Spicy derbies and spicy duels
Round three of Super Rugby underlined the unpredictability of this year’s competition and that’s a good thing. The Hurricanes rebounded in fine fashion, but the Chiefs and Blues have the wobbles. The Crusaders, meanwhile, just keep on charging. Here’s a look at the weekend ahead:
1. The Highlanders have drilled deep into their pool of blindside flankers, asking Jackson Hemopo to duel it out against the Hurricanes’ Vaea Fifita in Wellington tonight.
With test No 6 Liam Squire still unavailable because of a hip injury, and the promising Shannon Frizell on a rest week, the Highlanders have given the All Blacks selectors a chance to hoover up valuable intelligence from the Hemopo-fifita clash. The race for the blindside spot is already gathering pace, and Squire will be frustrated to not advance past Go.
2. Jordie Barrett’s appearance on the wing for the Hurricanes could be a blessing.
Or a curse. Depends on how you look at it. Some players hate the utility tag, believing the jack-of-alltrades title could diminish their value when wise people sit around a selection table. Others say it enhances their chances, in terms of providing the selectors multiple options.
In the case of Barrett, if his form warrants it, versatility should book his passage to the World Cup.
3. This juicy local derby in Australia won’t lack spice.
In recent years it has been difficult for New Zealanders to get turned on by games in Aussie, but the fixture between the Waratahs and Reds at the SCG will be a worthwhile watch. If the Reds put an end to their nine-game losing streak, they will go off in the state of sunshine.
4. Speaking of the Reds, Angus Scott-young goes all right.
The loose forward bears more than a passing resemblance to his old man Sam, but not when it comes to daft tricks. Sam was the chap who infamously blew a kiss and winked at the All Blacks when they performed the haka. There has never been confirmation he received any love in return.
5. First, a tick of approval for the Chiefs.
Believe it. Following brave attempts to salvage something – anything – from the ashes in the wake of the shocking loss to the Sunwolves, the Chiefs elected to play the honesty card in the leadup to their game against the Crusaders.
The Chiefs have blamed no-else but themselves. No snide remarks at media, the doubters or the socalled ‘‘haters’’. You have to start from somewhere.
6. It’s too early for the sun to set on the Blues’ season, surely.
Losing to the Sunwolves, a team festooned with sweet-smelling bouquets following their upset win over the Chiefs last weekend, just cannot be an option.
At least we know this clash in North Harbour is going to be a contest. That should please Sky, with the fixture scheduled for the prime viewing slot on Saturday night. This lame duck has unexpectedly sprouted wings.
7. There will be changes at the Stormers with coach Robbie Fleck replaced by John Dobson – but not until 2020.
After a humiliating 40-3 defeat to the Bulls in the first round, the Stormers have made a remarkable turnaround with wins over the Lions and Sharks. After being flayed by some critics early doors, Fleck
could yet have the last laugh.
8. There has already been some significant carnage in Super Rugby.
Teenage Reds midfielder Jordan Petaia is a goner because of a foot injury, and hopes of him busting into the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup are remote. A shoulder injury has ended Springboks lock Lood de Jager’s campaign, and the race is on for him to be fit for the global tournament.
9. If eye-gouging is one of the grubbiest deeds in the game, then biting cannot be far behind.
Here’s to you, Liz Patu. Patu, the Kiwi-born Kangaroos captain, has received a six-week ban for sinking her fangs into an opponent’s arm in the domestic Australia women’s competition.
Super Rugby isn’t immune to such nonsense. Last year Bulls prop Pierre Schoeman was suspended for six weeks for chomping into Rebels backrower Richard Hardwick.
10. Sanzaar got it wrong, and then put it right in Brisbane.
The Crusaders’ 22-12 win over the Reds last weekend was marred by officials refusing to allow the concussed Mitchell Hunt to be replaced late in the game, forcing the visitors to play with 14 men. It cannot be allowed to happen again and Sanzaar says it won’t.
If this happened in a sudden-death match the subsequent outcry would blow a fresh hole in the ozone.