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
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments