Put red cards in the sinbin
Carding offences are sweeping through Super Rugby Pacific like a swarm of locusts destroying a prized crop and no-one, it seems, is capable of putting an end to the madness.
You could choose multiple examples of players getting a rough deal since the competition began on February 18, but the incident in Dunedin last weekend, when ex-all Blacks wing Richard Kahui was red carded for his tackle on Mitch Hunt, was an indictment of how far down the mole hole we have gone on this issue.
The Western Force’s Kahui was red carded by referee Ben O’keeffe for a collision on the Highlanders’ Hunt in the 74th minute but, thankfully, the Sanzaar judicial committee displayed common sense by refusing to ban Kahui.
Kahui, it was decided, had dipped in the tackle and the contact was neither intentional nor highly reckless. A yellow card, the committee ruled, would have been warranted.
Really? Pour us a double, barman. You could even say yellow was too harsh. Because, given the speed of the incident, and the way Hunt leaned into Kahui before their heads clashed, it’s difficult to determine what more the latter could have done.
Unless defenders are issued with magic wands that enable them to morph into a butterfly, or possess telepathic powers and ask ball carriers to take evasive action, they have nowhere to go in such circumstances.
The Kahui incident was one of those situations where tacklers get punished for what unfolds in a split-second. The numbers tell the story: 17 red cards in the competition this season.
There’s going to be a sad ending to this story, because it will likely remain a contentious issue until the game’s laws are altered. Or, perhaps, Sanzaar should be bold enough to follow the NRL’S lead and place players on report, and then let the judiciary deal with it later.
With just two rounds remaining until the playoffs, it’s starting to get scary.
Because no-one in their right mind wants a team’s title hopes to be wiped-out by a dodgy red or yellow card. Everyone deserves better, none more so than the players.
Given the current trends, however, it wouldn’t be wise to bet against it. That’s where things are headed.
1. It’s easy to pick the match of the round
Tune into the clash in Canberra on Saturday night. If the Blues clobber the Brumbies at GIO Stadium they will capture the No 1 spot with a round remaining, ensuring they lock down home advantage at Eden Park in Auckland for as long as they remain alive in the play-offs.
As expected, the Ioane brothers, Rieko and Akira, haven’t been considered because of injury. Getting the former fully fit ahead of the suddendeath games will be vital.
Success will also mean there’s potential to rake in much-needed dollars. Not a bad way to celebrate Joe Schmidt’s one-season cameo with the franchise before he hops into his All Blacks’ duties.
2. It’s time to take a punt
Who will play in the quarterfinals when they start on June 4? Here’s how it’s shaping, by our calcul
Blues 12 Brumbies 12 Crusaders 12 Chiefs 12 Hurricanes 12 Waratahs 12 Reds 12 Highlanders 12 Rebels 12 Force 11 Fijian Drua 12 Moana Pasifika 11 11 10 9 8 7 7 7 4 3 2 2
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2 3 4 5 5 5 8 9 9 10 10 431 363 381 364 374 316 293 298 267 230 224 185 248 253 250 293 281 277 277 282 394 339 422 410 6 3 7 4 5 5 3 6 4 6 3 2 50 43 43 36 33 33 31 22 16 14 11 6
ations, with the host franchise listed first. No refunds if we’re wrong.
Blues (1) v Highlanders (8), Crusaders (2) v Reds (7), Brumbies (3) v Hurricanes (6), Chiefs (4) v Waratahs (5).
Good on anyone bold enough to bet against the Blues hosting the Crusaders in the final. It’s got that look about it.
3. TJ Perenara captains the Hurricanes as competition for the All Blacks No 9 jersey gets fiercer
With Ardie Savea rested from the fixture against the Rebels in Wellington, Perenara, no stranger to this job, leads the Canes as they continue their search for a home quarterfinal.
Not that it’s in their control; they need the Chiefs to stumble for that to become reality.
As for the ABS’ halfback conversation, usually three are selected for domestic tests: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Brad Weber, Folau Fakatava, the latter is understood to be eligible for selection, and Perenara in this race.