Finally, some decent action

At this time of the year we commend ourselves for remaining faithful to Super Rugby through thick and thin. Many of us have had our patience tested by this competition.

It was hard not to snort with anger as we grappled with the confusing format and bonkers refereeing decisions, and then there were the times we wasted 80 minutes of our lives watching dud games.

Forget all that, now. All is forgiven! Fling open the curtains, welcome the day with vigorous applause, load the fridge with your favourite pickles and milk and settle in for a smorgasbord of rugby treats. The quarterfinals are upon us.

1 Have the Hurricanes been foxing?

There’s some clever types out there telling anyone desperate enough to listen that the Hurricanes had taped some ace cards inside their sleeves when they lost 28-24 to the Chiefs last weekend.

The message has been that those sneaky tykes, knowing they were likely to meet the Chiefs in Wellington in the quarterfinal, didn’t want to reveal their best moves in a meaningless game.

If that’s true you would have to say it was a hell of a good trick, because many of us thought the Canes were simply outplayed in the Tron.

Now the Chiefs rock up to the Cake Tin, bolstered by the return of All Blacks Sam Cane, Nathan Harris, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Damian McKenzie.

2 Can a rugby family help sharpen the Sharks act?

Former Springboks halfback Robert du Preez coaches the Sharks, and has sons Robert, Jean-Luc and Daniel in his squad for this one against the Crusaders.

Given the Crusaders have won 17 of their last 21 games against the Durbanbased club, and no South African team has ever won a playoff game in New Zealand, the du Preez clan had best have their magic wands sharpened.

Last time we looked the Sharks were at $8 to win. Good grief. It only takes a red card to change a game. And we have seen a few of those in recent weeks.

3 Things have turned out OK for the Highlanders, haven’t they?

Well, within reason. A quick dart across the Tasman to play the Waratahs is preferable to having to cross multiple time zones to get to Johannesburg or Buenos Aires.

In keeping with the theme of staying positive, there’s a chance the Highlanders could host a semi next weekend. All they have to do is roll the Waratahs, and then hope the Jaguares gazump the Lions in Jo’burg.

And Aaron Mauger will be thankful that the All Blacks have exempted wing Waisake Naholo from his second ‘‘rest week’’ in Super Rugby, because many of us thought this rule was non-negotiable. If the stand-down period is again enforced in World Cup year, does it now mean a Naholo Clause will apply?

4 Why do the Jaguares struggle to fire in South Africa?

It’s a question they will be asking themselves. In eight previous games in South Africa the Jaguares have suffered defeats. But there is some good news. Captain and flanker Pablo Matera has been cleared to play after a charge for dangerous play in the 20-10 loss to the Sharks last weekend was thrown out.

5 What’s the game of the round?

Hurricanes v Chiefs, tonight. Referee Glen Jackson might want to have his tin hat on, because the shrapnel could fly.