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Super Rugby starts here: The Australian conference's first week
Scotty Stevenson previews every Australian team’s opening game in Super Rugby 2017.
As they face New Zealand sides in round one, we have covered the Rebels and the Brumbies here, so that only leaves us the Waratahs, Force and the Reds for this week’s matchups. As luck would have it, two of those sides face each other first up so, in the best traditions of New Zealanders reviewing anything Australian, this will be mercifully short.
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Waratahs v Force
I’ll be honest here, this is the best possible start for the Waratahs from a player perspective, but the worst possible start for the Waratahs from a fan perspective. Sydney is still Australian rugby’s traditional market, and the Tahs needed a blockbuster clash to get the fans in the mood for the season. The Force is not the team that gets you in the mood for anything other than wagering vast sums against them.
And you should bet the house on the Waratahs in this one. Coach Daryl Gibson has not messed about, and has picked as many of his big names as he could – Hooper, Skelton, Mumm, Kepu, Phipps, Foley, Horne and Folau will all start game one, and need to make a statement of intent against the battlers from the West.
The Waratahs need to score points – if for no other reason than to prove to themselves that they can. Last year they were held to 27.1 PPG, which saw them ranked 9th overall – a terrible result considering the attacking talent in the squad. Fortunately for them, the Force managed just 17 points per game which saw them ranked stone cold last.
The Force were also last in terms of tries per game and clean breaks. In other words, they were about as threatening as a bean bag. Making matters worse for the Force last year was the fact they liked to watch teams do things to them – things like throw the most passes, win the most lineouts, and put together the best scrum percentage in the competition.
It’s hard to see this being anything other than one-sided in Sydney, with the Waratahs too strong. About the best we can hope for is that there will be a fight. Involving weapons.
Hot tip: Israel Folau will score a hat trick.
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Ones to watch: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty
Telly Magnet rating: 3/5
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Reds v Sharks
There have been some positive noises emanating from the city of the Brown Snake over the last month as the Reds look to bury the last three years of their existence and rise again under the auspices of new head coach Nick Stiles. It is no secret the Reds were in a complete state on and off the field last year, but maybe there is a bit more backbone at Ballymore this season.
Much of that is being supplied by a 36-year old loose forward who once played half a test match against the Lions while pretty much in a coma. George Smith is still one of the best players on the planet, and his influence at the Reds cannot and should not be underestimated. Stephen Moore, Scott Higginbotham and Quade Cooper also return to Brisvegas, and that kind of veteran nous (the four aforementioned players have 326 combined test caps), coupled with the excitement of the likes of centre Samu Kerevi and flanker Adam Korczyk makes for an interesting and potentially dangerous mix.
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For their part, the Sharks have one or two things to work on this season. The first thing would be to look interested in playing rugby. It was staggering to watch the Sharks – once a side equal parts reckless and Rabelaisian – do so little in 2016. And by so little I mean this: they threw the fewest passes, made the fewest carries and had the fewest ruck wins of any side.
The Sharks have won four of the last five encounters between these teams, and two of those were in Brisbane. They won’t fear the Reds, and they will be cognisant of the fact they have an easier road to the finals than last year, so best get on that road from the opening weekend.
Still picking this goes to the Reds, but we can only hope the Sharks at least attempt to play the game.
Hot tip: Quade Cooper won’t get booed.
Ones to watch: Adam Korcyk, Daniel du Preez
Telly Magnet rating: 3/5
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments