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Another round of Super Rugby is completed mixed in with some cracking contests, some not so cracking contests and even a bit of World Wrestling Entertainment for the masses entertainment.
The Australian Conference
The Force hosted the Rebels on Friday night to get the Australian teams up and running and with the visiting Rebels snaring the glory by 21 points to 17 in a tough and willing contest.
The Rebels lay on the win with a solid forward and defensive effort and jumped out to an early lead after a sluggish start from their opposition which they could not reel back in. Interestingly, the Rebels now have two wins and two losses, both wins coming on the road.
In terms of the conference, they have already played the two likely top teams in the Waratahs and Brumbies at home and now find themselves behind the eight ball. Their upcoming overseas trip will be vital for their push for the playoffs along with converting their home matches into wins for the remainder of the season.
The Force is improving week to week, however they are still frustratingly one dimensional with possession and there is a real stubbornness about their attack, like bashing your head against a brick wall. Direction is lacking at times and with the overseas portion of their season to come it may be too late for them to turn it around for 2015.
The Waratahs visited Dunedin and despite a promising start, simply went missing for 60 minutes of the match as the Highlanders went all, well, Highlander.
Outmuscled in contact and generally out enthused, the Waratahs spent the majority of the game chasing their tail. In my view, last week’s training run against the Reds and a fast start on Saturday didn’t help the Waratahs whose body language to me suggested they were too relaxed.
Once the Highlanders found their rhythm midway through the first half, the Waratahs could not shake themselves from their lethargy and bring themselves back into the game. With the Brumbies on the horizon, the Waratahs had better sort out their top two inches and I am sure the Brumbies will provide the right motivation to pull their socks up.
The Brumbies continued on with their dominance of the Australian conference with a convincing bonus-point win over the Reds in Brisbane to remain top of the Australian conference and now lead the tournament outright.
I would describe their performance as composed and patient, wearing the Reds down throughout the 80 minutes and would be very pleased to keep their try line intact and holding their opponents scoreless. The Brumbies are looking in great shape and will be looking to Sydney this week to confirm their early season dominance in Australia.
The Reds showed more intent and composure this week but one couldn’t help but feel it was a matter of time until the Brumbies broke their resistance and so it proved. The Reds flat out lacked any ammunition in attack and their set piece was under pressure. They need some of their big boys back, but it will be too little too late for this season.
The New Zealand Conference
Palmerston North hosted the first New Zealand teams in action in Round 5 as the Hurricanes defeated the Blues in an entertaining spectacle with both teams looking to play expansively.
The Hurricanes will be pleased with the result, winning after the bye against a desperate Blues team but know they still have plenty to work on. They lacked patience at times with ball in hand, failing to convert a number of chances with pushed passes and that lack of accuracy will be concerning with a trip to Dunedin this week.
The Hurricanes will also be concerned with their discipline, again ending up on the wrong side of the ledger and that will eventually tell if not addressed. Unbeaten at the top of the New Zealand conference and with a game in hand, the Hurricanes have certainly laid a fantastic platform for their 2015 season.
The Blues, in complete contrast, have yet to register a win this season and now head into the bye to dwell on their poor start. A much-improved performance compared to previous outings, they kept themselves in the match but simply could not convert enough opportunities or contain their experienced counterparts out wide.
With a trip to Sydney after the bye, there is little respite for the beleaguered franchise that already looks out of the running for the playoffs.
The Highlanders hosted the Waratahs and turned in a fantastic performance in front of the zoo, turning in some exhilarating attacking play to earn a five pointer against the defending champions.
Struggling at first, they found their feet around the 20-minute mark and started to dominate the ruck area while their vaunted backline cut loose.
Adding to a Chiefs scalp last week, the Highlanders have certainly stamped their mark on the competition and may just be many punters second favourite team to watch behind their own. They have serious momentum now and will be looking to add another high flyer to their trophy cabinet in the Hurricanes next Friday night.
The Crusaders managed to hit the ground running after the bye with a bonus-point win over the Lions in Christchurch. In a match dominated by the whistle, the Crusaders simply had too much in the tank for the Lions, especially considering a number of high profile returns and eventually ground the Lions down.
The Crusaders still have issues, dropping off a number of tackles and their backlines execution is still failing them at times but they have righted their season after a poor outing against the Chiefs a fortnight ago and will continue to build into their season.
The Chiefs rounded out what was a very good Round for the New Zealand conference with an exciting and hard-fought victory over the previously unbeaten Stormers at Newlands. Arguably the match of the round, the Chiefs managed to absorb a first half battering to come out firing in the second half and their ability to keep the ball alive and relentlessness on attack eventually paid dividends as the Stormers fell off tackles.
This was an important away win and a keen psychological blow struck against a potential finalist. The Chiefs would appear again to be the team to beat from New Zealand.
The South African Conference
The Lions got the South African conference underway in Christchurch but came away with a disappointing loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch. Again, they did not lack for effort, climbing into their defensive work missing only nine tackles and attacking the breakdown with intent but a yellow card and, at times, a lack of fortune from the referee proved too much in the end for this inexperienced side as the Crusaders controlled the match.
The Lions’ lack of a genuine match winner among their ranks is telling and it is difficult to see them winning another match on the road but I have no doubt they will be eyeing up their trip to Brisbane in a fortnight.
The Stormers played out the match of the round in my view, losing to the Chiefs in a fast and intense affair at home.
The Stormers will be kicking themselves they let this chance get away and in particular, their kicking game was a real let down at times, allowing a dangerous Chiefs side opportunity after opportunity to attack with pace and width. This eventually told on the Stormers, missing 28 tackles and a noticeable lack of impact from the bench conspired against the South African team.
The big question mark for me now is whether the Stormers have a fly half capable of leading this team deep into the tournament and also able to realise the potential of their backline.
The Sharks have managed to realign their season with an away victory over Conference rivals the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. While achieving the bonus point, I suspect the Sharks will not be overly happy with their performance, particularly the second half. A number of missed tackles blighted their performance and will be an important aspect to get right with the Chiefs due in Durban which shapes as a must win for the Sharks with their overseas trip to come.
After a solid start to their Season, the Cheetahs campaign appears to be running out of steam after two straight losses at home to Conference rivals. While the potency in their backline remains, the bigger teams are dominating them at the breakdown, leaving their backline with too much to do. They now head overseas in what shapes as the defining period of their season with little answers in sight.
The Bulls had the bye and are back into action next week.
So there is my take on the last Round of Super Rugby and how the respective teams are shaping up.
Instead of looking at individual players this week, I wanted to focus on plays and I thought Julian Savea’s decision to tap and go after the first half was completed from the penalty was outstanding and led to a try after three extra minutes play.
What was your pick of the plays from the weekend?
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.