Super Rugby is a month away
captain Nick Phipps was dressed as a cow, and off his face apparently, when he took a slash inside a Sydney bar. It was his bachelor party.
Hurricanes utility back Jordie Barrett also caused a kerfuffle following a game against the Highlanders in Dunedin. Barrett and a mate walked into a flat to rest and eat their burgers in the small hours but it turned out it was the wrong abode. The female inhabitants were reported to be unamused.
Drugs also caused disharmony at the Reds. James Slipper was banned for testing positive for cocaine. Karmichael Hunt was also suspended after police caught him in possession of Xanax.
6. There will also be nutty decisions by the officials.
Remember how Reds coach Brad Thorn blew up when Sunwolves flanker Ed Quirk was red carded for giving one of Thorn’s players a ‘facial’ in 2018?
Referee Ben O’Keeffe sent off Quirk in the 37th minute of that game, and even though Thorn’s Reds team won 48-27 he was clearly unhappy. ‘‘For me, it ruined the game.[Red cards] are for horrendous spear tackles, someone kicking someone on the ground, eye gouging horrendously or something – not love taps,’’ said Thorn.
No hand-wringing from the former All Blacks great. More coaches need to follow his lead. Collectively they should have the power to force change. And Sanzaar should have the courage to listen, not condemn.
7. Expect collisions in the contest for high balls.
It is probable someone will hit the ground like a loose sack of spuds. Expect repercussions and, once again, cries of outrage from those who believe the refs are rubbing the aerial contests out of the game. We have been through all this before.
Often the officials are triggerhappy in the opening rounds. If common sense prevails and they assess the circumstances and whether any foul play is involved, things should settle down quickly. It’s still a contact sport.
8. Will the offside line be policed consistently?
It’s time for the assistant referees to give the chap with the whistle a hand. Everyone creeps up fast in defence. The referee cannot see everything. His ARs need to take more responsibility.
‘‘It’s time for the assistant referees to give the chap with the whistle a hand. Everyone creeps up fast in defence. The referee cannot see everything.’’
9. John Plumtree’s long wait is over.
‘Plum’, as he is referred to by those who know him, has had to bide his time before landing the head coach’s job at the Hurricanes. He started his coaching career with Welsh club Swansea more than 20 years ago, was head coach of Wellington and then was employed the Durban-based Sharks. A short stint as forwards coach with Ireland was followed by him assisting Chris Boyd at the Hurricanes for three years.
10 Leon MacDonald was a machine when he was earning his lucre with the Crusaders.
Regardless of how banged up he felt, the fullback usually lined up each weekend and totalled more than 120 appearances for the South Island juggernaut club. MacDonald returned from serious concussion to play his final season for the Crusaders in 2009, and also made 56 test appearances for the All Blacks.
Now he’s in charge of the Blues, the problem child of New Zealand’s Super Rugby family. As a player MacDonald liked a challenge. The Blues may also prove to be a generous provider.