Only the most ardent fans would have believed that out of the four sides that remain in the 2016 Super Rugby competition, three of them would be New Zealand teams. Many dreamed it, some even wishing for an all-NZ team semi final. But with the Lions representing South Africa standing tall, three teams involved still makes for Near Perfect Semi Final Fixtures for most.
Semi final #1 – HURRICANES v CHIEFS, Westpac Stadium
Semi final #2 – LIONS v HIGHLANDERS, Ellis Park
The results over the weekend reinforced some of the form sides. The table read two wins for home teams, two for the visitors. While that statistic was shared, the two visiting sides who won were both from New Zealand (NZ) teams. The ability to travel is a powerful weapon–the Chiefs had not had a sequence of wins, but when ‘push came to shove’ they performed. The difference in the end was self-belief and effective counter-attack.
BRUMBIES 9 HIGHLANDERS 15
Australian Super Rugby fans hopes were pinned on their final side, the former champion Brumbies side. The last Aussie team standing, they have a strong Wallaby content and had a very good chance at home. What they could not have seen was the character and will of the 2015 reigning Champion Highlanders. The NZ side rode in, looked at the rain and wind, considered the right strategy and completed their task.
Highlanders play rope-a-dope
In rugby, teams can approach the game from a purely ‘attack basis’. Go for the ball, run, spread the ball at all opportunities. Used by the Highlanders against the Waratahs in round four. It would not work tonight. Realizing that, they resorted to the tried and true match practices. Sure defence, good field position and if playing against the run, look to challenge at lineout time. Elliot Dixon was effective there, as was Ben Smith and Lima Sopoaga with field position.
The match only saw two tries scored, and none were from a rolling maul. So that meant the Brumbies favourite ploy had been negated by a staunch Highlanders scrum. Not even a returned David Pocock could put them over the line. The visitors bettered the Canberra team in terrible conditions. Only a Waisake Naholo try and an intercept finished off by Matt Faddes excited fans. It was dour and very little for home town fans to shout about. Even with eight minutes of solid attack on the ‘Landers line, they failed to break the try-drought. A drive almost crossed, but TMO George Ayoub found no footage to confirm the ball had crossed the chalk. Stephen Larkin was left seething over the call, but his side were blunted by the defiant Highlanders.
Coaches satisfied with outcome
Head coach Jamie Joseph knows that his side can only perform on the park, they cannot control the other teams results. His assistant coach Clark Dermody was extremely proud of the final quarter of the match. “Every game for the past couple of years teams have thought they can push us around, but our scrum has been good. I’m pleased with it.” The Brumbies, a team who pride themselves in set-play, threw everything at them. The determination to defend shows others [the Lions] that the Dunedin team will be hard to beat.
Satisfied, they then traveled to Sydney to await the other results that might determine their semi final venue.
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HURRICANES 41 SHARKS 0
The sight of captain Dane Coles wincing in pain on Saturday night was the only negative that Hurricanes fans took away from Westpac Stadium. On a wet and windy evening, everything went to plan. The home side gelled, they exceeded most commentators predictions. The locals knew that the wind was the major concern. What they couldn’t predict was how ‘limp’ the Sharks effort would be.
Hurricanes turn Sharks hopes to sushi
In the history of Super Rugby, over 20 seasons, no team has failed to score in a qualifying finals match. The Sharks now hold that unenviable record. 41-0 was a drubbing. The adjectives were thrashed by the local media. ‘Trumped’ and ‘walloped’ quickly spread through social media and that was only in this part of the world. One can only imagine the pressure mounting back in Durban.
It did not begin like that, as the sides adjusted to the conditions. The wind was swinging the goal posts, so it was considerable enough for both kickers to ask for assistance. Garth April had a horror night, not comfortable at all while Beauden Barrett made the required adjustments. In one place kick, his assistant Jason Woodward seemed to fumbled the ball placing and before he could reset, Barrett struck the ball clean through the posts. A phenomenal effort, his stock is rising even further.
MAX PERFORMANCE: @beaudenbarrett produced a tactical-kicking masterclass in Wellington. https://t.co/4nTjLBBgZh pic.twitter.com/EplHnHUzLE
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) July 23, 2016
Sharks implode in the rain of Wellington
The visitors arrived with quality credentials. A history of upsetting local teams, but that was then. On their tour of 2016, they defeated the Hurricanes, so you had to be cautious. What eventuated was beyond belief–they seemed to play insular rugby. The backs seemed afraid to carry the ball, so aimless kicking prevailed. Michael Claassens and Willie le Roux did little to support attacking rugby, in fact they initiated much of the Hurricanes counter-attack.
Two quick tries after 50 minutes put pressure on the Sharks that they could not survive under. Not all out plunder, but as Vaea Fifita broke tackles at will, it infected the Sharks side. No effective substitutes could bring any change and although the six tries to nil scoreline seems all too much in ‘Canes favour, possession was a surprising 50/50. No, the Sharks just froze in the spotlight, Gary Gold’s men outclassed and only ensured that the South African finals presence was reduced even further.
With that win, the Hurricanes secured consecutive home semi finals. Their opponent was still to be decided immediately post-match, which has been a trend in Super Rugby this season. The ‘unknown factor’.
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LIONS 42 CRUSADERS 25
The one team who produced almost unquestionable credentials were the African conference winning Lions side. After making a questionable decision to trade-off a game in Argentina in favour of having fresh troops–it worked a charm. Against a Crusaders team who had traveled over from New Zealand carrying a fresh wound, the Lions ‘pounced’ early.
Lions show why they are worthy finals threat
Out to a 5-0 start. it startled the visitors. The seven-time champions were supposed to be out to satisfy their longtime head coach Todd Blackadder’s craving for a title. It got worse when Luke Romano was called for cynical play and the score ballooned out to 15-0. These hosts were going to win the game, not just outlast the Crusader muscle. Fans were on fire and even a Ryan Crotty try did little to quiet their cheers and whistles. Add to that the ‘highveld’ factor, and Ellis Park is a daunting encounter.
Preparing for the break, a spark energized the Lions. After 40 minutes of high-paced rugby expertly by Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies, the Lions still know how to force their bulk towards the tryline. Using all their muscle, they forced themselves up to, and over the white line. Warren Whitely was huge in this area and the last minute score mirrored the game a week earlier, where the Hurricanes scored right at the break. The visitors would again need to re-motivate themselves if they wanted to survive another week.
Hosts defy Crusaders strength
Soon Mitchell Drummond pulled the scores back to 28-20, and the match could have played to their strengths. On any other day, they would overpower the opposition. On this day though, the Lions have evolved from ‘Cats’ [their former franchise name] to be more fierce match winners. In Lionel Mapoe and Ruan Combrinck, they have that. A 60 meter movement shattered the Crusaders line. Blistering pace will always find a way through and not even the will of Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock could motivate their men.
Coach Johan Ackerman is doing a great job of peaking at the right time. A fresh Lions team now have the advantage of laying in wait for another side to enter their terrain next week.
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Across the continent, the Stormers were the other African conference winner. Co-captained by World Cup winner Schalk Burger, he and his team hoped that not opposing any NZ side in their conference would not ‘count against them’.
STORMERS 21 CHIEFS 60
This game only proved to reinforce the confusion fans and some players/coaches had felt when you analyze the conference system. The Chiefs had played very well to virtually lead the NZ conference all year, but had not encountered this opposition since March 2015. Won that day 19-28 by the Chiefs, there was little form to pre-judge this result by. Stormers recent opponents gave little intelligence for the visitors to plan for. And the opening passage of the match was fairly even.
As Vincent Koch opened the Stormers account, it seemed the tight forwards might be in for a tough night. Gladly, the Chiefs used the ball and a productive patch soon boosted the visitors score out to 7-24. The attacking spirit of the Chiefs shone through, with Aaron Cruden leading a backline wrecked by injury. Stephen Donald added to that list when he left the field and it became worse when Sam Cane followed.
Chiefs lead out to strong halftime lead
Losing their captain to suspected concussion, the pack would usually take charge. That might be the fact if you were the Stormers, or Brumbies but the team from Hamilton did not go into their shell. They realized that it would take a team to win the match. Instantly, they used the ball, spreading it across the park and Damian McKenzie scored a brilliant try. It deflected any pressure from the hosts. Men like Damian de Allende and Huw Jones seemed unable to break the ‘patched up backline’.
As time ran down, the scoreline was the Stormers enemy. Even with a Nizaam Carr try, at 21-39 it was a score too far. And then a superb final four minutes elevated the score by a massive 21 points. It compounded the result, giving the Chiefs their highest ever away victory–in a quarter final mind you. Incredible and it stopped any Cape Town celebrations in their tracks. The Western Province region, so long an indicator of Springbok strength had fallen well short.
#SuperRugby – RESULT:
The Chiefs were simply unstoppable scoring 8 tries as they powered past the Stormers. #STOvCHI pic.twitter.com/VD67griGn7— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) July 23, 2016
It seemed that Dave Rennie had picked the right game plan. Attack first, use the ball and play to the regular NZ style. It worked a treat, and his men will now head back home to face the Hurricanes. The Highlanders, who had waited in Sydney for this result, now travel to Jo’berg. Not perfect for them, but ‘near perfect’ for NZ rugby fans.
Near Perfect Semi Final Fixtures will make many fans very, very happy
Mind you, NZ rugby fans will say “we told you so”. After a successful 2015 Rugby World Cup, the game in this country is performing extraordinarily well. Over five franchises, four had progressed and that was now three strong. A 75% chance of claiming the title yet again. On Saturday night it will be a fantastic few hours of footy, as two nations pin their hopes on their respective teams. South Africa will be aiming to be present in the finals. Pride is on the line for both countries.
If the Lions succeed and the Chiefs overturn the Hurricanes, that African side would host the Grand Final. Only a Hurricanes victory can deny the Lions from upsetting a Kiwi party.
Last Word On Sports will continue to bring you all the pre-match detail and match results leading up to the Grand Final on August 6th, 2016
“Main photo credit”
