Super Rugby entered Week 4, Mike Penistone looks back at the action as the Brumbies and the Reds faced off

Rugby Aotearoa has proved an exciting concept on the field with most games played at high intensity and competitive until the end.

Off the field a most exciting law has been introduced, the captains call. Each captain will have one opportunity per match to ask the referee to have the TMO check for an infringement in the lead up to a try, or to review foul play. (How Owen Farrell would have wished for this when England played Wales).

The captains will have 10 seconds to make their decision after a try has been awarded and the TMO will be able to go back to the last stoppage in play, regardless of how many phases has been played. While a referral for foul play can be made after any stoppage.

If the captain’s referral is correct, they will retain their captains call, but if the referee’s original decision stands, or the TMO footage is not clear and obvious, the captain will lose their referral.

NZR National Referee’s Manager Bryce Lawrence said. “When a match goes down to the wire and hangs on a referee’s decision, everyone wants to make sure we get a positive outcome.”

Constantly working to ensure the on-field product satisfies everyone’s needs is vital in modern day sport. In ground spectators, TV audiences, sponsors and, most importantly, potential young players need to taste the excitement.

Prior to this week’s round of fixtures in both Rugby AU and Rugby Aotearoa two teams stood clearly above the rest, The Brumbies, and the Crusaders. The Brumbies stood alone in challenging the technical competency of the Kiwi teams. They could easily fit into Rugby Aotearoa. Or could they?

Leading the Reds comfortably, (a meeting of last season’s finalists) for three quarters of the game and seemingly unassailable, the Reds just kept on playing and the Brumbies resolve began to dis-integrate. Certain previously prominent players went missing in contact, the Reds just kept on coming. A smart piece of play from Hunter Paisami, (surely the Wallabies next 12) provided a score for Jordan Petaia under the posts and the conversion sealed the win 40-38 for the Reds.

Doubts around the character of the Brumbies now exist.

Across the ditch, the Crusaders hosted the Chiefs. If you had any doubts about technical competency, look no further than the Chiefs first try inside 3 minutes. Quick ball won 40 out on the left. (Always when watching Rugby Aotearoa look at the work of the second attacking support player, especially going into contact). The ball was passed left to right with accuracy and each receiver standing square and taking 2 meters forward first, to stop the drift defence. Technical competency at pace is difficult to cope with!

The Crusaders are loaded with technical competency and the pressure they build produces, penalties, yellow cards then tries. A 39-17 win inevitable for the Crusaders.