Aussies can expect no mercy
Here’s hoping this competition isn’t a dud. The pressure is on the Aussie teams to perform in Super Rugby transTasman, because nothing makes New Zealand fans pinch their noses and run for the door faster than the prospect of another lop-sided result.
Watching Super Rugby Aotearoa each weekend was like being served up crayfish, salmon and juicy beef steaks, washed down by the finest French grog and fresh orange juice.
Anything less, now, will seem like sardines on toast. Coaches may have had their heads in hands when the walking wounded hobbled out of the doctor’s office each Monday morning, but SRA was an entertaining blockbuster.
While it would be unfair to expect the transTasman tournament to produce the same drama and excitement as SRA, it would be nice to tune in each weekend with a sense of anticipation.
Because that’s what sport is about. TransTasman, do your thing.
1 Clarke Dermody makes a rocky start to his tenure as Highlanders head coach.
The departure of Tony Brown, who will assist Jamie Joseph in preparing Japan to play the British and Irish Lions in Edinburgh next month, has meant Dermody was unexpectedly promoted to the top post last week.
Within days of replacing Brown, who will return in 2022, Dermody was forced to deal with his first drama after All Blacks blindside flanker Shannon Frizell was alleged to have assaulted a female at a bar last weekend.
Although Frizell has not been charged by police, Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said it was best the player, who he believed would be cleared of breaking the law, not play the Reds in Dunedin tonight until the issue had been sorted.
It’s a sensible call for all parties. But it’s a distraction Dermody could have done without.
2 Reds coach Brad Thorn makes multiple changes and the Tongan Thor, Taniela Tupou, is on the bench.
This isn’t a shock. The Reds’ win over the Brumbies, thanks to a try to James O’Connor in the 85th minute, in the SR Australia final in Brisbane was a ripper.
But it came at a cost. Ex-All Blacks lock Thorn may be a tough man, but he’s not silly. Injuries and sore bodies have forced him to juggle his selections.
Tighthead prop Tupou was immense against the Brumbies, right until the final bell.
The question is whether he can influence the result against the Highlanders. The home side could have this in the bag, before the big man leaves the bench.
3 Ngani Laumape won’t be sighted at the G.
Wellington-based journalists had to ask
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland the obvious after he revealed midfielder Laumape won’t play the Waratahs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Holland said All Black Laumape’s absence had nothing to do with him signing with