Talking points ahead of Super Rugby
Salivating over the Crusaders-Hurricanes derby and more as we look ahead to Round 12 of Super Rugby.
1) A potential classic in Christchurch
We know the Lions series is on the horizon but let’s park it for the weekend to settle in for a potential classic on Saturday night/morning depending on where you are in the world. First against third in the New Zealand Conference, with the Crusaders unbeaten through ten matches and coming off somewhat of a clinical masterclass when they left the Bulls in pieces at “Fortress Loftus”.
Scott Robertson hasn’t got enough credit at this point for reassembling the Crusaders backline, with young guns George Bridge, Jack Goodhue and David Havili all absolutely flying.
We have seen the Hurricanes switch off defensively at times this season, and the Stormers’ maul worked well last weekend, but then when Beauden Barrett is dropping cross-kicks off his cultured boot for fun, and the scoreboard shows 40 points, then those lapses can be forgiven.
It’s the game of the Super Rugby season so far, no rain is due in Christchurch… bring it on.
2) Can Rebels-Reds spring a surprise?
We have discussed the unfortunate schedule of Super Rugby already this year – when to tune in, when to give it a miss – and positioning an Australian derby between two teams that have won three matches out of 19 between them this season immediately after the potential thriller in Christchurch is rough going.
The Rebels have been lucky to have one win, with Japan back-row Amanaki Mafi carrying the entire side on his back so far along with Reece Hodge, while the Reds have looked inexperienced – odd for a side boasting the likes of Stephen Moore, George Smith and Quade Cooper.
The thing is, last season’s fixture between these two sides at Suncorp served up a thriller, the Rebels’ big lead cut down by the Reds who clawed their way back into it to set up a tense finish. The form guide isn’t suggesting a repeat, but we would welcome one with open arms. Sean McMahon is finally back too.
3) Pride of Australia?
Australian rugby desperately needs the Brumbies to turn over the Lions in Canberra, but we can’t see it. Even without Ruan Ackermann and Jaco Kriel in the back row last weekend in Melbourne the Lions looked incredibly comfortable, winning by 37 points without breaking a sweat.
Yet something about this trip to Canberra feels ominous for the Lions, and it’s hard to put a finger on why. Saturday is the last game of the tour and yes, the Brumbies are desperate.
But the Lions are healthy, the half-backs Ross Cronjé and Elton Jantjies are in fine touch, and Johan Ackermann has avoided second-season syndrome while bringing through new talents and coping with the long-term injury absentee Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Who knows though…
4) How many points in Auckland
The Cheetahs we know are not renowned for their defence but are also coming off a complete heartbreaker at the hands of the Highlanders last Friday. What better way to get over that than a flight to Auckland.
Still, Franco Smith should be proud of the attacking rugby his side are producing this season, not just from the obvious candidates in Raymond Rhule (surely in Springbok contention) along with Sergeal Petersen, but also William Small-Smith in midfield.
The Cheetahs’ issue is leaking points – 93 in their past two games against the Crusaders and Hurricanes – which is music to the ears of the Blues and Rieko Ioane (not to mention Melani Nanai). Don’t be surprised if this scoreline creeps over the 80-point mark again.
5) Open goal for Jaguares
Given the Force are coming off a trip to Durban and the Jaguares are welcoming back a number of players, anything less than a bonus-point win in Buenos Aires would be a disappointment.
The Jaguares flattered to deceive last week, with too many dropped passes and too many missed one-on-one tackles. The Force can be a tough nut to crack but it doesn’t feel like that heading into this game.
Getting back the direct threat of Jerónimo de la Fuente and organisation of Martín Landajo is one thing, but it’s off the bench with the return of Julían Montoya, Tomás Lavanini and Manuel Montero that makes the Jaguares look a whole lot stronger. Time for a win with conviction.