We’ll have a massive try-fest this afternoon as the first-placed Chiefs take on the fourth-placed Reds at Waikato Stadium. Join us for live scores and commentary from 2.35pm AEDT.
We’ll start with the Chiefs. In attack they’ve been passing around the ball like cigars at a wedding.
The joviality doesn’t end with the party between the trylines; they seal the deal and have scored more tries than anyone else this year, a skill many other attacking teams haven’t been able to replicate – aka the Highlanders and Waratahs.
They’ve also managed four yellow cards, second behind only the homicidal Rebels who can’t seem to control their synaptic spasms on or off the field.
In terms of offloads and ruck repossessions, Chiefs coach Wayne Smith has them top of the log.
In pretty much every other attacking stat, however, they’re in the shadow of a certain trail-blazer.
Yes, we’re talking about the Waratahs, who are top of the log in terms of clean breaks, defenders beaten and metres gained.
This is where Cheika bows. The Waratahs are on track to a title in the next year or two.
Back to the Chiefs, who provide their opponents with a single technical weakness; their lineout. With an 81 percent completion rate, it’s average. Fourth worst in the comp, in fact.
Their general form about the park, however, ensures this is only a minor technical shortcoming.
It’s curious to consider how different coaches get different results from the same players.
Wayne Smith has taken on Gareth Anscombe, a man who last year was dwelling in career purgatory in an Auckland Blues outfit which was more of a sinkhole than an All Blacks breeding ground.
Hell, fire, brimstone all about him.
Fast forward half a season and how short our memories are.
At the Chiefs he’s been shifted to fullback, given Aaron Cruden’s kicking duties, a bouquet of killer runners about him and a smattering of good atmosphere.
The young man is now absolutely nailing the challenge put in front of him, and sits at top point-scorer in the competition.
And while Sonny Bill Williams dominates every player he comes across in the opposing code, the hole left by his absence is lessening week by week.
Mainly due to the reintroduction of the world’s best midfielder; Richard Kahui.
Now on to the Reds, who haven’t really hit their straps yet this year but have managed a very solid five wins from seven games; albeit from less fancied opponents.
Coach Ewen McKenzie’s team is still a Ferrari running on ethanol.
With Horwill, Genia, Cooper and Gill together again this team has the ability to win the comp.
To do this they’ll need to improve their attacking stats, which started well in 2013 and have dropped away in the last few weeks.
They’re third last in terms of tries for 2013, in front of only the Stormers and the Bulls in last position.
There is some good news, with Quade Cooper having twice the number of offloads of anyone in the comp. Perhaps it’s agent Khoder Nasser’s influence.
Backrower Ed Quirk’s defence is also a highpoint with 87 tackles for the season, just behind Michael Hooper.
Last year the Chiefs took the title from the Reds. If the Reds want it back, they are going to have to show they can win in Waikato, because the final is shaping up to be played here.
No better time than now.
Join us at 2.35pm AEST this afternoon on The Roar, the place to be for live scores and where you can have your say on the go.
abnutta
Roar Guru
Yes Johnno, Apparently it found it's way into the hands of the President of the Central Coast RU and through him all the way to the ARU. Thank you for your kind compliments and let's hope something happens for the better in the near future. You know of my apathy towards the current structure and it's just a shame that we are not maximising our potential, in my view.
gazbe2
Guest
Good on you Reds for a great win, however AS an ardent Chiefs supporter and a ex-Hamiltonian I am pssed at the Chiefs poor play, interestingly it was like watching a game from 2011 with both teams, the Reds structured and very good play, the Chiefs willy-nilly individual pieces of brilliance and idiocy rolled into one. I had though Rennie had drummed the Foster way out of them, shows he has more work to do if this team is to reach a finals. The other highlight for me was how Cooper shines with Genia inside him, for my mind that makes it easy for Deans, if Genia plays then play Cooper, If Genia doesn’t play then don’t play Cooper, and the only reason you won’t see Genia is injury.
HighTackle
Guest
Well I enjoy the Super Rugby the way it is. Its a shame that everyone doesnt play everyone else but there are reasons for it. I see far more problems with a stand alone conference idea where the top teams go through than the way it is now and to be quite honest, thats why it is this way. 5 teams each country in a system like what we have now is as good as it is ever going to get imo. Australia still has the weakest conference but they are improving. Now if only Arg would drop out of the RC I would be happy. Super rugby followed by a 3 way comp with the best players from super rugby. Ahh the good old days.
Rebel
Guest
Aus rugby in general are the King's Bunnies
HighTackle
Guest
Never said they didnt Justin2 infact Ive said over and over and over that they do and had heated arguments with fellow kiwis about it. My post was a response to the insults above...but you knew that and were just taking issue becuz you dont like me.
HighTackle
Guest
"the conga line of kiwi knobs is finally silent" "Reds are schooling the self righteous kiwis" "You would think when it came to the Reds the kiwis would know their place" "Kiwi teams are the Reds little b*tchaz" and thats just on this thread. Its not being a poor loser Justin2 & Chivas. To be honest thats really silly. If after the game you had people saying these things to you and you responded in the same manner, does it make you a poor loser? No not on planet earth so spare me the lecture. I was quite happy for my team to lose and said so in my earlier posts. Im not happy with the following insulting comments so both of you need to get down off that high horse becuz the thin air up there is clouding your jugement and turning you into self righteous hens.
HighTackle
Guest
Its a response to previous posts but it is what it is. Take it anyway you want but read the context first.
Sage
Guest
Read it all again Wii if you want to jump in and then have a little think about where it started and what actually transpired. Then maybe go on to make some sense.
Johnno
Guest
ab nutta have you sent this off to the relevant bodies, it is such a good proposal, they would make more revenue if they adopted this plan.
abnutta
Roar Guru
I'm obviously not a fan of SR as it currently stands (re: structure) so I'm not aware of the overall strength of the AUS conference this year, perhaps some over-zealous NZL roarers can enlighten me on where the respective NZL and AUS SR teams are currently placed on the table and what that indicates - concerning conference strength etc.... ... but this weeks round of results offers me GREAT encouragament that the AUS conference has sufficient strength to sustain it's own Independent Conference in an expanded Super Rugby structure along these lines in the future... https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5vh08BV2viweFdjbkN0UlBNREU/edit Keep up the good work Australia!! I'm lovin' it
Chivas
Guest
I know J2 and for mine you are right on both accounts. As I say refs players and fans should be allowed there day in the sun. The reds won the game simple as that. Not sure I think the reds have the wood on the Chiefs though. As a chiefs supporter that is hardly surprising :-). But credit where due. Accuracy of the reds won the day on our home ground which hurts just that little bit more. I'm looking for payback on this. See y'all next time.
Justin2
Guest
The reds have the wood on kiwi teams and the chiefs of late though. Ht posts smacks of being an extremely poor loser yet he professors on here to be unbiased and a protector of the truth. He loves the moral hi ground yet his posts are just not reflective of this.
Chivas
Guest
Don't think either comment is particularly smart or helpful. An ignorant comment followed by one even more so. I don't think you represent anyone but yourself. And you are Australian because you live there and that is what you identify with. Whatever you think of New Zealanders is entirely up to you... humble, thin skinned etc. Schooled, when the reds win the series not a game let me know about schooling. I thought Aussies were supposed to be funny and original... Guess it shows generalisations never quite live up to our expectations. And if you can show me anyone as thin skinned as some of the reds supporters on here like Jiggles especially when it comes to hatred for Deans or love for Cooper I'd be surprised. Also if you don't understand the relationship has with the islands and think it's about rugby, then I won't be correcting your ignorance. I know it was meant to be tongue in cheek, but it's a dumb comment out in a pretty dumb way in response to something you took offence at... Thin skinned? It was a good win by the reds. Reds fans have reason to enjoy it. We all need a win to feel better evidently. But the season is a long one. Hope they can keep it up through to finals and beyond. That's when school begins in my opinion.
Jak
Guest
Wow. Way to go perpetuating the myth of the insecure Kiwi rugby fan. Quite embarrassing really. You do your fellow Kiwis a disservice as most are gracious and humble and can accept when they have been schooled by superior outfits - in this case the Aussie teams. Maybe time for another raid on the PI to boost your playing stocks?
Justin2
Guest
And new zealand doesn't take players born in other countries huh? You are a comic genius, when I am upset I jump on here and read your posts, never fails.
Justin2
Guest
Showing your true colors now...
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Yeah that little place where you get your name on the trophy.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Weekend to forget for the NZ teams. Time to wake the F up
Phil Bird
Roar Guru
Mate that's how we roll
HighTackle
Guest
Yes well done to the PNG players, Fijian players, Kiwi players and players from other states other than QLD that make up the bulk of the Reds. Their Victorian coach has really got them playing well. With some luck they will get to represent Australia under their kiwi coach or sign a contract with the South African coach at the Brumbies. The Brumbies are the team with the Fijian in his mid 20s that Australia is doing all it can to become "Australian". Oh yeah and their is a couple of QLDers in their somewhere.