After 13 rounds of competition, each of the New Zealand (NZ) Super Rugby sides have each played 11 games, as the Highlanders and Hurricanes completed their final bye weekend. That left us with three exciting matches involving the remaining NZ teams. Great games, as sides now begin to countdown the rounds until the Super Rugby Quarter finalists can be confirmed.
Having four sides inside the top of the table is a luxury not every conference has. While happy with the standings, three games played this weekend, and three wins just repeats the theme of 2016–winning, and that is always good news for NZ rugby as we eye-up the visiting Wales rugby team in June.
NZ Super Rugby–Three out of Three
RESULTS: Friday 19 May – Crusaders 29 Waratahs 10 | Saturday 20 May – Chiefs 36 Rebels 15 | Force 13 Blues 17 | Highlanders, Hurricanes BYE
Last Word On Sports have concentrated on providing our readers with more up-to-date match reports, so the opening game on Friday saw the Crusaders outwit their Waratahs opposition. A game that had to endure some dour conditions, the handling was superb in the first half and needed good concentration in the second half to hold out the solid Tah’s coached by former player Daryl Gibson. Finishing 29-10, Zac Guildford too made sure the locals remembered his name, when he scored for ‘the Blues’ and that proved a vital element in the overall result–read the match report here.
This game was great for the Crusaders to work on maintaining standards. Captain Kieran Read was more than satisfied when he spoke with the NZ Herald. “There was a bit of pressure on the lads this week, so to get a response like that was outstanding. We want to play our style of footy” said Read. “We saw the weather and that wasn’t our game plan, to hold on to the ball to be honest, but it was outstanding footy.
“We nullified their lineout… and that got us into the game and stopped their play so it was great work from those boys.”
On Saturday night, LWOS reporter Mike Pullman observed his Chiefs at FMG Stadium as they returned to action. Nathan Harris started this match and scored a popular try, one of five for the home side. Read Mike’s full match report here and the only target not reached on Saturday was probably the lack of points scored. Before the end of the first half, some will have hoped their men went on to put 50 points on the Melbourne Rebels. That they did not, might be the only objective not reached by the Chiefs in a 36-15 win.
One of the negatives was Michael Leitch dislocating his shoulder and that will be a huge hole to fill. His professionalism keeps the scrum together and with no Liam Messam, coach Dave Rennie might be forced to shift Sam Cane into the number eight position. That positional change would be a big test, but as we mentioned in the Super Rugby Saturday piece, Cane had two points to prove this weekend. Ticking those off, it looks like the Chiefs co-captain is up for any challenge.
FORCE v BLUES – Nib Stadium, Perth
The elements would be against both sides, the second match in a row where the Blues team needed to work overtime to master them. A poor effort in Johannesburg only served to breakdown the air of prosperity that Tana Umaga’s reign has wanted to engender. A will by the fans to believe was hit hard, so against the Western Force he would have aimed to set any change of mindset immediately.
It took longer than 20 minutes for either team to break the other. The will of the Blues on this day was more evident than their opponents demonstrated. Struggling in the weather, it evened up the match and to their credit, the visitors fought to get into position and soon Jerome Kaino used his bulk to crash over. Great to see the fighting spirit and then George Moala started the best scoring movement of the round.
In their own half, quickball went out toward Moala who turned straight into the line and excellently kept his arms free. Tanerau Latimar quickly found his offload and briskly chose the best course toward the tryline was ‘pass it to a winger’. He found Tevita Li, and the Under 20 Championship ‘player of the tournament’ lined up his opposing wing and executed an almost perfect swerve that opened the line up.
The Blues center has adapted to the role and the gifted ball distributor did as much on defence when required. The environment Umaga has built meant at halftime, up 3-14, they had a good base to work with and when the weather deteriorated even further, it took all they had to last out the night and they did it tough, coping with their personal indiscretions. Charlie Faumuina was the first to be singled out, the victim of repeated penalties. He spent time in the bin as penalties mounted; 3-15, and it would have cost them more if the defence had not held strong.
The belief was much improved, and the circumstance being different this week (not giving up so many tries was a good start) but with the Force scoring a try to their talisman Matt Hodgson, the Blues must have drawn a sigh of relief when he was taken off injured. If the last few minutes lack of possession had continued (and a second yellow card given to prop Nic Mayhew) it really should have seen them beaten. As luck would have it, the poor Western Force players ‘mucked up’ their final chances and coach Michael Foley looked horribly upset at the last minute error to close-out the game with. ‘No justice’ he will be saying, but neither team excelled tonight honestly.
Blues fans will be more than reassured I guess, but it does not get any easier next week. Survival in Perth was character building, you have to give them their dues. Training back in Auckland this week, back in their own beds, that will be welcomed–but a much more deadly a foe awaits them next week….the Crusaders arrive on Saturday.
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- Top placed NZ Super Rugby side 1# Chiefs 42 | 5# Crusaders 41 | 6# Highlanders 37 | 7# Hurricanes 36 | Blues 25
- Top placed South African side (Conference 1) 3# Stormers 31 | Bulls 28 (Conference 2) 2# Lions 37 | 8# Sharks 30
- Top placed Australian side 4# Waratahs 30 | Brumbies 29 | Rebels 23
Not a lot changed over this week. The top position obviously, due to that valuable bonus point. Chiefs now re-assume the mantle even though it is clear that a points for-and-against is apparent [see link] so they must continue to hold that single point advantage over their Southern neighbours for as long as possible. If they fall back to even scores on the table again, that factor will be the difference between a conference win, and a wildcard spot.
One consideration though, finishing as the ‘second NZ team’ in fact [on current standings] see’s a team only travel to Australia–not South Africa. The machinations of the draw rewards the next best Kiwi team with a shorter trip to Sydney than the probable third or fourth sides, who go for a long-haul plane ride over to the Republic. The next best placing seems to has a subtle positive to it, if your drilling down into the final standings (seems a positive anyway)
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Seta Tamanivalu. He could be the ‘bolter’ they all talk about. The big, strong Chiefs player is the form centre from this reporters point of view. Charlie Ngatai is a natural second-five, and Tamanivalu is outshining Fekitoa and Fonotia, shading Faddes in experience. In his debut Super Rugby season, the Taranaki man stands out for the enterprising work he does and for a very sure defence.
With a sense for the tryline, he might be a little green to play Wales on June 11, but you would expect the selectors to be as impressed as the Super Rugby world is. In a similar build to Samu Kerevi, does NZ need a big man to both distribute and crash it up? Already with several choices, it maybe time to ‘blend in’ a fresh talent, Tamanivalu could be called out next Sunday [when the All Blacks wider training squad is named]
FUTURE FIXTURES: Friday 27th May – Hurricanes v Highlanders, Wellington | Waratahs v Chiefs, Sydney | Saturday 28th May – Blues v Crusaders, Auckland |
Just three matches again in the NZ conference, but what matches they are. Two prime local derby games are going to be season defining (yes, they all are from here I know) but if you are so close on the table, like the Canes and Landers are, then you put everything on the line.
Since their final bye, a small gap appears between the Highlanders and the top berth in NZ rugby. The defending champions have beaten both teams above them, Jamie Joseph will now drive his men to make that point clear when they replay the 2015 final again in Wellington. That security of knowing they last won at their hosts venue will be a comfort, as well as knowing they turned back the Canes at Forsyth-Barr Stadium in Round Two. Before setting foot on the pitch, the Highlanders have a small advantage in their mind.
Chris Boyd and John Plumtree too had a weeks rest to promote the thought of reprisal within their men. At home, it should be a 30,000 plus crowd if they consider the expected intensity this match should have–which is why Last Word On Sports chose this round to be present. You don’t want to miss these games, and it will be one to remember. The winner of this game will need both good setpiece and great attack. Both sides do, so there might some individual brilliance needed that separates the teams–more than likely only 12 or less points should be the gap.
Which way will it go? If you twist my arm, I would have to say Landers but never, ever count out the ‘Hurricanes at home’.
The Chiefs run a gauntlet in Sydney, as they play a ‘risk and reward’ approach to Round 14. Go in hard, and the reward could be five more points and a step closer to an assured quarter final placing. The risk though is as much about not losing by too much, and no injuries. That factor has been a constant for them to manage, so in terms of injuries they need all 23 men to come through this trip unscathed. In terms of keeping the Waratahs honest, that is because they can play better at home than on the road. Hard to beat Allianz Stadium.
The record shows the last encounter in New Plymouth in 2015 went the way of the Tahs. This season they are not near the top of the standings and could be more desperate and play an open game. The Chiefs should plan on waiting on mistakes, pressuring their loose forwards and watching Nic Phipps, the key to the Tahs. The other focus will naturally be on Israel Folau. Growing confidence in the number 13 shirt, if they close him down, compete at the scrum and then attack out wide with pace, the Chiefs will perform well over the Tasman.
Finally, it is the best of adversaries going head-to-head in Auckland one more time, where Todd Blackadder must challenge his men to get on top of the Blues, and nullify the home team support. A big crowd should turn-up, and that will motivate the Blues to keep up the mathematical chance they hold of making the play-offs. Don’t laugh, I know it is quite relevant because when the Auckland side are higher up the standings, just off a 2/3 trip away and had won twice in a row at home. Umaga just needs to rally the troops to trust their conditioning, keep their heads up and maintain an attacking spirit.
Points will be crucial, and the Crusaders know that staying ahead of the home side normally challenges that team more than others. Score early like they did this weekend, they will then be able to use good defence that see’s them as one of the toughest teams to score against. Just keep the channels clear, return any high ball directly and protect their ruck ball. It could be a formula to win by, and the Crusaders are happy to use the numbers and better statistics to their advantage.
Looking forward to each game; being present in Wellington myself, all three matches will be terrific games. You will agree that this round before the International window opens is going to determine which is the fourth NZ team that could ‘possibly’ reach the qualifying stages. If the Hurricanes win, they stay in touch of the wildcard places.
Lose, and they will find it very tough indeed. The Blues can hurt the Crusaders chances though, while the Chiefs are their own barometer for success. They should go well, and it will be a superb last weekend before a month long break until teams begin the next stage of Super Rugby 2016.
It is set-up to be nothing else but another fantastic weekend.
“Main photo credit”
