Super charged: Full-back feast and brotherly love

David Skippers
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Making its return, we bring you Super charged, in which we preview the main talking points ahead of the Super Rugby Aotearoa and AU action.

Super Rugby AU game to watch – Waratahs v Brumbies

The Waratahs will be hoping to stay on the victory trail when they host the Brumbies in what should be an evenly contested encounter in Sydney on Saturday.

That will be easier said than done, however, as they face a confident Brumbies outfit, who have been the best Australian side in Super Rugby of late. Dan McKellar’s troops have been the Waratahs’ bogey team recently as they have won seven of the last eight games in this fixture and they have also won all four of the most recent matches against the Sydneysiders.

Overall, the Brumbies also hold a slight edge as they have won 18 of the 35 matches played between these teams, with the Waratahs victorious on 17 occasions.

The Waratahs’ Super Rugby AU campaign started on a low note when they suffered a 32-26 loss to the Reds in their tournament opener in Brisbane. Despite that defeat, which was the first time they lost to the Reds since 2013, Rob Penney’s side bounced back with a 23-14 triumph over the Western Force last weekend.

Fresh off last weekend’s bye, the Brumbies started their campaign with a 31-23 bonus-point victory over the Melbourne Rebels in their opener in Canberra on July 4.

The Brumbies forward play has been one of the standout features of their game, especially their scrummaging, although they had an off day against the Rebels and came off second best in that department.

That means there could be a backlash against the Waratahs but Penney said while they wouldn’t take the Brumbies lightly, they weren’t overly intimidated by their opposing pack.

“They feed off their set piece obviously, it’s a big part of their energy comes from their set piece so they are quality,” he said.

“The Rebels had a great outing against them, particularly at scrum time last week, good credit to particularly their young tighthead that did well.

“I think we really respect the Brumbies without being intimidated by them as a forward pack. That’s a good place for us to be in, I think.”

The Brumbies will be hoping to continue where they left off in the previous encounter against the Waratahs when they claimed a 47-14 home victory in a Round Seven Super Rugby fixture earlier this year.

Super Rugby Aotearoa game to watch – Hurricanes v Blues

There is no Crusaders this week, who are on their bye, which means that the Blues have the opportunity to close the gap on the defending Super Rugby champions by overcoming the Hurricanes on Saturday.

Scott Robertson’s men won the battle of the top two last weekend, producing an outstanding final quarter to claim a 26-15 triumph, but there are signs that the Aucklanders are getting closer to their arch rivals.

For a few years, this once great franchise could not beat any of their New Zealand rivals, but that has now changed and, under Leon MacDonald, they are looking a far more confident outfit. Signing the likes of two-time World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett no doubt helps, but they have made progress in all facets of the game.

Up front, they are far more dynamic while the set-piece, despite a few issues, is improving. As a result, they have impressed this year and will attempt to secure their third victory over the Hurricanes in 2020.

The men from the capital will therefore be out for revenge following 24-15 and 30-20 defeats. They will need to improve significantly, however, having struggled for fluency since the departure of playmaker Barrett.

Jason Holland’s men have sealed successive wins over the Chiefs and Highlanders to garner some momentum, but they have not exactly been convincing. An underperforming pack has not helped, with crucial cogs Ardie Savea and Dane Coles struggling to find their best, but there is plenty of potential in that side should they click.

Player to watch – Tom Banks (Brumbies)

After missing the Brumbies’ first round triumph over the Rebels due to injury, Banks is set make his first Super Rugby AU appearance when the Canberra-based outfit take on the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.

The Wallabies full-back is the major inclusion for the Brumbies in the only change to their matchday 23. Banks sat out that win over the Rebels with stress fractures in his foot and his return will be a big boost for his team.

The 26-year-old is a brilliant attacker and has been one of the Brumbies’ best players in recent years. Banks possesses quick feet, has an eye for a gap and when on song he is one of the game’s best strike runners. He was in fine form in last year’s Super Rugby competition and played a leading role as his team finished at the top of the Australian Conference before losing in the semi-finals.

He continued to impress during this year’s curtailed Super Rugby tournament and Brumbies fans will be hoping he hits the ground running when he returns to action on Saturday. He was in superb form when his side beat the Waratahs earlier this year.

One-v-one battle to watch – Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes) v Beauden Barrett (Blues)

The brothers go head-to-head in what should be a thrilling and ultimately interesting duel, which may have implications for All Blacks selection. Richie Mo’unga, with his stunning final 20 minutes for the Crusaders last week, showed why he should be the man entrusted with the fly-half shirt going forward, and that duly leaves plenty of contenders for the full-back position.

Beauden, who was moved to 15 ahead of the World Cup, has continued in that slot for the Blues, but he hasn’t quite found his best. The 29-year-old has shown a number of neat touches and has often moved into first receiver during phase play, but there have been a few teething issues.

For starters, his kicking out of hand has been wayward. Whether it be clearance kicks or up and unders, Barrett just hasn’t found the requisite accuracy, which will no doubt be a concern for New Zealand boss Ian Foster.

There is also a lack of explosiveness at the moment from one of the quickest men in the game and he will look to rectify those problems this weekend against a brother who is in impressive form.

Jordie is stronger, more powerful and has a bigger boot than his older sibling, while his angles of running and passing range make him a threat from anywhere. His assist for Kobus van Wyk’s try against the Highlanders was outstanding and a good performance on Saturday could see him surge up the pecking order for All Blacks selection.

Subplot to watch – Can the Aussies get closer to their Tasman neighbours?

While we have all been thrilled by the New Zealand derbies, the same cannot be said for the Australian encounters. Although they are hampered somewhat, given that there is a limit on supporters entering the ground due to coronavirus restrictions, the quality just isn’t there at the moment.

There are some talented youngsters coming through, as evidenced by the Junior Wallabies’ performance in the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship, but the depth isn’t there to make it an entertaining enough spectacle.

Reds v Force simply doesn’t whet the appetite, even if the development of starlets Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Taniela Tupou makes you keep notice, and as a result the competition is struggling.

The Chiefs and Highlanders may well be the bottom two sides in Super Rugby Aotearoa but no doubt the physicality, intensity and skill set will be higher than their Aussie rivals this weekend.

Rugby union needs a strong Australia and hopefully there will be an improvement in the two matches on Friday and Saturday.

 

Blues