Four rounds gone and there is good news and bad news for every Super Rugby team.
Blues
The good news is the Auckland boys have figured out how to get the ball, keep the ball, and win all the statistical battles. They pass more than any other team, which makes for pretty rugby. And have beaten defenders 80 times!
More good news: the Blues have world-class international stars with a wheelbarrow full of All Black caps. Also, they have an internationally renowned and knighted coach who believes in himself, believes in his structures, and welcomes the challenge.
The bad news is the Blues lost at home to a previously winless young team with only a couple of Test caps, and now they face teams (the Hurricanes, the Waratahs, and the Chiefs) who can’t be accused (as some Auckland scribes regrettably did to the Lions) of ‘just making up the numbers’.
The other bad news is there is no way the Blues will qualify.
Reds
The bad news is Queensland does not have a knighted coach, although Richard Graham was an internationally-capped sevens back. The Reds have also conceded more penalties than anyone else.
The good news is the Reds have a lot of really good players (19 internationals). Also, they have fantastically vivid uniforms; there is no chance they will be confuse their mates with the opposition. Finally, the Reds lead the league in lineout steals.
Force
The bad news for the Force is they have lost three in a row. But the good news is their next opponents, the Rebels, have forgotten their famous win in Christchurch already.
More good news: the Force can carry a rugby ball. They have done 450 times this season. Ben McCalman has run with the ball almost 50 times himself. But the bad news predominates: the Force are getting outmuscled.
Rebels
The good news for the Rebels is they play the Force. The bad news is the Rebels pass badly, knock on a lot, concede penalties, and don’t kick enough, forcing themselves to tackle (and miss a lot). This match is pivotal for both Australian teams in their race to leave the Reds alone at the bottom.
Lions
The good news is they finally won a game, in New Zealand, of all places. Also, they are a happy bunch who play hard and seem to enjoy the moment.
The bad news they are going to war with the Crusaders now, after making what seemed like 200 tackles in Albany. Their bigger bad news is they have no real game breakers, and thus have to rely on scarce opportunities to score.
Sharks
They have a lot of big, beefy Springboks. That’s the good news. Big Boks Willem Alberts, Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, and Bismarck du Plessis bring a lot of attitude and experience.
But the bad news is the only Sharks who have really performed up to expectations are the nice youngsters: Pat Lambie, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Marcell Coetzee.
Cheetahs
The bad news for the poor-tackling Cheetahs is they host the Sharks just when the Sharks’ big bullies are in a bad mood. The good news is Willie le Roux and co. know how to score tries (three a game).
Crusaders
The good news for the Crusaders is they will feed the Lions to Kieren Read, Sam Whitelock, and other superstars this week. The bad news is they really cannot afford to lose many more games if they hope to qualify.
Bulls
The bad news: they have a bye just when they found form. Score-all-four-ways Handre Pollard is the best news for the Pretoria team, but their pack is also waking up.
Generalised bad news to all: the Crusaders and the Bulls started slowly; probably won’t end slowly.
Highlanders
They have the best tricksters in the competition: the Smiths and the impossible-to-find Malakai Fekitoa. The bad news is rugby still actually requires possession, which can be nice to have from set pieces.
Waratahs
Winning without playing near their best; that’s the best news a team can have. The bad news is sport is about habits and if the Tahs fall into bad habits, the better teams will expose them.
Chiefs
The Chiefs lost: that’s the bad news. Oh, and they travel all the way to Africa to play an extremely physical Stormer squad that is healthy.
Augustine Palu won’t make the same mistakes again: that’s the good news, along with the Chiefs’ incredible skills at running, offloading, and breaking the line. The game in Cape Town will be one to watch.
Stormers
They have the most wins in the competition, but the good news is few are taking them seriously. This will allow the boys from Cape Town to surprise some teams with the level of accurate ferocity, pinpoint kicking, and physical fitness they have achieved.
The bad news is it’s really difficult to strangle the Chiefs; the Stormers may need to score tries this week to win.
Hurricanes
There is no bad news for the mighty Hurricanes, who blew through South Africa unbeaten, and take on the bad news Blues after a rest. I can find no fault with the Canes this year.
Brumbies
The Brumbies are playing smart, tough rugby, and will welcome back David Pocock soon. The only bad news for them is Scott Fardy’s shoulder; he is instrumental.
What good and bad news do you see?
Harry Jones
Expert
Chiefs v Stormers Stormers sit the Greek and Groom on the bench. Etzebeth uses his SARU rest game; so he'll be ready after the bye to tour. Burger on a helluva bench. Stormers – 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Scarra Ntubenii, 1 Steven Kitshoff. Subs: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Demetri Catrakilis, 23 Huw Jones.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
To be fair Digger, Hall was out injured for a while (back I think) but I was told by my Auckland mates that he was ready to go a couple of weeks back. You would have though he might have had at least a little cameo.
Digby
Roar Guru
You inspired me Harry ;) Really would love to ask that question RT, surprised he has not been given a nudge.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
It will happen RobC, particularly I am in process of due diligence for an investment in SG, (that is why I am up there again soon), if we go ahead I will only have a small stake but will be sorta controlling the business's finances so will be up there quite frequently. Meanwhile bedsville for this kid ... just got back from PNG tonight.
RobC
Roar Guru
sounds like a plan, my man. MV is not far from my place. Naturally if you add MV traffic it doesnt really matter how close you are to there! Im expected to travel a lot more later in the year, including catching some Reds games. Keep well meantime.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
And I think he is 3rd cab off the rank again this week against... 'that team'
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Okies Rob, I will be in Singapore again within next two weeks but only for 2 days and unlikely to have a lot of free time but later this year, I will be in KL. I am a Director of a company in Malaysia whose HO is in Mid Valley City, and if you are available, what I'll can do is spend the night in KL to tell a few lies over a few Tigers! Hozzatt?
Harry Jones
Expert
Bright happy avatar!
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers RT. Look forward to it. Pls signal if youre going to be sg, in the next few weeks+ Im there, or nearby often
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Digger you need to ask JK that.... want his number? Bryn Hall I thought was going to rush up the ladder to compete for even higher honours (he and Pulu).
Digby
Roar Guru
Another querie RT, what's the issue with Hall? Surprised not to see him being used, at least from the bench?
Digby
Roar Guru
Can never be certain RT, derbys bring a familiarity with each other, through playing, ABs and ITM. Blues are more than capable.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I was in Singapore last weekend, now in cyclone threatened PNG. I will be in Singapore again in about a fortnight's time but only for 2 days and will be a little busy. But will also be KL later this year, perhaps I'll stay and see if we can catch up for a couple.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Digger, you guys are looking really good at the moment, especially after the SA road trip. Hate to admit it but I think the 'Canes will have the wood on the Blues this weekend. Kaino out will not help the struggling Blues but maybe its the rocket they need ...
Digby
Roar Guru
He wants to say Canes but can't bring himself to do it ;)
Harry Jones
Expert
Why don't we have a colour team? We all animals, a weather formation, and royalty
Harry Jones
Expert
It's minor. A re-aggravation of the chest-shoulder knock. In reality, this rest is good for Boks!
Alkashini
Guest
Oh dear Etzebeth although a freak of nature is so injury prone. I feel bad for him because he is my favorite player and one of the reasons why I started playing rugby. Being a lock myself get well soon in-game-brother.
Harry Jones
Expert
And SARU unveiled smarter plan to ID and keep more in SA, w earlier top up contracting
Harry Jones
Expert
That'll be a cracker !