Super form on road lifts Aussie spirits
By Adrian Warren, 1 Mar 2010 Adrian Warren is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Brumbies, Rugby Union, South Africa, Super Rugby, Waratahs
Australian teams are noticeably absent from the upper reaches of the Super rugby ladder after three rounds, but the Brumbies and Waratahs return home from South Africa with genuine cause for optimism.
The Brumbies (eight points, 7th) are the only Australian side in the top half of the ladder following their dramatic 19-17 win over the Stormers (nine, 5th) in Cape Town.
Queensland (six, 8th) slid following a 27-18 home loss to the Blues (nine, 6th).
The Waratahs (five, 11th) also slipped down the table, despite rediscovering their attacking game and picking up a bonus point in an honorable 48-38 loss to the defending champion Bulls (15, 1st) in Pretoria.
The injury-wracked Force (zero, 14th) remained rooted to the bottom of the ladder after a 37-19 loss to the Chiefs (14, 3rd) in Perth and will welcome their bye this week.
The Bulls, Chiefs and Hurricanes (14, 2nd), who scored a 33-18 home win over the Lions (two, 12th) are the only unbeaten teams after a round in which all five New Zealand teams were victorious and crowds continued to thrill to the action from the new rule interpretations.
Of the Australian quartet, the star-studded Brumbies have the most cause for optimism, after picking up their second victory in three away games.
“We’re really happy with the result and come home now and hopefully build on that momentum with seven home games out of the next 10,” Brumbies coach Andy Friend told AAP.
Friend was however still concerned at the amount of penalties his team were incurring at the breakdowns and in scrums.
“We will work very hard over the next week to analyse all those penalties and talk to the referees and try to find out why we seem to be giving so many away.”
The Waratahs, who like the Brumbies played the Stormers and Bulls in their South African tour, picked up just one bonus point from those games.
However, after scoring just two tries in their first two games, the star-studded NSW backline finally lived up to their reputation.
“We’ve been working to develop our attacking game and we thought that tonight it started to come together and we are looking forward to going back to the Sydney Football Stadium and playing the Sharks on Saturday night,” NSW coach Chris Hickey told AAP.
Luke Burgess turned in an outstanding performance for NSW, to keep pressure on new Queensland skipper Will Genia who took the Wallabies No.9 jumper from him last season.
However, Geniah was again prominent, scoring a long-distance try in the first minute against the Blues.
Queensland led 10-0 early and missed some good opportunities in the final stages against the free-running Chiefs.
“There was a bit in the game so it’s not all doom and gloom,” Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie said.
The Reds have lost winger Rod Davies for four weeks with a suspected fractured cheekbone, while fullback and Wallabies winger Peter Hynes is sweating on medical advice over a dislocated finger.
The luckless Force got within one point of the Chiefs early in the second half, but were again let down by poor execution.
“We were taught a lesson in terms of intensity and building pressure in the front 50,” Force coach John Mitchell told AAP.
With the bye next week, the Force will slip even further behind and already appear to have no chance of making the finals.
In other round three matches, the Crusaders (10, 4th) scored a 35-6 home win over the Sharks (two, 13th) and the Highlanders (five, 9th) notched a 31-24 away victory over the Cheetahs (five, 10th).
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Sam Taulelei said | March 1st 2010 @ 6:59am | Report comment
Unless you’re a team like the Bulls or the Crusaders who have intimidating records at home then you can’t presume anything even if they have a succession of home matches to look forward to. Neither the Tahs or the Brumbies have played a Kiwi side yet, the Force has played two (at home) and so have the Reds.
The Brumbies and Waratahs need to take advantage of their home matches to close the gap on the leaders, they’ll also need to score more tries and get bonus points. Not beyond either team but reserve any optimism until they begin to string some consecutive victories first.
Mike G said | March 1st 2010 @ 8:15am | Report comment
Agree Sam that Tahs/Brumbies fans shouldn’t get too carried away with the string of home matches coming up (& asume they’ll win most of them)…Obviously to do so would be silly, but you can’t argue that the tahs & Brumbies are actually in pretty good spots now…They’ve just played the form side of the comp (Bulls would beat anyone right now), at home, & the Stormers look to me to be the 2nd best SA side this yr (although the Cheetahs might suprise)…So I’m not into the doom & gloom often seen here.
I thought the Tahs played some of the best footy they’ve played in years at Loftus & if they can learn to play like that for 80 mins…who knows how far they could go??? Consistency is obviously the key here, but the away trip (in my mind, anyway), may’ve just shown them how the game needs to be played, if they truelly want to be successful.
Brett McKay said | March 1st 2010 @ 8:27am | Report comment
I know Will Genia has been spoken of in terms of being a scrum-half Mesiah, but surely “Geniah” is taking it too far!!!
Have to agree Mike, Brumbies and Tahs need to use their draws to their advantage now, and rack up some big scores against the lower teams (Brumbies have the Lions this Fri, for eg). Tries, bonus points, and more tries are what both sides need to convert potential into success…
Rusty said | March 1st 2010 @ 8:43am | Report comment
Watching the Lions v Canes game over the weekend – I would be mindful of expecting an automatic 5 points. The highveld boys are definitely starting to tighten a bit on the defense side of things and they can definitely score trys. I would expect the Brumbies to win but I dont think they will have it all their own way
Mike G said | March 1st 2010 @ 9:10am | Report comment
I was impressed with the Lions as well, Rusty…So Fri may not be the walkover some are expecting
Brett McKay said | March 1st 2010 @ 9:19am | Report comment
I should say guys, I’m not expecting a walkover either, but I do think the Brumbies need a good bonus point win to start removing lingering doubts. No doubt the Lions will be tough, and who knows which Carlos Spencer will show up on the night…
Justin said | March 1st 2010 @ 9:28am | Report comment
Brett did you watch the Brumbies? I havent seen the match yet, replay on tomorrow. I was wondering how Christian Lealiafano went?
To me who looks better suited at 12. His kicking game isnt up to it as a 10 but is more than adequate at 12. His tackling seems to have really come on, he is playing with more confidence and has filled out a bit. I am liking the look of him more and more.
Brett McKay said | March 1st 2010 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Justin, I did, and I was particularly impressed with Lealifano at 12. He laid on a couple of very good balls for Mortlock, and yeah, his defence is a vast improvement on recent years. He’s taken to that ‘second five’ role very very well in my opinion…
Who Needs Melon said | March 1st 2010 @ 11:53am | Report comment
I agree with Brett. Lealifano looked particularly good. Quite possibly the best aussie 12 this week.
It’s interesting – I imagine we’re going to end up with Giteau and Barnes at 10 and 12 in the Wallaby colours again but Cooper has been playing really well and certainly deserves a spot at least on the bench. Lealifano would also be great to have on the bench though. JOC will always be there in the mix. It’s OUTSIDE centre that is the problem for in Oz at the moment. With Mortlock slowing down noticeably, Diggers is the only really decent alternative… and he wasn’t even playing in the 13 jumper on the weekend!
Justin said | March 1st 2010 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
He was the best 12 in the first week also IMO. A good start to the year for him.
Mike G said | March 1st 2010 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Agreed Brett, the Brumbies (& the Tahs) have to really start their climb up the ladder this w/e…But I’m just wary of their opponents. I’m particularly concerned about the Sharks actually turning up this week & getting stuck into a jetlagged Tahs side.
But on the Lions, I too think they’ll suffer at the hands of the Brumbies but I’m just saying above that it might be a little early in the comp to write certain teams off, based on past performance…The Lions look like they’ve unearthed a couple of really good outside backs.
I take your point re King Carlos, for mine, he’s actually been one of their poorest performers this yr, so we’ll see how it goes.
Brett McKay said | March 1st 2010 @ 11:35am | Report comment
all very valid points Mike, I have to agree with you there on everything..
Who Needs Melon said | March 1st 2010 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Damn! You beat me to the “Geniah” line.
Brett McKay said | March 1st 2010 @ 11:55am | Report comment
Melon, it was too good to ignore
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | March 1st 2010 @ 9:46am | Report comment
Looking forward to Friday…..except for the drive down to Canberra!! Let’s hope we can start putting some tries and bonus points on the board, though I agree it wont be a walk over.
Who Needs Melon said | March 1st 2010 @ 11:39am | Report comment
If I were picking an aussie team of the week this week I’d be putting Genia in there ahead of Burgess. Burgess had a good game this week but I still thought Genia was better. And Genia has been consistently better. Still – we certainly need more than one decent halfback in the country and I’d love nothing more than for Burgess to continue playing at and above the level he did on the weekend and push Genia.
I’m reasonably happy with the way the Reds, Brumbies and Tahs are going. The Force are an absolute basket case. for a variety of reasons – SOME of which were beyond their control – they are going to have a shocking season and if they aren’t careful this could have repercussions for years to come with players getting the sh!ts and leaving, problems recruiting newcomers, coaching turnover, etc.
ballboy said | March 1st 2010 @ 2:00pm | Report comment
Yep, I concur with all that’s being said. You were right last week Brett – a one point win for the Brumbies would do and did. I was yelling at the tv when the Stormers lined up that final kick.
I thought the Tahs were teriffic last week and if they keep playing like that they’ll win a lot of games. The Brumbies were hassled a lot at the breakdown and on the defensive line and it took something special from GS to seal the win. They simply must start scoring 4 tries and continue winning.
Heart goes out to the hapless Force – good luck boys. let’s hope you can use the bye to re group. Reds are going to be a danger team for a lot of sides with the way they throw the ball around.
Finally, Genia(h) is the Messiah – he’s the best number 9 seen in Australia since early Gregan days. Burgess had moments of brilliance in the game but I can’t help feeling I’m watching a train wreck in slow motion when he plays. I also think Valentine is playing good football at the moment. Diggers is the number 1 13 in the ranks. All good signs for the Wallabies cum 2011.
Brett McKay said | March 1st 2010 @ 2:30pm | Report comment
Ha, I did too Ballboy, I’d forgotten about that!! My notes for tomorrow’s column has things like “well-earned” and “hard fought win” crossed out and replaced with sayings that are best left off family sites like this one!! I had visions of Pietersen black-dotting that conversion, so I suggest Andy Friend buys a lottery ticket real quick.
The very little bit of the Tahs that I saw had me noticing Rob Horne, so I wonder if he might start emerging as the genuine 13 option we think he might. And I wonder when my concerns about Tom Carter defending at 13 will be acknowledged
I picked 6 from 7 this week, so I’ve done alright, and in hindsight, I should’ve known the Reds were due for a disappointment..
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | March 1st 2010 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
Yeah, the Reds were the only ones that let me down too.
Harry said | March 1st 2010 @ 5:03pm | Report comment
I’ll save OJ and the rest of our non-Australian friends the trouble by pointing out that the 4 Aus sides to date have won a mere 2 out of their 8 games against NZ and SA sides. Dress it up/excuse it however you wish, but that is poor and a repeat of 07 and 09 – when no Australian team made the S14 semi’s – beckons.
formeropenside said | March 1st 2010 @ 5:44pm | Report comment
Yep, this is the joy of Australia spreading talent too thin, and it will be even worse next year with 5 teams. And its not like its leading to Wallaby success either, despite 5 years of a 4th “franchise”.
At what point exactly do the naysayers get to say “I told you so”?
Harry said | March 2nd 2010 @ 6:53am | Report comment
Agree FO, and lets face it, there were just too many Australian player on display last weekend that were clearly inferior to the Opposition. I’ll give you some examples – MaCabe, Humphreys, Schatz, Bartholemuesz, Walsh, Cummins, Inman, the Force and Qld front rows, M’aafu. Now many of these are young/over the hill/returning from injury but that is the point – we just don’t have the depth or, critically, an adequate 3rd tier (which is where most of these guys should be playing at the moment) and these guys shouldn’t be playing at this elite level, or eased in a lot more carefully. We’ve debated this to death here but once again we are presented with compelling evidence that Aus rugby’s structure is flawed, and about to get worse with the onset of the Rebels.
ohtani's jacket said | March 1st 2010 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
I ain’t sayin’ nothin’. Personally, I’d rather the Australian teams won more games.
Rusty said | March 2nd 2010 @ 11:26am | Report comment
I perhaps wouldnt go that far
but I also want a more balanced competition across all teams so we have at least 10 or so valid contenders to the title
tarpo said | March 2nd 2010 @ 8:56pm | Report comment
In terms of depth, if you use as a gauge the win/loss ratio that Aust sides have in Super rugby, competing against the two historically strongest rugby nations in the world. Then in 2008 we won 50% & 2009 51%.
That sure is not dominating, but it hard evidence we have been holding our own at this level.
Republican said | March 1st 2010 @ 6:07pm | Report comment
What a predictable dawdle this Super spent comp is.
Time for a serious overhaul and that doesn’t mean adding more teams, especially not Australian ones.
ballboy said | March 1st 2010 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
Hang on. 3 rounds in, the top 2 Aussie sides haven’t had a crack at the NZ sides, our 3rd team smashed the Saders and you blokes across the ditch reckon we’re done and dusted. Don’t count your sheep until they’ve leaped I say. Both the Brumbies and Tahs have shown enough to suggest they will give you blokes a run for your money and the Reds will beat at least one other NZ side before they’re done.
AS far as spreading the talent too thin – I don’t agree. Look at who’s sitting on the bench for the Brumbies and Tahs especially. There’s good depth in two of our 4 sides and I think we can sustain a fifth side with the help from some signings os.
Republican – if it’s so predictable, give us your tips for this week and the following (considering this week looks fairly cut and dry.
Better still, if there’s enough interest, I’ll set up a tipping comp on oz tips or foxtel tipping starting from this week and you can show us how predictable this comp really is.
Reply if interested and I’ll get on to it.
Ora said | March 2nd 2010 @ 7:09am | Report comment
The Reds played the Crusaders when they were having a awful day at the office, this is a rare occurance and the Reds can thank their lucky stars. The Reds then returned to business as usual going down to the bumbling Blues at Ballymore, worse yet the Reds didn’t ever look like they could win that game. You can sugar coat it as much as you like but the Reds are not as hot as you like to think they are. They have some great individuals but they are not a very cohesive unit and obviously they are trying to work on that.
The Brumbies are my pick of the Aussie sides this year I think the Tahs will be also rans once again, they just don’t have that finishing instinct. They are too erratic and you never know which team is going to show up on the day. I think the Brumbies will finish third at the end of the round robin
Mike G said | March 2nd 2010 @ 7:33am | Report comment
Ora – I think you’re being a tad harsh on the Reds…You’ll recall they almost got the Tahs in a very good opening rd match (don’t forget, usually the opening rds are full of errors), then backed it up with an impressive win over the Saders. I agree the Saders were out of sorts that night (& not all of it was to do with the Reds deence), but Kafer said a good thing in commentary that night about the pressure the Reds were applying to the Crusaders was forcing them into mistakes. Now, I’m not saying that all the knockons & wild passes that night were a direct result of pressure from the Reds, but surely you have to agree a fair % was???
Write off the Aussies (at this early stage of the comp), at your peril.
Ora said | March 2nd 2010 @ 8:54am | Report comment
Who said I was taking them lightly. re read my post Mike I said the Brumbies will probably finish third after the Round Robin did I say they wouldn’t make the final. I said the Waratahs will be struggling to make the cut and here’s a good reason. Week 1 scraped past the Reds, Week 2 not sure they even bothered turning up to play in Cape town, last week in Pretoria they let a 17pt lead slip and lost by 10. The Waratahs are erratic and you never know who or what is going to turn up on matchday. They have had a close call against the up and down Reds slaughtered by the Stormers and overhauled with ease by the Bulls. The rest of the draw for the Tahs isn’t exactly rosey they have 3 games in New Zeland to the Crusaders, Highlanders in Invercargill of all places and the Chiefs. Not to mention games against the Brumbies and Hurricanes in Sydney who we all know are quite good at tipping over the tahs on their home turf. It was only a few years ago they(Hurricanes) did it in consecutive weeks.
the Brumbies are to me the form Australian team and the best chance of going one better this year the draw looks at them favourably and they will be confident.
the Western Force are next to sh!t and no show of finishing higher than 12th and the Reds may finish inside the top 10 since god knows when.
Maybe the Reds and Force will do the competition a favour by beating the Stormers and Bulls whilst they are down under but I find that highly unlikely.
Onceinawhile said | March 3rd 2010 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
How are the Tahs erratic? some times I wish they were, that’s not thier problem, quite the opposite, the problem has been they have been predictable and boring or (* insert your own term here*) last week they decided to run more and they scored tries, who woulda predicted that!
Rusty said | March 2nd 2010 @ 11:25am | Report comment
I think Ora is being more of a voice of reason to balance out the some of the over enthusiasm on the Australian side of things. To my mind despite the high flying antics of the top 4 it is still way to early to make any assumptions given most of them are yet to play their fellow “contender”s yet. Lets all wait till the the half way mark to see if your team can keep going/turning it around. Looking at the draw though and it would seem the Bulls and the Chiefs are best placed.
damo said | March 3rd 2010 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
The team that scores the most points in future games is most likely to win.
The predictions are fun but they’re just wheels spinning on the legs of the lounge (or the bar stool).
Tahs must win their way to finals this year or wait for a couple of years after the Rebels ‘dilution”. That may or may not happen.