Why the Reds are in safe hands with Isaac Lucas
The first time I ever saw Isaac Lucas play rugby, I saw a young man with many talents.
Playing against kid’s years older, his natural vision, gifted footwork and tenacity in defence were already on display.
He was 12.
Now a 19-year-old Lucas travels in business class for the first time, eats ramen noodles for the first time and will now start in his preferred position of five-eight for the first time this Saturday against the Sunwolves.
Starting a Super Rugby game is a daunting prospect for any rookie, let alone the pivotal No. 10 jersey, yet Lucas has an air of calmness that puts you at ease.
A player who has always been earmarked for higher honours, it’s fair to say that Isaac was born to play professional rugby.
Rugby royalty don’t come much greater than the Lucas’, a family of 4 boys who have all made a name for themselves as professionals in our code.
Eldest son Ben has had a long and illustrious career and was part of the championship winning 2011 Reds side, Matt plies his trade as a crafty halfback for the Brumbies while Tom is an established member of the Australian 7’s side.
Now it’s Isaac’s turn.
Having starred for Australian rugby nursery St. Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace at school, Lucas went on to represent the Australian Schoolboys in year 12.
His season was epitomised by his capacity to provide space for others with his deft passing game as well as possessing the ability to create something out of nothing.
Most school leavers would be happy to play under-19’s, but boyhood club Sunnybank recognised his undeniable talent and he became a regular fixture for the side in Premier Grade footy.
Being just 17 at the time and still learning the ins and outs of how to be a playmaker at that level, he spent the last two years at 12, waiting, wishing and wanting the opportunity to return to his natural position.
This was to be expected, after all, decision makers take time to develop and there are very few who can manage such great responsibilities at a young age.
An Australian under-20’s World Championship, NRC campaign with Brisbane City and a full pre-season later, Lucas now understands how to manage a more in-depth game, not just thinking about the upcoming play but the following 5-6 which precede it.
It was a pleasant surprise to see him in all the trials for the Reds, with most judges expecting him to be a squad-filler looking towards an opportunity in 2020.
Yet his silky passing skills and classy footwork forced Brad Thorn’s hand as he was handed a debut off the bench in Dunedin and didn’t look out of place.
Thrown in the deep end, last week posed a giant test as went face-to-face with an all-star Waratahs backline including Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale and Karmichael Hunt.
True to his nature, Lucas wasn’t flustered.
He proved a reliable defender and ever-present threat with ball in hand.
This weekend is a further step up and the challenge is to help the Reds move the point of attack away from a simple catch and carry game plan.
The Reds forwards cannot be questioned on their work ethic, however their tight attack spacings have meant that defences have not been challenged laterally, and if Lucas can move the ball away from these narrow corridors, then the space will be exposed for the likes of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Samu Kerevi and Sefa Naivalu.
The Reds also need a more polished kicking game.
Too often aimless kicks have been produced in the hope of a territory-based game like a world class halves combination.
We all know the Reds aren’t going to produce this and I think Lucas can also help here.
Despite his kicking game being his weakest asset, he knows the limitation of his game and won’t try and overplay his hand in this department. Hamish Stewart is the chief kicker and simplifying their kicking game could just be the tonic to fix up their strategy.
Nevertheless, it’s exciting to see Lucas be handed the reigns.
Last week his carry looked ominous and if he can take the ball to the line who knows what will happen.
Are we seeing the finished product? No.
Can he star at Super Rugby level? Hell yes.
Watch – Isaac Lucas ahead of Sunwolves clash:
Comments on RugbyPass
Very 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.
2 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 commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments