Super Rugby AU: Five Talking Points from Round 9
The Rebels and Waratahs are battling for the last finals spot in Super Rugby AU
Credit: Dean Lewins/AAP
As games of rugby go, the two matches we saw in Round 9 of Super Rugby AU were polar opposites in many ways.
It was something of a mislead in Canberra as the Brumbies put on some late gloss to record a deceptively hard-fought 31-14 win over the Western Force, who remain without a win in this year’s competition in a game that showed the defensive qualities of both sides.
Meanwhile, on Saturday night in Sydney, the Rebels and Waratahs left defence waiting patiently at the door as they served up a thriller, with the men from New South Wales eventually closing out a 38-32 win that was non-negotiable for their finals hopes but also leaves the door ajar for the men from Melbourne.
With fascinating Wallaby selection battles emerging in many positions and the competition now set up for a nerve-shredding final round for some, here are the big moments from Round 9 of Super Rugby AU.
Brumbies secure home final to set up title tilt
Tom Banks gave a reminder of his talents during the Brumbies’ win over the Force
Credit: Getty Images
The Brumbies have been the leading light of the competition since the word go and have shown no signs that they are prepared to give up that superiority.
Despite arguably lacking some of the star power in their rivals’ squads, the men from Canberra have put on a masterclass in organisation, discipline and imagination all the way through this competition.
Even when they lost their exciting young flyhalf Noah Lolesio early on, Bayley Kuenzle stepped up to the plate without missing a beat.
More of the same was on show against the Force as the Brumbies, despite being far from their best, ultimately dispatched the westerners with ease.
Tom Banks served up a timely reminder of his claim to the Wallaby 15 jersey with a well-taken try to go with 128 running metres and beating six defenders.
Tom Wright continued his superb competition on the wing by also topping a century of run metres and Irae Simone further pressed his international claims with a big showing on both sides of the ball, ending with 15 tackles and 60 run metres to his name.
Up front, Will Miller epitomised the breakout campaign he has had with 12 tackles, a good try and superb awareness to set up Wright for the ACT team’s opening score and Allan Alaalatoa continues to send the message to Taniela Tupou that the Wallaby tighthead jersey is one that will be fought for tooth and nail.
The Brumbies have now confirmed they will go straight into the Super Rugby AU Grand Final and will host it at GIO Stadium in the nation’s capital. It’s fair to say anyone who goes down there and takes this title from them will have earned it.
Force continue unfortunate Chiefs resemblence
Being sat bottom of the ladder without a win from seven games is a poor reflection on the work the Western Force have put into this competition.
Shorn of leading light Byron Ralston for this clash, the Force nevertheless did what they have so often done - dug in hard, stayed in games, but just been found wanting at crunch time.
The on-field problems have drawn comparisons to the Chiefs in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa competition - not getting blown away every week, but unable to close games out when it matters.
The difference, it is worth positing, is that the Force have been forced to uproot and make base on the east coast for the duration of the competition and have been essentially plucked from the NRC to fill a space in Super Rugby AU. Given that context, it should be even more important to note how well they have played and how much they have added to the competition.
James O’Connor took time out to recognise the qualities the Force have added to this makeshift Super Rugby competition, saying on Instagram after the Reds’ big win over the Force last week: “Just wanted to send some energy and respect the way of the Western Force.
“I recognise that this Super Rugby AU competition has been so successful because of the competition.
“For the Western Force to put such a competitive team together at short notice, whilst staying away from home for the entire experience, is honourable and deserves mention.”
They were sage words, because it is only fair to recognise the difficult circumstances in which the Force have operated during these fixtures and the part they have played in some of the best games we have seen over the last nine weeks.
We at The Flanker would like to join O’Connor and all the others applauding the contribution of the Force to this Super Rugby AU comp, and our resident Waratahs fan would be very grateful if you could cap it off with a win over the Rebels next week too.
Speaking of which…
Tahs claim see-saw thriller over Rebels
The Waratahs went into their final game of the Super Rugby AU regular season knowing that only a win would be enough to keep them in the hunt for the finals.
With the Brumbies and Reds already qualified and the men in sky blue on their second bye week in Round 10, they knew they could guarantee their place in the qualifying final by beating the Rebels with a bonus point and denying the Rebels a losing BP.
They got the win, but a late Matt Toomua penalty gained the Melbourne side what might turn out to be a priceless bonus point and the Tahs were unable to push clear of a Rebels side they had the measure of for the most part.
Defence was certainly secondary for the Tahs as they went on the offensive early, with Will Harrison sending numerous very kickable penalty opportunities to the corner early on.
They were rewarded with two early tries, to Jake Gordon and Jack Dempsey, and knew if they could get three tries up on the Rebels their finals fate might just fall into place.
In Super Rugby, a team gains a bonus point by scoring three tries more than their opposition rather than the standard ‘four tries scored = bonus point’ in other countries.
However, the Rebels were stubborn and every time the Waratahs got within one score of that crucial bonus point, they would strike back and leave the Sydney side with a mountain to climb again.
The equation is now simple - due to their superior for-and-against record, if the Rebels beat the Force in Round 10 they will make the final spot their own and end the Waratahs season.
Naisarani fires warning shot to Wilson for Wallaby 8 jersey
Isi Naisarani is mobbed by his Rebels teammates after one of his tries against the Waratahs
Credit: Unknown
In a game full to bursting with strong attacking performances, one that stood out not just for its offensive contribution but also for defence was Rebels number 8 Isi Naisarani.
He has been a big building block for this Rebels team throughout the competition and served up a reminder to Wallaby selectors that breakout Reds star Harry Wilson is not the only bloke putting his hand up for that spot at the back of the scrum.
As well as two tries and 15 pretty tough carries against a pumped-up Waratah defence, Naisarani also doubled down in his defensive work and made 15 tackles.
A destructive ball carrier and someone that carries on the great Wallaby tradition of number 8s who can find their way to the tryline (do I need to remind you about Radike Samo?), Naisarani is the perfect point of difference to challenge Wilson to the gold jersey that looked a few weeks ago to be heading to the man from Queensland.
His massive frame comes with an equivalent work rate and it would be a brave man who can now predict the outcome of the battle that will surely ensue to claim they starting spot under Dave Rennie.
The idea of Wilson and Naisarani going head to head in a qualifying final in a couple of weeks’ time should have any Australian rugby fan salivating - if it happens, it will be some kind of box office.
Perrett tunes out the noise and delivers consummate performance on first Super Rugby assignment
Amy Perrett became the first woman to take charge of a Super Rugby match
Credit: Dion Georgopoulos/Canberra Times
A lot of noise accompanied one particular person involved in the Brumbies/Force game on Friday night, but one that wouldn’t normally receive this level of attention.
That was match referee Amy Perrett, who became the first woman to take centre stage in a Super Rugby match.
Before the game, Perrett herself had said that while reffing in Super Rugby “was never a goal of mine, as I never saw it as a possibility”, she was keen just to treat the step up from Shute Shield and NRC games in Australia to the big stage as just another match.
Well, if her aim was to block out the noise and do her job, then she did it with the kind of ease many goalkickers might be tempted to give their standing leg for.
She was clear, direct and commanded respect among the players, something more established and recognisable referees have not yet nailed down, and was not afraid to use the tools at her disposal.
With the help of the video referee, she was able to correctly overturn three Brumbies tries and was disciplined in her general officiating while also encouraging a flowing and dynamic game all round.
It was a performance any top-level referee would be pleased with and belied the fact that it was her first time taking charge of a top-grade game.
It is unfortunate in so many ways that a female referee performing so admirably might be a point of surprise to any within the game, but Perrett proved in one fell swoop that there is no false glorification going on here.
She is visibly a high-quality match official and we at The Flanker hope her example is used to remind any other budding young female refs out there that going to the top level is always a possibility.
