Super Rugby Au Final - Brumbies v Reds

[Brumby Runner]

A few will disagree but Lolesio finished on top of JOC (James O'Connor). Other Brumbies to win their one-on-one contests included Ala'alatoa, Fainga'a, Neville, Powell, Simone, Kuridrani, Wright, Muirhead and Banks. In fact the whole backline played better than their opponents.

Neville had another blinder. In all the tough stuff and won two or three Lineouts against the throw. Joe Powell better than Nic White and Tate McDermott. Simone best back on the field just in front of Tom Wright.

If Petaia's injury proves to be severe, TK is waiting in the wings to take the spot in the squad and probably the starting 13 position on tonight's form.

 

[Up the Guts]

Lolesio, Quade-like is protected in D back at full back, where JOC (James O'Connor) defends the 10 slot.

JOC (James O'Connor) often plays at fullback in general play to field kicks as Lolesio was (and I know JOC (James O'Connor) defends in the front line and is a good defender off setpiece)

 

[Up the Guts]

A few will disagree but Lolesio finished on top of JOC (James O'Connor). Other Brumbies to win their one-on-one contests included Ala'alatoa, Fainga'a, Neville, Powell, Simone, Kuridrani, Wright, Muirhead and Banks. In fact the whole backline played better than their opponents.

Neville had another blinder. In all the tough stuff and won two or three Lineouts against the throw. Joe Powell better than Nic White and Tate McDermott. Simone best back on the field just in front of Tom Wright.

If Petaia's injury proves to be severe, TK is waiting in the wings to take the spot in the squad and probably the starting 13 position on tonight's form.

If LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) is out for a few weeks Neville too may come straight into the 23

 

[Uh huh]

Gardner is a rare case of someone getting worse with experience. Backs himself way too much and has no sense for the rhythm of the game.

He allowed play to continue for far too long when Salakaia-Loto was knocked out.

 

[Slim 293]

I thought the Brumbies took Powell off way too early........... he was managing the game far better than White.

 

[dru]

JOC (James O'Connor) often plays at fullback in general play to field kicks as Lolesio was (and I know JOC (James O'Connor) defends in the front line and is a good defender off setpiece)

Yes there is positioning for a kick return, then there is defending in the channel.

 

[Slim 293]

One trick ponies

 

[sunnyboys]

A lot of hype during the week about the Reds. They were never that team. Tonight showed a player group that has very poor temperament - ill-discipline has been a hallmark of the team for the last 3 years. And it lost them the game tonight.

You wouldn’t want to be sending any of them out in a Wallabies jersey.

Thorn has improved them by 1 win this season compared the previous two.

We need to be careful of the hype. That stats don’t back it up.

 

[formerflanker]

It seemed that the Brumbies game plan changed immediately White came on. They went from up tempo quick recycling to long pauses with the ball sitting at the back of the ruck followed by a White box kick.
My only question is did that call come from the coach or was is a White decision.
I thought that gave the Reds an opportunity to win.

 

[Up the Guts]

Yes there is positioning for a kick return, then there is defending in the channel.

I didn't notice Lolesio not defending in the channel, I did notice him fielding a lot of high balls in general play.

JOC (James O'Connor) is an excellent defender, I haven't noticed anything from Lolesio to suggest he is poor. I still have JOC (James O'Connor) as starting Wallabies 10 but Noah was all class tonight and a deserving MOTM.

 

[molman]

I thought the Brumbies took Powell off way too early..... he was managing the game far better than White.

He managed the game well. I thought his start was as much about his partnership with Lolesio that had formed earlier in the year.

 

[molman]

Surely that’s not the best referee we have in Australia. Perplexing decisions both ways. Scrappy game but the Brumbies played smarter. Control the territory and wait for the inevitable.

I think the issue is that people on one hand want the refs calling every transgression and then on the other hand balk when they call everything with complaints that they are making it about them. It's a kind of damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. The reality is that the breakdowns could have been a lot better, some of the scrum calls I thought a little weak/odd but in the scheme of things it kept the game flowing. You could see the areas they had finally decided to go a little harder at like the pilfer attempts.

At the end of the day, Gardner's performance wasn't the aspect that decided the result.

 

[Slim 293]

Gardner really grates me sometimes, but I've got to say I didn't notice him tonight...........

He didn't make any howlers, or miss some giant transgression, and there were no controversial game defining decisions............

He was fine......... but there were certainly a lot of posts about him?

 

[mst]

I thought the Brumbies took Powell off way too early..... he was managing the game far better than White.

Totally agree. Sadly White's signing may have pushed him out the door. Backwards step IMHO.

 

[Uh huh]

Well, whoever decided MOTM thought he finished on top. I thought both he and JOC (James O'Connor) played well but the winning ten is always going to attract more praise.

Noah's drop goal counted for a lot in the end.

Hard to argue that Noah didn't deserve the accolade after coming back into such a crucial position after a long lay-off, particularly in his rookie year. I don't think he was even the Brumbies' best back though to be honest; Simone was an absolute package.

I thought the player of the match was clearly Caderyn Neville.

 

[Uh huh]

Totally agree. Sadly White's signing may have pushed him out the door. Backwards step IMHO.

I've always been a fan of White, but didn't want him back at the expense of either of the local lads. Would much rather he'd gone to the Rebels.

 

[Up the Guts]

Hard to argue that Noah didn't deserve the accolade after coming back into such a crucial position after a long lay-off, particularly in his rookie year. I don't think he was even the Brumbies' best back though to be honest; Simone was an absolute package.

I thought the player of the match was clearly Caderyn Neville.

Yeah, fair call on Neville, he was terrific around the park and dominant in the air.

 

[molman]

I don't think he was even the Brumbies' best back though to be honest; Simone was an absolute package.

This has been a real breakout year for Simone. He showed promise at Norths, never really got there at the Tahs but he's really blossomed down at the Brumbies. It's been great to see all the facets of his game continue to evolve.

 

[RebelYell]

Neville's omission from the Wallaby 44 is perplexing, especially in a position where we have such little depth.

 

[Uh huh]

Tupou rightly named player of the tournament.

He's had a fantastic season but a tough night tonight. He scrummaged very well (not something I thought I'd be saying about him two years ago), but was shrugged off by two backs for two tries, and wouldn't have been pleased about being cut down on an attacking run by Nic White.

I'd be perfectly happy to see him start at 3 for the Wallabies.