5. Kiwi superpowers
Ok, ok, I admit, this site is called “Green and Gold rugby”, but, honestly, have you watched the super Super Rugby from the “cousins” across the ditch?
The Chiefs, without one of the best flyhalves in the business, Aaron Cruden, almost snapped up a win against the Hurricanes—away at the Cake Tin.
They came close without injured lock Brodie Retallick, the water boy, and despite losing their two starting second rowers in the first half. They also had a patched-up back line because of missing players such as cousins Sonny Bill and Nanai-Williams.
It was a good spectacle for neutrals to watch but the Chiefs may have been dudded by a bad “knock-on” call which cancelled the Pulu “try” for the Chiefs; but that’s rugby.
The Hurricanes had their eleventh win of the season—a team record—and all but ensured themselves a home semi-final.
Ardie Savea, brother of Julian, top player
The “cousins” in black gave us not only that titanic game to watch over the weekend, but also a good display from the struggling Blues against the visiting Bulls, despite struggling for possession.
Then there was the devastating Highlanders win in Bloemfontein, where the game was over by half-time..
Despite injuries, ageing players and cries for an end of the cycle, Kiwi rugby keeps producing quality performers who pop up from everywhere, and they always seem to be ready for the top stage.
At least the ARU finally found an affordable way to re-start a National Rugby Competition and this may help to bring Aussie rugby to the same heights.
Three Kiwis teams top the ladder in Super Rugby, the Hurricanes are gone with 52 points and the Chiefs and Highlanders are following with 39. Fourth and fifth are Brumbies and Waratahs, then come the South Africans.
When the Super Rugby format changes, the shift in power will be more and more in the trans-Tasman conference.
Time to break away from SARU who look to the north anyway?
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