Super Rugby leaves the Pacific in a thrilling final weekend with an unexpected enemy, and the quarter-final match up, time, day and venue being locked, the Force loses time of death.
A shock loss to the Brumbe against Moana Pacifica meant they moved from third to fourth and avoided Tahs, who were in sixth place after a late loss to the Blues.
In Sunday’s match, the Melbourne Rebels took an eight-point lead over the Kiwis and spent four minutes in eighth place in the live ladder, but lost in eighth place to the Western Force Highlanders.
Here’s a look at the time and match-up for the quarter.
Crusaders (2nd) vs. Reds (7th), Friday afternoon 5.05 pm AEST Orange Theory Stadium Christchurch
You will need to return to the history books by Friday night for a guide. The Crusaders got a comfortable half-time lead before a 28-15 win and a decent Reds return. Tate McDermott suggested the Queenslanders would gain confidence from it.
“We’re really proud of how we got back into it and we’re going to take it forward,” McDermott said.
“Too many teams don’t get two cracks in a row of Crusaders and we will take the positive aspects of that game because we have.
“It was as easy as holding the ball, when we as a team stuck to better things and worked hard and put the stages together, it was great to see us. But it’s about doing it for a long time.”
Crusaders captain Scott Barrett is looking to take a step towards executions from his team this weekend.
“Throughout the week we focused on ourselves and didn’t look too far ahead … it’s about our mobility and some of the rugby that we’re proud of,” he told Stan Sports.
“We were making that first half and there was a little lack of patience and not enough clinical, the chances of that coming to the playoffs are probably going to be less.”
Judgment: It looks tough for the Reds who are missing James O’Connor and have a 0-5 record against Kiwi opponents this season, with a difference of 63 negative points in those games.
The Crusaders’ win on Friday was without All Blacks Richie Munga and Cody Taylor both set to return to the knockout stages.
They (should?) Be without Argentine strongman Pablo Matera, who in one case received a yellow card for tipping Jordan Petia in the opposite direction, which could draw more attention to Sanjar’s quote panel (should?).
Queensland has collapsed due to injury and apparently Tanila is missing Tupau like a JOC. Their hookers are blowing faster than drummers on the spinal tap – and they lost another when Matt Fesler left the field in five minutes after a major injury.
Prediction: Crusaders by 9.
Chiefs (3rd) vs. Waratahs (6th), Saturday at 2.35pm EST, FMG Stadium Hamilton
The Chiffers had won their previous meeting 51-27 in the Melbourne Super Round but the Australians were always chasing the game after Angus Bell’s red card in the second minute and Jamie Roberts’ early yellow card.
Jack Gordon made two tries for Tahs but chief winger Jonah Low scored four of his team’s seven attempts.
Tahas is in a better position on the injury front than before as both teams are coming off a nail-biting match in the final round.
The Chiefs traveled to Fiji and went completely under the stretch as Drua made three tries in a seven-minute wave which Chiefs captain Brad Weber acknowledged that the islanders had won.
Tahas seems to be heading for a win against an Understream Blues before the post siren drop.
After Saturday night’s loss, Tahs captain Gordon erroneously suggested that the Wartara would face Brumbis in the quarter-finals.
This miscalculation was shared by coach Darren Coleman who revealed that his staff spent three or four hours scouting Brumbis in anticipation of that match.
“I feel bad, the boys are feeling bad, you will feel bad even after such a rate. We will lick our wounds tonight but wake up in the morning and start our next job. ”
He said it was too early to do so.
‘We’ve been underdogs all year and we’ve had a good little underdog opportunity this weekend.’
Judgment: The Brumbies’ shock rate to Moana Pasifika has only changed their opponents this weekend – it has changed their entire travel plans for Tahs – and you’re wondering if this last-minute surprise will disrupt NSW’s thinking and planning.
It is undeniable that Wills 2021 has made great strides this season but this is the biggest test for rookie coach Coleman, as all the positive vibes in recent weeks have sent their way. The reality is that his team, playing at home in front of the whole crowd, could not ice the Blues B team. This is a difficult assignment and requires the maximum effort of the team stars.
Prediction: 7 of the chiefs.
Blues (1st) vs Highlanders (7th) Saturday afternoon 5.05 pm AEST, Eden Park Auckland
The Highlanders advanced to the final when they lost 31-30 to the Rebels but the losing bonus was enough to eliminate the point force.
The Blues have won both of their matches in the campaign, but Auckland have won 32-25 and 32-20 and have not been blunted.
The Highlanders were relentless against the rebels and needed to improve significantly, but captain Aaron Smith said they had nothing to lose.
All Blacks No. 9 said, “We know what we’re going to do next week, we’ve got the blues – bring it on.” Go play Auckland at Eden Park against the best team and see what we can do. “
Judgment: The Blues have cleared six points at the top and are coming into the knockout stages behind a club record 13 consecutive wins. And it’s not just that they’re winning – they’re doing it even when they’re working. For two weeks they scored post siren drop goals to win against Brumbis and then Tahs. And they did it with a completely different team.
With eight starters completely rested against the NSW, the Blues will rest and be ready. You can’t see them lose this one.
Prediction: Blues by 14.
Brumbies (4th) vs. Hurricanes (5th) Saturday, 7.45pm AEST GIO Stadium Canberra
The Brumbies started May with a 42-25 win over Cannes which boosted their record to 9-1 and everything looked pink. Coach Dan McClellan is a fan of speed, but the opposite of the Brumbis final winning element in the one-month line.
They lost their last three and went into this game. While the defeat to the Crusaders, and a post-siren gut rancher against the Blues, could easily have been processed, you wonder what the Brumbiras are going to do with that terrible defeat in the Moana Pacific.
(Photo by Hannah Peters / Getty Images)
Sure the MP was fired and emotional in front of friends and family, but Brumbis’ inability to beat the competition’s wooden spoons, and creating their worst performance of the season, suggests that problems must be overcome.
“It simply came to our notice then. We were probably out of the game, probably out-cheered, “said Brumbies captain Alan Alalatoa on Saturday.
“So this is not a great lesson for us. The bright side is that we will have another chance at the finals next week.
“We just have to re-team up, stay connected and make sure we learn from tonight.”
The hurricane comes after a tense game in Perth.
Judgment: Much has been said about Dan McKeller’s Wallaby career path and this weekend’s match will be a big test of his credentials. Who wins is likely to depend on what the Brumbis win – the team that lost their temper against Moana Pacifica, or the team that led the Blues to Bouden Barrett’s winning drop goal a week ago.
Prediction: 3 by Brumbies.