Super Rugby Week 2 Wrap up

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Super Rugby Wrap Up - Week 2

Hello, and welcome to a new edition of the Super Rugby Wrap Up. This week featured some great matchups and some big surprises. As always, voice your opinions and concerns in the comment section below.

Three Things I Liked

The Melbourne Rebels “ It takes some serious heart to put in such a gutsy performance just a week after a brutal thrashing by the Waratahs. The players showed great determination to top a determined Brumbies side, and the franchise will rightfully celebrate their first win ever in Super Rugby. Perhaps even more significantly however, is the fact that the Rebels have proved that they can play with the best teams in this tournament. You can decide for yourself if the match against the Brumbies was an unlucky fluke, or if their win this weekend came down to pure luck, but the fact is that they fought back and showed grit. Whether or not they can carry this momentum into Hamilton this weekend to face the Chiefs remains to be seen, but don't count the Rebels out just yet.

Patrick Lambie “ If there were any doubts about how talented this kid is, they must be put to rest now. Lambie was an absolute star for the Sharks this weekend against a strong Blues outfit, scoring all 21 points for his team in a very close fixture. Everyone saw how dangerous the Blues can be last weekend, but the Sharks did a great job in neutralizing the Auckland franchise. Lambie ensured the Sharks got off on the right foot with a try in the fourth minute, which was a great individual effort close to the Blues try line. It is still early days, but if he continues this form there is no reason Lambie can't be a frontrunner for a spot in Peter De Villier's World Cup squad this autumn. Ruen Pienaar who?

Comebacks “ This weekend saw many teams fight their back to snatch late victories, which if nothing else makes for entertaining rugby. The Bulls sank the Cheetahs' hopes very late in their match with a try from the mercurial Fourie Du Preez, who had a very strong match. The Stormers' Pieter Louw was a huge impact substitute of the bench, scoring a try five minutes from full time to break the hearts of the Lions. One has to feel bad for the Lions though, as they looked like they were going to finally snap their 16 game losing streak, but it was not to be. Danny Cipriani notched the Rebels their first win with a last ditch penalty kick, completing the comeback for the team from Melbourne. If you turned off any of these matches before the final whistle sounded, I hope you have learned your lesson.

Three Things I Didn't Like

The Queensland Reds “ You could count last week's performance at home against the Western Force as an unlucky fluke - first match jitters perhaps. But there was no excuse for their pounding against the Waratahs this weekend, as they were outplayed in every facet of the game. They look a long way off from capturing last season's form, and although there remain many matches for the Reds, they must find some answers quickly or else they will sink to the bottom of the table. They aren't short of leaders: Will Genia and Quade Cooper both have leadership qualities, not to mention captain James Horwill, but someone must step up soon. No one in the side showed any inspiration or killer instinct, and although the Waratahs are quality they shouldn't be allowed to run rampant.

The firing of Brumbies coach Andy Friend “ This early in the season, when teams are just starting to come together and find their form, the last things a franchise needs is to see a departure of their head coach. The official reason for the firing is that Friend had lost control of the players after poor results in the past two seasons, compounded by the Brumbies' loss to the Rebels this weekend. If the players were truly that unhappy with Friend, then perhaps they should have voiced their concern at any time during the long offseason, or should have contacted Brumbies management. Let's hope that Tony Rea will be able to do a better job in Canberra.

The injuries to Juan Smith “ If you're Juan Smith, you have to be thinking 'when will it stop?' Smith has perhaps been the unluckiest rugby player in South Africa as of late, returning from injury this weekend only to pick up another to his Achilles which could see him out of action as late as the Springboks' World Cup fitness deadline. Team doctors say he will miss all of Super Rugby action, as well as most of the Tri-Nations, which is a huge blow for the Cheetahs. Smith is now 29 years old, which is not particularly old, but this very well could be his last chance to play in a World Cup considering the depth South Africa have at the flanker position in Burger, Louw, Brussouw and others.

Hero of the Week:

Danny Cipriani “ Melbourne Rebels, Fly half

It could have been any one of the players who snatched a victory for their team this weekend, or even teammate Stirling Mortlock who went over for a late try, but to me Cipriani's effort was the most significant. When he signed for Melbourne no one really knew what to expect; the out of favour English standoff had been blasted by the media, and even this offseason he was dogged by rumours that he would be invalidate his Rebels contract and instead play football (gasp!). Even if this is the only Rebels victory this season, which I have a feeling it won't be, he will have shown he has what it takes when it matters most.

Villain of the Week:

Ewen McKenzie “ Queensland Reds, Head Coach

"Not only do we have our own challenges in terms of getting a more relevant game, we also have to take on a team that has been our biggest bogey.  You think Ewen? The Reds looked completely out of sorts against the 'Tahs, and were extremely lucky to pick up a victory against the Force in Week 1. They will need a strong performance against a Brumbies side determined to prove their loss against the Rebels was a major fluke. Something has to change in Queensland, or else McKenzie will find himself watching the games at home with a nice tall can of Fosters.

The Best of the Rest

Do you think Matt Giteau really cares what happens this season to the Brumbies? The long time face of the franchise is leaving for Toulon after the World Cup, and if the firing of Andy Friend reveals anything about the state of affairs in Canberra, the Brumbies need leadership.

I'm not sure there's a team in Super Rugby who can take down the Sharks in their current form. Their forwards are dominant, and with Lambie playing the way he is the Durban outfit look to have all the answers. Week fourteen and fifteen are the ones to watch for the Sharks, as they take on the Bulls and Waratahs back to back.

Are the 'Tahs really that good? They have utterly dominated their opponents so far, but with the Rebels being new and the Reds look out of whack, it will be interesting to see how they matchup against the Crusaders this weekend in what is sure to be an emotional clash.

Wikus van Heerden will make his long awaited return this weekend for the Lions. Van Heerden left the Lions in 2006 to join the Bulls, and Saracens thereafter. Perhaps he can be the team that pushes the Lions over the edge?

Changing hemispheres, I don't believe anyone can stop England in their pursuit of the Six Nations grand slam. They muscled their way to a victory against France, who looked severely outmatched at the breakdown. Although Martin Johnson won't acknowledge it, his team looks poised to take it all.

With all the praise I just heaped on Cipriani, I have just learned he was fined by the Rebels for allegedly stealing a bottle of vodka from a nightclub in Melbourne. I guess some things don't change.

The 'Tahs will be missing Berrick Barnes this weekend after he suffered a knock against the Reds. The Barnes-Carter matchup was one I was really looking forward to, but oh well.

Happy viewing,

GT