Rebels v Reds takeaways: Tupou fails to fire again, McReight on another level

The Queensland Reds are clearly the best Australian team in Super Rugby Pacific at the moment after outclassing the Melbourne Rebels 53-26 at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Flanker Fraser McReight has continued to stand out with an incredible four try assists but it was a real team effort that saw the Queenslanders run away with a big win.

Before any games on Saturday, the Reds were second on the Super Rugby Pacific standings behind the undefeated Hurricanes. Here are some key talking points

Taniela Tupou is still yet to fire for his new club Melbourne

One of Super Rugby Pacific’s most recent TikTok videos is a clip of Taniela Tupou in his prime. Playing for the Queensland Reds against the Western Force in Perth some years ago, the ‘Tongan Thor’ beat five defenders and recovered from a slip to score a breathtaking try.

@superrugbypacific A human wrecking ball 👊 #rugby #superrugby #rugbyunion #tanielatupou ? original sound - Super Rugby

It was sheer individual brilliance. But that was then, and this is now.

Tupou is packing down for the Melbourne Rebels this season after signing a headline-grabbing deal about 13 months ago. It was a big signing for the Rebels which promised so much.

But Tupou just hasn’t looked like his old self this season. There haven’t been any terrorising runs down the field, and not many big hits to note either.

In two starts from four matches, Taniela Tupou has been quite poor and that’s putting it lightly.

Playing against his old club the Reds, Tupou didn’t carry the ball once. The tighthead prop also made the least amount of tackles out of any starting forward – and only one more than fly-half Carter Gordon who made four stops.

Inside the opening 10 minutes, Tupou was walking more than any other player. In one instance, he was the last to arrive at a lineout and one of the last to leave as the play moved on.

Tupou did receive some praise from the Stan Sport commentators after winning a penalty at the breakdown early on, but that was about as good as it got for the Tongan Thor.

Daylight to second behind Fraser McReight

Fraser McReight is the best player in Super Rugby Pacific and it’s not even close at the moment. Last week, the Reds flanker was named the best Australian in the competition after an impressive display in the win over the Chiefs.

But McReight has only gone and done it again – not that that’s a surprise. The Wallaby is just that kind of player.

McReight, 25, was compared to NRL immortal Andrew Johns by Morgan Turinui late in the match after a fourth try assist. Just a reminder that McReight is a flanker.

With a brilliant eye for the game, as well as elite traits of speed, strength and skill, McReight is proving to be a menace all around the park.

It would be unfair to say that he’s in a purple patch too because the backrower has been this good for a while. McReight was named Australia’s best Super Rugby Pacific player last season.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will love what he’s seeing

The Reds can win Super Rugby Pacific this season. Young players are stepping up as they begin to transition from good to great and that shows out on the field and on the scoreboard.

Fraser McReight has been the best player in the competition, Harry Wilson has continued to impress in an all-star backrow, and the backline has been masterful.

Lock Seru Uru and centre Josh Flook can take a bow after the Reds’ big win. Both men are playing their way into Wallabies jerseys going off their strong starts to the campaign.

Uru scored the opener down in Melbourne and added another later in the first half. During the match, two-time World Cup winner Tim Horan highlighted the second rower’s talents.

“If he keeps playing like this, Joe Schmidt is going to have a really good look at him… would like what they’ve seen so far,” Horan said on Stan Sport.

Rising star Josh Flook also impressed with a double, which included a gift of a try during the second term. But generally, the outside centre has been all class.

Flook scored tries, was solid in defence and even won a turnover at the breakdown.

Australian rugby has depth and class in key positions and that bodes well for the Wallabies ahead of the Joe Schmidt-era which gets underway against Wales in July.

Don’t forget about James O’Connor

It was quite tough to watch Isaac Henry leave the field during the second half on Friday. The inside centre, who has battled injuries for a couple of years, appears set for another stint on the sidelines.

Henry had been solid in the No. 12 jumper over the last two games. It’s a blow for the Reds to see him leave the field but the Reds have depth.

Don’t forget about James O’Connor.

O’Connor has missed the start of the season through injury. But when he returns, the veteran will add invaluable experience and composure to a championship contender.

The Reds will be a real force come playoff time.