1. If only Stephen Larkham had a Larkham, or a Carter Gordon
So, now we know where the Brumbies are: close, but not quite there. As Stephen Larkham noted after the Chiefs’ loss, they gave Damian McKenzie one opportunity all night and he took it, accepting the skinniest of invitations on the outside to eventually set up the game-deciding try for Brodie Retallick.
The Brumbies have tried hard to engineer this kind of play, but McKenzie has been doing it since he was running around the back blocks of Gore in Southland as a kid: it’s largely uncoachable. Had Larkham been 20 years younger and running the Brumbies attack on Saturday, he might have been the one who produced that play.
Or, in an alternate universe, if the five Australian teams were three Australian teams, Carter Gordon might have done it for the Brumbies.
2. Tom Wright is still a Wallabies No.15 contender
Wright’s transition from the ing to the No.15 jersey was so good this year, and so seamless, that it did make you wonder when the fall was coming. We got that answer on a dirty old night in Hamilton on Saturday. Making that switch is very, very difficult – look at how Mark Nawaqanitawase struggled for the Waratahs when moved to No 15 – so bumps are inevitable.
However, if you look at the weight of evidence over the course of the season, there’s more good than bad from Wright. Followers of his career will also note he has had some similarly erratic performances on the wing.
This is a Wright issue, not necessarily a new position issue. He’s still got plenty to offer at the back.
3. It’s not too early for Tom Hooper
The Brumbies back-rower is an absolute grafter – he’s clearly got potential to be a No 6 at the highest level. The Wallabies have plenty of options in the back row, but some of them are same-same. A workaholic like Hooper who hits 1000 rucks would give them a different balance.
Tom Hooper on the break for the Brumbies.Credit: Getty
It’s easy to forget that Hooper is coming off a serious injury, but if you look at his performances for the Brumbies since his return there’s been very little variation in the quality.
He’s a 7 or 8 every game, and there aren’t too many who bring that sort of consistency.
4. Does Australia really want a Super Rugby draft?
RUPA boss Justin Harrison told the Herald this week that he needed more detail before taking a position on a Super Rugby draft – was that the sound of a protectionist wall being built by the union?
Western Force and the Brumbies contest a lineout.Credit: Getty
You can certainly foresee a scenario where New Zealand players put themselves in the shop window via the NPC, nominate for a draft, and then win contracts in Australia. And therein lies the question Australia must solve: is Super Rugby a cut-throat competition where the clubs’ desire to improve takes primacy, or is it a vehicle to provide opportunities for Australian players who don’t enjoy the benefits of a NPC-like competition?
At present, it cannot be both.
5. Can Wallabies exploit the Springboks’ plan?
Coach Jacques Nienaber confirmed this week that South Africa would be splitting their squads for the first two games of the Rugby Championship, against the Wallabies in Pretoria and then against the All Blacks in Auckland a week later.
If they want to target that All Blacks game by sending a group of their heavy hitters to New Zealand a week early, the implication is that they see the Wallabies as a lesser threat.
If that is how they play it, it’s nothing less than motivational manna from heaven for Eddie Jones. Yes, the Springboks have depth and they will feel comfortable on the high veldt, but this is precisely the sort of occasion Jones was hired for.
Cully’s team of the week
Team of the Week
1 Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
2 Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs)
3 George Dyer (Chiefs)
4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
5 Cadeyrn Neville (Brumbies)
6 Rob Valetini (Brumbies)
7 Sam Cane (Chiefs)
8 Christian Lio-Willie (Crusaders)
9 Nic White (Brumbies)
10 Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
11 Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders) – Player of the week
12 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders)
13 Braydon Ennor (Crusaders)
14 Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
15 Will Jordan (Crusaders)
