Five Super Rugby AU stars to look out for in 2021
Super Rugby AU is back on Friday, starting with the Reds hosting the Waratahs in Brisbane, before the Force play the reigning champions Brumbies in Perth.
There’s plenty of exciting players to come out of every squad, but if we had to narrow it down, here’s five players to look out for throughout the campaign ahead.
Jack Maddocks
Fullback, New South Wales Waratahs
There are plenty of exciting players in the Waratahs squad this season, young players too which bodes well for the Wallabies going forward, but Maddocks has plenty to prove in 2021.
He was a consistent performer in Super Rugby AU last season, proving reliable at the back while recording some impressive stats. According to ESPN, in round one last year, he ran for 139 metres off 16 carries, which included a brilliant try through the heart of the Reds defence – running a superb line.
We all know that Maddocks has the talent, and that he can do it on the big stage. But he still didn’t get a chance to run out in the green and gold last year despite being named in the squad.
But I wouldn’t quite say that the doors shut on him making the Wallabies fullback spot his own. Nobody has locked down that jersey yet, so with an impressive campaign, maybe he can get there.
Still he’s a very exciting player who can changed a game with individual brilliance. He’s just that kind of player.
Also look out for the halves combination of Jake Gordon and Will Harrison.
Jack McGregor
Fullback/Flyhalf, Western Force
McGregor is one player who I’m really excited to see in 2021.
The schoolboy sensation had an impressive breakout Super Rugby campaign with the Force last year, starring mainly at fullback but he did start at flyhalf in one match.
But what his role this year looks like is still unknown. The Force have brought in plenty of experience for the season ahead, including Ireland legend Rob Kearney, who could challenge McGregor for the fullback spot.
“Personally, having a guy like Rob come in especially, he’s one of the most decorated players. It’s been brilliant for me,” McGregor told RugbyPass earlier this month.
“It’s an opportunity for me to learn and get better myself, and just pick his brain at certain things.
“Bringing in the international guys have obviously increased the standard of training and competition for spots so they’ve drive high standard and expected a lot from the other players which is good.”
The 23-year-old offers plenty in attack, and it’ll be interesting to see how his game develops this season.
“Savea is more than just a player now. He’s moved into that phase of his career where his words and actions reflect on New Zealand Rugby as well.”
– Hamish Bidwell on the responsibility resting on the Hurricanes’ new captain. https://t.co/a40KZq8kta— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 16, 2021
Another player to watch at the Force has to be Byron Ralston, who was impressive on the wing last year. Watching Ralston link up McGregor again this season will be great to see.
Len Ikitau
Midfield, ACT Brumbies
Len Ikitau was impressive in his cameos off the bench for the Brumbies last season, but nobody would have expected the centre to have been named in Dave Rennie’s first 44-man squad.
The 22-year-old has impressed in the past for Brisbane Boys’ College in Queensland’s GPS competition, and the Canberra Vikings in the NRC.
But with the Brumbies last year, he played five matches in Super Rugby AU, all off the bench – and wasn’t involved in the grand final matchday side.
That being said, with Tevita Kuridrani having left the Brumbies, Ikitau has an opportunity to make the No. 13 jersey his own for the years to come.
He offers plenty in attack, and is a promising defender as well – finishing the Super AU season last year with an 83.33 percent tackle completion.
The Wallabies named him the squad last year for a reason, and now Ikitau has his chance to show everyone why that was as he takes his game to the next level.
Suliasi Vunivalu
Wing, Queensland Reds
Suliasi Vunivalu is arguably the player with the most to prove in Super Rugby AU this year, as he makes his highly anticipated switch from rugby league.
Vunivalu was called into Wallabies camp in November, months before he’d even have the chance to make his competitive Reds debut.
While his involvement in the squad during the Tri Nations was a surprise, it just goes to show, there’s plenty expected of him in the year ahead.
The 25-year-old had a decorated career with the Melbourne Storm in the 13-man code, rounding if off with a Premiership in last year’s NRL grand final. Having already established himself as a proven try scorer, he managed to cross for a four-pointer in the big dance.
High-profile Queensland Reds recruit Suliasi Vunivalu has been dropped from what would have been his Super Rugby AU debut for allegedly pushing a security guard in a Brisbane pub.https://t.co/SCgobVEVlr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 16, 2021
But, less than a week out from a potential Super Rugby debut, it was announced on Tuesday that he wouldn’t be available for round one after alleged incident involving a security guard.
The Reds host the Rebels in round two though, so expect to see Vunivalu joining a Reds backline which has incredible talent then.
Trevor Hosea
Lock, Melbourne Rebels
Having had a taste of what it’s like to be in a Wallabies squad last year, another strong season with the Rebels might just see Trevor Hosea earn his first test cap.
Hosea was a revelation for the Rebels last season, well and truly cementing his spot in the starting side alongside Wallaby Matt Philip. But with Philip having put pen to paper with French side Pau, it might just be up to Hosea to steer the Rebels at the set-piece this season.
The 21-year-old was played well beyond his years last season, seamlessly slotting into the Rebels set piece while holding his own against some of Australia’s best.
Standing at 203cm, he used his big frame to his advantage, especially at the lineout and in defence, where he made 54 of his 58 tackle attempts in Super Rugby AU – a 93 percent tackle completion.
Once again there’s an opportunity for an Australian lock to earn his test stripes, and I can’t see why that won’t be Hosea.
Also, Joe Powell deserves an honourable mention here. It’ll be very interesting to see what the scrumhalf can bring to the Rebels, having shown in years gone by that on his day, he’s one of if not the best nine in Australian rugby.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments