The Roar
The Roar

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2009's Super 14 rugby is super entertainment

23rd February, 2009
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Roar Guru
23rd February, 2009
33
1752 Reads

Southern Hemisphere rugby commentary has failed to recognise the quality of Super 14 rugby, and in particular, the form displayed so far in the 2009 season.

This negativity needs to be put into context so that the spectators and players can better appreciate and enjoy the 2009 Super 14 season as it unfolds.

It needs to be remembered, top class rugby is very hard to play very well. It takes some luck and cannot be played continuously throughout a game or a season.

The 2009 Super 14 season has started very well from a spectators’ point of view. The players are also enjoying the games. The number of tries and the physical commitment that they have displayed support this.

Rugby is a complex game and long may it be so. This complexity allows it to be played in many different ways and also allows new tactics and styles evolve.

Rugby is also influenced by the referee’s interpretation. This can add to the complexity and is not a bad thing unless it influences the outcome. Players and coaches need to be sufficiently flexible to adapt.

Professionalism is still relatively new in terms of the evolution of the game. Players are fitter and better skilled. Coaches know more about the game and the opposition.

The new rules have redefined the way that the game can be played.

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Despite the above, the Super 14 competition has provided excellent rugby entertainment. The games are well-contested, close encounters. Many games are in the balance until the last few moments.

There are plenty of tries, plenty of physical confrontation at the breakdown, and in the tackle, plenty of skillful passing, kicking, running and team work.

Every team is developing the ability to adopt several different tactics while not losing their intrinsic styles of rugby. The Tahs only had two pick and go’s in their first game but then had 15 in the first 10 minutes against the Chiefs.

There are plenty of young guys getting a chance. The 18-year-old, blond-headed half-back for the Sharks came on and looked assured from the first pass.

Last weekend, we watched closely contested rugby and several different types of entertaining rugby games. Five of the seven games were won by six or less points.

The Tahs and the Chiefs played in a dour game between differing styles and tactics. The Tahs had supremacy up-front but the Chiefs baffled the brilliant but inexperienced Tahs backs by varying the line speed of their defence. One moment they were rushing up. The next they were hanging back.

In Canberra, a weakened Crusaders team held out a determined Brumbies team with brave defence until the last moments of the game.

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Meanwhile in South Africa, the Bulls and the Blues were in a 13-try scoring frenzy.

Rugby commentators, players and spectators alike should appreciate the quality of the rugby provided by the 2009 Super 14 competition, particularly given the complexity that is inherent in the game of rugby.

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