The weekend’s action busted four myths that have been pervading Super Rugby this year.
Myth 1: Damian McKenzie commands a spot in the All Blacks
The little Chiefs wunderkind is many things: a precociously brilliant strike weapon from the back. One of the most adept and courageous bomb diffusers in Super Rugby. Lightning quick of both foot and mind. Fearless in contact, both with and without the ball. A more than handy goal kicker.
And, perhaps just as importantly to all this, seemingly in possession of a very level head.
However, one thing he is not is ready to waltz into the All Blacks, as many pundits are suggesting.
That he will be an All Black one day almost goes without saying. However, the Chiefs’ tight win against the Sharks in The ‘Naki – a game of near Test-match intensity and ‘tense-ity’ – on Friday demonstrated why he’s ready to usurp neither Ben Smith as the All Blacks 15 or Beauden Barrett as the five-eighth-fullback super sub.
It wasn’t as though McKenzie had an off night, indeed he was typically electric on a number of occasions, it was just that he was unusually inaccurate on too many others.
I counted at least three missed tackles, most notably a despairing effort that failed to stop impressive young pivot Garth April’s inaugural Super try.
There were some uncharacteristic handling errors and a couple of misreads on attack, including a mix up busting onto a wide pass from blockbusting No.8 Michael Leitch. That one, in particular, could be put down to youthful exuberance. But it’s a mark of top-tier Test players that they become more, not less, patient as the heat comes on.
Witness Ben Smith’s considered performance against the Brumbies on a wet Invercargill Saturday night (incidentally McKenzie’s hometown). The All Black incumbent displayed a classy, calm assuredness (tiny knock-on notwithstanding) that has made him one of the first names Steve Hansen jots down on his team sheet each year, likewise the armchair army of World XV selectors.
McKenzie’s youthful impetuousness is a large reason why his dizzying skillset has been so evident this season. He’ll just need to take a leaf out of Larry David’s book and curb that enthusiasm – just a tad – with more calculated play, before he takes the next, inevitable step.
Myth 2: The Bulls are all power and no panache
This myth was rooted in fact, but not this year.
The men from Pretoria are an out-and-out ensemble, total rugby playing team in 2016.
Think Highlanders – only bigger.
This was no better exemplified than the length-of-the-field effort that resulted in man of the match Jan Serfontein’s try in the 42-20 rout of the hapless Force.
Fullback SP Marais fielded a kick not far in front of his own sticks, thought about kicking, slipped a bit, before unleashing the ball that went through eight sets of hands to send the Springbok centre over at the other end of the field.
A Bulls fullback in that situation in any other year would have attempted to kick the synthetic leather off the ball as first exit option, but not this crop.
They’re as adept with the rapier as they are the broadswords to cut shreds in their opposition. A particular feature of their game is the off-load (Sonny Bulls, anyone?). The deft backflip, inches off the ground, from straggly haired giant lock RG Snyman to send promising young No.8 Henro Liebenberg over for his try, was a particular doozy.
Indeed, the Bulls, with 12, out-offloaded the Force four to one. Undefeated since their first-up loss to the Stormers, the Kiwi-like, wide-ranging approach is clearly working.
Such a shame then they will not face a solitary New Zealand side in their cross-conference fixtures this year.
Myth 3: Michael Hooper is the worst No.7 in Australian Super Rugby
“I reckon at the moment he is number five open-side flanker in Australia. He’s gone from being an absolutely outstanding player to what I think is a total non-event.”
That was former World-Cup winning Wallaby coach Bob Dwyer’s frank assessment a couple of weeks ago.
Hooper would have enjoyed ramming those words down Dwyer’s throat with an emphatic performance against the Stormers on Sunday morning (AEST). The Tahs skipper was everywhere, including the scoresheet, burrowing over for the match winner two minutes from time.
Hooper also made a mockery of Dwyer’s assertion that he doesn’t “contest any ball on the ground”.
The openside fulfilled his fetcher JD to the letter as a constant on-ball pest, clearly enjoying the muscular efforts of fellow loosies Jed Holloway and Dean Mumm to allow him the breakdown focus.
Maybe the wily old Waratahs coach of yore was hoping his taunts would elicit such a response from the Wallaby incumbent? Who knows, he may even have colluded with his old charge at Randwick Michael Cheika, in on the ploy to get Hooper’s A-game back. Whatever the means, they seem justified by the ends.
Myth 4: The Waratahs scrum is a pushover
Sort of busted – you’re only as good as your next scrum. But with Tatafu Polota-Nau back in a beefed up pack, the Tahs enjoyed parity, then ascendency with the impressive eight-man shove that sent the Stormers back to whence they came and led directly to Hooper’s match winner in the dying stages.
If they can continue to work from a decent platform there’ll be no end to what the Berand Foley, Kurtley Beale and Israel Folau combo will cook up.
Lano
Roar Guru
I like it. A fact checking unit!
Matt Porter
Roar Guru
Thanks for pointing that out Michael and shameful that I didn't know that cos my old man was born in Gore!. Yes, an AB back three of B Smith, The Bus and Naholo if he gets back to best form would be a thing to behold.
Matt Porter
Roar Guru
Thanks Ralph, I might chuck the odd 'truth confirmed' in as well. Such as "Brodie Retallick is the best lock in the world" as yet again proven by his monster game at the weekend.
Ralph
Roar Guru
"research".., I like it. Top work and great format, I'm looking forward to regular 'busting' sessions!
michael
Guest
sorry to be pedantic but Damian Mackenzies home town is Gore but he and his brother marty went to school in christchurch. He is good but I feel a lot more comfortable now that Dagg and Naholo are fit and playing
Browny
Roar Rookie
I agree, Matt. I think we'll see Foley, Kuridrani and Folau all retain their previous gold numbers. Beale to 12 and probably Horne at 11 for defensive cover; that gives you the stability in attack and def from Tevita with support frmo Horne in D, Foley's flat 10 game and the Beale-Folau (counter)attack combinations. Phipps will wear #9 and I'm not 100% sure who'll get 14 with our injury list and lack of players genuinely putting their hand up for selection....
Matt Porter
Roar Guru
Thanks Declan. Yes it's part of my strategy when my wife accuses me of watching too much rugby I tell her I have to research.
CUW
Guest
well that settles it, a fit Naholo on the right wing , ben smith at 15 and Dagg on the bench.
Benny
Guest
I agree. Look at so many outside backs like Naholo, Milner-Skudder, Rokocoko, Cullen, they played for the ABs in their break-out season and did a perfectly fine job without waiting. It seems to me that he's not competing with the irreplaceable Ben Smith for a spot anyway, they'll start him on the wing, the same way they did with Smith, Dagg and plenty of others. So instead he's competing with a bunch of other unestablished wingers.
Matt Porter
Roar Guru
Ta Bigdog. That Beale Folau combo worked a treat on the weekend. But despite the fact Kuridrani's not setting the world on fire I think Cheika will stick with Folau at fullback - unless he's willing to roll the dice on someone like Haylett-Petty from the Force at FB?
Declan
Guest
Matt Porter Great article and analysis. You must have watched a lot of replays! Hope you hear more from you on The Roar..maube snag a job with one of the big mast heads...oh, I forgot, they don't need jounsalists amy more. Sad world!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Just can't agree with this Mackenzie needs to wait thing. This is Wales we are talking about. They have never won here, never even looked like winning here. Mackenzies on home ground and will have the AB pack and backline in front of him. To suggest his confidence might take a knock is just short changing both he and the system. He's ready to play Wales, that's for certain. He's faced much better players this year already. He may not start the first test (but that wouldn't surprise) but with Hansens track record I bet he can't wait to get him out there.
Bigdog
Guest
Hi Matt, nice debut article and all "myths" soundly busted. Re: McKenzie, I was thinking along similar lines whilst watching the game the other night. No doubt he's a real talent and would be snapped up by many national teams, but the AB's are well covered for full back as mentioned above, and blooding a young guy like McKenzie too early could end up damaging his confidence if initial forays into the Test arena do not work out 100%. The Hooper knockers will have to be content with some quite mutterings in the corner to themselves...for a week at least. TPN is I think the best scrummaging hooker in Oz and hopefully he'll remain fit for the England Tests, as I think he'll be needed in particular at scrum time. He made some good carries too. As a side note it was interesting to compare the amount of possession the Brumbies had against the Highlanders and their lack of penetration in attack compared to the Warratahs where the reverse was the case. The two first half tries from Beale and Folau were sublime.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Naholo played club rugby on Sat, word is he scored 3 tries. Which suggests that he'll be available.
CUW
Guest
@ Allanthus : i just wonder if he carrying a knock. he did not run full tilt at the defence , as he used to in the early part of super rugger. there was at least 2 times when he went to a hole slow and got dragged in by a forwards. a yard of pace and he would have gone thru. if u watch the match again u will see it. anyway , i for one very much doubt anyone expected " he is not is ready to waltz into the All Blacks, as many pundits are suggesting. " most people thought he will get a cap from the bench. with 2 world class fullbacks , NZ will not just throw a newbie into a test match from get-go. and the way Jane has started to show some form ,. doubt if Mckenzie will even get the bench , with Ben and Dagg on fire. becoz the only backs vacancy atm , is right wing. Naholo's comeback is being put back week after week. now we hear he is training , but not sure how he is.
moaman
Roar Guru
I don't think for one minute that McKenzie is anywhere near causing the AB selectors a headache when it comes to the 15 jersey; however,given the injuries to some of the wing candidates, I do see him making the squad for the June series.Training with the squad will do the kid wonders and give the selectors a chance to see him in elevated company. That said....you put anyone under the microscope and I am certain you will find things to pick at. I was happy to overlook his gaffes on the weekend because of the effort he was clearly putting in and--let's face it,the Chiefs won.
jameswm
Roar Guru
The Waratah scrum was well on top before that scrum. That's why the Stormers half back put it in so crooked. The Stormers were on top till Roach came off, then it was close-ish, then the Tahs got on top steadily from just before half time till the end of the game.
Matt Porter
Roar Guru
Thanks Allanthus. Yes, hopefully TPN has stopped leading with the head. Great to see the big fella back.
Matt Porter
Roar Guru
Thanks Lano
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Hey Matt, I like the myth busters angle - particularly because you even look like one of those guys! For what it's worth, McKenzie has played every match, and maybe even all available minutes? I think he could do with a week off and a freshen up more than anything. And yes, it was the Tahs scrum in the end which won them the game. TPN was good, let's hope he's tidied up his kamikaze tackling technique.