Five things we learned from the Reds v Waratahs Super Rugby clash

THE ‘kick to Folau’ option succeeds again, a hooker makes a Test case and a halfback shows great promise. Some of the five things we learned from the Reds v Tahs clash:

Moses Sorovi showed plenty of promise at halfback for the Reds.

1 Kick to Folau. It seems crazy that in his sixth season of rugby that Folau’s aerial ability is only so recently being employed regularly for try plays. The Bernard Foley crosskick to Folau is a ripper option and Saturday night’s kick-and-fingertip-catch was one of the best.

2 Happy hookers. There will be a new Wallaby in at least one position against Ireland on Saturday and the favourite has to be Reds’ rookie Brandon Paenga-Amosa. His strengths at scrum and lineout translate well to Test rugby and his neat, powerful drives or passes with the ball too often go unnoticed.

Moses Sorovi showed plenty of promise at halfback for the Reds.

3 Timu time. A strong-running, balanced backrower is just what the Wallabies need. Caleb Timu is not a lineout factor but his line-busting power at 117kg is made for Test footy. A supersub against Ireland looks the best fit.

4 The Reds have needed more sharpness at halfback and Moses Sorovi provided it in his first game as a starter. He had multiple touches in several raids, spun and ran in another of his own and stepped up on a big stage. Great promise.

5 Taniela Tupou is a terrific package of prop power. He has to make a conscious decision to wrap his arms in tackles because the officious policing of anything looking like a shoulder-only tackle will see him sin-binned. He has to learn in time for the Test.

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Originally published as Five things we learned from the Reds v Waratahs Super Rugby clash