Five of the best: The top performers in round nine of Super Rugby AU
The Super Rugby AU finals series is beginning to take shape after the Brumbies defeated the Western Force in Canberra, and the Melbourne Rebels finished with a losing bonus point against the Waratahs.
The Brumbies came into their fixture against the winless Force knowing that a victory would secure them a home final in a few weeks’ time.
The Force came to play, turning down two early shots at goal which led to the opening try of the night. But once again, they couldn’t make the most of their promising start and were played out of the game by a better team, losing 31-14.
In the other match, it was effectively a quasi-quarter final with both the Waratahs and Rebels able to lock in playoff berths depending on the result.
The Tahs led by 14 points with 20 minutes to go, but a late fightback saw the Rebels trail by just two with just under 10 minutes to play.
The game finished 38-32 to the Tahs, with the losing bonus point keeping the Rebels in control of their destiny ahead of a clash with the Force next Saturday.
While a number of players impressed last week, here were just five of the standouts from round nine.
Irae Simone (Brumbies)
Simone has played himself into national contention after being named in Dave Rennie’s most recent PONI list earlier this month.
His performance on Friday night was another classy showing, and the 25-year-old must be getting even closer to his test debut week to week.
He’s simply outstanding when he’s on song.
While Simone was impressive in attack, finishing with the second-equal most running metres of the round with 46, it was his playmaking that really impressed. His control and comfortability around the park when stepping into the first receiver role was admirable, and led the Brumbies well.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEiR3fQgblE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Take Tom Banks’ try just before half-time; if Simone didn’t take the ball to the line as he did and draw three Force players in, the fullback probably doesn’t score.
He had a try assist as well late in the match, with Andy Muirhead diving and getting a hand to a ball that the inside centre had kicked in behind the Force defensive line.
Simone’s defensive highlight of the match came in the 35th minute, where he chased down a Joe Powell box kick and immediately tackled USA international Marcel Brache into touch. Finishing with a round-high 19 tackles, it truly was a complete performance.
His work rate isn’t doing his representative chances any harm.
Isi Naisarani (Rebels)
In a losing side, Naisarani once again stood out for his elite work rate, which he was rewarded for with his second career double.
The 25-year-old had the second-most carries of anyone in the round, and his workload was once again effective. Every time he gets the ball, his brutal running ability sees him get over the gain line.
He also made his mark on defence, making the most tackles of anyone on Saturday night to complete 16 from 16 attempts.
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After the Rebels trailed by as much as 11 points, Naisarani helped bring his team level with his first try of the night just after the break. With the Rebels forming a steady maul off a lineout, the Wallaby peeled off and couldn’t be stopped from five metres out.
Down a man late, the Rebels again needed a try to keep any hopes of a win alive. Up stepped Naisarani. The ball spat out of a ruck, allowing him to power his way over for a pivotal try.
He still has some errors and poor discipline in his game but overall, Naisarani’s impact on the match can’t be questioned.
Jack Dempsey (Waratahs)
After sitting on the bench for the first two rounds of the competition, Dempsey has really made the most of his return to the starting side.
The number eight finished the round with the most turnovers won with three, and the most carries with 17.
He caught the Rebels napping in the 22nd minute, with a pick-and-go seeing the 26-year-old cross for his second try in as many weeks.
The Rebels need a four-point win to nab third place and a spot in the finals. The Force, however, won't go down without a fight. #SuperRugbyAU #FORvREBhttps://t.co/GXPnrQpyJg
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 30, 2020
Moments later, Dempsey reminded everyone of his strength and again his rugby smarts, stopping the ball from coming out of a Rebels driving maul to win possession back for his side. Later in the match, he did it again.
Dempsey’s energy, power and general skill set has to be admired, and while he wasn’t named in the PONI list, there’s still time to force his way back into the national fold if he can keep this up.
Speaking of the Wallabies, Michael Hooper deserves an honourable mention. While I still don’t think his impact is consistently where it needs to be performance-wise, credit has to be given where it’s due.
Matt To’omua (Rebels)
Player of the round.
Even playing at inside centre, To’omua just seems to do everything right to lead the side in both attack with his playmaking, and in defence with his reliability.
When the Rebels trailed by 11 and really needed somebody to step up, the captain led from the front and scored one of the bravest tries in the competition to date. Just before half-time, he wouldn’t be stopped, running a direct line in-between Michael Hooper and Lachlan Swinton.
Also in attack, the playmaker finished with one try assist to his name, setting up Marika Koroibete down the left edge. To’omua spotted a gap in the Tahs defence and made them pay, running through and drawing fullback Maddocks into the tackle to allow his winger to head for the corner.
A head-wrecker outcome for Hooper and cohttps://t.co/vBlogdQXbS
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 29, 2020
The defensive highlight of the round also arguably goes to To’omua, who showed great poise and patience to hold Maddocks up late. He just had eyes for the ball, and managed to secure it in the tackle and hold the former Rebel up in goal.
Add a clutch penalty with three and half minutes to play, as well as a lineout reception to his name, and it’s fair to say that the 30-year-old had a night to remember.
Tom Banks (Brumbies)
Australian rugby fans have been waiting for Tom Banks to return to top form in Super Rugby AU, and he did just that in round nine.
From minute one with his first kick return, Banks’ intent was there; you could tell he was switched on. As he neared the Force defence, with the ball in two hands, he ran with the general unpredictability that has made him such a standout for years.
Banks mainly made his impact with the ball around the midfield though, with inside balls often from Bayley Kuenzle nearly catching the visitors defence out a few times. He nearly set up Andy Muirhead for a miraculous try in the 29th minute after running inside, only for the play to have been called back by the TMO.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has a problem any coach would want with bench players like Wallabies World Cup halfback Nic White jostling for a start.https://t.co/k7L62qB0dJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 29, 2020
The fullback finished with the most metres run of any player in round nine with 76.
His moment of the match came just before half-time, when he finally broke his Super Rugby AU duck with a try. Banks showed great footwork to beat Brache on the outside, and the covering defence of Jack McGregor with pace.
He’s been quiet up until this point but Tom Banks still has to be the front runner for the Wallabies 15 jumper, especially after performances like that.
Comments on RugbyPass
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
2 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments