Super Rugby Aotearoa: Five Talking Points from Round 7
The Hurricanes celebreate Wes Goosen’s vital second try on the way to their 34-32 win
Credit: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Super Rugby Aoateroa (SRA) remains intriguingly poised as the Crusaders’ lead at the top of the standings was cut to just two points, albeit with a game to spare.
The hurt for the Chiefs still goes on as they went down to another demoralising loss to the Blues, succumbing to a 21-17 defeat at Eden Park which is slowly becoming a fortress for the Auckland outfit.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Saders proved they are human after losing a humdinger to the Hurricanes with Jordie Barrett helping himself to 19 points from fullback in a 34-32 win that keeps the competition wide open.
Take a look at our five talking points from the latest round of SRA.
Crusaders still have work to do but unfortunate to lose an epic
Crusaders had not tasted defeated in Christchurch for 36 games until a resurgent Hurricanes, lead by the effervescent TJ Perenera, rocked up in town looking to throw a sizeable cat among the pigeons in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
And boy did they.
Despite excellent performances from Richie Mo’unga, George Bridge, Sevu Reece and Sam Whitelock, among others, the Crusaders narrowly lost 34-32.
It could have been different though - had Mo’unga’s conversion for Sevu Reece’s try on 76 minutes stayed inside the upright, we could have had Golden Point extra time, which could have seen the ‘Saders snatch the win.
Despite the loss and their astonishing home record up in tatters, it is hard to pick fault with the Canterbury outfit’s performance.
One area of concern to Scott Robertson and his coaching team would be their discipline, with 11 penalties conceded and Jordie Barrett helping himself to 19 points from the tee.
With a guy like Barrett, who has a foot like a traction engine, in the opposition ranks you can not give him any chances in your half or he will bang them over.
They conceded nine turnovers also, which is far too many for a team who pride themselves on building phases and smothering teams into submission with their relentless attacking backs.
From an attacking perspective, their were magnificent at times. If Barrett can’t get into the 10 shirt at the Blues then he has no chance of playing fly-half for the All Blacks with Mo’unga in the form he is in.
His break and lovely lofted left hand pass for Reece’s score was majestic while he orchestrated his teams attacking play all night. Shoutout to George Bridge on his try also for a stunning half volley that he regathered to dot down.
As we said previously, this is rugby with the handbrake off and it is a joy to watch.
With 592 metres made, 56% of the ball and 55% of the territory, the Crusaders will be left scratching their heads how this got away from them given the dominance they enjoyed for periods of the match.
But, even the best sides have off nights and expect a backlash next week against the despondent Chiefs as they remain favourites for the SRA crown.
A star is born in a smash and grab win for the resilient Canes
Hurricanes centre Peter Umaga-Jensen bagged a try and set up one in a man of the match display
Credit: Hagen Hopkins Getty Images
When your uncles are Tana Umaga and the late great Jerry Collins, growing up as a young boy it is easy to see why Peter Umaga-Jensen took up the oval sport rather than cricket or football.
The game is all the more better for it as the powerful and skilful 13 was outstanding in his sides win against the Crusaders, overshadowing opposite number Jack Goodhue as the mulleted genius missed four tackles in an average display.
Umaga-Jensen impressed with his direct running, while his break and lovely floated pass setting up Goosen’s first try. He bagged his own with three defenders on his back, forcing his way over from close range for the game-winning score.
He and fun bus Ngani Laumape now form a tasty centre partnership for the ‘Canes, who ground this one out due to a combination of intense rush defence and scything counter attacking play.
Their dogged display was summarised by winger Ben Lam, usually a pacy, flying winger, making 14 tackles as they defended for their lives once they went up 31-20 in the 63rd minute.
TJ Perenera was reliable with his box kicking while up front in the tight five, second row Scott Scrafton and hooker Asafo Aumua got through a serious amount of work in the loose, breakdown and set piece.
Wes Goosen showed his finishing instincts but, again, Jordie Barrett continues to lead the resurgent Canes with another mature display.
He kicked his goals, was solid in defence and postionally while he came up into the line well when his side was on the front foot. After being a jack of all trades, he seems to have found a permanent home at fullback in another all action display.
In the immortal words of Kevin Keegan, the ‘Canes are still fighting for this title and the Crusaders have to go to the Blues on the final day and get something. Who knows how the table could look by the end of Round 10?
Chiefs suffer seven losses on the spin with pressure building on Gatland
It’s official - this is the Chiefs’ worst losing streak in 25 years of Super Rugby with Gatland surely feeling hot under the collar now.
It got off to the worst start possible when Blues fullback Matt Duffie cut a great line through non-existent Chiefs defenders to open the scoring after five minutes.
The pain continued as they went 14-0 down with Patrick Tuipulotu smashing over from close range on 13 minutes. You give any side that sort of head start, its going to be hard going playing catch up
Former England fly-half and Times columnist Stuart Barnes stuck the boot into Gatland and his team, suggesting his Northern Hemisphere style is failing in to cut the mustard in New Zealand.
He believes the man who pioneered ‘Warrenball’ – a conservative approach based on using big ball carriers - is “struggling to impose his beliefs on how games can be won in a country where the overwhelming priority is how it should be played”.
Barnes specifically referenced Damian McKenzie as being stifled under the new regime, but he ironically had a solid game at 15 for the Chiefs in attack and defence.
His break set up the field position for their opening try through flanker Lachlan Boshier and eventually levelled things up through some superb attacking interplay from Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden and finally onto Solomon Alaimalo.
The winger ran in from nearly 40 metres to edge the Chiefs ahead into a 17-14 lead after 50 minutes.
However, it eventuall boiled down to the Waikato side trying to batter down the Blues door - who were reduced to 14 men when replacement Harry Plummer was binned - in order to overturn a 21-17 defecit in the dying minutes.
In a moment that summarised their SRA campaign, they were pinged (maybe harshly) for holding on in the ruck with the tryline beckoning and consigned to another crushing defeat.
It is hard to pinpoint what is specifically going wrong, but on this occasion some ferocious Blues defence and not capitalising on visits to the their opponent’s 22 hit the Chiefs hard.
The Auckland franchise coughed up a staggering 14 penalties in the game. To only come away with 17 points in a game when the other team is handing scoring chances to you on a silver platter is simply not good enough.
Head coach Gatland will be lamenting the lack of accuracy with the luck just not falling for him and his men so far. Their confidence looks totally shot, despite impressive runouts from Sam Cane, Anton Lienert-Brown and McKenzie.
It is difficult to fault them as on another day it could have been different. Next up? The wounded Crusaders are in town, so good luck lads.
Blues title charge still alive as Ioane brothers lead from the front
Rieko Ioane on the charge for the Blues against the Chiefs at Eden Park
Credit: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images
Last time out we mentioned All Blacks coach Ian Foster has a hell of a selection dilemma on his hands when names a 35-man squad next month, particularly in the backs division.
Rieko Ioane is one of those surely nailed on for a spot after he has flourished since being moved into the 13 shirt by Blues coach Leon MacDonald.
He was at it again on Sunday, not only setting up the first try but also creating two clean breaks, beating four defenders in the process, on the way to picking up 51 metres for his team.
In a solid team performance, he was only arguably outshone by brother Akira in the back row. The flanker made 12 tackles in a solid defensive display, getting his hands dirty in the ruck and sometimes on the wrong side of the law.
The brothers have gone off the boil a wee bit since they both burst onto the scene with some stunning displays against the British Lions in 2017. These sorts of performances will do their chances of featuring together again in a black shirt no harm.
Patrick Tuipulotu surely has to start at lock for New Zealand when they next play and he was outstanding in his sheer work rate this time out.
He is thriving in the captaincy role and will fill the sizeable voids of Brodie Retallick, who is in Japan with the Kobeco Steelers, and Scott Barrett, who sustained a nasty toe injury in the ‘Saders SRA opener.
Plaudits have to go to head coach Leon MacDonald for the sensational turnaround he has performed on an underwhelming Blues team.
Since taking over he has given them a steely resolve and ability to grind out wins when their back are against the wall. That final game in Week 10 against the Crusaders looks more and more mouthwatering…
Highlanders keen to do their talking on the pitch next time out
Highlanders celebrate Sio Tomkinson against the Chiefs in Round 6
Credit: Dave Rowland Getty Images
As it was a bye week, the lads from Dunedin decided to go and sample the sites in Queensland and enjoyed a few too many shandy’s in the process, getting into a spot of bother.
The franchise has apologised after seven of their players got a wee bit rowdy, but confirmed that none of the group will be stood down from the game against the Blues in Dunedin on Sunday.
The Highlanders were staying at the Glebe Apartments in the popular tourist spot, and police were called after fellow guests complained several times in the small hours of Saturday about their behaviour and noise levels.
A man who they met on the night out was charged with wilful damage, but nothing more than that was made of it.
CEO Roger Clark said: “From our investigation, we can confirm that no damage at the apartments was caused by any Highlanders player.
“We can also confirm that no Highlanders player is facing any action from the police.
“Having said that, we’re extremely disappointed that some of our players’ antisocial behaviour forced guests to endure a disturbed night.
“As a club we apologise unreservedly to those guests involved.
“For the Glebe management and police to be called demonstrates a clear lack of respect for others and this is well below the standards we expect from our players whether assembled as a team or enjoying downtime together.
“Our messaging to the players is very clear: you are always a Highlander and as such we expect good behaviour at all times.
“Now that the matter has been investigated the players involved will be sanctioned by the club and the entire team will be reminded of their responsibilities around behaviour.”
Given the Aaron Smith sex scandal and the Chiefs stripper party that has dogged New Zealand rugby in recent years, this is a relative hurricane in a teacup and they will be glad to get back to the rugby next time out against the Blues.
Yes, they were silly and the ‘boys will be boys’ defence won’t wash here, especially given the reputation rugby players have.
But, apart from guests losing a few hours sleep in one of the most notorious party towns in the world, this could have ended so much worse. Apologise, take your medicine and show remorse.
Was it idiotic? Yes. Arrogant and antagonistic? Maybe. Either way, we should drawn a line under it and not let it sour what has been a fantastic tournament that the Highlanders have more than played their part in.
