Tuapaea exhibits strong ABs case
Thank goodness the Chiefs moved Quinn Tupaea back into the midfield against the Brumbies last night.
He filled in admirably on the wing in recent weeks as a stop-gap measure, but there should be no doubt No 12 is where the seventest All Black needs to be playing.
Tupaea was one of the Chiefs’ best during their 38-28 loss to the Brumbies in Hamilton, with the only complaint being he didn’t receive enough touches in the second half.
With so much uncertainty surrounding All Blacks coach Ian Foster’s midfield makeup, the power-runner sure put his hand up for the No 12 jersey.
If Foster was to name a starting XV today, you’d have to fancy Tupaea pairing with Blues centre Rieko Ioane.
Tupaea offers what the All Blacks need at second five-eighth – go forward ball.
Playing against an impressive Brumbies outfit, one which prides itself on defending with vigour, the 22-year-old repeatedly utilised his powerful frame to churn through would-be tacklers and crash over the advantage line.
That was the case in the build up to each of the Chiefs’ first three tries last night, including when his early offload led to centre Alex Nankivell scoring the home side’s first try.
No mean feat against the imposing Brumbies’ midfield pairing of Irae Simone and Len Ikitau.
As injured All Blacks and Chiefs midfielder Anton LienertBrown said after the match, ‘‘people probably underestimate what he does off strikes, he draws in two to three players and that opens up space wider ... he’s coming back to his best at the
right time of the season’’.
Tupaea finished with 38 metres on 11 carries, beating four defenders. He also made nine tackles on a night the Chiefs lost to the Brumbies for the third time in four matches.
There should be no doubt the Brumbies are legitimate title contenders after they made it three from three against Kiwi teams.
Two points behind the tabletopping Blues with three regular season games to play, it’s clear they’re the best built Australian outfit to deal with the New Zealand sides.
Armed with a superb set piece – no team in the competition launches attacking strikes better from their lineout – and led superbly by halfback Nic White, they’re going to take some beating.
As the Highlanders, Hurricanes and now the Chiefs have found out, they’re abrasive in all departments, particularly the breakdown, where they gave Clayton McMillan’s troops a tickle up.
Having got the better of All Blacks captain Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula and Luke Jacobson, Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown and Rob Valetini can mix it with any loose forwards trio in the competition.
The night after the Reds lacked fight, and appeared gassed and unorganised after the Highlanders strung even a few phases together, the Brumbies showed through their defence it’s not the Reds, but rather the Canberra-based team, regarded as the top Aussie dogs.
Aided by the growth of pivot Noah Lolesio, what also makes them impressive is they don’t get too flashy with ball in hand.
There’s no helter-skelter attack, no throwing the ball around willy-nilly, as teams such as the Crusaders sometimes pay the price for.
Rather they’re well-organised and make good decisions, knowing there’s no extra style points rewarded in Super Rugby Pacific.
Having knocked over the Highlanders and Hurricanes in Canberra, rolling the Chiefs in Hamilton should have everyone – including the Blues – on notice.
Speaking of the Blues, they’ll get a shot at them in Canberra in a fortnight, but not before the Brumbies renew their rivalry with the Crusaders on Friday night.