Super Rugby AU: Waratahs player ratings vs Reds
Rugby returned to Australia tonight when the traditional powerhouses of the Australian game the Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs did battle at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane in round one of Super Rugby AU. Whilst both sides were just keen to get out on the park and play some rugby post the COVID-19 lay off, the undertone of this match is that these sides were playing for the credibility of the Australian game after an exceptionally turbulent post the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Rugby in Australia needed a good story and perhaps New South Wales’ coach Rob Penney’s selection of exciting prospects Angus Bell, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Will Harris would tell a memorable tale?
Despite a gutsy performance the Waratahs were edged out by the hosts 32-26 yet won respect considering how poorly they had been playing prior to the COVID break. This was clearly a Waratah outfit intent on playing quality rugby.
Let’s see how the Waratahs rated:
1. Angus Bell – 5.5
Was taken to school in the scrums by Taniela Toupo that resulted in his sending off for repeat infringements, but outside of Bell applied himself to greater effect. His got off the defence line, made his tackles and had the odd charge into the Reds defensive line.
2. Robbie Abel – 6
Had a poor lineout early on but adjusted nicely. Worked hard in the tight, missing the odd tackle. An honest, tradesman like performance and a player who rarely failed to do his role.
3. Harry Johnson-Holmes – 7
Brought plenty of energy in the set piece and in the tight and was rewarded with a try for his endeavour. He showed an understanding of attacking space when cutting in behind the defence from an unexpected pass. He can play what’s in front of him and to a structure. Best of the Waratah front rowers and the Novocastrian appears to be looking to take his game to the next level.
4. Ned Hanigan – 6.5
A very respectable return to Super Rugby after a long injury pay off. Performed prodigiously in the lineout, even stealing a throw. Enjoyed his bullet-like pass to cut one and hit his left winger James Ramm into space. Will be better for the run next week and would like to see him with the ball in hand around the fringes more.
5. Rob Simmons – 7
Worked admirably but he lacks influence as a leader on the referee as perhaps a really good skipper should. That aside he used all his experience to disturb the Reds lineout ball by closing the gap and reading the jump. Put in a good shift.
6. Lachie Swinton – 7.5
The muscle of the Waratah pack. He simply wants to hurt and dominate his opponent and did a very good job of limiting the Reds meter eater Harry Wilson. Despite putting in some jarring hits, he was found out in defence twice leading to a Reds try by either a spacing misread or simply having poor body position. He didn’t do enough in attack with the ball despite putting a fine passing effort to put others into space, especially his full-back Jack Maddocks. Plenty to like, plenty to work on.
7. Michael Hooper – 8
Consummate Michael Hooper performance. Involved in everything and remains the master of second efforts. Had some stiff competition from Liam Wright and Fraser McReight but still shone through.
8. Will Harris – 6.5
Impressed in his debut. Very athletic and has a high work rate but not in the class of Harry Wilson or Isi Naisarani. In offence he got caught being too lateral and high at times but too his credit he worked his way into the game and was not a passenger.
It's the Reds first win over the Waratahs in seven years.https://t.co/atTfpGaVEY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 3, 2020
9. Mitch Short – 6
Was clearly the second-best half back on the park. Was outplayed by Tate McDermott but he never stopped trying and had his moments without being spectacular.
10. Will Harrison – 7
A very credible performance. His option taking was sound, appeared to be more comfortable in the role and wanted to take control of the match. Made several telling runs into the Reds line and set his attack up nicely. When he made an error, he looked to correct it. Made a wonderful try saving tackle on Tate McDermott displaying his desire to stay in the contest. Yet he must address his front on defence as he got ‘speed-bumped’ several times.
11. Mark Nawaqanitawase – 6
Didn’t get as much opportunity as he would have liked to have show his immense talent. Could have done a little more work.
12. Joey Walton – 5.5
On debut he looked lost out there in the first 20 or so but had some nice touches and put himself into some good supporting lines. Tended to get lost in the fog of the match without ever shining a torch to let us know he was there.
Sean O'Brien 2.0 #LondonIrish #GallagherPremiership pic.twitter.com/BLD2Wg86XT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 3, 2020
13. Alex Newsome – 6.5
Had some very nice touches and importantly made all of his tackles. The Waratahs need to find a way to get Newsome more involved in attack and was another who appeared missing through the lack of ball and he too should have gone looking for more work.
14. James Ramm – 6
A mixed game. Ramm has some speed and works well in limited space. Yet he through a rocket of a pass inside to a support player who dropped the ball. I like the fact he went looking for work despite it not always coming off. Acknowledge his persistence and willingness.
15. Jack Maddocks – 8
Best Waratah back. He really looks to have found his home at full-back. He looked to counter attack and didn’t play within himself. Scoring a wonderful try by tracking behind a breakdown to take an inside pass off Swinton and push through a yawning gap and cruised to the line. Best try of the match. Furthermore, he played tough under the high ball, put his shoulder in defence but showed an exceptional turn of speed to fell Tate McDermott who for all money looked like he was set for a runaway try. Wallabies Coach Dave Rennie no doubt would have been impressed.
Reserves
16. Tom Horton – 5.5
Another debutant. Has the frame but not sure about the game, yet. Hard to judge from tonight performance. If anything, a little quite given the ample opportunity.
17. Tetera Faulkner – 5
The Veteran was there and did his bit. Nothing spectacular.
No NRL return for Israel Folau.https://t.co/p0QnKj4jBw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 3, 2020
18. Tiaan Tauakipulu – 6
Has a bit about him and wanted to get stuck in. However, was not on the field for long enough to get an accurate read but a prospect to follow.
19. Tom Staniforth – 6
Came on and worked hard in tight as always. Nothing much beyond that.
20. Jack Dempsey – 6
Didn’t do enough as an impact player given his Wallaby experience.
21. Michael McDonald – NA
22. Ben Donaldson – 5
Only on for limited minutes.
23. Tepai Moeroa – 5
Only on for limited minutes.
Comments on RugbyPass
We 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.
7 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.
55 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.
7 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
60 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
60 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
7 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
60 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
60 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
60 Go to comments