After three rounds of NZ Super Rugby, fans can see teams now beginning to fire as pre-season jitters pass and new systems become more accustomed to. Local derby matches especially have fans enthralled, as their sides challenge for local pride and position in their conference, as round three sees teams firing.
From the New Zealand (NZ) matches to the Sunwolves hosting a match in Singapore for the very first time, there were games from Perth, Australia, to Port Elizabeth, in South Africa as the competition has gone ‘up a notch’ since the first rounds and the teams now know the heat will only increase from here. A successful result now can translate into confidence, quality performances that reinforces pre-season goals and of course, maintain a points base.
The Crusaders, Bulls, Jaguares and Waratahs had the bye round, so seven matches were played out and we saw a good mix of test match type games [Blues v Hurricanes] and other open games like the Highlanders hosting the Lions in Dunedin, and the Chiefs visited the Kings base at Mandela Bay Stadium in an exciting 80 point match!
Friday was a perfect start for fans, who would have felt exhausted by the time an 85 minute match ended. Breathtaking at the very end, it will not be remembered for the quality of place kicking, something every team must make a key component, but Chris Boyd’s men gained a few points in controversial style, while a Tevita Li try was deemed to have come from a questionable forward pass. Poor calls aside, the close nature of the match seemed to save the Blues from a catastrophe–Canes supporters would have liked to see their men score more tries at the 60th minute, but credit to the hosts. They halted that seemingly indisputable advantage and ended the match on the opposition tryline with minutes to play, almost in place to win the game.
Yes, almost. It could be a Blues storybook over the last ten years in many peoples eyes, because when offered so many chances to capture a win, they hesitated. I say ‘many ‘as the new law amendment that a game does not end with a kick to the sideline, gave Ihaia West repeated kicks for lineouts when the Canes offended. Victor Vito was ‘ejected from the game’ for a personal foul but it did not compute for this Blues team and it ended with a clumsy knock-on. If they cannot convert such golden opportunities, it might be a long time before they are invited so close to scoring again this season.
The Highlanders were good in the opening of their second home match. Aaron Smith was exceptional again, as was Ben Smith, Liam Coltman and Luke Whitelock who had to fill the shoes of Liam Squire (late withdrawal). It was an arm wrestle that changed directly after the start of the second half when the Southern side scored 14 points brilliantly, that all but sealed the result. That was complimented in the 55th minute when a loose Lions ball went through a dozen Highlanders players hands to see them sprint 70 metres and reward Malakai Fekitoa with another try this season (start counting Landers fans).
Young Matt Faddess (pictured) crossed twice, and even with a dropped ball which a good winger should have scored from, did well though to stay confident and holds his place to be named the Man of the Match award. His team mates just needed to keep up a defensive line to hold onto key competition points.
Lima Sopoaga nailed a perfect drop goal later to reinforce his claim for the vacant All Blacks first-five position, as did Aaron Smith in the latter match, but it appears as though Sopoaga is in form, his combination inside assured, though he had to work with a new second-five in Rob Thompson. Jason Emery will be a challenger for this position, so the combination with Sopoaga is crucial, as well as the centre and outside back players all linking together. Last night they did a terrific job, though as mentioned, allowing in late Lions tries that made the score a more respectable 34-15.
Key point: That try lost them a bonus point, and means they sit second in the conference; rather than first place where they would have preferred.
POINTS TABLE STANDINGS: Chiefs 10 | Highlanders 9 | Hurricanes 5 | Blues 5 | Crusaders 5 [observed BYE]
BEST MATCH IN RD 3 – The Sharks rode into Newlands and left victorious after a tense fight:13-18. The derby matches are not just limited to NZ, African teams also have strong internal competition which sets them up for challenging overseas but hometown fans would be disappointed that they crossed the tryline only once when they held all the possession and territory [58%/57%] That will not automatically ensure you win, pressure points in the game do. Kicks at goal, lineouts and when you are convinced you can win your ball after repeated setpiece, good fortune too saw the visitors hush a massive crowd of 51,900.
The winner of this match now leads Africa Two Conference with a considerable haul of 13 points. That is three more than any NZ side have but equal with The Brumbies. A good reward, The Sharks must do it all again next weekend when they go to Loftus Versfeld where a Bulls side lays in wait. Rested and with just a single win to their names, they must achieve success to retain any chance a staying on pace with the team from Durban. It will be a huge game, with plenty of permutations on the two African conference standings.
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ROUND FOUR FIXTURES: Friday 19 March – Hurricanes v Force, Wellington | Waratahs v Highlanders, Sydney | Saturday 20 March – Crusaders v Kings, Christchurch | Reds v Blues, Brisbane | Jaguares v Chiefs, Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires
In this fourth round, we enjoy a maximum of five games. I myself am fizzing and that is some superb matches to look forward to, as we see nine games played over next weekend.
That opens with The Hurricanes finally playing at home against the Force. Not exactly home, but Central Energy Trust Arena, in Palmerston North has been a home away from home and they can hope to still entertain their regional fans and look to gain more valuable points.The Canes are entertaining, their adventure on Friday is what gets them through but sticking with a plan is also what TJ Perenara must demand from his men.
While gaining a win away to the Blues, they indeed lost more when Nehe Milner-Skudder dislocated his shoulder. A huge loss, the team relied on his counter to the right wing opposed to Julian Savea’s threat on the left. That said, they must compete in this match, as they only lost one game at home last season so will want to continue the sense of winning. Begin that trend now, against the Force rather than have to build it during the much more difficult local derby matches that take so much out of the NZ sides.
Watch the Force, who could rebound from a defeat to The Brumbies–but who have not felt that in the last few years. The Canberra team defeated the Waratahs a fortnight ago, so that must act as a motivator for the New South Wales side to rebound against The Highlanders. And then the second match on Friday night will prove which of those two Australasian sides are on target for the top of the table. A Waratahs v Highlanders game is a good as it gets, so it will prove the contenders from the pretenders.
The last win in Dunedin was built on a solid first half. Scoring through penalties and then gaining a try to see them in front was a gameday plan most teams would be proud of. If they wish to return back to Otago with heads held high, Jamie Joseph must engineer the same result but importantly, look for maximum points and block the drain that cost them a BP on Saturday. A hard task against The Sydney-siders, but it can be done.
To accomplish that will be a monumental result. And results will need to go the way of The Crusaders too. Another coming off a bye, they must hit the ground running. That can be accomplished with a fully fit team, so who Todd Blackadder names on Thursday will set the tone for how much Crusaders fans will believe they have a challenge in 2016. This Kings game could be the start ‘of something big’ or it could be a fizzer, as some matches can be when you try too hard.
The Crusaders will need to be sure of their intentions, not trip up especially because that will be seen as a weakness for all others to want to exploit. Retaining a good home record is also important, as they have experienced good (58-17 win over the Reds in May, 2015) but also poor results (in their first round match loss to the Chiefs) That memory will be fresh, so a relatively achievable win against the Kings is a good place to start. All the best to them.
In overseas matches, The Blues will be the ones most in need of a victory. The team selection aspect seems to be a big focus, and it certainly is key to a consistency but the attention in Auckland is so accute, if I were Tana Umaga I would want to escape the media focus early. Get his men in the right mental state to pay real good attention to the match at hand–the Reds, at Suncorp Stadium, the best ground in Australia. Treat this game as an example of where the Aucklander’s are likely to travel.
Under John Kirwan, traveling became a stone in their shoe. They struggled and their fans will be unsure if they can overturn that trend. They must, there is no way around it. The competition is a 15 week journey, not an invitational. Teams that cannot travel, struggle. The Lions won two out of three and others may win all of them (Brumbies, Chiefs) so for the Blues it is an important step in their season. How the Reds play is completely up to them and that may be a difficult task after all the upturn of their coach being fired.
Finally, The Chiefs are the first to see South American soil, and the home team have a big influence on this outcome. Home fans and celebrations could possibly get in the way of a decent rugby game, as Los Jaguares have much to prove. Are they real contenders? In their conference, will they perform well at home but struggle away? Who has the best counter-attack?
Damian McKenzie had his second game to share his talent, impressing South African commentators with his brash style, while his kicking has media commentators in NZ smiling. Hand him the duties and let Cruden concentrate on his key distribution role. It might be a good strategy, although the forward pack must stand-up again when injuries have removed Nathan Harris [concussion]. If they had some first-pick names available, the result may not be under a cloud–some believe the Jaguares may claim some big scalps in 2016, will the Chiefs be one of those?
All will be revealed on Friday and Saturday nights next week.
WHAT WE LEARNED
A traveling Chiefs side put up a big score. They are used to the pressure in South Africa, and have a very good record in the republic. To walk away with five competition points means more than just a win. They now lead the NZ conference, and to be in that position early means they are ‘leading the pack’. It will take everything and more for any of the kiwi sides to just keep in front of that pack, so maintaining that slim lead is the reward for good performances.
Playing catch-up does not suit the Hamilton side. They want to be front-runners and are doing that now. A good result against the Jaguares will reinforce that or be a setback if they lose the conference lead this early. The conference table is the best barometer for success in an expanded competition. NZ Super Rugby points are so valuable, besides staying injury free–those who retain a healthy roster will be in the best position to ‘lead the pack’. I note that the Sharks and the Rebels have been hit hardest through injury, and in NZ the Hurricanes and Blues both have injury lists that are poor reading. Fans hope no more players are ambulanced home after Friday and Saturday nights.
“Main photo credit”
