Feeble Aussies a cause

TEach member of the Blues’ back three shone in the second half of the win over the Bulls but Matt Duffie takes the honours over Michael Collins and Melani Nanai. The league convert looked an outstanding rugby player on Saturday night — although one of his two tries used skills not dissimilar to what he would have shown in a Melbourne Storm jersey — continuing a promising second season with the Blues. Duffie made 63 metres on 13 carries while beating three Bulls defenders, providing a level of strength in the carry that belied his relatively slight frame and earning high praise from his coach after the game. he change from mainly New Zealand derby matches to games against overseas sides has given us a better idea of the state of the competition and it has to be said the Australian conference is not in good shape.

The Aussie teams really struggled last year and that trend is continuing — a look at the points table will confirm that. The Brumbies are fourth overall, yet have won only two from five and are on 11 competition points.

The Chiefs, Jaguares, Sharks and Hurricanes all below them have more points, which suggests the Australian conference is incredibly weak, a concern for rugby across the Tasman plus competition organisers Sanzaar, who have devised the conference system.

It’s good to see the Jaguares as high as they are — sixth at the moment, with four wins from five. I was critical of them last year and wondered what they were going to offer this time, and it was always going to be a different dynamic given they are spared playing New Zealand teams due to the competition structure.

Their biggest challenge will be coping with the travel, and they have yet to make their second trip to South Africa, but they certainly look like they’ve learned from last year. They look better equipped and in better shape than the below-par Aussies.

The South Africans are ticking away nicely. The Lions, who made last year’s final, have won four of their five and will again be a threat, and the Stormers have won four from four.

When you compare the South African and Australian conferences, you can see why there’s so much speculation across the ditch about how they can strengthen theirs.

The Crusaders are on top with five wins from five, and the Chiefs, also undefeated, had a bye last weekend and are only two points away.

That shows how tough the Crusaders have had to fight this season, apart from their recent win over the Force.

The Australian conference is incredibly weak.