Super Rugby and the changes in Refereeing

[Ruckedtobits]

Fast release at the tackle and no toleration of players coming in at the side resulted in two pacy games from Super Rugby over the two games this weekeend.

Minimal scrums, a flood of penalties and the usual high level of skills produced entertaining contests with commentators evidently instructed not to criticise the officials excessively.

Whether we have referees good enough to apply the same interpretations in Pro 14 would be my first take-away. My second would be that all four teams resorted to blanket defence and minimal contesting at the breakdown which put a huge premium on line-breaks. Skill levels in the SH are higher than ours across the board so it will be interesting to see whether these new Law interpretations merely sterilise the game or actually produce better contests.

Beauden Barrett still looks a class act but youngster Otere Black at out-half for the Blues looks a really good prospect as does Eroni Clarke's son on the wing for the Blues.

Finally, what a lineup of Water Boys for the Blues in Eden Park, Carlos Spencer, Tane Umaga and Dan Carter in front of 42,000. Thee good times are back in NZ.

[Ruckedtobits]

Fast release at the tackle and no toleration of players coming in at the side resulted in two pacy games from Super Rugby over the two games this weekeend.

Minimal scrums, a flood of penalties and the usual high level of skills produced entertaining contests with commentators evidently instructed not to criticise the officials excessively.

Whether we have referees good enough to apply the same interpretations in Pro 14 would be my first take-away. My second would be that all four teams resorted to blanket defence and minimal contesting at the breakdown which put a huge premium on line-breaks. Skill levels in the SH are higher than ours across the board so it will be interesting to see whether these new Law interpretations merely sterilise the game or actually produce better contests.

Beauden Barrett still looks a class act but youngster Otere Black at out-half for the Blues looks a really good prospect as does Eroni Clarke's son on the wing for the Blues.

Finally, what a lineup of Water Boys for the Blues in Eden Park, Carlos Spencer, Tane Umaga and Dan Carter in front of 42,000. Thee good times are back in NZ.

A further observation is how welcome it was to see the players mingle with supporters of every variety for a long period after the games. Not just the elite officials or players' families but anybody who could access the pitch. The rugby family united and players and coaches recognising that they were not merely there by right or because of their skills or talents but rather by the grace and favour of thousands of their fans and supporters. The players first role is as entertainers and representatives of their fans, not as untouchable icons.

[Morf]

Tip on passes look to be a dying feature with only one half decently timed jackal needed to secure a pen.

No ability to withstand a clearout meant 6'7" locks were getting pens from timing.

No sign that 50/22s were doing much to balance the change to ruck dynamics mentioned above with defenses fanning out.

[Ruckedtobits]

Super Rugby, as in Moana Pasifika v Chiefs in Melbourne as Part 1 of a double-header, was like the Munster - Scarlets game, with the points scored in tandem with time elapsed and even the Referee, Angus Gardiner, sinking to his haunches at the final whistle with 29-52 to the Chiefs on the scoreboard.

Unlike Europe there was minimal kicking. There were offloads of every sort and few breakdowns had more than four players involved. However, as a contest, it failed to hold the attention as the All Black laden Chiefs, led by Damien McKensie dominated Moana who are really only developing their teamwork.

McKensie & Weber were the dominant unit across both teams and Chiefs scored at will in the first half. However, Moana Pasifika improved their work-rate and reactive pace massively in the second half and scored 26 points and a bonus point.

New Zealand Rugby is recovering but not too much of it involves set-pieces, line-out mauls or forwards at the bottom of breakdowns. Hugely athletic but very limited involvement in down and dirty.

[jezzer]

Fast release at the tackle and no toleration of players coming in at the side resulted in two pacy games from Super Rugby over the two games this weekeend.

Minimal scrums, a flood of penalties and the usual high level of skills produced entertaining contests with commentators evidently instructed not to criticise the officials excessively.

Whether we have referees good enough to apply the same interpretations in Pro 14 would be my first take-away. My second would be that all four teams resorted to blanket defence and minimal contesting at the breakdown which put a huge premium on line-breaks. Skill levels in the SH are higher than ours across the board so it will be interesting to see whether these new Law interpretations merely sterilise the game or actually produce better contests.

Beauden Barrett still looks a class act but youngster Otere Black at out-half for the Blues looks a really good prospect as does Eroni Clarke's son on the wing for the Blues.

Finally, what a lineup of Water Boys for the Blues in Eden Park, Carlos Spencer, Tane Umaga and Dan Carter in front of 42,000. Thee good times are back in NZ.

Clever from the SH. Get these interpretations adopted in the RWC and the Pacific teams will have a head start. Plus quick release and clamping down on in the side will slow down the 3-second ruck brigade of Ireland, France, Italy and Scotland.

[Ruckedtobits]

Just watching Blues v Crusaders and there's no doubt NZ rugby is back to something like the standard their fans expect. 21 - 24 at half-time in a fast and furious attacking game with Beaudon Barrett and Richie Morgan in opposition at out-half.

Both teams are intent on moving the ball and playing at 100 mph. The handling is awesome and the tacking is very accurate but the off-loading and support play is what differentiates NZ rugby at it's best.

Any ideas that NZ rugby had retired to lick it's wounds after Ireland's summer victory can be forgotten about. The fitness levels are frightening and the innate skills are back to where they were before. Seven tries, lots of kick passing but the support play and pace they come onto the ball is what makes this game so good.

[jezzer]

NZ were already much improved in the Chsmpionship. They sorted their pack out and all of a sudden things are much rosier.