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Over the final fortnight of the regular Super Rugby season, be sure to take an extra interest in two games that could otherwise be overlooked.
There are only two more regular season games involving trans-Tasman teams: the Reds take on the Chiefs in Brisbane this weekend, and the Brumbies face their old adversaries the Crusaders in Canberra the following weekend.
From a Wallaby fan point of view I always take note of these games because they give an insight as to how the teams and their players are stacking up against the quality of New Zealand opposition.
That being said both of these games are in Australia so they are a little less significant than if they were being played in New Zealand. The fact that neither the Reds nor the Brumbies have won a game in New Zealand this year is a concern. As is the fact the Force have failed to win a single game against New Zealand sides, home or away, in 2015.
However the Waratahs and Rebels have have each won three of their four games against their New Zealand opposition. This should be a huge plus for their respective players and possible combinations when the selectors sit down to pick a Wallaby side that can actually defeat the All Blacks. The fact that the Waratahs and the Rebels indeed won games in New Zealand this year is also a huge plus for them.
If the Reds can win against the Chiefs they will have won a single game against a New Zealand side, and that could bode well for the players among them vying for a Wallaby jersey.
Pundits are getting a little too carried away with the Reds’ victory against the Force, who are the weakest team in Super Rugby. A true test will be to see if they can back it up this weekend against the Chiefs.
I have a feeling that they will record a win, and any success over New Zealand opposition is a good thing for Australian rugby. However if they lose that will be four losses from four matches against New Zealand teams – the Reds’ most telling failure this year.
If the Brumbies can win against the Crusaders the following week, and at this stage I predict they will, their players and the Australian public can get a great deal of much-needed confidence going into the Rugby Championship. This will mean that although the Brumbies also did not win a game on New Zealand soil they will have won both of their home games against our closest neighbours. However if they lose it will mean that they won just one match against New Zealand opposition.
Of course all will not be lost if either Australian side loses these particular matches. It’s looking like the Brumbies would get another chance to atone in the finals and the Reds have that final game against the Waratahs to help their causes in front of Michael Cheika.
Australian franchises against New Zealand Franchises:
Waratahs: 4 games – 3 wins
Rebels: 4 games – 3 wins
Brumbies: 3 games – 1 win (1 game to play)
Reds: 3 games – 0 wins (1 game to play)
Force: 4 games – 0 wins
New Zealand franchises against Australian franchises:
Hurricanes: 4 games – 3 wins
Highlanders: 4 games – 3 wins
Chiefs: 3 games – 2 wins (1 game to play)
Blues: 4 games – 2 wins
Crusaders: 3 games – 1 win (1 game to play)
(Please note that none of this is to disrespect the local derbies or the games against South African sides. They too have meaning and worth of course. But the true test is how we do against the New Zealanders. They are the best in the world, a position that we aspire to.)
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.