Rugby's A Summer Sport Yeah?

Ok ok ok ok, I know I said last week that it is still summer so lets focus on that, but it would only be fair to have a bit of a look at the rugby given the first round of the Super 15 has just been completed.  And besides, I’m not sure the Black Caps have shown whether or not they are going to compete against South Africa’s finest or not anyway.  Choking in the final T20 game and being outplayed in the first ODI has not been the start NZ Cricket would’ve been after as they try and compete for bums on seats with the start of the Super 15.

So if we have a look at the first round this weekend, what has come out of it?  Were there any real surprises or was it basically everything we expected as Rugby sinks it’s teeth further into the Cricket season.

Here’s a bit of a preview/review for what it’s worth.

The ‘Clash of the Titans’ in the first round had to be the Crusaders Vs the Blues and it was a game that reinforced that these two sides will be there or thereabouts come the business end of the season.  Both teams have a stack of All Blacks throughout them and both have enough quality players alongside those All Blacks to both be title contenders.

Adam Whitelock charging down Piri Weepu's last minute droppie, while Israel Dagg tries to protect the money maker.

The Brumbies and the Force then battled it out in Canberra.  Both of these sides will struggle throughout the campaign.  One thing that will definitely be the case is that Jake White will have the Brumbies well drilled and very well organised, especially on defence, but they will suffer from a lack of creativity and this I think will be what ultimately costs them as a franchise.  The Force, whilst possessing one of the best loose combinations in the competition will struggle for a similar reason to the Brumbies.  A lack of creativity and depth, which has become even more important with the further extended season due to the ‘Northern Invasion’ for 3 weeks in June.

So to the Bulls and Sharks we go.  And what a dour affair that was.  The Bulls, without several of their big names from the last 10 years, look even less creative than normal.  Who ever thought that could’ve been possible?  But believe it folks.  And unfortunately for them, the Sharks played right into their hands.  The Bulls will simply kick and tackle all season and that’s about it.  The Sharks, who should be the strongest of the South African teams this year played their part in a scrappy first up performance.  If they are to fulfil their potential for this season they will need to brush aside their performance from the weekend and move on quickly, anymore matches like this will be far too costly for their season.

The Chiefs and the Highlanders fought it out in Hamilton in a match that was as tough and rugged as Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph would have been happy with.  While both teams lacked much cohesion, it is still the first full competition round of the season after all; both teams showed glimpses of how competitive they will be throughout the season.  Do not count out either of these sides.  Whilst the Highlanders depth in crucial areas is on the low side, they will win more games than they will lose.  As for the Chiefs who now have an injury toll almost as bad as the Highlanders after losing four key players in Saturdays match, they have a squad full of big names and potential.  They also have a coaching panel that would make any club in the world jealous.  I do feel though that whilst the Chiefs will be close, they will only be on there fringe of the playoff’s, what side of the fringe, who knows…….

The Reds and the Waratahs proved that they both have the potential to go all the way this season.  The Reds snatched a tight victory from a Waratahs error right on fulltime and were lucky that the Waratahs kicked possession away without time being up.  That was all the invitation they needed and the grabbed it with both hands.  The Reds, being the Defending Champions proved that they still have what it takes to get the job done and once Quade Cooper finally returns they will be a tough outfit to beat.  The Tahs though without a host of their own stars due to injury appear to have enough depth to be competitive this season and these two teams will be fighting it out to have the top spot in the Aussie Conference and the right for automatic home playoff matches. 

The Hurricanes did their best, came up short, as expected, and now have two more weeks on the road where it won’t get any easier.  If they can leave the Republic with any points I will be amazed.  Their pack is rubbish, surprising given their head coach is a former All Black hooker.  The scrum was awful, the lineout just as bad.  The Hurricanes front row spent more time in the bin and picking themselves up off the turf than they did actually playing the game.  They will be nowhere near the head of the table come the end of the season based on their performance in Cape Town last night.  The Stormers however definitely can’t afford to be over confident based on this match either.  With a host of SA’s biggest names on show they looked rather ungainly against a Hurricanes outfit that shouldn’t have been able to get anywhere near them.  If the Stormers are to be the force they should be this season, they are going to have to improve on basically every aspect of their game over the coming weeks to become the more polished outfit that we know they are. 

And finally the Lions and the Cheetahs.  What can be said of this match and the hopes of these teams?  The Lions on the back of last years Currie Cup success must be riding a wave of confidence.  However the were severely bought back down to earth by a Cheetahs team that doesn’t promise a great deal apart from a dangerous loose trio.  The Lions will struggle with their depth if they are to replicate their Currie Cup success and will need to step up a great deal from the weekend in order to get anywhere the playoffs.  Although they did still manage to get it done when it counted on Saturday night and that is all you can ask.  The Cheetahs in my mind are playing for their own survival in Super Rugby as I see it.  With the Southern Kings having gained entry into the competition next year, I have a feeling the Cheetahs are in danger of becoming extinct.....  See what I did there?  They will be the perennial battler’s that they normally are but they will be well down the pecking order when we start talking of finals.  The question here is whether or not they will be around to make amends for it next year or not.

Oh and before I forget, there is of course the Rebels.  I think we are going to have to wait and see on this bunch.  Yes they have two new big name signings in James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale, but I'm pretty sure it is going to be upfront where these guys struggle.  Creative backs always help your cause, but unless you can get go forward and have quality set pieces to build a platform from then you can have all the flashy backs you like but you will need more than that to get by and succeed at this level.

There we have it guys and gals, lets see what happens over the next few weeks and see how these guys develop.  And lets be honest the cricket is still on so if your Super Rugby team starts losing badly, Hurricanes fans I’m pretty much talking to you now, flick over to the Gentleman’s game and watch the white and then finally the red ball fly around all over the place. 

Remember folks, til next time; Keep going balls to the wall!