Shaking off the rust: Super Rugby Round 2 review

From Newlands to New Plymouth, this has been a week where on-field exploits were overshadowed by drama beyond the white lines and advertising signs.

The drug allegations that have emerged surrounding one certain league convert, like a fling at a funeral, took us all completely by surprise and cast a shameful cloud over those involved.

The depth of the charges is still a relative unknown, but with Greg Bird and Dave Taylor now involved in the affair and with more big names likely to come, a black day for all of Australia’s football codes is on the horizon.

Nevertheless, from captains of vice and powdered lines to vice captains and running lines, let us cast our minds to the recent round, where fans were treated to some cracking matches from teams who having shaken off the Round 1 rust, played the rugby we have come to love and lust from this competition; in patches at least.

Chiefs versus Brumbies
What a game to open the week, as arguably the two top teams from Round 1 exploded onto the New Plymouth paddock, treating us to a jeu magnifique which came down to the wire.

With the Chiefs boasting a dangerous backline, exempt Sonny Bill Williams at late notice, and the Brumbies a Wallaby-laden counterpart, this game was always going to go to the team whose pack stood up and allowed the magic out wide to impose itself.

Lucky for us, both packs stood up, and despite the Chiefs lacking the scrum prowess, they were able to hang in the game off the back of some real vigour up front.

Charlie Ngatai is perhaps the most unheralded of players in this Chiefs backline, but he was the pick of the litter, as he ran for over 100 metres and made me question if he was coated in baby oil as he slipped through at least four defenders to dot down. Strange fetishes aside, it is difficult to criticise either side, as this really was a game between two very even teams where the result was all so fitting.

Both teams should appear at the pointy end of the season.

Rebels versus Waratahs
Before last weekend this would have been seen as a David versus Goliath clash. But given the displays the two sides put on in Round 1, one would not be recommended panadol and a wet facecloth for suggesting the Rebels might be the favourites here. On a fine night at Etihad stadium, the Rebels, despite coming up short, gave more evidence to the thought that such optimism is indeed warranted.

However, as the class side we know they are, the Waratahs bounced back to winning ways, taking a commendable five competition points in a display that hinted at a revival, with sound games from Kurtley Beale and Michael Hooper helping their cause.

For the Rebels, Scott Higginbotham showed the mongrel we know he possesses, while Lopeti Timani again impressed. Their scrum was solid, and did well against a NSW scrum having lost two front rowers to concussion.

The signs are there for both teams, and the days of a weak Australian conference appear outdated.

Bulls versus Hurricanes
I’d like to file a missing persons report – for 23 people to be exact. This cannot be the same Bulls we have seen pulverise and pelt the opposition at fortress Loftus. Two opportunities have gone begging with a tough Australasian tour looming for the men from Pretoria.

With new Springboks Adriaan Strauss and Trevor Nyakane, as well as the return of captain Pierre Spies, the Bulls look to be suffering from ‘Highlanders syndrome’, a rare disorder where, like the Dunedin team in 2012, a side chock-full of stars just isn’t clicking. Yes this game was lost by a literal fingertip, but the home side just isn’t playing like we know they can at home, despite Handre Pollard directing traffic commendably at 10.

The Hurricanes on the other hand are quietly silencing the doubters, and walk away from the republic undefeated. Debutant Callum Gibbins backed up his ITM cup form with Manawatu with an outstanding display, with lock James Broadhurst and flanker Brad Shields doing the same. Maa Nonu looks happy to be back in black (and yellow), and this team, with a tough game in Perth to come, leads the competition standings.

With all their home games to come, this may be the year the Canes shake their inconsistent tag. Stay tuned.

Crusaders versus Highlanders
Oh what a week can do. Fresh from perhaps their worst performance in the last decade, the Crusaders struck back in this South versus South battle to get their season underway. It really was a question of when this team would wake up and realise the season has started, and it came a little earlier than last year.

Colin Slade made the most of his opportunity, while Israel Dagg looks to have realised his World Cup position is anything but a lock, and responded as such. Speaking of locks, young Scott Barrett was the best player on ground and all but sealed Dominic Bird’s World Cup fate with an outstanding display.

The red and black machine, as it inevitably does, is rumbling to life, although I’m not getting carried away until they show some consistency.

The Highlanders on the other hand had the unfortunate honour of taking a week-one holiday, and looked flaky – as all first-game teams do. Their fans should not be disheartened though, as losing to a team positively seething after last week and with a game under their belts is no embarrassment. With their three All Blacks all putting in strong shifts, the Highlanders grew into the game and put the visitors under some serious pressure in the final 15.

Another classic southern derby, and some brilliant rugby in patches; expect both teams to be a notch higher next weekend.

Reds versus Force
So this team I know right, coming off their most humiliating loss ever against one of their greatest rivals, get rocked by one of their star players being caught up in the biggest scandal in Australian sporting history, then lose their five-eighth mere minutes before the game, all in the space of a week. And they faced a resurgent Force, which just happens to be one of their traditional bogey teams.

Guess the margin they lost by? Nothing at all, in fact they won and prevented their rivals, who had belted the premiers with a bonus point the week prior, from even scoring a try.

I cannot give the Reds and their management enough plaudits. Their performance was still a C at best, but given the context, that can easily suffice. Queensland demonstrated just how much belief they really have, while a standout performance from Adam Thomson shows at least one of their signings was a success. There is plenty of work to do, but one thing is clear, this team will not roll over for anyone.

The Force on the other hand went backwards a gear or 10. A display that will leave their coach Michael Foley lamenting their best ever chance to go two for two off the start, the Force simply weren’t the same side as the one who ran out the tunnel at Allianz Stadium.

Some soul searching needed.

Blues versus Stormers
Maybe this season isn’t so unpredictable after all, because most outside of Auckland would have picked this result. Battling Blues face sizzling Stormers, there really could be only one winner, and a brain explosion from Hayden Triggs didn’t help. Despite an encouraging showing from their halves, this season looks to be more of the same for the Blues, as poor decisions again let them down.

The Stormers on the other hand, fresh from their victory over the Bulls, again won the collisions and allowed their backs to flourish as a result. Despite their counterparts clawing back to within seven within the final quarter, they never really looked like losing this one.

For the home side, maybe the post-season is on the cards.

Sharks versus Lions
Bonus point Sharks sink the Lions. Who would have guessed? Well, everyone really.

The Sharks channelled their frustrations of the week prior to good effect, as they put out the five-point performance their fans would have hoped for. Cobus Reinach showed his Springbok qualities, and the Sharks were back to their usual dominant selves, albeit against an outfit where the wooden spoon is looking increasingly likely.

The Lions simply don’t have an answer for their dilemma, and despite a few notable performances, the team hasn’t clicked properly.

Another largely predictable result, capping off a round where the playing field across all conferences looks remarkably level. What a year we’re in for.