Breaking news: Barrett is human
1. What’s Beauden Barrett got in store in Dunedin?
Because, let’s be honest, he didn’t generate much electricity for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders in the Christchurch rain last Friday.
First, though, let’s get one thing straight: Barrett isn’t the one telling the world how great he is. It’s his fans in the media and social networks that appear to believe he only has to nod in the direction of a basket of loaves and fishes and, presto, suddenly there’s enough tucker to feed a large congregation of the Beaudy Faithful.
Well, maybe it’s time for that gang to put down the Kool Aid
and accept that Beauden Barrett was not at Barrett is human his best last week. and makes
mistakes. The good news for the first five-eighth and his fellow Hurricanes backs is they will be operating under the lid against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
It could prove to be fertile territory for the Hurricanes to rebuild their reputation following the loss to Crusaders.
2. Colin Cooper fires the first shot?
In the wake of the victory over the Waratahs last weekend, Chiefs coach Cooper noted in his post-match interview that his team’s scrum was No 1 in the competition. Immediately the Crusaders’ forwards ears pricked up. You can be sure it’s something that will have been stored away for future reference. In other words, keep an eye on that first scrum feed in Hamilton tomorrow night.
3. Who took a chainsaw to this round? Your eyes don’t deceive you. No South African teams are involved in this weekend because the Springboks are playing Wales in the rugby stronghold of Washington DC.
So it’s an Australasian affair, with the Blues the only lot from our side of boundary to give the Aussies a taste of Kiwi. The Blues play the Rebels – who are still in the hunt for a playoff spot – in Auckland. For the record, it looks like the Stormers, Bulls, Brumbies, Reds, Blues and Sunwolves have already done their chips and are no chance of making the quarterfinals which are scheduled for July 21.
The Lions, who hosted the grand final in Jo’burg where they lost to the Crusaders, sit at the top of the South African conference on 40 points. Despite playing 14 games, one more than the Crusaders (50) and two more than the Hurricanes (45) they are on target to host a playoff game. Fair? No. Confusing? Yes.
4. What’s going on in Aussie?
Good to see the Ockers are also having to deal with that hoary chestnut about spelling players from their Super Rugby teams. The Brumbies certainly don’t appear to be chuffed about a request to rest Wallabies forwards David Pocock, Mike Alaalatoa and Scott Sio from the game against the Sunwolves in Canberra. For obvious reasons, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika wants them in good health for the upcoming series against Ireland. As this story went to print, the parties involved were trying to negotiate a compromise.
5. Why do people go feral on blogs?
Some of the comments on the Stuff blogs are right out there – the ones that are fit for publication, that is. You do wonder if some participants have drained a couple of bloaters of sherry before thumping their chests and climbing on to their keyboards. Happy days.