Comfortable Monday G&GRs, and wasnt {that a} predictable spherical of rugby. The Scores perhaps not so, however the outcomes, just about went as anticipated. The Ladder has finalised, and we now excitedly await the primary spherical of finals for SRP 2024.
Let’s get into the rugby. Some fascinating machinations, playing cards and accidents to come back out of this spherical, which will have a bearing on the finals. So let’s take a look on the ultimate spherical, then a have a look at the SRP ladder, adopted by ‘Previous Man Shouting at Clouds’. Strap in, seize a giant cup of the caffeinated stuff ☕and pull aside the weekend’s video games!
As all the time it is a fan-run web site and any contribution is welcome, be happy to succeed in out to me at bris@greenandgoldrugby.com.au be it with an article an thought, or an opinion piece. There’s additionally a ‘Submit a Story’ possibility. So be happy to have a crack because the extra the merrier.
Tremendous Rugby Pacific 2024 – Remaining Spherical – Spherical 15
Canterbury Crusaders 43 defeated Moana Pasifika 10
In a sport that was a ‘wait and see’ sport, to see if the Saders may probably scrape into the finals, ended up changing into a non-event dut to video games that occured afterwards. Nevertheless it confirmed, in direction of the tip of the season, the Darkish Ones returning to the group of outdated. In a match that additionally marked the final video games for AB legends Joe Moody, Owen Franks and Ryan Crotty, the boys from Canterbury ran in seven tries in entrance of their final dwelling crowd of the 12 months.
The 43-10 thrashing of Moana Pasifika on Friday night time was a powerful solution to shut out what was the Saders worst season within the golf equipment histroy. Even with the odd card, the Saders have been by no means not in command of this match. However the outcome now bears little relevance to discussions, so we’ll park it right here and transfer on.
Queensland Reds 27 defeated NSW Waratahs 26
My beloved Reddies have overcome a lapsidaisical second half to banish the Waratahs to the underside of the Tremendous Rugby Ladder the place they belong. The 27-26 victory to Queensland began with the Reds bolting out 19-0 lead inside the primary quarter of the sport. And so it nonetheless was when the groups went into the sheds for oranges with the Reds wanting dominant and the Tahs wanting like whole poo.
Tate McDermott banged over the simplest strive in his carreer when he ‘took the faucet’ and caught the entire Tahs group standing round arms on hips anticipating the Reds to ‘take the three’. That strive actually summed up the Tahs complete season. No cohesion, no execution and no thought! This alongside facet nifty tries from ever bettering Josh Flook and Seru Uru, who each certainly have performed themsleves into Wallaby competition, had the Reds firing and looking out the actual deal.
However alas the second half was nearly a distinct sport. What ever coach Coleman stated to the Tahs in his ultimate ever half time spray, will need to have labored wonders, as a result of they got here out wanting just like the facet that Tahs followers have hoped for the entire 12 months however solely obtained for the subsequent 30 minutes value. The Tahs got here out fired up and firing. From 19 factors down, with tries from Dyland Pietsch, Jack Bowen and forwards Jed Holloway and Jay Fono Kalafi, they surged to a 26-24 lead. The Reds fought again with a strive from uber spectacular Hunter Piasami, however it was the the Tahs half.
However like with all issues Tah this season, their lead was solely to final 2 minutes, and together with it went the Tahs followers hope. Tom Lynagh, who had an amazing sport, slotted a penalty from nearly the half manner line to maneuver the Reds into the lead. Bowen, the Tahs younger flyhalf had an opportunity to regain the lead, however shanked his shot worse than my greatest tee pictures with my new driver, with one minute remaining. The Tahs charged exhausting for over 20 phases within the remaining minutes of the sport, desperately making an attempt to seize victory. However legendary Fraser MacReight snaffled the ball to show it over and the Reds grabbed victory. And the Tahs suffered one more defeat.
The Reds shall be pleased with their first half. The second half, they took their foot off the gasoline, and a extremely fired Tahs caught it too them. Les Kiss will need to beat that out of his group earlier than subsequent week, after they tackle the Chiefs. However the optimistic is, they know they’ll defend like bastards on their line for 20+ phases in the event that they should. However by god I hope they dont get themselves into that place once more.
Wallaby Watch – From the Reds, Uru, Flook, Jock Campbell, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami and Fraser MacReight all had good video games. From the Tahs while there have been gamers that had an amazing second half, any potential for choice was nullified by their dogshit first half efficiency. Nobody from the Tahs ought to be thought-about for Wallaby choice at this stage. To Quote Morgan Turinuri, their ‘physique of labor’ for the season simply merely is just not ok. There are too many different gamers within the Aussie groups which have outplayed them.
Fiji Drua 40 defeated Melbourne Rebels 19
The Flying fijians overcame a underwhelming first half, to finish up spanking the Melbourne Rebels 40-19 in Lautoka on Saturday afternoon. With the Drua banging down 5 tries to the Insurgent Scum 3.
The Fijians, by way of Nalaga obtained the primary strive however it was then all Melbourne’s manner. Scoring two tries, one to the ‘Ginger Ninja Kellaway’ and one a penalty attempt to stretch it out to a 14-5 lead. Iosefo Masi saved Fiji within the sport with a useful strive to attract the scores at 19 all when each groups went off to the sheds for oranges.
I dont know what Mick ‘The Kick’ Byrne stated to the Drua at half time, however they got here out a distinct group. Selestino Ravutaumada rapidly scored after the break with a basic Fijian dive into the nook sort strive. This opened the flood gates for Fiji, with Nalaga complimenting his first half strive with one other and Frank Lomani grabbing one other good little conrner strive.
This fast scoring broke the again and the hearts of the Rebels and their supporters, and closed out the sport for Fiji. With each side progressing to the finals, there have been good and bads for each groups. These will have to be checked out for subsequent week to enter the elimination finals.
Wallaby Watch – For the Rebels Kellaway, David Feiluai and Angelo Smith had good video games. Tupou’s scrummaging is wanting good and we’re lastly beginning to see some health out of the Wallabies Tight head.
Wellington Hurricanes 41 defeated Otago Highlanders 14
KARL’s Canes demonstrated that they’re ‘the group’ to chase once more after a cultured 41-14 win in a really windy Wellington on Saturday afternoon. While in it for the primary half of the sport, the boys from Otago have been saved scoreless within the second half.
The Clan began robust, courtesy of a pleasant little 50-22 that enabled them to their mojo going, and for Matt Whaanga to ultimately floor the ball close to the posts to go forward 7-0. However the Canes got here again exhausting by way of Rayasi, Kirifi and TJ Perenara to spice up them to a 24-7 lead.
The Clan fought again by way of Fabian Holland to go over and produce it again to a ten level sport. However the Canes once more put their foot on the gasoline going over once more by way of Kirifi, and the Backyard-Bachop copped a 🧀 for head contact, and with 14 managed to outlive til oranges with the rating nonetheless 29-14.
I dont know what was stated by both coach at half time, however the first ten odd minutes of the second half developed right into a kicking duel. A variety of faffing round by each groups occurred, till Jordy Barrett obtained sick of it and determined to do it on his personal. The Highlanders once more combating self-discipline underneath stress, obtained one other 🧀 for Sam Gilbert. Down a person and unable to get their assault sport going, the Canes stepped up, brutal of their assault with Brayden banging down a 5 pointer. This was adopted by Riley Higgins. The Canes have been simply too robust and regardless of their efforts, the Clan struggled in each assault and defence.
This bonus level win was sufficient to get the Canes again to the highest of the ladder to safe the minor premiership. It additionally saved the Clan within the finals run at seventh place.
Auckland Blues 31 defeated Waikato Chiefs 17
In what was meant to be the blockbuster sport of the spherical, the boys from Auckland proved to be solution to robust within the battle of the Bombays! The Chiefs got here out to a barnstorming begin, solely to be denied a strive inside the first minute of the sport.
The Blues began with a affected person, robust and forwards based mostly grind of a sport blunting the Chiefs assault and flare, and forcing the Waikato boys to begin making errors. And errors occurred. The Blues scored first with a peach of strive of a line out maul for Riccitelli. The errors and penalties for the Chiefs mounted till the referump ran out of persistence and Aidan Ross was given the 🧀.
The Blues assault then began to kick into gear, and Hoskins Sotutu (who was my MOTM) crossed for a hard-earned strive. Despie all his good work, Sotutu, simply earlier than oranges was additionally given some 🧀 for an obstruction. The Chiefs pounced on this scoring by way of Ross. Each groups went to the sheds in determined want of some relaxation and recuperation after a brutal first half.
After oranges, AB’s winger and the person that appears nearly inconceivable to cease, Caleb Clark powered by way of to get some go ahead, till ultimately his otherside counterpart Mark Tele’a banged one down. At this level the Blues scrum actually utilized the screws and began incomes penalty after penalty with a warning being issued to the Chiefs skipper. Sotutu after his time within the naughty nook, got here out set to redeem himself and banged down his second strive.
Trying just like the Blues have been going to get the bonus level victory and land on the highest of the desk and win minor premiership, the Chiefs stepped into function of occasion poopers. Quinn Tupaea and Josh Ioane scored within the 68th and 79th minutes to disclaim the Blues their bonus level and actually rain on the Blues parade.
All issues being stated, the Blues ahead pack is immense, and have fantastic backs to benefit from their time and area created by these piggies. Any group enjoying them in Auckland goes to have a tough time.
ACT Brumbies 24 defeated Western Power 19
The Ponies stepped up and delivered a powerful victory over the Western Power in Perth on Saturday night time. Grinding it out for a 24-19 win. With the match outcome not able to effecting the Brumbies finals standing after the earlier video games had locked the ladder.
The Ponies got here out of the gates at pace, and bullocked their solution to a 17-7 lead, that they managed to hold by way of til oranges. Tom Wright stepped up and managed to attain a pleasant strive simply earlier than the 60 min mark. The Twiggy Forrest All Stars continued to combat exhausting, and managed to attain twice within the ultimate couple of minutes of the sport however it wasnt sufficient.
The Power have been the architects of their very own demise with their self-discipline and errors proving expensive. However together with this the Brumbies had their very own self-discipline points which were widespread this season with scrum half Ryan Longeran being given a serve of 🧀 for ruck interference.
In the long run the Power scored a few final minute tries to make the rating look somewhat extra respectable by way of Fines-Leleiwasa and George Poolman, however that simply wallpapered over the cracks of a poor efficiency, and purchased an finish to their season.
The Ponies damage considerations mounted with Blake Schoupp’s return lasting lower than 5 minutes earlier than he went off with what gave the impression to be a foul shoulder damage. Corey Toole additionally hobbled off in the previous few minutes of the sport. This isn’t excellent news for Coach Larkham who’s already down plenty of key forwards and now potentionally backs coming into the finals.
Wallaby Watch – Toole till he was injured regarded on hearth, together with Tom ‘John Denver’ Wright and Bobby V is his new cranium cap whcih made him nearly unrecogniseable. For the Power Izaak Rodda regarded the products in addition to Hamish Stewart in his one hundredth cap and Beury. However in any other case the Power regarded dangerous. And if anybody once more mentions Kurtley Beale for Wobs choice, make them watch this match.
Tremendous Rugby Pacific 2024 – The Ladder
The Ladder is locked and loaded. There are not any extra permutations or mixtures that may modify this dangerous boy, it’s what it’s. So that is what we’re set up for subsequent week:
- FRIDAY 7 JUNE 2024 – 1705 Hrs AEST – Chiefs V Reds – FMG Stadium Waikato
- SATURDAY 8 JUNE 2024 – 1435 Hrs AEST – Hurricanes V Rebels – Sky Stadium Wellington
- SATURDAY 8 JUNE 2024 – 1705 Hrs AEST – Blues V Fiji Drua – Eden Park Auckland
- SATURDAY 8 JUNE 2024 – 1935 Hrs AEST – Brumbies V Highlanders – GIO Stadium Canberra
These Quarter finals are wanting like hum dingers. Lets see what the week brings, re accidents and group alternatives.
Previous Man Shouting at Clouds
I’ve two gripes this week, and can launch into them accordingly.
The Waratahs Impact – With the demise of the Melbourne Rebels, and I’m not going to weigh into the why’s and the the place fores, the true advantage of this case seems to go to NSW Rugby and the Waratahs. While this can be a notion factor, notion equals actuality for outsiders. The Tahs going into RA administration and their money owed effetively being subsumed by RA, and many of the normal Rugby public by no means actually discovering out how a lot these money owed really have been. Then with the wrapping up of the Rebels and a majority of their gamers look to be going to the Waratahs, this isn’t an excellent search for RA.
Whether or not it’s the case or not, the situation stinks to excessive heavens and isn’t an excellent look. RA is desperately making an attempt to persuade the remainder of the Australian rugby panorama that centralisation shall be an excellent factor for everybody (and for the report I’m all for centralisation), however the notion of what’s occuring across the Rebels demise and the re-allocation of gamers is a bit iffy is you ask me. And won’t engender belief from the opposite unions.
If I have been the gamers I wouldnt be going wherever close to the Tahs. No recognized Head Coach as of but. A tradition that stinks to excessive heavens. The Captain actively wanting to go away. A Tremendous Yr that was the worst within the golf equipment historical past. To be sincere I might have scrapped the Tahs as an alternative of the Rebels 😉🤣🤣🤣. However jokes apart, it isn’t a facet that I might need to be going to except I had no different alternative. Lets see how most of the Reb’s gamers really find yourself going there.
And this isn’t a ‘I’m a Queenslander and I hate NSW rant!’ I used to be born in NSW, I grew up there. And while I reside in Queensland now, I’m a NSWelshmen. I’m not the one particular person saying this. A variety of my rugby associates have additionally talked about the identical factor. So if we’re all saying it, what the hell are the actual powerbrockers fascinated about it? Ideas?
The Rehabilitation of Kurtley Beale – Properly Stan, by way of its commentators and the opposite Sydney based mostly rugby journalists are nonetheless flat out on the Kurtley Beale ‘Is an efficient bloke and ought to be within the Wallabies’ drive. Holy crap! His efficiency alone doesnt warrant choice, in comparison with the backs ‘a a lot’ we have now in good type throughout the Tremendous Rugby groups. However do these folks, shops, and journalists genuinely imagine that we’re going to overlook all of the crap this man has brought about over the past decade? This man shouldn’t be allowed wherever close to the Wallabies squad ever once more. Lower the advertising marketing campaign! We’re carried out with this particular person.
Sufficient of the this outdated man bleeting! Over to you G&GRs! Have at it!
