Super Rugby Round Seven Forecast

Super Rugby Rd 6 - Reds v Hurricanes

As the opening rounds of local derby games now blend into more teams taking to the road, with old rivalries being revisited. With over 20 years of inter-conference history, the Super Rugby Round Seven forecast is for fans to enjoy more fierce inter-conference competition.

A feature of the Southern Hemisphere competition, teams travel vast distances to renew ‘old battles’. It results in sides from Africa going ‘on the hunt’ in New Zealand, and vice versa. That brings with it incredible challenges–there to test the best sides on their journey toward a possible championship.

In saying that, we first revisit the full results of Super Rugby Round Six –

Highlanders 51 Melbourne Rebels 12 | Blues 24 Western Force 15 | Chiefs 28 Bulls 12 | Reds 15 Hurricanes 34 | Stormers 53 Cheetahs 10 | Lions 34 Sharks 29 | Waratahs 22 Crusaders 41

The two men featured on @FoxSportsLab statistics are no strangers to the limelight. Ardie Savea with his blistering speed and aggressive tackling style–a 21st century version of Michael Jones. He excelled at setting-up his team mates on Saturday night, before a calf strain halted his run [he will be rested this weekend].

Across in South Africa, SP Marais is a revelation. At 28 years old, he is having a second-wind. Overcoming the quagmire of professional rugby in the republic, he has come from the Kings via the Bulls, and seems to have found his feet at the Stormers. Fast, able to offload and with a great defensive attitude, his battle on Saturday against Damian McKenzie will be riveting.

Who Did Well? #1 – Stormers

As above, Marais and his team mates had a superb weekend. Last Word On Rugby may not have predicted it correctly, assuming the Cheetahs would show their teeth–it turned out to be a harsh lesson for the visitors. Don’t expect the free-flowing game of the Stormers to be held back soon.

Ryan Jordan called it “their best performance of their 2017 campaign, with a relatively easy demolition of the Cheetahs”. Kind words, but all true. The nine tries to one hammering was classy. Beside Marais, Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored three tries and looks to be one of the new generation of black players we will see much more of.

Who Did Well? #2 – Crusaders

While they have made this LWOR feature their own, however on Sunday afternoon it was earned. In a typical Aus v NZ battle, the ‘Saders played a ‘wait and see’ game. They absorbed, then attacked, then waited and finally pounced. Coach Scott Robertson was extremely happy with the outcome, leading into a bye.

“To finish these early rounds; as we have called it, before going into the bye – it is pretty special to go six from six.”

These results mean that the table changes little. The Crusaders held a game advantage, so with them and the Lions now enjoying their first bye, it must then see a change for next week. As explained, by Round Nine we will see all teams having played the same number of games. Then we will know who is leading, and who is chasing.

Standings: NZ Conference – Crusaders | Australian conf – Brumbies | Africa One – Stormers | Africa Two – Lions

Fans Moment of Super Rugby Round Six: In a hilarious moment, TJ Perenara (see main picture) has shown his awareness of the rules is superb. After an interesting looking ‘ghost tap’ of the ball, on review referee Angus Gardener went to make a ruling.  On hearing the judgement, in this video Perenara exclaims “I didn’t tap the ball, it should be our penalty?”. Flummoxed, Gardener appeared to agree and reversed the ruling. Brilliant!

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Now, to look forward. And with the amount of rain in coastal Australia and New Zealand, the forecast is for soft fields in Australasia and hard-fast grounds in South Africa. Those variety of conditions are what fans enjoy. Players will simply have to adapt. And that might be what the weather gods throw at us. (BYE: Cheetahs, Crusaders, Lions, Rebels)

Super Rugby Round Seven Forecast

The official match packs from SANZAAR show that seven games will be enjoyed, across three continents. Again, just a single match Friday, but it is certainly a top-class encounter.

Friday April 7 – Hurricanes v Waratahs, Wellington

Bizarrely, the schedule has squeezed the ‘Tahs into matches only five days past their Sunday fixture. While tough work, they have won at Westpac Stadium before– Waratahs have won on three of their last four visits to Wellington–so go in with a chance. Provided the weather clears, it should see a ‘full house’ sign for the ‘canes home ground.

Cameron Clark of the Waratahs lays the ball back during the round six Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Crusaders at Allianz Stadium on April 2, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Chris Boyd has unfortunately still not been able to select Dane Coles (knee injury), but his group are doing a great job in utilizing the talent on hand. Michael Fatialofa, Matt Proctor and Brad Shields, all standing tall and leading the way. And accumulating points too, with just the single loss to their names.

The current champions are well placed–as long as they maintain focus, and play to the conditions.

Saturday April 8 – Sunwolves v Bulls, Tokyo | Highlanders v Blues, Dunedin | ACT Brumbies v Reds, Canberra | Sharks v Jaguares, Durban | Stormers v Chiefs, Cape Town

A wealth of games hit fans all in a row–the Sunwolves hope to entertain their home fans with more ‘razzle-dazzle’. If only they can sure-up their defense, it might be their best chance. A tired Bulls team have to lick their wounds, if they want to collect a victory on their NZ-Japan odyssey.

The match in Dunedin will be eye-catching at least. In the perfect conditions of Forsyth-Barr Stadium, there will be few excuses for poor ball security. And the fact each side could fall outside the top eight in losing, should be motivation enough. The Highlanders will see Ben Smith and Liam Squire back on the park, so the Blues need to show more resolve.

Sonny Bill Makes Surprise Return

In a boost for both the Blues, and the All Blacks, Sonny Bill Williams has only just been named to start off the bench. His return will be a huge boost, and a threat to the Highlanders midfield of Richard Buckman and Malakai Fekitoa.

Can they make it three wins in a row? With coach Tana Umaga still talking of the team ‘finding our feet’ that does not instil confidence. The fans are starting to already look at the later stages, but both these teams must play week-to-week; otherwise they will slip-up on their over confidence.

Brumbies Must Hold Off the Reds, and Gain Maximum Points!

What does confuse followers of Super Rugby, is how the conference leaders can have half the points of the fifth placed side, but still hold fourth place. A vagary of the system, the Brumbies must collect maximum points, if they are to justify their ranking.

But the Reds have also shown some heart. Last weeks loss to the Hurricanes was not as immense as many assumed, so head coach Nick Styles can use that–and the fabulous skills of Scott Higginbotham–to his advantage. Expect a colossal match-up in Canberra. The weather forecast is a 5% chance of rain, so pleasant conditions.

Across in Africa, the Jaguares come off their best ever start, to look dead in the eye of the Sharks. They bring a tryscoring mentality, yet the Sharks too have attacking weapons. And that should make this game one to expect much from. The rain should clear, so if the setpiece is solid, expect the better organized team to prevail here. Provided there are no referee rulings that could change the course of this evenly-balanced match.

Forecasted ‘Match of the Round’

Stormers v Chiefs, Newlands. After consulting social media, the consensus was that the visiting Chiefs will face the sternest challenge. And in front of the staunch crowd of Cape Town, it is one of the hardest tests. Combating many of the Stormers attacking weapons will be high on the list.

They enjoy the offload, and also are skilled at the offensive kick. They will need to watch for McKenzie mounting a counter-attack. And while giving possession away might not be the best option against the Chiefs, if they can secure set-play ball; Pieter-Steph du-Toit (see above) and Eben Etzebeth will face a full frontal battle, against Dominic Bird and Brodie Retallick.

VERDICT: This really will be a great occasion to savour. Coach Dave Rennie will believe his men can prevail. Most will understand that his belief maybe a tad more assured than say…Tana Umaga or Tony Brown’s.

Sunday April 9 – Western Force v Southern Kings, Perth

Don’t let anyone tell you this is the ‘dance of the damned’. That is insulting, to both teams, and their fans. While in difficult circumstances, each team will definitely be determined. The Kings; coming off a bye, well rested and able to cause an upset–well, that’s the aim.

Opposing them are a side who seem like they have plenty of ammunition to call on. From the big forward pack, to a stern center pairing. Many wonder why they are not winning more often, but if your franchise was ‘under the knife’ then a winning habit is hard to form. Dave Wessels should be able to motivate his men–and a big crowd on their ‘Family Day’ will help the cause.

Michael Ruru of the Western Force is tackled during the round six Super Rugby at Eden Park. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

No doubt, Super Rugby Round Seven will be a mix. A mix of top-shelf matches; from Wellington to Durban. Games that could go either way, from Dunedin, Canberra, Cape Town or Perth, while some should go to plan – Tokyo. But then again, it is sport, and the team on the day can always succeed.

Look forward to more footy, and the forecast is to “pack down on the couch, and enjoy!”

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This Week In Rugby History

1967
A teenaged Gareth Edwards made his debut for Wales in a 20-14 defeat by France in Paris

2012
Another bad day for Gavin Henson who was sacked by Cardiff Blues after drunken misbehaviour on a flight back from a match in Glasgow.

2011
Despite a 14-26 loss to the Bulls in Napier (their fourth in six games) Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett was still positive he could turn the season around. [They would go on to finish ninth].

1987
Australia scored a psychological blow ahead of the inaugural Sevens Rugby World Cup with a 21-12 win over New Zealand in the Sydney Sevens final. It was a fairly unsavoury affair, and players were pelted with beer cans as they warmed up

“Main photo credit”

ff the bench