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Six burning questions for Aussie teams heading into Super Rugby Pacific
The squads are out for the Super Rugby franchises as the attention of Southern Hemisphere fans turns to a new era in the competition. The new competition sees the introduction of an eight-team finals series, so it is guaranteed that an Australian team will nab a spot.
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If the competition goes ahead, Super Rugby Pacific presents the perfect reset for many of the Aussie teams who are eager to test their mettle against the Kiwis, and competition newcomers the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika.
While teams are currently entrenched in the off-season, there are some questions still facing the Australian teams, and the Fijian Drua who will play their matches in Australia for the 2022 season.
2) Can Noah Lolesio lead the ACT Brumbies to the Super Rugby Pacific title?
The Brumbies continue to add key pieces to their organisation with the recruitment of Cam Clark, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Ed Kennedy and Jesse Mogg, and are set to build their strengths for the upcoming season.
They have perhaps the most well-balanced squad of all the Australian teams, but the linchpin of the team is flyhalf Noah Lolesio. A stand-out season in 2020 from the mercurial playmaker in Super Rugby delivered the Brumbies a Super Rugby AU title, and he followed that up by bringing them agonisingly close to a repeat when they met the Queensland Reds in the 2021 Super Rugby AU final.
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Lolesio’s ascension to the Wallabies has been a rapid rise. Debuting against the All Blacks over a year ago, the youngster was dropped from the side for the Wallabies recent European Tour, with Rennie claiming he wanted to give Lolesio a proper pre-season. He was then recalled to the squad following the exit of Quade Cooper but only received minimal game time, with O’Connor running the cutter for the majority of the tour.
A supremely talented player, Lolesio has been handed the keys to the proverbial Brumbies’ Ferrari, and it’s now his team to lead around.
Without an extended pre-season under his belt to develop his body and fine-tune his game, the jury is out on whether Lolesio can take the next big strides needed to compete week-in week-out against the competition’s top tier playmakers. If he can put it all together, the Brumbies have all the ingredients needed to win Super Rugby Pacific.
Coach Dan McKellar will be relying on his Wallabies contingent to set the platform for Lolesio to deliver on his potential.
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2) Can Darren Coleman turn the Waratahs into a competitive force again?
Let’s be honest, the Waratahs organisation has been a basket case in recent years. Between top tier players heading offshore, tightening their belt during covid, then sacking Rob Penney after a winless season, the only way is up for the Waratahs.
The well-travelled Darren Coleman has finally got his dream gig as Waratahs head coach and could lead them to the promised land in the coming years. After a remarkable coaching career that has seen him take Shute Shield cellar-dwellers to Grand Finals and guide the L.A. Giltinis to an MLR title in their first season, Coleman has returned to the Waratahs over twenty years after he was skills coach.
While the offseason recruiting hasn’t exactly set the world on fire, the Tahs have brought back stalwarts Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway and Michael Hooper from Japan to bolster the forward pack. They still seem very light on second rowers and will rely on Hanigan, Holloway and Hugh Sinclair to fill in.
On the flipside, there is a group of young and upcoming prospects that get to stake their claim at the Super Rugby level. In the backline, it seems Mark Nawaqanitawase and Tevita Funa will battle it out for fullback, while Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese will form a newly-minted Wallabies combo in the centres. Perhaps the most intriguing is the flyhalf puzzle, and how Coleman manages to fit in all three of the Tahs’ talented playmakers Will Harrison, Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed in the game-day team.
Coleman has made a habit of turning struggling teams to title contenders by instilling the right environment and team culture that gets a lot of buy-in from his players. His connections with Sydney club rugby run deep and that can only help. While he has a three-year contract, Coleman recently outlined that he is working off a two plan to get the franchise back on track.
A high profile coaching gig like the Waratahs comes with lofty expectations. The Tahs sit right in the middle of one of the world’s most competitive sporting markets, and rugby fights for eyeballs on television and spectators at the stadium every weekend. It comes with the territory that Coleman must make significant improvements very quickly if they are to win back the support of rusted-on supporters and capture the attention of Sydney sports fans.
It’s not going to be easy, but with more local derbies against Australian teams, and the Waratahs planning to take their games to regional centres and rugby heartlands ahead of the reopening of the Sydney Football Stadium, there is plenty to be hopeful about.
3) Will Brad Thorn’s long-term vision for the Reds come to fruition?
When the Reds won the Super Rugby AU title, it was seen as vindication for coach Brad Thorn’s long term vision of turning Queensland back into a rugby powerhouse. For all the Aussies teams, Super Rugby Trans-Tasman was a sobering reality check. For the Reds, a crucial win over the Chiefs in round three and a hard-fought loss to the Blues was enough to quell fears that things had gone off the rails.
A strong Super Rugby Pacific campaign, especially against New Zealand opposition, will serve to cement the Reds as a title contender and Thorn as one of the top coaches in the competition. The Reds under Thorn have been on a mission to engage with the rugby community and restore pride in the Queensland jersey, and while there were some growing pains with the high profile exits of Quade Cooper and James Slipper, Queenslanders have been quick to embrace the stoic Thorn and his band of home-grown Reds.
With a new contract through to 2023, this season marks the next era of Thorn’s tenure where results will be expected and their star-studded squad will need to fire against top-tier opposition.
The Reds have been able to retain the vast majority of their squad for their 2022 campaign, with the only major losses being Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Bryce Hegarty and Moses Sorovi. Since taking over, Thorn has focused on bringing talent through the Queensland pathways and promoting them to the senior squad.
When all are fit and healthy, the Reds have an incredibly well-rounded squad. It’s an important year for a number of players, especially Jock Campbell, with Jordan Petaia expected to get an extended run at fullback.
This upcoming season the Reds need to unlock their full potential under Brad Thorn if they are to have a chance of creating a legacy in this new competition.
4) Will Rebels young gun Carter Gordon announce himself on the big stage?
Throughout their history, the Rebels have failed to deliver on the promise despite encouraging seasons and a plethora of superstars coming in and out of the squad. Most recently in 2019, it was the combo of Quade Cooper and Will Genia that propelled them into finals contention before petering out in the second half of the season.
Over the last two years, the Rebels have been handed the rough end of the stick; forced to be on the road and play away from home the majority of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to border restrictions in victoria. The Rebels are now under the guidance of Kevin Foote, who took over from Dave Wessels ahead of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
One of the few highlights of the 2021 season was the breakout performance of 20-year-old Carter Gordon, a mid-season recruit from the Wests Bulldogs club in Brisbane. Thrust into the starting role during the Trans-Tasman season, Gordon quickly established himself as the Rebels future long-term flyhalf.
After a tough start against the Blues, Gordon showed he could compete at the top level against the Kiwi teams in narrow losses to the Highlanders and Chiefs.
This has given him plenty of confidence ahead of 2022, with Gordon eager to impose his voice to help guide them around the park.
He has been listed on the Rebels roster as the sole flyhalf in the team, with Toomua tipped to move back into inside centre. He will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders leading around a backline that has lost Dane Haylett-Petty and Marika Koroibete, while Reece Hodge and Matt Toomua will be returning from injury.
Australian rugby has a history of throwing young players into Super Rugby too early, but if Gordon is managed by the Rebels correctly he could be a superstar in the years to come.
5) What can we expect from the Western Force?
The return of the Western Force to Super Rugby was the feel-good story of the year in 2020, but what many didn’t expect was their ability to follow it up this year with some excellent performances.
The Force qualified for the finals of Super Rugby AU, provided entertainment and spectacle that brought the Sea Of Blue back to their home games and pushed the New Zealand teams all the way in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
This season, the Force has the highest turnover of players than any other Australian team in Super Rugby and have lost a host of international stars. Marquee players like Tomas Cubelli, Rob Kearney, Tomas Lezana, Domingo Miotti and Jordan Olowofela have all moved on, along with club stalwarts Marcel Brache, Tevita Kuridrani, Jono Lance and Kieran Longbottom.
In their stead, the club has drafted in a number of exciting players in Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle, Manasa Mataele and Reece Tapine. Western Australian-born playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa has also been recruited and is poised to have a breakout season. Perhaps their biggest signing is Wallabies lock Izack Rodda, who returns to Australian shores after a stint with Lyon.
Team cohesion could prove a real challenge for the Force and head coach Tim Sampson will have to lean on his senior players for guidance and leadership. It will be interesting to see what role the likes of Greg Holmes, Richard Kahui, Ian Prior and Jeremy Thrush will have throughout the season as the Force find their feet at Super Rugby level.
The Force may surprise a few teams.
6) Are the Fijian Drua the dark-horses of Super Rugby Pacific?
The Fijian Drua announced an impressive 34-player squad for their inaugural season. The team includes Olympic gold medallists Kalione Nasoko, Napolioni Bolaca and Ratu Meli Derenalagi alongside a mix of Fijian internationals and local talent.
While not exactly the same team that appeared in Australia’s National Rugby Championship, their performance in that competition should provide an insight into the brand of rugby the Drua want to play. They have a hard, aggressive edge that allows them to play a high-temp, razzle-dazzle style that proved a challenge for the Aussie NRC sides. In fact, they won the competition in 2018 after an incredible season.
An upheaval in the format of Super Rugby has provided the Drua with a chance to compete in the big league, and they will grab it with both hands.
If nothing else, they will bring the entertainment factor back to Super Rugby, but with a host of experience in hooker Mesu Dolokoto, flanker Nemani Nagusa and prop Manasa Saulo, with flyhalf Teti Tela pulling the strings, expect the Drua to strike a balance between flair and substance.
They are a team that the rest of the competition would be wise to keep an eye on, because if they are expecting an easy win they will be sorely mistaken.
The Fijian Drua are expected to be based in Lennox Head in New South Wales for the duration of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Comments on RugbyPass
Dagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
4 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
3 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
3 Go to commentsIt’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.)
3 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.
37 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
2 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?
3 Go to comments