Super Rugby AU: Three reasons why the Brumbies vs Waratahs is a must watch
We’ve already seen an absolutely belter played out in round two of Super Rugby AU, but we still have one match to go before the week is done.
The Reds survived a scare, getting the better of the Rebels late. Matt To’omua then had a chance to win the match with a penalty but missed after the siren.
Up next is an interesting clash between the Brumbies and Waratahs at GIO Stadium, Canberra.
The Brumbies got the better of the Force in Perth last week, as they got their title defence off to a strong start. But the Waratahs were bested by the Reds in Brisbane, losing by 34-points.
While both of these teams have a proud history, the Waratahs may struggle to stay in the title race if they lose emphatically in round two. But there’s a few key ins and outs, and some mouth-watering clashes – but here are just three reasons on why the Brumbies vs Waratahs is a must-watch.
Return of Lachlan Swinton
Lachlan Swinton had a breakout season with the Waratahs last year, eventually going on to make his Wallabies debut in the fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane.
But after a strong start to his test career, one error cost him.
Just over five minutes before the half-time break, Swinton was red-carded for a high tackle on Sam Whitelock. It was a sour end to his first taste of international rugby, where he’d shown that he well and truly belonged – making seven of nine tackle attempts, with 43% of them being dominant.
The Wallabies did go on to win the test by two points though, as they claimed final bragging rights over their Trans-Tasman rivals until they clash again.
Speaking with RugbyPass earlier in February, Swinton discussed his hunger to return to the test rugby arena after getting a taste for it last year.
“Like they say, once you get a taste of test footy you really want it and that’s so true. I got a taste of it and there couldn’t be anything I want more than to do it again,” he told RugbyPass.
His suspension from that test saw him miss the final two test matches of 2020 against the Pumas, as well as the opening round of Super Rugby AU last weekend against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
But the Waratahs enforcer is back and no doubt ready to fire in round two, having been named to start at blindside flanker.
After the New South Wales side were outclassed 41-7 by their rivals in round one, the return of the 24-year-old is a much-needed boost.
He’ll line up alongside 21-year-old Carlo Tizzano who was fantastic in a losing side last weekend, making 25 tackles. Jack Dempsey will also start in the backrow.
Expect fireworks when Swinton runs out at GIO Stadium on Saturday. He’s a brutal defender who makes his presence known, and can also bring a fair bit to the attack (watch Jack Maddock’s try in the opening round of Super Rugby AU last year) and around the breakdown.
TRY OF THE WEEK | Super Rugby AU Rd 1
Jack Maddocks running the perfect line for his first try with the @NSWWaratahs. Just sublime!#TryOfTheWeek #SuperRugby25Years #SuperRugbyAU pic.twitter.com/uhttG6pmxC
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) July 6, 2020
Five RugbyPass writers ranked the top 10 flankers in Super Rugby at the moment, with Swinton coming in eighth after averaging the lists.
Battle of the 10s
At the start of last year, both the Brumbies and the Waratahs braced for change. It was the dawn of a new era for both sides, with long-term playmakers having left.
For the Brumbies, former captain Christian Lealiifano had moved on, as had Bernard Foley for the Tahs. Waratahs Fullback Kurtley Beale also left, signing with Racing 92 in France before last year’s Super Rugby AU season.
After the success of the Junior Wallabies a year before at the World Championships in Argentina, it was very much time for the wave of up-and-coming talent to steer both sides towards any future successes.
In that Final where they lost a close match to France, Will Harrison (Waratahs) started at 10 while Noah Lolesio (Brumbies) started at 12.
We all know the standard that these two can play at – having cemented themselves as being among the premier fly-halfs in Australian rugby at the moment.
Well the two up-and-coming talents will face off on Saturday night, having both been named to start for their respective sides.
Lolesio was impressive in the win over the Brumbies last week, arguably one of the top performers from the opening round.
But considering the emphatic loss that the Tahs experienced last week, it was hard for Harrison to stand out at a similar level. And it’s not going to get easier for the 21-year-old, with halves partner and captain Jake Gordon ruled out due to injury.
In the second match of the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season, the Hurricanes host the Blues at Sky Stadium. Here’s why it’s a must watch.#SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/yjwdFuwzdO
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 27, 2021
For both the Brumbies and the Waratahs, the fate of the match will be somewhat determined by the performances of these two pivots.
Already a must-win for the Tahs?
The Brumbies are the most decorated side in Australian Super Rugby, having won three titles including Super Rugby AU last year. After a strong win over the Force in Perth last Friday, it would seem as if they’ll be there or thereabouts come the business end of the competition this year as well.
As for their opponents this week, it may already be do or die.
They were outplayed by a Reds side who never really seemed like losing once they got going. So this week, against all the odds, against the Brumbies in Canberra, the Tahs have a chance to prove themselves against the reigning champions.
A win would see the Waratahs have a one win, one loss record after two matches – this would be the same record as the Brumbies should the result go this way. But on the flip side of that, an 0-2 start to the new season could be tough to come back from.
While there is a Qualifying Final this year, we saw last year how important home ground advantage is.
Brumbies
1-15 – James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Mack Hansen, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Banks
Reserves – Lachlan Lonergan, Harry Lloyd, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Tom Cusack, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa
Waratahs
1-15 – Angus Bell, Tom Horton, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Sam Caird, Jack Whetton, Lachlan Swinton, Carlo Tizzano, Jack Dempsey, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, James Ramm, Tepai Moeroa, Alex Newsome (c), Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jack Maddocks
Reserves – David Porecki, Tetera Faulkner, Sio Tatola, Jeremy Williams, Hugh Sinclair, Henry Robertson, Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly
Comments on RugbyPass
Results probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
1 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to comments