Individual brilliance stumps Waratahs, but would delight Wallabies coach

Waratahs coach Dan McKellar was frustrated by the no-try call on Triston Reilly’s spectacular effort in the 26-17 loss to the Reds, but the deeper concern may be that his side improved markedly from the 59-19 loss to the Hurricanes the week before, and still came away with nothing.

There wasn’t much between the old rivals as Waratahs captain Matt Philip led the response to the previous week, but Super Rugby is inherently cruel, often proving that teams with extra X-factor trump good coaching and hard work.

In Carter Gordon, Jock Campbell and Filipo Daugunu, the Reds had three experienced Wallabies capable of finding top gear when it counted, and that is all it takes. The Reds’ No.10-No.15 combination is the most dangerous in Australia, and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt must be delighted by Gordon’s speed and desire to take on the line.

Lancaster’s Lomax response

One proposed benefit of Zac Lomax’s move to rugby is the response it will provoke from future teammates. The theory is that a rising tide will lift all boats. It is difficult to quantify, but Darby Lancaster’s performance against the Hurricanes in Napier certainly showed he won’t hand over his jersey without a fight.

Lancaster scored two tries in an excellent individual effort, including a Max Jorgensen-like in and away on Hurricanes outside back Bailyn Sullivan, who is no slouch. Lancaster has been up and down since bursting onto the scene for the Rebels, but he seems to have recovered the pace that characterised his standout performances in Melbourne.

When Dylan Pietsch returns from a foot injury – hopefully in round seven against the Chiefs – the Force will have two strong wing options, as well as Lomax. Until James Ramm arrives in Perth next year, the Force’s most obvious gap in the back three is at fullback – but that might be a step too far for Lomax as he starts his transition to the 15-man game.

The most improved player in Australia

Reds fullback Jock Campbell always appeared to have all the ingredients to be a star – except one. Call it explosiveness, or top-end acceleration, but it was the one quality that wasn’t always obvious alongside his high rugby IQ. But after five rounds of Super Rugby it might be time to revisit that assessment: Campbell looks fast.

Campbell, 30, has apparently added a yard of pace, and he played a major role in the Reds’ wins against the Brumbies and Waratahs in consecutive weeks. Campbell beat three defenders against the Waratahs, made two clean breaks and set up a try.

Jock Campbell in action for the Reds.Credit: Getty Images

It was also his ability to get some contact on Waratah Reilly that arguably saved a try in the 73rd minute. In what might be a good sign for the Reds later in the season. They are fourth on the table, despite not playing that well collectively.

Campbell has been a massive part of that, and at the other end of the age spectrum it is very hard not to get excited by the glimpses shown by Treyvon Pritchard. The 18-year-old is electric on his feet.

Fiji win again

The scenes in Ba, Fiji, during the home side’s 42-27 victory over the Brumbies again showed the unique contribution the Drua have made to Super Rugby Pacific. Buoyed by the crowd, the Drua appeared to have found their mojo again after some worrying signs of decline last year.

The Brumbies struggled in the sauna-like conditions, but credit must primarily go to the reborn Drua, for whom big No.6 Etonia Waqa was exceptional during his 53 minutes on the field.

The biggest lesson for the Brumbies is one they already knew: without No.9 Ryan Lonergan they are simply not the same side.

Lonergan almost single-handedly turned the game when injected from the bench with half an hour to go: he has become the heart, soul and brains of the operation in Canberra.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh was also in Fiji for the game. During a brief stint in the commentary box, he hinted at the intriguing prospect of teams from Samoa and Tonga following the Drua’s pre-Super footsteps and joining an Australian competition. That would be a major step forward for rugby in the Pacific.

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A mea culpa – the refs were right

The match officials for the Brumbies-Reds game in Canberra last week deserve an apology. They got the Daugunu “knock on” call 100 per cent correct, and those of us who called it wrong are obliged to admit it.

To be clear, the match officials did not request an apology from me, let alone demand one, as some might have, but the additional angles supplied by Rugby Australia showed that Damon Murphy and his team were correct.

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