Super 14
Blues continue their frustrating ways
0Victory against the Bulls was followed up by a disappointing performance against the Stormers. I visited Eden Park to watch the Force match just in case this wasn’t a 1-hit wonder by the under-performing Auckland-based franchise.
The Blues were convincing in this encounter. They defended with patience and aggression. They hit their rucks with venom and came up with plays in the attacking third that resulted in tries.
Rokocoko really hit his straps against the Force
Rokocoko scored a hat trick. He ran with purpose and speed – back to his best we hope.
Tony Woodcock got a try – just reward for a good all round performance.
Tony Woodcock takes the last defender over the line
Toeava looked dangerous with ball in hand, showing the kind of vision and ball skills that got him into the All Blacks but so often left him when it really mattered.
But it was back to the frustration in the Republic with an average performance against the Sharks in Durban.
This was a match that they could easily have won but a succession of mistakes and lost opportunities left them flat.
What next for the Blues?
Well, they could realistically win their remaining matches.
The Cheetahs and Lions have performed poorly and the Chiefs’ season has well and truly fallen off the rails.
But will the Blues win these games?
Time will tell.
I give then even money.
Top 4 reasons why the Chiefs just don’t have it to win the Super 14
01. Scrum
The weak scrum can be excused for the moment. Injuries have taken 2 top performers out of action. James McGoogan’s neck isn’t right and big Ben May is only now back in training from injury.
Sona Taumalolo is very strong and good around the paddock but neither Ben Afeaki nor Toby Smith are up to scrummaging at this level. Both are young and no doubt growing from the experience but coach Foster would not have dreamed he would be using these guys as his front line as early as the 4th week of the competition.
Joe Savage from the Bay of Plenty has more experience (and presence) at this level. Samoan International Simon Lemalu from Counties would also be more effective. He was in the Chiefs in 2008 and his exclusion is likely to be down to a choice of blooding young New Zealand players over those aligned with Samoa.
There may have been some arrogance in the front row selections this year. There is always room for a young guy in the mix but the Chief’s current scrummaging record shows that a second rate front line is easily pushed around at this level.
2. Lineout
Hika Elliot is normally reliable but he missed with several key throws against the Bulls.
Unfortunately All Black team mate Aled de Malmanche is worse in this area of the game so this is down to concentration of the whole lineout.
John Pareanga fromt eh Bay of Plenty NPC team is one of the most consistent throwers of the ball in New Zealand rugby. He does not have the field-presence of Elliot or De Malmanche but when are we in New Zealand going to start focusing on hookers who can actually throw the ball in.
3. Dropped ball
It wasn’t just Sione Lauaki this week. Unusually it was All Black Richard Kahui who dropped the ball the most. It was uncharacteristic from the All Black who has been resolute in defense but was the culprit in attack this time.
Dropped ball was one key area against the loss to the Crusaders.
4. General Mental Toughness
The most disappointing aspect is that the Chiefs are packed with talent and work very hard but when it counts most in matches, they are wanting.
Dropped ball, missed opportunities, inconsistent lineout, weak scrum and inability to convert field position.
They do not seem to have gained in collective mental toughness from their semi-final appearance last year in Pretoria.
This has been the theme of the Chiefs’ performances losing 3 out of 4 since their trip to South Africa that started their season on a high.
Good teams don’t let you away with not scoring when hard on attack.
The Chiefs are still a way to go to get to the level of the Crusaders and the Bulls.
They will bounce back and win more games toward the end of the round and they may even make the semi-finals but they will never win a Super 14/15 without addressing the cliched ‘top 2 inches’ – as a team.
Auckland Blues – 1 Hit Wonder?
1The Blues were superb against the Bulls in Week 8 of the 1020 Super 14 rugby competition beating the champions 32-17.
After indifferent results, the Aucklanders got it together for an 80 minute performance.
Charlie Faumuina came into the front row for the injured John Afoa and had a blinder. Vili Ma’afu continued his great form, getting involved in everything.
Rene Ranger made gaps in the midfield and Rokocoko started to show the sort of form that will get him back into an All Black jersey.
And All Black Jerome Kaino was devastating on defense.
All Black and inspirational loose forward, Jerome Kaino
I watched Kaino agaisnt Australia in the 2009 Beldisloe Cup test at Eden Park. I felt it was his best All Black performance and that on that kind of form he would realise his potential and be a leader going into the World Cup in 2011.
This guy can set the tempo of a match.
BUT
1. The Bulls were a but flat coming off the 8 hour flight from Perth.
AND
2. The Blues returned to their frustrating ways 7 days later, losing at home to the Stormers 33-21.
Rene Ranger continued to make breaks but unfortunately, he fumbled the ball as many times as he created opportunities.
The defense was poor, allowing the Stormers attack …
Then there was a lineout throw.
The Blues had the throw and a player was lifted at the back of the lineout.
A Stormers player managed to steal the throw – without being lifted! and run off to score a telling try.
Brett missed a penalty out in front – similar to Steven Donald on Friday night and Dan Carter on Saturday night.
What is happening to the Kiwi teams?
- They aren’t playing with any consistency
- Lineouts continue to dog all teams
- Scrummaging is a concern
- Only the Crusaders look like they have a chance of making the semi-finals
- None look like they have what it takes to beat the Bulls at Loftus – which is what any team who wants to win the Super 14 will need to do
Chiefs make way too many mistakes
0The Crusaders are not a team that forgives mistakes by the opposition. They hurt teams who turn the ball over and they keep possession for long periods, forcing more mistakes.
The Chiefs dropped too much ball, made too many bad line out throws and were too inaccurate at rucks.
They had opportunities and made breaks but a lacked focus and discipline when it counted. An alarming theme that is relevant to the Hurricanes as well.
Broader issue – can a New Zealand team win the Super 14?
At this stage, the answer is no – I have not seen a team who are capable of winning at Loftus and that’s what will be needed.
Canterbury are building but they were vulnerable at times in this match.
All Black hard man, Brad Thorne
Two of New Zealand rugby’s hard men were opposing each other in Chief’s hooker Aled De Malmanche and Crusader’s lock, Brad Thorne.
Both men are all muscle and commitment. They will be key to All Black success at the World Cup on 2011. The tight 5 is a place for hard men and the way New Zealand rugby has developed, there are more athletes than there are tough guys. But when it comes down to wire – when the huge South African pack are standing in the way of World Cup glory, we must have men who can knock them over.
De Malmanche will need to work on his lineout throwing. This is the only area of his game that needs work but as a Hooker, it is the most important.
Crusaders Halfback, Kahn Fotoualii
Kahn Fotoualii had a great game for the Crusaders. He scored their first 2 tries and dominated a lot of the early play. He has a crisp pass and takes his moments well. He created the Crusaders’ second try taking the blind side from a Chiefs’ turnover. He passed nice and early to Jared Payne so that he had options to left and right. With only one defender and it was Fotoualii who benefitted, backing up on his inside.
With more game time, he may just feature in World Cup plans. His performance puts real pressure on coach Todd Blackadder when Andy Ellis comes back from a minor injury.
Stephen Donald, back on track
Stephen Donald came back well after a poor night with the boot last week.
He took out 2 defenders to create a try for Richard Kahui after Colin Bourke made a break up the middle.
He made the kick that got them the bonus point.
He gave the Chiefs a chance to score with 5 minutes to go with a massive drop-kick that bounced out on the Crusaders 5 metre line.
The Crusaders loose trio played very well together.
Mcaw was on the blindside with George Whitelock at 7 and Keiran Reid at 8. They are not flamboyant but work extremely hard and operate smoothly as a unit. Canterbury always operate with clearly understood game plans.
The Franks brothers give good accounts of themselves.
The Crusaders are well served by the Franks brothers
These guys are very honest. Good work rate around the paddock, ability to play both sides and solid in scrums – almost tailor-made for the Crusaders.
Tasman are an up and coming NPC union and their rise is off the back of the likes of Owen Franks and Fotoualii. They set high standards and the rest of the team follows.
Chiefs scrum not quite there
I think the Chiefs are missing James McGoogan. McGoogan has a niggling neck injury. It is frustrating him as he is back to full running fitness but necks are not this kinds of things you want to go into a game when they are less than 100% – especially if you are a prop.
Nathan White may be the next cab off the rank but he is just a little weak.
If Sonny Bill were to come back, he should play for Canterbury
Their playing style suits backs so he would get opportunities. He would get the support of his outsides and loose forwards. He could really shine.
Personally, I’d like to see him play Sevens but in Super 14, I’d pick the Crusaders for the obvious reasons.
Top 3 reasons why the 2012 Super 15 will suck
11. Most of the country’s best players will have left
Some players will leave before the World Cup and others straight afterward
One-time All Black Tamati Ellison is off to Japan at the end of the Super 14 and his agent believes there will be more high profile departures from New Zealand rugby leading up to the World Cup next year.
Then, lots of All Blacks will have contracts in place following the World Cup
After the 2007 RWC, the departure list was huge
- Aaron Mauger
- Chris Jack
- Nick Evans
- Luke McAllister
- Carl Hayman
- Jerry Collins
- Doug Howlett
- Anton Oliver
- Reuben Thorne
- Rico Gear
- Greg Somerville
- Byron Kelleher
Check out the Listener story from the last world cup
[Update: Fourie du Preez has signed with a Japanese Club and will leave South Africa after the RWC 2011 so the 2012 Super 15 competition will be without the worlds best halfback]
2. New Zealand teams are unlikely to win the Super 15
Like the ‘Time of the Elves’ in Lord of the Rings, the Time of the New Zealand Teams has passed.
The Bulls have dominated the Super 14 and do not look like they will be releasing their grip any time soon and Western Province are coming into their own.
In order to win, a New Zealand team must beat the Bulls at Loftus. None have come close in the last 18 months.
New Zealand teams will need a strategic re-think if they are to beat the top South African teams in the Republic.
3. We are all going to be rugby-saturated
[and not be in the mood for a second-rate Super 15]
Super Rugby starts so early in the calendar and we will have had our fill in 2011 (just like we did in 2007)
The New Zealand public would have been rugby’d-out – just like they were following the last world cup in France and no-one is going to want to watch a second-rate Super 15.
Why is Juan Smith ahead of Heinrich Brussow on the open side?
2It would never happen in this country.
Smith is big and strong, no doubting that but Brussow is the heir apparent. He has the speed and nous to not only get to the breakdown first but steal the ball.
Josh Kronfeld set the standard in disruptive play and George Smith made it an art. Ritchie McCaw is still there-abouts but Schalk Burger has dropped back a little. His spot has been taken over by Brussow.
The dynamic Kabamba Floors sits on the bench while Smith – probably a blindside flank option occupies the position most likely to get to the breakdown first.
It is a selection that occurs in the Springbok camp as well.
Daniel Manu was a lock when he played in Auckland. After his move to Australia, he ended up in the 7 jersey in the test team.
Is it our attitude to loose forwards?
Have we been spoiled by the Michael Joneses, Josh Kronfelds and Rutchie McCaws such that we cannot consider any other way to fill the open side loose forward spot.
Back down to earth for Kiwi teams in 4th round
0After a clean sweep the week before, it was back to the grindstone fro the New Zealand teams this week when 4 out of 5 teams lost.
The Chiefs choked after a great start against the Reds. The Hurricanes couldn’t get it together against the Chetahs. The Highlanders lost to the Stormers and the Blues were beaten by old foes Canterbury.
The troubling question for the New Zealand franchises is ‘Can a New Zealand team beat the Bulls at Loftus?’ because that is what it is going to take for a team from here to win the Super 14.
Last year, Canterbury started well in their semi-final and were in the match up until Thomas Waldrom’s sin-binning.
The Chiefs started brilliantly in the final, scoring 2 tries in the first 10 minutes but it was all down hill from there – and it hasn’t changed.
The Bulls are the supreme force in the Super 14 and it is up to the rest to work out a way to beat them, like Canterbury before them, the Brumbies and Blues before that.
The standard in Southern Hemisphere is being set by South Africa and it is up to the rest to catch up.
Can it be done prior to the world cup? Hopefully there is time because we aren’t seeing it yet.
Did the Chiefs run out of puff?
0I was on the sideline at the Chiefs v Reds match on Friday night in Hamilton (4th round of the 2010 Super 14).
It was a perfect evening for footy
- The pitch was in pristine condition – it looked like a carpet. One of the ground staff told me that it had just been laid the week before
- The sun was out and it was warm
- The Chiefs had won 3 from 3 on their season-opening road trip
- The chicken and chips before the game was perfect (chicken was boneless thigh fillets, chips well-drained) – worth the $8.50 price tag
Waikato Stadium is shaping up as an excellent World Cup venue.
The Reds form was patchy and they had suffered an unfortunate amount of injuries in their 3 games. The casualty list includes James Horwill, Richard Kingi, Digby Ioane and Rod Davies.
So the scene was set: nobody gave the Reds a chance.
Turinui at Hamilton Stadium after the win
I had never really rated Morgan Turinui, thinking that he would never have gone as far had he stayed in New Zealand.
This was probably a typical (but completely unfair) blinkered Kiwi rugby view.
Turinui was very vocal when the Reds ran out, looking to fire up his team. I figured it was right that a senior player step up when needed.
Ex-All Black, Daniel Braid was the other voice that could be heard in the Reds huddle.
I had always thought Braid was a bit light weight for big time rugby. He was tough but not a real stand out at the highest level due to an inability to make a significant physical impact. Well, that night he had a blinder.
The Chiefs boasted one of the quickest loose trios in the competition in All Black Tanerau Latimer, Ex-Sevens Captain Liam Messam and ex-backline player, Colin Bourke yet it was Braid who prevailed in the end.
All Black flanker, Tanerau Latimer
The speed over size equation had worked in Perth and with the way things were going, there was no reason to believe it wouldn’t work again.
With Braid’s younger brother, Luke on the bench for the Chiefs, I wondered how many of the loose forwards had Bay of Plenty connections.
- It’s where Ex-All Black Gary Braid raised his sons
- Messam went to Rotorua Boys High
- Latimer went to Tauranga Boys College
- Colin Bourke is the captain of the Bay of Plenty NPC team (although he came from the Hawkes Bay)
- Like a lot of his teammates, I knew Reds number 8 Leroy Houston had New Zealand connections but it turns out he was born in the Horowhenua
So 5 in total but only 4 actually from the Bay.
I wanted to see Quade Cooper’s new kicking style up close for KiwiRugby.com. It reminded me of the 70′s cartoon character, Snagglepuss (‘Exit stage left’).
Back to the game … The Chiefs were all over the visitors in the first 20 minutes.
All Black, Sitivini Sivivatu scores the Chiefs first try
Sivivtu scored the Chiefs first try, which was a bit soft. He waltzed over almost untouched. The Reds players looked somewhat dejected and I thought the writing was on the wall.
5 minutes later, Lelia Masaga went over for the Chief’s second try. He looked sharp on the right side in a full-strength All Black back three rounded out with the return of Mils Muliaina.
Hawkes Bay and Tonga prop, Taumalolo barged over for the Chief’s third try.
Donald missed all three conversions but the score was still 15-0.
Then Reds wing, Brando Va’aulu made a poor decision to lift Sivivatu in the tackle. It was dangerous and linesman Garrett Williamson advised a yellow card. The Reds were down to 14 men and really steering down the barrel.
But they came back … It started with a soft try to Will Chambers under the posts. To a supporter focusing on the home side and their dominance to that point – rather than the ebb and flow of the game and the all-important scoreboard – it still seemed like the Chiefs had this one.
But they would only score 3 more points. Donald had kicked very well in the frst three games of the Super 14 but his touch deserted him.
Queensland continued their comeback. Relentless attacking, committed defense and focused kicking by Quade Cooper got them in front.
A significant moment came from a kick through by Daniel Braid in broken play. Liam Messam had the advantage chasing back but Reds full back Luke Morahan showed real pace to beat him to the ball, toe ahead and then score in the tackle of Masaga.
I was close to the pitch a the time and remember thinking that Masaga should probably have won the race to the ball. I may have been mistaken but it looked like he was just cruising, expecting Messam to get their first and when this didn’t happen, he hauled it back to make the tackle but it was fractionally to late.
[[Update: Watching replays of the build up to this try leaves me convinced that man of the match Masaga was not running at full pace in the initial chase for the ball from the kick through - very disappointing. This try won the match for the Reds.]]
The Chiefs had enough ball and field position in the last 10 minutes to win the match. The game finished after a poor line-out throw on the Reds 5metre line.
The Chiefs failed in what was a poor second half effort - in fact the performance from the end of the first quarter was poor.
In the after match press conference, Reds captain Will Genia said it was their tactic to stay as close to the Chiefs as possible early on because the Reds were confident the Chiefs would tire in the second half.
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie with captain, Will Genia
The Chiefs had flown from South Africa to Perth for their match last week and then flew home via Sydney from there. Perhaps it is a known thing that teams who travel that route will struggle for fitness in their first match on home soil. It seems the stats support this hypothesis.
The Chiefs arrived back in New Zealand on Monday and were required to play on the Friday night – so just 3 and a half days to recover and prepare.
There is an idea that the time-zone change from Perth to New Zealand (6hrs) is more difficult to adjust to than the 12 hour difference from the Republic.
I don’t think there is any doubt that the Chiefs were mot 100%.
But if that is true, what does it mean for the rugby consumer?
- That they can expect something less than value for money from their teams the week after they fly long distances
With a bye in the draw, should it be used for situations when teams have made the longest travel journeys?
Perhaps the rugby consumer should have been asking that question right from the beginning of the Super 12 when South African teams were required to make the longest and most arduous journeys of any teams …
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