Setbacks add up for Highlanders
What a difference a week made for Mark Hammett in Tokyo, though it was groundhog day for Jamie Joseph as ill-discipline again undermined the Highlanders Super Rugby title defence through a rare loss in Dunedin.
Hammett and Joseph found common ground in the lead-up to round nine as they pondered preparations for Japan’s test schedule in the June international window during the Highlanders bye week – but by the weekend they were poles apart emotionally after contrasting – and unexpected outcomes.
Joseph, who visited Japan during the Highlanders week off to gain an insight into his next coaching role, was then reminded that going back-to-back through the competition’s toughest conference is a rarity.
Jason Emery’s red card for what Joseph described as an accidental through ‘‘horrendous’’ looking challenge on Sharks fullback Willie le Roux 12 minutes into the round-opener in Dunedin on Friday night instigated the Highlanders second successive onepoint defeat.
Crippling handling errors and and inaccurate kicking from Lima Sopoaga off the tee and out of hand all contributed to a 15-14 defeat that compounded a 28-27 loss in Brisbane where Joe Wheeler’s neck roll rubbed out a potentially match-winning score.
Although Joseph credited his side’s resilience after Emery’s exit, though 22 handling errors under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium ensures the squad will face an unforgiving training regime this week as the Brumbies, Chiefs and Crusaders loom after their eight-match winning streak at home was snapped.
Hammett, whose roster was ridiculed after they were humiliated 92-17 in Bloemfontein, didn’t quite have the last laugh, but the former Crusaders assistant and Hurricanes head coach was understandably rapt after the Sunwolves bounced back to stun the Jaguares 36-28, as the Argentinians debut season continues to underwhelm.
In contrast, the game of the round did not disappoint as the Chiefs shaded the Hurricanes 28-27 in Wellington, a clash last year’s runners-up might regret after Beauden Barrett marred a fine attacking display with poor goal kicking – the tee was finally entrusted to Jason Woodward but crucially the fullback could not convert a try-scoring opportunity in the dying seconds.
The Crusaders chalked up their seventh straight win in impressive fashion, routing the Brumbies 40-14 in Canberra on Sunday. Todd Blackadder’s men had their bonus point wrapped up in the first half-hour and finished with six tries, including a brace to All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor. Wing Nemani Nadolo was in blockbusting form in the first half, scoring a try and creating space for his colleagues after surging runs.
Kieran Read’s men led 26-7 by halftime and clinically completed a sixth consecutive win over the Brumbies to close the gap on the Chiefs to one point.
Meanwhile, another former Crusaders assistant coach was as relieved as Hammett after the Waratahs thrashed the Force 43-19 in Perth.
Daryl Gibson has been under pressure since replacing Wallabies coach Michael Cheika at the helm of the 2014 champions, so a record winning margin over the West Australians was a welcome – and necessary – victory.
The Force are deservedly at the foot of a mediocre Australian conference but at least the Waratahs secured their bonus-point in style by racking up six tries during their romp at nib Stadium – including a second half effort by Israel Folau that enabled the double international to eclipse predecessor Lote Tuqiri as the franchise’s leading try-scorer.
Folau’s 30th try since his code switch from the AFL helped the Waratahs keep in touch with the Brumbies and Rebels – who brought the Cheetahs down to earth with a comfortable 36-14 win in Melbourne.
In South Africa the Lions continue to control the Africa 2 conference after predictably mauling the Kings 45-10 in Port Elizabeth while the Stormers lead Africa 1 by finishing over the top of the Reds at Newlands – they scored 23 unanswered points after training by five with 30 minutes to play.