Super Rugby: Week 1 and 2 Review

With the first two weeks of the season behind us and every team no having had a run-out it is time to have a look at who has gotten out of the blocks well and who looked like they are still be sipping Mojito’s on a beach.

Stormers 28 vs Jaguares 20.

The Stormers came out looking like they were going to stroll past the side from Argentina with Damian De Allende and Siya Kolisi crossing the chalk early in the game and when Raymond Rhule crossed early in the second half it looked to be all over. However, a comeback was on when the Jaguares replied with Boffeli crossing the try line and getting a penalty try.

The Stormers might have held on to a hard-fought victory, but the Newlands faithful will be far from happy and I am not convinced at all.

My Player of the game:

Damian Willemse, who looked full of running and except for having a kick from right infront charged down played well. A talent for the future.

Lions 26 vs Sharks 19.

A tightly contested affair at Ellis Park ended with the Lions keeping their impeccable record against South African opposition in the last 3 seasons. The Sharks started like a house on fire with Robert Du Preez crossing early and the teams continued to trade blows as first Lionel Mapoe and then a moment of magic from youngster Aphiwe Dyantyi saw the Lions take the lead before S’bu Nkosi’s try after halftime was cancelled out by Mapoe’s second. Once again, the Teams traded blows as Mapimpi’s try was countered by that of Kwagga Smith. The Lions also saw off a late charge from the Sharks to avoid the draw.

The Durban franschise would be disappointed to not come away with the win as the Lions were far from their best making many errors. Andries Coetzee made a lot of handling errors and aimless kicks and Elton Jantjies missed one easy conversion as well as a penalty from right in front of the sticks. That said Du Preez also missed a couple.

My Player of the game:

Aphiwe Dyantyi, his moment of magic on debut showed that Lions fans have a lot to be excited about.

Highlanders 41 vs Blues 34.

The game of the first two weeks as the Highlanders came out on top in a New Zealand derby thriller. Both teams were in inspiring form with some brilliant running rugby on display. The Highlanders fought back bravely after trailing 24-17 at half time. This 9 try thriller saw three players grab a brace with Akira Ioane scoring two for the Blues and Teihorangi Walden and Rob Thompson scoring two each for the Highlanders. This thrilling encounter saw some exertional skills all over the park with Rieko Ioane, Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Smith and Rob Thompson all showing some moments that left me speechless.

The Blues will be disappointed but should take a lot of positives from the game and if they play similar rugby against weaker opposition they will run away with the game. The Highlanders will also be very satisfied to get one over on their Kiwi rivals.

My Player of the game:

Aaron Smith, the All Black number 9 was back to his best in this encounter and after a relatively disappointing season compared to his standards in 2017 seeing the number 9 control the game and putting his team mates in space like he did in this game will be a frightening prospect for any opposition.

Rebels 45 vs Reds 19.

A game that could only end in a Rebels victory after Scott Higginbotham was rightly sent off after 10 minutes for a high shoulder to the head of an opposition player. Lock Lukhan Tui was sent to the sin bin shortly after that and was lucky not to see red as well with a horror tackle on Rebels Scrumhalf Will Genia. The Reds however looked un-phased as they led briefly 14-7. The numbers however took its toll and the Rebels ran riot scoring a record breaking 7 tries. With Dane Haylett-Petty, Sefanaia Naivalu and Jack Debreczeni all grabbing braces.

The Rebels will take a lot of confidence from the win but can’t expect to have it that easy all season. On the other hand, Brad Thorne will have to have a stern chat with his Queensland side to improve their discipline.

My Player of the game:

Will Genia, the Wallabies number 9 was in inspired form making a couple of snipes and just bossing the game with brilliant kicks and game management. Genia looked like his old self and the move to the Rebels might just see the Scrumhalf reborn.

Sunwolves 25 vs Brumbies 32.

The Brumbies will be more than satisfied with the win even though they weren’t close to their best. Another high scoring games saw 8 tries with the Sunwolves fighting bravely and Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown will take a lot of positives from the game. The Brumbies on the other hand will be hoping for much improved performances in the coming weeks.

My Player of the game:

Isi Naisarani, with a scrappy performance from the Australians Naisarani looked impressive with a physical display and looks like a very exciting prospect and I don’t think it will be long before we see him in an Australian jersey.

Crusaders 45 vs Chiefs 23.

In the end the score line slightly flatters the Crusaders as the game was much tighter than the score line might have you believe after starting like a house on fire leading 19-0 but the Chiefs fought back valiantly to go into halftime at 19-17. With 10 minutes to go the Crusaders were leading 26-23 and was then awarded a controversial penalty try, that I think was the correct call although the subsequent yellow card was harsh.

After the yellow card it was one-way traffic as the Chiefs threw to intercept passes that allowed the Crusaders to run away with the game. The Chiefs played well but superstar Damian McKenzie looked restricted in the flyhalf role and we only saw glimpses of his ability when he was running from the back and had space to run into. Furthermore, the Chiefs made some poor early errors with late hits on Crusaders men as well as obstructing Crusader defenders.

My Player of the game:

Jack Goodhue, the centre was in inspiring form running with intent and crossing the advantage line on many occasion, keeping the ball alive, and being very solid defensively.

Waratahs 34 vs Stormers 27.

Probably my pick for the worst game of the weekend as it might have been a tight affair with both teams constantly trading blows, but, it was a game riddled with errors from both sides. Neither side seemed able to clear the ball from kick-off and it almost cost them points on every occasion. SP Marais might have been solid with ball in hand and going forward but ultimately cost his side as he failed to clear on a couple of occasions which lead to points for the opposition.

Damian De Allende was also terrible struggling to get over the advantage line and even to make routine passes. Robbie Fleck, the Stormers coach also made some terrible substitutions which ultimately cost the Stormers the game. After dominating the set piece, Fleck changed the entire front row which saw the Stormers loose a crucial scrum and miss a lineout throw in the last minute of the game that saw the Waratahs flanker Ned Hanigan score the match winning try.

For the Waratahs there front row will need some work.

My Player of the game:

Israel Folau, not that he was brilliant but he did all that was expected and scored a typical Folau try taking a brilliant high ball before sprinting to the line.

Lions 47 vs Jaguares 27.

Not the most convincing performance from the Lions as they made a ton of errors throughout. In the end however the Lions quality shone through and they just cruised past an ill-disciplined Jaguares team. The Lions found themselves down 10-0 after 20 minutes but fought back to lead 19-10 at half time. After the break the Lions looked better still making a few errors but they never looked back securing the bonus point win.

The Jaguares received 2 yellow cards one for a shoulder charge and the other for an intentional knock down which led to a penalty try. The Argentine side continuous struggles with discipline makes competing in Super Rugby almost impossible. The Jaguares were far from impressive with two of their tries coming late as the Lions took their foot of the accelerator.

The Lions won’t be completely satisfied as centre Harold Vorster scrumhalf Ross Cronje and Flanker Kwagga Smith not having their greatest outings.

My Player of the game:

Aphiwe Dyantyi, the young winger had another amazing game scoring two tries and setting up one. The youngster looks like an exciting prospect with loads of pace and a willingness to get involved, he also looks very solid defensively and under the high ball.

Bulls 21 vs Hurricanes 19.

The upset of the weekend that probably cost most Superbru users their grandslam point. A hardworking display from the Bulls with some moments of brilliance. The influence of new coach Jon Mitchell is clear and obvious, Bulls forwards where running with the ball, offloading and the Bulls backline got some decent ball as well. It was a breath of fresh air not only for the Loftus faithful but for South African Rugby to see such continuity in the Bulls play. The Bulls did look vulnerable on a couple of occasions and could improve their defense, but all in all a great result.

The Hurricanes will be bitterly disappointed with a poor performance all round struggling to penetrate the Bulls defensive line and looking very slow. The pre-tournament favorites will have to step it up if they hope to recover from this disappointing result. The Hurricanes were probably the worst Kiwi performers in the opening weeks.

My Player of the game:

RG Snyman, the lock forward was magnificent. Full of running, extremely physical, solid defensively and constantly cleared the advantage line. If Snyman continues performing like he did in this game a Bok call up will be in the offing.