The Brumbies have claimed early season bragging rights against fierce Australian rivals the NSW Waratahs, having beaten them 25-31 at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
Playing away from home, the Brumbies got their new Super Rugby Pacific campaign off to an ideal start, as halfback Ryan Lonergan scored a try inside the opening seven minutes.
Lonergan was one of the standout players on the night, having finished the match with 16 points and a try assist as well.
Andy Muirhead and Corey Toole also crossed for five-pointers, while replacement Noah Lolesio finished with five points off the tee.
Here’s how the Brumbies rated during their winning 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 – setting up halfback Ryan Lonergan following a brilliant run into the Tahs’ 22.
Later in the contest, Wright upstaged himself with another try assist. With just over 20 minutes to play, the fullback threw a one handed pass to set up winger Corey Toole. Overall, Wright ran for 85 metres form 10 carries, had one 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 his way courtesy of Ryan Lonergan.
Muirhead waited patiently, and ultimately reaped the rewards as the ball sat up perfectly for him.
- Len Ikitau – 7
Every time I see Len Ikitau play, I’m impressed. The centre will play a key part in the Wallabies World Cup charge later this year, and it all starts with his form at Super Rugby level.
Starting in the No. 13 jersey against the Tahs, Ikitau showed glimpses of his elite skillset in what was otherwise a quiet outing.
- Tamati Tua – 6
Quite a quiet performance from Tua, who failed to make his mark on the contest. The centre ran the ball five times and made five tackles.
- Corey Toole – 7
When a performance from the former Australian Sevens star. Corey Toole who, on debut, showed glimpses of class on the left wing.
While the try was ruled out, I can’t not talk about the ‘try assist’ just after the half-time break. Toole showed grace and poise as he offloaded the ball to Rob Valetini. The TMO intervened and ruled it out, saying the winger had stepped on the sideline, but it doesn’t overturn the skill he showed.
But his crowning moment during the match was his try in the 58th minute.
- Jack Debreczeni – 7
Jack Debreczeni did the Brumbies jersey justice on his Super Rugby debut for the famous Australian franchise.
The flyhalf, who has also played for the Rebels and Chiefs, set the tone early with a brilliant 50/22 kick. Off a scrum, the first-five poked a clever kick in behind the Waratahs’ defensive line. The kick gave the visitors an attacking lineout about seven metres out from the try-line, and they came within inches of scoring too.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. In the 26th minute, Debreczeni kicked the ball out on the full. However, overall, it was a promising Brumbies debut for the Auckland-born talent.
- Ryan Lonergan – 8
If the Wallabies are going to have a World Cup bolter this year, then scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan just has to be in the mix. Now, that’s not just down to his performance on Friday – but it certainly hasn’t dented his chances.
Starting ahead of centurion Nic White, Lonergan was among the standout performers for the visitors throughout the opening 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 assists of the season before the half was over. The Waratahs was daydreaming, 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 – 6
The Brumbies started the contest on the back foot at the set-piece, and to an extent that has to reflect in Schoupp’s rating. But it wasn’t exactly one way traffic. Both teams took control at various stages of the contest. Schoupp was also useful around the field, although 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, in fact it’s more pointing out the obvious, but it just has to be said. While the Brumbies’ set-piece traded blows with their counterparts, Alaalatoa made his mark around the field.
By the time he was subbed from the field of play, the tighthead prop had made 11 tackles – which was the most of any Brumbies player. Alaalatoa had also run the ball five times.
- Nick Frost – 7.5
Nick Frost has shown in the past, at both Super Rugby and Test level, that he’s a superstar of tomorrow. But that’s not to say he isn’t one of the best locks in the country today. Frost had the most carries of any player on the night (13) and also finished with a 90 per cent tackle accuracy.
- Cadeyrn Neville – 7
Australian international Neville is such an important part of this team. The towering second-rower did his job at the set-piece, and showed plenty of grit around the field of play. Behind Alaalatoa, Neville made the equal second-most tackles of any Brumbies player (10). A commendable knock.
- Rob Valetini – 7.5
Rob Valetini is coming off a career-best season at Super Rugby level, where he was crowned the MVP by Rugby Australia earlier this week. But it was more of the same in the 2023 season opener, as Valetini ran rampant against the Tahs.
The backrower had 10 carries for 21 metres – having beaten three defenders – and also made nine tackles.
- Rory Scott – 7
Flanker Rory Scott was more than impressive for the Brumbies against the Tahs, having made 10 tackles on the night. Scott also got busy in other areas around the park; getting his hands on the ball and making his mark at the breakdown.
- Pete Samu 7
Backrower Pete Samu has been so good for so long now, it’s almost hard to gauge his performance when he’s a bit ‘quiet.’ While he didn’t stand out as a human highlight reel, Samu was still impressive. The backrower ran for 36 metres and also made seven tackles.
Replacements:
- John Ulugia – 6.5 – Ulugia came on a lot earlier than he probably expected, but the 37-year-old did the Brumbies jersey justice. The hooker played almost the entire 80 minutes.
- James Slipper – 6.5 – Coming off the bench, the Wallaby finished the night with 100 per cent tackle accuracy (6 tackles).
- Rhys Van Nek – 6.5 – Making his debut in Brumbies colours, the prop came off the bench and made seven tackles without missing any.
- Darcy Swain – 6.5 – Very similar to Rhys Van Nek, Swain came off the bench and didn’t miss a tackle from seven attempts.
- Luke Reimer – 6.5
- Nic White – 6.5 – Playing his 100th game of Super Rugby for the Brumbies, the halfback was impressive off the bench.
- Noah Lolesio – 6.5
- Ollie Sapsford – N/A
