Almanac Rugby: Super Rugby Pacific Round 8

Highlanders 37 v Moana Pasifika 17

Rebels 22 v Force 21

Crusaders 24 v Hurricanes 21

Blues 25 v Chiefs 0

Brumbies 33 v Fijian Drua 12

 

 

Kicking off the round on Friday in Dunedin, the HIGHLANDERS got their first win of Super Rugby Pacific. MOANA PASIFIKA never looked comfortable and weren’t able to get any rhythm throughout the game.

 

At home, the FORCE went into its clash with the REBELS as heavy favourites. Their ineptitude and general lethargy in the first half gifted the Melbourne boys some points they probably didn’t deserve. Straight after the break, the hosts clicked into gear with two quick tries, only to see them revert to their first-half form soon after. It wasn’t one for the ages, but it was encouraging to see the boys in that ridiculous pink get-up grab the four points away.

 

The two NZ games on Saturday showed the CRUSADERS and BLUES have real momentum.

 

In the ‘Cake Tin’, the HURRICANES fought hard all day but were matched across the park by the marauders from the Canterbury plains. While in Hamilton, the CHIEFS were stunned by the men in blue. They could argue they were unlucky with several tries disallowed, but the Aucklanders are becoming more ruthless with each passing week.

 

The sight of a near-empty Lang Park on Saturday night did little for the energy around the DRUA v BRUMBIES clash. The top four team from Canberra got the job done easily.

 

Speaking of the top four, there was some shuffling among them but there seems little chance of any major changes in the foreseeable future.

 

Next round we have the full complement of six matches. The Crusaders hosting the Blues on Good Friday is the clear highlight. The Christchurch lads have a controversial name and it would be quite ironic to see them crucified by a fired-up Blues outfit.

 

 

 

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