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Rob Valetini

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Rugby News Australia, Top 3 players from the Pumas v Wallabies in Game 6 of the 2021 Rugby Championship

by Sports Benches

Andrew Kellaway has been a brilliant addition to the Wallabies squad on the wing since he first entered the International level back in July this year at home v France, he has never looked out of depth with his finishing skills which is explosive to blow out any opposition team.

Whenever the Wallabies have the ball in hand they were able to march around his best strengths so the communication is there before he exactly knows where to ice that cake with his hat-trick TRY v Argentina tonight, credit to the Melbourne Rebels who continue to nurture these wingers into international stardom like Marika Koroibete & Andrew Kellaway.

Next up is another Wallaby at Number 8 in Rob Valetini where he played a huge role around the team’s attacking support system tonight, he gets involved more often when giving them a helping hand through that build-up base which makes his backline a lot easier to execute.

And communication is a very important skill before processing the physicality in any way to push Valetini around these support runners through the channels, it’s the same thing he was tested defensively where he held back the Pumas’ lost opportunities that profited more points in return for the Wallabies.

And how about we introduce Thomas Gallo from the Pumas who just played his first International cap off the bench after half-time on the front row & made an impact straight away at age 22.

He boasts a big physicality frame which is a nightmare for the Wallabies defensive half when they began to falter later on & Pumas began to take advantage with some numbers before Gallo executed that damage past the TRY line twice, it may be a loss as a whole team in the end through ill-discipline & lack of attacking touch earlier on but there’s more to come in the Pumas shirt from Gallo.

#Rugby #ARGvAUS #RugbyChampionship #Wallabies #LosPumas #ThomasGallo #RobValetini #AndrewKellaway #RugbyUnion

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Rugby News, 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman RD4: Top 3 players from the Brumbies v Hurricanes

by Sports Benches

Bayley Kuenzle has been great last night for the Brumbies. It may not be the usual craft he occupies at fly-half but started in the midfield. Where he & Len Ikitau were patient going forward based on the Canes early errors. That is how they were able to get away with the headstart in the first 40.

His side may be a tad behind at the half-time break. But the Canes have not changed much with their shape since then. So he read it well again to apply those tackle busts going forward. Before they eventually found a way to get the lead back. Thanks to the winning penalties that saw Ikitau score this TRY.

In the end the Canes thought they have bounced back. But the constant mistakes along the way & being ill-organised denied them the win. Bayley showed that he is capable of playing a key role for the Brumbies. The playmaking skills is there to add some pace/physicality. While looking to find some decoy runners towards the execution. Those skills he learned at No.10 can be transferred to an any attacking role. Especially in the midfield where Bayley can still have a bright future here. And credit to the defense on ending the Canes winning run.

Rob Valetini

How about we applaud on Rob Valetini who plays in the Brums blindside. Where he has been so exceptional in all areas last night. Even when going up against a strong New Zealand side in the Hurricanes. Well he has kept them quiet for the majority based on their ill-discipline. It is something Rob has kept himself patient when being given the ball.

That took ample time to force his way past the Canes end. But his Brumbies side eventually found a way to stamp their first touch points. As Rob unpacked the physicality in contrast to what Hurricanes cannot offer. Now the Brums may be a tad behind at HT via the penalty goal. But he again noticed the lack of Canes progress going forward. Where he managed to repeat his best strengths in return. Before applying the defensive skills to block them out. And make the Canes rush with heaps of pressure towards the final siren. Which gave his team a sigh of relief at home.

Rob has a bright future ahead for both club & country. Not only he was destructive against the Australian sides earlier on. But learning from playing off the Kiwi teams is what made himself better. Having protected his forwards pack from the Canes messy work. Then adding some blows against them going forward. It shows that he is ready to take on the All Blacks & Springboks later this year. And Dave Rennie should use his him v France as preparation for next month.

Dane Coles

He has been very productive at hooker for the Canes last night. Having gone off the ground immediately to protect his defenders. And block out the Brumbies early conversion attempts. With great teamwork & talkup that won penalties.

It allowed his backline to get themselves into touch via Jordie Barrett. Where Dane managed to keep his toes going forward with the maul. Before he touched one down for the first five points. In which later became seven thanks to the successful conversion kick. This goes to show that he still has a lot to offer in all areas. Even at age 34 right now he has the leadership to pull off. And it made the youth stars around him & his life at the Canes easier.

But unfortunately they just fell very short in the end. When there is plenty of ill-discipline going on that saw the Brums being patient. Then putting the pressure back to his side which is very hard to stop defensively. It limits the ability to get organised going forward that saw Jordie being isolated.

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Rugby Union News, 2021 Super Rugby AU Qualifying Final: Top 3 players from the Brumbies v Western Force

by Sports Benches

Rob Valetini is an all-rounder on the blindside tonight. He is so powerful with a balance of speed and physicality. That is how he was able to make every meter off the Force. When the away side unable to get themselves together going forward.

It is the one strength Valetini was able to help out. Thanks to the communication needed to help his backline find some space. And execute these offloads towards the touch line. Which is exactly where the Brumbies was able to court two touchdowns. Just in between the final five to ten minutes of the first half. Once again it does not isolate this attacking setup.

Valetini has been a key player at loose forward. Having played at Number 8 during Week 9 v Melbourne Rebels. He is 22 years old with a bright future ahead both provincial & country. Very important to have him stay there for the big final v Reds. If he can guide his Brumbies team to another premiership. Then his skillset will be a cautionary tale to the New Zealand sides. When the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman begins in two weeks time.

Tom Wright

He played very well on the left wing tonight. The reading was there when his opposition struggled with the attack. It is something Tom did well to cancel that line out kick penalty attempt. And give his Brumbies team the chance to rebound.

It might have taken a while during the first 40 to try and get ahead. But eventually things do start to gel. Thanks to the Western Force who did not really turn around. Apart from the defense. Where the Brumbies remained patient. Before they supplied Tom with the talk up & offload. Which allowed him to get the job done via some room for the touchdown.

His contribution helped the Brumbies stay ahead. As said a while ago that communication is important. Then unpack that physicality. It is exactly how his side are able to close out towards the finish line. Especially during a low scoring game against a defensive minded Force. Now they hope to continue this journey. And look to win their 2nd straight title v Reds.

Tom Robertson

He is a great asset at loosehead for Western Force. Where he has years of Super Rugby expertise. Having played with the Waratahs in the past. And came to Perth this year. It is a good move after fall. After he helped guide his side to their first ever finals tour. In which is a great achievement. While his old side were languishing as the woodern spooners.

The defensive structure is there. Due to his physical build. As his other forwards department guys do. That is a strength Western Force lifted during the beginning of the game. They won a few penalties as well as turnovers to try and reset the momentum. At least the Force were in the game for the majority. It is great teamwork from Tom at his finest who gave his 100%.

But the only thing that lets his down is a lack of attacking feel. We saw how Toni Pulu made a big tackle on Irae Simone just before HT. Referee found it very unnecessary and sent him with a straight red card. As well as a lack of talk up going forward. It means there was no chance of getting themselves over the TRY line. And it ultimately saw the Force being eliminated. But credit to them for the fairytale work through the regular portion.

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Australian Rugby News, 2021 Super Rugby AU Week 9: Top 3 players from the Rebels v Brumbies Game

by Sports Benches

Andy Muirhead was outstanding on the right wing for the Brumbies. He offers so much pace and physicality. Especially as one of the experienced guys in this side.

He can get involved a lot more in both areas. Such as the defense via the tackling/deflections. Thanks to his read with the Rebels isolated play. There were no decoy runners around them. And Andy was there to notice their mistakes. Before he helped his side get the job done. Such great teamwork that makes them winning.

Having seen his side win Super Rugby AU last year. As well as being one of the best Super Rugby teams here in recent years. If you pit the Brumbies against the five New Zealand teams. He will get his chance to take them on sometime next month. But for now his run here helped win a Wallabies sample. In which is one of the reasons why Andy played very well today.

Rob Valetini

Another Brumbies star who did well is Rob Valetini. Normally he plays on the blindside. But today he is at the Number 8 role v Melbourne Rebels. Regardless of that he showed versatility. With his natural game remained intact for the whole time.

He can make up tackle busts going forward. Having eat every inch of the Rebels own territory. The communication is always needed. In order for the passage of play to remain patient. Before finding the sweet spot. Where they scored towards a few touchdowns. Which is how the Brumbies got ahead for the majority.

Not only he gave a helping hand to his backline. They helped him in the forward department too. When the Rebels struggled to execute. Read their lack of support runners. And helped arrested them with the turnover/penalty. Leaving the home side isolated. As Rob put up a great show in the Brumbies back row.

Joe Powell

He may have been disappointed with the result for the Rebels. Having came off from the Brumbies after last year. Only for him to come in Melbourne ahead of the new season. And have the chance to play in front of their home crowd. Where they were so furious with the refs decisions.

It really hurt him the most. Having seen his side got hit so harsh via the lost penalties. They were up ahead in the first 20-30. When Joe was able to dictate the Rebels attacking strategy. And saw James Hanson touch down the first TRY. Then two players were punished in the naughty chair. Both sat out on separate occasions.

The short run momentum did not leave his side out of contention. Credit to Cameron Magnay who ran past the Brumbies territory. He was called up by the inside midfielder who helped pay back with the big score. It is just not consistent unfortunately. Especially when the Rebels were behind. And rushed through it without his support to get the job done. As Joe better needs their back v Waratahs in Week 10. If his side were to win. And the Queensland Reds beat Force in Perth.

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Rugby News Australia, 2021 Super Rugby AU WK6: Top 3 players from the Brumbies v Western Force Game

by Sports Benches

Len Ikitau is outstanding at outside centre with two tries on hand. He credits the Brumbies strong start. Especially when his side did not lose any penalties. Having seen them build a great lead earlier on.

While the Western Force unable to get the ball rolling. His forward pack gave the Brumbies a chance to capitalize their mistakes. Where the communication was superb. Not only Ikitau helped them out defensively. They helped him found a gap to nail down in return. And struck them with two big scores himself on the board.

It goes to show that Ikitau is a brilliant force on the midfield. He showed plenty of excellent physicality. As well as the power contributed going forward. You got the Brumbies side stayed patient. Found a way to make the opposition hard to defend. And Ikitau will always be there to reach out. Before getting ready to activate his attacking ingredients on the run home.

Rob Valetini

He played a great show at blindside flanker for the Brumbies tonight. The reading was there when the Western Force struggled to attack. Especially with the lost penalties taken in the first 40.

And Rob took great care of the Brumbies defense. So much physical pack that blocked the Force from going past his way. He gave the Brumbies a chance to get it done. With plenty of ball carry on hand after the winning penalties. Not even conceded once that put them way ahead.

He never stops working on all areas in the No.6 shirt. Contributed well in the attack as the backline did to help him out. As mentioned earlier on with the defensive contributions. Where Rob helped built some pressure to add patience. Same physicality applied. Before they were able to add so many touchdowns. What an all-round performance from the 22 year old.

Jack McGregor

Well it was not an easy night from the Western Force. They came to Canberra with two recent near wins. But this time it was such a heavy loss. Especially up against one of the successful Super Rugby AU sides. Which is the Brumbies.

One player who stood out though is Jack McGregor at full-back. He had to replace Ireland International Rob Kearney who was out due to injury. Got plenty of pace and power. Not just to clear the ball away via the kick. But can use the physical pack to block a couple of opposition attackers.

Even at one time during the first 40 when he denied Pete Samu a touchdown. It reflects the Force best strengths defensively. Having seen his side turn the ball around on occasions. And gave them a chance to crack in the final 40. But sadly gave plenty of penalties away. In which limits their chances with the ball.

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