Epic encounter shows what Super Rugby should be

Damian McKenzie came in for some heavy treatment by the Crusaders in the first half but proved himself by slotting four penalty goals.
Photo: Jeremy Ward

Analysis – It’s become annoyingly de rigueur to bash Super Rugby, and while some of the criticism is certainly warranted, there can be no such complaints here and now. The competition roared back to life after a three-week stretch of byes that thinned out the amount of decent contests, highlighted by the Chiefs’ 34-24 win over the defending champion Crusaders.

The hype around the game in Hamilton was more than lived up to as the two sides put on a game of test match intensity, which was fitting since some of the best performances came from current All Blacks. All in front of a sold out FMG Stadium Waikato as well, with 23,500 filling the stands to create an intimidating atmosphere.

This was exactly what Super Rugby Pacific should be. Hopefully someone from NZ Rugby was watching and realised that as soon as you stop yanking All Blacks in and out of the competition, more people will show up and watch on TV. It’s a very simple equation, really.

But while the Chiefs made it nine from nine and made a huge step towards securing home ground advantage for the entire playoffs, there were a series of displays within the game that have provided plenty to talk about.

Damian McKenzie came in for some heavy treatment by the Crusaders in the first half, but proved just how well he is playing at the moment by slotting four penalty goals. It’s actually hard to recall when the last time anyone did that for an NZ Super Rugby team – then he added another in the second, as well as converting two tries.

Did he outplay Richie Mo’unga? Yes, but the Crusaders’ first five stepped up when it counted too, nervelessly slamming home a sideline conversion to give his side the lead, but since the teams were running such different gameplans Mo’unga didn’t have the same amount of running opportunities.

Sam Cane was immense again at a very hard-fought breakdown, while Brodie Retallick was bumped off by the impressive Tamaiti Williams; he bounced back to score a very slick try. Shaun Stevenson had a hand in that and then finished one himself later on.

Brad Weber and Cortez Ratima seamlessly transitioned at halfback. Pita Gus Sowakula was a thunderous presence on defence.

This was a huge game for the Chiefs and they stepped up, big time. It’s not often a side takes two wins off the Crusaders in one season, and if the playoff picture shapes it up, the Chiefs might be the first team to ever do it three times.

Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson dives across the line at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton on Saturday.
Photo: Photosport/ Bruce Lim

Other observations from the weekend:

The Hurricanes and Brumbies game was pretty epic too. OK, it didn’t quite get the finish it deserved because the Canes managed to rip the Brumbies’ scrum apart with 20 to go thanks to great shifts off the bench by Owen Franks and Tevita Mafileo. But how about the tries that Brumbies lock Nick Frost scored in the first half? It’s a fair assumption that he’s the fastest six foot nine, 120kg human in the world after those efforts.

But Wellington rugby fans should hang their heads in shame, if there’s any of you left. The crowd at Sky Stadium was pathetic, especially considering it was against a team that was sitting higher on the table than the Canes.

Looking at the draw, that’s where the Brumbies might stay. While they lost, the bonus point that Ryan Lonergan’s 80th minute penalty ensured might end up being crucial in the grand scheme of things. The Brumbies have a very friendly run of games for the last few rounds and may well clinch second spot as the NZ sides all tear each other up.

The Blues did it the hard way in Lautoka. It was 38 degrees in the place they call The Burning West, but the visitors managed to get in and out with a 30-14 win – which is more than the Crusaders can boast this season.

It’s hard to know where to now for the Highlanders. Especially considering there are a few of them who are actually playing consistently well, but their one-point loss to the Waratahs means they are the first NZ side in a long, long time to drop two games in a row to Australian opposition.