Aussie Club Grades - Week 17
After the international hiatus, Super Rugby is back for the final three rounds. It is all to play for in regards to playoff spots in the Australian conference, although this weekend potentially decided things following the Waratahs win in Melbourne. They now sit four points clear with two games to go.
Here is how all the Australian teams fared:
Waratahs - A
They can’t have anything less. Missing two vital players in Israel Folau and Michael Hooper the ‘Tahs would have been forgiven heading to Melbourne with some trepidation but they thoroughly deserved their win.
This game was a tale of two intercepts, with Kurtley Beale’s eventually setting up Ned Hanigan and Bernard Foley’s leading to the go-ahead score. With Folau back next week and their two remaining games against the Sunwolves and Brumbies at home, you would expect the men from Sydney to be playing finals rugby.
Rebels - D
The Rebels will certainly see this as an opportunity lost. With Folau and Hooper missing and it being such a crucial game they never really got at the ‘Tahs.
There were moments when you believed but there was always that air of uncertainty that eventually told when Foley streaked away to score. It will be a long shot for them to make the finals now but they can view this season as a step in the right direction and build on it next season.
Brumbies - A
What a way to sign off at home this season. After T J Perenara scored one of the most ludicrous tries you will see, the Brumbies forwards got on top and the weakened Hurricanes team didn’t really have an answer.
The lead was 21-5 at halftime to the ‘Canes but the Brumbies flew out of the blocks and Folau Fainga’a scored from a driving maul five metres out. This tactic worked again as Rory Arnold scored and Andrew Muirhead rounded things off after a five-metre scrum. If they can take this form through into next season then we may be seeing them back at the top of the table again.
Reds - E
Another defeat for Brad Thorn’s side. Whilst they are a young side, the Reds really have to help themselves. The Blues took full advantage of the Reds being down to 13 men with Jordan Petaia and Taniela Tupou were in the bin simultaneously and scored 2 tries in that period.
The Blues did return the favour and the Reds did score a couple of tries with a 2 man advantage but the game was beyond them by then. 2 more games to go and the players will be better for a season of experience at this level but things will need to improve next season.
In other news:
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The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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