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Aussie Club Grades Week 15
By Robert Seltzer
Another week of oh-so-nearly for a couple of Aussie teams against their Kiwi counterparts. After the high of last week it was near ecstasy with a double whammy but alas it was not to be. Here are how the teams rated this week:
Rebels – A
The Rebels pulled within 1 point of the ladder leading Waratahs with their 2nd bonus point win of the season against the Sunwolves.
Jack Maddocks must wish they played them every week as his double took him to five tries in two games against the Japanese side and will really make Michael Cheika think long and hard about including him in his upcoming Wallaby squad.
The Rebels took total control of the game after conceding a third-minute try. Marika Koroibete’s hat-trick was a highlight and Reece Hodge was almost perfect from the tee. The conference will be going down to the wire.
Waratahs – C
They nearly did it again. The Tahs can feel hard done by having a seemingly perfectly good try chalked off and then conceding another try after the final hooter but once again it is a story of what could have been.
They got off to the perfect start going 14-0 up but once again couldn’t hold the lead. This is where the best teams don’t let you off the hook.
After blowing a 29 point lead in Christchurch their fans will be annoyed again they didn’t play smarter rugby to ensure that the Chiefs were not allowed to get properly back in the game. The late try took the bonus point away from them which was deserved but that is rugby.
Reds – C
The Queenslanders nearly recorded their first win over New Zealand opposition since 2016.
They would have targeted an under-strength Highlanders outfit. Although still chock-a-block with talent, seven of their eight players named in the All Blacks squad didn’t start and Ben Smith wasn’t even in the squad.
A 78th minute Lima Sopoaga penalty won the game for the ‘Landers but the Reds will feel this was one that got away. They will take heart from this performance after the close run in Wellington last week, but, like the Tah’s they will dream of what could have been.
Brumbies – A
A superb win in South Africa for the men from the capital.
They certainly did it the hard way with their second red card in as many weeks. This time hooker Folau Faingaa for a headbutt. The score at the time was 28-24 to the home side and you would be forgiven for thinking that this would head in the same way as the Lions game the week before.
You couldn’t have been more wrong as the team rallied superbly to score two converted tries in 4 minutes and leave the Loftus with the points.
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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