Super Rugby continues to throw up its share of surprises after a couple of absolute shockers in Round 4. The jet-setting Chiefs suffered their first loss of the year to fellow New Zealand outfit, the Highlanders, and the Blues lost at home to the perennial under-achevers, the Lions in a match that heaps even more pressure on coach John Kirwan.
Not only was Round 4 difficult on punters, it was also a difficult watch for rugby fans. The games were incredibly boring, and only the Bulls and Brumbies were worth watching. Here’s our take on Super Rugby Round 4.
Chiefs (17) v Highanders (20)
An error prone performance subjected the Chiefs to their first loss of the 2015 campaign and with it costed them top spot on the Super Rugby ladder. Friday night’s poor execution was in stark to their exemplary performance of a week ago against the Crusaders, but was somewhat understandable in the face of committed Highlander’s defence.
The sloppy loss is not worth panicking over, however it does reinforce Steve Hansen’s comments about rugby getting boring if teams continue to play a high defensive line and place too great an emphasis on killing opposition momentum rather than countering it with their own. No heroes to point out for either side.
Chiefs: Tries – Penalty try 2, Pen – A.Cruden, Con – A.Cruden 2
Highlanders: Tries – P.Osborne, Pen – L.Sopoaga 3, M.Banks 2
Brumbies (27) v Force (15)
The Brumbies were the most efficient Australian conference side of the round. They secured a four try bonus point win in comfortable circumstance against a trying Western Force side, who despite asking the Brumbies to make 234 tackles in the game, couldn’t find any real momentum.
The skill of the Brumbies lies in their ability to soak up vast amounts of defensive pressure, which came in spades on Friday night, but was suitably death with for the third week in a row.
Even Nick Cummins return to the score sheet wasn’t enough to spark the Force. They did improve from a week ago against the Highlanders, but they need to get more inventive on attack to compete regularly.
Brumbies: Tries – R.Arnold, J.Tomane, B.Alexander, N.White, Pen – C.Lealiifano, Con – C.Lealiifano 2
W.Force: Tries – N.Cummins, S.Mafi, Pen – Z.Holmes, Con – Z.Holmes
Blues (10) v Lions (13)
The Blues are in crisis mode after their fourth straight loss. They are now the only team without a win in 2015, and looking increasingly like welcoming a new coach at some stage during the year. The Blues fell from 10-3 up to lose to one of the least successful franchises in the history of Super Rugby.
The home defeat was especially disappointing given the Blues actually dominated in every facet of the game. Sure, they lack leadership – Kain, Cowan and Braid are asked to shoulder too much responsibility, but they have All Blacks in Piatau, Halai and Saili who need to start shepherding the backline and making more penetrative plays when offered the opportunity.
Well done to the Lions for sticking at it in Albany, exceptional resolve.
Blues: Tries – J.Kaino, Pen – I.West, Con – I.West
Lions: Tries – R.Combrinck, Pen – E.Jantjies 2, Con – E.Jantjies
Reds (5) v Waratahs (23)
Folau is inside the top five for defenders beaten, offloads, metres and carries. The attacking weapon is one of the reasons the Waratahs have fought back so strongly from their shock first round defeat. Him, and the rest of the backline that is. The uber-talented backs including the likes of Foley, Beale, Ashley-Cooper and Betham were excellent against the Reds despite some moments of sloppiness.
Reds could be in for a long season.
Reds: Tries – M.Kotze
Waratahs: Tries – B.Foley, P.Betham, Pen – B.Foley 3, Con – B.Foley 2
Cheetahs (20) v Bulls (39)
The game of the round featured a plethora of tries and the first time we were able to bring out the drop goal on the match scoreboard below. Handre Pollard got the entire set of point options (try, conversion, penalty, droppy) in a characteristically awesome individual display. The Bulls now look super dangerous, and if I was going to place any Super Rugby bet this week, it would be on them to win the South African conference.
The Cheetahs have been very decent this year, and they were unfortunate to run into such an emphatic Bulls side, to end their unbeaten run.
Pollard could not have asked for a better platform from his forwards that put in an impressive shift and completely dominated their opponents. The Cheetahs pack showed some signs of weakness that will need to be addressed before the meet the Sharks this week.
Cheetahs: Tries – R.Rhule, B.Prinsloo, Pen – J.Pietersen 2, Con – J.Pietersen 2
Bulls: Tries – H.Pollard, B.Basson, J.Serfontein, Pen – H.Pollard 5, Con – H.Pollard 3, Drop – H.Pollard
Stormers (29) v Sharks (13)
The Stormers remain unbeaten and at the peak of the Super Rugby summit after a win against pre-tournament favourites the Sharks. The Stormers flawless start to the season is showing no signs of slowing, after an imperious display in this match. The Sharks who we gave a real chance to, failed to get in to the contest, and are now languishing in 10th position on the ladder.
Stormers centre Damian de Allende was arguably the player of the round.
Stormers: Tries – J.Kotze, Penalty try, Pen – D.Catrakilis 4, K.Coleman, Con – D.Catrakilis, K.Coleman
Sharks: Tries – P.Lambie, Pen – P.Lambie 2, Con – P.Lambie
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
