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Waratahs player ratings vs Brumbies | Super Rugby Pacific

The first Australian instalment of Super Rugby Pacific 2023 saw the Waratah’s host the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

The first Australian instalment of Super Rugby Pacific 2023 saw the Waratahs host the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. The Waratahs, who have been touted to be a resurgent force in 2023, were outthought and outplayed by the Brumbies who took the game 31-25.

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The Waratahs failed to fire at set piece and thus didn’t find their rhythm and tempo in attack, however did enough to show if they can get their set piece to click they can be the side many have tipped them to be in 2023.

Yet, that may be a problem compounded by yet another injury to outstanding loose head prop Angus Bell who looked primed for a man-of-the-match performance before having to leave the field.

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This is how the Waratahs rated.

 

  1. Ben Donaldson – 6/10

Managed his role well and kept the Brumbies pinned in their own half with some accurate kicking. Doesn’t look out of place.

 

  1. Mark Nawaqanitawase – 6

Looked dangerous and looked for work however was guilty at times of perhaps over playing his hand.

 

  1. Izaia Perese – 5.5

Like Foketi struggled to find his way into the match. However, what is positive is that he is back after a long injury lay off.

 

  1. Lalakai Foketi – 6

He was solid but fell victim to the lack of descent possession in attack. Solid in defence and expect him to improve over the next several weeks.

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  1. Max Jorgensen – 8

I thought he was superb in a losing side. Whilst he does not have blistering pace, he does possess balance, strength, vision and a fair set of heels that saw him score two wonderful tries.

 

  1. Tane Edmed – 5

Didn’t happen for him tonight. Got found out in defence and was guilty of playing a little too laterally in attack. Has better rugby in him.

 

  1. Jake Gordon – 6.5

A fair effort however probably couldn’t get his side playing more fluently due to the scrappy possession he received from the set piece. To his credit he scored a wonderful try to keep his side in the hunt.

 

  1. Angus Bell – 8

Was an absolute brut be it in the carry, defensive line or set piece. This coupled with a silky set of hands reminded us what potential this man has however had to leave the field due to what appears to be yet another injury. Frustrating for all concerned.

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  1. Dave Poreki – 6

Credit for courage for his defensive efforts against a rampaging Rob Valentini however his tackling technique was questionable. Generally, he appeared to be dusting off the cobwebs but had a fair dig.

 

  1. Archer Holz – 5

There has been plenty of praise for this young prop however tonight he was rebranded from ‘promising’ to ‘exposed’. The Waratahs struggled to launch their attack off the scrum as it was under so much pressure through the tight head side. Plenty of work to do.

 

  1. Jed Holloway – 6

Put in a clunky performance. He ran to high at times, passed poorly and generally failed to impose himself on the game that saw him break into the Wallabies in 2022. Has much butter rugby in him.

 

  1. Taleni Seu – 5.5

Is a massive human however he was simply too high in contact on both sides of the ball. If the Tah’s want to get the best out of his frame, he will need to adjust or he is a bit of a passenger.

 

  1. Lachlan Swinton – 6

A solid return after a long lay off with injury and was enthused to see he didn’t give away any penalties. Expect him to build off this performance.

 

  1. Michael Hooper – 7

Exhaustive performance as expected. What pleased was how he keeps appearing when he side need him most, be it as a support runner, defender and ball carrier.

 

  1. Charlie Gamble – 7

Impressive effort however was guilty of undoing his good work with an unforced error or two. Not convinced 8 is his best position and perhaps the Waratahs would have been better served by starting Will Harris or Langi.

 

Replacements:

  1. Mahe Vailanu – 6.5 – Brought some impact and some genuine gain line punch when he came on. Looks like a promising prospect.
  2. Tom Lambert – 6.5 – Played more minutes than expected and despite struggling in the set piece showed he has plenty to offer around the park.
  3. Te Tera Faulkner – 6.5 – brought some stability to the set piece but also showed some silky skills at first receiver and also in a number of supporting runs. Ageing well.
  4. Hugh Sinclair – 5.5 – Brought some energy when he came on, as required.
  5. Langi Gleeson – 6 – A fair effort however is probably better suited to the physicality of the opening stages of the match. Didn’t quite find his way into the match.
  6. Will Harris – 6.5 – Found meters in the wider channels and brought some tempo to the match.
  7. Harrison Goddard – N/A
  8. Nemani Nadolo – 5.5 – Had several promising touches and looks suited to the impact role off the bench.
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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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