Rugby writer John Goliath says goodbye to Super Rugby 2016 with a look back at the highs and lows of this year’s tournament.
THE POOR
The not so mighty Kings...
The Southern Kings looked more like peasants on their return to Super Rugby after a horrible pre-season.
Less than two months before the start of the tournament, SA Rugby had to intervene and take over the running of the franchise after the players’ wages were not paid by the Eastern Province Rugby Union.
While the players on the field competed hard in most of the matches they played in, it looked like the Kings had gone into a gunfight with water pistols.
Grey area leads to red cards
There were lots of debates surrounding the large amount of red cards handed out by referees to players ‘playing an opposition player in the air’. It all started with Jason Emery’s red card for ‘taking out’ Willie le Roux.
That punishment was probably correct, but other players were red-carded for slipping into a player while looking at the ball, because the current law is just not flexible enough. While players’ safety is important, a bit more common sense should be applied next year.
No full moon for Sunwolves
Sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to Super Rugby. There was a lot of excitement about the prospect of three new teams in the competition this year, but the Kings, Jaguares and Sunwolves didn’t add any value to the competition.
The Sunwolves were especially poor, and looked more like a house cats in their first season in the competition. They need to get themselves ready for more kitty litter next year when they face the New Zealand teams.
THE PRETTY
Damian McKenzie fights way above his weight
While that little smile before he kicks at goal gives me the creeps, he showed you don’t have to be an 110kg Polynesian monster to be a Super Rugby star in the back three. McKenzie weighs in at a paltry 81kg, but played in all 17 of the Chiefs’ matches this year.
He doesn’t shy away from the action and is always involved and trying to make things happen on attack. He was up there with the best in the competition in 2016.
Elton Jantjies
While Jantjies performance in the Super Rugby final was poor, there is no denying that this kid was one of the main reasons for the Lions’ surge to the final.
Jantjies came of age this year and showed that he can take control of a match, like he did in the quarter-final against the Crusaders and the semi against the Highlanders. He would have learned some big lessons during the final, and hopefully that experience will make him stronger.
Beauden Barrett
Somebody should check if this guy has got a Russian connection, because he must be on some performance-enhancing drug! Barrett is probably one of the fastest rugby players on the planet, but his brain reacts just as quickly as his feet.
His vision and supreme skill, sets him apart from all other flyhalves in Super Rugby this year. Now imagine if he could kick all of his goals, he would be unstoppable!
THE POWERFUL
Pieter-Steph du Toit
The Lions boast some of the top performers in Super Rugby this year, but for me the farmer from the Boland was the best South African player in the competition.
He was busier than Helen Zille’s mentions after a controversial tweet, and took his game to a whole new level. Not only did he do the dirty work upfront, but he also came to the fore with some powerful runs and some lovely offloading in the tackle.
Lions’ band of brothers
Living in Johannesburg, you have to stick together to avoid being robbed, especially in that area surrounding Ellis Park. But this Lions team had a bond like no other.
They had this never-say-die spirit, and it was reflected in the way they played the game. They operated with smiles on their faces and had each other’s backs 80 minutes at a time. It’s just a pity that they froze in the final.
Hurricanes blow away the competition
The Hurricanes didn’t concede a single try in the playoffs, and over the last six weeks showed that they can play rugby in any kind of weather.
The Wellington-based side have always been known for their flair and innovation, but over the last two years they have also added a hard edge to their game. It’s a potent mix that has left their opponents with a massive hangover the morning after a visit to the Cake Tin.
Cape Argus