The race for a top two spot only gets more difficult as the playoffs get closer, and the competition for a spot in the top eight intensifies.
The Reds ended a 25-year drought in Round 11, the Crusaders are still near the bottom of the table, and the Hurricanes and Blues both posted huge victories to signal their intention to make the playoffs.
Continue reading as we recap some of the weekend’s most noteworthy (and less noteworthy) events.
REDS HOLD THEIR NERVE AND END CHRISTCHURCH HOODOO
The Reds have begun to rekindle their tenacity and grit after going through a midseason slump that saw them lose three straight games before they finally ran out of legs last week against the Blues. This was evident in their historic and potentially season-defining victory over the Crusaders on Saturday.
The Reds haven’t won in Christchurch in twenty-five years; in that time, some of the players weren’t even a gleam in their eyes, and others were still in diapers. But there was a strong sense going into the game that Queensland might finally end their curse, especially with nearly a hundred Reds supporters travelling with them, including former Reds flyhalf Elton Flatley.
Fraser McReight’s impact on the team after serving his suspension was enormous. He brought starch and accuracy to the breakdown, forcing several turnovers, and his ball carrying gave them a new dimension in the game. He also put in an incredible amount of work, finishing with 22 tackles—more than any other player on the pitch.
Harry Wilson, his backrow partner, contributed 20 tackles and 48 run metres on his own. The game was turned on its head by his late-game effort to charge down a clearing kick attempt by David Havili, pick up the loose ball, and score in the 61st minute to put the Reds ahead.
As the scores were tied and Havili was having a great time in his debut in the towering No. 8 hustled his way to knock down the No. 10 jersey, putting him in an awkward position and making him second-guess himself. He then completed the move
Havili, who had been reliable at fly-half for the majority of the game despite not particularly standing out in the role, will undoubtedly be greatly affected by this, and some may wonder if it’s a long-term solution. Wilson’s efforts, however, would have benefited his Wallabies’ dreams.
The Reds’ entire forward pack put up a strong fight, with their scrum establishing the tone early and holding their own against George Bower and Fletcher Newell, two formidable front-row players. Matt Faessler, the hooker, performed admirably at lineout time, while back-row players Liam Wright and lock Angus Blyth played solid defence.
“We knew the physicality was a big part, that’s what you need playing away from home: physicality and set-piece,” Wright commented on the victory.
“Gosh, we held on so well. We talked about some major moments involving important players during the week. simply taking responsibility for our moments. This tour is a terrific way to change that wonderful feeling.
As we saw at the end, our scrum really held its own against a strong pack. then just taking responsibility for those unique moments. Our main goals were to complete our work, close those tiny gaps, and have mutual trust.”
The Reds appear to be over the hump that dogged them during the midseason after their third victory over New Zealand opponents this year, and their second on Kiwi soil. However, consistency is a must if Les Kiss’s team is to have a genuine shot at making the playoffs.
TONGA FANS SHOW THERE’S A HEALTHY APPETITE FOR MORE SUPER RUGBY
Taking the game to the islands is one thing Super Rugby Pacific has done well over the past few years.
Huge, raucous crowds have already filled Fijian stadiums for the past three years in order to watch their beloved Fijian Drua; a few weeks ago, they had a sellout against the Waratahs. Last year, a sizable group of people welcomed Moana Pasifika to Samoa for their first-ever home game in the Pacific nation.
This week, Tonga, in its capital Nuku’alofa, had the opportunity to see Moana performed live at home for the first time ever. The people there made the most of the occasion, even in the midst of heavy downpours.
Before kickoff, the players had the opportunity to meet the Crown Prince and Princess, and the entire Tongan royal family gathered in the stands to witness the moment. The players were greeted with a full brass band.
When Moana scored the first try of the game, the crowd erupted in cheers, and throughout the entire 80 minutes, there were still plenty of Highlanders supporters present. The cheers started as soon as the Highlanders challenged Moana with a haka, and Moana responded with their own Sipi Tau welcome chant.
The conditions were too great for Moana to overcome, but the healthy attendance definitely demonstrated that there’s a strong passion and appetite for more Super Rugby games to come to the islands.
REIMER CAMEO A GAME CHANGER
With only ten minutes played, the Brumbies had a 14-point lead and appeared to be winning easily against the Drua on Saturday night. However, some poor discipline allowed Fiji to tie the game immediately after.
Fortunately for the Brumbies, Luke Reimer’s outstanding cameo off the bench helped them win their pivotal match. scoring a try in a crucial moment of the game and winning two enormous on-ball penalties.
Reimer remarked following the game, “It got a little cold on the bench watching.” “I just came on and did my job.”
Reimer was forced to wait an additional ten minutes to enter the pitch after receiving a yellow card for the Brumbies, but he made the most of his brief time there and had an instant impact.
Following the game, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham remarked, “He was good tonight.” “With about 30 minutes remaining, we discussed switching things up so he would have to spend an additional 10 minutes sitting on the bench. He had a great night because his first involvement was a steal at the breakdown and he then gets a try elsewhere.”
NOT SO SUPER
AUSSIE TEAMS MUST ADDRESS POOR DISCIPLINE
Although the Brumbies defeated the Fijian Drua on Saturday night, coach Stephen Larkham and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt should be furious with their team for giving out penalty after penalty like lollies on Halloween night.
The Brumbies nearly bumbled a 14-0 lead as they left the door open for a Drua comeback and gave in to the pressure of their charging forward pack after giving up 16 penalties in total—13 in a row.
Concurrently, the Reds encountered their own disciplinary problems, giving up 14 penalties in a game that was very easily another Crusaders triumph in Christchurch. They’ll be thanking their lucky stars that despite constant warnings for infringing on their red territory, they never lost a player.
The Force could be said to have done the same after giving up twelve penalties, but since their defence was opening up like a sieve, the referee did not need to issue a warning when they crossed the tryline.
If given all that extra possession, teams like the Hurricanes and the Blues would have a field day. That’s exactly what the Chiefs did to a miserable Force team, running in nine tries and having many calling for the mercy rule after just 20 minutes.
Discipline needs to be cleared up fast if Australian teams—or perhaps I should say the Brumbies and Reds—have any chance of winning the Super Rugby Pacific championship.
BARRETT INJURY A REAL CONCERN
After playing for much of the season without their captain, Scott Barrett’s return to the pitch gave the Crusaders the impression that they were finally clicking in their decisive victory over the Rebels. However, things aren’t looking good for the men in red and black as the towering lock left the pitch injured in the 13th minute of their match against the Reds.
The Crusaders had a strong lineout when their captain was on the pitch. They applied constant pressure to Reds thrower Matt Faessler, forcing multiple errors, but without Barrett, their own lineout suffered, losing three players, and their rolling maul was destroyed five metres from the tryline, allowing their bad habits to return.
Early in the match, Crusaders and All Blacks supporters undoubtedly put their heads in their hands when they saw Barrett leave the pitch and receive treatment. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, meanwhile, was probably thinking about his options as he watched from the stands.
The Crusaders’ chances of making the playoffs are in jeopardy, and the team stated that it’s too soon to predict how long Barrett will be out due to a back spasm. Is this the moment when we finally cut their opportunities short?
