March 21 2024

Quick taps : Crusaders 0-4 ; Rob Penneys Super rugby coaching record is dismal so poor coach or poor timing ?; Queensland Reds look very good under a ex league player & coach; NZRU Boardroom a mess.

Welcome back after a few weeks off finishing the cricket season which included a couple of days at Hagley urging the Blackcaps to a rare win over the Aussies. I now have some idea what it must be like to be a Scottish rugby supporter as the rollercoaster ride is very similar. Lost the toss, batted poorly, then limited the Aussies to only a 90 run lead then batted well 2nd time around recovering a lot of lost ground before knocking off the Aussie top order to have them reeling and optimism surged around Hagley. However we couldn’t quite put the nail in the coffin and the Aussies eventually managed to wriggle their way out of the Bcaps shackles for a 3 wicket win. Bugger.

As to the Rugby ………..

Super Rugby.

4 rounds in and some trends emerging - Canes unbeaten (didn’t pick that), Chiefs playing like they’re being chased by the police, the Reds the form Aussie outfit, The Drua really tough at home and the Crusaders have lost the lot.

I haven’t watched a lot of it but the table is nicely balanced with a more competitive look than the last couple of years.

Although the Crusaders were expected to dip, they are really struggling to get their game going, are without a class 10 and do look like a side that’s feeling the pressure. Interestingly their run-on side from last weekends game contained just 1 player who started last years final so between player emigration and injuries they are a very weakened beast. Nevermind, now an opportunity for others.

Players in form : Billy Harmon, Peter Lakai, Devan Flanders (a former NZu20 star who’s never really followed through - perhaps if he changed his name to Dave or Doug ..?), Cam Roigard (new no1 9 for sure & plays like another loosie), Cullen Grace, Kaylum Boshier, DMac at his racy best without being completely headless chook, Blues lock McWhannell looks handy, Ruben Love is very talented and a bit of a longshot but reminds me a bit of Jack Goodhue, is Riley Higgins.

A couple of key games this weekend with the Chiefs hosting the Highlanders and the Blues will be keen on a rare win over the Crusaders at the garden of Eden. The Landers have proven to be a bit of a bogey team for the Chiefs at home and will trun up with their usual nothing to lose pluck. Chiefs will need to play well as will the Blues who were very average in Sydney last Saturday and need to ignore the Saders form and be wary of being their first victim.

6 Nations

After powering like a Hummer through the first 3 rounds, the Irish machine succumbed to England at Twickenham before recovering sufficiently against the Jocks to pickup back to back 6 Nations trophys. The Paddys have had a great couple of years but the World cup failure stops the best team in the world tag they desperately want to see themselves with.

In golfing parlance, Ireland are akin to the best player never to have won a major. It really worries them and their multitude of rugby “chat” shows debate it endlessly but next assignment is 2 tests in South Africa so I suspect they will wind themselves into a frenzy hoping to win those and provide some relief.

As to the others, the Welsh are rubbish, The Scots as plucky as ever but without any real success, the Poms whilst always capable were average and their only real success was taking down the Irish, the Frogs world cup hangover was plain to see even though they finished 2nd but the surprise packet was the Pizza boys who had 2 wins and a draw in a bumper crop and with an ounce of luck could’ve won 4 of their 5 matches - unbelievable.

The Georgians won the 2nd grade Europe comp comfortably again and with no appetite for 6 Nations expansion they’re a bit stuck for real tier 1 opposition although they do have away games against Japan and Australia in July. As I’ve suggested before, the ABs should drop into Tblisi for a game when they’re touring up north - what a bloody good idea !

Enough …….. pass it on.