Rugby from a land down under - Chapter 2 by Mike Penistone

Week 2 saw the Highlanders and the Crusaders face off in a high quality encounter

Week 2 of Super rugby down under and the start of Rugby Aotearoa from New Zealand, and the opportunity to compare the playing standard against Rugby AU from Australia.

Wins in week one for the Reds against the Waratahs and the Brumbies over the Western Force told us little. The Force are a newly formed squad and the Waratahs a young side. Both were soundly beaten. So, a true comparison would be hard to make, especially as last seasons super rugby champions featured in the opening round of Rugby Artearoa.

The first game of the new season featured the Highlanders and the Crusaders in front of a passionate crowd. Within minutes of the start the playing standard reached top quality. From a watching perspective it was instant and ongoing excitement. From a coaching viewpoint it ticked all the boxes…

Instant intensity.
Quickness and speed.
Accurate passing and timing.
Willingness to move the ball.
And quickly from turn-over.
Quick ruck ball.
Correct alignment and re-alignment.
Tries for both sides and from all parts of the field.

Crusaders getting home 26-13.

In contrast The Queensland Reds played an error ridden game against the Melbourne Rebels winning 23-21. The real excitement coming after the final hooter when the Rebels missed a kickable penalty. The first half was littered with penalties, 17 in all. The Reds showed a willingness to move the ball but poor passing and catching technique let them down. They may also want to stop Tate McDermott taking two steps before he passes the ball from the ruck, because the defensive line does the same but forwards!!!

The difference between the two games, chalk, and cheese.

The following day the Waratahs were soundly flogged 61-10 by the Brumbies, no surprise other than the size of the defeat!! The Brumbies play a style that will ask questions of teams from Rugby Artearoa, but the acid test will only come when they play them. Such is the standard of Rugby AU; the Waratahs may yet beat the Rebels and the Force.

The second Kiwi game saw the much-improved Auckland Blues beat the Hurricanes in Wellington 31-16. A win in Wellington is always hard won and many of the qualities listed above were on show. Interesting to note that Kiwi players who have a season off to play overseas come back with a zest to perform well. Julian Savea a case in point having just returned from France.

Rugby Artearoa continues to demonstrate what the game of rugby union has to offer.

Coaching insight

Be a rugby player first and a positional player second.

Published: Monday 01 March 2021