Five of the best: The top performers of round five of Super Rugby AU
Super Rugby AU might’ve just had its best round yet, with both the Melbourne Rebels and ACT Brumbies fighting until the final whistle of their matches to earn important wins.
With the pain of the Force’s controversial exit from Super Rugby still fresh in everyone’s minds, there was plenty of feeling and passion shown against rivals the Rebels on Friday night.
The Force and Rebels couldn’t be split at either half or full-time, with the sides going to Super Time to decide a winner. Isi Naisarani proved to be the difference between the two teams, crossing over in golden point to celebrate his return and 50th match in style.
The other match was a top of the table clash between the Brumbies and the Queensland Reds, with both teams coming into the match undefeated.
The Reds clawed their way back from 14-0 down to lead by one-point when the siren sounded.
But a penalty at the breakdown gave replacement Mackenzie Hansen an opportunity to win the game for the Brumbies. Hansen converted the penalty, with the Brumbies now sitting seven competition-points clear of the Reds in second place.
It really was an outstanding couple of Australian rugby matches in round five, with many players standing out. But, here’s just five of the best.
Fergus Lee-Warner (Force)
With Rob Simmons set to join English side London Irish at the end of the Super Rugby AU season, all four Wallabies locks from last year’s Rugby World Cup will be plying their trade overseas as of 2021.
That means that Dave Rennie will be looking out for new players to make the set up to test match rugby, and Force lock Fergus Lee-Warner is the latest to have thrown himself into the mix.
The 26-year-old was tireless against the Rebels on Friday, making a big impact on the back of an elite work rate.
It was no surprise to see the forward cross over for the first try of the match on the back of his work around the park beforehand. Supported by a valiant Force driving maul, there was no player more deserving of a five-pointer.
Lee-Warner carried the ball with purpose and passion all night, running the ball 13 times for 27 metres.
He also finished the night with a very impressive 17 tackles without missing any, and won one turnover for his side in what was overall a complete display.
Another Force player who impressed was Henry Stowers, with the blindside flanker continuing to standout in what has been a consistently impressive campaign so far. Stowers made the most tackles of any player on Friday night with 21, and had 14 carries as well.
Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies)
Fainga’a is a try scoring freak.
The hooker’s try in the sixth minute not only got his side off to the perfect start, but it also saw him etch his name into the history books once again, scoring for the fifth consecutive game at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
Not bad for a front rower.
Fainga’a crossed over for his second 27 minutes later, controlling the ball comfortably at the back of another driving maul which helped the 25-year-old march his way to the chalk.
While scoring tries off the back of driving mauls has nearly become a trademark of his game, Fainga’a also got involved around the field. He carried the ball well when he got his chances, and made seven tackles.
Captain Allan Alaalatoa was also impressive, carrying the ball 14 times and making 10 tackles. Along with Scott Sio who also played well, it wasn’t a bad night for the Brumbies front row.
Harry Wilson (Reds)
Harry Wilson was back to his best against the Brumbies, showcasing a skillset that is simply beyond his years.
The 20-year-old was everywhere on Saturday night, running for a round high 82 metres, off 16 carries which was also equal best for the round.
He scored the Reds’ first try of the match, right when they needed it too. Trailing 14-3 at the break, the visitors came back onto the field for the second half knowing that if they didn’t score next, it very well could’ve been game over.
Wilson ran a great support line off a lively Jordan Petaia in his first match back, which saw the number eight run through the Brumbies defensive line and on his way to a decisive five-pointer just two minutes into the half.
He nearly scored another just three minutes later, but was stopped five metres short by Joe Powell. But instead of taking the ball to ground, Wilson kept the play alive by laying it off for Jock Campbell which led to another try for the Reds.
Wilson also made 20 tackles in the top of the table clash, and won one turnover, but it was his support play and work rate that was particularly outstanding.
Simply put, Harry Wilson was the player of round 5 and appears all but certain of donning Wallaby gold the next time the national side take the field.
Irae Simone (Brumbies)
Born in New Zealand, Simone may just be playing himself into an Australia jersey if he continue to perform like he did against the Reds.
From very early on, the 25-year-old stood out for his abundance of energy, and hungry desire to get his hands on the ball and make an impact for his side.
He had the most carries of any back in round five with 15, running for 52 metres. Simone also made 17 passes, proving himself to be a useful playmaker.
The inside centre also stepped up as a useful exit option when his side needed it, kicking the ball four times on Saturday night.
There’s a lot of talent in Super Rugby AU pushing for national honours, but after an impressive showing last week against the Force as well, all he has to do is keep performing as he has been.
Isi Naisarani (Rebels)
Naisarani returned for his first game back after a length spell on the sidelines with a hamstring strain, and soon made his presence known in what was also his 50th Super Rugby match.
Playing against one of his former sides in the Force, his return to Super Rugby took a hit 24 minutes in when he was yellow carded for not rolling away at the breakdown.
When he returned to the field 10 minutes later, the number eight made an immediate impact. With his first run at the Force, he carried two defenders with him in one of his many powerful runs of the night.
He finished with 16 carries which was equal with Harry Wilson for best in the round, and 42 metres despite sitting out for ten minutes.
But the best players perform in the big moments, and Naisarani stood up when his team needed it most. In Super Time, Naisarani crossed for the match winner with a pick and drive off the back of some momentum building runs from his fellow forwards.
Watch the try back – Naisarani played halfback for the two plays before the try. He was constantly looking to get involved; his experience and work ethic saw him standout in round five.
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
81 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
3 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
3 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
3 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to comments