Why Australian rugby ‘needs a miracle to unfold’ as 17-year first would ‘spell disaster’ for Super Rugby Pacific
The bank balance might look healthier than it has for years, but the picture isn't so rosy on the field for Australia.
Australian rugby needs a miracle to unfold over the next month.
The bank balance might look healthier than it has for years, but the picture isn’t so rosy on the field.
Indeed, with three rounds of the regular season left, all the signs point to New Zealand’s Super Rugby sides making it a one-two-three-four. It’s why the Reds’ 31-21 loss to the Chiefs, and the questionable decision-making of New Zealand referee, Marcus Playle, was so significant.
If that occurs, it will be the first time since 2009 that no Australian Super Rugby side has finished in the top four of a regular season.
It also means that unless an Australian team makes history by winning across the ditch for the first time in a Super Rugby play-off match, it will be an all-New Zealand semi-finals series.
Not only will that spell disaster for Super Rugby, who are desperate to see more jeopardy come back, but it will hurt the broadcast ratings, especially in Australia.
That factor alone might see next year’s Super Rugby competition move to a conference model, which includes two Australian sides automatically qualify for a new four-team finals series.
Alarmingly, too, the struggles come off the back of the Wallabies’ second-half fadeout in 2025, where the national team lost ten Tests for the first time, including losing seven of its last eight Tests.
The gloomy results all point to Rugby Australia needing a crystal-clear, long-term vision for the game that won’t arise with subtle tweaks.
At that point, it’s a five to ten-year rebuild.
Teenager presents a ray of life
For a nation in need of some reasons for hope, Australian rugby got one on Friday night with Treyvon Pritchard scoring his first try in Super Rugby.
The teenage star has the best feet from an Australian rugby player since James O’Connor burst onto the scene. And that’s saying something given Max Jorgensen only hit the big time in 2023.
In what was his eighth match, and seventh off the bench, the teenage sensation skinned All Blacks regular Damian McKenzie on the outside to give the Reds some late hope of toppling the Chiefs.
The New Zealand heavyweights managed to seal the victory soon after, but the brilliant footwork was Pritchard’s latest highlight reel moment – and the 19-year-old is likely in a battle with Waratahs outside back Sid Harvey for Super Rugby’s breakout player of the competition.
Harvey probably has his nose in front, but Pritchard could well be fast-tracked into the Wallabies.
The Reds prodigy was a schoolboy prodigy and attracted serious attention from the NRL.
Capable of playing anywhere from fly-half to full-back, the Reds have earmarked Pritchard as a full-back in 2027 – and could even start him in the No.15 jersey if Wallaby Jock Campbell leaves the franchise at season’s end.
‘Tahs woes killing Rugby Australia
With the Waratahs’ season on the line against the Highlanders, the first-half performance from Dan McKellar’s men was unacceptable.
The Waratahs might have been down 28-7 at half-time, but it could easily have been worse had Pete Samu not interjected to make a clutch turnover on his own line in the final seconds of the first half.
The Waratahs’ tight-five, in particular, were demolished.
But the issues went beyond the faltering scrum, with some of its big names – and prized recruits – failing to aim up.
Joe Schmidt makes bold revelation on Les Kiss’ involvement in Wallabies selection process
Centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii missed two early tackles, while the Highlanders also sliced between back-row pair Angus Scott-Young and Samu.
It’s small wonder that McKellar was red like a tomato during large chunks in the first half.
The unfortunate reality is that the Waratahs almost stole the game.
With Jona Nareki shown an upgraded red card, the Waratahs found space and nearly finished over the Highlanders.
Only some poor finishing inside the Highlanders’ 22-metre zone cruelled their hopes of stealing the game in Dunedin.
While the Waratahs remain a mathematical chance of scraping into the six-team play-offs, the men in blue, who play just metes from Rugby Australia’s Moore Park headquarters, look set to miss the finals again.
If that occurs, RA will want some answers from McKellar.
Suaalii conundrum
Suaalii has long been used to garnering attention, but rarely before has the code-hopper’s place ever been so scrutinised.
Suaalii will likely start against Ireland on July 4, but his selection will likely be down to reputation rather than form.
Although he still remains a physical presence, Suaalii’s defence was exposed by the Highlanders’ threatening backline.
The Wallabies No.13 had a horror opening ten minutes against the Highlanders and the sight of Caleb Tangitau slicing straight past him was an ugly sight for Australian rugby fans.
At present, Josh Flook is the form No.13 in Australian rugby, while many still think Len Ikitau will eventually return to the position under Les Kiss.
Half-back’s reminder
Less than two months out from the Wallabies’ season opener and you can count the number of locked on starters on one hand.
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While Joe Schmidt will likely be conservative with his selection for the Nations Championship, he will want some of his regulars to return to form.
That includes Jake Gordon, who has hardly set the world alight for the Waratahs in 2026.
But the form of Ryan Lonergan is proving hard to ignore.
Not only is Lonergan running with the ball more than ever before, his swift pass and goal-kicking is proving compelling.
His 17-point haul against the Western Force was his latest strong performance.
It also came when Henry Robertson, who was mounting his own Test case, went down injured.
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