Good morning G&GRs, and a Pleased easter to you all. I hope you all obtained a very good relaxation and had loads of enjoyable time with your loved ones, loads of good meals to eat, vino to drink, and time to observe rugby. And what one other beautiful spherical of rugby that was! SRP 2024 simply retains on giving. So let’s recap this spherical, then take a look on the SRP ladder, and I’ll conclude by giving Stan yet one more broadside.
So on this Easter Monday, after we don’t should be at work, however sitting enjoyable and studying the rugby information with a cup of the magic stuff ☕. Double dose, sit again, and luxuriate in, while this outdated loopy man has his rant.
As all the time it is a fan-run web site and any contribution is welcome, be happy to succeed in out to me at bris@greenandgoldrugby.com.au be it with an article an thought, or an opinion piece. There’s additionally a ‘Submit a Story’ choice. So be happy to have a crack because the extra the merrier.
Tremendous Rugby Pacific 2024 – Spherical 5
Canterbury Crusaders 37 defeated Waikato Chiefs 26
A lot to the Chagrin of quite a lot of rugby supporters on the market the Darkish Saders lastly chalked up a ‘W’ in SRP 24. And didn’t they do it in type, with a robust win that resembled the Crusaders of outdated! Notching up a 37-26 victory over the Chiefs, demonstrating that they aren’t a spent pressure, and in addition displaying that the Chiefs with out the D-Mac are a rudderless ship.
Proper from the outset the Crusaders confirmed a degree of dominance and depth that we haven’t seen all season to this point. When in defence it was a crimson wall that appeared impenetrable. Their turnover recreation was additionally again in pressure, having the ability to counter any Chiefs assaults after which acquire possession and go on the assault. The Chiefs would have moments to maintain themselves within the recreation however simply couldn’t get themselves inside hanging vary.
The sport was performed at a degree of depth not seen to this point this season. It was a very quick recreation, and the referumping from Angus Gardener was really first-class. The Man has an actual really feel for the sport and ensures that it flows properly, and the ball stays in play for lengthy intervals. I’m positive the end result ruined just a few individuals’s suggestions (not mine I tipped the darkish ones), however the Saders are again in type, and the Chiefs actually need D-Mac again as they clearly wrestle with out him.
Melbourne Rebels 27 defeated NSW Waratahs 21
In what was a joyous end result for many Australian Rugby supporters, the Melbourne Rebels have heaped additional ache on the Waratahs season, and locked in a prime 8 place on the ladder. Coach Coleman and the Tahs have been dealt a pre-game bitch slapping from the god of rugby luck, with inform prop Angus Bell (again), Ned Hanigan (hamstring), and Charlie Gamble (calf) all struck from the staff sheet.
Unquestionably, this was a recreation between two groups that have been determined to not lose. The dealing with errors, poor decision-making, and crap abilities execution have been on show for all to see, with it taking on 20 minutes for the primary factors to be lodged on the board. Lachy Anderson banged down the primary 5-pointer for Melbourne, however the Waratahs leveled up by means of Lackie Swinton shortly after. The Tah’s self-discipline wasn’t in control, and a serving of cheddar cheese to Hugh Sinclair proved pricey. With the Rebels going to the sheds for oranges main 10-7.
The second half, was much like the primary, with reference to each groups trying decidedly common, and desperately attempting to not lose the sport. The Rebels turned down a number of alternatives for 3, and had they been taking part in a reliable staff they’d have been punished for it. However alas they have been taking part in the Tahs. And if everybody thinks I’m being harsh, that is when the Tahs produced one of many best acts of incompetence in SRP24, when Miles Amatosero took the faucet, however alas he didn’t truly faucet the ball. Dropping possession when 3 factors behind proper in entrance of the objectives. Langi Gleeson managed to proceed his good kind, banking down a 5-pointer, to take the Tahs to a 4-point lead simply after the three/4 time. However then tries within the final 10 minutes from Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu pegged Melbourne a come-from-behind win.
To be trustworthy G&GRs, this was one of many worst video games of rugby I’ve watched in years. It actually was a poor commercial for our recreation. The one positives have been Filipo Dangunu trying actually harmful, and Tongan Thor demonstrating if he managed to get match, he’s somebody we nonetheless need for the Wallabies. As unfit and as lazy as he seems, at scrum time and in shut he has nice energy. Somebody get him a private coach, please!
Fiji Drua 31 defeated Western Power 13
In what was a very entertaining recreation held in probably the most atrocious circumstances the Fiji Drua have given the Power a lesson in moist climate rugby, defeating them 31-13. Because the outdated saying goes ‘Don’t wrestle within the mud with a pig, you each get soiled however the pig enjoys it’. The Drua demonstrated how as youngsters they grew up taking part in in paddocks and causeways in these circumstances and beloved it. And to be trustworthy they have been nonetheless throwing it round like a scorching potato.
The Twiggy All-Stars began properly banging down a 5-pointer within the first 2 minutes of the sport. To not be outdone, the Drua replied to degree the scores. Fiji took the lead by means of Ravutaumada with a transformed attempt, adopted by Canakaivata copping a serve of cheddar. Being a person down didn’t appear to discourage the Fijians, with them stepping out to a cushty 13-point lead. Chase Tiatia from the Power managed to dot one down simply earlier than the oranges, going to the sheds behind 18-10
The second half began off with the Drua banging down extra tries, and incomes themselves one other serve of cheddar for his or her Captain. And this piece of cheddar was upgraded to a shiraz. However regardless of these self-discipline points, the Drua managed to maintain the Power contained and earn themselves an ideal victory in a single the perfect examples of the best way to play within the rain, and an enormous puddle.
This recreation is properly price watching, and the niggle between the 2 groups was palpable. Nic ‘the Lip’ White will need to have mentioned one thing to his Fijian counterpart, with Nic being taken by the throat. These two have been at it just about the entire recreation. All I can say is Nic White is fortunate they aren’t allowed to throw punches anymore, as I reckon he would have gotten his lights punched out.
Auckland Blues 47 defeated Moana Pasifika 8
Blues and All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a pulled off a hat trick of tries, in Auckland’s ‘bot bot’ spanking of Moana Pasifika, 48-7. The Seven tries to One victory, additionally noticed the flyhalf Perofeta kick 100% from the boot.
The never-aging Christian Leali’fano obtained the MPs on the board with a penalty, however the Blues hit again right away with Caleb Clarke operating greater than half of the sector to bang down a 5-pointer. MP scored an ideal attempt by means of their Captain, however this was the final time within the recreation that they’d hassle the scorekeeper.
Going to Oranges 28-8 up, the Auckland staff managed to tug aside MPs defenses and slammed down 19 extra factors. Lodging a cushty victory towards Moana Pasifika, who regarded fairly weak defensively. Tana Umanga’s staff should return to the drafting board to work out what went so drastically improper.
Wellington Hurricanes 47 defeated Otago Highlanders 12
KARL’s beloved Hurricanes have taken their undefeated begin to the SRP24 season to new ranges with a brutal 47-7 win over The Clan down on the South Island in Dunedin. The sport was just about over at Oranges, with the Canes baning down 4 tries to nil going into the sheds up 26-0.
The Canes began the second half as they left off the primary one, banging down a 5-pointer within the first minute of the second stanza. Nevertheless, in what could possibly be damaging for the remainder of their marketing campaign, dynamite scrum-half Cam Roigard was stretchered off the sector within the 58th minute with a Penthrox whistle in his gob, and with a severe knee damage. However it’s wonderful when your substitute is TJ Perenara, who went on to bang down his sixtieth attempt in Tremendous Rugby. Received to like depth hey!
The Clan managed to get on the board within the second half, however the recreation was very a lot over by then. The Hurricanes demonstrated continuous breakdown dominance and sensible counterattack all through the sport. One thing that I believe most groups within the Tremendous Rugby collection are going to have issue difficult.
ACT Brumbies 20 defeated Queensland Reds 19
The Brumbies devoted would have been extraordinarily happy with their staff toughing it out to win one other Reds V Brumbies nailbiter at Suncorp on Saturday evening. In what’s changing into the perfect rivalry in Australian rugby, each side left all of it out on the paddock in a really brutal encounter.
The Reds pulled away to a 9-point lead, out-mauling the Brumbies and incomes Rhys Va Nek a pleasant serve of cheddar cheese. However John Denver devotee Tom Wright, pulled out a diamond of a recreation banging down 2 tries.
This recreation was an actual battle of the breakdown, with each groups throwing every part at it. Loads of gamers put their arms up for larger honours, and it should be mentioned Lolo had a really strong recreation and was good off the boot. Nevertheless, the victory got here at a value for the Brumbies with their hooker Lachy Lonergan struggling an ankle dislocation, that can greater than seemingly wipe him out for the remainder of the season. The Brumbies transfer as much as third on the ladder, and the Reds at 3 from 3 transfer right down to fifth.
From a die-hard Reds fan, congrats to the Brumbies on a well-earned victory.
Tremendous Rugby Pacific 2024 – Ladder
The Tremendous Pacific rugby Ladder for 2024 is beginning to change into very attention-grabbing. The Canes have fortified their place on the prime of the ladder remaining undefeated after 6 rounds. The Crusaders have dragged themselves off the underside of the ladder (can’t consider I’m even saying this) with their dominant victory over the Chiefs. The Tahs season is over, together with the Western Power, sitting on the backside pile on one victory. The Brumbies sitting fairly in third, and the Reds and Rebels trying okay in fifth and sixth respectively. The Drua raced up from behind in seventh.
The remainder of the season and the way groups journey of their away video games will dictate how this season seems. Tipping goes to be robust, thoughts you this week I obtained 5 out of 6 with the one improper one being my Reds happening to the Ponies.
Stan Bias In Commentary
In what’s changing into a re-occurring theme, I actually couldn’t let this week’s Stan commentary go by with out placing it on discover. Don’t get me improper the Stan product is unbelievable, I adore it. It is much better than its Fux Sports activities predecessor. However holy crap the fixed deal with the Waratahs, and Waratah gamers being the following saviour for Australian rugby is rising outdated in a short time.
There are 4 different Australian groups. Three of them are doing much better than the Waratahs, and their gamers are way more more likely to be chosen for larger honours than 99% of the Waratah squad. So regularly swinging off the nuts (god I really like that Rugby Report Card saying) of each Tahs participant is simply embarrassing.
Guys (and Gals too) of Stan, please simply give it a relaxation.
Anyway sufficient of me banging on like Abraham Simpson. Over to you G&GRs, have at it!