Sunwolves facing mission impossible
It’s the time of the season when Super Rugby coaches start doing some mental arithmetic. With just six rounds remaining until the June test window, it’s important to stay in, or stick close, to the top eight. Because when players are released for test footy, they can come back sporting multiple bumps, bruises and breaks. You have to make your own luck in this game. That wild ride continues this weekend.
1 Could the Sunwolves do worse than pray for a burst of nasty weather at the Cake Tin?
It’s a fair question. Last weekend the Crusaders scored two early tries against the Sunwolves in Christchurch, and looked quite flash. That was until Mother Nature cleared her throat and spat showers of hail and rain down on AMI Stadium, galvanising the men from Tokyo to click into top gear.
Trailing by just three points in the third quarter, the Sunwolves threatened to send an almighty convulsion through Super Rugby by downing the title holders.
Eventually the Sunwolves lost 33-11, but their defensive resolve in the slush was to be admired. Yes, the Hurricanes will probably beat them on Friday night. Snaring the bonus-point shouldn’t be taken for granted.
2 Can the Jaguares make it a triple treat?
The Jaguares have got bottle, no doubt about that. Recent victories over the Brumbies and Rebels, both in Aussie, mean we are looking at their upcoming fixture against the Blues at Eden Park through a different lens.
At the start of the season this fixture could have been slipped into the ho-hum section of the rugby calendar. Not any more. The Blues must win this. They. Just. Have. To.
Captain Augi Pulu might even start for the Blues, having been bracketed at halfback following a lengthy absence due to injury. If you are a Blues supporter any good news should be welcomed. Grab it, and hold tight.
3 Remember David Havili?
Last year Havili was outstanding at fullback for the Crusaders. A dominant force at the back, he crucified opponents’ silly enough to direct kicks his way and was fearless under the high ball. It was enough to earn him five All Blacks’ jerseys - three in tests. Havili has been quiet this season. Maybe the fresh air in Canberra, where the Crusaders meet the Brumbies, will help him find the missing piece of the puzzle for 2018.
4 Will the running of the Bulls be welcomed by the Highlanders?
New coach Aaron Mauger had earned himself his fair share of goodwill credits at the Highlanders this year, with just two losses in seven games. Not bad. In Pretoria he will try to outfox his old All Blacks’ mentor John Mitchell who is likely to urge his boys to back their fitness and try to run the Highlanders off their feet at altitude. This could be the game of the round.
5 What would the permutations be if the quarterfinals were staged this weekend?
Here’s what the draw would be, as documented on the official Super Rugby website.
QF1: Lions v Bulls. QF2: Hurricanes v Chiefs. QF3: Crusaders v Rebels. QF4: Waratahs v Highlanders.
Given some teams have played seven games, and others eight, this is a very loose indicator as to where the Super Rugby log is at. Clearly the NZ teams (apart from the Blues) are in good health.
And the fact the Lions have yet to travel to NZ won’t be lost on anyone. Last year the South Africans qualified top of the heap thanks to a kind draw that allowed them to circumnavigate Aotearoa.
No such luck this season. They are scheduled to play the Hurricanes and Highlanders in Wellington and Dunedin in the 12th and 13th rounds. Let’s see how they like that.