It wasn’t a dream – Super Rugby is definitely back and an exciting Round 2 saw some cracking games and some surprising results in many instances.
Fans have now got to see every team play at least once and while it’s still a bit early to perhaps make too many predictions for the back end of the season, there is plenty to talk about.
So without any more delays, let’s get stuck in…
Uh oh – the Crusaders are at it again
As mentioned in the opening of this article, it’s obviously too early to predict who is going to be in the Grand Final later in the year – or perhaps that should be: it’s too early to predict who is going to be in the Final with the Crusaders.
Yes, we’re only two rounds in but oh my the men in red and black are looking good.
No one would argue that the Hurricanes are a really good side and yet 47 minutes into their game against the Crusaders they were 31-0 down and being torn to shreds.
The intensity with which they played took the Canes by surprise and the clinical nature in which they made everything count was brutal.
When you then add in the Manasa Mataele offload (and the phrase offload really doesn’t do that miracle justice) then you really do have to wonder who on earth is going to stop the Crusaders picking up yet another title.
On behalf of all those who do not want to see Scott Robertson pop a hip with another disco dance, will someone please figure out how to beat these guys!
(MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images)
The Reds might just have something this year
Yes the Reds lost against the Highlanders this week, but there was plenty in that loss to give fans hope.
The centres of Jordan Petaia and Samu Kerevi could become seriously dangerous as both players have hit the ground running.
If they can keep building their partnership then they will give a lot defence coaches sleepless nights this year.
Their set piece was also very impressive. The scrums were solid and put the Highlanders under real pressure and the line out caused all sorts of trouble for the Kiwis.
Last season was a tough one for the Reds in many ways on and off the field. But if the men from Queensland can maintain and improve this level of performance then they could do well this year.
They still have some inexperience in the crucial halves positions that could mean they don’t threaten the Finals this year but the Reds shouldn’t be thought of as an easy win even when they come to your place.
[related_category category=”rugby-union”]A week is a long time in Super Rugby – just ask Brumbies fans
So last week I predicted that it was going to be a tough season for the Brumbies – their first-round loss to the Rebels showed some issues with both their backs in attack and the whole team in defence.
However this week the Brumbies of 2019 brought back that feeling from the golden years where Canberra was all conquering.
They made the Chiefs look like a very poor side. Not only that, but once they got ahead, the Brumbies didn’t ease up but just kept hammering at the Kiwis until the ref finally stopped the fight.
With 10 minutes to go the game was all over but that didn’t stop the Brumbies running in two more, hard-earned tries to turn the score from one-sided to cricket-esque.
Not only did they punish the Chiefs, they also forced rugby writers all over to strike out any future stories about how long will it be until an Aussie side beats a Kiwi side.
Yes the Chiefs were poor but the Brumbies didn’t just win – they humiliated them.
There were great performances all over the park but the one who stood out the most was Christian Lealiifano. He was fantastic and directed the home side around like a general.
If he can continue in that sort of form and the Brumbies can get David Pocock back soon then the Australian Conference title is well within their reach.
Speaking of the battle for the Aussie Conference…
(Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
The Tahs attitude seems off
Yes it’s only Round 2 but so far the Tahs have thrown away a win at home against the Canes in Round 1 and then managed to beat the Sunwolves by only 1 point this week.
That’s not a good start especially when the team is full of Wallabies including some of their most important players.
We could look at how the Tahs tactics failed them but the thing that stood out most to me was the blase attitude the Tahs took to the game.
In the early stages when they were scoring tries relatively easily, trying scoring players didn’t celebrate at all and their teammates didn’t really congratulate them.
It was as if they were assuming they’d score and win so no need to be excited. You might say “well it is only the Sunwolves” but remember two things:
The Sunwolves almost won.
That underlying attitude could be harder to get rid of then people think.
The Tahs have some real talent in their side but they don’t seem to have that same desire as say, the Brumbies or Reds. It’ll be interesting to see what happens over the coming weeks to the men in sky blue.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Topsy turvy Lions
Last week the Lions went to South America and picked up an important win on the road against the Jags. Yes the Jags played like headless… well, jaguars… but a win on the road is always a good thing and the men from South Africa looked good.
This week they got off to a great start and it looked like it was going to be two from two especially when you consider that the Stormers had lost by over 35 points last week – how much resistance could they possibly put up?
The Lions then sort of switched off and after that good start it felt like they almost expected the victory to flow from there. Unfortunately for them the Stormers had other ideas. They never gave up and managed to sneak a win with a score after the final whistle.
Yet again, it’s early in the season but the Lions will know that they let this one slip and that they were not really outplayed but out “hearted” (yes, I know – that is definitely not a word).
Silly penalties allowed the Stormers to get their way back in the game and then they fought hard to earn the win.
One of the things that separates the best sides – see Crusaders above! – from the other good sides is that they don’t take other sides for granted.
The Lions are a good side but they need to become ruthless if they want to topple the very best from their place on the throne.
Fearing for the Blues
Last week we spoke about how the Blues might have lost but there were definite positives. Well this week they lost and there were not definite positives.
They played poorly against the Sharks and there was real confusion in the game plan and execution.
The Sharks have started well this season for sure but the Blues made it far too easy for the home side and the Auckland team are going to have bounce back quickly on this road trip.
They’ve got a tough travel schedule – they play in Argentina next weekend – but they have to be better on the road.
Yes it’s all about the conference first and foremost but wins overseas build confidence and momentum.
If the Blues return home with demoralising losses on their record then the other Kiwi sides will sense blood in the water and kill off their playoff hopes before the season has really got up and running.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Peni missed 80% of last season through back to back suspensions - a high tackle on Dagg then a tip tackle in club rugby while still finishing up his first suspension. He was actually showing some deft touches in attack before all that occurred, hoping he can finally settle in off the back of a good showing last week.
Jacko
Guest
Hardly denigrating him Fionn...He was not at his best in the first 2 games of the season.....
Stu
Roar Rookie
Why doesn't Kerevi ever go the big Mal Meninga fend? He'd break even more lines if he did it now & then. Also, why isn't he ever considered as a big, rumbling option at 8, considering we don't have any?
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
Pretty much with you there. My main thought about Qld was that they lacked direction at 10/15 and decisions around kicking were not good. The rest was pretty good, although backs might be argued to be running pretty simple moves which the best defences will pick off. I wonder if there is enough faith in their 10, given how often Hegarty seemed to be playing, in effect, that position.
CUW
Roar Rookie
that was nothing - created by others. he is still not running - when he is in form he runs and when he runs very few lay a hand on him Blues were not that bad - especially they managed to sty in it in the second half as things got cooler. very funny for me to see people struggle at 30C - when that is the night temp where i live and 40C during day :D but the BLUES shud seek a clarification from world rugby about TMO interferance. as far as i can remember and as per my understanding WR decided the TMO will not provide unsolicited feedback to referees. also once a ref requested for assistance it was the ref who had to take the decision and not TMO. in this case not only did the tmo provide unsolicited feedback , he also instructed the ref to change his decision. there has to be uniformity in this - otherwise some teams will lose out. in one match trys were scored off forward passes even Wayne Barenes will spot - but there was no TMO interferance. watching gallagher - not a single match i have seen has any TMO interferance. super rugger is getting a little behind other competitions - and the powers seem to want it dead by not appointing neutral refs and making things even for all.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Mounga scored two tries. You’ll say anything to denigrate him.
Jacko
Guest
Opening round in 2016 was the last time an Aus side put 50 on an NZ side I think bigbird
Tony H
Roar Pro
Hunt could play at 12, but I don't think should. Bench player ahead of Beale for mine. Folau is simply NOT a full back. His passing game is terrible, his game-awareness lacking, and he can't step up and play at playmaker like a modern 15 needs to. He's a winger or nothing for mine. Foley is not only not OK, he's been terrible for years now. He's deep behind the gain line at every ruck, tackles worse than Quade, and I've seen 12 year olds who can kick further. He would genuinely not be in my WC squad.
MitchO
Guest
KHunt could hold down 12 for the Wallabies and he is a Tah now - but I'll always think of him as a Queenslander who moved. We could do a lot worse than having Powell as the back up 9 (to Genia). Foley is okay but lets hope he keeps getting pressure from CLL and Quade. Beale is too weak for a starter. Surely he has to go back to super sub. Folau should play 15 because if nothing else it means other teams don't kick to him. We looked more structured with DHP back there but the Wallabies really need some pace in the back three. Folau is a tad slow but you can't drop him. Korobeiti has some pace but he doesn't know enough about rugby so he should be dropped from the test team. Sefa looks to know a lot more about rugby. Looked okay hanging around inthe 13 channel last year. Surely someone will give Banks a run in the test team.
MitchO
Guest
I appreciate that Doc but an important difference is that we know CLL was test standard. It is not like say and in form Wherea who hasn't "made it" yet. Chance Peni was a dangerous winger for the Force when not injured. Has some real finishing power. Dunno what happened to him last season.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Reds were really impressive in a game that was great to watch. Let down mainly by too much aimless kicking playing into the hands of Ben Smith et al. But a lot to like, as with the Brumbies obviously.
MitchO
Guest
Fionn, the Brumbies lost three starting players at the very beginning of the game so that must have had a little disruption in the team unity/focus. And the Brumbies went pretty close against a Rebels side stacked with good players playing well as a team. The Brumbies have a near test level tight five. The hooker has to develop a bit of consistency but one day he will get there and the two old hookers are good backup. Carter is a bit of Rob Simmons but that means he's a handy player and good leader. Probably just under test level but good enough to fake it. Arnold is playing well surely his height just has to get him into the Wallabies contention. I am a Coleman fan but he's gotta be under a lot of pressure because Rodda is so young he can only get better and Arnold has height which you can't buy. Simone's defence is a bit suspect still but he will improve. Powell and CLL will consistently play well at super level so with TK in fine form and Banks out there - plus having Muirhead and Peni as your second choice wingers that's not bad at all. The Brumbies lineout drive and their defence to it is really good to see. What a difference having a quality 10 and a decent half back makes. TK has trouble offloading but I love his freakish power.
John R
Roar Guru
Team - # Capped Players - # Caps - Average Caps per Player Waratahs - 15 - 776 - 51.7 Brumbies - 15 - 407 - 27.1 Rebels - 15 - 354 - 23.6 Reds - 9 - 116 - 12.9 Tahs are clearly ahead there. Although, AAC, Kepu and Simmons make up a large chunk of that experience, and will likely retire soon.
Jacko
Guest
CUW I want DNA tests.......Are these the same players from last year or have they been cloned with inferiors and gone off to another richer rugby galaxy to play along side Julian Savea? The Crusaders were very very good but Mounga was bad...The Chiefs were as bad as I have ever seen and Dmac was terrible....The Brumbies should be swabbed as they went from poor to genius in a week and the Tahs were very average. The Canes looked to be on performance reducing medication and the Blues......Well....they are the Blues again.....Sitting watching my Chiefs get a hammering was hard to take...they played like they had no desire to be on the field....However....i watched it till the end then decided that surely they could not be as bad again this season.....We will see......Round 2 has never decided a title as yet so there IS hope, but geez those Saders are looking good
BBA
Guest
Yes it will be interesting to see, as the Reds will be fired up playing there first game at home, and I think the Crusaders will have to rest their AB's. However I do think that Aus by not resting their players do not have their top players in good nick for the Rugby Championship and with a World Cup year rest does need to be a priority. Hopefully if the Aus teams continue with their promising start they may feel comfortable about resting some of their players and developing their squads further.
riddler
Roar Rookie
great comments haz. well done.
Haz
Guest
Plus I was impressed how in the 30th minute the ref asks the Reds if it was a try to the Highlanders and they go yeah and he awards it instead of referring to the TMO. Class.
Mambo
Roar Rookie
I think you are confusing two things. Every team has a dozen players who have bagged at least one cap. Only the Waratahs is stacked with undroppables, and that is the frustrating thing. Yes, they finished higher, so they should have. Of all the positive hype surrounding this round, it is more the thought that new selectors may pick on form is the biggest driver.
Haz
Guest
I remember back in 2010 Mr McKenzie mentioned how the young Reds squad were so coachable and eager to learn after such a promising season. Then the very next season they won the comp against the mighty 'Saders. The young Reds back then included Cooper, Sanchez, Slipper and H-bum. So excited about this year's squad. So much similarities to 2010, from the coach down. And as a Reds fan, I look forward to seeing how this next crop blossom because they will. These are the next "young Reds " coming through.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Paul, how about they are underperforming AND don't deserve their WB caps? :)