The streak is over, there are a few sides starting to make moves, and others slipping further South down the table.
Here’s five things we learnt from Round 14.
It’s finally over
722 days. Friday the 27th of May, 2016. That was the date an Australian team last beat a Kiwi side in the Super competition running into the Waratahs vs Highlanders fixture last night.
Close losses to both the Blues and Crusaders in the rounds previous would’ve had fans optimistic of the streak being broken.
In a pulsating first 15 minutes, the Tahs controlled the game nicely, and looked twice the side when they carried straight in the backs.
Too often, Australian teams find themselves going lateral in attack, and against a side with the defensive resolve of the Highlanders, generally, it’s not a recipe for success.
An early try to Taqele Naiyaravoro was followed by a Bernard Foley penalty goal. That’s where things turned monumentally in the home sides favour.
In the 20th minute, Cam Clark was chasing through to try and collect a bomb from flyhalf Bernard Foley. His opposite wing, Tevita Nebura, leapt high, and won the aerial battle.
Live, the crowd gasped slightly, but the play carried on. The officials decided to have a closer look at the incident at the next break, and the evidence was telling.
Nabura’s right foot, upon taking the high ball, extends, and kicks Cam Clark square in the face, with a karate kick that would’ve made even Jackie Chan sit up and take notice. A red card followed.
Two minutes later, and the Highlanders were down to 13 men due to an Aaron Smith yellow card for a deliberate knock down.
The Waratahs scored once in this ten minute period, and their 15-0 half time lead was too much for the Highlanders to run down.
A second half attacking clinic from the Waratahs ensued, and the streak was broken, courtesy of a 41-12 win.
(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Reds nearly got it done
The aforementioned 722-day streak could have been one day shorter had the Reds showed slightly more execution in try-scoring opportunities against the Hurricanes.
I’d like to use this point to state that I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more unpredictable outfit in professional sport. Their 35-point loss to the Sunwolves last round was embarrassing.
In Round 10, they got beaten by nearly 30 points against a weakened Chiefs outfit. In the two rounds before that, they were beaten by the Tahs and the Brumbies to the tune of a cumulative 48 points.
How does a team that so often doesn’t show up to play, push a Hurricanes outfit to within an inch of their lives? Or beat a red-hot Lions outfit at Suncorp Stadium courtesy of one of the defensive efforts of the season?
While they lost 38-34 in this fixture, their defensive effort was outstanding, and they had some solid individual performances in Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Scott Higginbotham.
It’s a young side, and they won’t be there come finals time – but there are signs that this Reds team could be special in a few seasons’ time.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Hayden Parker is an old Western gunslinger
The Sunwolves flyhalf is a genuine dead-eye in front of goal. He’s kicking at 92 per cent from the tee for the season, and he’s been a major part of his sides revival of the last few weeks.
They threatened in close losses to the Lions and the Brumbies, but still began last round with zero wins for the season.
Since then, they’ve beaten the Reds by 35 points, and the Stormers by three. In the latter of these two games, Hayden Parker poured in 21 points, and nailed a drop goal off his wrong foot in the dying seconds to nudge his side ahead.
He is one of the form 10s of the competition, and, I dare say, has a few ex-coaches back in New Zealand wishing they hadn’t have let him go across to their Japanese rivals.
The Jaguares are on fire
Upon their inception into the competition, there were many who said the Jaguares could challenge for the title given the similar look of their XV to that of the Argentinian national outfit. To say they’ve underperformed since then is probably not far from the mark.
That being said, 2018, and in particular the last six weeks, have been nothing short of special from the South American giants.
They have won five straight, including highly impressive wins over the Chiefs and the Blues on the road. Last night, they smoked the Bulls by 30 points.
They sit second in their conference, behind the Lions, and I feel they are going to be a bit of a thorn in the side of a few coaches come the pointy end of the season.
(Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images)
It’s anyone’s title!
The Super Rugby ladder, upon a quick glance, tells the story of the relative closeness of this competition.
Using the conference formula, if the finals were to begin tomorrow, the Crusaders, Lions and Waratahs would be the top 3 sides (owing to their position at the top of their respective conferences).
Seven points then separate fourth-eighth, with a further three teams sitting one point behind the finals.
Realistically, there are only four sides who can’t play finals rugby, they are the Blues, Brumbies, Reds and the Sunwolves.
Expect the intensity of the competition to keep rising each round as sides look for vital wins with the fight for silverware rapidly looming.
Carlos The Argie
Guest
Don't underestimate Argentina's ability to mess things up! Such a beautiful country full of resources and always jumping from crisis to crisis.
JRVJ
Guest
In the short term, they'd be absolute fools to let the Jags fall apart. They finally have a good thing going, they should be able to get more revenue streams in place (attendance, sponsors, merchandise), PROVIDED that they remain competitive.
Carlos The Argie
Guest
Ah, the purse strings! Now we get into what seems to be happening in Australia too. Will the UAR spend the money in the professional teams or will they continue to support the growth of amateur rugby? Amateur rugby, as you know, has the passion and the generation of new players. The club/tribe love affairs. The competition. This is where the Argie rugby heart and soul lives. So, UAR has to maintain a balance. They also have to decide how much amateurism will remain and how much will pro rugby grow internally. Another interesting dilema: the city or the rest of the country. URBA or Interior.
JRVJ
Guest
Well, "finally finding their place" does not mean I'm taking their efforts for granted. Clearly it could all come crashing down during the remaining 4 games this season. Or they could be terrible next year. But their performance these last 5 games (or even the last 7 games, if you want to rope in the Lions victory) are very encouraging. As to 2019 and onwards, UAR has to open up the purse strings so as to not lose out on all their talent. It's as simple as that.
Carlos The Argie
Guest
JRVJ, I am not sure they are finding their place. I am actually very pleased that they have improved in so many dimensions. Scrums, line-out are better. Discipline is better. Especially foul play is much better. The diva-like behavior with referees is better. The defense is there too. If you look at the second half of the match, this is how you want them to play constantly. I just think they need to "maintain" the effort a little longer before I am willing to admit they found their place. I have no idea how Hourcade is going to deal with this team, or why Ledesma took a swipe at public media. The fans have the right to complain about a quasi-national team playing so poorly and with such lack of discipline. It is Ledesma's job to gain the respect for the fans. If he wants sycophants, he missed his opportunity. So far, I am keeping my fingers crossed. Next year will be much harder as many players will take the money and run to the NH as they can still play for the Pumas. Can you imagine Jaguares without Kremer, Lavanini, Tetaz, Sanchez, Bofelli or Matera?
Andrew
Roar Guru
I'd say I'm excited rather than concerned - short of the Reds winning SR and the Wallabies winning the RC I'd love to see the Jags/Pumas win both comps as it would bloody well freshen things up!
Jacko
Guest
Bob can you please try to influence my Betting agency...its about $1.05 for an NZ side to win and that just aint worth putting a lazy 100 on...just to win $5 IF it happens
Baz
Guest
Nothing wrong with Arnold. Just a small brain explosion. No use being that big and playing soft. I just love the fact that he got stuck in and was aggressive. Puts opposition on notice. Write there that's what I want from my forwards. Pity about the Red card and the final result but if I was coach I wouldn't be complaining. He knows he needs to just be a bit more accurate. You are correct about CLL. Back where he should have been 6 weeks ago. Son Mckellar has 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 5 and at least one winger sorted out for next year. He needs a decent hooker and some outside backs.
PB
Guest
If it was my team I wouldn't actually be happy till they won vs 15, but. Aussie teams are really good against 14 men, cut them to ribbons. WC final, RC, SR.
Baz
Guest
Would not surprise me in the least if the Reds got up. This season is starting to produce some unscripted results.
Sean
Guest
Imho we need a complete clear out Harry,from Boardroom to HC etc.Wakefield and Fleckie must both fall of their swords.Remember it's the WP Board who bankrupted WP/Stormers and we've been on a downward spiral since.The paying public are finally voting with their feet and staying away from Newlands,sponsorships to follow suit.The rugby scene is fast collapsing in front of our eyes.
cuw
Guest
left to be seen - coz it will be a different coach, there is no guarantee they will play same style or pace.
Phil
Guest
Broken record,Kirky?I guess you were saying something similar when the Lions just beat AB's playing 14 men.Then drew the next playing 15.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Anyone concerned that the Jags/Pumas are going to be hard to beat in the Rugby Championships?
DT
Guest
Love the Sunwolves spirit. Didn't see the game but saw the last score. Hayden Parker, who kicks with his left foot, knocks over a droppy with his right to win the game. As a small, left footed old number 10 whose only real skill was goal kicking,(me, decades ago), that was special.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Its been quite a while in SR when we have seen 3 Kiwi teams lose their matches over the weekend, and another just managing a win by 4 points against an Aussie team in a high scoring match. Long may that continue. :)
ThugbyFan
Guest
Jimbo, I would tread carefully there. Remember that F.Daugunu's try was from a massive forward pass to S.Kerevi, which somehow got past the TMO. I suspect referee Ben O'Keefe, after his refusal to even listen to M.Hooper in the Crusaders match, got a stern talking to and told to respect and consider a captain's querying of his decisions. Its a tough gig being a referee and to be fair I thought the decision reversal was correct, even if TJ-P put a bit of gusto into his query.
Michael Essa
Roar Guru
Too much is made of the 40 -1 loss win ratio over 2 seasons. It is a coincidence that all of the Australian teams are in a rebuilding phase/lull. It will naturally cease to be a factor.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Baaaaaaaa ! "Whazzup, Mum?" :)
one way street
Guest
Reds should knock over the Highlanders this week then.Won`t happen.