Previous Next

Rounds I and II of super rugby saw Kiwi dominance...

Mike Penistone reviews rounds I and 2 of Super Rugby's battles and looks at where lessons can be learned to take into your next match...

Trans-Tasman rugby round 1.

5 nil whitewash, or is it?

Highlanders 40 – Reds 19

Waratahs 48 – Hurricanes 64

Crusaders 31- Brumbies 29

Rebels 3- Blues 50

Force 19- Chiefs 20

You may conclude that the results from round 1 emphasise the difference in playing standard between the two countries. A year ago, the Kiwi’s were only interested in 3 of the Aussie teams joining the competition.

Arrogance, complacency, development, (using young players) were all terms that could be applied to the Kiwi approach. The fact remains that spectators need the trans-Tasman competition. Playing your neighbours only appeals for so long. Now there is a 10-team competition, culminating in a top two playoff final.

If the afore mentioned Kiwi approach is to be believed, then the Aussie teams would have a chance, because it has happened before.

Desire and club spirit are powerful driving tools, and the Western Force came within a conversion of beating Rugby Aotearoa’s beaten finalists, the Chiefs. Add to the mix an energised, large, passionate crowd and anything is possible. A good measure of team spirit is how many players strive to get back in defence. The Force had plenty when under pressure.

In game one the ever-creative Highlanders outplayed Super Rugby’s champions the Reds.

When O’Connor left the field with a head injury, the Reds chances left with him. I did like the way the Reds forwards put their shoulder into contact though. They were vigorous and competitive, but elsewhere the ball movement of the Highlanders was always a threat. You must deny Kiwi teams the ball, otherwise they will build pressure and score. Oh and don’t kick to them!

The winless Waratahs had a chance to win if the Hurricanes were complacent. Pre-game vibes from Waratah sessions suggested they were up for a win. The score line of 48-64 reflected the Hurricanes approach. Throughout the game they were content to remain two scores ahead. Half time was 24-33, full time, 48-64. As much as the Waratahs tried, there was always a feeling this was men against boys.

The Waratahs need to have some clear objectives for this competition. Conceding 64 points is an indication of where to start?

The Crusaders shuffled their line up against the Brumbies. No-one really knows which is the best Crusaders team as they have so much depth.

The Brumbies fielded 11 of last weeks beaten finalists. Would there be a hang over?

The first half was a shambles. Uncharacteristic mistakes, endless scrums and penalties from a referee who turned up in a bad mood, he must have!

Half time 19-7 Crusaders, and a rout imminent. Not so. The Brumbies didn’t want another loss.

Mo’unga had scored a brilliant individual try in the first half for the Crusaders. Banks mirrored with it with a 50-meter beauty mid -way through the second half for the Brumbies, probably cementing the Wallaby full back spot. The game was littered with interchanges and the Brumbies scored on the bell to leave a tantalising conversion from the touchline to draw the game, sadly missed.

The Rebels having replaced their coach and attack coach, entertained the Blues. A couple of coach sackings usually galvanises an effort from the players, not so.

The Rebels and Wallaby winger Koribete has not scored a try in 2021…. Yes, this year, the entire Super rugby AU season. He didn’t score in this game either! Something is alarmingly wrong at the Rebels.

A score of 3-50 is almost beyond comment. The Blues handed out a lesson in the game’s basics.

Kevin Foote the new temporary coach, has four more games to nail the job full-time. If Koribete scores in each of the games, he’ll get it, but on the evidence of this performance it is highly unlikely.

Round two fixtures

Hurricanes v Rebels (Friday)

Force v Highlanders (Friday)

Blues v Waratahs (Saturday)

Chiefs v Brumbies (Saturday)

Reds v Crusaders. (Saturday)

Pick the Aussie winner……………………Force?

Coaching thought for week one...

“Teach your young players how to accelerate, first, run to the gap, then accelerate, and the outside defender is sure to turn in, then pass or go through the gap. Pockets of quickness create havoc, for life!”

Trans-Tasman rugby round 2

5 more Kiwi wins. 211 points for, 96 against.

Hurricanes 35 – Rebels 13

Force 15 – Highlanders 25

Blues 48 – Waratahs 21

Chiefs 40 – Brumbies 19

Reds 28 – Crusaders 63

In the final game of round 2, the Reds v Crusaders; the Super rugby AU champs v The Rugby Aotearoa champs; the last chance for an Australian team to give the competition some credibility.

A score of 28-63 tells the story!

You suspected that there may be a lack of authenticity in game one when the Hurricanes refused 3 penalty kicks at goal in front of the posts. Having scored 64 points the previous week, why should they worry against a Rebels team who conceded 50?

Two questions could be answered. Would Rebels and Wallaby winger Koroibete score a try? Could Naisarani lay claim to the Wallaby No 8 jersey?

Neither came to fruition.

Rebels fail to see opportunities. Someone needs to over call the programmed play if something better is on!!!!

The Hurricanes stumbled to a 35-13 win. Laumape’s quickness a huge factor.

My tip for Australian success, the Force, entertained the ever-innovative Highlanders. As with the opening game quickness proved the Force undoing. Smith and Noreki thrive on space and instinct. Two glimpses of it and two tries.

The much-praised Force passion and second half determination ensured they camped inside the Highlanders half at the start of the second stanza. Down 10-20 they had to score first. They didn’t!

The Highlanders win a line-out 5 meters out, innovation and quick execution produces a try.

The moral of the story is, you must score when you have Kiwi teams under pressure!

Final score 15-25, Highlanders

To develop as a young player, you must learn from training sessions and games you play in. Players in the Waratahs team are making no progress. Donaldson at 10 is playing target golf, and he is particularly good at it. Every time he kicks the ball downfield it goes straight to an opponent. Will Harrison is no better and is not a full-back. The Waratahs should look at the best unit players and select accordingly.

The Blues cruised to 15 -0 lead then relaxed. The Waratahs score two tries and its game on. Not quite, the Blues score again and it’s 22-14 at the break. Then increased Blues pressure produces both points and Waratah ill-discipline. Final score 48-21.

Despite the gloom Angus Bell, the young Waratahs loose head has a bright future. My prop type friends tell me he ticks all the boxes, and he scores tries. He may be difficult to keep though.

The Chiefs v the Brumbies should have been a close encounter; both losing finalists in their respective competitions.

Sadly, the Brumbies lacked that psychological edge, so vital in sport and the Chiefs cruised to a 19-5 half time lead. The much-daunted Brumbies scrum, dismantled. Damien McKenzie begins to run freely, and Luke Jacobsen re-affirms his status as the most effective No8 in New Zealand.

The score climbed easily through the 20s, and 30s with straight line running and support play, North to South. Rob Valentini closed the game with a last minute try for the Brumbies who finished 40-19 down.

McKenzie was always a threat and Anton Lennet-Brown, (who has been working hard on his speed) both All Black contenders.

The Reds v Crusaders was quite simply a playing masterclass. The Crusaders light years ahead in thought and deed.

In Richie Mo’unga they have the World’s best fly half, but it is their team mobility that sets them apart. There is always a player available in support, offloads are expected and given. Basic skills sit comfortably with all players. There is never any sign of panic.

This style of play isolates opponents. The much-praised Taniela Tupou, Reds tight head, was exposed, and serious question marks surround his ability to play a tight game…. It’s ok prancing about in mid-field against poor teams, but we need you in the thick of it against the top teams!

Four converted tries and it’s 28-0 before half time. McDermott did score a pre-break try for the Reds but the score board continued to rattle throughout the second half.

63-28, a sleepless night for the coaches and maybe Wallaby selectors.

Next week it’s………

Hurricanes v Force. Fri.

Waratahs v Crusaders. Sat.

Blues v Brumbies. Sat.

Reds v Chiefs. Sat.

Highlanders v Rebels Sun.

Coaching thought fro week two...

“Talking to individual players can be tricky. At the end of the session the walk to the changing room is a good time to talk to players. Time for this is short so be relevant quickly.”

www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com

www.energy-travel.com

Published: Monday 24 May 2021