Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Everything you need to know about Super Rugby Pacific round nine

By Finn Morton
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Heading into the final match of Super Rugby Pacific round nine, here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s games.

ADVERTISEMENT

Results

Chiefs 50-17 Fijian Drua

Melbourne Rebels 27-43 Crusaders

Blues 55-21 NSW Waratahs

To come…

Western Force vs Highlanders

Round Recap

Chiefs extend unbeaten run with dominant win over Fijian Drua

  • The ladder-leading Chiefs extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a 50-17 win over the Fijian Drua in Hamilton
  • Playing in the wet at FMG Stadium, the Chiefs managed to score five tries during a fast-paced opening 40
  • Outside centre Daniel Rona was particularly impressive for the hosts, having finished with two try assists and more than 120 running metres to his name
  • While the starting XV looked a bit different this week, in-form utility backs Damian McKenzie and Shaun Stevenson continued to stake their claim for All Blacks selection

The Chiefs have continued their perfect start to this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign with an emphatic 50-17 win over the Fijian Drua on Friday evening.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

Playing in the wet at FMG Stadium, Chiefs halfback Cortez Ratima set the tone early with a try in just the third minute. The rising star saw a gap and ultimately made the Drua pay from close range.

In-form outside back Shaun Stevenson continued to push his case for the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup squad with as he finished off an impressive team effort five minutes later.

The Chiefs looked very good during the opening quarter of the match, and threatened to put on a cricket score in front of their home fans in Hamilton.

While the Drua managed to score midway through the half, Chiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier cancelled that effort with a try of his won in the 20th minute.

ADVERTISEMENT

Anything the Drua could do, the Chiefs could do as well – if not better.

Tries to All Blacks Damian McKenzie and Samisoni Taukei’aho helped complete the point scoring blitz from the Chiefs, as they went into the sheds at half-time up 31-12.

The second 40 wasn’t quite as extreme, but followed a similar trend as the hosts ran away with a big victory.

After waiting until the 71st minute for their first try of the half, which was scored by captain Brodie Retallick, the Chiefs added another two five-pointers to their tally before the end of the match.

Related

Crusaders rally to beat valiant Rebels in Melbourne

  • The Rebels led by 12-points at the break, but a second-half point-scoring blitz from the Crusaders saw the title holders record an important win
  • After trailing at half-time, the Crusaders outscored their opponents 30-5 in the second 40
  • Led by star playmaker Richie Mo’unga, the Crusaders ended up leaving AAMI Park with a hard-earned bonus point victory

Going into their round nine clash, the Rebels and Crusaders were both desperate to win – but for very different reasons.

ADVERTISEMENT

Defending Super Rugby Pacific champions the Crusaders had silenced their critics over the last few weeks, but needed to win in order to keep up with the high-flying Chiefs and Brumbies.

As for the Rebels, who sat in 10th place going into the match, a win could’ve propelled them into the top eight.

Following a tense start to the match, the Crusaders eventually took an early lead after a try to winger Macca Springer.

But three tries in 11 minutes saw the Rebels take control of the contest, and eventually take a commanding 24-12 lead into the half-time break.

An upset appeared to be on the cards at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, but the Crusaders are champions for a reason.

Led by star playmaker Richie Mo’unga, who was celebrating his 100th Super Rugby appearance, the Crusaders fought their way back into the match.

Tries to David Havili, Cullen Grace, Ioane Moananu and Dallas McLeod saw the title holders record a tough 16-point win.

Related

Blues put 50 on under-strength Waratahs

  • The Blues made a statement in Auckland with a convincing 55-21 win over the NSW Waratahs on Saturday
  • Ricky Riccitelli and Zarn Sullivan both scored doubles for the hosts
  • The Blues outscored the Waratahs 35-14 in the second half

For the first time this season, the Blues have recorded back-to-back wins in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign after beating the Waratahs 55-21 at Eden Park.

The blues beat the Melbourne Rebels 54-17 at AAMI Park a fortnight ago before going on a bye in round eight.

Returning to Eden Park for the first time in almost a month, the Blues celebrated Beauden Barrett’s 150th Super Rugby appearance – as well as Harry Plummers 50th match for the franchise.

Right from the get-go, the Blues were in control of their trans-Tasman derby with the Waratahs.

The Tahs, who were missing a number of Wallabies including Michael Hooper, conceded inside the opening 10 minutes – which practically summed up the match.

First half tries to Ricky Riccitelli and Zarn Sullivan saw the hosts lead 20-7 at the break, before the Blues turned on the after burners in the second 40.

The Blues scored four tries in the second half as they registered a convincing 55-21 win over the Waratahs – and they secured a winning bonus point as well.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Luke Cowan-Dickie: 'I didn’t feel right. I felt like I was going to pass out. Everything was going black in front of me' Luke Cowan-Dickie: 'I didn’t feel right. I felt like I was going to pass out. Everything was going black in front of me'
Search