Six Nations, Super Rugby and the LV= Cup all come under the scrutiny of Rupert Cox in The Off Load
Monday 30 March 2015 16:13, UK
Rupert Cox shares his highlights from the week's rugby action in his round-up blog.
Six Nations
In Saturday’s Financial Times Harry Eyres wrote that this year’s Six Nations tournament has “descended into a pit of muscle-bound turgidity”. He said that his grandfather, who played for England, would have despaired at what has been on offer from the European rugby nations these weeks past: “I cannot remember a less memorable campaign… boredom morphed into incompetence...”
Well - I wonder how the Eyres family are feeling now? What a turnaround -- what an out-and-out wonderful final day of Six Nations action. Yes, Harry – Italy and Scotland were pretty dire, and have hefty work to do before the World Cup, but the rugby played by Wales, Ireland and, above all, England and France on Saturday, has given the game we all love a huge boost ahead of the big show in September.
No amount of marketing, hash-tagging, video blogging or pre-match hype can achieve what a team’s pure intent to play can. There were 90 points in 80 minutes at Twickenham - joyous.
LV= Cup
Speaking of great entertainment, the final of the LV= Cup took place on neutral turf at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday, with Saracens’ Ben Spencer kicking a last-minute penalty to rob the Exeter Chiefs of a first ever back-to-back title. It was a thrilling finish to a superb game. Next season the LV= Cup will take a break due to a condensed fixture list caused by the World Cup, and there’s been some talk that administrators might quietly take the chance to let the tournament disappear altogether. If that’s true, they all need a sharp boot up the backside. Sure, give it a revamp, but don’t ditch what is a great showcase for young and developing talent.
Super Tahs
The Waratahs (and Izzy) are back! The defending Super Rugby champions have been below their best this season, but they roared into life against the Brumbies on Sunday, with Israel Folau back to his brilliant best after a try-less opening month. After weathering an early storm from the Brumbies the Tahs finally clicked and the Brumbies couldn't do much about it. Incumbent Wallaby skipper Michael Hooper quashed any rumours he might be struggling to hold onto his green and gold jersey with a great all-round display.
But it’s the Canes that lead the way after their perfect start continued. A seven-point win against the Highlanders in Dunedin was their fifth straight this season, and the Hurricanes look a solid chance to claim an all-important home semi-final. Ma’a Nonu was devastating in midfield alongside his old mate Conrad Smith, and in his final year in NZ rugby before heading off to Toulon, the dreadlocked one has responded to the return of Sonny Bill Williams with aplomb.
Upset of the week came from the Lions who came from 13-nil down to ravage the Rebels in Melbourne. Lions skipper Warren Whiteley is clearly a warrior and natural leader and deserves huge credit for carrying his pride to their second win on the road in three weeks.
Brickbat
The world has gone mad! Three red cards in Durban and the worst culprit of the lot has been cleared of all wrong doing. Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot was the first to rightly receive his marching orders on Saturday but his shoulder charge at the ruck was no where near the most dangerous incident. Sharks captain Bismarck du Plessis should know better than to kick a player in the face. The Bok hard man is lucky to get away with just a four-week ban.
But worst of all by a long way was Frans Steyn's dangerous tackle on All Black fly-half Aaron Cruden. It was reckless at best and bloody dangerous. Cruden could have suffered a broken neck. But get this - Steyn's red card has been rescinded by the SANZAR judiciary. Yes - that's right he's been cleared, let off - free to go. Here's the real time angle plus replays - make your own mind up.
Bouquet
David Pocock for reporting a homophobic slur to the referee during the Tahs v Brumbies match, which resulted in a 20,000 dollar fine for South African import Jacques Potgieter.
There aren’t many players that would have the bravery to raise the rainbow flag in the middle of a match, but hats off to the former Wallaby skipper for rising above all the old school, bozo, bigoted, peer group rubbish, and making a positive statement for rugby union. I hope others will follow his lead.
