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Izaia Perese

Rugby

Rugby News, Top 3 players from the NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes Game in Week 13 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific

by Sports Benches

Ardie Savea worked so hard tonight at Number 8 for the Hurricanes, especially during the 2nd half when his side came from 15-0 down at the break to a 18-22 win in the end. He made the most out of his game by smashing his way through the Waratahs defensive half where A. Savea is best served there with the Canes’ attacking contribution. That way, he helped the Canes find some space via the offload or talk-up before the job is done with a TRY assist to Bailyn Sullivan and also a TRY by himself. And it goes to show that Ardie loves to attack when the opposition began to falter; it gave the Canes a number of winning penalties, as well as more opportunities with the ball that reflects his match-winning performance.

Next up is another Canes spotlight player in Tevita Mafileo, who made a decent impact off the bench from the 34th minute, in place for Xavier Numia at loosehead prop. He has lots of physicality to unpack thanks to his impressive tall build, as well as the youth and talent by his side that helped Mafileo punish the Tahs. It’s important when it comes to his defensive contribution, especially in the 2nd half where the Tahs only secured a penalty goal on top of the opposition team’s red-hot 1st half spell. He can also be a great protector & communicator of the Canes attack going forward, where he made sure that his side were able to pick up valuable points which played a huge part of their comeback win tonight.

And Izaia Perese offers a lot of pace and physicality down in the outside centre role at the Tahs No.13 jersey. He credits his support runners who helped get the best out of him, such as the Charlie Gamble; having squared off 1 or 2 Canes defenders before Dylan Pietsch came to his rescue with the five-point score ahead of half-time. Unfortunately, not only the Tahs 2nd-half spell wasn’t the same over declined momentum and ill-discipline; he was also forced to leave the field early over a MCL injury where Perese will have to sit out for a few weeks. Without him, it just won’t be the same where he’s an very important player at the Tahs with some NRL experience.

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Rugby News Australia, Hurricanes came from a scoreless first-half spell to haunt back the Waratahs with the win at Leichhardt Oval

by Sports Benches

It was a brilliant Saturday Night match-up at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney between the NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes in Week 13 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific. The home team fired off well with an easy 15-0 lead while the Canes struggled to get the ball rolling. However, the Canes began to make up lost time before they completed their remarkable rebound with the win, as the final score is 18-22.

Unlucky from the Tahs after they fell short by four points on their home turf at Leichhardt Oval. The fire off was fantastic in the 1st half where they accrued up to 15 points ahead of half-time, with two tries from Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco & Dylan Pietsch. But they just couldn’t hold off the momentum going into the last 40, especially when they failed to hold back the Hurricanes resurgence at their own defensive territory. A number of lost penalties and ill-discipline also let them down, especially when Paddy Ryan made a huge tackle on Jordie Barrett’s jaw in the 75th minute and had to be sent off with a straight red card which was disappointing. Not only that, they will also have to cope without their star centre Izaia Perese for a while after he was forced off with a MCL tear at the same time. The Tahs’ next match for Round 14 will be against the Highlanders next Sunday at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Meanwhile, how good was the Hurricanes on their comeback trail from a scoreless first-half to a unbelievable win away from home? Now they will still need to deal with the slow starts where the Waratahs exposed them with 15 points being conceded in the opening 40. But the way they made up lost time later on & be able to close it off with a win is such fantastic rugby to watch. There’s credit to their forward pack, especially with the 7 & 8s partnership on the back row from Du’Plessis Kirifi and Ardie Savea. A number of fresh faces off the bench also helped their cause, including Tevita Mafileo at loosehead, where the Canes were just simply a different beast this time around. They will return home to Sky Stadium in Wellington for their last regular-season home game of 2022 v Melbourne Rebels on next Saturday night.

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Rugby News, Waratahs fought back in the 2nd half but not enough to get past the Brumbies in RD3 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific

by Sports Benches

What a way to close out Round 3 of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific, having witnessed such a close encounter with the Brumbies v Waratahs Saturday night match-up last night. Brumbies fired off with the early lead in the first half (17-6), although the Tahs have made up for some lost time after the break but fell so short by seven points (27-20).

The Brumbies were so organized when it comes to their forward pack, especially in the first 40 with two tries on the board. They handled the Tahs well thanks to the opposition team’s poor start, where they took great use in return while building persistence before the Brums were able to get the job done. Now the home side may have begun to falter with the Tahs rebound in this next run after half-time, despite the additional TRY from Irae Simone in the midfield. However, a few late changes and a huge defensive shift towards the end saw the Brumbies come out unscathed.

Meanwhile, unlucky from the Tahs with a much-improved team after half-time, where they almost extended this game through golden point & have an extended shot towards upsetting the Brums in the process. The change of attack spearheaded by fly-half Ben Donaldson saw him successfully find his path through the gate, having called out 1-2 support numbers, such as Angus Bell & Will Harris, to finish the playmaking work for him. They just wished they marry up their brilliant 2nd 40 into the first half, when a poor start saw the Tahs fall left behind before they left it too late with not much time to stay in contention.

The Tahs will be back playing on 2 pm next Sunday v Western Force at Leichardt Oval in Sydney, while the Brumbies travel to Melbourne on Friday night v Rebels at AAMI Park.

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Australian Rugby News, 2021 Super Rugby AU Week 9: Top 3 players from the Western Force v Waratahs

by Sports Benches

Felati Kaitu’u is an all-rounder at hooker for the Force tonight. He is a great contributor on both sides. Such as attack and defense. Where his form so far this Super Rugby AU season was good. It helped him get a Wallabies call up. Due credit from National coach Dave Rennie.

He has a great read who really lifted the Force up early. Thanks to the Tahs slow start via the poor discipline. Not only Felati was the root of his side first touchdown. But also the 2nd TRY capped of by himself. When he and Tom Robertson marked that isolated opposition tackle. This is great teamwork to gather some support. And that is how he got away past through the gate.

It aided the Force to try and hold on top spot as long as possible. They might have copped a few ill-disciplines. Which saw them run inconsistent here & there. But the home side never gave up. And his influence really gave every reason why the Force deserve a Qualifying Final. For now they will watch Melbourne Rebels with interest. Before the ladder is finally determined after Week 10 on April 24.

Richard Kahui

He threw in a great shift for the Force backline on the right wing. Especially having been involved in the attack more earlier on. Such as the physicality that helped eat every inch of the Tahs territory.

This player may be 35 right now. But his vast experience benefits the Force. When the communication is there that aided him to run out via the channels. It goes to show they are unpacking set pieces with the ball on hand. Although Force may have rushed their finishing play at times.

It does not mean that the Force are out of the fight. Having seen the direction from Kahui dictate their strategy. Passed on that passage of play via the other wing flank. And saw another International star in Jordan Olowofela touch down. Which ultimately led to a successful win. When Domingo Miotti executed two brilliant penalty goals. As the Force were blessed to have his word. They need someone who has won a World Cup before ten years ago. It turns out that Kahui is the right man to rise up their revival in 2021.

Izaia Perese

He did very well at outside centre for the Waratahs. Having made a couple of tackle busts through the Force. When they got the ball in hand with patience. Izaia might not have scored any tries at all tonight. But his huge involvement going forward helped them stay in the game.

Especially with communication being the focal point. It allowed him to read where the Force unable to mark. And using that passage of play aided the execution the Tahs need. Such as the short passes with plenty of call ups. So they do not fumble it under his watch. Which is how Jack Maddocks & Alex Newsome got away in the 2nd 40. We do not forget the defensive contributions he made as well.

Like the attacking run Izaia needed help with a couple of support men. Where the Tahs successfully grounded the Force build up play into touch. So much physical pack & pace offered in the midfield. We might not have seen him play a lot this season. Especially after that red card in Week 1 v Reds. But he has some expertise before in Queensland. Both at Union and league level. In which demonstrates versatility via all facets of rugby. He may be disappointed with the close loss. But well done on the hard work made tonight.

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