Aussies can expect no mercy
Here’s hoping this competition isn’t a dud. The pressure is on the Aussie teams to perform in Super Rugby trans-Tasman, because nothing makes New Zealand fans pinch their noses and run for the door faster than the prospect of another lop-sided result.
Watching Super Rugby Aotearoa each weekend was like being served up crayfish, salmon and juicy beef steaks, washed down by the finest French grog and fresh orange juice.
Anything less, now, will seem like sardines on toast. Coaches may have had their heads in hands when the walking wounded hobbled out of the doctor’s office each Monday morning, but SRA was an entertaining blockbuster.
While it would be unfair to expect the trans-Tasman tournament to produce the same drama and excitement as SRA, it would be nice to tune in each weekend with a sense of anticipation.
Because that’s what sport is about. Trans-Tasman, do your thing.
1 Clarke Dermody makes a rocky start to his tenure as Highlanders head coach.
The departure of Tony Brown, who will assist Jamie Joseph in preparing Japan to play the British and Irish Lions in Edinburgh next month, has meant Dermody was unexpectedly promoted to the top post last week.
Within days of replacing Brown, who will return in 2022, Dermody was forced to deal with his first drama after All Blacks blindside flanker Shannon Frizell was alleged to have assaulted a female at a bar last weekend.
Although Frizell has not been charged by police, Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said it was best the player, who he believed would be cleared of breaking the law, not play the Reds in Dunedin tonight until the issue had been sorted.
It’s a sensible call for all parties. But it’s a distraction Dermody could have done without.
2 Reds coach Brad Thorn makes multiple changes and the Tongan Thor, Taniela Tupou, is on the bench.
This isn’t a shock. The Reds’ win over the Brumbies, thanks to a try to James O’connor in the 85th minute, in the SR Australia final in Brisbane was a ripper.
But it came at a cost. Ex-all Blacks lock Thorn may be a toughman, but he’s not silly. Injuries and sore bodies have forced him to juggle his selections.
Tighthead prop Tupou was immense against the Brumbies, right until the final bell.
The question is whether he can influence the result against the Highlanders. The home side could have this in the bag, before the big man leaves the bench.
3 Ngani Laumape won’t be sighted at the G.
Wellington-based journalists had to ask Hurricanes coach Jason Holland the obvious after he revealed midfielder Laumape won’t play the waratahs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Holland said All Black Laumape’s absence had nothing to do with him signing with French club Stade Francais, and he will be considered for the next game against the Rebels. No need for any conspiracy theories, said Holland. Fair enough. But the journos had to do their job.
4 Good riddance to the captain’s referral?
It has been ditched from this competition. That’s not a bad thing.
SRA was a great spectacle, but not because of the captain’s referral. It slowed the game down, and could be used for cynical reasons.
Rugby games need to speed up, not drop the anchor. Let’s not see it back.
5 Could it be an all-new Zealand final on June 19?
Too right. The New Zealand and Aussie teams are lumped together on a combined competition ladder, and play each other once.
After five rounds the two top-placed teams meet in the final. The Aussie teams are about to get a taste of Kiwi. The medicine may not taste sweet.