Waratahs player ratings vs Brumbies | Super Rugby Pacific
The first Australian instalment of Super Rugby Pacific 2023 saw the Waratahs host the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. The Waratahs, who have been touted to be a resurgent force in 2023, were outthought and outplayed by the Brumbies who took the game 31-25.
The Waratahs failed to fire at set piece and thus didn’t find their rhythm and tempo in attack, however did enough to show if they can get their set piece to click they can be the side many have tipped them to be in 2023.
Yet, that may be a problem compounded by yet another injury to outstanding loose head prop Angus Bell who looked primed for a man-of-the-match performance before having to leave the field.
This is how the Waratahs rated.
- Ben Donaldson – 6/10
Managed his role well and kept the Brumbies pinned in their own half with some accurate kicking. Doesn’t look out of place.
Looked dangerous and looked for work however was guilty at times of perhaps over playing his hand.
- Izaia Perese – 5.5
Like Foketi struggled to find his way into the match. However, what is positive is that he is back after a long injury lay off.
- Lalakai Foketi – 6
He was solid but fell victim to the lack of descent possession in attack. Solid in defence and expect him to improve over the next several weeks.
- Max Jorgensen – 8
I thought he was superb in a losing side. Whilst he does not have blistering pace, he does possess balance, strength, vision and a fair set of heels that saw him score two wonderful tries.
- Tane Edmed – 5
Didn’t happen for him tonight. Got found out in defence and was guilty of playing a little too laterally in attack. Has better rugby in him.
- Jake Gordon – 6.5
A fair effort however probably couldn’t get his side playing more fluently due to the scrappy possession he received from the set piece. To his credit he scored a wonderful try to keep his side in the hunt.
- Angus Bell – 8
Was an absolute brut be it in the carry, defensive line or set piece. This coupled with a silky set of hands reminded us what potential this man has however had to leave the field due to what appears to be yet another injury. Frustrating for all concerned.
- Dave Poreki – 6
Credit for courage for his defensive efforts against a rampaging Rob Valentini however his tackling technique was questionable. Generally, he appeared to be dusting off the cobwebs but had a fair dig.
- Archer Holz – 5
There has been plenty of praise for this young prop however tonight he was rebranded from ‘promising’ to ‘exposed’. The Waratahs struggled to launch their attack off the scrum as it was under so much pressure through the tight head side. Plenty of work to do.
- Jed Holloway – 6
Put in a clunky performance. He ran to high at times, passed poorly and generally failed to impose himself on the game that saw him break into the Wallabies in 2022. Has much butter rugby in him.
- Taleni Seu – 5.5
Is a massive human however he was simply too high in contact on both sides of the ball. If the Tah’s want to get the best out of his frame, he will need to adjust or he is a bit of a passenger.
- Lachlan Swinton – 6
A solid return after a long lay off with injury and was enthused to see he didn’t give away any penalties. Expect him to build off this performance.
- Michael Hooper – 7
Exhaustive performance as expected. What pleased was how he keeps appearing when he side need him most, be it as a support runner, defender and ball carrier.
- Charlie Gamble – 7
Impressive effort however was guilty of undoing his good work with an unforced error or two. Not convinced 8 is his best position and perhaps the Waratahs would have been better served by starting Will Harris or Langi.
Replacements:
- Mahe Vailanu – 6.5 – Brought some impact and some genuine gain line punch when he came on. Looks like a promising prospect.
- Tom Lambert – 6.5 – Played more minutes than expected and despite struggling in the set piece showed he has plenty to offer around the park.
- Te Tera Faulkner – 6.5 – brought some stability to the set piece but also showed some silky skills at first receiver and also in a number of supporting runs. Ageing well.
- Hugh Sinclair – 5.5 – Brought some energy when he came on, as required.
- Langi Gleeson – 6 – A fair effort however is probably better suited to the physicality of the opening stages of the match. Didn’t quite find his way into the match.
- Will Harris – 6.5 – Found meters in the wider channels and brought some tempo to the match.
- Harrison Goddard – N/A
- Nemani Nadolo – 5.5 – Had several promising touches and looks suited to the impact role off the bench.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 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.
10 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.
37 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.
2 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
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 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
37 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.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments