Two from four, but enough was shown from all of the franchises to suggest that no Australian team will be humbled this year. And as always, a number of key Wallabies stood up for their respective sides.
At the forefront of this was Test captain Stirling Mortlock, who had an impressive match, showing the tactical nous that Robbie Deans needs from an international second five-eighth.
Brumbies
Control, polish and outstanding execution from set plays. The Brumbies brands of play look to shine again under new coach Andy Friend as the ACT based franchise won just their second game at Dunedin’s House of Pain.
Even after conceding three quick tries to the home team, the composure of a team laden with first choice Wallabies showed as they put on a point a minute unanswered run to shut out the rookie home team.
Concern will be had at their inability to score in the last 25 minutes, as well as conceding two late tries to a team that they had tactically shut out of the game. The premier sides of the competition will not be as unfocused as the Highlanders were in the middle stanza.
But the stalwarts of the team stood high.
Stephen Hoiles looked solid with the captaincy, and was supported by the sheer magic of George Smith. The Brumbies midfield was exceptional, with Stirling Mortlock looking to have added some more tricks to his already formidable arsenal.
Force
Two tries in six minutes, the first being wonderful orchestrated by Matt Giteau, showed the class of the Perth-based franchise when they string it together.
The off-field spectre of discontent between coach John Mitchell and the players must be playing on the teams mind, and the curious early second half substitution of Ryan Cross – their best attacking player – exemplified the disgruntlement surely being felt at Subiaco.
Indeed, Subiaco itself has become a bogey ground for its own team, with the Force now sitting at 7 wins from 20 at home.
More aggression and uncompromising brutality (qualities systematic of John Mitchell) will need to be shown as the Force was physically outplayed by the Blues for long period of the game.
Rugby is won and lost at the contact area, and the Force will need to remind themselves of this as the season will only get more arduous.
Waratahs
Despite having the heart of their engine room ripped out from last season due to player movements and injuries, NSW looked ably competitive in their first match of the competition.
Phil Waugh, still questioned as to whether he is the player he once was, reigned supreme as the victorious captain. Despite his team being deserving of harsh scrutiny in the policing of the ruck area, it is fair to say that much of the Waratah’s luck was due to Waugh’s shrewd leadership.
Their tactical imposition on the Hurricanes was impressive, with Sam Norton Knight and Rob Horne in particular looking assured and organised on attack and defence.
But it was their iron curtain in the tight, led by Dean Mumm, that won NSW the game.
With barely 40 percent of possession, and pinned in their own half for nearly three quarters of the game, nothing else but good defence was going to win them the game.
However, teams with more structure and control will test the Waratahs, but if they can eradicate their poor finishing and continue to impress in the set piece despite its heralded 2009 weakness, perhaps they can challenge for a debut title this season.
Reds
Of the Australian teams, Queensland was up against it more than any other team. In the vast surrounds of Pretoria, a pumped Bulls team with their World Cup winners firing up was always going to be a bridge to far for the dynamic, but young Reds team.
But, irrespective of this, the Reds are going to need to learn quickly that unless they can compete up front, it is going to be a very long season.
They missed injured forward Hugh McMeniman’s presence, but number eight Leroy Houston stood up. Though he needed more support.
Marquee player Daniel Braid had a solid game, but his short arm infringements put unnecessary pressure on the Queensland game.
Winger Digby Ioane had an outstanding match, but the Reds will need the electric backline to spark if they are to compete with the more uncompromising teams.
Still, an away match against the 2007 champions was the hardest start for any team of the competition
The Australian Super 14 Team of the Week
15 – Sam Norton Knight, 14 – Digby Ioane, 13 – Rob Horne, 12 – Stirling Mortlock, 11 – Drew Mitchell, 10 – Matt Giteau, 9 – Luke Burgess, 8 – Leroy Houston, 7 – George Smith, 6 – Ben Mowen, 5 –Dean Mumm, 4 – Mark Chisholm, 3 – AJ Whalley, 2 – Stephen Moore, 1 – Al Baxter
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.
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