Super round
Posted by Christopher Sheil on Friday, May 12, 2006
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This weekend is a big one for both the Waratahs and the Brumbies, in a final Super 14 round that couldn’t have been better scripted for a thrilling finish to one of the best provincial tournaments in memory. The results to date are here. The table is here.
First up this afternoon, we have the Brumbies facing the Crusaders in chilly Christchurch. A win for the Crusaders, which has been universally predicted, would see the reigning champions secure a home semi-final, and leave them sitting pretty for a home final.
If the Crusaders win is so comprehensive that the Brumbies fail to win a bonus point, the ACT will be exposed to the possibility of the Sharks (vs the Force) slipping past them, with the aid of a bonus point and a margin of at least 39 points. The chances of the latter are admittedly very remote, yet the Brumbies are without Larkham, Gregan and Giteau, and it’s not entirely beyond the Force to drop its bundle completely over in Durban.
Then we have the big one: the second-placed Tahs versus the third-placed Hurricanes, thankfully to be played here at home on Saturday night. If the Brumbies manage to somehow win this afternoon, the Tahs will be playing for the minor premiership; yet even of the Brumbies falter; we’ll still be playing to secure a home semi-final.
If everything goes as expected, the outcome of this weekend’s super Super 14 round will be a full replay in the semi-finals next week, when hopefully the Brumbies will be closer to full-strength, opening up the possibility of an all-Australia final.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The question uppermost in every New South Welshpersons mind is whether last week’s shocker by the Tahs was a momentary aberration, or a sign that our most promising ever provincial season has already come to its usual sad ending. Much is at stake, including a clutch of Wallaby jumpers.
Yes, its truth time for the Tahs. Go, for godsakes, go you good things!
Update: Despite the ACT (read George Smith) staying well in the race most of the game, the Crusaders swamped the depleted Brumbies in wet conditions at Christchurch tonight, scoring three tries in the final nine minutes to register a big 33-3 win. Alas, the Tahs cannot now top the table. More, the size of the win also matters, for this means the ACT is at risk if the Sharks can beat the Farce by 10 points (39+3-33=9) and score four tries (bonus point) on Sunday. A nail biting finish to the Super 14 is certain.
This entry was posted on Friday, May 12th, 2006 at 5:35 PM and filed under Sport - rugby.
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While scouting the ARU site for a photo to accompany Chris’s post, I stumbled across the match preview
Posted on 12-May-06 at 7:05 pm | PermalinkRogers did make some wonderful runs, and a few nice kicks – one in particular was a perfectly executed League bomb for Lote to go over. The person who wrote that assessment, however, must have been pissed for the rest of the match. Most of his kicking was middling or worse, much of his passing and handling was poor, his defence was simply appalling, and his judgement failed late in the game.
Mat, in my view, is unquestionably a wonderful runner with the ball, and something of a passable all-rounder in most other departments, although his handling is often suspect early in a game. After last week, however, I bet he has been relieved of decision-making responsibility, and a big question mark has now been raised over his defence. It’s possible that his alarming lapses were due to rib-protection, just as it is also possible that his career is approaching its end.
On other matters, there was a gallant performance in defeat by the seriously depleted Brumbies in a wet Christchurch tonight.
Posted on 12-May-06 at 9:16 pm | PermalinkThe Australian Workers Union?
Posted on 12-May-06 at 9:24 pm | PermalinkCome again, Amanda?
Posted on 12-May-06 at 9:35 pm | PermalinkOh, I see. Ken has had a Freudian with the picture.
Posted on 12-May-06 at 9:36 pm | PermalinkYou mean he’s unconsciously fixating on Bill Shorten. Heh.
Posted on 12-May-06 at 9:40 pm | PermalinkGO SHARKS! Would love to see the Brumbies booted out the competition!
The Brumbies have no chance of beating the ‘Saders in the semi anyway, whereas the Sharks were robbed in Jade Stadium earlier in the season losing in the last minute!
Sharks v Saders semi would be the right one!
Posted on 13-May-06 at 1:44 am | PermalinkI’m devastated to see the Brumbies out, but eternal optimist that I am, I console myself knowing that Larkham will have time to recover fully from his injury.
And Rathbone, Mortlock, Giteau, Larkham, Gregan and Smith will all be well-rested and in Camp Wallaby in good order.
But the ‘tahs had damn better win – can the Brumbies loan them Larkham for the final?
Posted on 13-May-06 at 5:19 pm | PermalinkDave, I think you may well be right. The cruel thing about last night was that the Crusaders dominated up front. Having Gregan, Larkham and Giteau back might help them sneak a win at home, but it’s unlikely to make a difference over there. In many ways, last night’s game reminded me of the recent patterns of play in the Wallabies versus the All Blacks, in minature. Only the Tahs forwards, if they show up, have a chance of knocking over the the New Zealanders. Car’n the Tahs.
Posted on 13-May-06 at 5:24 pm | PermalinkSaw this at the gym but Wendell has been dumped for serious breach of the ARU code of conduct.
Posted on 13-May-06 at 7:16 pm | PermalinkThis report has a bit more info.
Posted on 13-May-06 at 9:35 pm | Permalink