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Aussie Club Grades - Week 17
By Robert Seltzer
After the international hiatus, Super Rugby is back for the final three rounds. It is all to play for in regards to playoff spots in the Australian conference, although this weekend potentially decided things following the Waratahs win in Melbourne. They now sit four points clear with two games to go.
Here is how all the Australian teams fared:
Waratahs - A
They can’t have anything less. Missing two vital players in Israel Folau and Michael Hooper the ‘Tahs would have been forgiven heading to Melbourne with some trepidation but they thoroughly deserved their win.
This game was a tale of two intercepts, with Kurtley Beale’s eventually setting up Ned Hanigan and Bernard Foley’s leading to the go-ahead score. With Folau back next week and their two remaining games against the Sunwolves and Brumbies at home, you would expect the men from Sydney to be playing finals rugby.
Rebels - D
The Rebels will certainly see this as an opportunity lost. With Folau and Hooper missing and it being such a crucial game they never really got at the ‘Tahs.
There were moments when you believed but there was always that air of uncertainty that eventually told when Foley streaked away to score. It will be a long shot for them to make the finals now but they can view this season as a step in the right direction and build on it next season.
Brumbies - A
What a way to sign off at home this season. After T J Perenara scored one of the most ludicrous tries you will see, the Brumbies forwards got on top and the weakened Hurricanes team didn’t really have an answer.
The lead was 21-5 at halftime to the ‘Canes but the Brumbies flew out of the blocks and Folau Fainga’a scored from a driving maul five metres out. This tactic worked again as Rory Arnold scored and Andrew Muirhead rounded things off after a five-metre scrum. If they can take this form through into next season then we may be seeing them back at the top of the table again.
Reds - E
Another defeat for Brad Thorn’s side. Whilst they are a young side, the Reds really have to help themselves. The Blues took full advantage of the Reds being down to 13 men with Jordan Petaia and Taniela Tupou were in the bin simultaneously and scored 2 tries in that period.
The Blues did return the favour and the Reds did score a couple of tries with a 2 man advantage but the game was beyond them by then. 2 more games to go and the players will be better for a season of experience at this level but things will need to improve next season.
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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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