Kiwis open to an Anzac Day Bledisloe – but based on this weekend, there’s no need

It’s another timely reminder that no matter how hard you kick Australian rugby, it’s always going to produce blokes like Ryan and Darby Lancaster who just want to get the ball in their hands and have a crack. The trick – and it’s not a trick at all, it’s the application of common sense – is to get the right-sized professional footprint so that if you’re lucky enough to get a bit of cash left over, it’s spent on bringing the likes of Les Kiss into the system.

3. Waratahs’ woes deepen

Is a team going forwards, backwards, or standing still? Answer that question honestly and you normally get an accurate pointer as to what will happen to the coach. The Waratahs weren’t poor against the Chiefs, but they weren’t at the same level, and two of the tries they conceded in the second half were just a bit soft for this level of rugby.

Above all, though, the Waratahs’ direction doesn’t compare favourably to the Reds or Brumbies, even though both of those sides have had their own injury/disciplinary issues.

It’s been really hard to get a gauge on the Waratahs all year, with a number of close losses and two wins against the Crusaders showing that caution needed to be exercised before getting too critical. But after 10 rounds they’re trying to avoid the spoon as well as make the playoffs.

4. Donno misses his chance

Tom Lynagh is the best young No.10 prospect in Australia: he’s the guy who arguably plays even better against the Kiwis, where his rivals tend to blow hot and cold.

Force No.10 Ben Donaldson had a gilt-edged opportunity against the Highlanders to really press his claims, but he had an off night in Dunedin. Even with the Highlanders’ experienced No.10 Rhys Patchell forced off early with an injury, Donaldson couldn’t take control like he needed to, and he also missed one important penalty attempt.

Noah Lolesio bounced back well against the Hurricanes, but Carter Gordon was never at the races against the Crusaders as the Rebels scrum was demolished. You have to wonder if the latter trio are now playing for two places alongside Lynagh in Joe Schmidt’s first Wallabies squad.

5. Can the Brumbies keep Tamati Tua?

The Brumbies No.12 outpointed Jordie Barrett in Canberra on Saturday – enough said. He made all the hard yards and also showed a real turn of pace for his try. However, as eligibility laws currently stand, Tua can’t be selected for the All Blacks. Unless that changes – and it should – there is always the danger that Tua will be lured back to New Zealand.

It’s one for new Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley – coincidentally a former Brumbies under-19s rep – to take up, because as it stands the Brumbies could potentially be punished for developing Tua over the past few years and improving the comp as a whole by giving game time to a player whose path had been blocked at the Blues.

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