Four out of five is a great return for New Zealand (NZ) Super Rugby sides, although a draw for the Blues was a poor return when you consider a key injury, the results did underline the Australasia standings as four leading NZ teams all won their matches this weekend.
Results: Friday 18th March – Hurricanes 41 Force 6 | Waratahs 26 Highlanders 30 | Saturday 19th March – Crusaders 57 Kings 24 | Reds 25 Blues 25 | Jaguares 26 Chiefs 30
Hurricanes fans in Palmerston North got a taste of Super Rugby, and by the looks on their faces post-game, it was worth the price of admission. The six try demolition was underwritten by a solid first half, where the Force did a consummate job of trying to defend a rebuilding Canes side. You give them praise for that effort, but as is the common rule ‘this is an 80 minute game’ and the Hurricanes became a Goliath by games end.
It will do them a world of good, considering the injury to Nehe Milner-Skudder, a solid win they will head into their post-match analysis with some positive data. Dane Coles returned to the field, immediately crossing for a try to affirm his high standing. Performances from a great number of Canes men is only going to make that side believe better for it; Vaea Fifita, Cory Jane and Blade Thompson. Chris Boyle will be confident he has good depth and his interchange of the first-five Beauden Barrett and James Marshall strategy is developing again nicely.
We then went to Sydney anticipating another terrific trans-tasman game, and the opening half seemed to go all the Highlanders way. Incredible continuity, Ryan Tongia benefited firstly as the ball fell into their hands [somewhat] especially when Liam Squire ran clear in the first quarter. Running up 22 massive points, the Waratahs could not complete much, losing composure (well Beale did at least) and would have expected a ‘spray’ from Darryl Gibson.
As is common, that halftime talk motivated his side; even when Elliot Dixon scooped a cross-field kick to cross for his second try, they made their replacements and number eight Jed Holloway began a resurgence. One, two and then (if anyone can confirm 100% please) three tries that helped his team come storming back. Even a contentious try to an offside Tom Robertson which escaped the referees glance all contributed to the Highlanders ‘freezing’ on the big stage. A poor showing for the 2015 Champions, acting rashly on occasion to almost hand a win to their hosts. But most crucially, they gave away a key Bonus Point for the second week in a row.
Lessons must be learned, Jamie Joseph will point that out with authority and the Crusaders have learned lessons, after losing to the Sharks at home last season. This 2016 vintage may have lost as much experience as the entire Kings side holds, but they were aware of the banana skin [the Kings] were committed and did things well to earn plaudits from fans and commentators alike. After an early intercept had the Kings ahead, big breaths were taken and senior players stepped up. Nemani Nadolo (pictured) began the avalanche and with seven Crusader tries in total, this was good work from Jordan Taufua, Ritchie Mo’unga and for mine, Ben Volavola showed wonderful organisational skills that are positives to take from the match.
Yes, they let in tries that a true champion side should not have, but when you empty all your reserves bench it is tough to stay in formation but they stayed positive. Turnover ball saw Jone Macilai-Tori cross to ‘stop the rot’ and it was reinforced when Peter Samu confirmed the five point haul late in the game. Todd Blackadder will now just want his men to increase their territorial statistics–40/60 gave the Kings a sniff all game. Tighten up those stats and they can build a sequence of wins.
At this point, fans watching the Queensland game then had to endure a pretty bland affair. Yes, the Blues crossed twice to lead 13-15 at halftime, Rieko Ioane introduced in place of Rene Ranger and he was helpful in try number one but as soon as Jerome Kaino was removed through injury; out for up to 4 weeks, they must have felt they should have been in a better position. Most predictions had painted this as the battlers and facing the Reds who had major issues, if they were not taking the opposition seriously then that slender lead was certainly not enough to invest in.
A more emphatic Reds side were driven in the second half by skipper Rob Simmons and Karmichael Hunt who is beginning to show glimpses. Samu Kerevi crossed to help them take the game to the Aucklander’s. Substitutions were added, it gave the Reds a bolster to extend a lead to 25-15. A tough forward exchange didn’t allow the flying Blues backline to have any success until after 73 minutes, when Billy Guyton brought his side back into this game. Heads went up, the tempo was raised and it reflected the close finish to their last match at Eden Park.
It could have been a magic moment for a player like Akira Ioane to shine, but the Queensland team defied them any clear chances. Close-to-the-ruck play would not get the Blues near to the line and with the clock running over 80 minutes, they were provided a final penalty to determine the outcome. What to do? Every player on the field seemed intent on taking a lineout but forcibly, assistant coach Paul Feeney entered wearing his Waterboy shirt and dictated by placing the tee on the spot that they take a penalty and the draw 25-25. Smart management, but the sense was that a moreassured Blues side would naturally take the chance to win.
Tonight, they played it safe and left Suncorp Stadium with two competition points. The question is: did the players respect that decision? Ihaia West seemed disgusted by the call. Retaining a culture of ‘winning’ sometimes means taking whatever points you can [with time up] Last week, they gave up points in that situation, so lesson learned by Tana Umaga I presume.
MATCH REPORT: Chiefs spoil Jaguares’ #SuperRugby homecoming with a last gasp Brad Weber try https://t.co/mbKP71e4kP pic.twitter.com/uDBmuRWJk6
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) March 19, 2016
Final match of the weekend was played on a Sunday morning (NZ time) Perfect conditions for fans, while the the Chiefs played the inaugural Super rugby game on South American soil against the Jaguares. Home side fans brought their colour and song to the game, which helped make this an exciting match to watch and listen to. It was quite frenetic too, fast and with ball being was passed widely. It did not translate to good ball control early though, dropped ball from both sides a constant right through until the whistle.
Aaron Cruden lost the kicking duties to Damian McKenzie again, a concern to Dave Rennie and Steve Hansen but the Chiefs never lost a belief that they could counter the Jaguares. A couple of Chiefs tries were pleasing to see but just on halftime, Tawear Kerr-Barlow was targeted for a professional foul. Handing a late penalty to see the Argentine team walk to the shed 14-13. This was a tight game, so the indiscretion by Kerr-Barlow would last for a further 8 minutes into the resumption of the game. Half time would have also helped players recuperate after a long travel schedule.
That key moment was not entirely taken advantage by the Jaguares though. They did hussle, but their opposition countered very well as the pitch began to tear up from scrum sets. A key moment was when Brad Webber was injected into the game and soon enough James Lowe scored a fine try. It took the wind out of the home team, and a worse side might have put up the white flag but full credit to Martin Landajo and his men, who rolled downtown to the Chiefs line and did well to push over. It was now ‘game on’ at 21-23.
What seemed like the try of the match then saw a 95 metre surge down field where Pablo Matera linked well to release Matias Moroni for what seemed to be the winning of the game. The band struck up, fans whistled and cheered, it was an almost perfect climax. The only problem was, this Chiefs side have won two Championships and they were resolute not to be the first side beaten in Buenos Aires. With gusto, as he had done Anton Lienert-Brown injected himself into the line, Seta Tamanivalu linked well with Lowe and Cruden, ever-present even at halfback, offloaded to Webber who all denied the hosts a win.
A breathtaking end to a super weekend. A great example of the transition from defence into counter-attack and for the NZ group, the leading teams win and all show their class.
POINTS STANDINGS: Chiefs 14 | Highlanders 13 | Crusaders 10 | Hurricanes 10 | Blues 7
The Chiefs have a slender lead, reinforced as they are the leading points scorers with 147. Don’t get excited though, as they have leaked 11 tries to their 19 scored, so defence is not a strong suit and something they should concentrate on this week. Bad news out that captain Sam Cane has been cited by the SANZAAR judiciary for a his part in a tackle that knocked out Jaguares player Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. Good news that the Brumbies did not gain any points in their 31-11 loss to the Stormers.
Chasing them are the Highlanders and they must be conscious of real threats in their last 40 minutes performances–that must be stopped or it will destroy any chance of overtaking the Chiefs through strong wins, or even holding out the chasing teams. Traveling to the Rebels, if that element of thier game is exposed yet again, systems need to be changed quickly.
Having their bye, the Crusaders are in reality very ‘even’ with the top two sides. Building into their season, they are looking good and will have boarded a plane feeling happy they have a good base to work from. If they took Matt Todd and Ryan Crotty with them, that trip will prove fitness for both. That too applies to the Hurricanes, but after that huge first-up thrashing, not entirely at their peak yet and with a month long run of home/bye/home matches which will be the litmus test for the Canes.
We cannot leave the Blues completely out of contention. With seven points, it puts them a few wins away from a Wildcard sport, but that will be a long way down the track. Now facing a bye, it hurts them in extending the gulf on the table even if they can work hard in the gym and on the training ground at Alexandra Park base to put the wrongs right. They need attacking threat to ever take those last minute decisions with confidence. Will the passive approach remove that natural instinct?
It may do, but a continuity in selection must be introduced if they can look to their next match [02/04/16] at home to the exciting Jaguares. Filling Kaino’s shoe is possibly the decision that will promote or disrupt the teams progress.
FUTURE FIXTURES: Friday 25th March – Hurricanes v Kings, Wellington | Saturday 26th March – Chiefs v Force, Hamilton | Rebels v Highlanders, Melbourne | Sharks v Crusaders, Durban | Blues [BYE]
STANDOUT PLAYER OF THE WEEK: James Marshall. I say this because from what we can see, the ex-Sevens player is a big contributor within his side–in comparison to Ben Smith, he is shaded but his experience outshines the younger Damian McKenzie. Kicks in play more than often not, always find their target, his tackling is ever sure and communicates from the back extremely well.
Beaduen Barrett, his Taranaki team mate is a superstar who claims his partnership with Marshall is a real strength of the Canes backline but the plaudits should be heralded more at this young man. At 27, he is in a rich peak of form after injuries previously curtailed his time in last yeasrs ITM Cup. Now he can string matches together to impress.
It is one of the worst kept secrets in Super Rugby that this gem of a player is leaving for Europe [London Welsh] After this season concludes, NZ rugby loses yet another talent to the UK. Big loss to the game, but enjoy his class while we still can.
“Main photo credit”
