For a competition which promotes running rugby and rewards teams who score tries, the first round of Super Rugby failed to deliver the goods.
Not one team managed to bag a bonus point for scoring four tries, with a total of just 19 tries being scored in the seven matches that were played. Is this then an indication that defenses are getting better and better?
The Star
“It’s still early in the season and the teams will settle down and the rugby will improve as well, meaning the tries will come,” said Lions boss John Mitchell this week.
His side failed to score a try in their opener against the Cheetahs, who scored one try, by the way, yet still walked off the field with the win in the bag.
“None of the sides were as accurate as they can be, but I have no doubt they’ll all get better, they always do.”
Mitchell added one should not read much into the first few rounds of competition. “Winning or losing first up is no indication of how teams will go in this competition. We, like all the teams, will take one week at a time and not worry about the future.”
Indeed. While there wasn’t too much to get excited about in round one, the competition usually takes a while to get going properly. While 19 tries is a small number considering seven matches were played, it’s worth noting that in round one of the 2011 season 29 tries were scored; not that much more than this year’s total.
And let’s not forget that the Waratahs scored seven in their opening fixture last year against newcomers, the Rebels. It was the only try bonus point earned in round one last year.
It would appear, though, that defenses have been sharpened up in the off-season, with the two local derbies last weekend producing just two tries – one for the Cheetahs against the Lions and one for the Sharks against the Bulls. Again, the teams in those matches who didn’t score the tries won the matches – an indication, perhaps, of just how crucial goal-kicking will be this season, especially if it turns out the defenses are harder to breach than a year ago.
Also especially revealing from round one’s action was that the Stormers, who for some time now have been the competition’s toughest defence to crack, missed only seven tackles in their match against the Hurricanes.
They, however, were not the best team in defence last weekend; that honour went to the defending champions, the Reds, who missed only five tackles out of 141 they had to make against the Waratahs.
Third best defensively were the Force who missed 12 against the Brumbies and they were followed by the Crusaders, Bulls and Lions, who missed 15 each.
Somewhat surprisingly, the team who asked the most of the opposition last weekend were the Highlanders.
In their game against the Chiefs, they asked the men from Waikato to make a total of 228 tackles of which 20 were missed. Second busiest in defence were Jake White’s Brumbies, who were asked to make 210 tackles by the Western Force.
NZ NewsDominion Post rugby reporter Toby Robson’s weekly Super Rugby rundown.
HURRICANES
Physio’s table: Reggie Goodes (shoulder – six weeks at least), Karl Lowe (knee), Mark Reddish (neck), Chris Smylie (pectoral – out for the season).
In the news: Smylie’s season-ender is a big blow. Halfbacks are vital these days and the Canes need guidance. Encouragingly, Chris Eaton made a good fist of things against the Stormers.
The Good: A healthy appreciation of 1980s pop culture is evidenced by Brad Shields and Faifili Levave adopting Mr T hairdos. If BA (Bad Attitude) Baracus’ catchphrases ring true, they could be on to something: “I love it when a plan comes together” and “Hannibal’s [Hammett’s] on the jazz” spring to mind, though his popular “I ain’t boarding no plane” is a stumbling block.
The Bad: Throwing crooked is one thing but not throwing the ball in at all? Hooker Dane Coles cannot afford a repeat in Jo’burg.
BLUES
Physio’s table: Charlie Faumuina (medial ligament).
In the news: Piri Weepu. It seems a shame the focus of his Blues debut was on his fitness, not his game. It’s odd rugby still accepts top players reporting for duty unfit. Would it pass muster in the NFL, NBA or EPL?
The Good: Locks Ali Williams and Anthony Boric and flanker Jerome Kaino put in top-drawer efforts against the Crusaders. And mark down David Raikuna as a player to watch on the wing.
The Bad: Taking captain Keven Mealamu off with 20 minutes to play. Was he injured or tired? If neither then coach Pat Lam got it wrong.
CRUSADERS
Physio’s table: Richie McCaw (foot), Dan Carter (groin).
In the news: Tyler Bleyendaal. CBHS’ rugby domination is getting ridiculous so Team Talk is investigating. Clue No1: Headmaster Trevor McIntyre’s welcome on the school website covers orchestras, concert bands, chamber music, even barbershop quartets. The only reference to “sport” is the “theatre” variety.
The Good: Robbie Fruean. Great to see the big unit on full throttle in game one. Carving past Rene Ranger and over Weepu was highlight. (Bonus point for hair cut – see above).
The Bad: Israel Dagg playing on the wing. His draw and pass on Isaia Toeava denied a certain try to Fruean and his early clearance was charged down. Why isn’t the All Blacks fullback wearing No15?
CHIEFS
Physio’s table: Brendon Leonard (hamstring), Ben Afeaki (broken forearm), Lelia Masaga (knee strain).
In the news: Sonny Bill Williams. Don King wants him to box, Matty Johns says he’s heading to the Roosters, an old mate says he’s bored with rugby. Team Talk says zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
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The Good: Young Ben Tameifuna’s start this week. The Hawke’s Bay prop can play some seriously good code. Why he’s not a Hurricane remains a mystery.
The Bad: Seven changes to the starting XV after week one? Team Talk thought Ian Foster had left the Chiefs.
HIGHLANDERS
Physio’s table: Colin Slade (torn groin), Chris Noakes (ankle sprain), Ma’afu Fia (hamstring), Jarrad Hoeata (chest), Shaun Treeby (knee), Siale Piutau (calf), Kendrick Lynn (neck) and Kade Poki (knee).
In the news: Otago rugby’s not the Highlanders but it has cast a pall over everything rugby in Dunedin.
The Good: Jamie Joseph. Credit where credit’s due. Joseph made Phil Burleigh and Chris Noakes look like assured Super Rugby players, and turned loose forward Nick Crosswell into the best lock on display in round one. Imagine what he’ll do with a fully fit squad.
The Bad: Tamati Ellison proves Japan has developed a pre-season template for Super Rugby players. Wait, that could be a good thing.
AUSSIE
On early evidence it will be painful to be a Waratahs fan and dull to be a Force or Brumbies fan. Bring on the Running Rebels!
SOUTH AFRICA
In case you missed the excitement in the Republic, here’s a re-cap.
Elton Janties kicked nine penalties for the Lions; Morne Steyn kicked 900 up and unders for the Bulls; and Gary van Aswegen kicked a drop goal against a 13-man Hurricanes side in Cape Town.
Also, Sharks coach John Plumtree must have missed the New Zealand derby matches: “The standard of their derbies [Australia and New Zealand] isn’t nearly as intense as ours here in South Africa,” he said. Huh?
Fairfax NZ News
Let’s hope for some big Lions attacking Rugby tonight!
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