Super Rugby Pacific 2025 pre-season trial match thread
- Thread starter Adam84
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Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Interesting lineup for Los Angeles.. so many Aussies; Billy Meakes, Christian Lealifano, Dane Zander, Tim Anstee, Ben Houston(SS), Robert Mapq(QPR/Storm), Ben Sugars(SS), Nick Chan(SS), Maria’s Jensen(ACT), and a few more as well
Also some quality test players like Gonzalo Bertranou(Argentina)
Also some quality test players like Gonzalo Bertranou(Argentina)
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
It was a bit of a scrappy match but LA didn't disgrace themselves. 33-26 to the Drua.
Hercules Von Grimmelshaus
Allen Oxlade (6)
NSW Rugby TV off to a great start with there coverage of the Tah’s trial. Website has crashed already on the U20’s game
Cockatoo Run
Chris McKivat (8)
Tahs U20 109 - NSW Pacifica U20 7
Upthemaroon!
Bob McCowan (2)
How was Fittlers son going this game?
Cockatoo Run
Chris McKivat (8)
Froggy
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Tahs initially were completely dominant, 40 - 0 at oranges, then lost discipline and started giving away penalties plus a couple of yellow cards, second half (without a lot of the starters) was pretty untidy.
Most of the starters were fine, front row dominated, Ben Grant very good at the lineout, and I thought young Adamson at 7 was really good. In the backs, wow, Teddy Wilson has serious speed, he looked very dangerous. Bowen is certainly creative, makes a few mistakes which I would put down to maturity, but is also a very solid defender. Both Walton and O'Donnell were pretty solid in the centres. Of those that came on later, Gamble really added some energy, and in the centres Ropati was really dangerous.
Not a lot to take from a trial against much weaker opposition, but given most of these guys will only be fighting it out for bench spots it was pretty pleasing, with the only real negative being discipline which will need to be addressed,
Most of the starters were fine, front row dominated, Ben Grant very good at the lineout, and I thought young Adamson at 7 was really good. In the backs, wow, Teddy Wilson has serious speed, he looked very dangerous. Bowen is certainly creative, makes a few mistakes which I would put down to maturity, but is also a very solid defender. Both Walton and O'Donnell were pretty solid in the centres. Of those that came on later, Gamble really added some energy, and in the centres Ropati was really dangerous.
Not a lot to take from a trial against much weaker opposition, but given most of these guys will only be fighting it out for bench spots it was pretty pleasing, with the only real negative being discipline which will need to be addressed,
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Hell of a difference on the same game last year. Yes only a trial but it never hurts to win.
Be interesting to see who gets more game time v the Brums. Assume a lot of the main guys will turn out for a half or so.
Be interesting to see who gets more game time v the Brums. Assume a lot of the main guys will turn out for a half or so.
TALATAINA was very damaging with ball in hand. Keen to see how he goes this year.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
A good hitout for the Tahs. The game against the Brumbies is the last trial before the season starts, isn't it? If so, you'd expect all of the first XXIII to get good minutes for match fitness purposes and to test cohesion, connections and structures, especially with new players in the team and under a new coaching regime.
The Brumbies have already indicated their Wallabies and maybe some others will be absent this game, and have a further trial against the Force the following week. I expect their lineup to look a bit like :-
1, Blake Schoupp
2. Lachlan Lonergan
3. Rhys Van Nek
4. Lachlan Shaw
5. Tuaina Tualima
6. Tom Hooper
7. Rory Scott
8. Charlie Cale
9. Harrison Goddard
10. Declan Meredith
11. Corey Toole
12. David Feliuai
13. Hudson Creighton
14. Ben O'Donnell
15. Jack Debreczini
16. Billy Pollard
17. Lington Leli
18. Feao Fotuaika
19. Cadeyrn Neville
20. Lachlan Hooper
21. Klayton Thorn
22. Cullen Gray
23. Austin Anderson
24. Ollie Sapsford
25. Liam Bowron
Kadin Pritchard, Luke Reimer and Shane Wilcox might also get a run.
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
Who’s your breakout player for the Brumbies this year BR and what in particular do you expect from them?
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
My early tip for the JEM is Nick Frost. I believe he will show this year that he is up there with the likes of Etsebeth et al in the top echelon of Locks.
Charlie Cale should force his way back into the Wallaby squad, and I'm hopeful of a big year from Blake Schoupp. But, if given opportunities, I think Declan Meredith is one to keep an eye on. IMHO he is the best No 10 in the Brumbies, but he will have to overcome what seems to be a bit of favouritism from the coaches. I also expect Klayton Thorn to surpass Harrison Goddard as the backup No 9 this season.
From the U20s over the past couple of years, I reckon Lachlan Hooper, Tevita Alatini, and especially Jarrah McLeod and Kadin Pritchard will soon all be established Super level players.
Hmm so basically the whole squad
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
Thanks BR. Good summary.
I must admit I’m pretty impressed with the young talent across all 3 of the Waratahs (in particular), the Brumbies and the Reds. (NB for the record I don’t know much about the Force juniors - but I am encouraged by the investment they are making in their pathways and I think Damien Steele will be a very good acquisition for them).
But the Brumbies seem to have a couple of potential gems in their wider squad.
On a related note I’m interested on your thoughts on their depth this year. My impression is that the Brumbies best 15 will still be very strong but they seem a bit skinnier behind that and might need a few of those youngsters to perform above their years if they get a few injuries. Thoughts?
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
TSR nice to have a mature discussion to start off the year.
Depth in the squad will certainly be an issue for the Brumbies in 2025, remembering that they lost 7 players last year and only recruited 2 for this upcoming season. A situation that has probably necessitated the early advance of some Acadamy players to fill gaps. Nevertheless, I am confident they have a strong XXIII that can go deep into the competition again, with 8 locked-in Wallabies and all but two of last year's starting team lining up again. But on the face, it would look like the depth across the squad is not as strong as last year.
However, the current situation might not be as dire as it looks. The Brumbies suffered a spate of serious injuries in key spots last year which saw Slipper/Schoupp out for 10 weeks between them. Allan Ala'alatoa missed 8 games himself while Lachlan Lonergan was out for 10 weeks. That saw a rookie LHP, Harry Vella, start or come off the bench in most games all the time as it turns out with a knee injury that is likely to see him miss all of this season. At other times, Rhys van Nek moved across from the TH side to fill a gap. Injuries to Lonergan and Pollard had an U20s hooker, Liam Bowron playing some games too. All in all, the front row, the engine room, was severely affected all year, but still they managed to remain undefeated by any other Australian team, and finished as a top four team in SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) 2024.
Other significant losses to injury were also of note last year. Charlie Cale missed 5 games and Len Ikitau 4.
If the injury toll treats the Brumbies more kindly in 25, they could well be putting out stronger teams this year than last irrespective of the weaker looking squad. I am hoping that the front row has a better year injury-wise, as that again could be the Achilles heel.
Turning to the Reds, I am doubtful you have the power in the backline to hunt for a title this year. Am I wrong?
Depth in the squad will certainly be an issue for the Brumbies in 2025, remembering that they lost 7 players last year and only recruited 2 for this upcoming season. A situation that has probably necessitated the early advance of some Acadamy players to fill gaps. Nevertheless, I am confident they have a strong XXIII that can go deep into the competition again, with 8 locked-in Wallabies and all but two of last year's starting team lining up again. But on the face, it would look like the depth across the squad is not as strong as last year.
However, the current situation might not be as dire as it looks. The Brumbies suffered a spate of serious injuries in key spots last year which saw Slipper/Schoupp out for 10 weeks between them. Allan Ala'alatoa missed 8 games himself while Lachlan Lonergan was out for 10 weeks. That saw a rookie LHP, Harry Vella, start or come off the bench in most games all the time as it turns out with a knee injury that is likely to see him miss all of this season. At other times, Rhys van Nek moved across from the TH side to fill a gap. Injuries to Lonergan and Pollard had an U20s hooker, Liam Bowron playing some games too. All in all, the front row, the engine room, was severely affected all year, but still they managed to remain undefeated by any other Australian team, and finished as a top four team in SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) 2024.
Other significant losses to injury were also of note last year. Charlie Cale missed 5 games and Len Ikitau 4.
If the injury toll treats the Brumbies more kindly in 25, they could well be putting out stronger teams this year than last irrespective of the weaker looking squad. I am hoping that the front row has a better year injury-wise, as that again could be the Achilles heel.
Turning to the Reds, I am doubtful you have the power in the backline to hunt for a title this year. Am I wrong?
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
I hope so BR. But I think it’s certainly a question mark. That and whether Lynagh can take another step forward. Personally I thought he was as good as any of the 10s last year, except in the goal kicking stakes. But I also thought all of the super rugby 10s have to continue to improve.
Returning to your question I think it’s more a question of whether we can play the sort of footy that best suits our backline. Guys like Ryan, Flook, Daugunu & McDermott give us plenty of firepower so long as we can get good field position, generate front foot ball and defensively stop the momentum of our opponents. Our forward pack should be able to generate the front foot ball and Lynagh’s kicking should help with field position. Paisami, Flook & Daugunu are all generally good defenders but will have to work well as a unit and guys like Lynagh and Ryan - who are both willing defenders but not big guys - will need to be on point. Critically our forward pack will need to be winning collisions to deprive the opposition of momentum. There are obviously other guys in the equation and a fit Isaac Henry or Lachie Anderson might both change the dynamic of the backline which would give us a bit more punch. You also wonder whether we might see a bit of Goldsborough this year given his bigger frame. But I can’t see him playing more than a handful of minutes personally at this stage.
I’ll be very interested how Jock Campbell goes this year. A couple of years ago he was a real point of difference in our backline. I feel a combination of injury and being shuffled between wing & fullback seems to have held him back. With Petaia gone I feel it’s likely he’ll get a consistent run at 15 and I feel like we’ll see a lot more of the line breaks he makes. But, again, this will be through speed and reading play, not power.
To bring it back to the subject of the thread - the Reds can’t suddenly manufacture a power packed backline so I’ll be keen to see how we go about addressing the above issues in our trials so it doesn’t hold us back.
Returning to your question I think it’s more a question of whether we can play the sort of footy that best suits our backline. Guys like Ryan, Flook, Daugunu & McDermott give us plenty of firepower so long as we can get good field position, generate front foot ball and defensively stop the momentum of our opponents. Our forward pack should be able to generate the front foot ball and Lynagh’s kicking should help with field position. Paisami, Flook & Daugunu are all generally good defenders but will have to work well as a unit and guys like Lynagh and Ryan - who are both willing defenders but not big guys - will need to be on point. Critically our forward pack will need to be winning collisions to deprive the opposition of momentum. There are obviously other guys in the equation and a fit Isaac Henry or Lachie Anderson might both change the dynamic of the backline which would give us a bit more punch. You also wonder whether we might see a bit of Goldsborough this year given his bigger frame. But I can’t see him playing more than a handful of minutes personally at this stage.
I’ll be very interested how Jock Campbell goes this year. A couple of years ago he was a real point of difference in our backline. I feel a combination of injury and being shuffled between wing & fullback seems to have held him back. With Petaia gone I feel it’s likely he’ll get a consistent run at 15 and I feel like we’ll see a lot more of the line breaks he makes. But, again, this will be through speed and reading play, not power.
To bring it back to the subject of the thread - the Reds can’t suddenly manufacture a power packed backline so I’ll be keen to see how we go about addressing the above issues in our trials so it doesn’t hold us back.
Reds backline is basically the same as last year and it scored plenty of points. The forwards just gave them so much quick ball. The problem was losing a couple games of close games at the death and shitting the bed against the force and Pacifika.
dru
David Wilson (68)
I don't see the power in the backline as necessarily holding the Reds back though yes it is not a big power backline. OTOH I see a desire to hunt for a title as not completely silly in the absence of actual games to show comparitive ability - but I wouldn't call the Reds as being Super Pacific favourites.
More than that, the constant chat around Kiss for the WBs is a distraction and we would be much better off looking at a longer programme that holds on to Kiss well beyond 2025.
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
We struggled to contain the top teams though. Not just in the backs, but also in the forwards.
We should see a noticeable improvement in the forward pack with the players who’ve joined.
In the backs the lose of Petaia hurts, but he wasn’t there at the end anyway. Vunivalu was our other big body and he was hard to stop at times but just struggled too much. And, again, wasn’t there come finals. If Daugunu stays fit he’ll be a positive gain.