Five Super Rugby Semifinals That Set The Benchmark For This Weekend
Jamie Wall takes a look back at some classic Super Rugby semifinals ahead of this weekend’s showdowns between the Hurricanes and Chiefs, and the Lions and Highlanders.
You’d be hard-pressed to wipe the smirk off the faces of SANZAAR bosses after last weekend’s set of results. Despite the convoluted conference system, we are now left with the four best teams in the competition.
The consensus is that both games this weekend will be great to watch, which hasn’t always been the case for previous Super Rugby semifinals.
Here are a few of the most entertaining semifinal matches of the past few years – the benchmark for this weekend’s games.
2009: Bulls 36 Crusaders 23
The Bulls were the dominant force in the competition back at the turn of the last decade, and this was pretty much summed up by the last play before halftime: after turning around a 13-point deficit to draw level at 20-all, Pierre Spies carved off an insane 70-metre run to rip the heart out of the Crusaders. Morne Steyn then trampled it into oblivion with four drop goals.
What happened the weekend after: This was the warm up for the biggest ever finals beat down in Super Rugby history, with the Bulls destroying the Chiefs 61-17.
2011: Reds 30 Blues 13
Half an hour into this one Quade Cooper pulled out a flat-out filthy move that more or less started Lachie Munro thinking about a French rugby contract before he’d even hit the ground. The eventual Ben Tapuai try, plus a hat trick to ‘Rocket’ Rod Davies, propelled the Reds to a commanding win in their high water mark season of Super Rugby.
What happened the weekend after: Despite conceding an early Dan Carter try, the Reds held their nerve to mount a comeback in a tense match. Will Genia’s 67th minute miracle try meant the they prevailed 18-13.
2012: Chiefs 20 Crusaders 17
Someone must’ve slipped the angry pills into both sets of water bottles, because a number of scuffles broke out in the first half. More notable was the performance of Sonny Bill Williams in this one, playing a leading hand in the Chiefs’ crucial second try. Dan Carter fell victim to the dastardly cow bells of Waikato Stadium – his late penalty attempt to tie the game up falling just short.
What happened the weekend after: The Sharks have made a habit of not showing up to important finals matches over the years, and this one was no exception. It was all Chiefs from start to finish as they cruised home 37-6.
2013: Brumbies 26 Bulls 23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmGLVQuD9BU
The heavily fancied Bulls had to go punch-for-punch with the plucky Brumbies, who got the first try through an outrageous Henry Speight offload. A Bulls bench player got himself involved in the game for all the wrong reasons by interfering with a kick to touch – maybe it was the karma from his bad sportsmanship that saw Tevita Kuridrani score the winning try three minutes from full time.
What happened the weekend after: The Brumbies kept up their good form and were leading the Chiefs 22-12 an hour into the final. However, their defence cracked allowing Robbie Robinson (of all people) to score the go ahead try and eventually lose 27-22.
2015: Highlanders 35 Waratahs 17
Easily the most controversial game on our list, it seemed that the Highlanders had every call go their way en route to a famous upset. First a very offside Aaron Smith scored to draw level with the Tahs, than an incredibly debatable penalty try put them into a lead they never gave up. To say it took the wind out of the Tahs’ sails is an understatement – they were never in it after the biggest call in Super Rugby semi final history.
What happened the weekend after: If the semi final was a bit of an upset, the final was very much the complete version. Much to the dismay of Hurricanes fans, the Highlanders got another questionable try allowed to help them go on and win 21-14.
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments