Super Rugby AU Final: Brumbies Player Ratings
The ACT Brumbies have done it! They were the form team all season, but their 28-23 victory against the Queensland Reds on Saturday night saw them finally claim some silverware.
The hosts started the better of the two sides, controlling the tempo and dominating the play. Folau Fainga’a scored yet another try at GIO Stadium from a driving maul, before Andy Muirhead crossed over 10 minutes later with a fantastic showing of individual brilliance.
But the Reds managed to claw their way back from 15-3 down, with the Brumbies only leading by two the break.
The Brumbies took back control early in the second, with Tom Banks scoring before Filipo Daugunu was yellow carded. Despite a late fightback from the Queenslanders, the Brumbies, led by 20-year-old flyhalf Noah Lolesio, were rightful champions.
Here’s how RugbyPass rated the 2020 Super Rugby AU Champions, the Brumbies.
- Scott Sio – 6.5/10
Sio was dominated by Taniela Tupou at the scrum, conceding a few scrum penalties throughout the opening forty. He did run with intent when he got his chance, but the scrum is the cornerstone of his position, and he struggled there.
- Folau Fainga’a – 8
One of the best on ground. Was nearly perfect throwing into the lineout, and was effective roaming around the park. It can’t not be mentioned: he scored another try, from another driving maul. He generally had a great work rate.
- Allan Alaalatoa – 7
The captain led by example all night. Running with purpose, or by putting his body on the line, the Brumbies looked to Alaalatoa and he delivered.
- Murray Douglas – 7
Put his head in some pretty dark places on Saturday. Great running when he got the chance, but it was in the more traditional areas for a second-rower where he made his mark.
- Cadeyrn Neville – 7.5
Another workhorse for the Brumbies who made his mark on the game, especially early on when the hosts had plenty of front-foot ball. Had the equal second-most tackles of any Brumbies player with 11, but also pressured the Reds lineout all night. The Reds were so poor at lineout largely because the Brumbies and Neville were so effective.
- Lachlan McCaffrey – 8
McCaffrey was one of the best players on the park. His work rate was very impressive; he was everywhere both in attack, be that running the ball or in support, and in defence. The flanker had a game-high 12 carries, and also had eight tackles. But what makes those stats especially impressive: he was subbed off with 30 minutes to play. Wow.
- Will Miller – 7
Miller made a team high 14 tackles, and also secured one turnover. Another underrated player who hasn’t done the Brumbies wrong throughout this Super Rugby AU campaign.
- Pete Samu – 7
Did his job in both attack and defence, with some strong runs particularly impressing. Samu also applied plenty of pressure onto the Reds lineout which went a long way to delivering the trophy to Canberra.
- Joe Powell – 7
Powell controlled the Brumbies tempo very well, using his pace to match the speed that his side were trying to play at – especially early.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFEaxn1Av3v/
- Noah Lolesio – 8.5
Man of the Match. Any controversy about naming a 20-year-old at flyhalf for your first final since 2014, let alone a player who had been injured for most of the Super Rugby AU season. He controlled the match with maturity well beyond his years. He sucked in four defenders that allowed Andy Muirhead to cross for his try mid-way during the first-half, and also kicked well, scoring 13 points off the boot including a drop goal. The battle for the Wallabies number 10 jersey takes another twist! He’s certainly presented a case.
- Tom Wright – 7
Was a quiet night by Wright’s standards, not much ball seemed to come his way. Had six carries for 27 metres.
- Irae Simone – 7
Simone struggled to control the game as he normally does, but still impressed. The 25-year-old held the ball up just enough to draw in Liam Wright, which created a wide gap for Tom Banks to run through for his try – albeit still with plenty of work to do. Also had 11 tackles which was the most of any Brumbies back.
- Tevita Kuridrani – 7
Kuridrani was a shock omission from Dave Rennie’s Wallabies plans, but he responded in fine fashion in Saturday’s Final. Every time he ran the ball he looked dangerous, and was a consistent tackler as well.
- Andy Muirhead – 7.5
Muirhead is one of the most underrated wingers in Australian rugby. Another Queenslander playing for the Brumbies, the winger scored a try in the 26th minute with a fantastic showing of his individual brilliance. He beat four defenders on his way to the chalk, including Taniela Tupou.
- Tom Banks – 7.5
Cometh the hour, cometh the man – this might’ve just been Tom Banks best match in a Brumbies jumper throughout Super Rugby AU. Banks was a leader both in attack and structurally around the part, kicking effectively, comfortable under the high ball but also at his elusive best when taking the Reds on. The Brisbane-born fullback crossed for a try just after halftime, showing plenty of pace and fast feet to evade the few Reds jerseys that were crowding him. Is there a better fullback in Australia?
Replacements:
- Connal McInerney – 6.5
- James Slipper – 6.5
- Tom Ross – N/A
- Nick Frost – 5.5
- Rob Valentini – 6
- Nic White – 7
Not a bad one-two punch for the Brumbies, replacing a Wallaby halfback with another. Came on and controlled the tempo, also exited well when his team needed him to late.
- Bayley Kuenzle – N/A
- Solomone Kata – 5.5
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“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.
24 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
4 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.
10 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 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)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments