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Aussie Club Grades Week Ten
By Robert Seltzer
Well, it was not a great weekend for the Australian teams this weekend in Super Rugby, both home and abroad. Here are how the teams rated this weekend.
Waratahs – E
In the past couple of seasons, a loss to the Lions would not have been that bad, but to lose without scoring a point at home, against a team that hasn’t quite reached the same heights since Johan Ackermann has left was appalling.
It hasn’t been a great couple of weeks for the Tahs after Israel Folau’s comments and that seemed to affect the team. It was the first time they have been held scoreless in Super Rugby and the Lions recorded their first victory in Sydney. One to forget for the Waratahs.
Reds – E
That is 118 points conceded in the last 3 games for the Queenslanders. Their purple patch a few weeks ago seems a long time in the past. The Chiefs win in Brisbane was the 35th consecutive win for New Zealand teams against their Australian counterparts and this one was never in doubt.
The game was over by half-time with the Chiefs leading 24-0 and although Same Kerevi did score a couple of consolation tries, the Chiefs were in third gear. The inevitable bonus point try came five minutes into injury time which could prove vital for the Chiefs season but did nothing for the Reds.
Rebels – E
This was an important game for the Rebels following their loss to the Jaguares at home last week. The Bulls have been improving but are beatable and if the Rebels want to be taken seriously this is the type of game they have to win.
They will have to work hard for their season not to peter out when it started so brightly. They were outscored four tries to one and need to address this slump in form quickly.
Brumbies – E
Completing the full complement of E’s for the Aussie teams are the Brumbies. The Jaguares backed up their win in Melbourne with a win in the Captial.
The Brumbies never took the lead and after an 18 phase move set up the first score the Jaguares gained confidence and always looked like they had enough to win. They did score the same amount of tries but with the defending champions up next, putting an end to the dismal run against Kiwi teams does not look likely.
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. 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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