1. Beware the hype – rugby just outsold NRL Vegas in a week
A few days before the NRL’s Las Vegas quadruple-header kicked off, New Zealand Rugby revealed the Ireland-All Blacks Test in Chicago in November had already sold more than 50,000 tickets despite being on sale for only a week. Ireland and the All Blacks are going to easily sell out the 61,500 capacity Soldier Field – they could probably fill an 80,000 stadium – which means a tidy profit for both parties and puts the 45,000 crowd in Vegas into context.
Rugby is clearly well ahead of rugby league in the USA, and their domestic competition, Major League Rugby, recently announced a broadcasting deal with ESPN. But does this mean that rugby has cracked the USA, or achieved the administrators’ dream of securing a small slice of a big market? No way. Former USA Rugby chief executive Ross Young, now World Rugby’s general manager of US operations for the World Cup in 2031, once candidly told the Herald that the key to unlocking that complex market was getting into the college sports system – and specifically getting fully funded programs across the US network.
The Panthers celebrate in Las Vegas. Will the NRL’s second foray into the US have any real impact there?Credit: Getty Images
Rugby hasn’t got that – and even the World Cup in the USA, which will attract big crowds – might not deliver that long-term change. So don’t expect Americans to suddenly embrace rugby league after Vegas. In terms of trying to grow the spot, the NRL is effectively throwing a triple cut-out pass in the USA when there is a simple overlap on offer in the form of a second NRL team in New Zealand’s South Island.
Wallabies form team of the week
- Angus Bell (Waratahs)
- Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Force)
- Taniela Tupou (Waratahs)
- Hugh Sinclair (Waratahs)
- Ryan Smith (Reds)
- Seru Uru (Reds)
- Carlo Tizzano (Force)
- Langi Gleeson (Waratahs)
- Tate McDermott (Reds) – Player of the week
- Ben Donaldson (Force)
- Corey Toole (Brumbies)
- Lalakai Foketi (Waratahs)
- Josh Flook (Reds)
- Andy Muirhead (Brumbies)
- Tom Wright (Brumbies)
2. Suaalii fullback move might be over already
Andrew Kellaway is the best No.15 at the Waratahs, and he showed it on Friday with a composed display in the backfield just as the game against the Fijian Drua threatened to slip away from the home side. It would be no surprise, therefore, if Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii makes the shift into the No.13 jersey when he recovers from his toe injury.
You can’t underestimate the value of Kellaway’s calm head at the back, especially as Tane Edmed has yet to stamp his authority on the season. Lalakai Foketi also appeals as a great midfield foil for Suaalii in a similar role to the one played by Len Ikitau at the Wallabies. Foketi is experienced, tough and runs good lines. The Drua game showed that he is getting back to some better form after a tough season last year.
Andrew Kellaway takes on the Drua defence.Credit: Getty Images
3. Sinclair patron saint of the underrated
It hasn’t taken Dan McKellar long to appreciate the merits of the unsung Hugh Sinclair. He has already emerged as the senior second-rower in Sydney this year, with Miles Amatosero showing on Friday that he is still rough around the edges.
Sinclair has been the glue in the Waratahs pack in the opening rounds, doing the sort of quality unseen work that coaches love. It was Sinclair who quickly cleaned up what looked suspiciously like a knock-on from replacement prop Tom Lambert just before the match-winning try against the Highlanders, and he continued that form on Friday (aside from a neck roll at the end of the game).
The Waratahs have good depth in a number of positions, but Sinclair is one player the Waratahs can’t afford to lose after the exits of Jed Holloway and Ned Hanigan last year.
Tate McDermott has been in great form for the Reds to start the season.Credit: Getty Images
4. Why Reds have their noses in front
Queensland are looking the most likely of the Australian sides in the early Super Rugby running, winning twice despite clearly not being at their best. Tate McDermott is causing havoc with his running game, and when their big forwards get their offload game going, they are great to watch.
But the part of their game that is serving them well at present is their ability to absorb pressure in their own 22m. They flirted with another yellow card against the Force in Perth – captain Harry Wilson was lucky not to go to the bin after the Force scored a first-half try – but they largely managed to restrict the Force on the scoreboard despite struggling for territory and possession.
It is a good sign for coach Les Kiss, although the loss of classy centre Josh Flook to injury will be a bitter pill to swallow.
5. Brumbies can’t stop the leaks
The Brumbies have conceded an average of 42 points a game during the first three rounds – a very un-Brumbies statistic that needs to change quickly before their game against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday. The Chiefs are a pretty complete team with threats across the park, but they were very happy to take the Brumbies head on in Hamilton on Saturday, with second-rower Nick Frost lifted off his feet trying to stop big Chiefs No.6 Samipeni Finau.
The Brumbies scored some dazzling tries, with the back three of Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead and Corey Toole in outstanding form, but even before the Chiefs game they didn’t have anyone in the top 15 for dominant tackles across the competition.
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