Super charged: Big games, Will Jordan set to shine

David Skippers

Ahead of 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 Waratahs

After experiencing contrasting fortunes in their tournament openers last weekend, both these teams will be determined to hit the ground running when they face off at GIO Stadium in Canberra.

Defending champions the Brumbies kicked off their campaign with a workmanlike performance in their 27-11 triumph against the Western Force, while the Waratahs came off second best in most facets of play in their humiliating 41-7 defeat to the Reds.

That makes the Brumbies overwhelming favourites and there should be plenty of confidence in their ranks heading into this encounter, as they also won both matches between these side during the 2020 tournament. After pipping the Waratahs 24-23 in a Round Three clash in Sydney, it was a different story in the return match in Canberra later in the year as the Brumbies ran roughshod over the Sydneysiders to claim an emphatic 38-11 victory.

With these teams based relatively close to each other, it’s no surprise that an intense rivalry has developed over the years and both sides will be highly motivated as they head into this fixture.

The battle between the fly-halves is an interesting one as it pits two of the rising stars of the Australian game against each other.

The Brumbies’ Noah Lolesio and Waratahs counterpart Will Harrison are both just 21 and have been competing or playing together since Australian Schoolboys and U20s days.

Judging from the line-ups, the Brumbies should cruise to victory as they have a more settled look to their matchday squad with experienced heads like their captain, Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Pete Samu, Tom Banks and Lolesio expected to lead their charge.

Meanwhile, Harrison, Jack Maddocks, captain Alex Newsome and Jack Dempsey will be at the forefront of the visitors’ onslaught while they also received a boost with the return of robust flanker Lachie Swinton.

Super Rugby Aotearoa game to watch – Highlanders v Crusaders

The Crusaders kick off their Super Rugby Aotearoa title defence against their South Island rivals in what should be an entertaining encounter in Dunedin.

As New Zealand’s most successful franchise, the Crusaders will be under pressure and apart from trying to claim their second successive Super Rugby Aotearoa crown, they are also chasing their fifth straight overall Super Rugby title.

Scott Robertson’s men will be buoyed by having a near full-strength squad for this fixture. All eyes will be on promising young inside centre Dallas McLeod, who gets an early chance to nail down a place in the run-on side alongside All Blacks star Jack Goodhue in midfield. McLeod comes into the team as David Havili is out with concussion and Braydon Ennor has been sidelined for the season with an ACL injury.

In addition, the Crusaders have been boosted by the return of their captain and lock Scott Barrett. The 27-year-old missed the Crusaders’ victorious 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign with a foot injury but is back to form a formidable second-row partnership with fellow All Black Sam Whitelock.

Meanwhile, the Highlanders come into the game somewhat depleted with off-season recruits Jermaine Ainsley (prop) and Fetuli Paea (utility back) out for the season with ankle injuries. However, they are boosted by the return of All Blacks flanker Liam Squire after a stint in Japan’s Top League with DoCoMo Red Hurricanes and he has been named on the bench this weekend.

Highlanders head coach Tony Brown has made improving his defence a priority as the Dunedin-based team shipped 34 tries, the most in the competition last year. They brought in their former back-row Shane Christie as a defence coach from Tasman and judging by their performances in pre-season it is already on the mend.

Last season, the Highlanders lost both games to the Crusaders with an overall score of 72-42, so look for the men from Dunedin to use their new found defensive quality to try and shut down an explosive Crusaders outfit.

Player to watch – Will Jordan (Crusaders)

Jordan was arguably New Zealand’s biggest breakout star in 2020 as he earned a call-up to the All Blacks squad following a strong season and a terrific display in the North vs South game.

The full-back made his international debut on the wing against Australia in Brisbane in 2020 and scored two tries in the final Test of the year against Argentina, highlighting his potential.

The 23-year-old has the ball handling skills of Steph Curry, pace to burn and an ability to find the try-line in a way few can. Injury to Havili has opened the door for Jordan to start the season at full-back, so look for him to make an immediate impact in order to cement the jersey as his own this season.

One-v-one battle to watch – Reece Hodge (Reds) vs Hunter Paisami (Rebels)

Interestingly, Dave Wessels has selected Matt Toomua to start at fly-half ahead of Hodge. The Wallabies originally viewed the midfield as Hodge’s strongest position, but after an injury crisis they were forced to select him at fly-half and he delivered the goods with a commanding performance during a win against the All Blacks in Brisbane last year.

But Wessels has opted to play Hodge in his familiar inside centre position and he will go toe-to-toe with Reds star Hunter Paisami, who is fast making a name for himself with his superb attacking skills as well as impressive defensive attributes.

Paisami stood out in 2020 and also earned Test honours as his explosive speed and excellent running lines caught the eye of Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie. Look for him to try and show a more complete version of himself to impress Rennie again this year.

Both will have a role to play when it comes to complimentary playmaking, kicking and carrying the ball. Whoever wins that match-up will likely be on the winning team at the end of the day.

Subplot to watch – Suliasi Vunivalu (Reds)

The highlight of Brad Thorn’s Reds selection for that clash with the Rebels is former Melbourne Storm rugby league star Suliasi Vunivalu, who has been included on the replacements bench.

The 25-year-old’s switch to the 15-a-side code got off to a horrible start as he wasn’t considered for selection last week after being stood down for allegedly pushing a security guard in a Brisbane pub.

Vunivalu played his final league game last October, scoring a try for the Storm in their NRL Grand Final win against the Penrith Panthers before being named in the Wallabies squad for the Tri Nations.

Although Vunivalu didn’t make his debut, all eyes will be on him to see if he can put his recent off-field issues behind him and replicate the success of fellow league convert Marika Koroibete, who also joined rugby union’s ranks from the Storm in 2017.

Best of the rest

The only other match on this weekend’s schedule is the Super Rugby Aotearoa derby between the Hurricanes and Blues in Wellington on Saturday.

That fixture will be a momentous occasion for All Blacks back-rower Ardie Savea as it will be the first time that he captains the Hurricanes and he will also play in his 100th game for the side.

Meanwhile, his brother, Julian, is set to make his first appearance for the men from Wellington since 2018.

If the previous clash between these sides is to be used as a guideline – when the Hurricanes claimed a narrow victory at the same venue last year – then this should be another thrilling spectacle.