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Super Rugby AU: Reds player ratings vs Waratahs

By Finn Morton
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Queensland Reds have ended a 7-year winless streak against fierce rivals New South Wales Waratahs to open Super Rugby AU. An impressive scrumming performance from the Reds front row led by Taniela Tupou laid the platform for the home side, who led by six at the break.

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But a 16-0 run from the Waratahs saw them take the lead early in the second half, before a mixed performance from the Reds guided them to a tough win in the dying stages. 

Tate McDermott and Filipo Daugunu were particularly impressive for the home side, as was the scrumming dominance.

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Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa and first time starter Mack Hansen

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Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa and first time starter Mack Hansen

Let’s see how the Reds rated:

1. Harry Hoopert – 5.5

Played his part in a very dominant Reds scrum but was fairly quiet otherwise.

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa6/10

A mixed night from the set-piece for Paenga-Amosa. Contributed to the set move that led to Liam Wright’s try, but also missed some targets at the lineout. 

3. Taniela Tupou – 8.5/10

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Dominated Angus Bell and the Waratahs scrum in the first half with pure strength. But Tupou’s poor discipline put his side under pressure with 15 minutes to play when a late tackle on Will Harrison saw him sent to the sin bin.

4. Angus Blyth – n/a

Didn’t have enough time to make an impact after leaving the field early with a concussion.

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 4.5/10

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Was a primary lineout option for the Reds but otherwise went missing around the park.

6. Liam Wright – 8/10

A true captain’s knock from the 22-year-old who crossed over for the opener early on. Was otherwise impressive around the park with carries, in defence and around the breakdown.

7. Fraser McReight – 8/10

Didn’t look out of place in his first start at Super Rugby level, doing his job in both attack and defence. Earned his side a pivotal penalty with a turnover with three minutes to play. 

8. Harry Wilson – 7.5/10

Was uncharacteristically quiet in attack before muscling his way over for a five-pointer with 15 minutes to go. Made his mark on defence with an impressive display.

9. Tate McDermott – 9/10

Controlled the game with class simply beyond his years. Was looking dangerous around the ruck, constantly sniping for opportunities. Caught the Waratahs napping with a cheeky tap-and-go in the 29th minute for a try. Nearly scored another but was chased down by Jack Maddocks after running 45 metres through the heart of the Waratahs defence. Also kicked the first 50/22 of Super Rugby AU – taking advantage of the new rules. If he keeps playing like that, he must surely be a lock for Dave Rennie’s Wallabies plans.

10. James O’Connor – 7/10

Kicked too much ball away in the first half, but also took the line on with ball in hand. Brilliant 15 metre cut-out pass to set up Daugunu in the corner. Had a quiet second half but kicked the winning penalty late in the match.

11. Filipo Daugunu – 8.5/10

A left foot step from five metres out saw him score the Reds’ second try. Actively tried to get involved throughout the match, even finding himself with ball in hand in the midfield at times. Constantly looked dangerous with what appeared to be an abundance of energy.

12. Hamish Stewart – 5/10

A quiet night from Stewart who held his own in defence but was left frustrated with ball in hand.

13. Hunter Paisami – 7.5/10

Was quiet early on before announcing himself to the Brisbane crowd with a huge tackle on James Ramm in the 23rd minute. Was much more lively in the second half, getting his hands on the ball more and proving effective in defence. Showed glimpses of his no nonsense running style that impressed earlier this year.

14. Jock Campbell – 4/10

Struggled to get into the game at all. The ball didn’t come his way tonight.

15. Bryce Hegarty – 5/10

Goalkicking woes continued for the Reds, with Hegarty failing to put his team ahead with a chance late. Was too quiet otherwise, aside from a tidy break down the left edge. Did kick a 22/50 late in the match too.

Reserves

16. Alex Mafi – 6.5/10

Mixed set piece performance after coming on at half-time.

17. JP Smith – 5.5/10

18. Josh Nasser – 6/10

19. Tuaina Taii Tualima – 5.5/10

Came on for his Super Rugby debut earlier than he probably expected, replacing Angus Blyth early. Carried well but struggled to make an impact.

20. Angus Scott-Young – 6/10

21. Scott Malolua – 6/10

Directed the team well around the park late in the match. 

22. Chris Feauai-Sautia – 5/10

Struggled to get involved after coming on late. 

23. Josh Flook – n/a

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Jon 9 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

This is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?

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j
john 11 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

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FEATURE Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby? Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?
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