Beware the Underdog
Another week in Super Rugby saw an underdog victory and a coach axed
Next week's blockbuster between the unbeaten Queensland Reds and second placed Brumbies is shaping up as an unofficial Wallaby trial. The Reds demolition of a lacklustre Melbourne Rebels 44-19, in Melbourne, makes the title a two-horse race. Since their inception the Rebels have flattered to deceive. The sword of Damocles which accounted for Rob Penny is now heading south to Melbourne.
Crusaders v Highlanders kicked off round 6 of Rugby Aotearoa this week. The Crusaders were almost odds on to win, against a Highlanders team with only one win from 4 games.
In a competition where there is great depth of talent across all the teams you can never write off any team. When you carry the underdog tag for 7 days prior to kick off, the blood starts to boil, and so it did with the Highlanders. In the first half they denied the Crusaders possession and field position and led 16 – 7 at the break. A 9-point lead would easily be run down in the second half, so we thought. Constant pressure and line speed forced the Crusaders into mistake after mistake and the Highlanders romped home 33-12.
Mitch Hunt, the Highlanders fly half, easily the Man of the match.
What price the underdog tag now?
Back to Super Rugby and the winless, now coachless Waratahs hosted second placed Brumbies.
Coach Rob Penny eventually falling to the sword of Damocles which had been swaying around his head for a few weeks. (Chris Whittaker and Jason Gilmore standing in).
The usual improvement in post-sacking performance was expected but not sufficient to force a win for the Waratahs. However, those who watched the Brumbies capitulation against the Reds, suspected a weakness in character and resolve. Add a touch of arrogance and the ingredients are there for another surprise.
The Brumbies jumped to an early 10-point lead; enter complacency and arrogance. The Waratahs continued to try hard and got back into the fight, but why oh why do we have this aimless kicking from the back 3, totally non-productive!
At 24-10 at half time the Brumbies looked set for a comfortable win, but complacency turns off the performance tap and it becomes hard to turn it back on again. The Waratahs clawed back the deficit.
The climax in the 80th minute a touchline conversion to send the game into overtime. Sadly, Harrison’s touchline conversion never got close, and the Brumbies scraped home 24-22.