Brumbies player ratings vs Waratahs | Super Rugby Pacific
The Brumbies secured show-off rights against bitter Australian rivals NSW Waratahs earlier in the season after beating them 25-31 at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
Playing away, the Brumbies got off to an ideal start to their new Super Rugby Pacific campaign as halfback Ryan Lonergan scored a try within the first seven minutes.
Lonergan was one of the standout players that night after ending the match with 16 points and a try-assist.
Andy Muirhead and Corey Toole also crossed for five points, while substitute Noah Lolesio finished with five points from the tee.
Here’s how the Brumbies fared during their successful start to the new season.
- Tom Wright—8
For me, Tom Wright was one of the best for the Brumbies on Friday night. Early on, the utility back registered his first try assist of the season — picking up Tahs halfback Ryan Lonergan after a brilliant run into the 22.
Later in the competition, Wright starred with another experimental assistant. With just over 20 minutes to go, the full-back threw a one-handed pass to set up winger Corey Toole. Overall, Wright ran 85 yards from 10 carries, had a clear break and beat two defenders.
- Andry Muirhead – 6.5
Winger Muirhead scored one of the most bizarre tries in Super Rugby history. Standing on his right wing, the ball was suddenly quickly kicked in his direction by Ryan Lonergan.
Muirhead waited patiently and finally reaped the reward when the ball lined up perfectly for him.
- Len Ikitau – 7
Every time I see Len Ikitau play I’m amazed. The center will play a key role in the Wallabies World Cup later this year and it all starts with his form at super rugby level.
Ikitau started against the Tahs in the No. 13 jersey, showing glimpses of his elite skills in an otherwise quiet outing.
- Tamati Tua – 6
A fairly quiet performance from Tua, who failed to win in the competition. The center ran the ball five times and made five tackles.
- Corey Toole – 7th
At a performance by the former Australian Sevens star. Corey Toole, who gave an impression of class on the left wing debut.
While the try was ruled out, I can’t talk about the try assistant just after the half-time break. Toole showed grace and composure as he passed the ball to Rob Valetini. TMO intervened and ruled that out, saying the winger had stepped onto the touchline but it doesn’t cancel out the skills he’s shown.
But his crowning moment of the game was his try in the 58th minuteth Minute.
- Jack Debreceni – 7th
Jack Debreczeni lived up to the Brumbies shirt in his Super Rugby debut for the famous Australian franchise.
The flyhalf, who also played for the Rebels and Chiefs, set the tone early with a brilliant 50/22 kick. After a scrum, the top five slotted a clever kick behind the Waratahs’ defensive line. The kick put the visitors in an offensive lineup about seven yards from the try-line, and they also got within inches of a goal.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. in the 26thth Minute Debreczeni kicked the ball wide. Overall, however, it was a promising Brumbies debut for the Auckland-born talent.
- Ryan Lonergan – 8
If the Wallabies have a World Championship bolter this year, scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan has to be there. Well, that’s not just down to his performance on Friday – but it certainly didn’t hurt his chances.
Lonergan started ahead of centurion Nic White and was among the standout players for the visitors during the first 40. The halfback scored the Brumbies’ first try of the year after running in support of Tom Wright about seven minutes into the contest.
Lonergan also registered one of the most incredible, if not bizarre, try passes of the season before halftime was over. The Waratahs were dreaming and Lonergan took full advantage – kicking the ball across the field for an unmarked Andy Muirhead. Overall, the halfback scored 16 points and had a try assist.
- Blake Schoupp – 6th
The Brumbies started the fight rearfoot on set pieces, to a degree that must be reflected in Schoupp’s rating. But it wasn’t exactly one-way traffic. Both teams took control at various stages of the competition. Schoupp was also useful on the field, but didn’t exactly stand out either.
- Connal McInerney – N/A
McInerney was replaced by Auckland-born hooker John Ulugia in the fifth minute.
- Allan Alaalatoa – 7
Alaalatoa, who captained his country for the first time last year, is world class. That’s not exactly a hot take, it rather points out the obvious, but it just needs to be said. While the Brumbies’ set piece delivered punches with their opponents, Alaalatoa made his mark on the field.
By the time he was substituted off the field, the tighthead prop had made 11 tackles — that was the most of any Brumbies player. Alaalatoa had also let the ball run five times.
- Nick Frost – 7.5
Nick Frost has a history of showing at both Super Rugby and Test levels that he is a superstar of tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the best locks in the country today. Frost had the most carries of any player that night (13) and finished the match with 90 percent tackle accuracy.
- Cadeyrn Neville – 7
Australia international Neville is such an important part of this team. The outstanding second rower did his job on the set piece and showed great courage on the pitch. Behind Alaalatoa, Neville made the second most tackles of any Brumbies player (10). A commendable knock.
- Rob Valetini – 7.5
Rob Valetini has enjoyed the best season of his career at super rugby level, where he was crowned MVP by Rugby Australia earlier this week. It was more of the same thing in the 2023 season opener, however, when Valetini ran rampant against the Tahs.
The backrower had 10 carries for 21 yards – after beating three defenders – and also made nine tackles.
- Rory Scott-7
Flanker Rory Scott was more than impressive for the Brumbies against the Tahs after making 10 tackles on the night. Scott was also busy in other areas of the park; to get your hands on the ball and to distinguish yourself in the event of a breakdown.
- peter samu 7
Backrower Pete Samu has been so good for so long that it’s almost hard to judge his performance when he’s a bit “quiet”. Although he didn’t stand out as a human highlight, Samu was still impressive. The backrower ran 36 meters and also made seven tackles.
Substitute:
- John Ulugia – 6:5 – Ulugia arrived much sooner than he probably expected but the 37-year-old lived up to the Brumbies shirt. The hooker played almost the entire 80 minutes.
- James slippers – 6.5 – When the wallaby came off the bench, he finished the night with 100 percent tackle accuracy (6 tackles).
- Rhys Van Nek – 6.5 – Making his debut in Brumbies colors, the prop came off the bench and made seven tackles without missing a single one.
- Darcy Swain – 6.5 – Similar to Rhys Van Nek, Swain came off the bench and went clean in seven attempts.
- Lukas Reimer – 6.5
- Nick White – 6.5 – He’s playing his 100thth Game Super Rugby for the Brumbies, the halfback was impressive off the bench.
- Noah Lolesio – 6.5
- Ollie Sapsford – N/A