Is it time for the Reds' halves to become the Wallabies' 9 and 10? 5 things we learned

Fri, Aug 21, 2020, 9:50 PM
Christy Doran
by Christy Doran
The Force host the Reds to kick off round eight of Super Rugby AU.

The Reds sit atop the Super Rugby standings after their 57-5 demolition of the Western Force.

But were the Reds that good or the Force that bad?

Here's five things we learned?

REDS MOVE ONE STEP CLOSER TO FINALS

Whisper it but the Queensland Reds are one win away from playing their first final since 2013.

On Wednesday Brad Thorn said that the Reds couldn't look too far ahead. The topsy-turvy nature of the competition's results had meant that consistency was king and, as yet, the Reds hadn't showed anything near what resembles that trait that all successful teams.

But on Friday night they gave Reds fans and, indeed, Australian rugby supporters reason to believe.

The Force looked out on their feet and the fight is slowly dissipating before their very eyes, but the Reds were exceptional and played with the confidence and continuity of a side on the rise.

Reds halfback Tate McDermott summed it up following the massive bonus-point win.

"I think we were due for one of those," he told Fox Sports' Tim Horan.

"We'd been sticking it to this tournament for a while now and hadn't really had that complete 80 minute performance 

"I think that's what we're looking to develop. Just that trust in the game-plan. Jimmy's (McKay) put together a brilliant plan, all we've got to do is stick to it. In weeks gone (bye) we've kind of gone away from it. Really happy we stuck to the plan this week. We'll have the bye-week, we've still got a lot to work-on and then leading into the Brumbies the week other so we really excited for that."

What was most pleasing about the Reds' game-plan was that their defensive line was simple and uncomplicated, and even though they had injuries in the midfield it didn't disrupt their continuity.

In attack, they were effective at the clean-out, got quick ball, their tight-five got over the gain line and showed great ball movement and the Reds' back-row, led by Fraser McReight, backed up superbly.

It really was a complete performance by the Reds' pack.

In attack, Tate McDermott showed his dynamism while James O'Connor bossed the game at fly-half.

Any playmaker who has options at his disposal will be made to look good and O'Connor took his chances, running square to the line, looking to attack where possible and having options both sides. Look no further than Filpo Daugunu who scored tries off both his left and right.

RENNIE'S WALLABIES THINKING

On Friday we got another glimpse into the thinking of the Wallabies' coaching structure with an August PONI squad.

It's important to note that the list is merely just that and as we've from the stark difference between the April list and August list, it's fluid.

Nonetheless, it did give some clues around Dave Rennie's thinking.

O'Connor might have been listed as an inside centre by the Sydney Morning Herald, but he's still very much in the frame at fly-half.

And the combination between him and McDermott is one reason why.

But the other person who can play a role in that is Harry Wilson at No.8.

We often hear about the halves combination, but the person at the back of the scrum is vital for the quick ball and the knowledge and instinct of when to run and when to keep the ball in tight.

Could we see a Wilson-McDermott-O'Connor combination?

Absolutely. 

All three men are in form, but the pace of McDermott and his relative inexperience could mean that the Wallabies opt for them in the second half and start with Nic White and Matt To'omua who know each other's games inside out, with another familiar face Isi Naisarani at No.8.


FORCE OUT OF DEPTH

You feel for them, but Super Rugby AU is showing the importance of depth.

The Force have managed to stay in the fight for the majority of the season.

But the physical nature of the competition means it's important to keep men fresh and not drop in performance.

Unfortunately the Force simply don't have the depth in personal to do that.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar can make 16 changes to his side because he's got a a big squad with Test caliber right throughout it.

Before the season kicked off one former Wallaby messaged me asking about the Force's chances as he considered whether to take his management to the club. 

I responded by saying I thought they'd fight but thought they would be up against it and, at a stretch, could only beat the Force and Waratahs whose packs weren't as big as the Reds and Brumbies.

On Friday, we saw the Force overran by a bigger, more powerful and dynamic pack and consequently couldn't get the quick ball they needed.

NEED FOR SPEED

Week by week it's harder to see how Filpo Daugunu can be left out of the Wallabies squad.

I don't think he's done enough to edge out Marika Koroibete, but the Reds left-winger is mounting a compelling challenge.

Where Koroibete is that run through the wall player with an incredible work-rate, Daugunu has that footballer's instinct that gives them a competitive edge.

He simply can't stop scoring and beating defenders.

His combination with O'Connor is something exciting.

Defensively he's strong and over the ball he gives the Reds another person willing to put himself in harm's way.

 

TUPOU TIME

Saturday week's showdown between the Reds and Brumbies is going to be a ripper for a number of reasons, but the head to head matchup I'm most excited about is between the two tight-head props: Allan Alaalatoa v Taniela Tupou.

It's not often tight-head props are the ones to watch but nor is often you have a man like Tupou at your disposal.

Alaalatoa is hard, he's consistent, his work-rate is exceptional and he's a solid scrummager.

He's the Wallabies incumbent tight-head prop and deserves to be thought of that.

But in Tupou, the Reds have a once in a generation prop at their disposal and this is a chance for Tupou to show he is the real deal.

Strap yourself in, it's going to be a cracker.

 

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