1
Four Super Rugby AU matchups to look out for in round five
Round five of Super Rugby AU might just be the most important yet, with all teams a chance of moving up the ladder with wins this weekend depending on the other result.
ADVERTISEMENT
Up first is a monumental match at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, with the Rebels set to play a home game in Melbourne for the first time since March last year. The team spent all of last season on the road due to COVID, but still managed to make the finals series.
They’ll face a winless Waratahs side who will simply be desperate for a win, currently sitting four competition points behind the Western Force.
? Introducing @therugbynetwork
The MLR’s new home for streaming and content ? @usmlr
? Live & On-Demand Matches
? Highlights
? International Streaming
? Completely FREEhttps://t.co/HT2l5XNMtk pic.twitter.com/jiQ1Qkyt1v— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 16, 2021
In the other match, the Reds could climb to the top of the standings with a win in front of their home crowd. But the Force will be looking to rain on their parade, and potentially climb into the top three by doing so (depending on the Rebels result).
Here are the four key matchups to watch out for in round five.
Matt To’omua (Rebels) vs Will Harrison (Waratahs)
ADVERTISEMENT
There’s always going to be plenty of pressure on 10’s to perform well, but in this match, it just seems like it may mean that little bit more.
To’omua has been a standout for the Rebels this year, and has been reliable enough with the boot to keep his team in the contest.
In their season opener against the Reds in round two, he converted six penalties but unfortunately missed what would’ve been the match-winner after the siren. But considering the fact that his side didn’t score a try in that match and still managed to lead for nearly 80-minutes, that says a lot about To’omua’s impact.
Similarly, he kicked eight from eight against the Brumbies in Canberra, and so nearly guided his side to a win, had it not been for a long-range Ryan Lonergan penalty after the siren. Again, the Rebels didn’t score a try but lost a relatively high-scoring game (27-24).
ADVERTISEMENT
The kicking accuracy of Will Harrison could also be crucial, as he’s also incredibly reliable off the tee.
But most importantly, leadership from both of these players will be vital.
Realistically, the Waratahs need a win this weekend to stay in the race for finals, so Harrison will have to outperform his opposite if they’re to be a chance. It’ll no doubt be an exciting matchup though, between two of the premier pivots in Australian rugby.
Marika Koroibete (Rebels) vs Jack Maddocks (Waratahs)
After round four, I said that Marika Koroibete was the best winger in the world right now. He’s been absolutely incredible for the Rebels, despite not crossing for a try.
In his past two matches, the 2019 John Eales Medallist ran for a total of 251 metres, including 134 from 14 runs against the Force. Across those two games, he’s also beaten 18 defenders (including 12 against the Brumbies).
He’ll be one of the go-to men for the Rebels this weekend, and don’t be surprised if he scores his first of the season.
But he’ll be coming up against another Wallaby in Jack Maddocks, who is set to start his second match in a row on the right-wing, with Mark Nawaqanitawase retaining the 15 jersey.
The Waratahs will face the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday, in a match that could have a significant impact on their finals chances. #SuperRugbyAU https://t.co/uAmlNMGzmB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 17, 2021
Maddocks had the equal second-most carries of any Waratahs player n round four (11), and ran for the third most metres of anyone in the team (44), so that’s a positive, but this week will be a great test for him. If he can keep Koroibete from having a significant contribution in attack, while also being able to pick his moments, then the Waratahs could be a chance of an upset.
Harry Wilson (Reds) vs Brynard Stander (Force)
When it comes to the battle of the forwards, this is the matchup to look out for.
After making his test debut in the first Bledisloe Cup test last year, Wilson was a standout for the Wallabies. Last week he played arguably his best match of the Super AU season so far, in what was a highly-entertaining clash against the Brumbies.
The 21-year-old crossed for a crucial try in Canberra with 13 minutes to go, and also finished the night with a try assist to his name. He also had the most carries of any player on the night – his work ethic is outstanding.
But lining up against Wilson will be the Forces’ inspiration captain in Brynard Stander, who of course led them to win over the Waratahs a couple of weeks ago, which was their first Super Rugby win since returning from rugby exile.
Stander is a consistent performer who like Wilson, brings plenty of physicality to the contest.
Angus Blyth coming up against former All Black Jeremy Thrush in the second-row will also be one to look out for, as will the front row battle which includes Greg Holmes lining up for his 150th.
Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds) vs Richard Kahui (Force)
Running through the team lists, this is the matchup that stood out the most to me.
Vunivalu is set to start his second match in a row for the Reds, having scored in his starting debut in round four against the Brumbies.
Lining up against him will be World Cup winning All Black Richard Kahui in what is an intriguing clash. The 35-year-old has started two matches for the Force this season, both at inside centre. But him shifting to the wing will see the strong tackler in Kahui come up against Vunivalu, who was a prolific try-scorer in his NRL days.
There’s a lot to like about this matchup but also plenty of excitement and intrigue.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
24 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
24 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
14 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
24 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
14 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
24 Go to comments