April 26 2024.

Quick taps …….. Super rugby byes are bullshit; Crusaders turn the clock back 28 years; NZRU in a very tough test match; Blues good, crowds poor; Blackadder is a beast; Anyone going to San Diego?

Apologies for failing to burst into print over the last few week but to be honest there hasn’t been much to say as the rugby has been minimal due to bye rounds and too many of the matches lop sided. Super rugby in my view does not need byes - the comp just isn’t long enough nor tough enough to justify it especially with the general rugby public drifting in and out of consciousness like a duck on a clear day in May flying around out of barrell reach with a number of ponds to choose from including one at Mt Smart. One would think the NZRU would be doing everything possible to offer as much quality and consistency of product as they could.

Speaking of the NZRU - the battle over the control of the future of NZ game is well underway in Wellington. The Board and the provincial unions are locked in combat with the Players assoc pretending they have the whistle. This scrap has been brewing for years and really is the last vestige of the old committee based Ces Blazey “no comment” amateur era as the provincial unions perceived ownership of the NZ game is about to be tipped up but into what is the unknown. What we do know is that the fight is being held behind very well bolted doors and any announced timings have been quietly missed ………. one thing I suspect is that Silver lake will be delighted they only bought 12% of whatever is standing when the dust finally settles !!!

Super Rugby.

However after 8 games each the table is a decent distance from that predicted. The Canes are unbeaten and deservedly top the log, the Crusaders are dead last and again deservedly so, the Blues are cruising along nicely in 2nd, the Chiefs have miss-fired a bit thus far and don’t yet look as convincing as last season. To complete the south islands misery, the Highlanders have struggled and quite frankly look the weakest I’ve ever seen them.

The Crusaders fall has been spectacular and severe to the point of embarrassment. Against the Force they looked a side not just struggling to get their game going but feeling the pressure. You have to wonder if they’ve taken out the trusty Chevvy V8 and replaced it with a Tesla that fully charged still can’t last the 80.

The bolters have been the Rebels who have mixed receivership with 5 wins out of 8 and played well. No idea why but perhaps the carefree environment of the last dance saloon works for them.

As for the other Aussie sides, the Reds promise much but haven’t delivered it, the Waratahs are still struggling mind you they’ll dine out regardless having beaten the Crusaders twice, the Force are a bit of a ragtag mob resembling some sort of retirement home 1st XV but they too humbled the Crusaders. The Brumbies remain the premier Aussie side although they were rubbish at Eden park last weekend so will hope that’s just a large blip.

Overall, the table is quite even and the Aussie sides are beating NZ opposition with an increased regularity which adds to the interest level overall and this weekend there is a unique full card of trans-tasman derbys ! Canes, Chiefs and Blues all playing across the ditch too …….. hmmmmmmmmmm ….. NZ 5 zip would be a brave bet !!

As for form players - yeh there’s a few but any furrow in Razors brow will be the loss already of 2 of his 1st XV starters in Roigard (best 9 by a country mile) and Asafo Aumua (on form). In my view the NZ player base in terms of form is a real mixed bag with many established players who have still got the choke engaged (certainly the crusader ABs have) but equally a number of youngsters bubbling up nicely such as Lakai, Iose, Ratima, Sotutu, Love, George Bell and McWhannell. But no 10 as yet - anyone know how old Dan Carters boys are ?

And then there’s a 3rd group made up of a few golden oldies who mixing pure cunning with deep experience would certainly not disgrace an AB jersey - Perenara and Brad Shields for starters.

Still plenty of time for Razor to make his mind up but expect some bolters and Scott Barrett as skipper.

Also a nod to the Warriors - they are a very popular entertainment act and getting more so by the week which is quite something given their results on the paddock are quite ordinary to poor - 3 wins out of 8 games ! Hmmmm … up the Wahs !!

And finally …… huge thanks Sam Whitelock - world class, humble, dedicated and consistently delivered. A well-constructed and well drilled country boy who just got on with the job. We need more of this type of bloke - AB core DNA really.

That’ll do ………… enjoy and pass it on.