Five of the best: Top performers from round three of Super Rugby AU
Round three of Super Rugby AU is in the books, with both the Queensland Reds and the ACT Brumbies finishing the round first and second respectively after winning their matches against valiant opposition.
The Reds have gone four matches without losing for the first time since 2013, but had to do it tough after surviving a scare from an exciting Western Force outfit.
Just like last week, it was a game of two halves for the Force who finished on the wrong side of the scoreboard after struggling to control a lead.
It was a similar tale for the New South Wales Waratahs, who blew a once 15-point lead against their rivals in the Brumbies, losing at the death.
Replacement halfback Issak Fines found a gap in the Waratahs defence, running through from five metres out to score next to the posts with mere minutes to run on the clock.
Another substitute in Bayley Kuenzle then slotted a relatively routine conversion to win the match for his side.
Was another great weekend of competitive rugby on Australian shores, with players from all teams impressing over the weekend. Let’s see who stood out as the five players of week three.
Andy Muirhead (Brumbies)
Let’s start off with the bad before we get to the good: a yellow card mid-way through the first half put his team in a pretty bad place, but the electric winger made up for it later.
With an abundance of energy, Muirhead was actively looking to get involved. At the death, he was arguably their standout player, looking the most dangerous and likely to break the Waratahs defensive line.
Finished just seven-metres short of the match-high tally for metres run, having run 91 metres off 10 carries despite his 10-minutes in the sin bin.
It was his hunger to make up for lost time that really impressed me.
Tom Banks deserves an honourable mention, in what was his first match back from injury. Banks had a key matchup against the in-form Jack Maddocks heading into the match, and the Brumbies fullback stood up when it counted.
He ran 98 metres, but looked dangerous whenever he had the ball. Stood up after Noah Lolesio went off injured, but still could’ve done more.
Byron Ralston (Force)
20-year-old Byron Ralston couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to his Super Rugby career. After making his debut last weekend against the Waratahs in Sydney, where he scored the Force’s first Super Rugby try in almost three years, Ralston made it three tries in two games with a double on Friday night.
The product of the Queensland rugby pathway shone in front of family and friends, with his standout moment being a 90-metre intercept try that brought the Force to within two points of the Reds on the stroke of half-time.
It's been long road to professional rugby for Byron Ralston, but the Western Force star flourished in his #SuperRugbyAU debut last week.https://t.co/gC21o1gdKH
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 17, 2020
The winger ran the most metres of any player in one Super Rugby AU match so far, totalling 141 metres off 8 carries. He also held his own in defence and around the breakdown.
Definitely a rising star, and a player to look out for throughout the rest of the competition and beyond.
Fullback Jack McGregor also deserves mention after impressing against the Reds. He showed plenty of leadership from the back, and impressed with ball-in-hand – crossing over for the first try of the match.
Filipo Daugunu (Reds)
Daugunu might just be the most exciting winger to watch in Super Rugby AU at the moment, constantly running with purpose whenever he gets the ball. He’s always looking to get involved too, finishing with the equal most carries of any Reds player with 13.
Scored his third try in as many weeks last Friday against the Western Force, showing brilliant footwork once again. His left foot is simply dangerous, cutting inside to beat not one but two Force defenders on his way to the chalk.
But his standout moment came on the stroke of half-time, charging down a Jono Lance conversion from just in front. Kept the Force behind by two at the break, and brought momentum back to his side. Very similar to what was seen in the Crusaders v Blues a couple of weeks ago.
Otherwise had an impressive game in defence and around the breakdown. With both pundits and fans calling for his Wallabies selection, Dave Rennie will be very tempted if he can keep this form up.
Chris Feauai-Sautia also impressed on the other wing for the Reds, running for a team high 78-metres off nine carries. With Jock Campbell also finding his feet back at fullback, Brad Thorn might’ve found his go-to back three.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Reds)
After a solid performance last week against the Rebels, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has backed it up with another impressive showing.
He mainly made his mark with ball-in-hand against the Force, having 13 carries which was equal most for the Reds alongside Filipo Daugunu and James O’Connor. The second rower also impressed on defence, coming in equal second for tackles made with 12.
It’s his work rate which should catch Dave Rennie’s eye if he can maintain some consistency. The Reds need him to be consistent, but heck, so do the Wallabies.
Taniela Tupou was also a standout, helping Salakaia-Loto drive the Queensland Reds tight five.
Tupou carried three Force players with him on his way to the line from only a few metres out, but with one of those players being 198cm former All Black Jeremy Thrush, you’d be a harsh critic not to be impressed.
Discipline is still a bit of an issue for the 24-year-old, giving away two penalties. But the Reds were in control with their scrums, with Tupou a big part of that.
When it comes to effectiveness, the Reds wouldn’t be the same team without the Tongan Thor.
Will Harrison (Waratahs)
Harrison is showing poise simply beyond his years playing in the Tahs 10 jersey, impressing again against the Brumbies on Saturday night.
Coming up against Noah Lolesio in a battle for potential Wallabies honours, the Waratahs flyhalf showed both leadership and creativity that set him apart.
In the 28th minute, the 20-year-old took a quick tap before finding James Ramm with a nicely weighted near 40 metre kick across the field. It’s having the courage, skill and self-confidence to pull that off in a big match that surely impressed Dave Rennie.
His goalkicking was also relatively impressive, but he did miss one late that ultimately cost his side. Was unlucky but it certainly didn’t cancel out all the good work he did around the park.
Comments on RugbyPass
No 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
3 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.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 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.
54 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.
5 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
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments