Super Rugby

[rowan]

Chiefs 20 Landers 12 early 2nd half . . .

Visitors briefly led 20-22 but now its the home-team ahead 27-22 into the final minutes!!

Otago scrum on the Chiefs' 5m line . . . Chiefs turn it over. FT

[rowan]

Ben Lam has got to be headed for an ABS jersey. The guy has been sensational so far this season. 2 tries as the Canes recover from a 19-7 deficit to lead 19-25 at the break. All the other Canes points came from Beauden with a try, 2 pens & 2 cons. The visitors have looked far more potent on attack, and had a try disallowed early in the game, or else they'd have their bonus point already. The Rebels have defended well, maintained their discipline and kicked their penalties. But they've got a big task ahead of them to contain the Canes in the 2nd half . . .

But they couldn't manage it and the Canes have run up a commanding 19-40 lead headed into the final 15. The Rebels' promising start to the season has just been blown apart! The Canes have 6 tries already and are basically the best-placed team in the comp now with games in hand taken into account. Lam gets a hat-trick and that's 38 answered points to the visitors.

FT 19-50, Lam 4 tries, Canes with 43 unanswered points after falling behind 7-19 midway first half.

I said we couldn't really judge the Aussie teams this year until they had played the Kiwis. I also said this one should be close That was not the case and the Rebels, at least, will need to go right back to the drawing board after that walloping on their home-ground...

[zer0]

Rebels left their paddling pool to venture into the open ocean and ran straight into a megalodon.

Though it's getting a bit sad to see the differences in results when the likes of Lam and Aso get the ball vs J.Savea. Can't see how he'll retain his starting spot once the likes of Minler-Skudder and/or Goosen return.

EDIT: And just as I post that he gets a chance to show his stuff but gets tied down then stuffs it up.

[rowan]

Am thoroughly enjoying Super Rugby again this year

[morepork]

Saders find their defensive mojo to take the Lions. Just. Jeez that Goodhue is looking promising isn't he?

[rowan]

Lions let another one slip. Did the same against the Blues, though in somewhat more spectacular fashion. Not looking good for them after the big away loss to the Jags either. In fact, I haven't been impressed by the Saders this season, today's result notwithstanding. Nothing to suggest they'll defend their title. Canes look odds on right now, but there's a long way to go and they've yet to play any of their major rivals on the road.

[rowan]

1. Rebels 6 4 0 2 207:161 20

2. Lions 7 4 0 3 240:220 20

3. Hurricanes 5 4 0 1 161:80 19

4. Crusaders 6 4 0 2 173:127 19

5. Chiefs 5 4 0 1 179:126 17

6. Waratahs 5 3 1 1 161:133 14

7. Highlanders 5 3 0 2 133:122 14

8. Reds 5 3 0 2 94:101 13

9. Stormers 7 3 0 4 183:204 13

10. Sharks 6 2 1 3 187:182 13

11. Brumbies 5 2 0 3 93:117 9

12. Bulls 6 2 0 4 145:185 9

13. Jaguares 6 2 0 4 150:190 8

14. Blues 5 1 0 4 153:203 6

15. Sunwolves 5 0 0 5 112:220 2

[rowan]

Also available in full color

[rowan]

South African derby looks like the most intriguing match-up this week, although the Aussie derby could also go either way. Canes, Tahs, Chiefs & Saders should be comfortable winners in the rest:

6 Hurricanes v Sharks McLean Park 09:35
7 Sunwolves v Waratahs Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium 07:15
7 Chiefs v Blues FMG Stadium Waikato 09:35
7 Brumbies v Reds GIO Stadium 11:45
7 Lions v Stormers Emirates Airlines Park 17:15
7 Jaguares v Crusaders Estadio Jose Amalfitani 23:40

[rowan]

Canes - Sharks kicked off yet ??

Update: Canes 12-Sharks 3 midway 1st half.

Update: Canes 12 Sharks 17 late 1st half

Update: 19-27 HT. Upset on the way? Tbh, it would do the comp good.

Update: 25-27 50 mins gone. Why isn't Beauden Barrett playing ??

Update: 25-30 with 10 to go. Canes applying the pressure.

Nailbiting finish as Shark leading 31-37 concede a series of penalties close to their line - plus a yellow card!

CANES SCORE!!
It's all down to the conversion now . . . it's good!! FT 38-37

Canes win in overtime, but Sharks have really restored credibility to the comp with that performance. The Kiwis' aura of invincibility is definitely slipping . . .

How about this for an idea:

British & Irish Super Rugby

Teams - Leinster, Munster, Scarlets, Glasgow, Ulster, Ospreys, Saracens, Exeter, Wasps, Leicester, Bath. Newcastle.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... big-league

[Spy]

Mad finish.

[rowan]

Yes, but what a performance by the Sharks. They may not have won but this has helped bring the championship back to life. Basically the top Kiwi team so far had to get out of jail in injury time to overcome an hitherto mediocre Saffa opponent. I was a little worried after last week's demo job on the Rebels that Super Rugby wasn't going to be any more competitive at all this season, but the Sharks have dispelled all doubts for the time being. Well done both teams!!

[morepork]

The bi-polar soup rugby fred.

[rowan]

Why so sour-faced? Got the blues or something??

[rowan]

Tahs hit 50 against Sunwolves (29).

[rowan]

Blues run the Chiefs close in Hamilton, but not quite close enough, 21-19. The Aucklanders really aren't that far off the pace, just seem to be missing the killer instinct right now. I'd say of the 15 teams this year only the Sunpoodles still look out of their depth.

Brumbies thumping Reds right now though. FT 45 - 21! I thought it would be closer...

[rowan]

Lions with an early try v Stormers.

[morepork]

I didn't know Ronan O'Gara was on the Cru coaching team.

[rowan]

Me neither. Most of the coaching expertise, like the playing talent, goes in the opposite direction . . .

Jags 0 Saders 19 last 1st half

[morepork]

Codie Taylor doing his best Coles "I'm a centre" impression.

[morepork]

Cru have made over 90 tackles in this half already.

[rowan]

Still 0-19 HT & bedtime. I'll read about it in the morning . .

[morepork]

Jag score a pearler from a quick tap. 26-14 to bouncy castle.

[morepork]

40-14. Jags just go to sleep on some of the basics.

[rowan]

1. Lions 8 5 0 3 292:251 25

2. Crusaders 7 5 0 2 213:141 24

3. Hurricanes 6 5 0 1 199:117 23

4. Chiefs 6 5 0 1 200:145 21

5. Rebels 6 4 0 2 207:161 20

6. Waratahs 6 4 1 1 211:162 19

7. Highlanders 5 3 0 2 133:122 14

8. Brumbies 6 3 0 3 138:138 14

9. Sharks 7 2 1 4 224:220 14

10. Reds 6 3 0 3 115:146 13

11. Stormers 8 3 0 5 214:256 13

12. Bulls 6 2 0 4 145:185 9

13. Jaguares 7 2 0 5 164:230 8

14. Blues 6 1 0 5 172:224 7

15. Sunwolves 6 0 0 6 141:270 2