Waratahs vs Drua takes: Tahs missed Suaalii, Drua’s season in the balance

It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but the NSW Waratahs have beaten the Fijian Drua 29-24 to keep their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby Pacific season alive. Thousands watched on at Allianz Stadium in Sydney as the Tahs were tested both physically and strategically.

Backrower Langi Gleeson led the way during the first half with a decisive double. But the Drua’s ability to make special things happen from nothing was a point-scoring difference on more than one occasion on a humid Friday evening.

The Drua were caught on the wrong side of the scoreline in two thrillers to start their season, and unfortunately for the visitors, it was the same story this time. They’re now 0-3 this season, while the Tahs have started their era under coach Dan McKellar with back-to-back wins.

Losing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii hurt the Waratahs

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii didn’t take the field on Friday night, but the code-hopper’s importance to the Waratahs has perhaps become even clearer. Having suffered a toe injury during the team’s opening-round win over the Highlanders, Suaalii was ruled out of the third round fixture.

After moving from the NRL to rugby union last October, Suaalii went on to star in Wallaby gold for Joe Schmidt’s national squad and later impressed on debut for the Tahs. It’s by no means outlandish to suggest Suaalii is yet to have a bad performance in the 15-player game.

In Suaalii’s absence, Wallaby Andrew Kellaway shifted from the wing to fullback, while Darby Lancaster and Max Jorgensen were named on the edges. Henry O’Donnell came into the starting side on debut, and joined Lalakai Foketi in a new-look midfield.

While the Tahs showcased plenty of promise and even flair, they also missed Suaalii’s X-factor in both attack and defence. Whether it’s drawing in defenders to create space, throwing an outrageous offload, or offering monstrous hits in defence, Suaalii is a class above.

The Tahs went to the air a lot in their season opener against the Landers, with Suaalii regularly tasked with competing for that high ball. To put it simply, Suaalii is a proven difference-maker, and not having someone of that calibre on the field would hurt any team.

Fijian Drua’s season already hangs in the balance

Only six teams make the playoffs this season, and that’s an important fact to consider as you keep reading this passage. Whether you agree or disagree with the ‘already hangs in the balance’ take, there’s no denying the Drua’s season is in trouble.

With the Melbourne Rebels no longer in Super Rugby Pacific, the battle to make the next stage has become that much tougher, with the number of finals-bound sides dropping down from eight in what was formerly a 12-team competition.

It was entirely possible in 2024 for teams like the Crusaders, Western Force, Moana Pasifika and Waratahs to play finals football even though their seasons had largely become a series of losses against teams who seemed to be on another level.

But it’s different now.

After three losses from as many starts, the Drua’s chances of making the top six had taken another costly hit. The Fijians held their own against the ACT Brumbies and Hurricanes but ultimately went down swinging in two thrillers to start the campaign.

With this loss to the Waratahs, they’re in a tough spot. The gap between them and playoff places will get bigger throughout round three, and while it’s not all doom and gloom or panic stations just yet, the Drua must defend home court against the Chiefs next week.

Dear Joe Schmidt, don’t forget about Langi Gleeson

Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson appear to be Australia’s settled backrow trio ahead of the British and Irish Lions Series. Valetini is the back-to-back John Eales Medallist, while McReight and Wilson were also nominated for the Wallabies’ top individual honour.

But, if you’re reading this Joe Schmidt, don’t forget about Langi Gleeson.

Gleeson had a mixed performance in the Waratahs’ season-opener a fortnight ago, with the loose forward dropping the ball on multiple occasions. The 23-year-old is powerful in both attack and defence, but these errors are tough to look past.

With other backrowers in the country like Charlie Cale, Luke Reimer and Carlo Tizzano standing out during the early rounds of the season, and Liam Wright is returning from injury tomorrow, it will be interesting to see who coach Schmidt selects to represent Australia against the Lions.

Gleeson should be there.

At least Gleeson should be if it’s this version of the destructive No. 8.

With a game-high nine carries at half-time, a respectable number of tackles on the defensive side of the ball, some solid work around the breakdown and two tries, it was a noticeably positive opening 40 minutes from the Waratah.

Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula won the battle of the Drua 10s

At the Drua’s captain’s run on Thursday, starting fly-half Caleb Muntz walked over to the sideline at Allianz Stadium before an interview with RugbyPass. Muntz and this writer covered the Drua’s form this season and the positional rivalry with young Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.

Both Muntz and Armstrong-Ravula are international-quality players. Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne described the pair as “world-class players” before the Pacific Nations Cup last year, with both men gunning for the starting role within the national squad as well.

Muntz started the Dura’s first match of the season before coming off the bench against the Canes. Armstrong-Ravula was given a chance to start and arguably outperformed Muntz’s performance from the week period.

But coach Glen Jackson reverted back to the opening round approach for the Tahs, with Muntz sporting the No. 10 jersey. But by the time the match finished, it seemed clear that Armstrong-Ravula had once again outperformed Muntz.

With a cross-field kick from well inside the Drua’s half that led to a break up the field, and another clever chip-kick around midfield helped breathe new life into the Drua’s attack. This was the playmaking X-factor the Drua truly needed.