Reds vs Blues: SBW was right and wrong; ex-Junior Wallaby outplays All Black

With time up on the clock, the Blues snatched an all-time Super Rugby Pacific classic after Caleb Clarke linked up with Sam Nock to win the match 41-34 over the Reds at Suncorp Stadium.

2023 Junior Wallabies winger Tim Ryan has stolen the show with a blistering hat-trick opposite All Black Mark Tele’a as the Queenslanders looked a real chance of upsetting the Aucklanders.

Ryan, just 20 years of age, scored all three tries within 15 minutes as the Reds began to play with an increase sense of confidence and belief that they could shake up Super Rugby Pacific.

But the Blues didn’t throw in the towel. Kurt Eklund scored with full-time just around the corner but it was Nock’s effort in the 82^nd minute which silenced the otherwise vibrant Brisbane crowd.

Former Junior Wallabies flyer steps up opposite an All Black

About 24 hours after last year’s Rugby World Cup final, All Black Mark Tele’a was named the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. Tele’a had been quite brilliant, and joked with this writer about what the secret to his success had been.

Before the new Super Rugby Pacific season, it was hard to look past Tele’a as the winger to watch in 2024. The Blues speedster is deceptively strong, big and quick – and knows a thing or two about scoring tries at this level as well.

So, for 2023 Junior Wallabies winger Tim Ryan, the idea of having the mark the All Black was no doubt an intimidating task. But to Ryan’s credit, he didn’t look out of place.

Ryan, who was named for his first start with the Reds after twice coming off the bench, had fans cheering with a well-worked chip-and-chase early in the first half. The winger found teammate Josh Flook who ran all the way down to the Blues’ 22.

There were signs of promise and potential, but there would be more opportunities for young Ryan to impress. Ryan was stopped twice with the try line in sight, including a stunning tackle attempt from a Blues defender who prevented an early try.

It was shades of Jerome Kaino on Wallaby Digby Ioane at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

But then, not long after the Reds scored through Suliasi Vunivalu, Tim Ryan had his moment. Ryan linked up with Hunter Paisami before running about 50 metres to the house for his first Super Rugby Pacific try.

By that stage of the contest, with 30 minutes still to play, Ryan had run for almost 100 metres from nine carries, beaten one defender, made one line break and passed the ball once.

Ryan wasn’t done there, either.

The winger scored for second time in the 61^st minute with a stunning diving finish down the right edge. It was “the finish the play deserved” as commentator Morgan Turinui explained.

Again, Ryan wasn’t done there.

Ryan completed a sensational hat-trick with a stunning break down the left wing. Beating a few defenders, including Mark Tele’a, to create something special from nothing.

That’s one top, top performance from a young outside back with plenty of potential.

“This kid is made for this level,” Sonny Bill Williams said on the broadcast.

“Tim Ryan, remember that name my friends, Tim Ryan.”

Sonny Bill Williams is both right and wrong about Hoskins Sotutu

Hoskins Sotutu has been on another level this season. After starting the 2024 campaign with five tries in just two matches, the Blues enforcer has carried some consistently impressive form through to the halfway point of the season and beyond.

In an interview with RugbyPass earlier this season, Sotutu spoke about how being left out of the All Blacks and All Blacks XV last year had “lit a fire” within him. Now, there’s daylight between Sotutu and other No.8’s in Super Rugby Pacific.

Two-time Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Sonny Bill Williams said it best during Stan Sports’ half-time coverage: “Big game player alright. He’s just carried on his form from 2024.

“I think the competition’s best No.8, the best probably No.8 in the world currently… he’s got skills to burn.

“What I love is his direct approach to this Blues team this year. He’s leading by the front and his form in that first half just shows that.”

‘SBW’ was certainly right in saying that Sotutu is the best No.8 in Super Rugby Pacific. The Brumbies’ Charlie Cale has also been impressive, as has the Hurricanes’ Brayden Iose, but Sotutu has been the pick of the lot for the entire season to date.

But let’s pump the breaks on Sotutu being, as SBW said, “Probably the best No.8 in the world currently.” Sotutu wasn’t even included in the All Blacks XV’s squad last year, so saying that the backrower is now the best in the world is quite the jump.

That being said, he was fantastic once again against the Reds.

But France’s Gregory Alldritt, Australia’s Rob Valetini and England’s Ben Earl have been eye-catching in the past at Test level and rightly deserve to be considered a step ahead in the race to be “the best” at the moment,

While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.

Rocks and diamonds from Wallaby Suliasi Vunivalu

It was brilliant until it wasn’t. Stan Sport commentator Sean Maloney exclaimed “where’s this been” after what appeared to be a moment of magic from Wallaby Suliasi Vunivalu, only for the outstanding effort to be called back after a disastrous brain fade.

Reds No.9 Kalani Thomas dinked the ball in behind the Blues’ defensive line for Vunivalu to chase. Only about 30 metres out from the try line when the halfback put foot to ball, it was initially a questionable decision from the young halfback.

But Vunivalu rose highest and confidently collected the ball in the air before fending off Blues first five Harry Plummer, and then proceeding to run in for the score. The Brisbane crowd went berserk as the Reds began to celebrate the stunning early effort.

Vunivalu and the Queenslanders had walked away and switched their focus to the upcoming kick-off when the referee called all the players back in. The Wallabies winger had knocked on the ball on with nobody around him and the try line mere millimetres away.

By attempting to place the ball down with one hand, there’s always going to be a risk. Vunivalu rolled the dice and was made to pay. Even coach Les Kiss shook his head as the broadcaster spanned up to the Reds’ box.

It was a schoolboy mistake.

But later in the match, Vunivalu made amends with a pick and drive. The winger scored to help make it a one-point game at that stage of the contest.

Rocks and diamonds.

There’s a lot to like about Suliasi Vunivalu, especially if you’re familiar with what the former Melbourne Storm flyer achieved in the NRL, but there are also some areas for concern.

With the likes of Corey Toole and Darby Lancaster putting their hands up for Wallabies selection this season, Vunivalu definitely seems to be slipping down the potential depth chart.