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Aussie Club Grades - Week 16
By Robert Seltzer
What a blockbuster week for the Australian teams this week. It was raining points and also a win on
New Zealand soil, here are how the teams fared:
Rebels – A+
A run of 32 straight defeats to teams from over the ditch is now over. The Rebels went to Eden Park
and came away with the victory, a first for Australian teams in New Zealand since 2015, which not
only took them back to the top of the Australian conference for a short period, it also would have
given them a huge boost of confidence. Just as impressive a stat was the fact that they didn’t allow
the Blues did a point in the second half which is in huge contrast to their previous second half
collapses against the Waratahs and the Crusaders this season.
Waratahs – B
The Tahs reclaimed top spot from the Rebels coming out just on the ride side of a 15 try, 93 point
game against the Reds. They now sit one point clear of the Rebels but missing out on a bonus point
may prove crucial in the final standings. Defensively they are going to have to be a lot better when
they come up against a higher quality of opposition, as conceding 42 points in a game will not please
Nathan Grey and work will need to be done there
Reds – D
It isn’t often that you score 42 points in a game and lose, but that was the situation that the Reds
found themselves in on Saturday night. Again the youngsters attitude was superb and they
prevented the Waratahs from gaining the bonus point by crossing for 2 late tries but conceding over
50 points, at home, is something that would concern Brad Thorn.
Brumbies – B
Another team to score over 40 points were the men from the Capital. It would have been more
convincing had they converted more than 3 of their 7 tries scored. Kicking has been an issue at times
for the Brumbies this season and it was again on the weekend. We might not have heard the last of
this game either with the Brumbies going against the request of Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika,
and playing Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa and David Pocock for 60 minutes rather than resting them.
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Latest Comments
Hopefully 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.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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