Super Rugby 2016: Player ratings from the Brumbies v Waratahs derby in Canberra
THE Brumbies and Waratahs played out a Super Rugby classic in Canberra. Here’s how Iain Payten rated the Friday night combatants.
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THE Brumbies and Waratahs played out a Super Rugby classic in Canberra, with the hosts prevailing 32-15 in a rugged encounter.
Here’s how Iain Payten rated the Friday night combatants.
WARATAHS
ISRAEL FOLAU 7.5
Freak try in the first half and set up a second. Defence strong too.
MATT CARRARO 5
New bub the only thing to celebrate this week.
ROB HORNE 5
Defensively sound in first half, replaced with injury in second.
DAVID HORWITZ 6
Some quality touches and decent defence but a quiet night.
ZAC GUILFORD 6
Looked for work early but didn’t see much ball.
KURTLEY BEALE 7
Never stopped trying but one or two many short kicks.
NICK PHIPPS 8
Never quit mentality in attack and defence helped NSW stay in the fight.
JED HOLLOWAY 6.5
Worked with endeavour and kept Tahs in game.
MICHAEL HOOPER 7
Always pushes and threw spanners aplenty. But team discipline is his concern.
DAVE DENNIS 6.5
Quality lineout performance and helped rumble ACT game plan.
DEAN MUMM 5
Quiet night and points off for yellow card.
WILL SKELTON 5
Also saw yellow; big Will is not breaking as many tackles this year.
ANGUS TA’AVAO 4
Couldn’t keep his feet in the scrum all night against a dominant Scott Sio.
TATAFU POLOTA-NAU 6
Worked hard but another ill-timed impact injury ended night early.
PADDY RYAN 5
Few work harder than Ryan around the park but deserves a shot at No 3.
TOTAL 90
RESERVES
TOLU LATU 4
MATT SANDELL N/A
JEREMY TILSE 4
SAM LOUSI 3
WYCLIFF PALU 5
JACK DEMPSEY 5
MATT LUCAS 5
BRYCE HEGARTY 6
BRUMBIES
AIDAN TOUA 6
Embarrassed by Folau in defence but gives Brumbies kicking options.
HENRY SPEIGHT 7
Speed down right edge remains a dangerous weapon. Needs more ball.
TEVITA KURIDRANI 8.5
Steam train with the ball in hand. One of the Brumbies’ most effective weapons.
MATT TOOMUA 7
Shuddering defensive presence; wore a mystery punch for his trouble.
JOE TOMANE 7.5
Power of persistence. Strong try in second half and lovely chase-and-assist for last try.
CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO 8.5
Top shelf. Controlled the Brumbies well and scored a stepping try.
TOMAS CUBELLI 6.5
Sketchy kicking options early. Settled in second half.
ITA VAEA 7
Another impressive night, runs hard, tackles often. Gold in his future.
DAVID POCOCK 7
Threat mostly contained by vigilant Tahs but link work valuable.
SCOTT FARDY 6.5
A night of grunt work. Hard to shine in dark places.
SAM CARTER 8
As tough as an old boot. Power output never dips — both in loose play and the set-piece.
BLAKE ENEVER 5
Solid start but injured and replaced in second half.
BEN ALEXANDER 6.5
Faultless dig. Some nice runs early and got through his work.
STEPHEN MOORE 8.5
Outstanding game from the Wallaby captain; bustling, angry and inspirational.
SCOTT SIO 7
Strong ball-running and muscled up at scrum-time. Great signs for Aussie rugby.
TOTAL 107.5
RESERVES
JOSH MANN-REA 6.5
ALLAN ALAALATOA 7.5
LES MAKIN 6.5
JORDAN SMILER 7
JARRAD BUTLER 6
MICHAEL DOWSETT 5
ANDREW SMITH N/A
NIGEL AH WONG 5
Originally published as Super Rugby 2016: Player ratings from the Brumbies v Waratahs derby in Canberra
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