Sean Maloney: American star should face a lengthy ban after shocking act of violence

The Super Rugby Pacific ladder saw significant shuffling over the weekend. The ACT Brumbies have climbed to the top position with just two weeks left in the season, while both the Waratahs and Western Force find themselves precariously close to finishing at the bottom of the table.

In other happenings outside of Super Rugby, we witnessed a red card incident and thrilling Test matches in the Pacific Four Series, a monumental upset in the Shute Shield, and shattered dreams at the Australian curling championships.

Let’s dive into this week’s highlights.

Brumbies Power Through Again

For the first time since 2014, an Australian team sits at the summit of the ladder with only two weeks remaining in the season.

The Brumbies enjoy a bye this week before facing the formidable Crusaders, and the outlook is incredibly positive in the nation’s capital.

On Saturday, they powered their way to victory against a solid Queensland side, showcasing their ability to either play expansively or keep it tight with remarkable efficacy.

Coach Stephen Larkham had multiple players stepping up, with Declan Meredith performing exceptionally well in place of the injured Noah Lolesio.

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Meredith, a Cairns native, played representative football for Queensland before moving to Canberra in 2019. Like many of the Brumbies’ recent stars, he has been gradually introduced to Super Rugby since his debut in 2023 and now appears very at ease at this level.

It all comes down to the last regular-season match against the Crusaders, who boast a squad filled with All Blacks. If I were the Brumbies, I’d be allocating the entire marketing budget to attract as many fans as possible for this pivotal clash. Now’s the time to push hard because history shows that unless you secure a top-two finish, your chances of clinching the trophy are slim.

Waratahs and Force Struggle

The weekend was particularly harsh for both the Waratahs and the Force. They were outclassed on the scoreboard and faced some tough criticism from their coaches.

Following the Waratahs’ heavy defeat to the Crusaders, Dan McKellar had this to say:

“Some players seem too comfortable, and that’s got to change. If you’re just happy to be here wearing the tracksuit, that’ll no longer be accepted,” McKellar stated. “This issue spans the entire organisation.”

It will be fascinating to see how the season-ending review unfolds, especially considering the Waratahs are now under the Rugby Australia banner.

The players’ response against the Force will also be interesting to observe, especially after the Force conceded 38 unanswered points against Fiji. Coach Simon Cron described their performance succinctly:

“We simply didn’t perform well.” He added, “We failed to build pressure and probably focused too much on passing or kicking instead of constructing phases.”

The Force have averaged a mere 15.4 points per game over the past month.

Remarkable Journey for the Wallaroos

It’s hard to believe how far the Wallaroos have come since their disappointing defeat to the USA at AAMI Park just a year ago. Under the guidance of coach Jo Yapp, they now find themselves improving significantly.

Facing the same opposition on Saturday, the Wallaroos clinched victory by eight points at the chilly GIO Stadium. They showcased moments of genuine brilliance, with Ash Masters and Georgina Frederichs shining throughout the match. Caitlyn Halse performed admirably at fullback, while Charlotte Caslick sliced her way through for her inaugural Test try.

What stood out most was their ability to grind out the win, spending significant periods within the USA’s 22 and keeping them under pressure.

This tactical awareness led to a regrettable incident involving USA centre Alev Kelter, who dangerously lashed out at Frederichs after being tackled. Referee Aimee Barrett-Theronas labelled it “thuggery.” Replays suggested there was considerable intent behind Kelter’s actions, and her conduct post-incident could result in a lengthy suspension. This incident marred an otherwise thrilling encounter.

The Wallaroos’ next challenge is against Canada in Brisbane, a formidable opponent indeed. The reigning World Cup bronze medalists are coming off a draw with New Zealand and have made tremendous strides in recent years.

Ardie Shines Bright

The introduction of an MVP award for the Super Rugby Pacific season drew widespread acclaim, marking a long-overdue recognition of outstanding players.

It’s only fitting that Ardie Savea has been named the top performer, having established a commanding lead throughout the competition.

Voted for by rival coaches and captains, Savea’s designation as MVP comes as no surprise; he has propelled Moana Pasifika to their best season to date. Each week, Geoff Parkes and the crew at The Roar gauge fan sentiment, and the overwhelming consensus backs Savea’s accolades.

His remarkable performances deserve to be seen; Saturday’s game was just one example.

As Parkes advised in his weekly summary, do yourself a favour and watch the full match replay on Stan Sport.

Shock Upset at University No.1

Amidst this rugby whirlwind, I nearly overwhelmed my Stan subscription on Saturday, toggling between various Shute Shield matches, Moana against the Blues, and the Wallaroos.

Among the flurry of rugby, I settled in for substantial stretches of the Western Sydney Two Blues versus Sydney University match. What an absolute treat!

Although Uni were predicted to dominate, featuring numerous Super Rugby players returning, it was the Two Blues who held an eight-point lead at halftime. That advantage extended to 15 points before Uni launched a comeback to take a four-point lead with mere minutes left.

Nevertheless, Western Sydney found a way to score late and bravely defended against a full-time onslaught to secure a surprising victory.

The competition now appears wide open, with the Hunter Wildfires emerging as surprise leaders following their triumph over Norths. Coached by Scott Coleman, alongside former Waratahs coach and brother Darren, the Wildfires look set to make a deep run in 2025.

Mark Gets Funky

While it tugs at the heart a little, I’m thrilled to see Mark Nawaqanitawase excelling in rugby league. He provided some fantastic moments in the Wallabies jersey, notably the stunning runaway try against Argentina at CommBank Stadium, and now he’s creating headlines in league.

His individual try for the Roosters against the Bulldogs over the weekend was a highlight reel moment, winning over countless new fans. Keep it going, young man—there’s always a spot back in rugby waiting for you.

Curling Dreams Dashed

In unfortunate news, Stan Rugby commentator Andrew Swain and his Winter Olympics aspirations have been dashed. He and his Curlews, who raised funds by selling two cows donated by Maynard Cattle Co, fell short in their qualification bid.

With spots for Milan on the line at the Australian curling championships held in New Zealand (due to unsuitable playing surfaces in Australia), Swain and his teammates fought valiantly but were outmatched.

High drama accompanied the championships, including one competitor suffering a leg injury after an unfortunate misstep on the ice, requiring emergency surgery in Dunedin.

Despite their dreams on the ice coming to a bittersweet end, there may be a broadcasting career for Swainy after he was invited to the commentary booth for the finals.

I’ll keep you updated on the Curlews’ world ranking, which will be determined after the tournament concludes.

Catch you all on Monday night on Stan Sport for Between Two Posts with Morgan Turinui and former Wallabies captain James Horwill. With only two weeks left in the Super Rugby Pacific regular season, the ACT Brumbies continue to top the ladder. Upon reviewing the statistics, the last time an Aussie team held the top spot this late in the season was back in 2014 when the Waratahs claimed the title. It’s been quite a while, as the younger generation might say.

Moreover, an Australian side hasn’t finished in the top two since 2016 when the Brumbies were eliminated in the first week of the finals.