DURBAN - Independent Media rugby writer Mike Greenaway has compiled a list of the most significant happenings from Super Rugby over the past weekend.
Stormers leaking too many tries
The Stormers have been unbeaten since the June break and have scored some spectacular tries, many of them thanks to individual brilliance of players such as Cheslin Kolbe, Dillyn Leyds and Seabelo Senatla.
While it is awesome to see the men in blue play with flair, they need to tighten up on defence, especially with the Chiefs coming up this weekend. It will worry Robbie Fleck that the Bulls scored five tries against his team.
undefinedWhere was Curwin Bosch?
The non-selection of Curwin Bosch for the Sharks’ match against the Lions remains a puzzle.
Bosch has been a match-winner for the Sharks all season and while there have been questions about his defence, he has improved in this department as the season has progressed.
With respect to Garth April, Bosch surely offers more at 10. Bosch came on for April in the 45th minute after the latter had had mixed fortunes in the first half.
New South Wails
It has been quite extraordinary to see how the pride of Australia have imploded this season. The Waratahs have been woeful this season and suffered the ignominy of losing 40-11 to the Force at the weekend, the side that is about to be axed from Super Rugby.
The Sydney team has won just four of 15 games and coach Daryl Gibson, the former All Black, is certain to be shown the door.
Cheika-mate for Australia
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika a few weeks ago said that the form of Australia’s teams in Super Rugby would not prevent him from picking a team capable of beating the All Blacks.
Positive thinking or he is he trying to pull the other leg? Australia’s top team, the Brumbies, lost 28-10 to the Chiefs and have won just six of 15 games. And they are Australia’s best side! Not one Aussie team has beaten a Kiwi team this year.
Cheetahs, Kings bow out in style
Many pundits thought that this co-incidental final fixture in Super Rugby for the Cheetahs and Kings would be one of those "45-40” type games where the teams played with gay abandon on attack and paid little attention to defence.
But both sides kept to their structures and played to win, whether it took penalties or tries to do so. These teams played with pride and intent and it took a late penalty for the Cheetahs to come from behind to win 21-20. Both teams can leave Super Rugby with their heads held high.
undefined