Happy Monday G&GRs, and what an enjoyable weekend of rugby that was. Some brutal games, as well as some floggings. Alarming traits appearing in teams headed for the finals as well as some teams looking like they’re just warming up, which is scary.
Let’s get into the rugby. It was an interesting round, with at least three of the games well worth watching the full replay. So let’s have a look at the penultimate round, then a look at the SRP ladder, followed by ‘Old Man Shouting at Clouds’. Sit yourself down at the office, grab a big cup of ‘kwofffeeeee’ ☕and pull apart the weekend’s games as there were some crackers!
As always this is a fan-run site and any contribution is welcome, feel free to reach out to me at bris@greenandgoldrugby.com.au be it with an article an idea, or an opinion piece. There’s also a ‘Submit a Story’ option. So feel free to have a crack as the more the merrier.
Super Rugby Pacific 2024 – Round 14
Wellington Hurricanes 20 defeated Waikato Chiefs 17
I don’t know about you G&GRs, but there’s something I really like about not having a dog in the fight, and watching two heavyweight teams go at it and beat the 💩out of each other. Hard and brutal rugby. This game pretty much sums that up.
KARL’s Canes managed to overcome an early glass of 🍷 and a Chiefs team that came home with a wet sail to pull off a great win 20-17. The game started at a breakneck pace but then, even before the 10 minute mark, Canes Hooker Tuputupu was given a 🧀 for high contact. Upon review that was upgraded to a glass of 🍷. That really didn’t seem to bother the Canes and they forged ahead to 14-0 lead at oranges.
The second half started well for the Chiefs, with a nice 5 pointer, taking the score to 17-7. But a penalty to the Canes, slotted from 40 metres by Cameron managed to close out the game for the Canes. Even with two serves of 🧀, and playing 20 minutes with 14 players, the Canes were just too strong across the park for the Chiefs. Their slick passing and fast running game was too much for the Waikato boys.
ACT Brumbies 53 defeated Melbourne Rebels 17
For what was meant to be a hotly contested game in Canberra on Friday evening, the score turned into a total blowout. Despite that score, there are significant concerns for the Brumbies form leading into the finals. Three serves of cheddar cheese 🧀 in the second half and a scrum and a forward pack that were being dominated, and amazingly poor discipline across the park. Coach Larkham has some serious issues for when the Ponies face the Kiwi teams in the upcoming finals.
The Puppy Killers had a blistering first half, demonstrating strong defence, and managing to bag three 5-pointers in less than 8 minutes. This was readily enabled by Rebels playing with only 14 players, when Darby Lancaster wore a cheddar cheese 🧀. Gus Gardner tolerated only so many repeat infringements by the Rebels inside their 22, and someone had to go.
After oranges, and a big lead already banked, the Ponies started their own mini-implosion. Tamati Tua and Jahrome Brown were sent to the naughty corner in quick sucession allowing inform Rebel Filipo Dangunu to score a nice 5 pointer. This was after Taniela Tupou came on and the Brumbies scrum totally shat the bed for the second week in a row.
The Ponies somehow managed to stay in the game, even when Icky Sticky was given some cheddar cheese 🧀, making it three players in one half for the Ponies. With a penalty count of 16, the Brumbies still managed to extend their lead through Rhys van Nek. But, wow oh wow, were their forwards made to look decidely average. The only saving grace was their backs starred and the Rebels were utter shite.
Wallaby Watch – For the Rebels only Tongan Thor endeared himself (although there were a couple of questionable clean outs there that were lucky not to be looked at in detail). From the Ponies, Lolo and almost all of their backs looked Wallaby worthy. But their front row is looking well below par.
Moana Pasifika 27 defeated NSW Waratahs 12
With their season well and truly over, one thought that the Tahs may come out and play for coach Coleman and some pride. But instead what we got was an utter 💩 performance in what would have to be their worst game the year. Just utter rubbish!
A 27-12 embarrassment at the hands of Moana Pasifika, the Waratahs season stands at 11 losses from 13 starts. It really was a dismal performance, with the Tahs down 27-0 with about 15 minutes left on the clock. Somehow the RA Love children managed to grab some points, but that was really wallpapering over the cracks of an utter shite performance where they lacked cohesion, teamwork and apparently any desire to win. Well done Moana Pasifika, who had a great game and took their opportunites and put the carcass of NSW rugby to the sword.
Wallaby Watch – From the Waratahs, there wasn’t a single player that demonstrated what it takes to wear gold. Sad but true.
Canterbury Crusaders 29 defeated Auckland Blues 27
Unbelievably the Dark Saders have kept their finals chances on life support with a gutsy win over the Auckland Blues in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon. Beating their old rivals 29-27, this was a total slugfest, and well worth watching the full replay if you didn’t catch the game. Of note the bonus point loss keeps the Blues on the top of the SRP 24 ladder.
The Blues got the scoring rolling with a nice penalty slotted by Harry Plummer, before returning Crusader Ethan Blackadder fought his way through for a try, looking like his injury time has not dented his form at all. But the Blues not to be outdone, counter-punched quickly through Tu’ungafasi. And not to just leave it there, Tu’ungafasi backed it up with a second try off a nice kick return from Stephen Perofeta. Then in the minutes before the break Chay Fihaki crossed for a try.
Both teams came out of the sheds after the break looking to play, but Stephen Perofeta was sent to the naughty chair with a serve of 🧀 for a knock down. However, the Blues seemed to manage the one man absence quite well with AJ Lam slamming down a nice try. Not to be out done in the punch for punch slug fest, Christian Lio-Willie grabbed a nice try to keep the scores close, and then take the lead with a try from Hotham. But in what was the nature of this game the Blues, through AJ Lam stuck again. But it wasn’t enough with the Dark Ones managing to close out the game and keep their finals chance alive. Just!
Queensland Reds 59 defeated Western Force 13
My beloved Reddies certainly got the job done over the hapless Twiggy Forrest All Stars, giving them a good spanking in the 59-13 victory at the fortress that is Suncorp Stadium. The Junkyard Dog certainly had his day, bagging a three-peat, his second of the season.
The Reds came out firing early with Tom Lynagh steering the team like a finely tuned machine, with the Reds forwards overpowering the Force. Seru Uru getting some great go forward along with Jeff Toomaga-Allen, pushed the Reds forward giving the halves, centres and back all the space and time in the world to work with.
And the tries flowed. Junkyard Dog three, Fraser McReight two, and Nasser, Faessler, Uru and Jock Campbell all scoring singles. Kuenzle and Donaldson were the only point scorers for the Force. In a game they’d rather forget, the Force were out-muscled and outplayed in every element of the game. Well worth the full watch, to see the silky smooth play of the Reds.
Wallaby Watch – The Reds! To be honest there wasn’t a bad player among them (probably because Vunivalu wasn’t playing). Lots of them sticking their hands up for higher honours. For the Force Izack Rodda was the best of a bad lot. Anyone thinking that Donaldson or Beale should be in the Wallabies needs to watch this game, they were comprehensively outplayed by their counterparts.
Otago Highlanders 39 defeated Fiji Drua 3
In a fantastic game for the Clan, and one the Drua would rather forget, the boys from Otago came out on top in a 39-3 belting of the Drua in Dunedin on Sunday afternoon. This victory has ensured the Highlanders have gained a finals berth, which means 8th place is still up for grabs.
Dotting down 5 tries, the Highlanders delivered their best performance of 2024, with their backs performing well. Nareki, Tavatavanawai, Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Nikora Broughton scored for the Clan.
The Drua and Mick ‘The Kick’ Byrne are really going to have to examine their game plan, with the Drua struggling to take the most of any opportunity. Their inabilitiy to win on the road is starting to become problematic to their chances of succeeding in Super Rugby Pacific.
Super Rugby Pacific 2024 – Round 14 – The Ladder
Well the ladder is now becoming clearer with the top four locked in, in all but order. The Ponies can theoretically make second with a bonus point win and some fortunate results in other games. The Clan are locked in 6th. If the Drua beat the Rebels in Fiji (which is pretty much a given) then they’ll be 7th and the Johnny Rebs 8th.
The Saders with a bonus point could also leap frog into the finals too. With a home game against Moana Pasifika, that could easily be a possibility.
Below that it doesn’t matter. The Tahs are likely to get the wooden spoon, which is great for Australian Rugby. So despite all of their favourites and preferential treatment from RA, they still shat the bed. The Reds will stay 5th, and are likely to play the Chiefs in Hamilton in the first round of the finals. I can’t wait.
Old Man Shouting at Clouds
This week’s Brisney’s shouting at clouds is about the journalists and commentators again swinging off the nuts of their pet players or RA directed individuals. Kurtley Beale, Commissioner Gordon and Ben Donaldson this round demonstrated that they aren’t worthy of a gold jersey, all being completely outplayed by their counterparts. Yet commentators and news pundits (yes, the Shouty site I’m talking about you) still write articles and push the case for these and a few other players to be included in Joe Schmidt’s squad.
I’m hoping that in having #InJoeWeTrust and Mick Cron, combined with Lord Laurie, what we’re going to see is balanced selection based on performance and skillset, as well as what players are needed for the coaching teams game plan. Not what jersey they wear or what media group are pushing an agenda.
Based on current performance the Wallabies should be made up predominantly of Brumbies and Reds, with a smattering players from the Force and Rebels in key positions. Maybe one or two from the Tahs, if they’re lucky. But the names previously mentioned shouldn’t be inconsideration.
Anyway enough of this old man shouting at clouds. Happy Monday. Over to you G&GRs. Have at it!
