Quick Taps
Home advantage is real : Vern Cotter for the Blues? :Rob Penny for the Crusaders, is that a step backwards? : Where's Wayne Pivac? : Black U20s need a better scrum : Reiko still not a natural 13 :
Apologies for break in transmission, had a decent flu 3 weeks ago laced with a wee dose of covid so laid low for a bit plus didn’t really have too much to offer as SR trundled on to the finals and the NZRU are very quiet.
Super Rugby.
The top 4 teams on the table have ended up in the semis as home advantage probably ended up being the difference in Hamilton and Canberra. The Blues eventually clicked into gear and ran over the Tahs before a poor crowd but now comes their annual exam in Christchurch next Friday. I was at the game with about only 10,000 others, the chicken curry in the members was excellent but at halftime a lot of people stayed inside to watch the Wahs who’s game was live on all the big screens !! The Blues loosies and their threequarters probably the big difference - Dalton P had a good game and Suafoa looks like one hell of a prospect, prob too short for lock but try no8 son - ABs need a big athletic 8 urgently.
The Crusaders were too good for the Drua but are still getting hammered via their injury toll. Blackadder lasted 4 minutes before walking off with a “knock” continuing a horror run, Gallagher and Whitelock both out (Razor must thank god for Scooter Barretts durability) and Cullen Grace still absent. Interestingly the Saders were down to 13 men at the end due to injuries but had used all their subs ……….. surely they should’ve been able to send on anyone they had ?
The Blues chance will likely depend on their pack successfully going toe to toe with Razors boys and the backs creating and taking all their chances. Rangi will have to ensure his set piece works especially the lineout which was dismantled in last years final. History suggests that the Crusaders will win as they’re just a bit smarter and are at home.
The Chiefs spent 70 minutes in a difficult wrestling match with the Reds before finishing the stronger and getting the job done. I can see why the Reds tipped the Chiefs up in New Plymouth and for long periods of the game threatened to do it again. If only they could play with that degree of power and commitment more often. Fortunately for the Chiefs they stayed in the fight, took their penalties and had a couple of game breakers in Stevenson and Narawa but it was real close. Upside is that its probably just the game the Chiefs needed to keep their feet on the ground heading into the semi against the Brumbies and will make Claytons coaching strategy this week pretty clear !
Didn’t watch much of the Canes Brumbies battle as the afternoon Pilseners were kicking in (Kings lost to Grammar again) but what I did see indicated a good old ding dong that could’ve gone either way and according to Ardie, should have. Again home advantage probably the difference but the Brumbies are a dangerous side who look like they’ve rediscovered form just in time. They will be a handful in the Tron next Sat and the Chiefs will need to lift a bit but a full house at Waikato Stadium should do the trick.
NZRU ……..
U20s head to their world cup in SA with 2 runs against the young Wallys under their belt. To be fair its a tough assignment throwing a squad together with just the hope that they’ll gel well and improve sufficiently in a short time frame but I don’t see too many stars and the tight 5 was fairly ordinary against the Aussies. Good luck to them.
Fuzzy announces his 36 man AB squad on the 18th and I’m not expecting too many newbies as I expect him to be fairly loyal to the bulk of last years squad but with a few injuries there will be opportunities. Super Rugby form should elevate the likes of Stevenson, Narawa, Roigard, Finau and long shots would be Billy Harmon and Bryce Heem. I’d expect Telea to make it - the mans as slippery as an eel with very good positional sense. Big no6 needed if Fuzzy insists on Ardie in the boot which is why Scott Barrett is touted for blindside which is why I’m keen on Samileni Finau although I expect Frizzell to be in the mix too.
One player I’m not clear on is Beaudy - I’ve never completely felt he’s a natural 10 at the top level of international footie, more of an inspirational bench insert but at the moment he looks off his oats, hesitating and kicking too much and poorly too often. Even as an advocate of the the “form is temporary, class is permanent” theory, I’m not sure where to put him or if he’d make my test team. Likewise with DMac - too risky at 10 for the big tests, too small for the back but a gamebreaker none the less. Hmmmmm.
One more ……. Dane Coles, in or out ?
Enough for now - heading to the Tron next Sat after slipping on the Red bands and a wander around the Fieldays first.