Super Rugby round two kicked things up a notch this weekend, as fans follow their team’s progress. Admittedly only one or two games into the 17-week competition not much can be deduced yet, but the matches have kept fans in all regions fixed to the results.
For the New Zealand (NZ) Conference, we were delivered another two local derby games where an all important win would delight fans at AMI and Forsyth-Barr Stadiums. But the result that standouts for all the ‘wrong’ reasons is The Chiefs team being humbled by The Lions. No disrespect to that side, who, when in their Currie Cup guise are reigning champions, but the fact they traveled from Japan to NZ to claim another famous ‘away victory’ is a feather in their cap and bodes well for their season start.
Tipping up Aaron Cruden’s team on Saturday afternoon took a herculean effort, especially when the score of 32-36 is compounded with the damaging injury to All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick. He left the field at the start of the second half after a Courtnall Skosan try had put The Lions ahead. A comeback still seemed on the cards when Charlie Ngatai (pictured) helped set-up a wonderful Chiefs try, and some fans assumed it would be easy—the Lions proved more industrious than many had predicted and building a good lead, they out-lasted their hosts to walk away with a great victory.
Victorious coach Johan Ackermann told SuperSport TV “The win was very satisfying,” he said. “It isn’t easy coming to the Chiefs and picking up a win, as they are a quality side. I’m very proud of the boys as they showed a lot of composure, the lead changed about five times and we showed a lot of composure to get the win.”
Elsewhere, the local derby games were illustrations of a good Crusaders team withstanding a plain looking Blues outfit 28-13, who seemed to suffer in selection jitters that plagued previous seasons. The Crusaders possibly did not press hard enough in commentators eyes, but would be satisfied to start 2016 properly while down in Dunedin, this reporter saw a special game between last years finalists.
The Highlanders have matured and after leading the first forty minutes, made it a very tough day for their followers, only just gaining victory through a more superior territorial advantage in the final quarter which was reinforced via a last-gasp penalty win 17-16.
Aaron Smith told the waiting media “Games against the Canes are just so fast. I love it” and apart from the utter confusion over an attempted Malakai Fekitoa try that ‘bounced’ off the goal post but was not deemed a legitimate grounding made the scoreline close. The indoor stadium erupted when referee Glenn Jackson was told by the TMO to call ‘No Try’ but fortunately TJ Perenara’s sole try was the only one taken by the Canes on this night.
The Hurricanes go winless again.
POINTS TABLE STANDINGS: Crusaders 5 | Chiefs 5 | Highlanders 5 | Blues 4 | Hurricanes 1
BEST MATCH IN RD 2 – The Brumbies are an able team, but had a poor recent record against The Waratahs so when the hosts overcame the confident Sydney-siders last Friday, it shows much to all the other conference sides. The Australian competition will directly influence the Wallabies future ambitions and their media is already crowing about it, and while that is a long wait until June the examples from Canberra are positive. High-performing sides do that, and their next game in Perth will prove if they are singing seriously or not.
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ROUND THREE FIXTURES: Crusaders BYE | Friday 11 March – Blues v Hurricanes, Auckland | Saturday 12 March – Highlanders v Lions, Dunedin | Kings v Chiefs, Port Elizabeth
Just the one derby match this week but there are seven quality games to follow across all conferences. The Crusaders enjoy the BYE this week and will feel buoyant from their first win that draws them equal with two other NZ sides in this NZ conference. With key men like Ryan Crotty and Matt Todd yet to be present on the field, a week now to gather their strengths together will help them before meeting The Kings in two weeks time. The Knights development side play The Highlanders wider-training squad at Pleasant Point this weekend, so expect Todd Blackadder to run out several men who require time out on the field.
The team that the Crusaders beat on the other hand, must now show what collective spirit coach Tana Umaga has managed to instill while in charge. Less effective than their opening 33 point result in Round One, The Blues were very lax last week in demonstrating how not to win at Super Rugby. Matt Duffie even perfected a backward somersault as Nemani Nadolo ran through him. That video is still trending but team selection aside, with a fit and motivated squad playing at home you might bet that a literal First XV side runs out to face The Hurricanes Friday night at Eden Park. Play like they did last week, and Canes fans will be cheering loudest.
The coach himself told the NZ Herald the same fact “They’re a side that can create opportunities from anything,” the ex-Hurricanes back said. “They have champions across the field. As we’ve learned, they’re not losing by much – last week [against Highlanders] they improved – and they will come up this week looking to topple us over.”
Chris Boyd’s first season with The Hurricanes last year was a tremendous debut. A positive experience for Coach and players compared to his 2014 Lions season from hell. Now his coaching group of 2016 must direct the recovery from this round onwards. No time to blood new combinations, the word must be “sorry guys, you either meet your KPI’s or the next man will be tried in your position” (and that goes for Barrett, Shields, et all) If they are able to return finally with a win, there is still time for fans to believe in 2016. Lose and it gets more difficult to makeup lost ground.
Feeling similarly after suffering an unforeseen loss to The Lions, a wounded Chiefs side had no time to reflect on the what if”s as they took a longhaul flight to the republic. Retallick would not travel, so pressure goes firmly on Michael Allardice and his inexperienced locking partners. They are now requested to meet that breach in lineout and scrum menace that the Waikato based side began the year with. No Dominic Bird present, Taleni Seu and James Tucker are the chosen men but it is a sizeable loss for Dave Rennie. He will pick those who can fill key roles and he knows who he can and cannot rely on–expect a flanker to be called on to assist in the air against The Kings.
That leaves us with a determined Highlanders side awaiting the traveling Lions. Both coming off wins, how each can use that to their benefit will be known after next Saturday night. Another party at the Forsyth–Barr Stadium where the crowd noise inside the covered top can be deafening at times. Whenever Ben Smith climbs for another highball, the atmosphere goes ballistic, but that alone cannot shore up their campaign. A steady ship is what Jamie Joseph drives but he must use his men wisely. The Barracuda Richard Buckman was a cog in an exciting backline but now removed, men like Jason Emery could cement a position there if he takes his chances. Mistakes crept into the game last Saturday night and role completion and interpretation are essential key words used more and more in professional rugby.
A Lions team who can score 36 points in Hamilton are worthy of consideration. You could not put it past them to ‘prick up their ears’ again as they enjoy hunting as a pride. For mine, if parity can be brought against them, look for co-Captain Shane Christie to work his own pack around and possibly use smart kicks from Lima Sopoaga. The conditions will be perfect as usual, so the time is right for the reigning Champions of Super Rugby to face [virtually] the Currie Cup holders.
It will be a delectable encounter in Dunedin.
WHAT WE LEARNED
I made mention about the points system adopted for 2016, and two examples showed how important it is –
- The Brumbies scored 24 points in the second half to take the maximum on offer (and have scored over 80 points in two games) to lead the conference and clearly show a grasp of scoring four tries or more
- The Rebels denied The Bulls their bonus point by shortening the final scoreline, denying them a clear three-try advantage.
Both scenarios show clear trends in Round Two where out-scoring your opposition (Brumbies) is the ultimate reward, or in keeping within 21 points or less (Rebels) demonstrates the harm that letting your foot off the accelerator can do for any teams match rewards. How The Bulls might rue that single point, as all teams must adjust and strive to maximize the rewards on offer every week.
“Main photo”
