Reds player ratings vs Force
Round three of Super Rugby AU kicked off this weekend with the galvanising Queensland Reds edging the Western Force 31-24 at Suncorp Stadium. Coming off the back of a victory against arch-rivals New South Wales in round one and a gritty draw against the Melbourne Rebels in their next outing, the Reds were keen to put in a performance that would not only ensure victory, but play a style of rugby that would bring fans back through the turnstiles.
Coach Brad Thorn made a number of changes to his 23, seeking more power in the backline with veteran Chris Feauai-Sautia earning a start on the right wing. That allowed Jock Campbell to move to the full-back role. In the forwards, Angus Scott-Young, usually a back row, accompanied Lukhan Salakia-Loto in the engine room.
Both sides looked to play some expansive rugby and despite an array of penalties and errors, a highly entertaining game of rugby ensued. The most pleasing aspect was the young talent on display, such as Dane Zander and Filipo Daugunu, coupled with veterans such as Feaui-Sautia and James O’Connor putting in quality shifts.
This was eventually enough to get the Reds over the line and leave them unbeaten in their last four outings, a streak they haven’t enjoyed since 2013. Here is how RugbyPass rated their players:
15. Jock Campbell – 6.5/10
Just brings an honest effort each and every week and never takes the opportunity to play for Queensland for granted. While there were errors in his performance, they were errors of execution and not inability.
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia – 8
Best performance in a Queensland jersey since 2013. It was a controlled display but one not lacking in desire to impose himself on proceedings. Queensland started slowly, but his storming run down the right flank laid the platform for his side to score several phases later. If he backs up this performance with similar in the near future, he will push to add to his two Wallaby caps.
13. Hunter Paisaimi – 6
Not his greatest night out but had some quality touches. He is the best angled runner in the Australian game yet uncharacteristically he dropped off the odd tackle and was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
12. Hamish Stewart – 6.5
The most unheralded player in the Australian game. Despite one poor kick, Stewart was in everything without being spectacular. He plays a role for the Reds similar to that of Jack Goodhue for the Crusaders, acting as a distributor, runner but also as a fourth backrower at times. He brought all that tonight and did it well.
11. Filipo Daugunu – 8.5
Man-of-the-match performance – he simply was the most threatening player in the game. Not only could he run in space, when receiving the ball in tighter situations he was consistently beating first-up defenders. He was solid in defence but showed his commitment to the cause when charging down a Jono Lance conversion attempt. Will look better in a Wallaby jersey.
A streak of form that has been 7 years in the making https://t.co/WVir0yNUXX
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 17, 2020
10. James O’Connor – 7.5
Ran his side well and more often than not took the right options. Is looking more and more comfortable in the fly-half role and his side is reaping the reward.
9. Tate McDermott – 7.5
Another performance that will bring him closer to a Wallaby jersey. He played with energy and intelligence and looked to create opportunity for others, not just looking for opportunity that may be on for himself. Has a fine blend of running, passing and kicking acumen that were all on display tonight.
8. Harry Wilson – 7.5
His numbers may suggest he had a quite night, but in context to the game Wilson was enormous in making the hard two to three yards to get his side over the advantage line consistently. There were the odd errors but, akin to Campbell, they were errors in execution not in inability. A good shift.
7. Fraser McReight – 7
Inexhaustible performance, again showing he is more than capable at this level. He made twelve tackles and secured two turnovers.
6. Liam Wright – 7.5
The most intelligent player on the field, he contributed to the cause by making his tackles time and time again, securing turnovers and nearly stealing a try when the Force were looking to exit from their line. It was the second time he nearly achieved that in this competition.
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 7.5
Big night out for him and a definitive performance. Looked more astute in the locking role as opposed to back row. Was a giant in the lineout and worked himself in the tight while leaving enough in the tank to deliver some thundering runs in possession.
4. Angus Scott-Young – 6.5
Brought plenty of linespeed in defence and played the workhorse role. Made a decent effort of playing out of position.
3. Taniela Tupou – 7.5
A far more disciplined effort. His intent to bring physicality has at times cost his side in the past few rounds, yet he brought a greater control but no less grunt. A quality shift.
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 7
Scored a try out wide, but had his hand in Touopo’s by giving him the drive from behind to get over the paint. Starting to play the style of rugby that may see him add to his four Wallaby caps.
1. Harry Hoopert – 6
An honest effort, worked hard in all the unfashionable areas and didn’t let his side down in the set-piece. Brought some good linespeed to pressure the Force in tight.
Rugby Australia has issued a statement in the wake of the announcement by New Zealand Rugby that it will effectively sever ties with SANZAAR and Super Rugby in pursuit of a new franchise tournament next year.https://t.co/7Z6MkApN7J
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 17, 2020
Replacements:
16. Alex Mafi – 6.5
Brought some energy when he came on, made his tackles.
17. Dane Zander – 6.5
Impressed in the scrum as few props disturb former Wallaby Greg Holmes as he did tonight. Kid has a big future.
18. Jack Straker – N/A
Not on long enough.
19. Ryan Smith – N/A
20. Tuaina Taii Tualima – 5
Did his job but needs to address his body height going into contact if he is going to go further at this level.
21. Scott Malolua – 5.5
Did his job.
22. Josh Flook – N/A
23. Bryce Hegarty – 6
Nearly scored a try running into a yawning gap but was just caught. Brought his calmness and experience to assist in closing out the match.
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
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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 commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to comments