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Waratahs hit rock bottom as resurgent Reds put hands up for Wallabies
By Paul Cully
1. The Waratahs’ worst performance of the year.
The 41-12 loss to the Hurricanes wasn’t good enough by the Waratahs. That game actually represented a chance to do something special in Wellington, with the Hurricanes bringing in a hooker who wasn’t even in their official squad and opting to start TJ Perenara and Jordie Barrett on the bench.
Predictably, that caused some issues for the Hurricanes’ lineout, but the Waratahs were far too passive in the first half to get themselves into the game and exert any kind of pressure. They do have some injuries up front, but there were seven blokes who have played for the Wallabies in the starting XV, so for the game to be over as a contest at halftime, when the score was 26-0, should prompt some hard questions this week.
They opted out of the hard stuff in Wellington, and while that’s not an accusation you could level at them generally this year, even in their losses, it was the case on Friday and they need a massive response against the Brumbies.
2. Reds secure Kiwi bragging rights.
The Reds are now 3-2 against New Zealand opposition this season after their superb win against the Crusaders, which came despite Crusaders second-rower Quinten Strange being awarded rugby’s first “air try” – there is no way he got that ball down.
The usual suspects stood up for the Reds, with Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and big Ryan Smith all outstanding, but what has impressed the most since the damaging loss to Moana Pasifika has been the depth they have shown in their squad.
Kalani Thomas, coming off an excellent year in the NPC with Auckland, has been as good as the suspended Tate McDermott, while Zane Nonggorr and Louis Werchon were terrific off the bench. Some of Nonggorr’s carries were critical as the Crusaders threatened a comeback.
The Waratahs opted out of the hard stuff in Wellington - and paid the price.Credit: Getty
As for rookie winger Tim Ryan, his bones must be made of lead. The way that he won the collision with Rivez Reihana, who is not a small No.10, to grab his second try, was outstanding. Joe Schmidt will recognise that 3-2 advantage against the Kiwis. There are some Wallabies recalls and new caps coming for Queenslanders.
3. Brumbies scrum concerns.
Discipline was an issue for the Brumbies against the Drua on Saturday, but some of it was a direct consequence of the pressure they were under at the scrum. It didn’t happen in isolation. Even in the victory against the Hurricanes the week before, the Brumbies scrum was shunted backwards, and even upwards, at times.
They’ll have a chance to rectify that against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday, but they are unlikely to win three playoff games in a row unless they come up with some solutions over the coming months.
You have to give the Drua some credit, their New Zealand-born loosehead Haereiti Hetet is developing into one of the best in the competition, at set-piece time and with his hard carries, but the surprise in the voice of commentator Sean Maloney as he watched the Brumbies scrum go into reverse was justified: it’s been an uncharacteristic issue over the past two weeks.
Cully’s team of the week
- Peni Ravai (Reds)
- Jordan Uelese (Rebels)
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Reds)
- Ryan Smith (Reds)
- Josh Canham (Rebels)
- Josh Kemeny (Rebels)
- Fraser McReight (Reds)
- Harry Wilson (Reds) - Player of the Week
- Kalani Thomas (Reds)
- Lawson Creighton (Reds)
- Mac Grealy (Reds)
- Tamati Tua (Brumbies)
- Len Ikitau (Brumbies)
- Tim Ryan (Reds)
- Jock Campbell (Reds)
4. Western Force in last-chance saloon.
It’s win-or-bust for the Force against the Drua in Perth on Saturday after a disappointing tour of New Zealand. They looked second best against the Chiefs from the kickoff, and while their defending was arguably better than the Waratahs in Wellington, they paid the price for a high turnover rate against one of the title favourites.
There have been some identifiable improvements among the Australian sides this year, but the Force and the Waratahs are now both in the bottom two, and the extraordinary situation at the Rebels means that any recruitment moves that could improve the sides remain on hold.
The Force are light on forward grunt: they have the makings of a tidy back line but coach Simon Cron needs some reinforcements up front.
5. Rebels’ scoreline masks their improvements.
A 38-11 loss to the Blues in Melbourne doesn’t necessarily suggest a much better performance than the 39-0 defeat to the Crusaders in Christchurch the week before, but the two games were like chalk and cheese.
The Blues are a very good side, but the Rebels largely held their own until the last quarter when the visitors showed they are genuine title contenders. Josh Canham, Andrew Kellaway and Josh Kemeny were excellent for the Rebels, and the latter’s move to Northampton is starting to look like the one loss that might sting a bit for Joe Schmidt and the Wallabies.
Kemeny’s workrate is outstanding, and the 25-year-old is physical with it. The silver lining is that he is joining one of the slickest club’s in England, well coached and with an attacking mindset, and there is every chance he will return a better player. The attitude of the Rebels players was impressive on Friday: there is chaos off the field but not on it.
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