The penultimate round of Super Rugby was a benefit for rugby fans. Five out of five wins for NZ Super Rugby teams only made it better for local fans–at the expense of four Australian teams (that was a bonus). But truly, the championship run to the finals always holds the greatest intrigue. And next week will mean a ‘blockbuster final round awaits fans’.
If you managed to watch any game, it would have been a high scoring affair. On average, 47.4 points were scored by the New Zealand (NZ) teams. The South African (SA) teams managed 35.2 per game. The Australian teams had a horror weekend, only 13.2 points and the Melbourne Rebels actually scored 26 of their total of 63–out scoring the Brumbies, Reds and Force combined. How and why is anyone’s guess, but it has caused a real problem for their conference.
Kiwi teams vs. Aus team this weekend in #SuperRugby ? pic.twitter.com/ZEzCo5yEkR
— Saturday RugbyChat (@Rugby_Chat) July 10, 2016
But first, the results:
Blues 40 Brumbies 15 | Reds 5 Chiefs 50 | Lions 57 Southern Kings 21 | Crusaders 85 Rebels 26 | Waratahs 17 Hurricanes 28 | Force 3 Stormers 22 | Bulls 50 Sunwolves 3 | Sharks 26 Cheetahs 10 | Jaguares 8 Highlanders 34
The Friday night action was a wonderful first course, and the Blues, Chiefs and Lions all devoured their meals [opposition] with over 140 points scored to start the weekend. Those results were included in our ‘Super Rugby Saturday’ prelude.
The standout performance over the weekend was no doubt the Crusaders v Rebels (main photo). It was a 100 point celebration that had fans cheering inside 5 minutes, fans dancing after 40 minutes and fans up-standing after 80 mins to salute their team. 85-26 was emphatic. 13 tries was sublime, with Johnny McNichol scoring a hatrick.
Jimmy Tupou deputized well for Kieran Read and the scrum was all-power while the backline was all-pace. Matt Todd showed some pace too, with a 50 metre run away try of his own. Every bit worthy of an All Black shirt for me.
However, Todd Blackadder will still question the 26 points conceded. He could not have asked for more though after last weeks loss in Fiji, so might allow them some liberty. Home ground, home fans and the same Crusaders result–winning. Next week, the Hurricanes.
Hurricanes take away the spoils in Sydney
Credible results go the Hurricanes way, who had the toughest task over the weekend against the Waratahs. Evenly matched with the opposition, the recent record favoured the Sydney team. It was a good opening too as Cory Jane placed a perfect kick-chase for Beaden Barrett to score. Nice start, but when Taqele Naiyaravoro scored his try, the battle had really begun.
It was made harder when Willis Halaholo was judged to tackle Bernard Foley high just before halftime. It was not easy on his team mates and even when Israel Folau scored his ‘obligatory’ try’ you might have thought the visitors could easily have dropped away. No, this ‘Canes group are skillful and out-played the Waratahs to unravel that sides hopes.
James Marshall was good, TJ Perenara (pictured) too and Jane scored a try to bring the side right back into it. There was a tipping point by the fourth quarter so when Julian Savea trampled his way to the tryline, hope was raised. They withstood a late push to prevail but even in Dean Mumm’s 100th Super Rugby game, his mates could not turn back the visitors. A brilliant result for the Hurricanes who are assured a place in the quarter finals.
Also playing better were the Stormers who went to Perth and did not find any ‘banana peel’. That was the secret to beating the Force, because the horrendous rain and sodden ground called for a smart team, and on this wet night, that team were the Stormer’s. The Western Force have little to look back on this year while back in Cape Town, the Stormers now lye in wait for the weak Kings in Round 17. What a pleasant way to prepare for a home quarter final.
2015 Champions withstand all the Jaguares could throw at them
And finally, the Highlanders took another long flight over to Argentina. They got the poor end of the draw but had high hopes of returning with maximum points. A brilliant start gave them the perfect springboard. Inside two minutes (the fastest score this weekend, out of all the incredible opening minutes of play) had Ben Smith score his 26th try. That gave them momentum, quickly underlined when Rob Thompson scored soon after. It was one way traffic, made only worse for the home team when the Jaguares leader Agustin Creevy left the field injured.
A really tough loss, but to the Argentine men’s credit they held together. Tested to the max, especially when Elliot Dixon scored a good team-try. It was a tough watch but with an enthusiastic crowd on hand, Juan Martin Hernandez used that home support to draw on as he scored out wide. Was this there comeback game?
Sadly, it was the only time they could convert possession fully. Halfback Martin Landajo (pictured) was ‘as good’ as Aaron Smith–heaven forbid– a real handful who tried all game. Going into the final 20 mins, they still could deny the visitors a bonus point.
The Highlanders have developed, and in 2015 were crowned the Champions, so with those learnings they were able to finish off the game. Pressure was mounted and a forward drive resulted in Dixon scoring again. His brilliant year continues, as does Lima Sopoaga’s. A 100% strike rate put him over 150 Super Rugby points this season andseason and helped his side to secure a place in the quarter finals. Congratulations to Patrick Osborne, who brought up 50 Super Rugby caps.
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Current standings: confirmed Conference winner
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Top placed New Zealand side 2# Chiefs 51 | 5# Crusaders 50 | 6# Hurricanes 48 | 7# Highlanders 48
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Top placed South African side (Conference 1) 3# Stormers 46 | Bulls 37 (Conference 2) 1# Lions 52 | 8# Sharks 39
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Top placed Australian side 4# Brumbies 39 | Waratahs 39
The Sharks have assumed eighth position, jumping ahead of the Waratahs who could not counter the wide running style of the Hurricanes. Both Australian sides got ‘stuck in the mud’ and Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika should be concerned.
He has stated the “Super form doesn’t translate to national team form” but that is easy to say when you are Wallabies coach. He might be asking Daryl Gibson and Stephen Larkin [part of his coaching group] to improve their players attitude. If not, that many Wallaby players sitting out the finals may grow rusty sitting on the beach.
Meanwhile, the Lions confirmed top spot and the Stormers made sure that the Bulls would not overtake them–46 points versus 37. In as much, they guaranteed their standing. The Bulls will certainly face one of the lowest placed NZ sides, who must prepare to travel to Cape Town. And eight placed side (whomever) will have to prepare for the trip to Johannesburg. The conference system plays it’s part here, no doubt about it and much has been written in that regard.
2016 Conference system questioned
Questions asked are “if NZ teams have scored more competition points than both SA conference one and the Australian conferences, how is that justified?” The answer lays at SANZAAAR’s feet. They chose a conference system with guaranteed placings for conference winners. It works in other leagues (NBA, Baseball) but has it translated to Super Rugby? Most will say no. Others argue that it is the only way it could have worked, however fans are not happy.
Player of the Round: Sam Whitelock
After 100 Super Rugby games, the Crusaders v Melbourne Rebels was in no way a testimonial. That was evident after three minutes when the big lock scored try number one. One of 13 tries that this powerful team scored, it was no cakewalk. And men like Whitelock have contributed to building the standard we expect from them.
His personal performances are often disguised in the dark-places. Locks used to just push and jump. Not anymore. Whitelock; like his All Black locking-partner Brodie Retallick. plays a wider game. Locks now now run and pass and play like a wing. Sam does that and more. Some players are remembered for games. Whitelock will be rejoiced as a game-changer. Well done Sam.
Blockbuster Final Round Awaits Fans
Round 17 will complete the regular Super Rugby season. It will also finalize the important elimination stages placings, as only the Lions and Stormers have secured their home quarter final places. The Lions can still be ‘pushed off’ the top of the overall table, so need to secure a win at the least. If the Chiefs claim five points in Dunedin, the Lions will begin to feel the pressure a week out from the knockout rounds.
So there are four critical matches that will directly impact on final placings:
Blues v Waratahs, Eden Park. 7:35pm (NZT) Friday July 15
Expect the pressure to be firmly on the visitors. With all to gain, Tana Umaga will have his men ‘hissing’ to repel this trans-Tasman challenge. Deny the ‘Tahs a win, they could remove that team from quarter finals contention.
Sharks v Sunwolves,Durban. 7:00pm (RSA) Friday July 15
Why is this a key match? Unless the Sharks can secure a quality bonus point win, questions will hang over this side. Most crucially, they could possibly be overrun by another side depending on the Blues v Waratahs game and Brumbies v Force.
Crusaders v Hurricanes, Christchurch. 5:15pm Saturday July 16
This one has several implications. (a) if the Crusaders win, they have a better chance of not having to travel to South Africa–maybe even finish at number one overall. That applies to both sides really, and (b) if the Chiefs lose, then the winner of this game could reclaim the top spot and a home quarter final. It can all balance on results like this.
Highlanders v Chiefs, Dunedin. 7:35pm Saturday July 16
Heading down to Dunedin myself; a plan made way back in March, you would not have told any fan that these two teams would be so closely matched. The one factor in the Chiefs favour is travel-fatigue. Coach Jamie Joseph will do his best to motivate the team but when you have to fly halfway around the world, it is a grueling task. The bonus is–they will be at full strength, sleeping in their own beds with only Tom Franklin as an injury concern.
It will have the ‘most cost’ for the loser and the ‘most reward’ for the winner. In that order, the loser will already know the permutations (due to the Crusaders v Hurricanes result already being known) so is under pressure. The ultimate winner will be confident of a target, five points obviously but interestingly the margin could come into play here. The Highlanders only holding a 20 point differential advantage over the ‘Canes. Win, and you might play your next game at home, or in Australia.
Key fact: No side has managed to win three away playoff games in succession, highlighting how hard life becomes for those teams who have to travel in the knockout rounds.
The other five matches will still have a significance, no game in rugby is ever a non-event [this is not Baseball]. In a way, they will help those sides build toward the finals possibly or (for sides outside the top eight) to finish on a high. And of course, many players from here may then prepare for national representation, so for Sunwolves or Jaguares, focus must still be maintained.
For the Brumbies, their season is on the line. It is clear only one Australian team can qualify. They need a bonus point win desperately, they need to score points and to importantly show fans that the season is ‘still on-track’.
Once all the action has been completed though, fans attention will turn toward the quarter finals. Look forward to more updates and team analysis from our LWOS staff before the Super Rugby season concludes on Saturday.
Boy it will be an exciting conclusion.
“Main photo credit”
