Under Les Kiss, the Queensland Reds flipped the script.
They have won three of five in 2024, going from a team that had won two of their previous 15 trans-Tasman matches in the past three seasons.
Additionally, their point differential has increased from -77 in 2023, -85 in 2022 and -84 in 2021 to +30 over five games against traditional New Zealand opponents this season.
It also marks the first time since 2013 that the Reds have achieved three wins against New Zealand in a season.
Moreover, the two losses they have suffered in 2024 have come in their last match of the season.
This is an important statistic for Joe Schmidt to pay particular attention to when choosing his Wallabies team as it will be important for him to get a win against his New Zealand opposition.
Here you can find out whether your Wallabies rivals can handle the physical assault, rough competition and kick chases they face when facing their New Zealand counterparts.
So it’s no surprise that Kiss talks at every press conference about the need to dominate the ruck zone so his team can get the fast ball. Keith knows the international game well.
He also knows Schmidt, who has coached with him for several years.
So far only the Reds have been able to keep up with their trans-Tasman rivals.
The Brumbies still have work to do on that front despite a win over the Hurricanes in Canberra two weeks ago. One win in three against New Zealand’s frontrunners, including two no-shows, isn’t enough.
This violates the principle of consistency that Schmitt keeps talking about.
Harry Wilson’s performance in 2024 helped Liverpool flip the script against their New Zealand rivals. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
The Brumbies’ dominant display against Drua also showed that controlling the contact zone and physical battle is still a work in progress.
The Waratahs were demolished in that area against the Hurricanes, but the Force could not contain the Chiefs either.
Kevin Foote’s Rebels may have held on to the Blues for much of the first half, but that may have had more to do with the Blues’ efforts to extend the game through width-first play.
In fact, when Vern Cotter’s team decided to go through the middle in the second half, the Rebels couldn’t keep up with them.
This means the Reds’ players around the Wallabies selection are climbing up the charts.
In particular, lock Ryan Smith and loose forward Liam Wright, two players who do not represent the physical threat offered by other players in Australian rugby, are starting to make a case for Wallabies selection.
They do so through work speed and stubbornness.
Keep the gap in mind
Australia’s Super Rugby team has performed better than its trans-Tasman opponents, but the gap between the two rivals is still evident.
The Reds’ success is well known and the Brumbies are always a punter’s opportunity, but the thrashings of 29, 27 and 47 handled by Australia’s other three teams are a better gauge of the nation’s health.
Nor are they a one-off, the same three teams were beaten by 16, 39 and 1 point a week ago.
Jake Gordon’s Waratahs suffered their eighth defeat of the season. (Photo credit: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
And unless Rugby Australia puts its hands in its pockets, the gap may not be fully closed anytime soon.
Several Waratahs players have already signed overseas while others are looking elsewhere.
Ditto, Reds and Rebels.
Having one or two competitive aspects is not enough.
You need at least three things: This is the challenge facing Rugby Australia. It is a way to expand competitiveness beyond the few to the many.
A set-piece wobble brings bad news for the Brumbies and Wallabies.
The sight of the Brumbies’ pack being smashed in the scrum is a worry for Schmidt as well as Stephen Larkham.
That’s because the Brumbies are Australia’s best team in Super Rugby and more often than not win or lose games from set pieces.
The Force have suffered because they haven’t had a set piece for years.
The same goes for the Waratahs.
Allan Alaalatoa has recently returned from injury, but the Wallabies’ frontline stock is not very healthy. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
The Rebels have grown in that area but the absence of a muscular second-choice player like Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in recent weeks has shown that weight matters.
The Reds are Australia’s biggest move of 2024, but that’s partly because former All Black turned Samoa prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has joined alongside Fijian frontman Peni Ravai.
Without the foundation they laid, the Reds would have struggled.
But what this means is that Schmidt has two fewer props to choose from when it comes to international duties.
They are not alone, as Force tight end prop Santiago Medrano is an important and regular starter for the franchise.
The Waratahs are also missing Angus Bell (foot), with England-qualified Hayden Thompson-Stringer filling the void at loose head prop.
So when the Fijians put up numbers in the Brumbies’ front row with Wallabies James Slipper and recently returned Allan Alaalatoa packing, Schmidt may have raised an eyebrow.
He would also have pointed out that the Brumbies’ second-row pair is one of the lightest duos. But this is a theme throughout Australian rugby.
AUSSIE DERBY HAS MORE THAN WINNINGS
The Waratahs missed the jump in Wellington.
The most obvious example was when the Waratahs took a scrum feed from their own 22-metre line in the third minute but were completely pushed back and conceded within seconds.
But for the remainder of the game the Waratahs’ scrum actually held its own despite being missing six of their leading players.
This in itself showed how slow the Waratahs started against the Hurricanes and was inexcusable for a team who entered the game with a 2-7 record.
The struggle continued as the Waratahs were crushed in the contact zone, allowing the Hurricanes to pass and unload at will.
The Waratahs now return to Sydney to take on the Brumbies.
Fifteen months ago, 25,000 fans attended the season opener.
They will be lucky to get half that number on Saturday when the Brumbies travel up the Hume Highway to take on their arch-rivals.
Wounded Waratahs are best represented. Because otherwise it would be impossible to turn around another no-show in any other way.
It’s a big week for Carter Gordon.
Twelve months ago, Gordon was highlighted by Eddie Jones as the next Butch James and a player with huge potential.
Eventually, Jones took Gordon to the World Cup.
We know how it all ended, but since then Gordon has delivered some moments of brilliance, along with some shotty kicks that have led many to question his value to the Wallabies.
Now, after his World Cup investment, Gordon is questioning his future in Australian rugby.
Rugby Australia want Gordon to stay but don’t want to break the bank to keep him.
Carter Gordon’s future in Australian rugby is unclear. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
It’s okay if some of the other playmakers are better. But will it?
There is currently fierce competition from a handful of Australian playmakers, including the emerging Tom Lynagh, with Gordon leading the charge.
Leading the Rebels to their first finals appearance will help push his case forward in the coming weeks.
It begins on Friday night with the Rebels, full of Queenslanders, heading to Brisbane to take on the Reds.
It’s a high-risk game.
Christy Doran’s Team of the Week:
Isaac Kylia, Matt Fessler, Jeffrey Tumaga-Allen, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Liam Wright, Fraser McWright, Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, McG Greely, Tamathi Tua, Len Ikitau, Tim Ryan, Jock Campbell
