Analysis: Both Auckland-based teams are struggling for wins, but underdogs Moana Pasifika have impressed with their resolve, writes Patrick McKendry.
A tale of two teams
Everyone loves a winner as they say and, to begin with a blatant generalisation, few love them more than Aucklanders – fans with more sporting options than anywhere else in the country and with a shorter attention span as a result.
So, patience may be wearing thin among those who joined the Blues’ bandwagon last year on the team’s journey to the Super Rugby Pacific championship.
Even die-hard supporters will be questioning their team’s performances because they have often been severely lacking in the fundamentals.
The Blues now have a bye week to regroup from their 42-19 thrashing at the hands of the Crusaders at Eden Park – their fifth defeat in their opening six matches.
The other Auckland-based Super Rugby team, Moana Pasifika, meanwhile, have a trip to Christchurch and a match against the rejuvenated red and blacks to look forward to after a defeat of their own – but in their case they probably emerged with reputations enhanced, if anything.
They were second best against the Chiefs in the first half, as the 43-7 halftime score suggests. Their skipper Tom Savage, in place due to Ardie Savea’s leg injury, had been sent to the sinbin, and few things were going their way.
Until the re-start, that is. Four converted tries in 33 minutes had them 43-35 down with 14 minutes remaining and an epic collapse from the Chiefs appeared very much on the cards until replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho’s converted try in the final minute sealed it for Clayton McMillan’s men.
Moana Pasifika, who have had some rotten luck this season, find themselves on the bottom of the table but are playing with such energy and excitement – most often in losing causes – that it’s difficult not to admire their spirit.
The same cannot be said of the Blues, a couple of places above them in ninth, who, while they have been badly affected by injury, still possess elite players in the form of Hoskins Sotutu, Caleb Clarke, Rieko Ioane and Mark Tele’a but often appear to be going through the motions.
Of that quartet, wing Tele’a is by far the most consistent this season.
There is no doubt who the neutral fan will be rooting for when the two teams meet at Eden Park in round nine on April 12.
Aussies in the ascendency
With 28 minutes remaining in Dunedin on Saturday, the Highlanders were leading the Reds 20-12. The visitors had given it a good go – leading 12-0 after 10 minutes, but normal service appeared to have resumed when Timoci Tavatavanawai and Tanielu Tele’a crossed the line.
Reds teams of old and indeed Aussie teams in general, would have usually folded at this point, but instead they ripped the Highlanders apart in the final quarter to win 29-23.
Of most concern to Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph will be the way the Reds pack dominated the home side throughout – especially at the breakdown, an area of concern for Joseph last weekend during the defeat to the Hurricanes.
Elsewhere, the Force thrashed the Drua 52-15 in Perth, and the Waratahs prevailed in a lively derby win over the Brumbies 28-23.
The Chiefs and Crusaders hold the first and second spots on the table but the next four are held by the Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and Force.
After years of having their talent diluted by five teams, the Aussies are beginning to thrive following the demise of the Rebels, just as many predicted they would.
An honourable mention to Highlanders wing Caleb Tangitau, who, like fellow New Zealand sevens player Leroy Carter (Chiefs), has begun the season in outstanding form.
Tangitau highlighted his extreme pace and evasion skills when crossing the line late in the first half but he was robbed of a superb try due to an earlier infringement (which resulted in a yellow card to Reds player Heremaia Murray).
Crusaders have their mojo back
There was a kerfuffle in Christchurch when wing Macca Springer scored five tries against the Force and a week later was left out of the squad altogether, before being brought on to the bench to play the Blues due to a later selection change.
Chay Fihaki was preferred as the starting right wing alongside the ultra-consistent Sevu Reece, and Fihaki duly rewarded coach Rob Penney’s faith with two tries at Eden Park and a kicking game, which, along with his pace, troubled the Blues all night.
Springer made an appearance off the bench and scored an almost inevitable try, as did fullback Will Jordan.
So, the Crusaders have depth among the outside backs and they have it at first-five too, where James O’Connor is pushing Taha Kemara hard for the No.10 jersey.
After the lows of last year when the Crusaders won only four games in total, the red and blacks are playing with a palpable energy and enthusiasm reminiscent of Scott Robertson’s time at the helm.
Things are definitely looking up for Penney and the Crusaders who will now be expecting to qualify for a home semifinal.
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