The 2015 Investec Super Rugby competition wrapped up it’s regular season matches, with three games involving New Zealand sides. (The Lions observed the final BYE round)
And then, there were 6.
Well, after 18 rounds of play, the final qualifying teams are set – Hurricanes are the NZ conference winner; Waratahs AUS conf winner; Stormers SA conf winner. So, just a handful of teams now remain in the hunt for the title and I believe they are all worthy of a place at my Super Rugby ‘table for six’. We now have two qualifier matches to determine between the 2nd and 3rd best New Zealand sides : Highlanders v Chiefs; and the top ranking South African side against the 2nd best Australian side: Stormers v Brumbies. You have to like that grouping, and there should be more fantastic footy to follow in the lead-up to the Final on July the 4th.
Read further for my match reports on the outcome of Blues v Highlanders, Brumbies v Crusaders and especially the Chiefs v Hurricanes games, as those two last sides battled it out for local supremacy of the ‘Naki and discover whether Chiefmana could be restored after a shaky month of results [loses mostly] Other results ensured The Waratahs are now a fully confident side going into their own rest week. Ha, as if they needed that, with some saying that Reds match was all too one-sided that it gives them false hope but fortunately the Force drew a small modicum of value from a 10-13 win over a sorry Melbourne Rebels team (they had lost their own finals chances two weeks earlier) You have to compliment Scott Higginbotham’s men though, who will be better for this season as they can look forward to becoming a real chance of finals placings in 2016.
For the Sharks, it was the highlight of their most recent results to beat The Stormers even as they bid farewell to the du Plessis brothers who leave for distant shores. For some it showed how Stormers players went into a ‘rest’ mentality too early, they seemed to literally oblige the end result knowing they could not be bested. While that is not a proven fact, you’d hope any team that qualifies for finals rugby would have tried right up until the end of Super Rugby Round 18 [not to then take a rest?] but full credit to the Bloemfontein Cheetahs side who are a credible challenge for all teams now. They will be proud of an away record to remember (see this last victory over a struggling Bulls side) they are great to watch and get my award for Most Improved Side just pipping the Rebels.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 18 – NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
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Match : Blues v Highlanders
Venue : Eden Park, Auckland
Score : 7-44
To many on-hand, it appeared like The Blues walked out for their final round-robin match with preconceived ideas of what was awaiting them. They endured a good old fashioned ‘lesson’ on Friday, and I was there to witness it. The Blues needed to have a better gameplan to start with; not just a ‘kick it mentality’ and it was not a fun encounter for players or spectators. It missed the ‘spark and fire’ that this region has displayed in years gone by, and the Highlanders played a smarter hand to wait and absorb what little was thrown [or kicked] towards them.
With a return in starting players, this Highlanders side were much stronger than a week earlier, but still had a locking-duo situation and were onto about their 4th or 5th choices by now, selecting a player straight out of club rugby. The Blues had also been forced to do that, with some straight out of the Auckland rank & file, so for both it was not the ‘A’ team that Jamie Joseph planned for. He probably assumed these teams might be vying for a finals positions (as too did John Kirwan once) but this Highlanders side is stacked with confidence and enthusiasm, so it would be hard to keep them down for long. And The Blues were completely outplayed for most of the match, just the single scoring movement showing on the board and it was quite a complete domination.
By the midway point of the first half, after missing a dead-cert penalty out front after Hohneck was binned for an infringement in the ruck, this side had already messed up quite a few opportunities when Josh Bekhuis dropped a stock-standard restart kick. It was gathered by a more energized Highlanders side who went upfield, Buckman and Sopoaga chimed in, Coltman and Evans each contributing before 50 cap player Shaun Treeby celebrated with a try. He had come in as first receiver, eager as everyone in their side are to carry the ball-up and he was supported well in his drive close to reach out and plant it firmly. Well done, but the fact he rolled right over Keven Mealamu in the tackle was a noticeable epilogue for that stalwart Blues players final match. Fans in the stadium sort of knew it was not their night, but they just hoped it was not as bad as their worst fears. – Naholo a constant danger all night, he did not kick loose on the outside and had to leave the field with a shoulder injury which we hope is not serious
Then just on the end of the half, a disputed try was called that must be talked about on Monday in Wellington I’m sure. Elliot Dixon was given the try and the score was 0-20 and you knew The Blues speech would have been more lively than a Coldplay concert, JK needed to wake up his boys or they could get run down, and after some early substitutes robbed the homeside of Mealamu’s fine leadership, the coach would have been seething when he saw what Ben Smith performed on his attack. A nice inside/outside step on the 48th minute just bamboolzeld the young opposition. That International fullback is highly-tuned and he fed the ball well to Naholo who sent a beautiful grubber kick way upfield for massive territory gain. Ouch!
The Highlanders team laid on 4 tries, with a special mention to Northland loosie Dan Pryor’s score. It was a fine build-up, something they can be proud of with flankers running as wing three-quarters. He is a real asset to Highlanders rugby for the future [another lost Blues regional player] At 34-0, it was becoming a real problem, and when Joe Latta scored, his proud father would have been delighted. Pre-millennium ‘Landers sides never had the polish that this 2015 side does, and it showed in comparison to their opponents tonight.
Great field awareness from Osbourne into Smith, and it’s no surprise when he turns up at just the right time. His side are trending upward at the right time too with himself and Aaron Smith both back and in-form, they influence this side with a measure close to that of McCaw and Carter. It will be a great future for ‘Landers rugby.
Home fans will be lucky to wipe this seasons memories from their knowledge bank, speaking to some afterwards a common thread was “talent recognition and retention, player moral and whether new players would want to join this group” Tough words from the grassroots, but they won’t stand imports who can’t perform any longer. Some big names disappointed in 2014/2015, not delivering on good intentions and the old guard will now need to be replaced Young Matt McGahan from the Silverdale-United club scored the only try, as many held on stoically while in the ‘bigtime’
A huge quantity of game experience will be lost come February 2016 [Woodcock, Mealamu, Braid to name a few] That is a big gap to fill – no import or local can realistically hope too, and it is the opposite to where The Highlanders are now positioned in 2015. This former struggling franchise have brought in some great players and the mentality is now fully professional. It all works in a positive environment, with a little Polynesian flair thrown in for good measure [let’s hope Nadolo’s injury is nothing to worry them] They are a team first and foremost. They all play in support of the other and were doing a great job to secure fourth position in the final rankings; to be determined after the next nights colossal match between Chiefs and Hurricanes.
OF NOTE: A large band of university students formed a mini ‘Zoo’ mirroring that from Highlanders territory and it was entertaining and colorful to say the least. This traveling support base is great to see, as we NZ rugby fans are too quiet in our support for our team, and for the game. They were lubricated for sure, but were gratefully welcome by Trueblue fans – see you next season.
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Match : Brumbies v Crusaders
Venue : GIO Stadium, Canberra
Score : 24-37
A great match, it really did come right down to the final quarter as an steady home side welcomed their old nemesis The Crusaders to Canberra. Played on a sunny afternoon, we saw a lot of intent from each team, both well coached and their results had been quite similar in 2015, but it was the more talent-heavy visitors that took this evenly fought match to finish their season on a high.
If you hoped for a good front-up battle, then we got that tonight and we saw two packs shape up well for the entire match. The home team has pegged the ‘rolling maul’ as their preferred attacking move and in the end the match needed to be more than just that from them. Talented backs like Christian Lealiifano and Tevita Kuridrani were certainly a handful for the visitors, but as a match-up with Dan Carter and Ryan Crotty who did equally well, they each benefitted when operating inside a magician on the left wing called Nemani Nadolo. The Fijian international might be all ‘spark and polish’ on the highlight reels show, but Nadolo challenges every player he faces [forwards or backs] so his two tries showed both a collective teamwork and brilliant individual flair.
The first try of this night was a great team effort from The Crusaders, as they had been stung early from a Brumbies special to none other than David Pocock. The rolling maul is effective for them, if a little predictable but once Nadolo struck, the game changed quickly. After the first, his second was a nice outside swerve and included the most elegant chip & chase in modern history – it was near to perfection.
Highlights aside, some key injuries did remove Pocock from the second half and a yellow card for cynical play to Jessie Mogg was a factor, but not to outdone by his winger, flanker Matt Todd also created history for himself when he crossed for his fifth try in five matches. Brilliant work Matt, and it underlines his name as quite nearly equal of Same Cane in the selectors mind.
Not to gloss over the hearty comeback from The Brumbies, who did well to pick-up the tempo late, and bring the scores closer but it was decided by some brilliance tonight that was supported by a real wealth of Super Rugby experience. That solidity proved to be a well worthy final game for many Crusader heroes – Carter, McCaw, Colin Slade, Willie Heinz, Nepo Laulala and Tom Taylor. They all look to move on but the two most favorite sons of Crusader and NZ rugby, will most certainly be missed.
Crusaders captain Kieran Read said the winning performance was appropriate given “the type of guys [McCaw and Carter] are. They’re living legends,” Read said of his illustrious team-mates. McCaw said he “just wanted to play tonight with a smile” and “to finish with a performance like that against the old rivals brings a real good smile”.
Carter finishes as the highest scoring man in Super Rugby history [probably ever, with 1705 points] and McCaw is the complete player who came in as a raw loosie and leaves as the most dominant player of his era. Hats off to both Dan and Richie, and it is a shame they miss the finals for only the 2nd time in McCaw’s Crusader tenure [since 2001] His adversaries tonight now tuck-tail and have to travel abroad to qualify for the finals, which is a big ask. I am thinking that coach Stephen Larkham needs a quality backs assistant to come in and revive some tryscoring distinction for them – otherwise they will be a one trick pony, with a rolling maul to fear, but little else too.
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Match : Chiefs v Hurricanes
Venue : Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Score : 13-21
The build-up to this game had several components feeding it: 1) who was the real home team? That was due to The Hurricanes who had always seen Taranaki traditionally as their ‘home patch’ up until 2012 when that union walked away to The Chiefs franchise. It had caused some tension, but this was really the first time it had come to a head. 2) With a 4th position on the line, was it the home side Chiefs that might have been a little bit more desperate?
A recent trend of losses was the real concern for this Waikato based team. Under that enormous pressure, and being rudderless since losing Aaron Cruden, the return of Sonny Bill-Williams was touted as a game-changer. The result now suggests that their problems lay more in a lack of confidence as they were never overwhelmed as such, but could not overcome this leading ‘Canes side. No signs of desperation, but a qualifying match now awaits them and they will lack a little confidence after this narrow 8 point loss.
On the positive side of the ledger again,, after beating The Chiefs at home a month earlier, the ‘Canes would now have higher confidence levels after this rugged encounter. And if that level was measured in big hits, then the one put on SBW himself from Ray Lee-lo may have been the match-turner. A competent player, he had earlier seen his captain struck by a meteor-crunching hit from Sonny Bill, so if it was a form of ‘payback’ that Ray had looked for, it was bang on!
The game had it’s key moments – Bryce Heem has speed to burn, he stole a ball and then just ran flat-out to the tryline untouched to give the Chiefs a brisk 13 point break. After that move, the match was played at a pitched-battle with no further scoring from the home team. They threatened though, and the game was played at a smashmouth pace and then the TMO again played their regular bit part when they were asked to judge “a try no try” call – but returned with a verdict of Penalty Try.
A technicality was applied, judging the tackle to be ‘foul play’. While no arms is the popular option in rulings this season, it was the first application in such a try-saving attempt. Super Rugby could do with a ‘report’ system where infringements are dealt with, where no player left the field but soon after that James Marshall laid on a nice try for his leader and it had cost them 14 points.
Marshall had done well to cover for a restricted Beauden Barrett (who would have played if it were a Final) He scored himself early in the second half, against his brothers side in fact, a cheeky little intercept for the home town boy. A great homecoming, with the score at 14-21 all they needed to do was win. No bonus try required, and while the highlights will focus on players like Nehe Milner-Skudder’s fantastic passing, it was Brad Shield’s enormous workrate that was a key indicator of this game.
In terms of the home team, one commentator said it best when he described this encounter as a “State of Origin, with a Bogan Twist” You had to agree there, as rock music belted out during most of the game, it ended with the crowd singing Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer. That song would have been directed equally to The Chiefs – win the qualifier and their season is saved (lose and they will be mortified) and also for the triumphant Hurricanes team too.
While for them winning is now a habit, for many years they traveled to New Plymouth and left the fans dreaming of better days. Having taken a premiership title for the first time in their history, I’ll bet the dream is real now.
Make the most of a week off lads. And good luck ‘Canes.
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In Conclusion.
Overall, I would give the round robin matches of 2015 an A- score, mostly due to the fact my team are not in the top-spot [it’s my article, I’ll make the rules] but the skill level has been high and the entertainment consistent, including many South African matches I would gladly watch ‘Live’ on pay TV.
Last week I mentioned that the ‘excitement’ of this closing round was a great element that might be missing from the 2016 model. I’ll stand by that comment, although many more this week will begin to chime in with the fact that The Crusaders had accumulated more points than The Stormers have (46 to 45) and ask “Why aren’t we in the finals?” but sorry guys, that is a mute point. While the SA conference has finished third out of the conferences, and need to qualify themselves for a semi-final spot, the average touring strength of many African sides will mean in 2016 that they greatly benefit from less long-distance travel. It should mean they are possibly better positioned in the future standings. But they still have a rightful place at the table. Crusaders fans know why their side is not sitting there, but whining in the corner about it won’t deny the fact they should have started better. I would celebrate which players you have loved to enjoy, and the next generation who cab get you back into the finals.
Qualifying match fixtures – Saturday 20th June : Highlanders v Chiefs, Dunedin | Stormers v Brumbies, Capetown
Enough of those “what if” questions though – it is what is in front of us, that will be 3 more weeks of exciting top level Super Rugby! Two qualifier games between the Wildcard sides will be interesting for several reasons: 1) – The Brumbies will have a trip across to CapeTown. Will they be able to put together anything more than a rolling maul to score points? If not, then Duane Vermeulen can prepare his team for a semifinal match. And 2) will only two games on Saturday be enough to retain the interest of rugby fans? The typical sportsfan today is bombarded by a wealth of choice, so it will be important that the rugby produced by these qualifying matches (as well as the next 2 weekends) retains the interest in our competition.
“No contest guys” These last games will be more than enough to entertain us I’m sure. Two big matches next Saturday will keep my Super Rugby ‘pot boiling’ and while I usually don’t laydown any predictions … hell, after nearly 5 months why not. I predict The Highlanders will overcome a valiant Chiefs team by 12 points or less, leaving them to visit Wellington the week after.
And in CapeTown, I cannot see The Brumbies having very much up-their-sleeve to surprise a fully ‘rested’ Stormers side. I see the home team outscoring them by 12 points or more. They will have to travel down to Sydney for a big match against The Waratahs, but if I am wrong though, and The Brumbies walk away from the republic with a win then they face the Hurricanes.
So in all the calculations, there is still a possibility that two NZ teams could make the Final, Whoo hooooh! – so give it your all Brumbies, as that would be the icing on the NZ Super Rugby cake for many fans. Hosted in the ‘cake tin’ of all places, who apt would that be for a Super Rugby feast. Looking forward to it.
