Super Rugby Aotearoa round 2 review

‘Blues to beat the Chiefs

Crusaders to beat the Hurricanes’

Both predictions turned out correct, as the Blues and Crusaders used their respective talents and try-scoring abilities to set the Chiefs and Hurricanes aside. The Saturday evening game was played out in miserable conditions in Hamilton- meaning a hard fought out game wrought with mistakes from both sides, the high-flying Blues eventually coming out on top 24-12. On Sunday, however, better conditions graced Wellington allowing the top Kiwi talent in New Zealand to wreak havoc at Sky Stadium, the final score being 39-25 to the Crusaders. You will find match reports and my Team of the Week below, enjoy 🙂

Chiefs vs Blues

It was a dreary evening in Hamilton, but both sides went out regardless- the Chiefs desperate for a first win of the tournament. They started well, with good ball speed and skills exhibited through a long period of phase play before Damian McKenzie converted a penalty- 3-0 Chiefs.

The in-form Blues didn’t let this phase them though, getting straight back up the field and claiming a penalty in the Chiefs 22′. Beauden Barrett used a fancy ‘banana kick’ to get a 5m line out, before the sizeable Blues forward pack launched it up close to the line. Who else but Hoskins Sotutu- the big no8 who’s been showing his class this year- should crash over for the first try of the match (converted by Black).

A further McKenzie penalty was scored, taking the score to 6-7, before the Hamilton side scuffed a great opportunity on the Blues 5′ with an overthrown line out. Minutes later, Otere Black missed his first kick of the tournament for the Blues, only to reclaim one towards the end of the half- 6-10.

A defensive highlight of the match for the Chiefs came just before the break, with Barrett and Ioane linking up for the Blues on the halfway line and nearly breaking through. Centre Anton Lienert Brown made a great tackle on the All-Black wing, with centre partner Quinn Tupea making an excellent turnover to reclaim the ball for the home side. They kicked to the corner, and a line out followed, the forwards then charging it up in the Blues 22′. Unfortunately for the Auckland team, young flanker Dalton Papali’i was sent to the bin (for repeated infringements by the team) on the 40 minute mark, leaving them with 14 men after the break. Half Time 6-10

In the second half, further penalties were exchanged between McKenzie and Black, with Beauden Barrett adding a drop goal and another penalty to the Blues total, leaving it 12-19 after half an hour.

The deadlock was broken, though, by classy Blues wing Mark Telea, who sprinted into the corner in the 72nd minute after some rapid build-up play by Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke and replacement 9 Finlay Christie. The away fans were in raptures, with another successive week at the top of the table looming.

The final whistle was blown by referee Ben O’Keeffe, who had to issue over 20 penalties during the game. The weather had an impact on the quality of the Chiefs’ rugby, conceding 16 turnovers and making multiple handling errors. However, the Blues showed their class yet again, and are establishing themselves as one of the toughest teams to beat in NZ.