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Brumbies player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Trans-Tasman

(Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

The runners up from Super Rugby Aotearoa hosted the runners up of Super Rugby AU at FMG Stadium Waikato this evening with the Brumbies searching for their first victory of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

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The men from the Australian capital will have to wait at least another week as they were taken to the cleaners off the back of a dominant Chiefs forward pack who dominated the collision areas of the game convincingly that enabled their comfortable 40-19 win.

This how the Brumbies rated.

1. Scott Sio – 6/10

A forgettable night for the veteran loose head. He had a tough time of it in the set piece and never really found his way into the match subsequently. Expect a fearsome response next week.

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2. Lachlan Lonergan – 6.5

His scrummaging was questioned tonight and it appears he has work to day in that aspect of play before he will attain a Wallaby cap. What did impress was his general play in which he showed defensive nous and skill with the ball in hand.

3. Allan Alaalatoa – 6.5

Was a tough night for the front row and he was outgunned tonight by Aiden Ross up front. Enjoyed his work rate in general play and worked hard in an effort to grind his team back into some forward momentum but it wasn’t to be.

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4. Darcy Swain – 6

He had his moments, in particular the lineout but the issues with the Brumbies front row appeared to stem from a lack of power from behind in which Swain will have to take some responsibility for. Was yellow carded for a high shot late in the game that didn’t assist the situation at all. Has better rugby in him.

5. Nick Frost – 7.5

Was the best Brumby on the park. He was a threat to the Chiefs lineout but also tireless in both attack and defence and was one of the few Brumbies forwards that consistently punctured the Chiefs defence when in attack. The big unit has a big engine and really left it all out on the park tonight.

6. Henry Stowers – 7

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A very tough performance tonight and he illustrated he has the ability to play in this class of rugby. Defensively reliable, was disciplined but needed to dominate the gain line in attack more tonight.

7. Rory Scott – 6

A bit of a David Croft look-a-like in the white head gear. He was busy but appeared to missing in the immense physicality of this game. The Brumbies looked better with the bigger bodied Tom Cusack on. Respectable effort none-the-less.

8. Rob Valetini – 7.5

Along with Frost he was one of the few Brumbies who really returned serve with some physicality of his own on both sides of the ball. He absolutely tackled his heart out tonight and thoroughly deserved his try on full time.

9. Ryan Lonergan – 6

He was busy and had his moments but didn’t enjoy enough front foot ball to display his abilities tonight. Furthermore, the Brumbies missed the game management of Nic White in the 9 jersey and that is an area he needs to improve on.

10. Noah Lolesio – 6

A fair effort but he was suffocated by some excellent Chiefs defence. His side would have benefited more from him taking the ball to the line more often and thought his option taking tonight wasn’t always the most optimal.

11. Tom Wright – 5.5

Terrible night in defence and never really found his way into the match despite the odd dangerous run. Has much better rugby in him.

12. Irae Simone – 5.5

Far too much space was gained through his channel in defence and that hurt the Brumbies tonight.

13. Len Ikitau – 7

A fair effort tonight, solid in defence and dangerous in attack when the opportunities presented.

14. Solomone Kata – 7.5

The most threatening of the Brumbies backs and was a real handful for the Chiefs defence just about every time he touched the ball. Would have liked to have seen the Brumbies use him coming off his wing more to draw in defence.

15. Tom Banks – 6.5

Had his moments but lacked the front foot ball and the space required to really threaten the Chiefs out wide. A frustrating night for him.

Reserves:

16. Connal McInerney – 6

Came on and improved the scrum. Contributed around the park but looked short of a run after an injury lay off.

17. Harry Lloyd – 6

He applied himself well to the scrum and generally looked to impose himself.

18. Tom Ross – 6

Toiled hard when the match was gone.

19. Tom Hooper – 6

Looked to involve himself and had several involvements that indicate he is a player to keep an eye on.

20. Tom Cusack – 6

The Brumbies appeared more composed when he was on the park and he was industrious but defensively lapsed more often that he would like.

21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa – 6.5

Brought a sharpness and tempo to the Brumbies game that really benefited his side. Was strong into contact and brought the impact his coaches were no doubt looking for. A start beckons.

22. Bayley Kuenzle – 7

Was potent in attack and really showed the way for the Brumbies through the centre of the park. Displayed good feet around the contact, space identification and an offload. A good shift.

23. Mack Hansen – N/A

Came on but didn’t see enough.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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