Jorgensen reminded Brumbies of the value of star power in Super Rugby

There was a big question hanging over the Brumbies this year: at what point would the loss of Len Ikitau, Noah Lolesio, Tom Hooper and Tom Wright hurt them?

The answer came on Friday night in the Waratahs’ win in Canberra.

Players of that quality make contributions that you just can’t replace, and we saw that from Wallabies star Max Jorgensen, with and without the ball.

He is deceptively strong. In the final quarter, with the game well in the balance, Brumbies fullback Andy Muirhead won the scraps from a contestable kick and charged downfield. However, Jorgensen tracked back and lifted him into the air to create a maul and eventually forced the turnover.

It was one of many small moments the Waratahs won during the last 20 minutes.

Sid Harvey has officially arrived

It was only a matter of time before 20-year-old Waratah Sid Harvey delivered a breakout performance such as the one he produced in the 30-28 win against the Brumbies.

Although the win was based on defence – the Waratahs front-rowers made an enormous number of tackles – Harvey showcased his natural talent around the field and off the kicking tee.

He ran a beautiful midfield line from a Waratahs lineout move on the hour mark, something that is surprisingly rare for fullbacks these days. Not all players have that sense of timing.

When the Waratahs ran a similar play about seven minutes later the Brumbies stood off just long enough for Triston Reilly to take the space instead. Fullbacks hitting those “north-south” running lines from first-phase attacks remain one of the best sights in rugby.

Hats off to Andrew Kellaway and Jorgensen as well – the senior players in the NSW back three could be seen giving Harvey great communication all evening.

Can the Waratahs beat the Chiefs?

The Waratahs travel to Hamilton next weekend with a bit of wind in their sails. The Force pushed the Chiefs all the way in a 24-14 loss in Perth, but the Chiefs’ performance will be a double-edged sword for the Waratahs coaches.

On one hand, the Chiefs are clearly playing below the sum of their parts; no other team in New Zealand has as many All Blacks. Damian McKenzie is nowhere near his best, and he also had an all-time shocker against the Waratahs in Sydney last year.

But Dan McKellar and co at the Waratahs will also be aware that at some point the Chiefs are going to click this year – and no one wants to be the team that plays them back into form. This is the Waratahs’ biggest test so far this year.

Why the Hurricanes smashed the Reds – and nearly everyone else

Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw is a Scot-turned-New Zealander, but he is also a Francophile. He told the Herald last year that he was a huge fan of the Les Bleus and their style of play.

In fact, he said he was passionately trying to re-educate his New Zealand players not to simply default to shape or structure when they had the ball.

During the past decade, structured rugby has become so automated for many players that they are missing opportunities. Laidlaw is trying to break that mindset at the Hurricanes, and although they retain some structure, everyone can see they are playing a liberated style of rugby that suits their players.

Dearns a good advertisement for Japanese rugby

Who is the best lock in Super Rugby? Matt Philip at the Waratahs? Sam Darry at the Blues? Or Warner Dearns at the Hurricanes?

The latter is improving with every game, combining his rare athleticism with skill and a knack for producing big plays.

Dearns, the Japan captain, is with the Hurricanes for one year and will return to Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan Rugby League One next year. He is another example of the quality of player in that competition, and his performances for the Hurricanes makes one wonder if there is a future for Super Rugby and the JRLO in some format.

With Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx and many others in Japan, we certainly can’t be sure that all the best players go around in Super Rugby.

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