Almanac Rugby – Super Rugby AU Semi Final/ Aotearoa Rd 10

The local version kicked off its finals series with the Force making their first ever appearance and the NZ version wrapped up the home and away with more entertaining rugby.

 

 

Brumbies 29 Force 9

It was a fairly dour affair in the first half as the finals debutantes sought valiantly to establish their credentials. The men from the west played within themselves as they seemed most determined to stay within reach of their more fancied opponents. While they did a reasonable job, they were unable to hold out the Brumbies in the latter stages of the half. The only two tries of the game came in that period.

 

 

The second half was more attrition with only the three penalties bothering the scorer. The difference in class was clear as day and we now have the fitting finale with the Brumbies travelling to Brisbane to take on the Reds on Saturday night for the crown of top dog down under.

 

 

Hurricanes 41 Highlanders 22

Blues 39 Chiefs 19 

Both the Canes and the Blues gave their home fans memorable sign offs to season 2021. They are great teams capable of taking it up to the Crusaders on their day. Alas, that job falls to the tough nuts of the Waikato.

 

 

Saturday’s final in Christchurch between the Crusaders and the Chiefs is a battle for the ages on paper. Two great packs and two world class game breakers in Mo’unga and McKenzie suggest we will see a great game. It will end up being a curtain raiser for the SRAU final because of the time difference. Let’s hope all four teams turn up ready to rumble. After all, we have had enough of stumble and bumble thank you very much.

 

 

 

 

The Tigers (Covid) Almanac 2020 will be published in 2021. It will have all the usual features – a game by game account of the Tigers season – and will also include some of the best Almanac writing from the Covid winter.  Pre-order HERE

 

 

 

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