Super Rugby has reached the Finals. Since the June internationals the competition has been staggering and stumbling as it has tried to get going again after the break.
But there’s nothing like finals rugby to get the juices flowing and this weekend has delivered some fantastic games to enjoy, and plenty to talk about…
Say what you like about them, the Tahs are entertaining!
In the game of the round, the Tahs played the second half of their lives and outscored the Highlanders 24 – 0. At halftime the Tahs had given all their critics plenty to talk about – a disorganised defence that has haunted them all year, poor decision making and what looked like a worrying lack of heart.
But Daryl Gibson must have given some Al Pacino-style halftime speech because in the second half the same Tahs jumped on every opportunity and booked their place in the semi-finals. It was an incredible game and while the come back will give the Tahs plenty to feel good about, they cannot let their opposition get out to these sort of leads in the semis.
How bad must Naholo feel today
While the Tahs did play a great second half, they were helped a lot by a terrible decision from Waisake Naholo. His head high swinging arm tackle and the yellow card that followed opened the door for the Tahs and they came bursting through with 21 points in eight minutes. The momentum shift was incredible to see and the Highlanders never recovered.
Of course, there were other factors in the game that contributed and it’s not all down to Naholo, but if he had just kept his calm and tackled the rampaging Taqele Naiyaravoro six inches lower then the Highlanders would likely be looking forward to a semi-final instead of starting their offseason.
To be fair though – it’s worth noting that just a minute beforehand the Highlanders were just centimetres from the Tahs’ try line. If they’d held their heads and got that try then their lead would have been 24 points and the game would have been over.
Kiwi #10 battle
There’s been lots of chat about the All Blacks #10 shirt. Yes, Beauden Barrett is deservedly the first choice but one of the reasons for the All Blacks’ success is that they have genuine competition and depth for this critical position.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
This weekend we’ve seen the fight for that shirt hot up and players shift around a bit. Barrett didn’t play one of his electric games against the Chiefs but he did exactly what was needed and controlled the game well. In the same game, however, Damian McKenzie showed that he’s still got some work to do on his ability to deliver in the high stakes games.
Richie Mo’unga might not have been up against as tough opposition but he put in a great performance against the Sharks and with Lima Sopoaga heading to Wasps in the UK for next season Mo’unga has arguably jumped over McKenzie as the direct back up to Barrett.
Whatever the situation – the fact that this competition exists at all is the envy of Rugby Australia who would love to see Bernard Foley challenged for the #10 Wallabies shirt.
Big game players step up
When it’s winner takes all you really do need your big guns to step up. This weekend we’ve seen the difference this makes quite clearly.
McKenzie didn’t step up and the Chiefs lost (not saying he’s the only reason they lost of course, but just saying that they really needed him to step up).
The first half for Tahs – Foley, Beale and Folau were too quiet and the NSW side struggled.
The second half for Tahs – those same players tore the Highlanders to pieces and got the win.
Elton Jantjies was busy and controlled the game well and the Lions booked their third successive semi-final spot.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
As we move into the next round this matters even more. The quality of teams at this stage of the competition is such that you need your stars to stamp their mark all over the match. If they go missing in action your season is over.
One question to consider – will we see Beauden Barrett step up in the semis and make the difference against the Crusaders?
The two sides of Nick Phipps
The Tahs #9 gets his fair share of abuse and in the first half against the Highlanders he did a lot of things to justify that abuse. Passes that bobbled along the ground and the now famous Phipps “two step” where he dances a bit before choosing to pass to his first receiver (who is most likely getting crushed by an opposition flanker at the same time as the ball arrives).
But in the second half he became the inspiration that the team needed to get them going. He made good decisions and really brought an energy to the team that helped them get back into the game.
Of course the yellow card helped and it was Foley and Folau who scored the actual tries, but Phipps was a much better player in the second half. If that Phipps can be present against the Lions in Jo’burg then the Tahs will be all the better for it.
jimbo81
Guest
down a player in the bin... let's not forget that the Tahs had nothing until the yellow card. Also - all this praise for Foley: the Tahs only scored when Beale moved to first receiver - and let's not forget Phipps' disastrous first half. A more neutral assessment: Tahs lost the first half with trademark mistakes and do nothing attack, then they received a miracle intercept, followed by a yellow card to their opposition and managed to put tries on the board. I don't want any Tahs in the Wallabies - the national team needs players who can win consistently and perform their core duties consistently - not flash in the pan one off miracle stuff.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
https://youtu.be/VHg7xsJHdl8?t=1m20s First one was on the Collar bone, second over the shoulder, Neither was on the neck (Not that Kepu has one) or head. Gardiner was behind the player and unlighted from the contact point on both occasions. At a bare minimum, Waisaki deserves the benefit of the doubt and warranted a TMO review. As to Gardeners, Body language.... I stand behind my comment. Watch his arms. Play-on, Penalty or yellow? That is open for debate. Your view is different to mine. My view is that they were High-ish and probably warranted a penalty, at worst. Turnover - Highlanders at best. Either way, the Yellow cost the Highlanders the game. Waisaki needs to improve his technique. And the Tahs are going to have to work a lot harder to make it through the Semi's Fortunately their pack is starting to work. - Scrums, Lineouts and ruck security. Go figure. Staniforth, Wells, Holloway and yes,even Simmons and Ned are getting the job done. Phipps stepping up, Foley making tackles, they are starting to look like a real Rugby side.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Think the team are in trouble. The Lions did them with so much ease last time, 0-29 and the Tahs were lucky to manage nil! Latu must start and hopefully Vui is on the bench for Ryan. Johnson-Holmes needs some time and the Tahs will be sweating on the HIA reviews for Wells and Simmons. Fully expect that Wells at a minimum is out which means they will likely bring in another lock and shift Holloway back to 8 - need to really find some fight in the forwards which is tough with this pack and their missing backrowers. Hooper and Dempsey definitely missed here.
scubasteve
Guest
100%. izzy to 13 (though defence is a worry), Hegarty to 15 for x factor. 9 is still a worry in Fanga. Latu is fine. Half his cards he is carded for not being on his feet. Its just that his legs are so short. Thought Ned wasn't playing at his best.
concerned supporter
Guest
Rugger, You should think about recruiting a decent lawyer, to replace the resigned Elizabeth Broderick {ex Blake Dawson, Ashurst} on the RA Board of Directors, in case ASIC rightfully come down on your master, C.Clyne., ASIC normally protect the "big end of town'', but recently they have shown some balls with AMP Society and Big Banks.
Ex force fan
Guest
There were more than 11,000 mostly in the members bar and under the stands sheltering from the cold and rain in a miserable day watching a nothing game just to support their team, win or loose. The embarrassing part is not in the West.
Rugger
Guest
Good question EFF. There would have been 70 or 80 ‘rusted-on’ Force fans watching a real ding dong battle between a bunch of nobodies against a third rate Pacific islands team. The Force are such an embarrassment now - they should think about recruiting Bernard Tomic for their match against Christmas Island
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Yeah it was a good game but in terms of excitement I think the Tahs v Landers one takes it. The Canes v Chiefs game was pretty much decided well ahead of the final whistle. Even the come back tries from the Chiefs were never going to threaten the Canes lead.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Yeah it was a good game but it was pretty much decided well ahead of the final whistle. Even the come back tries from the Chiefs were never going to threaten the Canes lead.
CJ
Guest
Of course, Phipps is going to play very well occasionally. But Australia and NSW needs a better all round and more consistent player if they are to enjoy greater success.
Jacko
Guest
I think...and have said for a few years...that a between WCs tournament...a bit like in Soccer where their is a European cup every 4 years......where the top 6 or top 8 in the world play a knockout tournament....It could be in place of EOY tours for the SH sides and could go to places like Georgia etc where it would get major support...It would also mean countries could bid for this even if they have no chance of hosting a WC...the EOY tours are generally 4 weeks so maybe 2 groups of 4...play 3 weekends in a row and the forth weekend is finals where each team gets a game to decide where they finish like they do in the 7s
Katipo
Guest
We'll have to agree to disagree I think @Taylorman. According to your argument, after Japan are knocked out of next year's RWC they won't be able to sell tickets to the finals? I don't agree. Grand finals become destinations - like the Superbowl and Rugby World Cup - people attend because of the event. If the SR finals series was held in your country only once every 5 or 6 years, I reckon the tickets will sell out in advance regardless of who plays. This would be especially true of Christchurch. I don't understand what you mean by 'tripling the matches'. I've suggested the same number of teams in the finals (8) and the same number of finals games (7) as there are today.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Agree there but centralising the finals I think youll just get a ghost town. The fans wont travel in big numbers if they cant even be bothered taking a stroll from their front gate. So you need locals, and if NZ dominates the finals, you wont get them.
PeterK
Roar Guru
the first tackle kepu didn't duck at all , waholo clotheslined him, Kepu reeled away from that staggering on and yes on the second he was lower than normal but waholo chose to keep aiming high when he was chasing him. I love how you project how Gardner feels i.e out of anger but accuse others of the same and don't see it in yourself. Gardner was very cool about it, didn't show any anger in his voice or body actions, not flustered. Cool and precise. No doubt Waholo deserved the yc on just the first attack to the head let alone following up with a second less severe one.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Honestly? If oz are out of the tournament? I doubt youd get 10k to any of them at any of those venues. Thats the risk you take. How many in Paramatta woukd watch the Lions vs highlanders if theyd won? 10,000? Doubt it very much. First year they might be a novelty but once a finals series is played where local sides are hardly part of it, and that isnt helped by the presence of NZ teams in half the spots, when played outside NZ, I think theyll lose interest in advance sales. Who wants to despise them all year then go and watch them beat other sides? Theres not enough people watching this game, and forget a last 8 in NZ. You say we cant support three home matches we are likely to win. So little hope of tripling the matches and getting more support.
Phil
Guest
I nearly kicked the TV in when Hanigan did that late hit.Probably should have been a card.I think Ned has been listening to his critics(and he has a few!)saying that he is soft.Someone should whisper in his ear that a late hit on a player after he has kicked the ball is not showing how tough you are.
Brizvegas
Guest
Great wins for the Wallaby laden Tahs team the All Black laden Crusaders the Springbok laden Lions and of course the Canes well done. And Izzy for such a high class worlds best fullback supposedly needs to learn how to pass the ball.
Phil
Guest
I can't believe I am saying this......good comment,Drongo!
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Any chance you can comment on the tackles, rather than projecting how you think I feel?
PeterK
Roar Guru
it is obviously hurting you that tahs won