It was a significant weekend for the Aussie Super Rugby teams, with one virtually sealing their finals place and another dropping out of the running completely.
The Brumbies’ bonus point win against the Sunwolves in Tokyo all but sealed their place at the top of the Australian conference, while the Reds’ loss to a strong Jaguares outfit snuffed out any mathematical chance they had of making the finals.
The Waratahs kept their chances alive with a win over the Rebels, taking the battle for a second Aussie team in the finals down to the wire.
Here’s who stood out in the process.
1. James Slipper
The Brumbies played to their strengths, kicking to the corner and setting their maul strongly throughout the match, with their entire front row key to their victory. Slipper started ahead of Scott Sio this week and continues to push for inclusion in the World Cup squad with his strong scrummaging and contribution at the set piece.
2. Connal McInerney
Folau Faingaa has been outstanding for the Brumbies this season but McInerney showed his class off the bench in Tokyo, the reserve hooker finishing with a hat-trick to help the Brumbies to a bonus-point win that will all but seal them the Australian conference. Just as Faingaa has done all season, McInerney controlled the ball at the back of the maul and showed his great finishing skills, becoming just the fifth player in Super Rugby history to score three tries when coming off the bench.
3. Allan Alaalatoa
While he was strong at the set piece, Alaalatoa also did a mountain of work in defence, making 13 tackles without a miss as the Brumbies repelled several Sunwolves’ raids. Is showing his colours at the right time of the year, as the Brumbies prepare for a likely finals campaign and the Wallabies start muster for a World Cup.
4. Matt Philip
The Rebels failed to make the most of their chances against the Waratahs but that could certainly not be blamed on Philip, the workaholic lock racking up 31m from 12 carries and making six tackles without a miss. The tireless Philip attempted to spark his team with a typically aggressive performance and has to be in the thoughts of Wallaby selectors as they look to their World Cup squad.
5. Rob Simmons
Stats don’t tell the whole story of Simmons’ value for the Waratahs, with his two run metres from six carries and five made tackles – alongside four misses – not about to set the world on fire. But his important to the Tahs’ lineout and other set piece can’t be underestimated, while his experience was invaluable in the derby clash.
6. Lachlan Swinton
Swinton was outstanding for the Waratahs, helping stave off the Brumbies, especially in defence. As well as working well at the set piece as part of an effective backrow, Swinton made nine tackles without a miss in part of a hurculean defensive effort from the NSW side.
7. Michael Hooper
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The Tahs skipper led the way in an outstanding defensive effort from his side, making 20 tackles to help keep the Waratahs’ slim finals chances alive. Add in two forced turnovers as he put his body on the line along with his fellow forwards, and Hooper was one of the best on ground for the Tahs.
8. Scott Higginbotham
Playing in his 100th game for Queensland, Higginbotham was reinstated to the starting team and the veteran played like a man in his prime, lasting 80 minutes for Queensland with the result in the balance. Made 41m from eight carries, snared an intercept that prevented a Jaguares try and made nine tackles as he turned back the clock in an effort befitting the milestone match.
9. Tate McDermott
The ever-improving half was tracking well against a virtual Test team for the 55 minutes he was on the field before being forced off with an injury to his right foot. Continues to test defences with his sniping runs and did much of the hard work for Chris Feauai-Sautia’s early try. Will be a blow if he is forced from the final matches of the season after a breakout year.
10. Bernard Foley
Foley just took the points in the much-anticipated battle of the 10s against Quade Cooper. And it was his kicking in general play and defence that stood out. He and Cooper finished with roughly the same stats for carries, metres gained and clean breaks but it was Foley’s tactical nous with the boot that gave him the nod in attack, while his 18 tackles helped tip the game the Waratahs’ way.
11.Marika Koroibete
While Koroibete finished tryless after the controversial Curtis Rona “no arms” tackle, his effort could not be questioned, with the Rebels flyer in everything on Friday night. He constantly went looking for work and his nine carries each had venom, helping him make more than 100m and set the platform for plenty of Rebels raids. His recent effort would have played well with Wallabies selectors.
12. Irae Simone
Simone continued his recent blistering form, scoring for the Brumbies in their crucial bonus-point win against the Sunwolves. Again combined well with flyhalf Christian Lealiifano as he becomes one of the most consistent centres in the Aussie conference.
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia
In his comeback from a knee injury, Feauai-Sautia combined early with Samu Kerevi to race over, showing how potent the Reds can be when they find with in their attack. Combined his strong running with some massive hits in defence and continues to have a strong year.
14. Curtis Rona
Rona’s “no arms” tackle on Marika Koroibete may have been controversial but it turned the match for the Waratahs, not only because it stopped his fellow winger and league convert in his tracks but because of the lift it gave his teammates after the work Rona put in to make it. Was typical of his night which finished with a try for the Tahs.
15. Tom Banks
Continues to push his case for the Wallabies with another strong performance less than 24 hours after Kurtley Beale and Dane Haylett-Petty had gone head-to-head in Melbourne. Busy with 11 carries for 74m and scored an outstanding try, backing up perfectly to take Tevita Kuridrani’s pass following a cross-kick from Christian Lealiifano to Henry Speight.
