Crikey, Aussie teams look good
SHARKS v STORMERS
It’s the Aussies who are helping create some hype in Super Rugby.
Who thought that line would be tapped into a keyboard at this time of the year? Early days, we know. No need to get too carried away.
But it sure beats having to moan and grizzle about their inability to compete. The memories of 2018 are already fading.
1. Beauden Barrett can expect thousands of eyes from around the world to be scrutinising his every move in Palmerston North tonight.
The All Blacks’ star playmaker, who will make his first appearance of 2019, will be a handy addition to a Hurricanes side that will attempt to convince supporters in Palmerston North that the embarrassing 38-22 loss to the Crusaders last weekend was no reason to call for the lifeboats.
New Hurricanes coach John Plumtree will be ropeable if his side replicates the passive effort in the first half in Christchurch. Just two reasons to tune into the game in Palmerston North.
2. There’s zero chance of the Brumbies giving the Canes an easy ride.
As the Brumbies ran in eight tries during the cracking 54-17 win over the Chiefs in round two, you could almost hear the sighs of relief among the heavy hitters at Rugby Australia’s HQ.
The rugby code in Aussie badly needs success. And it got it in Canberra. The Brumbies are seeking their first win in New Zealand since 2014.
3. The Highlanders have a tricky one in Melbourne, against the Rebels tonight.
No joke. The Rebels stuffed the Brumbies in the opening week (in Canberra, too) prior to the bye, with the old campaigners Quade Cooper and Will Genia in fine touch.
Now look at that Highlanders line-up: All Blacks Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Luke Whitelock are among those to be rested. And another AB, Liam Squire, is still trying to regain full fitness following a hip injury.
4. The Sunwolves could have beaten the Waratahs in Tokyo last weekend.
If Hayden Parker hadn’t missed his late drop goal attempt the Sunwolves would have celebrated a 33-31 boilover, and caused all sorts of anxiety for the Daryl Gibson-coached ‘Tahs.
Should the Chiefs, the Sunwolves’ next opponent in Hamilton, be worried? Put it this way. They have to be, given the limp effort in Canberra.
5. See you later Tolu Latu.
Banned for six weeks following an incident in a ruck that resulted in the Sunwolves’ Ed Quirk suffering a serious knee injury, Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu will have lots of time to scrutinise similar incidents in coming weeks.
The Sanzaar foul play review committee has set the benchmark with this severe sanction. There must be an expectation they maintain this standard.
6. Six consecutive wins against the Reds since the heartbreaking loss in the final in Brisbane in 2011 suggests the Crusaders will win tomorrow night.
It will pay to be cautious. The Reds looked good against the Highlanders under the roof in Dunedin, until some concentration lapses snuffed out the chance of a win. Talk about shooting themselves in the foot.
Still, the Crusaders should have too much class.
7. It’s hard not to bite raw chunks out of your knuckles when watching the Blues.
A terrible start against the Sharks cost them in Durban, and defending lineout drives would surely have been on forward coach Tom Coventry’s training schedule as the New Zealanders prepare for the game against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on
JAGUARES v BLUES
Venue: Jose Amalfitani Stadium,
Buenos Aires
Kickoff: 10.40am Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge TAB odds: Jaguares $1.73 Blues $2.07
Sunday morning.
The Blues must win this. Three consecutive losses would be unacceptable so early in the season.
8. Trouble in South Africa.
Within days of South Africa Rugby unveiling a bold plan to address their player drain to wealthy northern hemisphere clubs, Springboks Robert du Preez and Akker van der Merwe from the Sharks announce they will join English premiership club Sale after the Super Rugby season.
It follows a declaration from South Africa Rugby that it had new measures to keep players in the Republic, including top-up payments to provincial contracts for those that remain loyal. It might be a good fight, but it could be a long and ugly one.
9. Meanwhile, the
Stormers in Durban.
Go with the Sharks to win at home. Big ups to the Stormers for beating the Lions 19-17 last weekend, but it’s still hard to forget that shocking 40-3 loss to the Bulls in the opening round.
Sharks
meet
the
10. Speaking of the Bulls, they have lost Springboks lock Lood de Jager for the scrap against neighbours, the Lions.
De Jager hurt his shoulder when his team inexplicably went through the motions against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires last weekend and were deservedly nailed 27-12.