Western Force v Auckland Blues 02/05/2025

[James]

Our starting front row goes okay. Horton is light for a modern hooker. Our locks aren't the biggest and our bench props aren't the greatest. We'd've done better with HJH and Hoopert on deck.

We definitely need another good tighthead, but from where?

[Tazzmania]

Another very tough outing. While disappointing I think the score line was not a true reflection of the gap that is closing between us and the other super rugby clubs.

Again our depth was tested and found wanting at this level.

The scrums again our weak spot and something to fix next year as this year not many props of quality floating around that we can pick up for just three games.

Our attack build up was very good and this is confirmed by the stats, however our conversion of attack to points was sadly lacking.

Potter and Beale awesome in attack, and how good was it to see Beale score after what he has endured the last six to seven months.

Both were able assisted by Tizzano and Stewart.

Our defence let us down, the least number of tackles we have had to make yet we missed the most, yes the quality of the opposition was good, but the completion rate was not were it should have been or where it has been.

Tizzano and T Robertson standouts in defence and Donaldson deserves an honourable mention.

MOM that man Tizzano again.

[Tazzmania]

Team stats:

Attack:



Defence:



Kick:

[Tazzmania]

Individual Stats:

[Tazzmania]

Overall Stats:

Tries:
(1) Tizzano 12
(8) Potter 7

Clean Breaks:
(1) Potter 19

Carries
(9) Grealy 112

Defenders Beaten:
(2) Potter 45
(6) Grealy 32

Lineouts Won
(2) Dolly 83

Metres Gained
(2) Potter 718
(3) Grealy 687

Offloads
(4) Potter 12

Points
(2) Donaldson 90
(6) Tizzano 60

Tackles Won
(1) Tizzano 180
(5) Nic Champion de Crespigny 141
(7) T Robertson 140

[GIGS20]

Team stats:

Attack:



Defence:



Kick:

What I see glaringly in those attack stats, the Blues were happy to give us the ball and rightly so, most carries of the year, lowest tries per carry.

I'd be keen to see time in their 22 and visits per score I suspect both will tell a story.

[Tazzmania]

Rugby.com.au selects its Team of the Week from the Australian teams in Round 12.

1. Angus Bell
The Waratah prop continues to set the standard - although he had his work cut out in Canberra with a veteran opposite number in James Slipper.

Both players enjoyed a solid performance - however Bell's near perfect scrum performance and dominant carries stand out.

He's the incumbent starting Wallaby prop for a reason - and still shone despite his team being well-beaten.

2. Billy Pollard
While the Force's Nic Dolly also continues to stand out and runs a close second this week, Billy Pollard takes top spot this week, enjoying a nearly flawless night at lineout, with 13 out of 14 throws successful.

In addition to also picking up two tries for his efforts off the maul, he also did well in general play across his 54-minute performance - beating two defenders and even pulling off a line break.

Combined with a perfect defensive record, and it was a good night for him and the Brumbies at large.

3. Tom Robertson
One of the few bright sparks for the Western Force on a dour night at Eden Park, Robertson has grown well into the season, and looks close to rediscovering his explosive form pre-sabbatical.

On a night where the Force's scrum conceded several penalties - with Ryan Coxon unfortunately the recipient, Robertson more than stood up at set piece - and capped it off with a perfect night on defense.

4. Ryan Smith
While the likes of Nick Frost was also in contention thanks to a strong day in attack, Queensland Red Ryan Smith takes the first second row jersey for being at the coal face of a massive defensive effort.

Playing for the entire match and only having 41% of the ball, Smith made a mammoth 17 tackles against the Drua - the joint highest by any Australian player across the weekend - and didn't miss a single one.

Throw in a turnover and a strong day at the lineout, and the Red more than earnt his spot this week.

5. Tom Hooper
Hooper stays in the team of the week thanks to a busy night in Canberra, making ten carries and 13 successful tackles in an all-round solid performance.

Throw in a couple of lineout steals as well, and the Brumby made the Waratahs experience in Bruce a nightmare across his 76-minute performance.

6. Rob Valetini
While Seru Uru at the Reds deserves a lot of praise for his performance over the weekend, the current John Eales medalist pips him at the post, delivering another powerhouse attack performance against the Waratahs.

Valetini pulled off a massive 17 carries - more than any other Australian forward over the weekend - busting four tackles and peeling off nearly 30 post-contact metres.

7. Carlo Tizzano
The eternal question of McReight or Tizzano continues this week - despite the yellow card, the Red equaled the highest number of tackles for the weekend and pulled off a line break. However, his Force counterpart pips him for team of the week.

In addition to a perfect night in defense with 13 tackles, Tizzano was one of the star attackers who really asked questions of the Blues, with 16 carries, 55 post-contact metres, and three tackle busts.

Throw in yet another try - and the Force loose forward produced arguably the most complete performance by an Aussie player this weekend.

8. Langi Gleeson
A contender for best on-park player on a tough night for the Waratahs.

Picking up 13 carries - the most for any in sky blue, Gleeson grabbed a line break, a turnover and a try for his efforts.

9. Tate McDermott
The Reds captain continues to knock on the door for the Wallabies starting flyhalf position, returning to the team of the week.

While he had a quieter week than the mammoth effort against the Blues, he busted two tackles and asked plenty of questions around the Drua's ruck defense.

His management of the Reds discipline should also be commended, with the visitors having to endure wave after wave of Drua attack.

10. Noah Lolesio
The incumbent Wallaby flyhalf had a weekend similar to some of his best, enjoying a strong night off the boot and effectively unleashing the Brumbies' attack.

What was more of note was the 11 carries Lolesio also managed - his willingness to take on the line himself suggesting a new dimension to his game.

11. Corey Toole
It was hard to go past the man James Slipper calls 'Tool' this weekend, who beat four defenders and scored two tries - cutting the Tahs to shreds in Canberra.

Even more impressive was the fact he broke the Waratah line four times, proving an effective weapon alongside Tom Wright.

12. Joey Walton
Both the Waratahs' Joey Walton and the Force's Hamish Stewart enjoyed strong individual outings over the weekend, with both sides achieving similar numbers and go forward in attack.

However, Walton was head and shoulders above the rest of the Waratahs' defence - equaling the Reds' Ryan Smith and Fraser McReight for 17 tackles in a single match - and not missing a single tackle across the match.

13. Len Ikitau
Across his 80-minute performance, Len Ikitau was carry machine, making 20 carries - the most of Australian player this week - busting four tackles and assisting in two line breaks.

Throw in a try and it was another indication of the benchmark needed to usurp him as the incumbent Wallabies outside centre.

14. Harry Potter
Harry Potter's move to the wing is continuing to deliver dividends for the Force - especially in combination with the return of Kurtley Beale.

While he didn't get over the white line this week, across his ten carries, Potter broke the Blues line three times and busted an impressive eight tackles.

15. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
While the results saw more losses than wins, the big success of the weekend was the strong results offered by each player at fullback, with all bar Tom Wright getting on the score sheet - Kurtley Beale made a strong return for the Force, Jock Campbell continues to impress for the Reds, and Wright was a major cog in the Brumbies attack, busting eight tackles and making four line breaks.

However, as an individual effort, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii stood out. In addition to a try, the star busted eight tackles of his own and make two line breaks, his first half heroics playing a major part in keeping the Waratahs in the game.

Topping the attack chart with 117.9 post-contact metres - the most of any player over the weekend - the opportunities the fullback can bring to the Wallaby attack grow with every game on the paddock.

[Tazzmania]

Christy Doran’s Australian Super Rugby team of the week:

Angus Bell, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Darcy Swain, Seru Uru, Carlo Tizzano, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andy Murhead, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.