Waratahs player ratings v Drua | Super Rugby Pacific
For the final game on Saturday night, the Waratahs took on the Fijian Drua. A bruising encounter, the first half was an arm-wrestle, punctuated by some brutal defence from both teams.
The Drua fans brought energy to Super Round, and their team fed off it, muscling the Waratahs in defence and serving up attacking highlights throughout the game. Following the half, the Drua came out blazing, but the Waratahs were able to reel them back in. The Waratahs battled their way back into the game to regain the lead then emptied their bench to add an extra hit of energy.
Poor discipline and fatigue from the Drua allowed the Tahs to take control of the game, and when the Drua were reduced to 13 men because of uncontested scrums, the Waratahs were able to pile on the points in the last 10 minutes for a 46-17 victory.
1. Tom Lambert – 7
Making his first start in place of the injured Angus Bell, the English prop fronted up at scrum time, holding his own against a monster Drua pack. Showed some silky hands to play the ball out the back to his outside support. Put in a big shift lasting 70 minutes before being replaced.
2. Dave Porecki – 6
Scored the Waratahs opening try. Made 11 tackles in a big defensive shift. At times during the game he got his technique at the lineout wrong and gave away easy penalties at the breakdown.
3. Archer Holz – 6
Quite game from the young prop, doing all the unglamorous work asked of him. Performed admirably at scrum time, setting a good platform for the Waratahs to launch their attack.
4. Jed Holloway – 8
Has rejuvenated his career since returning to the Waratahs, and put in a fantastic performance again tonight. Lead from the front in terms of carries and forward play. Had an opportunity to score in the first half but couldn’t keep his feet in touch. Won a crucial lineout against the throw in the 61st minute.
5. Hugh Sinclair – 6.5
Hard-working lock who didn’t shirk the hard work needed in his position. He trucked the ball up in close and supported his team mates at the breakdown. Got through a mountain of defensive work and made eight tackles. Was a target at lineout time.
6. Lachlan Swinton – 6
The hulking backrower was asked to carry hard in tight and was on the receiving end of some huge hits. Made seven carries but dropped the pill a few times when hit hard.
7. Michael Hooper – 7
Reliable as ever, Hooper put in a big defensive shift for his team, making 13 tackles. Set up the Donaldson try by slicing through a gap and popping off the Gleeson.
8. Langi Gleeson – 8
Put a huge hit on his opponent in the opening stanza, setting the tone for a physical game. Combined with Hooper to set up Donaldson for an important try. Was the Tahs go-to man to break tackles and gain metres from his carries, beating four defenders. Scored in the 57th minute to give the Tahs the lead.
9. Jake Gordon – 7.5
The Tahs skipper drove the team’s attack for most of the match, setting the tempo and directing his forwards. He was kept busy in defence, covering the channel off the ruck from attacking raids from the Drua forwards.
10. Tane Edmed – 6
Sat back on his heels in the first half, preferring to play off Gordon and distribute to his backs. Played more direct in the second half but relied on his forwards to gain the hard metres. Scored in the 62nd minute.
11. Max Jorgensen – 6
The young speedster had some good touches and was rapid in space. Well contained by his opposite number but won the aerial battle with some great takes in the air. Scored perhaps the easiest try of the year to add to his tally.
12. Lalakai Foketi – 7
Had some hard carries through the inside channel off set-piece to get the Tahs over the advantage line. Made repeat efforts in attack, and the team relied on him to organize their defence.
13. Izaia Perese – 6.5
Was at his powerful best, targeting the outside shoulders of his opposing number and breaking tackles. Throughout the match he was able to fly up from his line and shut down the Drua attack with some big shots.
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase – 7.5
The big winger was able to get on the outside of his opposition using his power and speed, reeling off a team-high 110 metres. He is improving his defence week-in week-out. Was on the receiving end of a cross-field kick to dot down for a try in the 73rd minute.
15. Ben Donaldson – 7
Was solid at the back for the Waratahs, fielding kicks and probing the Drua’s backfield with his big boot. Acted as an additional playmaker, inserting himself into the backline to launch an attacking raid. Scored his first try in Super Rugby off the back of a slick backline move for a much-needed try in the second half.
Replacements:
16. Tolu Latu – 6
Entered the game in the 55th minute to make a remarkable return for the Tahs after 1360 days away.
17. Te Tera Faulkner – 5.5
Subbed on in the 55th minute.
18. Dan Botha – N/A
Replaced Lambert in the 70th minute to make his debut.
19. Taleni Seu – 6
Replaced Sinclair in the 55th minute. Was targeted at lineout time and had some impressive carries.
20. Will Harris – N/A
On in the 70th minute for Gleeson.
21. Charlie Gamble – 5.5
Came on for Swinton in the 55th minute. Made some carries but it was a quiet night by his standards.
22. Harrison Goddard – N/A
Replaced Gordon in the 70th minute.
23. Ben Dowling – 5
Came on for his debut in the 70th minute. Shifted to first-receiver for the final stanza of the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
No 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
3 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.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 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.
54 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.
3 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
54 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
54 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.
54 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.
18 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.
18 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.
54 Go to comments