Super Rugby semi finals - rugby on another level!

 

Two semi finals on Saturday, and I can't say enough about the quality of the matches. It's not like rugby you're going to see anywhere else, except maybe from the All Blacks.

There's three things which set it apart. The first the speed at which everything happens - it's absolutely blistering, the speed of the attacks, the pace at which the defense comes up, and the transition from attack to defense. The fitness of the players is just amazing. Then there's the ferocity of the defense, the hits going in are just absolutely bone crunching. Finally, it's the mixed skill set - you're watching a South African team attacking with a prop and a lock in the line, and they're passing smoothly and off loading in the tackle - do not adjust your sets, this is not a test!

The Chiefs gave it their all in Wellington, but they were just 5-10% off, kept on fluffing their lines right at the last minute. The Hurricanes just bided their time, and picked them off on the break. Beauden Barrett is the epitome of bodacious, he has an uncanny knack of making the right decision, and serious speed when he needs it.The only worry for the Canes might be their scrum, which looked really creaky, and their discipline - two yellow cards is not good enough.

Meanwhile in Joburg, the Lions played the Highlanders at their own game, attacking with skill, intensity and pace. Elton Jantjies was pretty ordinary in my opinion against Ireland - he was in jaw dropping form on Saturday - he might be the best attacking fly half the Springboks have ever had. And the Lions were nothing short of sensational, best game by a South African team I've ever seen in 13-14 years of watching Super Rugby. Janties is well backed up by Faff de Klerk. The Highlanders tried until the end, but like the Chiefs were 5% off the pace

Saturday, July 30   
   
Hurricanes 25 - 9 Chiefs
Lions 42 - 30 Highlanders

World XV v the Springboks, and a bit of a round up!

 

 Bakkies Botha (picture http://ind.pn/1D4SC7U)

Well, I have to hang my head in shame after missing what sounded like an epic finale to Super Rugby, as the Highlanders claimed their first title. You know when family life gets in the way of your priorities! Bit harsh on the Canes, but the Highlanders did it the hard way, playing extra matches and away from home, so they totally deserve it. It’s really frightening when you watch the skill and pace both of these  teams  played the game at, and most of these players don’t have a sniff of an All Black place. But that may change soon, the All Blacks  stay at the top by being ruthless and promoting new talent.

Mid week, the All Blacks got a narrow victory over Samoa. It wasn’t really an All Black first team, but there is no doubt that Samoa have the potential to cause some major upsets this World Cup.

This weekend we have the Springboks taking on a World 15. The World 15 has Springboks  Bakkies Botha as captain and JJ Engelbrecht and Guthro Steenkamp in the team, and a host of other stars. The Bok selection looks strong and exciting, and hopefully we get to see some good running rugby.

Saturday, July 11
South Africa vs World XV    15:00

Two smashing semi finals in Super Rugby!

 

 Nehe Milner-Skudder (picture http://bit.ly/1KjDObr)

Two unbelievable matches closed up the Super Rugby semi finals. And for once, justice is done, because if you take out the conference system, it’s the teams who finished first and second who will be contesting the final. Add to that the two teams that scored the most tries got the wins, shows that things are looking pretty good in Super Rugby.

The Canes put the Brumbies way first up, very clinically. Their attack is just about unstoppable, and they attack relentlessly, there’s no defending of leads in their psyche. They have forwards who can offload, two excellent locks, a good all round team, and some outstanding players. Ardie Savea, Nonu, and Milner-Skudder are just playing out of their skins. The Brumbies started well, but that travel must have tired them,  but they look like a team for the future.

In the other semi, the Highlanders used the same approach, attack as if your life depended on it, and play it down their end of the field.  The Tahs looked like they hadn’t played for a month, wild passes and missed tackles was the order of the day. Naholo and Aaron Smith were outstanding for the Highlanders, they sweep into the final, featuring two teams that have never won the competition.

Super Rugby
Saturday, June 27
Hurricanes 29 - 9 Brumbies    07:35
Waratahs 17 - 35 Highlanders    09:55

My take on the Irish rugby squad , and Super Rugby semi time!

 

 Rhys Ruddock (picture http://bit.ly/1LzHTuf)

This is the preliminary Irish Squad for the world cup, broken down as follows:

Connacht 2
Leinster 22
Munster 9
Racing Metro 1
Ulster  11

Even for me as a Leinster supporter this seems a little unbalanced, I mean 9 players from Munster, that’s way too many!  In fairness, it does look a little like you could not even play rugby, but happen to be passing the RDS at the right time, and find yourself on the Ireland squad! Absentees who probably should have been in contention to me anyway are Archer and Cronin. Dave Foley and Robin Copeland would surely have been in there were they not injured (and we could really do with another quality lock), and CJ Stander only qualifies for Ireland the day after the World Cup Final. Denis Hurley has had the season of his life, so for me he should have at least made the 45.  Ian Keatley is not there, but in a tournament where goal kicking is likely to be vital, he is just not that reliable.

In Ulster, I think Marshall is not there for concussion reasons, with players like Olding and McCloskey to be challenging for places soon, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Wiehahn Herbst in there one day.

For Leinster Rhys Ruddock is player who shines for his country, while one day maybe Ben Te’O whill have his chance.

And for the players left out, it doesn’t take very many injuries in key positions to suddenly be required.

Forwards: Rory Best (Ulster), Michael Bent (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Sean Cronin (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Rob Herring (Ulster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Leinster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Munster) (c), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster)

Backs: Isaac Boss (Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Felix Jones (Munster), David Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Noel Reid (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster)

Finally, there are the Super Rugby semis this weekend.  The Hurricanes have had a week off, and will be at home, wyhile the Brumbies have earned mega frequent flyer miles on the way to beating the abject Stormers last week. Home advantage is key, the Canes have been the form team this season, so they should close this out.
Meanwhile, in Sydney, the Tahs get to grips with the Higlanders. Again, home advantage is huge. Without a conference system though, the highlanders would have finished second and had home advantage this weekend. I haven’t really seen the Tahs too much this season, and they have Folou at centre which is good in attack, but may not work in defence.  So maybe the Highlanders can sneak this one.

Super Rugby
Saturday, June 27
Hurricanes vs Brumbies    07:35
Waratahs vs Highlanders    09:55

Highlanders triumph while the Stormers meltdown!

 

 Joe Tomane ( picture http://bit.ly/1SB8F6q)

Super Rugby semi semis opened up with Highlanders v the Chiefs – now THAT was proper rugby, both teams in it until right to the end, although the Highlanders always had the edge you felt. They won, and they won pretty, in an entertaining match full of great tries and skill. Ben Smith and Aaron Smith were superb for me, just adding classy touch after classy touch. They now get to face the Waratahs, and if they produce the same quality of rugby, they’ll win that too. Damian McKenzie for the Chiefs looks like a future All Black.

In the other semi, the Brumbies absolutely trashed the Stormers in Cape Town. I thought the South Africn teams were supposed to be big and ugly – they got totally beaten up by the Australians, AND the Brumbies had all the cool foul play too! Joe Tomane hardly seemed to be trying with his hat trick, actually hard to judge how good they are with the Stormers being so poor. Damian de Allende was the only one who stood up to be counted, sure they had some big names missing, but South Africa has players to burn, it should have at least been close.

Super Rugby
Saturday, June 20
Highlanders 24 - 14 Chiefs    07:35
Stormers 19 - 39 Brumbies    15:05

As you were, Brumbies and Sharks!

 

 Heny Speight (picture http://bit.ly/1nLvrGg)

No major surprises this weekend as home advantage proved crucial in the Super Rugby play offs. The only major surprise for me was finding I’d recorded a super league match instead of the Sharks/Highlanders. Doh!

I did, however manage to record the Brumbies v Chiefs, and what an enjoyable match that was. Great, potent, high tempo rugby. I thought Henry Speight was outstanding, he has Wallaby superstar stamped all over him. The Brumbies built up a good early lead, and although the Chiefs fought back to even Stevens with 10 minutes to go, I always thought the Brumbies would win it. They now go on to face the Tah’s and although the Sydneymen are favourites, anything can happen in a good old derby match. The Chiefs took way too long to get into the match, they are missing a bit of the X-Factor, and Sonny Bill Williams should sort that out for them next year.

Can’t say too much about the Sharks Highlanders match for obvious reasons, but the Sharks did what they had to do, coming from behind twice to seal the win. They head off to Christchurch, knowing at least that they have already won there this season.

Meanwhile in Ireland, rugby somehow got dragged into the Garth Brooks circus, with Paraic Duffy wondering why nobody said anything when they wanted to host 7 World Cup games, but when they wanted to host 5 Garth Brooks concerts, everyone jumped up and down. Hmmm.

Finally, French internationals Benjamin Kayser, Julien Pierre and Aurélien Rougerie have been hospitalised following an attack in Millau. The Clermont trio were attacked by a dozen individuals "armed with machetes, knives, swords" on Saturday night as the players returned to their hotel, according to the club's website. What the hell! Here’s hoping they all get well soon, especially Pierre, who needs surgery.

Super Rugby
Saturday , July 19
Brumbies 32 - 30 Chiefs 
Sharks 31 - 27 Highlanders

I'm going Brumbies and Sharks this weekend!

 

As the play offs begin, I was having a look at some stats. Super Rugby in the last 10 years has only been won by a side finishing first or second. So while 4 sides toil away this weekend, the winners are probably sitting at home in Sydney and Christchurch. Also, the Crusaders haven’t played the Tah’s yet, although with the alchemy of the of how the playing schedule is decided, they probably had an easier run in than the other NZ sides.

Putting all that aside, we have some great games to look forward to this weekend. The Chiefs haven’t quite found their form of the last two years this season, while the Brumbies have done better than expected after Jake White left them in the lurch in the off season. There are two great backlines coming up against each other, and although semis are normally cagey affairs, I reckon this could be something special, neither of them is going to leave anything on the filed. I’m going with home advantage to see the Brumbies home.

The other match takes place in Durban, with the Sharks out to prove a point, after the Highlanders caught them on the hop at home early in the season. The Sharks have an awesome starting team, a great bench, but seem to blow hot and cold. The top spot was theirs for the taking mid-season, then they lost their way. The Highlanders meanwhile, are the only side in the top 6 to have a negative points difference, so while we know they are fairly handy on attack, their defense is not exactly watertight. I’m expecting no great pyrotechnics, and for the Sharks to grind out the win.

In Ireland, the big news is the signing of Simon Easterby to replace John Plumtree in the Ireland set up. Plumtree will be missed, he certainly seemed to have made improvements in the Irish scrum in his brief time there, but Easterby no doubt has a great deal to contribute himself.

Super Rugby
Saturday , July 19
Brumbies vs Chiefs 
Sharks vs Highlanders 

Tiny Super Rugby round up

 

The pool stages of Super Rugby are a wrap with the play offs starting next weekend. The Tah’s finished with a flourish, thumping the Reds, and get their feet up for next weekend. Likewise, the Crusaders put in a crushing performance against the Highlanders, getting a bonus point win that was enough to secure 2nd spot.

The Sharks had a tough match against an up for it Stormers side in Cape Town, but ground out a good win, in a way they’ve found difficult of late. They finish in third, and welcome the Highlanders next weekend, while the Chiefs will travel to Canberra to take on the Brumbies.

Saturday , July 12
Stormers 10 -34 Sharks
Reds 3 - 34 Waratahs
Lions 60 - 25 Cheetahs
Crusaders 34-8 Highlanders

Ulster, Mark Anscombe and bits and pieces of Super Rugby

 

( picture  http://bit.ly/1qsa3LK)

Mark Anscombe made an abrupt exit this weekend from Ulster, on his first day of work for the new Season. Give him a one year extension, then tell him to sling his hook. It follows the resignation of David Humphries last month. It’s said Anscombe had ‘lost the dressing room’.  I don’t rate the Ulster lads as prima donnas, far from it, so things must have been pretty bad. Hopefully, they’ll pick up a good coach and go forwards again – Wayne Smith or Robbie Deans would be perfect for the job, if they can get either. There’s going to be some testing times ahead though, the new coach is going to need to stamp his authority pretty quick – player power is all vey well, but someone has to be in charge.  It all just seems a real pity, UIster have come up such a long way, and it needs a lot of patience to get the big results – Leinster played second fiddle to Munster for ages before they finally broke through.
 

Otherwise, there’s still a lot of Super Rugby going on. The Kiwi derbies will probably be the most entertaining, with a very competitive conference, and Crusaders/Blues should be something awesome. In South Africa, Sharks/Cheetahs probably won’t be a thriller, but the Sharks need that one badly. And finally, the Tahs are riding high with Leinster’s old boss, Michael Cheika, and will have a tricky task taming the Highlanders to maintain their good run.
 

Super Rugby
Friday , July 4
Chiefs vs Hurricanes 
Lions vs Melbourne Rebels 
Saturday , July 5
Crusaders vs Blues 
Western Force vs Reds 
Stormers vs Bulls 17:05
Cheetahs vs Sharks 
Sunday , July 6
Waratahs vs Highlanders 16:05