Super Rugby Round 17 is in the bag. Here are five talking points as we approach the pointy end of the season.
1. There’s life in the Moon Dogs yet
A second-half blitz by the Sunwolves helped them sign off their season in style against the Blues at Prince Chichibu Stadium.
Japanese fans have been starved of highlights this year, but their team delivered an afternoon full of them. Down 14-21 at half-time, the home side found another gear, powering past the Kiwis to win 48-21.
The Blues did themselves no favours with a number of errors, but it was the relentless Sunwolves pressure in sweltering heat that forced the turnovers. Yoshitaka Tokunaga’s miracle try at the end capped off a cracking result.
It was the perfect tonic to many viewers’ late-season malaise. I say ‘viewers’; I meant ‘Australians’. Anyway, welcome to the conference.
2. The Brumbies have no business hosting a final
Maybe it’s unfair to make direct comparisons between the Brumbies and the Chiefs. Unfortunately, they played each other, so we have to. It was a stark contrast of ability in Hamilton on Saturday.
The Brumbies tried to do the right thing, keeping the ball in hand, but found it tough to penetrate. Every time the Chiefs spread the ball, they found space. The passing and intuition of the Kiwis was always that much crisper.
Led by Tawera Kerr-Barlow, the likes of James Lowe and Damian McKenzie had a field day. McKenzie alone threw three flick passes. A timely reminder that rugby can be fun.
Meanwhile, the Brumbies look like little more than training fodder for the Hurricanes next week.
3. The Crusaders are beatable
Despite a raft of last-minute changes, the Hurricanes showed that the table-topping Crusaders are human after all, inflicting their first loss of the season.
With Beauden Barrett and Vince Aso withdrawn in the hour before kick-off, the Crusaders dominated the early exchanges, racing to a 12-0 lead. Their trademark composure and winning instinct abandoned them soon after, however, as did the referee’s favour. Glen Jackson stung the Crusaders for 16 penalties compared to just seven against the home side.
Despite the good vibes at Westpac Stadium, plenty of All Blacks fans will be asking why the wrong Barrett was kicking in the drawn third Test against the Lions. Jordie Barrett had a laser in his right boot all night ‒ five out of five mostly from the sideline.
(AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford)
4. Full-stop or ellipsis on the Force farce?
There’s always a risk we appreciate things more when they’re on the verge of extinction. Fans in Perth have certainly found their voice in recent weeks as the season winds down.
Yet in the face of contract ambiguity, the Force have made a serious case for survival. The scenes at nib Stadium as the Force trounced the Tahs 40-11 were something else. In pouring rain, the crowd rose as one to urge foundation player Matt Hodgson to kick a farewell penalty at the final whistle. You know he slotted it, too.
Think on this. The Force finish 2017 with the same amount of wins as the Brumbies. One of them gets a home final. The other is being primed for the chop. However things plays out, the ARU has cooked it through its inaction.
5. Waratahs fall off a cliff, into a ravine, over a waterfall…
And CLANG into the bottom of the barrel. At least you’d really, really hope that’s the bottom.
There’s nothing left to say about the Waratahs. They’ve gone from underachievers to laughing stock to abomination. The fans (…anyone?) don’t deserve the sludge that’s been served up in 2017.
Daryl Gibson must need the money because anyone else would have resigned out of embarrassment. The lowly Sunwolves have conceded more than 80 points twice this season, yet even they finish with their heads held higher.
Imagine being the biggest rugby franchise in the country and having to stick with your inept coach for another whole year because you can’t afford to pay out his contract.
Burn it down. Start again.
Marto
Guest
Gonzo ^ Trying doesn`t mean you are good.
Pinetree
Guest
"Lions had their turn playing the kiwis last season, beating 4 out of the 5. It is only fair that they had the easier draw this season." Brent, this is not correct. The Lions played the kiwis 8 times last year. 5 times in the regular season, and 3 times in the playoffs. They won 2 out of 5 in the rounds.... Chiefs 32 Lions 36 (home team first) Highlanders 34 Lions 15 Lions 37 Crusaders 43 Lions 17 Hurricanes 50 Lions 43 Blues 5 ...and won 2 out of 3 in the finals... QF- Lions 42 Crusaders 25 SF - Lions 42 Highlanders 30 Final - Hurricanes 20 Lions 3 So all up, the Lions won 4 out of 8 games for a 50% record against the kiwis. How did you get 4 out of 5? Or do you just pull out any random stats to suit your agenda? because what you wrote was obviously false...
Brent Horstor
Guest
Nice fedora, m'lady
Brent Horstor
Guest
Lions had their turn playing the kiwis last season, beating 4 out of the 5. It is only fair that they had the easier draw this season.
scottd
Guest
yep, no crazy for me please
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Stephen, That is an interesting spin. We have all assumed that the Kiwis would have beaten them. In reality we have no current Evidence to conclude either way.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I am a reformed hater, I have worked hard to get there. I am trying to focus my attention on promoting players that In my opinion there are better choices. Hoops doesn't select himself (I don't think), someone else owns that choice and should be held accountable (or rewarded) for it.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I am pretty sure there are some injury concerns on your list. 12 Hodge (Hunt) 13 Rona (Samu) 14/15 Wing Fullbacks DHP, Hodge, (Niavalu), Folau Tahs 18 Kepu 21 Gordon 10 Foley - I still think he is a more balanced choice and he doesn't give the impression of taking his spot for granted. But this is a stupid dream. Beale will walk straight back into a spot at either 12 or 15 shuffling DIzzy to 14 with DHP and Hodge sitting it out.
RahRah
Guest
Developed so well that their franchises let them go.
RahRah
Guest
I don't think the hate stems from a personal agenda, rather the frustration that he keeps getting picked ahead of much better number 7's who then have to play out of position to cover for him.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I am not Knocking it, just putting it in context. We talk like they are 2 wins ahead, but they are cashing in a bag of happy Gilmore consolation prize novelty cheques. The Brumbies are the only Australian side to have a positive Points Difference for the year which justifies their position, if not their home Quarter Final.
piru
Roar Rookie
I don't think the hate is because of him or his game. How can you hate a bloke who throws himself into everything the way he does?
Gonzo
Guest
If only we could clone Hooper. He gets a lot of hate but he is all heart and soul that guy. Never stops trying.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Jock, I mentioned this above, A large portion of East coast players are Pacific islanders, several ineligible to be Wallabies. Discuss in context of the Force. Make your piece at least 500 words You will be marked on grammar and persuasive writing style. Mike drop.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Bill, Yes, and I don't care. Most of the Force players would still be at club or playing league or working on a building site if they hadn't been given the opportunity and had their talent nurtured. What about our Pacific Islander favorites? I don't hear quips about them at the Reds and the Tahs. I hope it is because we are decent humans (Australians) and accept our migrants from the east into our respective tribes - Unless they start playing rubbish rugby, then forget it - send them home to Sydney or Suva.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
If Hodgo's spray at Hoops is accurate - $2 Mil a year more.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I stand corrected, My knowledge of SA is limited to Large Dutch men and Fast African men smashing the hell out of the opposition, usually at altitude. I just remember the Highlanders running out of puff at altitude last year and assumed it was at Loftus, where Hodge was attempting kicks from 60m against the Boks. Anyone who goes up there will need to take Loxygen. By that I mean a 6-2 Reserves bench, the Big men tire quickly. I see your point about playing at Mowson's hut below the arctic circle or with a greasy ball in the Fog. It changes the style of the Game. There is a fine line between battle hardened and battle fatigue. The Kiwis have been bashing the beejebers out of each other and the BI Lions and the toll is starting to show.... I still think they will win everything but they will need to dip into their reserves to do it. My tip is the Canes, going on gut feel alone. But it will be a close game against the Golden Lions in the Semi's.
piru
Roar Rookie
I'd much prefer madam bloody moneybags stay out of it personally
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
thanks Paulo, apologies... yes Ellis Park..
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
The Jags also played Lions B....