The Super 15, 2013 edition, certainly had some excitement this year. There were close games, extraordinary comebacks, new stars and a few upsets to boot. There were also many an empty stadium and numerous games and teams that didn’t really live up to expectations. Something has to change in terms of the way the competition is structured and presented because, ultimately, it has become BORING. Using vast generalisations, South Africans don’t really care about NZ or Australian teams, Kiwis have perhaps a slight interest in Australian teams and no interest in South African teams and Australians don’t, overall, really care about rugby at all.
But all three countries need Super Rugger. The SA and NZ rugby
unions need the TV money – let’s be blunt about that. And without S15,
Australian rugby would have nothing at all.
So it has to change. I think adding a couple of other
teams from Japan and Argentina is worth a shot. I also think some
representation from a South Pacific team has lot of merit, although how that
would work would require some careful planning. But I think more ‘intra-pool’ games would be a
good start. More local games would result in increased interest. It’s going to
be a long road back, but I do hope this once fascinating contest can be
resurrected.
Following is my review of each NZ Super Rugby franchise’s
performance over the past season.
THE BLUES
In a Nutshell
Started with a hiss and a roar in defeating the
Hurricanes and the Crusaders. The return from the next eight games was four
wins and four losses, symbolising a frustrating inconsistency that was to
define their season. Finishing with six consecutive losses was, obviously,
simply not good enough.
Key Injuries
All Black Charlie Faumuina was a crucial loss for the
Blues. Keven Mealamu’s leadership was missed while he was injured early on, and
Anthony Boric was only involved later in the season as he recovered from injury
Best
Performance(s)
I thought they were actually very good against the Chiefs
this weekend just gone, despite being defeated. It’s a tough one, but you’d
probably say their second game of the season, when they dismantled and
outplayed the Crusaders, was the highlight of an otherwise pretty average
season
Season-Defining
Moment(s)
Probably the return fixture against the Crusaders in
mid-May. When they ran out that night, their win/loss record of 6-4 meant they
still had a reasonable shot at making the playoffs. After 80 minutes of being
shut down and frustrated by the Crusaders machine, their chances had diminished
significantly. Successive subsequent losses to the Brumbies and the Highlanders
were the unnecessary knockout punches as they fell to the canvas.
Standouts
Steven Luatua’s star rose all season to the point that he
won his first black jersey. Charles
Piutau joined him, and Francis Saili was included in the All Blacks’ squad.
Piri Weepu, the slim-line version, was much, much better than he was last
season and Rene Ranger did his best Tana Umaga impersonation at centre as he
monstered opposition would-be tacklers and acted as a fourth loose forward at
the breakdown
Disappointments
Chris Noakes started well enough but in the end failed to
live up to expectations. Frank Halai played very well at times but sometimes
failed to flatter; he will be all the better for a season at this level under
his belt. George Moala seemingly succumbed to off-field distractions and issues
while Jackson Willison, undoubtedly a highly talented player, failed to make
the most of his chances to cement a spot in the team
Conclusion
Behind the scenes I’m sure Sir JK will be pretty
disappointed with that season, especially the run of defeats to finish the
campaign. They promised so much, with a well-recruited squad that mixed
experience with exciting flair. In the end they were probably a couple of
quality players short of being a top team. They’ll be back next year (with
Benji Marshall at number 10??) and will do better.
THE HURRICANES
In a Nutshell
After four matches, they were already pushing it uphill
as they had lost three and, somehow, defeated the Crusaders. It just felt like
they never really got going all season. Finishing with five losses was
remarkably disappointing and those quarter-filled stands at Westpac must be a
major concern for the franchise.
Key Injuries
Alapati Leiua and Matt Proctor were excellent performers,
but Cory Jane was a massive loss before the season even started. His composure
under pressure and his X-factor were sorely missed. All Black Dane Coles and
his replacement rake, the destructive Motu Matu’u, were also missed greatly
around the field. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen was another long-term injury.
Best
Performance(s)
Their second half against the Highlanders was good,
although they should never have let the Southerners run out to such a huge lead
in the first place and the two performances against the Crusaders were right up
there. But the fact that no performance really stands out in my memory is
significant.
Season-Defining
Moment(s)
May (the month, not the prop). They were thrashed by the
Bulls but then enjoyed a rare victory in the Republic as they held off the
Cheetahs. But then followed close losses, which could’ve gone either way, to
the Chiefs and the Brumbies and their season was effectively done.
Standouts
Brad Shields played his way to borderline All Black
status. Had Luatua not shown just that little bit extra throughout the season,
Shields would probably have gone a bit further. Conrad was his usual awesome
self, Beauden Barrett ran the backline with aplomb, Julian Savea was very good
(not as outstanding as last year though it must be said) and Ben Franks along
with second-rowers Jason Eaton and Jeremy Thrush did their jobs well in the
engine room.
Disappointments
Ardie Savea. Not his performances; I just would’ve liked
to have seen him on the field more often. Faifili Levave and Victor Vito both
had some wonderful moments but were both frustratingly inconsistent at times
while TJ Perenara was another who mixed pure class with schoolboy errors – for example
against the Chiefs when he had a crucial clearing kick charged down. Tim Bateman didn’t do as well as I’d hoped
and what a long way Andre Taylor’s star has fallen in the past 12 months.
Conclusion
Hammer Hammett will be bitterly disappointed with how
this campaign has ended. I think Ma’a Nonu would be a good inclusion in next
year’s squad next to his old mate in the number 13 jersey. We fans are a
cynical bunch and those record low crowds at Westpac won’t be increasing until
a better spectacle is on offer.
THE CHIEFS
In a Nutshell
The defending champions and the best team in the New
Zealand conference. More often than not they won the close matches and that was
what set them apart in the end.
Key Injuries
Ben Afeaki, Gareth Anscombe and Tim Nanai-Williams were
all absent for a period of time and were definitely missed. Richard Kahui was
of course a massive loss and it’s a huge shame that injury has robbed NZ rugby
of such an outstanding player.
Best
Performance(s)
I find it hard to pick one. It wasn’t that there weren’t
any great performances along the way; it was more that they were consistently
good. Perhaps not as good as last year in many instances but they are missing
their dominant second five of last season…
Season-Defining
Moment(s)
Narrow victories over the Hurricanes and, in the last
round, the Blues were defining moments for me. These matches could have gone
either way but victories ensured top spot in the NZ conference for the Chiefs
and an all-important weekend off.
Standouts
Tanerau Latimer was outstanding. The Chiefs are extremely
lucky they can alternate Latimer and Sam Cane, who also performed well. Andrew
Horrell was a surprise package, as was Gareth Anscombe before he was injured.
Craig Clarke and Brodie Retallick were often dominant up front. Ben Tameifuna
looks, relatively speaking, rather trim and fit and very few opponent s have
been able to handle his scrummaging strength.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow was both efficient and exciting to watch at various
times and Bundee Aki was a handful every time he touched the ball. Liam Messam
was, as ever, a workhorse.
Disappointments
Gee, can I say ‘nobody’? The Chiefs clearly had a ‘first
squad’ and ‘others’ set-up and to be honest I thought everyone did their jobs pretty
well
Conclusion
They deserve their billing as the top NZ team. Whether
they can overcome a tough semi-final and, if they get through, a likely final
in South Africa remains to be seen.
THE CRUSADERS
In a Nutshell
An uncharacteristically rusty start was quickly turned
around. Some excellent performances along the way resulted in an 11-5 record
for the season.
Key Injuries
Not an injury but McCaw was missed despite Matt Todd
doing a decent job in his place. Tom Taylor missed the odd game through injury
and we now know that Robbie Fruean had more heart-related issues to contend
with this season.
Best
Performance(s)
Versus the Chiefs. They took the defending champions
apart and didn’t let them into the game.
Season-Defining
Moment(s)
The one-point victory over the Waratahs in round 16. If
they’d lost that one, it may have dented their confidence. But after that
victory they finished with four more as they surged into the semis.
Standouts
The usual suspects; Read, Carter, Franks, Whitelock S.
and Whitelock G. Israel Dagg, Ryan Crotty and Luke Romano.
Disappointments
I would’ve said Fruean, but we now know why he struggled
– hope his recovery goes well. Zac Guildford was also disappointing, but his
off-field struggles are also well-documented.
Conclusion
An 11-5 win-loss record was a great effort considering
how the season started. Their big match experience gives them a fighting chance
of taking the title.
THE HIGHLANDERS
In a Nutshell
Three early losses were joined by ten more during the
season. At times they looked courageous yet unlucky. Other times they looked
awful. The feeling in the Deep South is perhaps confirmed by the fact that the
results section on the Highlanders website hasn’t been updated since May 25th!
Key Injuries
Lots - too many to mention. Needless to say it disrupted
their planning and execution on the field a great deal.
Best
Performance(s)
Probably the game against the Sharks. Although their
attack in the victory over the Hurricanes was outstanding.
Season-Defining
Moment(s)
Early losses and early injuries and the writing was on
the wall already.
Standouts
Ben Smith had his best season. Brad Thorn continued to
defy his age. Hosea Gear and Aaron Smith had their good moments as did Kade
Poki, Liam Coltman and huge loose forward Elliot Dixon, who was outstanding in
the unfamiliar number 7 jersey.
Disappointments
Tony Woodcock was injured much of the time so his
effectiveness was reduced. Fringe players such as Declan O’Donnell and Josh
Bekhuis didn’t get (m)any chances to impress. Ma’a Nonu didn’t contribute
anywhere near as much as Jamie Joseph would have hoped.
Conclusion
Whether it’s Joseph’s reputed ‘old school’ training
methods or other factors, something’s not clicking down South. Players looked
disinterested and unhappy. Retaining Sir Brad Thorn for another season is a
huge coup but player movements overseas and to other NZ franchises is going to
leave an awful lot of holes to be filled.
Till next time,
SG
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