Business as usual for Kiwis

The Kiwis went about there usual business over the weekend making it another five from five against their opposition.

The New Zealand teams are just a different monster all together. They are in a league of their own and merely just go about their business demolishing any other teams that stand in their way. The weekend started with the Hurricanes coasting to a comfortable win over the Stormers, outscoring the visitors seven tries to one. It was then onto the Highlanders with a win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in what was one of the finest comebacks this competition has seen. There were then routine victories for the Chiefs over the Reds, the Crusaders demolishing the Bulls and the Blues over the Tahs.

It just looks as though nobody is capable of taming the New Zealanders. Their worst team in the league still has more points than the leaders in the Australian conference. In my opinion, the only two teams who have a shot at coming close would be the Lions or Sharks. Due to the new structure of the competition, neither team will face any of the New Zealand teams until the playoffs. The Lions are playing some great rugby and are 2/2 on the road in Australia, but don’t be surprised if its New Zealand vs New Zealand in the semi finals and finals to come.

Sharks back on track

The Sharks look to be back at their best following a 25 point win over the force at the weekend. The home team will feel somewhat upset they never managed a bonus point victory over the struggling Force but they have come leaps and bounds since their 9-9 draw with the Rebels a fortnight ago, in what was once of the worst Super Rugby games to date.

Not only are they are on the right track but their team looks like it is starting to gel even more now. Durban’s favourite son, Patrick Lambie, came off the bench and was admirable. It was his first game since he injured himself against the Waratahs about six weeks ago. His return could not come at a better time due to the unfortunate fact of Curwin Bosch leaving to do business with the SA u20’s. The youngster will be missed, but with Lambie at 10 and Rhyno Smith marshaling the back three, the Sharks look to be in a good space at the moment. Although they do seem to miss the physicality of Esterhuizen (still serving a suspension), Jeremy Ward has delivered the goods. Sibusiso Nkosi had a great game at wing and looks to have cemented the number 11 jersey heading into the final stages of the competition.

The Sharks have a mammoth task this weekend against the Kings, a team they only just beat at home in previous rounds. In what would have been seen as a walk over fixture about two months ago, has definitely been flipped on its head and promises to be a spectacle and a half.

Where to for the Bulls?

There is really not much that can be said about the Blue Bulls at the moment. A team once feared at home, with teams going there to just avoid embarrassment, now just embarrass themselves in front of the Loftus faithful, week in and week out.

Who is to blame? Bulls coach Nollis Marais has stated that if he was to get fired, he would take all the blame for one of the Bulls worst seasons to date. But is he really the one to blame? This is the same coach who took the Bulls to Currie Cup final last year. He has definitely not had a great Super Rugby campaign and it is evident that the Bulls lack direction on the field. Or can the players be blamed? Their is no question the Bulls look as though they don’t even want to be on the rugby field, and can you blame them? Don’t get me wrong, there are players who give 110% each game, but there are also those who look as though they playing in the Blue Bulls jersey is a burden to them. Unfortunately the losing trend looks set to continue with them hosting the Highlanders and the in form Hurricanes and an away fixture at Ellis Park against the Lions, all within the space of three weeks.

In my opinion there needs to be a complete coaching staff reshuffle. Someone who will utilise the skills of this team and harness it into a side that can blow even the best teams away. It is evident through the Kings that you do not need a team of superstars. You just need a team with a decent coach, a strong leader and an unmatchable amount of gees, which will always yield results. I am a firm believer that character outweighs talent every day of the week.

Welcome to the Barrett show

It is no question, the Barrett brothers are something special and this weekend was no different, with Beauden and younger brother Jordy, making the toughest club rugby completion, look like a kick around in their backyard.

Jordy, who has take to Super Rugby like a duck to water, and Beauden who has been a dominant force for the last couple of years, understand the game of rugby like very few people out there. Their ability to read the game is just frightening and the way they use and create space is even scarier. Saturday saw them boss the Stormers around as if they were standing still. Jordy’s try that he ripped from Nizaam Carr showed he is never willing to give up, something which makes him the number one pick in any coaches book, and Beauden’s ability to create something out of nothing will continue to amaze everyone. They seem as though they can cross kick in their sleep and both posses a very clean set of wheels. Please enjoy this montage of pure and utter genius.

Is Richie Mo’unga ready for the big leagues?

With the Lions tour fast approaching, and every rugby fan alike drooling from the mouth in anticipation, the questions are being asked as to who Mr Hansen will be picking, and who will unfortunately miss out.

The big question on everyone’s mind is which number 10’s will Hansen be picking? Its almost cruel to have as many options as he does. Beauden is a cut above the rest and will no doubt be his first pick. However, who will he be looking at as his back up. Most people would look to Aaron Cruden as a no-brainer, however, I believe that with roughly a month or so to go, Richie Mo’unga is finding form at the right time. He seems to be playing the better rugby at the moment between the two, and if anything Cruden may just pip him due to experience. Sopoaga is also in the mix and in the race against the clock to get back from injury in time. The safe pick would be to have Cruden as back up, and rightly so, but with Richie peaking at the right time, could we see the youngster earn his first All Black cap? Possibly.

By Tristan Renaud