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The Queensland Reds and the Melbourne Rebels played out the first draw in Super Rugby AU after a scoreless period of extra-time in Manly. Discipline hurt the Reds throughout the match, with unnecessary penalties and poor handling costing the visitors in the wet in a contest that ended deadlocked at 18 points all.
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The Rebels led by 10 points late in the match but a penalty, followed by an Alex Mafi try in the 79th minute, allowed James O’Connor to send the teams to the first-ever super time with his conversion on the siren.
The Reds were arguably the better of the two teams in the added ten minutes and nearly walked away with the win.
Bryce Hegarty lost the kicking duties to O’Connor this week, but he stepped up to take a penalty from halfway that would have handed his side a golden point win.
He showed plenty of confidence in taking the kick but his shot fell just short. Hegarty later kicked the ball into touch to end the match with the Reds facing plenty of pressure late.
Honours even in rain affected slugfest https://t.co/yYasmiEsHr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 10, 2020
The back row once again stood up for the Queenslanders, demonstrating a skill set that was simply beyond their years with a high work rate. JP Smith was also a standout off the bench for the Reds, having a big impact on the dominance of the scrum alongside Taniela Tupou.
Here are RugbyPass rated the Reds players at Sydney’s Brookvale Oval:
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1. Harry Hoopert – 5.5/10
The Reds scrum wasn’t as dominant while Hoopert was on the field. He did get his hands on the ball more than he did last week, though.
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 5.5
Poor night again from the lineout. Battled the elements but often came out second best with inaccurate throwing. Clever set-piece link-up with Harry Wilson early on for a small gain.
3. Taniela Tupou – 7
Had a poor first half, giving away two penalties inside the first six minutes, and was uncharacteristically outmuscled in scrums. Was more lively in the second half but still far from his best around the park. Better scrummaging performance after the break. Alongside JP Smith the Reds were dominant.
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4. Angus Blyth – 5
Struggled to make an impact during his time on the field. Subbed off at half-time.
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 7
Did his job in the first half at the lineout. Was an improved showing after the break where he carried the ball better and stood up as a leader.
6. Liam Wright – 7.5
The captain was impressive in defence, making 14 tackles and not missing any. Held his own in the breakdown but failed to make an impact in attack. Outshone by his partners in the back row.
7. Fraser McReight – 8
Dangerous again around the breakdown, constantly looking for chances of securing a turnover. Impressed in attack and defence with his high work rate.
8. Harry Wilson – 8.5
Reminded Wallabies selectors about what he can do with ball-in-hand, showcasing his offloading ability in particular. Also impressed in defence with eleven tackles. Demonstrated an elite work ethic that would add value to any team.
Shots fired ? Morgan Turinui suggested Wessels "is not the answer" to the Rebels' succeeding. pic.twitter.com/qUdCdM5HzM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 9, 2020
9. Tate McDermott – 7.5
Was impressive in spurts during the first half but upped the tempo in the second. Proved a useful exit option with his kicking ability, but stood out once again for sniping around the breakdown. Not as notable as last week but certainly showed glimpses of what he could do.
10. James O’Connor – 8
Great try-saving tackle on Josh Kemeny during the first half to keep the Reds within three. Showed plenty of courage when taking the line on as well. Just as he did last week, set up Filipo Daugunu with a brilliant cut-out pass. With under 15 minutes to play, he missed a penalty before having a pass intercepted by Billy Meakes that pushed the scores out to beyond seven. Handled pressure well to slot the conversion on the full-time siren that sent the game to extra-time.
11. Filipo Daugunu – 7.5
Was quiet in the first half but tried to get involved where he could. A bit of deja vu to open the second half, scoring just as he did last week with a left-foot step from five metres out. Was much more involved in the second half.
12. Hamish Stewart – 6.5
Held his own in defence but once again struggled in attack. Was yellow carded on the stroke of half-time for slowing the play down.
13. Hunter Paisami – 6.5
The former Rebel was impressive in attack, finding space with hard and sharp lines through the opposition defence. Reckless swinging arm to the head of Marika Koroibete during the second half saw him join his centre partner on a yellow card.
14. Jock Campbell – 6
Got more involved this week. Great try-saving tackle on Richard Hardwick to keep the Reds within seven heading into the break.
15. Bryce Hegarty – 5
Struggled to get involved again this week. Was monstered by Pone Fa’amausili in the second half in one of his few involvements. Lost the kicking duties to O’Connor after struggling last week, but had a chance to win the match with the boot during super time but the shot fell short.
Replacements:
16. Alex Mafi – 6.5
Crossed for a crucial try in the 79th minute.
17. JP Smith – 7
Made an instant impact, helping the Reds front row earn a scrum penalty in the 51st minute. Won another with 20 to play in an impressive performance.
18. Josh Nasser – N/A
19. Tuaina Taii Tualima – 6
Did his job when others struggled.
20. Angus Scott-Young – 5.5
Struggled to make an impact after coming on at half-time.
21. Scott Malolua – 7
Controlled the tempo of the match quite well after coming on with 20 minutes to play.
22. Chris Feauai-Sautia – 7
Set up Mafi with a brilliant run and pass with a minute to play. What an offload! Continued to make a big impact throughout super time.
23. Josh Flook – 5
Finally made his Reds debut after spending 80 minutes on the bench last week. Ball didn’t come his way.
The trans-Tasman plot thickens https://t.co/sa42t14IQU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 9, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments