There were fewer games this weekend, with three teams having the bye, but still so much to enjoy and talk about.
This season there are two almost contradictory narratives developing. Most teams can beat most teams, but there is a distinct gap already opening up between the top eight and bottom seven.
Super Rugby feels much more competitive this season than in recent years, with the Australian conference really stepping up and picking up wins against their New Zealand rivals, while three of the South African conference are taking names all over the place. And yet the same old names are still up the top of the ladder and racking up win after win.
With these juxtapositions bouncing around our minds, let’s get stuck into the talking points from this weekend.
Where did all these Australian fly halves come from?
Last week we discussed how James O’Connor and Noah Lolesio had put their hands up to lay claim to the Wallabies No. 10 jersey. This week JOC didn’t really help his case much and Lolesio had the week off. But into this vacuum stepped arguably the front runner and a new bolter to complicate things.
Matt Toomua put in a mature performance against the Highlanders and helped guide his team to a memorable win down in Dunedin, while young gun Will Harrison really caught up the eye as the Waratahs picked up their first win of the season over the Lions. Harrison has had a tough opening few games to his 2020 season, but to be fair to him there aren’t many fly halves around the world who would be able to impress when their forwards are being dominated and the weather is against them. With front foot ball in dry conditions, Harrison was given a chance to show fans what he can do at this level, and he took it.
Now Toomua is most people’s front runner for the Wallabies starting spot, but we could be looking at an exciting season of Harrison versus Lolesio for the understudy spot, and with the Tahs player demonstrating against the Lions that he loves the physical battle as much as he does the chance to attack, the Brumbies flyhalf will have a fight on his hands.
(AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
Reds still rebuilding
And rebuilding and rebuilding. After picking up their first win of the season last week against the Sunwolves with a rampant display there were many who were excited about this week’s chance to back up and take on the travelling Sharks.
At half-time fans and pundits were wondering if the rebuilding of the past two seasons could be considered complete and if we were about to see what the Reds could do. Unfortunately the Queenslanders then did what they’ve done so many times before: lose! They weren’t terrible in the second half but they yet again weren’t good enough and had too many key players who were sloppy when it mattered.
The Sharks are a good side and have had a great tour, but they didn’t do anything special, and what was clear was that the Reds aren’t able to cope with fast, physical sides. The South Africans’ rush defence never gave the Reds backs time or space, and they just weren’t able to either compete up front or deal with the pressure in the backs.
How much longer can fans and the Queensland executives tolerate yet another brave performance that ended in a losing bonus point? Yes, they’ve lost some important talent, but they’ve also got some really good players both up front and in the backs. Thorn is under growing levels of pressure, and in this season he really needs to show that the team is a consistent threat. Otherwise there could be more change in Brisbane.
(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Rebels defence steps up
Last week we highlighted that the Rebels were, perhaps surprisingly, performing really well in the attacking stats categories and that it was the defensive side of things that was letting them down.
This week they put in a fantastic performance to pick up a very rare win in New Zealand, and it was based all on their defence. They scored four tries, but don’t be misled – two of those were intercepts by winger Andrew Kellaway as the Rebels defence pushed up fast and as one line to pick off mistakes and strangle any Highlander ball runners.
What was also exciting for Rebels fans was that when the Highlanders fought their way back into the game the Melbourne team stood up and managed to cope, including by stealing five lineouts and surviving with only 33 per cent possession in the second half.
They still conceded 12 penalties, turned the ball over 15 times and missed almost 20 per cent of their tackles so it’s too early to say that the Rebels are a scary force. But this could well have been a turning point for them, and if they are able to build on this historic club win, there is still time for them to challenge for a finals spot.
March is going to be big in South Africa
So often the subject of derision, the South African conference has become the one to watch in 2020, and March is going to be awesome!
The Jaguares were always going to be a serious threat this season, and they picked up a great win on the weekend over the struggling Bulls. But they are not having things all their own way this season, as both the Stormers and Sharks are giving South African rugby fans yet more to shout about after Japan.
The Sharks have won three games out of four on their road trip, picking up wins in both Australia and New Zealand. The Stormers continue to impress despite the surprise loss this weekend and are topping the conference.
Over the next three rounds these teams will all come together: Sharks vs Jags next week, Sharks vs Stormers in Round 7 and then Jags vs Stormers in Round 8. With just two points currently separating these three teams, it will be exciting to see if any of them can start April with a decent advantage to take into the rest of the season.
While there is plenty of chat about the impact of South African administrators and the concerning performances of some of their referees on the pitch, it shouldn’t distract from the compelling three-way battle that is developing in this conference.
There’s no place like home – well, not anymore
The challenge of winning on the road is a common topic for discussion in the world of all sport, let alone Super Rugby. Winning overseas has always been tough for travelling sides for all the obvious reasons and many sides have based successful seasons on ensuring that their home ground is an absolute fortress.
But this season has seen an interesting pattern emerging with the away sides picking up more and more wins. Here are the stats so far in 2020:
Round 1: one away win from seven games (14 per cent)
Round 2: three away wins from seven games (43 per cent)
Round 3: four away wins from seven games (57 per cent)
Round 4: three away wins from six games (50 per cent)
Round 5: four away wins from six games (67 per cent)
Yes, sometimes these away wins are achieved by a team still from the same country as the opponents they beat. However, in the past two rounds all of the seven away wins were picked up by overseas teams.
So why is this happening, and is it a genuine trend or just a curious blip that helps fire some decent arguments over a few beers?
Jimmy Little
Roar Rookie
Oh jeepers it’s going to be a long traverse home for the losing side ???????? too much pride on the line with this one.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Feels like longer... off to the match today with my canes supporting partner????
Jimmy Little
Roar Rookie
That’s okay Mr Taylor. We’ve got a while to go before we’re a constant mention. 17 years of letting people down didn’t do us much grace.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
yeah but I explained what the differences are already :) Opportunity, coaching, practice playing in Aust at flyhalf in settled teams etc. Cheika didn't have the brains to work out JOC was potentially a much better flyhalf than his fav Tah duds Foley and Beale. He was x10 better last time he played flyhalf for the WBs against the Lions. JOC always had the skills these guys did not and had the international pedigree they never had either. Flyhalf takes time to bed down and requires strong coordination with the other 14 players. Both JOC and Toomua are getting this in 2020.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, ofcourse, But what I am saying is neither came in as the saviour of the #10 position, although you could argue was war marked Toomua was earmarked more so than JOC. But neither really set the world alight, albeit with recognition of their limited chances. What I am asking is what is the difference from last year? Is it opportunity (given last year the two mention had little)? Coaching? The quality of the opposition (International vs SR)? All, and I accept this is the most likely answer, a big combination of all of these things?
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Paulo JOC wasn't playing SR in Australia last yr. He was picked for the WBs as an outside centre under a poor coach. Toomua only returned from England in June 2019. He played a few games for Rebels as a centre as they imploded. Then was picked for WBs under a poor coach. In 2020 they're both at flyhalf in settled SR teams with decent coaching. Big difference to 2019 :)
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes he was but he was also part of a game plan that relied heavily on goal kicking to gain points, particularly vs the higher tier one sides. In that respect no Oz or AB kicker has ever been relied on that heavily, Toomua nowhere near selection for primarily his goal kicking, where had JW not been a goal kicker he would not have been selected in the number of tests he was.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes, in a talking points of the round the unbeaten top side is beaten and the word ‘Blues’ doesn’t even figure once. Hmmm
taylorman
Roar Guru
Exactly, they’re called the Blues because they represent more than just Auckland. Don’t know why this keeps being a bugbear for some. The franchise names were chosen specifically to separate the sides from their provincial identities. Highlanders for eg are not Otago no matter how one wants to spin it.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
How good are the Blues travelling this season? Hopefully BBBBB only strengthens the team and doesn’t disrupt their routine.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
It’s interesting with all these options coming through. Although Toomua and JOC were around last year, what was stopping them stepping up and shining this season? They seem to be operating on a lot more front foot ball, which certainly helps, so is it a case of performing well behind a good pack or steering the team through adversity to a win through their personal leadership and drive? Given the number of variables and that the discussion includes 5 fly-halves, I would sit on the fence and say it’s a combination of both. You need both options to work to be truely successful and it looks like the Aussie teams are certainly improving on the last few seasons. I know what the Aus/Kiwi games with uncertainty and excitement again. So this Kiwi is loving it.
PeterK
Roar Guru
its not about giving experience but the fact that neither JoC or Toomua are quality 10's but makeshift ones. So it is about finding out quickly if either of the young ones are better or will be and what needs to be worked on.
WallabyJ
Roar Rookie
Whilst I want the very best for Australian Rugby's future and like the look of Lolesio and have faith in Harrison, I don't think the national team is a place for "giving players more experience". They've only just hit super rugby and need a season or two at that level before their game is at a point where they should be considered for national honours.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well in regards to the western Force, I simply do not feel that any of us have a “right” to a professional franchises when none of us groups of fans can support a team without the wallabies subsidising them. As for this matter, the Super Rugby franchises in NZ represent multiple provinces and have since the beginning of Super Rugby. That’s why the dropped the city names, because the Blues aren’t just Auckland for example.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
But then they aren't recognised in the name 'Blues'/'Crusaders' etc. are they? the reality is that the 'franchises' are dominated by Otago in the case of the 'Highlanders', Auckland in the case of 'Blues' etc. Perhaps you should refer to the franchise name as the Manawatu- Wellington-Taranaki 'Hurricanes'? Some of these provinces have also shifted about in terms of who they are aligned with, so you may need to keep updating. If you love the League style franchise names, go ahead and use them. I suspect people will know who you refer to as much as they do me when I use the name I am comfortable with. You also show a sensitivity that is in marked contrast to your lack of concern for the Western Australian 'Force' and their supporters. But why let consistency get in the way?
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
I would think that 23 is the optimal number of islanders for a Kiwi team, same for Aussie teams. But thats because NZ and Australia are both islands.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Oliver Yes good wrap up :thumbup: On the WB flyhalf issue it's great that we now have 2 good options and 3 with great potential. Aust has not had that for 10 yrs. Either Toomua or JOC can be interchanged at both flyhalf and centre for WBs. Both are good options in either position imo. Then there's Harrison, Lolesio and Lucas that all have great potential if coached well. There's good options at fullback too with Banks, Hodge and DHP. Glad you did not mention Beale. On current form of past 3 yrs he's nowhere near deserving of WB squad selection in any position imo.
dazell
Roar Rookie
I wish the Tah's had held on to Kellaway he'd be a damn better option at Fullback than Beale.
dazell
Roar Rookie
He did put in a couple of stupid kicks but yes so did Hunt and even Newsome and Beale if I remember correctly.
dazell
Roar Rookie
I like Toomua and JOC playing at 10 and 12 and alternating during the game and that'd allow Lolesio or Harrison on the bench.