1. Anzac Super is better than Anzac Bledisloe
Rugby Australia chair Dan Herbert would like to see a third Bledisloe Test on Anzac Day, and New Zealand Rugby is keeping an open mind.
“We had a constructive set of meetings with RA recently and they tabled the idea of an Anzac Bledisloe match,” NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson said in a statement. “The relationship between the two organisations is positive and, as with all discussions about matters in the future including the calendar, we will keep the conversations going.”
But after this weekend’s action, it’s clear that the countries already have an asset worth investing in.
There were two brilliant trans-Tasman Super Rugby clashes, including the game of the season so far (Reds v Blues), a new star (Queensland winger Tim Ryan) and an emerging villain for Australian fans to boo (Chiefs flanker Samipeni Finau).
Super Rugby Pacific is finding its feet. This is the best competition in years, but the recovery is still fragile and it shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of the Wallabies and All Blacks.
2. Thank you, Tim Ryan
The young Reds winger was unbelievable against the Blues, at times making All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a look like he was coming home from a big night in The Valley. The late, great Wayne Smith would have been looking down on that hat-trick performance with pure joy – it was one for the ages.
Tim Ryan of the Reds scores one of his three tries.Credit: Getty
It’s another timely reminder that no matter how hard you kick Australian rugby, it’s always going to produce blokes like Ryan and Darby Lancaster who just want to get the ball in their hands and have a crack. The trick – and it’s not a trick at all, it’s the application of common sense – is to get the right-sized professional footprint so that if you’re lucky enough to get a bit of cash left over, it’s spent on bringing the likes of Les Kiss into the system.
3. Waratahs’ woes deepen
Is a team going forwards, backwards, or standing still? Answer that question honestly and you normally get an accurate pointer as to what will happen to the coach. The Waratahs weren’t poor against the Chiefs, but they weren’t at the same level, and two of the tries they conceded in the second half were just a bit soft for this level of rugby.
The Waratahs are in a world of pain.Credit: Getty
Above all, though, the Waratahs’ direction doesn’t compare favourably to the Reds or Brumbies, even though both of those sides have had their own injury/disciplinary issues.
It’s been really hard to get a gauge on the Waratahs all year, with a number of close losses and two wins against the Crusaders showing that caution needed to be exercised before getting too critical. But after 10 rounds they’re trying to avoid the spoon as well as make the playoffs.
4. Donno misses his chance
Tom Lynagh is the best young No.10 prospect in Australia: he’s the guy who arguably plays even better against the Kiwis, where his rivals tend to blow hot and cold.
Tom Lynagh is the form No.10 in Australia.Credit: Getty
Force No.10 Ben Donaldson had a gilt-edged opportunity against the Highlanders to really press his claims, but he had an off night in Dunedin. Even with the Highlanders’ experienced No.10 Rhys Patchell forced off early with an injury, Donaldson couldn’t take control like he needed to, and he also missed one important penalty attempt.
Noah Lolesio bounced back well against the Hurricanes, but Carter Gordon was never at the races against the Crusaders as the Rebels scrum was demolished. You have to wonder if the latter trio are now playing for two places alongside Lynagh in Joe Schmidt’s first Wallabies squad.
5. Can the Brumbies keep Tamati Tua?
The Brumbies No.12 outpointed Jordie Barrett in Canberra on Saturday – enough said. He made all the hard yards and also showed a real turn of pace for his try. However, as eligibility laws currently stand, Tua can’t be selected for the All Blacks. Unless that changes – and it should – there is always the danger that Tua will be lured back to New Zealand.
It’s one for new Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley – coincidentally a former Brumbies under-19s rep – to take up, because as it stands the Brumbies could potentially be punished for developing Tua over the past few years and improving the comp as a whole by giving game time to a player whose path had been blocked at the Blues.
Cully’s Team of the Week
- Harry Johnson-Holmes (Waratahs)
- Julian Heaven (Waratahs)
- Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Reds)
- Darcy Swain (Brumbies)
- Ryan Smith (Reds)
- Rob Valetini (Brumbies)
- Rory Scott (Brumbies)
- Harry Wilson (Reds)
- Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies)
- Noah Lolesio (Brumbies)
- Tim Ryan (Reds) – Player of the Week
- Tamati Tua (Brumbies)
- Hunter Paisami (Reds)
- Ollie Sapsford (Brumbies)
- Tom Wright (Brumbies)
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