Super Rugby Aotearoa: Five Talking Points from Round 8
Quinten Strange of the Crusaders juggles the ball near the Chiefs line in the build up to a controversial try
Credit: FIONA GOODALL/GETTY IMAGES
Controversy reigned in Super Rugby Aotearoa (SRA) with refereeing decisions at the forefront as Warren Gatland’s miserable start to his Waikato tenure continued.
After defeat to the Hurricanes last time out, the Crusaders got their title march back on track with a hard fought 32-19 victory over the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Meanwhile, the resurgent Blues secured an extremely impressive 32-21 win down south in Dunedin.
Here are the major talking points from the moving weekend of the tournament.
Referee Ben O’Keefe gets it wrong as Chiefs unlucky in defeat
Lord oh lord the Chiefs can’t catch a break at the moment. With the game at 19-20 in the Saders favour, the Chiefs were defending deep in their half as lock Quinten Strange broke into the 22.
As Strange tried to offload to the supporting Sevu Reece he fumbled the ball on, the momentum of his run meaning the ball went forward.
Before the ball hit the ground, however, Strange tried to tap the ball backwards with Reece grabbing the pill and dotting down.
However, with video replays proving as much, the ball clearly travelled forwarded at least two metres from the point Strange lost control of it.
Referee Ben O’Keefe awarded the try then went upstairs, where the TMO also, inexplicably, adjudicated it was a fair try.
The laws of the game state that a knock-on occurs “when a player hits the ball forward with the hand or arm, or when the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward, and the ball touches the ground or another player before the original player can catch it.”
Losing possession and the ball travelling forward is defined as a knock-on, which is what occurred and lead to the wrong decision.
To his credit, although Warren Gatland said he would “take it on the chin” he must have been spitting feathers as his side succumbed to a franchise record eight straight games.
There were so many positives to take and Chiefs will surely get back to winning ways soon if they play like this every week, fighting back from being 12-0 down to push the Christchurch outfit all the way.
Damien McKenzie was a a bag of tricks when he stepped into the line, with his goal kicking very reliable in recent months, while Sam Cane made 18 thundering tackles in an all action display.
Fijian number 8 Pita Gus Sowakula fulfilled 13 tackles and carried hard for his team while flanker Lachlan Boshier tuned over some key rucks and got on the score sheet.
The Chiefs need the bounce of a ball, a refereeing decision or calamitous opposition error to fall their way in the coming weeks or they could easily not win a game for the whole SRA season.
‘Saders march to the title continues as their pack dominates
Richie Mo’unga continued his outstanding recent form in his team’s 32-19 win
Credit: Photosport
Despite the favourable decision falling their way, the Crusaders were well worth their victory as they look like they are back on the march to the championship.
It was formed by a phenomenal up front effort as they won all their own lineout and scrum ball, pinching a few of the Chiefs aswell for good measure.
Captain Codie Taylor capped a fantastic display with a pushover try and his silky hands in the midfield set Tom Sanders free for the opener.
Grizzled veteran Sam Whitelock was arguably man-of-the-match in his 150th Super Rugby match, with his work rate still unimpeded despite the advancing years.
A lineout who had five receptions, the 31-year-old also finished with ten tackles in an incredible performance.
The back row of Sione Havili, Tom Sanders and Tom Christie could form the spine of their pack for many years going forward, with the talent stocks packed at the Crusaders.
Although their electrifying backs have garnered much praise from commentators, including from this parish, the forwards have provided a solid platform for them to perform on.
The victory puts them two points clear in the standings, with a mouth-watering final day clash against the Blues in prospect which could still prove vital.
However, the Aucklanders realistically need the Highlanders to do them a favour next weekend in Christchurch in order for them to retain an outside shot at the title.
The master and the apprentice shine in Auckland
It always feels like we are talking about Beauden Barrett here at The Flanker but he showed his undoubted brilliance again in tandem with the young gun Caleb Clarke.
His cross kick to the slippery winger set up the first try with Clarke gathering the ball and making key metres before offloading for an easy walk in.
A little later, Barrett’s long loop pass found flanker Tony Lamborn who popped back inside for Clarke to bustle a few yards before his clever pass fed two-try scrumhalf Finlay Christie.
Barrett is thriving being back in the 10 shirt in Otere Black’s absence, but the Blues would not have been as effective had it not been for the work of the left wing Clarke.
He is a hard man to characterise as he couples his size, power and pace with really skillful touches and offloads.
Either way, he is surely an All Black in waiting as he made 72 go forward metres and assisted two tries in an outstanding performance while Finlay Christie was excellent as he popped up on the shoulder for two scores.
Up front, tighthead Ofa Tu’ungafasi lead a powerful Blues scrum and skipper Patrick Tuipulotu was his usual hardworking self as he got through his dirty work.
However, Akira Ioane at number 8 was brilliant and looks to be back to his 2017 self. He got on the scoresheet, made carries, hit rucks and made a game high 13 tackles.
This Blues side thrives on counter attacking as yet again they enjoyed less territory and possession than their opponents but walked away with the win. Expect them to push the Crusaders to the very end for the title.
Shannon Frizell and Aaron Smith carry Highlanders close
Aaron Smith looks on as his side slip to a 32-21 defeat to Beauden Barrett’s Blues
Credit Dianne Manson Getty Images
We have mentioned before how dependent the Highlanders are on skipper Aaron Smith in a previous edition and that over reliance is coming back to bite them on the bum.
He completed the most passes out anyone on the field, with the majority of the Highlanders play coming off the All Blacks halfback.
Smith even pulled off a remarkable try saving intervention, with his outstretched right boot stopping a certain Kurt Eklund try.
Josh Ioane came in at 10 and had a solid game off the tee but the Dunedin franchise had a tough time breaking down a resolute Blues defence.
Since losing Waisake Naholo to the Engplish Premiership, they lack the x-factor outside backs that the Crusaders or the Hurricanes can boast, often relying on forward dominance or Smith sending someone over with his pinpoint passing.
Up front, Shannon Frizell completed a try saving turnover, made dominant tackles, damaging runs and capped it all off with a try to his name.
He is the frontrunner for the All Black number six jersey, reminding Ian Foster of the immense qualities he possesses.
When Aaron Smith finally moves on, be it Europe, Japan or retirement, the Highlanders will seriously miss not only his leadership abilities but the playmaking scrumhalf he is.
They look a long, long away from replicating that 2015 Super Rugby title as it stands but hopefully Smith and Frizell can help usher through some new blood.
Fans at sport cannot be underestimated
The Highlanders faithful cheer on their team at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin in Super Rugby Aotearoa
Credit: Photosport/Derek Morrison
As The Flanker is based in the UK, we have had to view the end of the Premier League season on TV with the games behind closed doors and crowd noise piped in.
To watch Super Rugby Aotearoa take place with supporters in tow has been a blessed relief from the sterile nature of sport over here due to the coronavirus crisis.
Just over 15,000 saw the Chiefs take on the Crusaders in Hamilton while nearly 20,000 packed into Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin to watch the Highlanders narrowly lose to the Blues.
Professional sport is half empty both literally and spiritually without in-stadium fans, despite the necessity for it in Western Europe and elsewhere in the world.
Whether it is chatting with people who sit near you in your stand, a half time beer or shouting for your team, rugby, football, cricket and more needs the punters in to make it whole.
It is a shame that Super Rugby Aotearoa comes to an end on 16 August if solely for that reason alone, with New Zealand a seemingly safe haven from the horrors of COVID-19.
As former AC Milan and Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi once said: “Football is the most important of the least important things in life.”
Throw the oval ball in there too and you have got yourself a deal. Long live the escapism and New Zealand Rugby for treating us to a magnificent tournament.
