Over the last few rounds of Investec Super Rugby, New Zealand (NZ) sides have been very impressive. They have faced opposition at home and abroad, winning often to build a big points lead over the other conference sides that will benefit teams in their run up to weeks 14, 15 and towards the qualifying stages. Wins by the Crusaders in the republic were exemplary, with all other sides; including the Blues having recent ‘Wins’ beside their names, so it all looked good at home.
Over this Super Rugby Round Seven weekend, two teams could not follow-up on that advantage while the Chiefs continued their vein of rich form to build a big points lead over all side and the Hurricanes won at home to celebrate a milestone for one of their own.
Results: Friday 8th April – Chiefs 29 Blues 23 | Force 19 Crusaders 20 | Stormers 46 Sunwolves 19 | Saturday 9th April – Hurricanes 40 Jaguares 20 | Reds 28 Highlanders 27 | Sharks 9 Lions 24 | Kings 6 Bulls 38 | [BYE] Brumbies, Cheetahs, Rebels, Waratahs.
Super Rugby Round Seven: NZ Teams Build a Big Points Lead
The win at North Harbour Stadium had bolstered the Blues teams hopes of an elusive victory down the State Highway One in Hamilton against their traditional rivals the Chiefs. Read our Last Word On Sports match report for more- Yes, it did go as planned in the end, but this game showed a determination that Tana Umaga can build upon. While the Chiefs stride away still at the top-of-the-table, they were left nursing one of their best in Charlie Ngatai who went of injured. A tough derby match, just how many more of these the Chiefs can sustain is anyone’s guess. This is why they call it ‘Super’ rugby.
It is never easy, it is very hard week-in, week-out and the Blues did turn-up for a challenge and staying at the top of the Australasian conference is one quality that coach Dave Rennie has designed into the Chiefs franchise. A well earned rest is due.
With three Australian sides each having byes (how coincidental) there were just the two trans-tasman battles but each was at polar opposites in results. Firstly, on the Friday night on a return leg from Africa, a Crusaders side fronted up after collecting a handy double-victory and were confident of taking some valuable points away from NIB Stadium, but the Western Force always like to leave out the literal ‘banana skin’ for their guests. Just lurking there for a weary side to fall upon and Kieran Read had to .
Many will say this was a boring encounter, but far from it. The tension was building from the start as firstly halfback Mitchell Drummond scored after only a handful of minutes and the Force resigned themselves to collecting points in threes through Peter Grant penalties. Giving up points, but with possession and a territorial advantage, any other Crusader side would dream of maximizing this advantage but the game was frustrating. Veteran Albey Matthewson made sure of that, he revved up his tight forwards but it was not a pretty game to watch which got more panicky as time disappeared.
Read could grin afterwards, but when your opponents misses 23 tackles, has a poor lineout and seemed to have leave the door wide open, you should not be smiling mate. A tired side were close to slipping on that dreaded banana skin when Ryan Louwrens crossed. Pressure on and it was only a strong will that saw Jordan Taufua manage the deciding try at the death. Phew, a clutch win? Not for me, more like classic Crusaders desperation rugby from a side exhausted by wins over the Sharks and the Lions in the weeks beforehand. It must have sapped their energy. A real test that LWOS think they past admirably.
Five wins in six matches, fans should give this side some credit when they return home. Todd Blackadder will know that the pressure sustained will help them further on down the track too–after they get over the jetlag and have to endure a horror video session, but look for some fresh reserves next weekend against the Jaguares.
The second trans-tasman match was by far the biggest upset of the season in terms of the NZ Conference. A Queensland Reds side, who had lost their most experienced players off-season and had too lost their coach [fired] so were not in the so-called ‘same league’ as the visiting Highlanders. Current Champions facing the bottom of the table which might have been a ‘gimme’ for most rugby pundits, and almost 90% of all Fantasy sports leagues would have be dumbfounded as one, then two and then three tries were scored against the Highlanders in quick succession before any of the Landers side good say ‘blimey’.
The Fox Sports commentators were ecstatic, and why not. This was exactly what the Highlanders had done to the Waratahs in round four, with a burst of scoring that stunned tis Dunedin team who were without their talisman Ben Smith. It was like the Reds thought “what is there to lose” and that freedom allowed them to express themselves more easily. ‘Man of the Match’ Liam Gill crossed first, followed closely by Nic Frisby. His try was a great effort and with Highlanders falling off tackles, the before the end of the half they thought “lets keep up the pressure” and Samu Kerevi was a menace who would not be denied. Opposing him was Malakai Fekitoa, and normally that would occupy your mind, but Kerevi was undaunted for most of the game and credit to his Reds team mates, who sent the ball wide and Kerevi finished off. Jake McIntyre converted to end the half at 22-6.
It now lay on Shane Christie (pictured) and his men to figure out how to halt the rot, and after another penalty and a series of attacks they believed that Christie had crossed, only for a TMO to judge he was offside. Thwarted once, they hit the line again only for Lima Sopoaga to be recalled again for an illegal tackle in a ruck. It was tough to watch the clock dwindling so quickly but it steeled his side and after pressure mounted, Aaron Smith duly scored’ followed by a deft touch from Fekitoa that saw Sopoaga run 70 meters. A great reward, and he topped it off by a sublime sideline conversion.
Only a matter of time fans thought, but sadly the execution failed them as the clock went over 80 minutes in a cruel loss 28-27 and that squarely puts pressure on Jamie Joseph. A a poor record of 0-6 at Suncorp stadium–was this bogey side? Probably not, but dropping five points off the Chiefs and giving-up to the Crusaders maybe a factor that counts against them in the end. They would have wanted the win but this Brisbane mental stumbling block could be a talking point in weeks and even years to come.
On a more positive note for NZ rugby, the Hurricanes would return from the bye and bring with them an excitement and expression that fans had caught a glimpse of in Palmerston North. That win over the Force was good, and with a homeground advantage over a weary Jaguares side, expectations were high. Not only for the new challengers [in Super Rugby terms] but in a returning fan favourite whose fitness and commitment had been questioned.
Julian Savea’s demotion was a talking point. Not dropped (officially) but encouraged to take time to focus on his conditioning, and on his return cries rang out of “the Bus is back!” and yes, he crossed for a duly deserved hatrick but commentators may have dropped that ‘sound bite’ too early. Others questioned how other All Blacks who held the same Webb Ellis Cup aloft in November managed to return to Super Rugby fit and firing–was it a social issue? Family meals in the Savea household now consist of strict diets, but with sponsors KFC and a limelight attached to being a superstar like Julian portrays, his fall and (we hope) return are examples of the troubles that can occur in NZ professional sport.
Back on the field though, the visitors had troubled the Blues and that trend continued at Westpac Stadium. By the midpoint, some fiery latin blood had encouraged more niggle from the Canes and discipline will be a question every Super team opposing the Jaguares must control. They are tough, tackle extra hard and can quickly move from defence to attack. Martin Landajo is their on-field general, Leonardo Senatore in an imposing form and really it is just their interplay that often stops short many attacking moves.
Beauden Barrett was the first to score. A nice run and a ‘flashy’ slide-in to score. Nice work, but it is just a part of his game. Collecting 15 points in total, it was the little things that he did that impress. An occasional kicking error was forgiven, Barrett worked with Cory Jane (pictured) and Matt Proctor especially well, and his precise inside-pass to see Coles score was a delight to behold. And the balance of team is very near to perfect (apart from the injury to James Marshall)
With that win, Round Seven was completed. The big winners were the Chiefs, who did exactly what they are used to–absorb, subdue and outplay, as well as build a points buffer. The Crusaders were powerful enough to finish their game, but have a ‘banana split’ stain on their shirts even if they feel much better than their Mainland brothers the Highlanders. That loss will have given-up points to the chasing pack. A bad round for them, the Canes got straight back on the Train. A terrific night in the capital and while the Blues only grabbed a single competition point (through a last minute penalty) they must feel good about how they’re tracking.
Top placed NZ Super Rugby side 1# Chiefs 29 | 4# Highlanders 23 | 5# Crusaders 22 | #6 Hurricanes 20 | Blues 12
Top placed South African side 2# Stormers 23 | #7 Bulls 19 | #8 Lions 18 | Sharks 16
Top placed Australian side 3# Rebels 17 | Brumbies 17 | Waratahs 11 *Rebels lead on points difference
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Future fixtures: Friday 15th April – Crusaders v Jaguares, Christchurch | Rebels v Hurricanes, Melbourne | Saturday 16th April – Blues v Sharks, Auckland | [BYE] Highlanders and Chiefs
Just the three games this week, but it is still a savoring taste of why Super Rugby can still be feast of rugby even after eight weeks. Add to the NZ games are another four quality rugby games and fans will be engaged from Africa to Auckland. Emphasis should go on the Hurricanes v Rebels game, as who drops this one is more likely to be outside the magic ‘wildcard window’. Fifth place is a precipice point, so these two teams may be in a battle for many weeks to come (with the Waratahs a pesky menace)
The next few games are actually quite pivotal. The bye rounds will bring the Highlanders back into a ‘pack’ as , Sharks and Lions begin their own intra-conference battle. The same applies to the Brumbies v Waratahs fight and then an interminable (for NZ rugby fans) number of rounds of damaging local derby games that can sustain more ‘casulties’ than points attained. It might become a period of ‘winner beware’ as the local games are worth double-points–beat your opponent, you gain points and a possible points differential, so any 40+/_ games will be felt across several conferences.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Liam Squire, as a forward and as a ball carrier he is a man to watch. Any good number eight must (in reality) be in two places at once. The final line of defence from the back of scrum as well as a ranging role to defend/attack. Squire has both of these, in a front-on tackler and in his awareness of the loose ball and in chasing an inside ball, where Aaron Smith is always ready to call on Squire to make yards and work with Christie, Whitelock and the returning Elliot Dixon.
After re-signing for the Highlanders (being a Chiefs player in 2014/2015) and being on the radar for both Maori and maybe higher honours, Squire is a young man with plenty of potential. Carry on as he is going, and plenty of people will remember his name–as much as that fine Mullet haircut.
“Main photo credit”
