The Brumbies continued their winning streak over the Waratahs at the SCG on Friday night. However, the NSW side looks to have turned a corner.
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Big names returned, and new strategies were implemented, but what else did we learn?
1. Wright Stuff
It was a long-awaited return, but Tom Wright is back and boy, oh boy, did he make an impact! Scoring from one of his opening touches, he showed everyone why he was still included in Dave Rennie’s wider training squad.
Constantly working off the ball and not afraid to head into contact, his speed off the mark is second to none. He wasn’t afraid to dive for the corner, and most of the time, it worked.
2. Captain my Captain
Composure and communication were what the Waratahs have been missing, and tonight, Jake Gordon brought it back to the side. Making a long-awaited return from injury, the Waratahs 2021 captain proved tonight why he holds the armband.
Making the right decisions at the right time and leading from the front, while the Waratahs didn’t get the win, Gordon’s leadership was on full display, and the Waratah’s are all the better for it!
3. Don’t forget Fainga’a
The Brumbies hooker, amongst others, was a notable omission from Dave Rennie’s 40-man training squad last weekend and was given a clear message that no jersey is safe. But tonight, Fainga’a showed he wants another season in Wallaby gold.
Eight tackles, seven lineouts won and a try of his own all within the first 40 minutes. There is no doubt the Wallabies coaches made note of this performance.
4. Club Colours
Speaking to the media this week, NSW Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn spoke about the importance of the organisation’s culture moving forward, and tonight the Waratahs delivered.
With a section of the SCG stand decorated with community jerseys, the players also wore their club socks and training shirts during warm-up. As the NSW Waratahs continue to rebuild, remembering the work they’ve put in to get to the Super Rugby level definitely won’t go astray.
5. The path of least resistance
There is no doubt, the Brumbies maul is near unstoppable… however, what if you don’t even let the side start one.
A maul needs two teams to be formed, and the Waratahs used the letter of the law to their advantage. Instead of engaging, the Waratahs stood off, not allowing them to follow through with their game plan, creating indecision, and breaking the momentum.
It didn't work every time but stunted the Brumbies lethal weapon on a couple of occasions.
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