Five of the best: the top performers of round six of Super Rugby AU
Super Rugby AU has had its most lopsided weekend of rugby since it started in July, but it was the first and second-placed sides who ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
The previously undefeated ACT Brumbies travelled to Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval to take on both the Melbourne Rebels and the elements on Friday night.
In a match very much affected by the rain, four first half tries including a Reece Hodge double saw the underdogs stun the competitions first-placed side at the break, leading 27-7. Coming into the second half, the damage was already done and the Rebels held on for their third straight victory, winning 30-12.
In the other match, the NSW Waratahs looked to avenge their earlier season loss to the Queensland Reds. Scrumhalf Jake Gordon scored a hat-trick inside 30-minutes in his first start in Super Rugby AU, and his side later led 45-0; the Reds were never in it.
The victories see the Rebels climb up to second, and the Waratahs jump ahead of their rivals the Reds into third on points difference. Here are just five of the standouts from round six.
Isi Naisarani (Rebels)
The Wallabies backrower only played his second match of Super Rugby AU last weekend after returning from a hamstring injury, but Naisarani was once again a standout for the Rebels.
In the rain, Naisarani helped his side gain momentum and front-foot ball with his direct and powerful running ability.
Arguably his most impressive run of the match came in the 27th minute when he picked up a loose ball off the deck before breaking tackles from Folau Fainga’a and Joe Powell. He was eventually dragged down by Darcy Swain for a 15-metre gain, but he managed to get an offload away.
Just before half-time, Naisarani came close to scoring a try of his own, but was stopped just a few centimetres short of the chalk. He showed plenty of confidence to take a quick tap and back his ability, with his side reaping the rewards with a try in the next phase.
Just as it was last week, while his effective runs are eye-catching, it’s his work ethic which is most outstanding.
The 25-year-old finished with the most carries of any player with 16 for 39 metres, and also made 10 tackles. There’s plenty of depth in the Australian backrow at the moment, but I’d be very surprising not to see Naisarani’s name back in the mix whenever the national side next take the field.
Jack Dempsey (Waratahs)
After being dropped to the bench for the opening round of the Australian competition against the Reds in Brisbane, Dempsey performed at near his best in the reverse fixture last Saturday.
Every time the backrower got his hands on the ball, he looked threatening and was able to make useful post contact metres.
In the 12th minute, the 26-year-old beat two defenders and had to be taken down by another two on a scintillating 25-metre run. Even though other runs might not have been as long, they were all effective and helped his side control the games momentum.
The Wallaby came mere millimetres of a try late in the match, but the TMO ruled that he was just short. A couple of minutes later he went close again, but was stopped a metre shy on a pick and drive.
It was his work rate that impressed the most, having an equal match high of twelve carries, and had nines passes as well. Dempsey also finished the round with the most offloads of anyone with four, which goes to show just how threating he can be when he’s on song.
Jake Gordon (Waratahs)
Few would argue with me in saying that Jake Gordon was the player of round six. The one-test Wallaby was at his best during his first start in Super Rugby AU, after returning from a hamstring injury in round four against the Rebels.
Gordon crossed for his first career hat-trick inside 30-mintues for the home side, well and truly putting the wheels in motion for what was to be a big win against their rivals. Gordon ran in untouched for his first, with the silky skills of James Ramm creating the break, before the scrumhalf ran in support of both him and Karmichael Hunt.
His second would’ve brought a smile to the faces of any scrumhalf, with a quick tap catching the Reds but particularly Brandon Paenga-Amosa off-guard to cross under the sticks from five-metres out.
Gordon’s final try of the night was by far his most impressive though. The scrumhalf ran through a hole in the Reds defence off of a lineout, before linking up and then receiving a pass back from Will Harrison, to cross over for a play he started 60-metres from the try-line.
Gordon’s kicking was also brilliant, as he helped his side control the tempo and territory at the SCG. He did kick the ball out on the full with just under half an hour to play though, but that was a minor blip in an otherwise classy performance.
Matt Philip (Rebels)
A bit of an unsung hero last weekend, but it really shouldn’t be a surprise to see Philip on this list again. The Wallabies need locks and he hasn’t been doing his chances any harm with his performances over the last few weeks.
Philips’ constant desire to get involved helped his side control last weekend’s match, with the 26-year-old having the second most carries of anyone in round six, finishing with 14 for 21 metres.
But it’s his work off the ball that speaks volumes about his effectiveness. In the seven phases leading up to Reece Hodge’s second try, Philip was involved in two breakdowns before linking the forwards and the backs with a pass, who executed the kick in behind for the five-pointer.
Hodge was one player who could’ve made this list on his own after scoring a double, as was Matt Toomua for his leadership, but the work in and around some of the darkest places on a rugby field sets the second rower apart.
Once again, he was everywhere.
Philip was also the primary option at the lineout for the Rebels, finishing with six wins and he constantly pressured the Brumbies throws as well, finishing with one steal.
Dave Rennie, are you watching?
Tom Horton (Waratahs)
The 23-year-old has been impressive for the Waratahs since making his starting debut in round three, and Horton continued his fine form on Saturday night.
The hooker was superb at throwing into the lineout, linking up with Ned Hanigan in particular to truly outshine a struggling Reds set piece.
Horton also had a few strong runs with the ball, but made more of an impact in defence with nine tackles, which was equal third for the Tahs.
The rookie crossed over for his try in the 51st minute, just before he was subbed off for a well-earned rest. He controlled the ball with patience at the back of a driving maul, to extend the lead over their rivals to 43 before the successful conversion.
He’s well and truly a Wallabies bolter if he can keep this type of form up.
Comments on RugbyPass
Anna, 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
18 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 comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
61 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
8 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
61 Go to comments