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Best of the best: The top five players in Super Rugby AU in round five

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Round five of Super Rugby AU saw both home teams claim crucial wins at home, which saw the Rebels hold their place in the top three while the Reds moved up to first.

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For the first time in over a year, the Rebels returned to play in front of their home fans, and they didn’t disappoint.

It was simply a clinical performance from the hosts against the visiting Waratahs, leading 33-0 until late in the match when the Tahs crossed for two tries.

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The Chiefs win a game, the Crusaders can’t lose, and what happened to Wales?

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      The Chiefs win a game, the Crusaders can’t lose, and what happened to Wales?

      In the other match, the Force were tough opponents for the Reds at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, but went down 26-19. The boot of former Reds player, Jake McIntyre, kept the Force in the contest, but they couldn’t quite get over the line after being outscored five tries to one.

      After each round of Super Rugby AU this year, I’ll list who I thought were the top five players of the round. The top three players will be given points of three, two and one, to be added to an MVP watch list throughout the season.

      Considering that this week, another set of new players made the top three, the ‘honourable mentions’ will now also be given 0.5 points each this season – including players from the first four rounds. This is both to reward those players, and to allow for a deeper look at who has been a consistently top performer.

      Here’s the top five players from round five.

      Hunter Paisami (Reds) – 3 points

      The Wallabies centre stood out on Saturday night, with his impact helping the Reds claim a crucial win which saw them move up to first on the ladder. Paisami scored a double, but generally he was impressive.

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      After conceding their first points of the night through a McIntyre penalty, the Reds managed to hit back soon after through Paisami’s first try.

      The Reds went wide in their second phase off a lineout, with the centre playing a part in Jock Campbell’s impressive break down the right edge. In the next phase, Paisami came charging in, and never seemed like he was going to be stopped once he got his hands on the ball.

      Getting the ball off Tate McDermott at scrumhalf, the 22-year-old ran in-between Brynard Stander and the referee on his way to the line – it was a great heads-up play.

      But while that was a great example of his pace, strength, and bravery, his second try was arguably more impressive. The Reds were down 14-16 at this stage, but Paisami helped give his side the lead that they wouldn’t give up again.

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      This try was a textbook example of why you should always run with the ball in two hands.

      As he ran at the line, he threw a dummy pass before backing himself to run through a gap in the Force defence. He ended up running roughly 30-metres without too much trouble, on his way to the try-line.

      By the time the full-time whistle had sounded he’d made six runs and 11 passes.

      https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1373860901992943617

      Matt To’omua (Rebels) – 2 points

      Even though To’omua was only on the field for 51 minutes against the Waratahs, the impact that he did have on the match was simply crucial.

      Let’s start with the highlight play that has without a doubt caught plenty of fans’ eyes, that being of course his try of the seasons contender.

      From nothing really, To’omua got the ball from scrumhalf Joe Powell at the half-way line. But the passage of play that followed really does show his class.

      Just like Paisami, with the ball in two hands, the flyhalf threw a show-and-go before backing himself through a hole in the Waratahs defensive line. A chip and chase, and the favourable bounce that sat up perfectly, saw him score what has to be one of the best individual tries I’ve seen.

      But other that that, the captain’s leadership guided his team around the park effectively, with the Rebels playing arguably their best game this season – in front of their home crowd too.

      His kicking was once again accurate, finishing the night with an 18-point haul. Also out of hand as well, his kicking was effective.

      Again, he may have only played 51 minutes, but I couldn’t really fault his performance.

      Richard Hardwick (Rebels) – 1 point

      Hardwick’s work rate and impact around the breakdown was outstanding in round five, and I’m sure most would agree that he deserves to be in the conversation for being one of the best players in the round.

      The 26-year-old showcased his skill at the breakdown against the Tahs, with his side winning some penalties on the back of his work in that area.

      The Rebels so nearly benefited from one of those efforts early-on, with Hardwick tackling Waratahs fullback Nawaqanitawase before releasing, and then attempting a steal. From there, the Rebels had an attacking lineout five-metres out, but after getting to the line, were ruled to have been held up.

      Another effort in the 45th minute saw him make a tackle, bounce back him onto his feet to make another, before releasing and getting over the ball.

      Defensively as well, he worked hard to get involved, making 13 but missing four.

      https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1373814132986638341

      Honourable mentions

      Fraser McReight (Reds)

      The work rate of the Wallaby was once again elite, seemingly involved in a lot of the play as result.

      Take his involvement in a passage of play in the 58th minute as an example, which so nearly led to a great team try.

      Jordan Petaia broke through the Force line around halfway and from then, you could see McReight putting in the work – making an effort to be there in support. Once he did get the ball, McReight was tackled by Byron Ralston.

      McReight did manage to pop the ball up to Bryce Hegarty, but the replacement dropped the ball with the line in sight.

      McReight did also have a try ruled out early in the 47th minute.

      To sum it up though, he made the equal-most tackles of any player in the round with 18, and he didn’t miss any. He also had five carries for 25 metres, and made seven passes.

      Tate McDermott (Reds)

      McDermott played what was potentially his best game of the 2021 season so far, scoring a try and assisting two more in the win over the Force. He also managed to beat five defenders on the night.

      The scrumhalf, who was very impressive last season, caught my eye just 90 minutes into the match with a run he made from a scrum.

      For the third time in this article, it was another example of a player running with the ball in two hands (after initially running with it tucked under his arm), and it so nearly paid off. Instead, the ball was knocked on by the Force, as McDermott attempted to send Jordan Petaia through a gap with a pass.

      Soon after though, McDermott made an impact on the scoreboard by crossing for the first try of the match. Off another scrum, Harry Wilson popped the ball to the scrumhalf six metres out from the line, before McDermott used his pace and agility to fight his way to the line.

      2021 Finn Morton’s Super Rugby AU MVP watch

      = 1st: Fraser McReight (Reds) and Marika Koroibete (Rebels) – 3.5 points

      = 3rd: Matt To’omua (Rebels), Mackenzie Hansen (Brumbies) and Tim Anstee (Force) – 3 points

      6th :Fergus Lee-Warner (Force) – 2.5 points

      = 7th: James O’Connor (Reds), Alex Mafi (Reds) and Pete Samu (Brumbies) – 2 points

      =10th: Filipo Daugunu (Reds), Tom Banks (Brumbies), Ryan Lonergan (Brumbies), Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies) and Noah Lolesio (Brumbies) – 1 point

      = 15th: Carlo Tizzano (Waratahs) and Taniela Tupou (Reds) – 0.5 points

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      P
      PL 19 minutes ago
      Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

      I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

      Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


      Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


      The officiating of last feet is non existent

      The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

      A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


      Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

      Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


      About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

      Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


      The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


      I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


      The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

      Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

      Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

      My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


      Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


      Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

      Last feet to last feet + 1 m


      When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


      As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


      Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

      25 were scrum for dissent


      Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


      All the s.ite would disappear


      The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


      Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

      1 Go to comments
      S
      Soliloquin 1 hour ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

      His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

      But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

      And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


      I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

      For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

      But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


      As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

      Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


      And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

      So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

      France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

      236 Go to comments
      S
      Soliloquin 1 hour ago
      Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

      Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

      But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

      He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

      Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

      He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

      He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


      I really hope that:

      -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

      -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

      -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

      236 Go to comments
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