Coach Warren Gatland comes under further pressure after another defeat for the Chiefs
Mike Penistone looks back at round 3 of Super Rugby: Chiefs vs The Highlanders and The Waratahs vs Western Force
For much of 2020/21 the talk in Australia has been about Job Keeper, a scheme introduced by the government to keep employers employing workers.
Job Keeper could have applied to Saturday’s rugby fixtures between the Chiefs and the Highlanders and Waratahs against the Western Force.
Warren Gatland, the Lions coach, became head coach of the Chiefs last season. The Chiefs went on to lose all the games they played. Their loss to the Highlanders on Friday was the 10th loss in a row for coach Gatland.
Rob Penney the coach of the Waratahs is under enormous pressure and many thought he would not see out the week. However, he did, and when the Waratahs took an early 13 point lead a lifeline appeared. Sadly, the second half can only be described as a shambles for the Waratahs.
In terms of game management, the Waratahs were clueless, even after Andrew Ready, the Western Force hooker, was sent off in the 64th minute. In game management terms just keep the ball and eventually an opportunity will present itself, the opening caused by the sent off players exit. The Waratahs however thought differently. 15 minutes of aimless kicking followed, always giving possession back to the Force.
The Force held on to win 20-16, their first win since 2017, ironically against the Waratahs!!
The Waratahs have a bye this week, which basically means two weeks to consider the coaching staffs futures.
Despite Warren Gatland’s status within the game, 10 losses on the trot will not sit well with Chief’s supporters, especially as Gatland was in the UK for their opening game.
The Highlanders had the benefit of a game against the Crusaders in week one. The Chiefs had the bye.
The Chiefs started like a team with a point to prove and dominated the first stanza. They played with vigour and urgency going in at half time 20 – 11.
The second half was a contradiction. The Highlanders upped the tempo, not much because the tempo is always up in New Zealand rugby. They completely dominated the half. All Black, and Chief’s captain Sam Cane struggled for an answer in the after-match interview.
Jona Nareki, a name for now and the future, scored 3 tries from the wing for the Highlanders who romped home 39-23.