Darry Worthington takes a look at the five main talking points to come out of Round 5 of the 2020 Super Rugby AU season.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sport
Round 5 certainly served up some solid rugby action with the Force versus Rebels game going into extra time and the Brumbies pulling off a late comeback victory over the Reds.
There were a number of talking points to come out of the last round including Jordan Petaia and Harry Wilson putting the hands up for national honours.
Brumbies and Reds By Far the Best Two Sides
The Brumbies managed to pip the Reds 22-20 in the headline clash of the weekend. The Queenslanders were down 14-3 at the break but roared back into the game and were five points to the good with just over five minutes to play.
The Brumbies would launch a late comeback however with an unconverted try and a penalty seeing the edge the game 22-20.
I reckon these two sides will meet again in this years final and if the showpiece has anywhere near as much drama as this first encounter had then we’re in for a spectacular end to the inaugural Super Rugby AU season.
Second Draw of the Tournament
Last weekend served up our second draw of the tournament with the Force and Rebels game ending 20-20. This is the second time the Rebels have been involved in a draw this term having already drawn with the Reds earlier in the campaign. Extra time would be kinder to the men from Melbourne this time around, however, as they managed to score the golden points unlike when they played the Reds.
It’s rather interesting that two of the ten games played this year have ended in draws. It means that 20 percent of the fixtures have ended with the scores level in regular time. We may well be in for a few more periods of extra time this term.
Jordan Petaia Key to Wallabies Rebuild
He may only be 20 years old but Reds midfielder Jordan Petaia is going to have a massive role to play for the Australian national side in the next few years.
The blockbusting centre made his return to from a shoulder injury last weekend and was one of the Reds stars during their narrow defeat to the Brumbies. The one-cap Wallaby had a try disallowed and played the final pass to Harry Wilson for the number eight’s try.
With Samu Kervei in Japan, Petaia is just the man to fill the former Wallabies big old boots.
Harry Wilson In Drivers’ Seat for Wallaby Number Eight berth
Speaking of future Wallabies, it looks like Petaia’s Queensland teammate Harry Wilson will also be a key member of a future Australian renaissance. The number eight has been enjoying a terrific campaign for the Reds and was in fine fettle last week bagging bout a try and a try assist.
While he faces stiff competition from Rebels Isi Nasaraini, Wilson seems to have a more refined game than the big bruiser which is something Dave Rennie may well be looking for in an eighth man.
Force Can’t Catch a Break
The former Super Rugby exiles came oh so close to winning their first game of the season this past Friday. The men from Perth had a great chance to go up 23-20 with five minutes left on the board but experienced fly-half Jono Lance – who had been a dead-eye dick with the boot all day – pulled a rather easy kick.
The scores would remain 20-20 at the end of regular time. The Rebels would go onto score a minute into Super Time which inflicted a fourth successive defeat upon the Force.
