As another weekend of Super Rugby draws to a close there are so many things to talk about ranging from the good to the bad to the downright ugly.
There are only 7 rounds left in the standard season so while there are still plenty of points on offer, teams really need to be making their move for the finals now before it’s too late.
World Series Rugby kicks off
It’s worth mentioning that this weekend also saw the opening match of World Series Rugby as the Western Force started things with a win.
There’s a huge amount still to figure out about this competition and what the future holds for it, but while the Western Force were getting a win, the Rebels were getting embarrassed by the Crusaders.
The RA will not like having to face questions about whether there really should be just three teams in Australia and Twiggy Forrest will do all that he can to make things uncomfortable for Castle and her team.
At the same time SANZAAR should be wondering what they can do to make the competition more appealing to fans – from marketing to the conference structure – there are huge issues that SANZAAR need to figure out.
World Series Rugby might not be a genuine threat but it will stir the debate for sure.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
McKenzie getting closer to scoring the perfect No.10
Earlier in the season there was debate around how well Damian McKenzie was going to perform full time in the No.10 shirt.
Running in the open spaces that No.15 gave him he was a consistent threat that tore defences apart. Having to manage entire games though was going to be a different challenge but he has really shone.
This was evident in this weekend’s loss against the Jaguares (and my aren’t the Argentinians running well!) when despite being on the losing side his performance was impressive.
He’s still got a way to go to threaten Barrett for the All Blacks No.10 jersey but Hansen will be happy to see the smiling McKenzie getting better and better.
(AAP Image/ David Rowland)
Who’s more scared – Cheika or Castle?
The Wallabies are looking at a very scary 2018. They have a three-match series against an in-form Ireland and then the Rugby Championship before heading north for another Spring tour.
Before they get on that plane to Europe they could very well have lost the majority of their games and be looking at some brutal numbers.
This weekend would have caught both the Wallabies coach and CEO of the RA’s eyes and for all the wrong reasons.
Still no wins against a Kiwi side, the Rebels looking like boys, the Tahs unable to beat a weak and out of form Blues side in Sydney and key player Will Genia going down injured.
These losses to Kiwi sides is getting out of hand and it is now hard to see where the drought breaking win is going to come from this season.
The fact that they keep losing is going to upset Raelene Castle as she looks to try and build confidence in a brand while all evidence suggests its staggering around blindly.
The way the Aussie teams keep losing will frustrate Michael Cheika – week in week out performances that just go to highlight the gulf between the two rugby nations.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
How many tacklers does it take to stop Ben Lam?
No one knows – it hasn’t happened yet. The guy is in some incredible form and while there is a lot to admire about his pace and wonderful running lines, his power cannot be overlooked.
In the process of scoring his second of three tries on Saturday four Lions defenders and the sideline couldn’t stop Ben Lam for getting another five pointer.
Even more concerning is the fact that he might not make the starting line up of the All Blacks!
But this does raise a broader topic – so often this weekend there were some horrific impressions of tackling that made it look like some players were playing touch rugby instead of contact.
Add to this the fact that often there were some serious mismatches where defences had five forwards lining up against eager backs (yes Tahs we’re looking at you!) and it makes you really question the quality of defence coaching at some teams.
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Too many teams kicking the game away
In the helter-skelter game of Super Rugby where the running game is the envy of the rugby world, the power of the kicking game is often forgotten.
This weekend we saw some great examples of how some teams can turn the boot into a real weapon while for others it’s not just missing from their arsenal, it’s an actual weak point that costs them points.
When the Sharks took on the Highlanders, their first try came from a great box kick that was perfectly weighted, was well chased by runners and led directly to the South Africans’ opening try.
On the flip side we saw the Rebels replacement No.9 Michael Ruru kick for no good reason straight down the neck of some hungry Crusaders who then promptly ran the ball back and within 30 seconds were scoring one of many tries in the second half.
Of course seeing No.10s carve up defences and leave them chasing ghosts gets us all excited but scrum halves and fly halves across the whole competition could do with sharpening up their kicking game as we reach the final few weeks of the competition.
Ex force fan
Guest
Julius, it wil be the Crusaders and it will be clearly the Crusaders on the match tickets, the programs and the scoreboard. It will still be a team that will beat any Australian side. If the Force win the game, they would have won the Crusaders. Highly unlikely but the records will reflect it.
Ex force fan
Guest
After the current incompetent RA administration driven RA into bankruptcy, I hope that the Force will take its rightful place again in the Australian landscape. Clyne, Robertson and the clowns will be gone. We will never ever trust RA again, but it may cool down at that time. It will take a generation to get over this betrayal.
Just Nuisance
Guest
Too many box kicks from the scrum base . 100% possession becomes 50% or less. The defending side always has the upper hand with high kicks as once the receiver jumps he is untouchable.
Super rugby
Guest
Will we ever hear the end of it? No the moaning about the force being axed may never end
Ex force fan
Guest
Moving towards a full year rugby season?
Jacko
Guest
it depends who the opposition is Neutral...LOL
Cuw
Guest
as far as i remember Charlie was a wing/back when he came into the scene . he was very quick those days - but unfortunately suffered many leg injuries. Basically he was the new Kahui. i think he came into centers coz he lost pace - a lot. even then he is quick but there was a time he was a flyer. why do u think he kicks so well from centers ? becoz he was a fullback to start with :D
Old Bugger
Guest
cuw The only problem for ALB is that he hasn't had a decent IC running inside, in the Chiefs. Cooper's persistence with playing Ngatai at FB rather than IC, is putting pressure on ALB to maintain the Chiefs D-line in the backs. That is not an OC's responsibility - that is an IC's job and neither Nankivell or Fauuli, have that experience atm. I suspect Charlie still has some HIA issues hence why Coop's persists with him at FB rather than, running the cutter at IC and that allows Coops to put Alaimalo, at wing. I'd rather have Alaimalo at FB and Charlie at IC to both stiffen the D-line and provide counter attack speed, from the back. Yep I know, Charlie has some speed but IMO, not as much as Alaimalo. Remember when ALB was running at OC for the ABs in 2016, his IC was Crotty and they did exceptionally well considering, it was ALB's debut year. Crotty made all the calls but I think Shag only has eyes, for an SBW/Crotty combo so we won't be seeing either ALB or Goodhue running the OC line unless, either of Shag's preferences, gets injured. And lastly, my jury is still out on Ioane at OC or IC. Right now, both positions just make him look unnatural. Perhaps, another couple of seasons, after 2019.
Brisvegas
Guest
Agree NB D Mac has no game control/management that you see in other top first fives. Still think he plays more for himself and not others. Also Reiko is a very good winger/finisher and is still learning to be a mid field player.
Cuw
Guest
Reiko can play on either side. In 7S he was a right wing. and in centers also. surprisingly - he never played at under 20 world cup .....
Cuw
Guest
needs to improve his aerial skills . becoz not much kicking in 7S he is weak his positioning and cover defence is very good. Naholo is very good under bombs and Ioane is fast improving.
Cuw
Guest
Taufua is a 7 - irrespective of where he plays :) sometimes ur versatility can be ur own undoing . also he is too small for 8. Luke W is the safe bet. Akira is still nuts - looking for fights rather than taking the team forwards. Cane Todd Hunt the 7s. Kaino Fifita and maybe Dixon the 6s Read Squire and front rowers will be missed. Moody Coles Laulala ....
Cuw
Guest
Taufua will never play - he has all heart but too small for 8 and too many 7s for him to leapfrog. its a pity coz he really plays like a madman - and no consideration for the body. given France will bring a depleted squad there is a good chance Lam will play. with SBW not having played and maybe not playing soon , Crotty may go to 12 and Ioane will come to 13. that will let Lam play at 11. or 14 coz he played on the right wing at 7S. i think the super sub will be Jordie at 23.
Cuw
Guest
unless they specifically say - it is a development squad / team :D
Cuw
Guest
Lam was great in 7S . if at all he is slower now than in 2015. Reiko was also in the 7S team and so was Naholo. and all 3 can play on either wing . No Dagg means 2 of these will play surely. France will be depleted squad. they will have Top14 finals and also play in not Heineken cup . i think Picamoles is out already.
Cuw
Guest
the injuries are not helping Jack - he is losing pace. close quarters he is effective - but there was one screen shot when he had to chase , and looked liked running on a sand dune .... he used to be an U20 winger in 2015.
Cuw
Guest
he is a better runner from fullback - coz there is always more space. if u want a runner from 10 then Mounga and Sopoaga are the guys. Barrett is a different animal all together :D
Cuw
Guest
like most big guys he is slow to turn. Blues tried kicking behind him - but then the kicks were not that good. wait and see someone like Mounga make him spin like a turnstile. and they have Havili and Bridge too. but can anyone explain why he keeps dropping the ball everytime someone hits him high? nandolo hardly dropped the ball despite more than one guy hitting him high - still he doesnot in France.
Cuw
Guest
no - he went to Sarries and learnt to play . first he lost 10 kg ( according to who tells the story :D ) becoz Sarries basically put out a "test" team , week in - week out. maybe he is injured - coz i have not seen Skelton for sarries in a while.
Ralph
Roar Guru
"if Reiko was playing for the Crusaders or Hurricanes just how many tries he would have run in on the left wing." Could you please mention that to him next time you speak to him? Thanks Crusader Supporter.