1
Watch: ‘Wallaby in the making’ steals the show vs Fijian Drua
By Finn Morton
Winger Ben O’Donnell stole the show during a thrilling first half between the Brumbies and Fijian Drua in Canberra, and is even being talked about as a “Wallaby in the making.”
Heading into this round eight clash, the Brumbies would’ve been considered the heavy favourites – and they played like it early on.
The Brumbies shot out of the blocks at a rapid speed, and it was former Australian sevens ace Ben O’Donnell who led the way.
After getting the ball inside the Drua’s 22 early on, the Brumbies' backs spread the ball wide right. Fullback Tom Wright drew in a couple of defenders before the offloading the ball to his flying winger.
O’Donnell had a bit of work to do – but really, he made it look easy – as the 27-year-old ran in for the opener in just the fourth minute.
The winger nearly had a second a few minutes later too, only for the try to be ruled out by the TMO for a forward pass.
But the winger going wasn’t going to be denied a second time.
Sometimes athletes need a bit of luck to go their way, and O’Donnell had it in spades as he crossed for his brace inside the opening 15 minutes.
Centre Len Ikitau put a clever left-foot grubber kick in-behind the Drua defence, and the flying winger managed to get a toe to the ball as he chased after it.
But the ball went straight into Drua halfback Peni Matawalu – only for it to bounce right back to O’Donnell, who ended up crossing in the left corner.
After just 13 minutes, O’Donnell had a double, and almost had a hat-trick to his name as well. The speedster had shown plenty of skill and poise with both of his efforts.
O’Donnell made his Super Rugby Pacific debut earlier this season, having become Brumby No. 250, and certainly hasn’t looked out of place during his breakdown campaign so far.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
Go to comments