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The Rebels are rewriting their record books, the Hurricanes are all about small victories and the Blues fail to deliver in this week’s ‘Winners and Losers’.
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Winner: The Rebels
The Rebels have been the early season surprise of 2018.
Under David Wessels’ guidance the men from Melbourne are off to their best start ever and have the chance to win a franchise record three games in a row next week against the lacklustre Brumbies.
The team are already rewriting their record books after picking up full points across their first two matches. Winger Jack Maddocks also scored the first hat-trick in Rebels history, getting it done in just under 52 minutes against the Sunwolves.
After a 45-19 win against the Reds and a 37-17 victory over the Sunwolves, the Rebels have the best points difference in the competition at +46 and have already doubled their win total from last season.
Loser: The Blues
The Blues suffered another heart-breaking loss in week three.
The Auckland franchise were presented with a golden opportunity against an injury ravaged Chiefs side who had a total of 17 players unavailable and were forced to start players that weren’t even in their initial squad.
Unfortunately, it was another opportunity gone to waste as the Blues squandered their chance to snap a two-year losing streak against New Zealand opposition and a seven-year losing streak against the Chiefs.
The Blues now carve their names into the Super Rugby history books as they own the record for most consecutive losses against one opponent. They haven’t beaten the Chiefs in their last 13 meetings.
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To put things in perspective, the last time the Blues beat the Chiefs Rieko Ioane was just 14 years old, Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” was number one and Tana Umaga was lined up against the side he now coaches.
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The real problem with the Blues
Winner: “Small wins”
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Sunday morning’s fixture between the Hurricanes and Jaguares gave us a little insight into Chris Boyd’s coaching philosophy.
With things getting chippy late in the second half, referee Nick Briant asked TJ Perenara and the Hurricanes to politely “stop yahooing” following a Jaguares knock on, to which captain Brad Shields responded “one of our things is small wins, if we get a small win we’re going to celebrate with each other”.
It’s safe to say their opponents didn’t appreciate the celebrations, maybe because they didn’t have many small wins of their own to cheer about. I say keep celebrating, Hurricanes.
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Hurricanes overcome slow start to top Jaguares
Loser: Injury
Week three saw teams across the league lose a lot of talent through injury.
Crusaders flanker Matt Todd broke his thumb earlier in the week, while five eighth Richie Mo’unga suffered a broken jaw against the Stormers and faces extended time on the sidelines.
Blues captain Augustine Pulu is set to miss his team’s trip to South Africa due to a foot injury suffered against the Chiefs, who have some big injury issues of their own. Brodie Retallick and Shaun Stevenson were both late scratches against the Blues because of leg and eye injuries respectively.
And it’s not just the New Zealand teams suffering, Waratahs centre Kurtley Beale was taken out at half time against the Sharks with a rib injury, potentially ruling him out of a trip to Argentina.
But it’s the Sunwolves who may have had the worst luck of the lot. They lost starting centre Tim Lafaele to a head knock just eight minutes into their match against the Rebels. Flyhalf Hayden Parker was next to go after suffering a knee injury, and winger Aki Yamada and lock Sam Wykes both had to leave early due to concussion.
The Japanese side were so short on numbers they had to play reserve loose forward Yoshitaka Tokunaga on the wing for the remainder of the match.
Winner: Lions tight five
The Lions tight five put on a show against the Bulls in week three.
All three starting front rowers dotted down for tries, as did lock Marvin Orie who scored from a beautiful Elton Jantjies grubber kick. Props Ruan Dreyer and Jacques van Rooyen scored signature Lions tries from lineout mauls just five minutes apart.
In total, the tight five were responsible for five of the Lions’ seven tries after forcing a penalty try from a collapsed maul close to the try line. One might say they scored the Lion’s share of points in their 49-35 victory over the Bulls.
Loser: Watchability
Super Rugby’s watchability took a big hit this weekend.
I’m sure anyone who caught the slugfest between the Brumbies and Reds would agree.
All credit to Brad Thorn and the Reds for toughing it out and getting their first win, but the six penalties to two unconverted tries spectacle wasn’t exactly eye candy and won’t encourage many to tune in the next time either of these teams are on the pitch.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments