Five of the best: The top five performers in round three of Super Rugby AU
Round three of Super Rugby AU saw arguably two of the most iconic moments in the history of the competition play out.
Up first was the Waratahs hosting the Western Force at Bankwest Stadium. Both teams went into this one in search of their first win of the season.
The Waratahs ran out to a 13-0 lead midway through the second-half, but the valiant visitors fought their way back to record a famous 20-16 victory. More impressively, they managed to hold on for the win despite going down to 14-men after replacement hooker Andrew Ready was sent off.
In the other game, two title contenders fought right until the very end, but it was the reigning champions who left with the win.
With the scores locked at 21-all, replacement scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan stepped up and converted a long-range penalty attempt to send the Canberra crowd into a frenzy – but more on that later.
After each round of Super Rugby AU this year, I’ll list who I thought were the top five players of the round. The top three players will be given points of either three, two or one, to be added to an MVP watch list throughout the season.
Here’s the top five players from round three.
Tim Anstee (Force) – 3 points
The former Australian Sevens representative had himself a game on Friday night, putting in a performance which was simply key to the Force beating the Waratahs. Anstee finished with a try assist, and also crossed for one of his own, both at crucial moments in the context of the match.
Starting with the assist, the 23-year-old received the ball about 45 metres out from the tryline, before he made something out of practically nothing.
With the Force down 13-0, Anstee ran through a gap, before beating defenders on his way into the Tahs’ 22. He then drew in the covering defence of fullback Jack Maddocks, before passing to lock Fergus Lee-Warner, who ran in for a vital score.
Then in the 54th minute, it was his turn to cross for a try.
The Force were down by three at the time, but the try handed the visitors the lead that they wouldn’t end up surrendering.
Off an attacking lineout five metres out from the tryline, Lee-Warner received the ball but popped it off to Anstee who was looping around the back. The blindside still had plenty of work to do though, charging into a tackle attempt from Lachlan Swinton, before reaching out for the line.
Anstee finished the night having run the most metres of any Force forward (52 metres), and also made 13 tackles without missing any.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1368763578325471237
Fergus Lee-Warner (Force) – 2 points
Lee-Warner arguably could’ve been named the player of the round this week, he was that good.
Not only did he cross for the try that was set up by Anstee, but he also returned the favour later on, with a try assist for his blindside flanker.
Lee-Warner was everywhere against the Tahs. His elite was really impressive, as he was hungry to get his hands on the ball – and then when he did, he showed great strength, proving hard to bring down.
He had the most carries of any player in round three with 17, running for 48 metres. He also beat three defenders, had one line break and made the most tackles of any Force player with 19, which was equal-third across the round.
The 27-year-old was one of the Force’s standouts in 2020, so it’s great to see him backing it up this year. Wallabies honours would have to be a possibility for him if he could perform at this level consistently.
Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies) – 1 point
As far as having a great game off the bench goes, Ryan Lonergan couldn’t have expected much better.
The scrumhalf was subbed on for Nic White in the 61st minute, and made a clear impact. The match was in the balance when he came on, with the Rebels up by one point at the time.
11 minutes after coming on, he helped hand his side the lead by throwing a clever inside ball to fullback Tom Banks, whose try gave the Brumbies the lead. It almost came out of nowhere, but Lonergan showed great awareness and Rugby IQ in that moment.
He so nearly could’ve played the villain on Saturday night, though, having kicked the ball out on the full with a couple of minutes to go. But the Brumbies didn’t concede.
Instead they got their hands on the ball and worked their way up to halfway, where they had the opportunity to either go for the posts or kick for touch after being awarded a penalty.
They chose the kick.
The replacement stepped up and struck the ball well from halfway on the angle, but didn’t react until the ball went over. He stood still watching the ball sail over, before throwing his hands in the air – starting a massive celebration from the Brumbies players and the Canberra crowd.
His brother Lachlan was also very good against the Rebels.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1368736077851201537
Honourable mentions
Marika Koroibete (Rebels)
Not many people would argue that Koroibete was one of the Rebels’ best against the Brumbies.
He made a big impact in the second-half especially, getting his hands on the ball and proving hard to bring down.
Arguably his best play of the night though came just after the Rebels took a 18-17 lead midway through the second-half. The winger received the kick-off, put on a spin move to beat the tackle attempt from Andy Muirhead, before making a break down the left edge.
He ran the second-most metres of any player in round two with 117. Koroibete had 15 carries, two clean line breaks, but also beat an incredible 12 defenders.
Matt Toomua (Rebels)
There were a few players who could’ve been on this list: Trevor Hosea (Rebels), Lachlan Lonergan (Brumbies) and Noah Lolesio (Brumbies), but for me Matt Toomua deserves a mention.
If the Rebels had won, he probably would’ve been named as one of the top three players of this week.
The flyhalf converted all eight of his penalty attempts, finishing the night with 24 points to his name. For the second week in a row, the Rebels failed to cross for a try, so Toomua’s kicking can’t go unrecognised.
As he always does, he also kicked well out of hand, and controlled the tempo of the attack very well.
2021 RugbyPass’ Super Rugby AU MVP watch
= 1st: Fraser McReight (Reds), Mackenzie Hansen (Brumbies) and Tim Anstee (Force) – 3 points
= 4th: James O’Connor (Reds), Alex Mafi (Reds) and Fergus Lee-Warner (Force) – 2 points
= 7th: Filipo Daugunu (Reds), Tom Banks (Brumbies) and Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies) – 1 point
Round one top 3
Fraser McReight – 3 points
James O’Connor – 2 points
Filipo Daugunu – 1 point
Round two top 3
Mackenzie Hansen – 3 points
Alex Mafi – 2 points
Tom Banks – 1 point
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