It's been a three week break from the Super Rugby Tournament yet thanks to international rugby it really hasn't been missed. Not saying the drama of making the top spot (let alone the wildcard places) your own isn't something I've been looking forward to, it's just that The Rugby Championship teams test matches have been a pleasant distraction.
New Zealand & Australia had a clean sweep of victories, South Africa won 2 & drew 1 and even though Argentina played three Tests against two different Northern hemisphere teams (Namely one vs Italy & two vs France) they still went on to win the "series" 2-1, in my book that is & to sum up Southern Hemisphere vs Northen Hemisphere 12 Tests played 10 wins 1 draw, 1 loss & some claim the gap between the countries are closing? (Especially since Northern Hemisphere are at the END of season tour & Southern Hemiphere season is just STARTing).
Let's get back to Super Rugby & the New Zealand conference. The Chiefs hold a 9 point lead at the top of their conference but they still have to face the Hurricanes and the Crusaders whom before the international break were in ominous form. I expect them both to take off where they left off & we could be looking at a very different New Zealand conference in a couple of weeks.
The Australian conference is also far from settled, the Reds, injury free I might add, are only 5 points adrift of the Brumbies, but with 3 post-break rounds of league play left, I would be very suprised to see more than one Australian team in the final stages of this years tournament.
The South African conference. The Stormers are sitting pretty at the top with a favourable run-in not to mention that fact that the greater majority of their squad was 'rested' by the new Bok coach for the past 3 weeks means they can realistically set their sights on ending top of the combined log.
The Bulls and the Sharks on the other hand consisted of the bulk of Meyer’s squad, so they'll be returning to their franchises a lot less rested. They even have some injury concerns, young Pat Lambie the most high profile of the lot, but fortunately for the Sharks they have a bye this weekend. Round 17 could spell the end of the tournament for one of these teams as they clash in Durban, neither would won't that's without saying but would sure make for a enticing South African derby.
Advice I can give all rugby lovers is to just sit back and enjoy the quality of rugby that only the Southern Hemisphere can offer. Search me if I know who will win this seasons Super Rugby Tournament.
You all know who my money is on, not in a canter though.
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams (JCBA)
Let's get back to Super Rugby & the New Zealand conference. The Chiefs hold a 9 point lead at the top of their conference but they still have to face the Hurricanes and the Crusaders whom before the international break were in ominous form. I expect them both to take off where they left off & we could be looking at a very different New Zealand conference in a couple of weeks.
The Australian conference is also far from settled, the Reds, injury free I might add, are only 5 points adrift of the Brumbies, but with 3 post-break rounds of league play left, I would be very suprised to see more than one Australian team in the final stages of this years tournament.
The South African conference. The Stormers are sitting pretty at the top with a favourable run-in not to mention that fact that the greater majority of their squad was 'rested' by the new Bok coach for the past 3 weeks means they can realistically set their sights on ending top of the combined log.
The Bulls and the Sharks on the other hand consisted of the bulk of Meyer’s squad, so they'll be returning to their franchises a lot less rested. They even have some injury concerns, young Pat Lambie the most high profile of the lot, but fortunately for the Sharks they have a bye this weekend. Round 17 could spell the end of the tournament for one of these teams as they clash in Durban, neither would won't that's without saying but would sure make for a enticing South African derby.
Advice I can give all rugby lovers is to just sit back and enjoy the quality of rugby that only the Southern Hemisphere can offer. Search me if I know who will win this seasons Super Rugby Tournament.
You all know who my money is on, not in a canter though.
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams (JCBA)
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