Super charged: Big games and all eyes on Suliasi Vunivulu

David Skippers
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Before this weekend’s Super Rugby AU and Aotearoa games, Planet Rugby previews the biggest talking points ahead of the action.

Super Rugby AU game to watch – Brumbies v Reds

Both the Brumbies and Reds will be keen to maintain their unbeaten starts to the Super Rugby AU campaign as the tournament front-runners lock horns in Canberra.

The Brumbies head into this game having edged the Rebels 27-24 in their previous match – a result they secured courtesy of an heroic late penalty from Ryan Lonergan.

As for the Reds, they come into this clash refreshed after a bye last weekend. Head coach Brad Thorn has shown the importance of this match by unleashing former rugby league star Suliasi Vunivulu for his starting debut and the Queensland-based outfit will also be boosted by having an international midfield combination with Wallabies duo Hunter Paisami and Jordan Petaia pairing up.

Meanwhile, Dan McKellar’s team will be depleted in the front-row with Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper absent through suspension and injury respectively, but they are buoyed by the experienced head of Scott Sio coming through last weekend unscathed.

Last year’s regular-season fixtures between the sides ended all square with the Brumbies claiming a narrow 22-20 win in Canberra in August, thanks to a late Connal McInerney try, before the Reds ran rampant and claimed a 26-7 victory in the return match in Brisbane in September. The Brumbies would have the last laugh, however, as they came out on top courtesy of a 28-23 triumph in the final later that month.

Saturday’s game will be an opportunity for both to lay down an early marker in this year’s competition, and cement themselves as title favourites.

Super Rugby Aotearoa game to watch – Blues v Highlanders

The Highlanders and Blues will both be on a mission to secure back-to-back victories when they face off in a highly anticipated encounter at Eden Park on Sunday.

The Dunedin-based outfit rebounded from their Round One defeat to the Crusaders with a 39-23 win against the Chiefs in Waikato, scoring 26 unanswered points during the second half with a Jona Nareki hat-trick ensuring the win.

As for the Blues, they come in refreshed after having a bye last weekend, but will look to continue their unbeaten start after beating the Hurricanes 31-16 in their tournament opener, thanks largely to an 11-point contribution from the boot of Otere Black.

The Blues have held the advantage in this fixture in recent years, winning three of the last four matches against the Highlanders, including both games last season. However, this year’s Highlanders team looks much improved under the guidance of head coach Tony Brown and it should be another interesting affair between two attack-minded teams.

Player to watch – Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds)

All eyes will be on Vunivalu this weekend as the former Melbourne Storm star makes his first start in rugby union against the Brumbies.

Vunivalu caught the eye with a cameo against the Rebels two weeks ago and, after their bye, Thorn will look to unleash the wing’s speed, power and athleticism against Super Rugby AU’s defending champions.

The Reds have high expectations ahead of Vunivalu’s run-on debut and have made Hamish Stewart the unlucky casualty despite his strong showing at inside centre two weeks ago. Even with all the build-up, look for Vunivalu to accept the challenge and make his mark in this encounter.

One-v-one battle to watch – Will Jordan (Crusaders) v Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

What a blockbuster clash this will be between two of the most exciting full-backs in the game as Jordan takes on McKenzie in Christchurch. These two will be gunning for New Zealand’s number 15 shirt, with Beauden Barrett currently playing his rugby in Japan, so this game is an ideal opportunity to really lay down a marker and let head coach Ian Foster know they are the man to spark an All Blacks’ revival in 2021.

It could be said that Jordan has made more of his chances in the black shirt than his opponent this weekend, but do not write off an injury-free McKenzie putting together a dazzling run of form, which would be a wonderful sight for Chiefs supporters who need their star to shine.

Subplot to watch – Left wing battle in Auckland

Saturday’s contest between the Blues and Highlanders will see two of the most exciting young wings in New Zealand, Caleb Clarke and Nareki, lining up for their respective sides.

Nareki starred last weekend with a hat-trick against the Chiefs on the road while Clarke, who has shone for the Blues and All Blacks of late, continued to enhance his reputation with an impressive showing against the Hurricanes in Round One.

Clarke laid down a marker in Super Rugby Aotearoa last year, with his speed, explosiveness and power earning him the title of the next Jonah Lomu. The 21-year-old followed that up with an All Blacks debut and a Rugby Championship campaign to savour.

Nareki though looks like the next cab off the rank as the All Blacks continue to find and develop wings with ease. Although it’s still early in the season, both players will likely be in the conversation for Test selection ahead of the Rugby Championship if they continue with their excellent form in this game and for the rest of the season.

Best of the rest

In Australia, the Western Force take on the Melbourne Rebels in Perth in what should be an entertaining encounter between two evenly matched sides. The Force will be buzzing after they ground out a deserved 20-16 win over the Waratahs last weekend.

That result was a momentous one for the Force as it ended an eight-match losing streak in the competition. They will be quietly confident of building on that result against the Rebels, who are still winless this year after suffering narrow defeats to the Reds and Brumbies in their previous games.

 

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