Tom Banks was outstanding last night at full-back for the Brumbies, where he’s got so much pace and physicality when he has the ball on hand. He credits the back end of the Rebels’ poor start that allowed his forward pack to build the momentum, so Banks and his backline can get around the opposition through the gate with patience over time. And when you look at the support players around him, it’s amazing to play around and be in-line through the channels before Banks wrapped this up quick and easy, whether it’s through an assist or a TRY himself!! We’ll wait and see if he can translate this Super Rugby form into International level for the Wallabies later this year.
Then look over his shoulder when it comes to team-mate Tom Wright on the right-wing in the Brumbies No.14 jersey, as he accrued two tries throughout his full 80-minute spell. He has the same characteristics and traits to burn, like Banks, with some rugby league touch, having run around and communicated well when there were numbers around him. Once these support players fed the ball to him, Tom knows what to do to finish the job and he tormented the Rebels defense into shreds. He’s such another outstanding player to watch, who has everything to unpack & execute within attacking football from the wing.
And Matt Toomua was blessed with a couple of returning stars to the Rebels last night despite the loss, especially when they made up some lost time after the break. Not only did he help them grab some extra points when converting inside the two goal posts, but he also ran a lot before he planned out the attack with the ball on hand, that saw sub loose forward Richard Hardwick struck the Rebels 2nd big score within 10-15 mins to go. It’s just a poor first 40 that left the Rebels too late to catch up while the Brumbies extend their lead, even though it was over 86 minutes of play. Toomua is an important Rebels player to get along nonetheless, as he looks to help them climb out of the bottom as this Super Rugby Pacific season continues.
