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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDVJHuKgDwu/
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
Pick 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.
15 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
15 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
15 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
15 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
15 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
15 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
15 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to comments