Johannesburg - All that’s left is three weeks of play-offs and to crown the champions of the 2016 Super Rugby competition.
The “league phase” is done and dusted and today we can look back at who thrilled us and who didn’t.
Sadly, the introduction of the Jaguares and Sunwolves, and reintroduction of the Kings, has done nothing for the competition.
It’s all good and well to try and grow the game, but four wins for the Jaguares, one for the Sunwolves and two for the Kings is not good enough.
They were the big disappointments this year.Then again, the Cheetahs weren’t all that flash either, winning just four times.
It would be interesting to know what Cheetahs fans – and the big bosses – think about the year’s results and highly-fancied coach Franco Smith. Super Rugby has seemingly been a step too big for the Varsity Cup-winning coach.
Australia have also enjoyed a miserable 2016 and the fact they actually have a team in the quarter-finals – the Brumbies – is due to them being Australian Conference winners only.
The truth is they don’t deserve to be in any play-offs this season. Rugby is in a crisis in Australia and one’s got to wonder how the Force and Reds, with five wins between them this year, will turn things around in 2017.
There were some very poor matches over the course of the competition, but few will argue the worst were those Australian derbies. The quality of rugby was poor and the excitement factor zero.
But fortunately for us TV viewers there was plenty to cheer about across the ocean in New Zealand.And how the organisers of Super Rugby must be thanking their lucky stars for the performances of the Kiwi teams.
The Hurricanes, Chiefs, Highlanders and Crusaders won 11 matches each, equalled only by the Lions, and deserve everything that comes their way in the next few weeks.
They have been streets ahead of the other teams in the competition, playing an attacking brand of rugby from one week to the next with several individuals standing out. The fact only one of these teams will play a home quarter-final is a disgrace. If it were not for the Kiwi sides Super Rugby may as well be cancelled.
South Africa’s only highlight has been the showing of the Lions, who have not only played entertaining rugby, but winning rugby. They have been a joy to watch.
The Stormers have had their moments, but they still have a way to go to be among the “must-watch” group.The Bulls were decent under new coach Nollis Marais and were unlucky to miss out to the Sharks for a wildcard place, the Durbanites never getting out of the third gear.
Again, as is the case in Bloemfontein, one’s got to wonder if everyone who matters in Durban is happy with the men who are in charge.Lastly a word on the Kings. They will now turn their attention to the Currie Cup which starts in three weeks’ time and then look to next year’s Super Rugby campaign.
I feel for coach Deon Davids and his management team and all the players who’ve worn the jersey this year. They’re simply a bunch of rugby lovers who want to play and coach to the best of their abilities, but are being hamstrung by problems in the board-room.
It’s time they sorted out their issues and put rugby first.Enjoy the play-offs... here’s hoping for a good showing by the SA teams.
The Star