Jaguares deserve a bit more credit

OPINION: One benefit of the nutty Super Rugby competition format foisted upon us by Sanzaar is we can often gander at what the Jaguares are up to over our tea and toast on Sunday mornings.

There should be no brownie points issued for being unkind, but even the most ardent of rugbyheads may have preferred to clean the fat off the roasting dish than sit through another uninspiring performance by the Jaguares last year.

Hang on. Things have changed. The Jaguares, who won just four games last year, have already snared three victories this season and that includes a triumph over 2016 beaten finalist the Lions.

For those who aren’t out walking the dog, tramping the hills or sleeping off the previous night’s excesses, there could be a worse way to spend this Sunday morning than watching the Argies take on the Queenslanders.

Just a suggestion. Time to look at what else is cooking in Super Rugby.

STAYING PUT

It’s not that often a coach gets sacked in Super Rugby. True, Richard Graham was kicked out of the Reds’ nest after two early losses last year, but rarely is the top man instructed to clean out his desk and take his whistle with him before the season ends.

It’s more ruthless in the NRL, where Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor has already been told to take a hike.

But what about administrators in our game? Will anyone be held responsible for what this pig’s breakfast that is now Super Rugby? Or even acknowledge it has been a major stuff-up? We are told ‘‘tough decisions’’ have been made about the competition structure, and changes are imminent. Good, can’t happen soon enough.

HEADLINE ACT

It was interesting to read Hurricanes assistant coach Richard Watt say how fast NZ Rugby was prepared to act when their players suffer head knocks.

Watt said that when Leni Apisai took a shot to the melon last year, and wasn’t withdrawn immediately, a call quickly came through from a NZ Rugby doctor who was watching the game on TV. Get him off, was the message. Good call by the medico.

HE CAN PICK ‘EM!

Hats off to the Dom-Post’s chief rugby writer Hamish Bidwell. He has stolen a march on the other Fairfax scribes with his bold selections. Last week he nailed eight from eight, easily foiling his competitors.

Look on Stuff.co.nz for the latest picks from Bidwell and co.