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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
A Kiwi comment on the Kiwi situation 1 views
11 March 2012 by deep
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With 3 rounds under our belts a picture of what the off-season has done for each of the franchises is starting to emerge. The Crusaders have lost their Mojo while the others step up. Could this be a changing of the guards?
Round 1 - It's a lolly scramble
Round 1 went pretty much as expected, although the beer would have tasted a lot better if the Blues had figured how to manufacture a win instead of another tight loss in a high quality clash with the Crusaders.
Right to order the Hurricanes lost, and Mark Hammett heard another nail ease into his coffin (or is that a screw these days?). Meanwhile the Chiefs v Highlanders saw a predictably messed up Chiefs erased by a tough and tight unit from the south.
Round 2 - Some fact behind this fiction
Bring on Round 2 and we learn some realities about our teams.
The Blues hit a major speed wobble, and receive a worrying trouncing from their foes just over the southern hills below. Was this an accident as previous years might suggest? Perhaps not. When checking the squads man for man, the Chiefs have a very tidy unit of old heads and new blood, along with something edging toward a world-class backline. Put in Dave Rennie as head coach and Wayne Smith fresh from many years of All Blacks success and just maybe we have a long term viable proposition here! (Meantime I start to ponder the value of my season tickets at the Blues - 2 losses and about to hit the Bulls and Stormers on the road. Great, 4 losses to begin 2012 and I thought we were one of the favored few!)
In the clash of the south, the Highlanders dished a massive lesson in hard rugby to a 'just not quite there' Crusaders outfit. With Jamie Joseph at the helm, a couple of big imports and some new blood this crew seems to be following up an enterprising 2011 with promise of even more in 2012. The Crusaders had a shakey one, but that's happened before early in the season.
Then I hear news that the Hurricanes pulled together a win on the road, along with whispers of some shining new talent here and there. That's a surprising one.
Round 3 - Now we're getting somewhere
The Crusaders have more issues than just a 'shakey' one (pun not intended) as the Chiefs dish out more of the same medicine given to the Blues in the previous week. They're genuinely missing some of their mojo. Brad Thorn, the rock in the middle finally decided to let someone else have a crack while the McCaw and Carter show are missing. The final polish that used to get this team a nose ahead at the posts is missing. The Chiefs show promise of a campaign to remember.
The Hurricanes.... what, another win? By 46 - 19 and playing a brand of attractive, controlled rugby with a bunch of no-names scattered among the few remaining big names? Hammett's nail obviously wasn't well secured, because it just popped! Is this year going to be a revelation, a redemption of kind after having put a big stick into a wild hive of honey? If this isn't enough to get the Wellington crowd excited again, then I don't know what will. It's still early days as we haven't seen repeated wins against top opposition, but the signs are good.
The Highlanders showed mettle to come home ahead of the Waratahs - one of the leading 2 teams from Oz, and also show hints of shine that could retain some solid lustre. It was a good performance, but one that I feel a true quality team would have won well rather than just squeaking home. Nevertheless, still a win, making it 3 from 3.
The Blues win over the Bulls was about as unpredicted as the the Hurricanes winning margin. It was never out of the question, but taking form and home advantage into account it seemed a distant prospect. The Bulls did almost hand it on a plate, gifting tries and Morne Steyne missing more kicks in an hour than I've seen in a previous lifetime. But again, it was a win and with it signs of the Blues we expect and hope re-ignited for my team.
Conclusion - From North to South
Blues
A mixed season, but just squeaking through to become finals contenders.
Chiefs
Watchout, here's the real surprise package. Finals contenders with punch.
Hurricanes
Going to do much better than ever predicted, but will ultimately just fall short on raw talent, mostly in the forwards.
Crusaders
This isn't their year. Some stoic performances will see them come close, but ultimately miss out on a finals spot. Their heroic dominance over the past decade is finally being eroded.
Highlanders
Similar to last year they're going to have a very sharp first half of the season, but at the end of the day won't quite make it.
Overall
With all the NZ teams standing tall in the first 3 rounds I'm anticipating many mouth watering clashes in the weeks to come. Also, bring on the Fantasy stats as all these new guys show us how it's done. The pedestal of the RWC took the headlights off a new breed that is emerging from the wings!
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