Super Rugby semi finals, and an update on Schmidt Watch!

 

Super Rugby hits the semi finals this weekend, with matches in Wellington and Johannesburg. First up is the all New Zealand affair of the Hurricanes and the Chiefs. The Canes have all the advantages - they hammered the Sharks last week, so spirits are high, and they're at home for the second week in a row. The Chiefs meanwhile, while not being exactly taxed by playing the Stormers last weekend, have just basically flown around the world in the last week, which isn't the best preparation for a sharp physical  on form side like the Canes. So the Canes for me.

The in Joburg it's the Lions entertaining the Highlanders. The Lions produced a massive performance last weekend to dispose of the Crusaders, slept in their beds this week, and will be well up for this match. If they win, it'll be their first final. The Highlanders had a tough away match with a lot of travel last weekend, and back that up again. So travel is going to be a factor, a huge factor, again home advantage is going to do it for me in this match.

Finally, in Schmidt watch, the plot thickens, with Steve Hansen signing up for another two years with the All Blacks. And who knows, he could sign up for another four years after that. So does Joe take up a Super Rugby position, a step backwards, and play the waiting game? He has personal family reasons as well, and whatever he chooses, he's done so well by Ireland. But it probably swings the possibility of staying slightly more likely.

Super Rugby semi-finals   
Saturday, July 30   
Hurricanes v Chiefs   
Lions v Highlanders 

Everybody wants Joe Schmidt!

Joe Schmidt

It's no secret the Joe Schmidt is weighing up his options, and has discussed going back to New Zealand, but ultimately he must also be angling for the All Black job. Super Rugby Highlanders want to talk to him, and now the Chiefs do too. At the end of the day though, All Black incumbent Steve Hansen has to leave his job before anything happens,  and he's making the wrong noises about that for the moment. So let's cross fingers that Joe stay put!

I watched a fair amount of Super Rugby, and what has to stick out is the power of the New Zealand, smiting all and sundry before them, Australian, South African, Argentinian, home or away, it doesn't matter. You feel like they could field two sides in the Rugby Championship and come first and second. And no lie, the handling skills of the Highlanders forwards are way better than the Cheetah's backs - it's not even close. 

Ireland deliver in fine style!

Joe Schmidt (picture http://bbc.in/1Mm7McF)

New Zealand took on Tonga on Friday and got a good win. But they don’t quite look like the professional child eating monsters that obliterate all before them, like the 15 terminators we’ve been expecting. Tonga kept it decent for quite a lot of the match, and pulled enough errors out of the All Blacks to give everyone else a bit of hope.

Samoa v Scotland gave the real Samoans a chance to stand up, this was the form we’d been expecting from them in every match. Both teams started like a house on fire, but as the game wore on the Samoans started  running out of steam, Scotland gained the upper hand, got a try – then generously let the Samoans back into the match to torture their fans unmercifully until they finally scraped home.

Wales v Australia was intense, powerful stuff to watch. The defining period of the match saw Wales camped on the Wallabies line for 10 minutes, 6 points behind, two man advantage, and an absolute bloody minded refusal by Australia to concede a try. That failure to score a try broke the Welsh, they continued to ship injuries, and won’t be looking forward to the Springboks. But with that sort of commitment, the Springboks won’t be underestimating their task. Australia meanwhile, look like the team to beat.

Argentina dispatched Namibia with ruthless efficiency, and if you enjoy watching 30 men wrestling, refereed by a tetchy Frenchman, Italy v Romania was for you. I unfortunately missed Italy get home in no particular style.

Then it was the big match of the weekend, the match of the tournament for Ireland, the match we’ve been anticipating ever since the draw was announced. Sometimes you want to write about what happened, sometimes you just want to write poetry! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such focus, such single mindedness from Ireland, that just got stronger as the match wore on, stronger as the injuries came, stronger the tireder they became. St Andre has  stripped most of the flair away from the French team, Ireland took the rest, pounding the French physically and mentally. I’ve rarely enjoyed a victory more! We have picked up serious injuries, we  haven’t won anything yet, but you just feel this team has more to give!




Finally, Japan rounded off a fairly tale world up, this time winning over the USA. They are the first team to win three first round matches and not go through.



Friday, October 9   
New Zealand 47 - 9    Tonga
Saturday, October 10   
England v    Uruguay
Samoa 33 - 36    Scotland
Australia 15 - 6    Wales
Sunday, October 11
Argentina 64 - 19    Namibia
Italy 32 - 22    Romania
France 9 - 24    Ireland