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Super Rugby playoffs: What we learned
By Jamie Wall
The weekend's Super Rugby quarter finals came and went and, apart from the Lions/Sharks game, with little in the way of highlights or excitement. However, there were a few things here and there that will give us something to think about over the next week:
- Dane Coles is back. It only took 20 minutes from the Hurricanes captain to show everyone what a difference he would've made had he been healthy for the British & Irish Lions series. Sure, the Brumbies aren't up to much - but what other hooker in the world right now can pull a sidestep, accelerate through a gap and then throw a perfectly timed offload to set up a match-clinching try? At least for the Canes' sake, he's come right at exactly the right time.
- The Crusaders and Chiefs can win ugly. The games in Christchurch and Cape Town were not pretty, although at least the Chiefs win involved two teams trying to actually play rugby (just not that successfully). They now meet at AMI Stadium this weekend for a do-or-die semi, so the chances of them settling down into an arm wrestle are a lot higher after their victories on the weekend.
- Beaver's still got it. Stephen Donald breaking the line and cruising upfield was a fine sight for Chiefs fans, who had to accept the fact that Charlie Ngatai was once again injured. The 33-year-old filled in at second five and did a solid job, and obviously can act as a backup goal kicking option - because we all know he's done that before.
- The refs will get reminded to use the TMO more. There were some dodgy as hell tries given over the weekend, most notably Dan du Preez's effort that temporarily put the Sharks into the lead against the Lions. The number eight looked to have grounded the ball short, while in Christchurch the Crusaders' first try was about as close to a double movement as you can get.
- Australian commentators need to start learning how to pronounce some pretty easy names.
For the record, that's how it sounded when the Fox Sports crew tried to tell us when Ardie and Julian Savea, Wes Goosen and Wharenui Hawera were involved in the play.
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Latest Comments
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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