentially push for higher honours with a breakout Super Rugby campaign this year?
And even if we aren’t looking quite as far as Wallaby gold, who are the players who could really announce themselves to professional rugby in 2022?
I’ve taken a look at the squads for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season, and highlighted a handful of up-and-coming players who you should keep an eye out for this year. If these guys get regular minutes, then I wouldn’t rule out a call-up to the national squad before the year is done.
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Carlo Tizzano
Flanker, New South Wales Waratahs
The Waratahs are coming off a 2021 season where they failed to win any of their 13 matches across both Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. But despite the results, one shining light in my opinion for the Waratahs was Carlo Tizzano.
Playing with an abundance of energy, Tizzano was just everywhere on the field and this was largely clear to see going off his stat line for some matches.
He quickly stood out to me in the opening match of Super Rugby AU last year, even though his side went on to lose 41-7 to their rivals, the Queensland Reds. In that one match, that one example, he made 25 tackles and ran for 44 metres as well.
The former Junior Wallaby finished last year with an 88% tackle completion, having made 143 across the season according to stats at RugbyPass, but also got busy in attack with 64 carries.
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The 21-year-old was more than a fine replacement for Wallabies captain Michael Hooper last year, but his return does raise some questions about how and if Tizzano can fit into the team. Even if he just provides minutes off the bench, that’ll be exciting.
Carter Gordon
Flyhalf, Melbourne Rebels
Gordon is definitely a player to watch this season, and may possibly by given first opportunity to take the flyhalf reigns for the Melbourne-based franchise this season. Confirming their squad on their website, the Melbourne Rebels listed Gordon as a half which Matt To’omua is a centre.
The 20-year-old has largely played for Brisbane-based club Western Bulldogs, since graduating from Brisbane Boys College.
But since making his Super Rugby debut in April, the up-and-comer has simply taken his opportunities with both hands.
Playing against the Chiefs last year, some brilliance from Gordon set-up a fantastic try for the Rebels – and that type of skill can’t possibly go unnoticed. Getting the ball 40-metres out from the try-line, he grubbed a kick in-behind the Chiefs, before regathering and then throwing a no-look pass for the try assist (see below).
TRY OF THE WEEK | Super Rugby Trans Tasman Rd 04
Young gun Carter Gordon produces a perfect chip ‘n’ chase to setup up Stacey Ili in the Rebels’ gallant defeat.#TryOfTheWeek #SuperRugbyTT pic.twitter.com/nanJzxWqmg
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 8, 2021
Genuinely a talented player who could make some big steps in his career this year.
Jahrome Brown
Backrow, ACT Brumbies
Let’s start with something simply incredible: when Brown made his debut for the Brumbies in 2019, the flanker ended up scoring a try after just six seconds. Wow.
And since then, the now 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength with the Brumbies, proving himself to be a useful member of that impressive squad.
Brown started the first four matches of Super Rugby AU last year at openside flanker, before being named as a replacement for what would be his fifth and final match of the AU season.
One selection decision that Dave Rennie may have to consider this season is how he uses both incumbent number eight Rob Valetini and the rested rising star Harry Wilsonhttps://t.co/azBhlqAtBZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 8, 2022
Playing alongside the likes of Pete Samu and Rob Valetini, Brown could take his game to a new level this year. While the Queensland Reds also have an extremely good backrow, with a good season from Brown, the Brumbies could arguably challenge this by the time the season is done.
Other honourable mentions include centre Hudson Creighton who is set for his first season with the club.
Mac Grealy
Fullback, Queensland Reds
Grealy made his Super Rugby debut with the Reds last year in bizarre circumstances, named as a late callup by Brad Thorn to face the Blues in Brisbane.
And wasn’t he impressive?
In that match he had seven runs for 77 metres and was largely comfortable under the high ball.
As only 19-years-old, he doesn’t turn 20 until March, Grealy showed last year that he’s a truly talented player who arguably has to be a Wallaby in a waiting. With a big season this year, should he get regular game time, he might just be knocking at the door for a Test callup.
Reesjan Pasitoa
Flyhalf, Western Force
After a couple of seasons with the Brumbies, Reejan Pasitoa is returning home to Western Australia where he may get the opportunity to play regular football from flyhalf.
UPDATED 2022 SUPER RUGBY PACIFC FIXTURES
✅ Family-friendly kick-off times
✅ 7 home games
✅ Traditional rivals from Australia and New ZealandClick here to see the full fixtures ➡️ https://t.co/XcOtCF6q1U#ForceForever #LevelUp pic.twitter.com/5L4MpAHdRs
— Western Force (@westernforce) December 23, 2021
Pasiota was a schoolboy star at Brisbane’s Nudgee College, and he also named in the same Junior Wallabies squad as some of Australia’s best up-and-coming players including Josh Flook and the previously mentioned Carter Gordon.
Should he get the chance to play regular minutes for the Force this year, I’m sure Pasitoa will perform in key moments for the Force this year.
Comments on RugbyPass
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI 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.
30 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.
9 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.
30 Go to comments