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3. Eddie v ‘Razor’ will be fun
We hear that Eddie Jones gave a speech at the recent Super Round, in front of an audience of rugby types from both sides of the Tasman.
With a mischievous grin, Jones apparently spent plenty of time giving it to the Kiwis, much to the mirth of New Zealanders in the crowd. Believe it or not, Jones is actually well liked by Kiwis (at least those by a sense of humour).
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson celebrates after winning another title.Credit:AP
Incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson knows full well what is coming next year, and likely has a strategy already mapped out. However, that may all go out the window once Jones’ verbal bouncers start flying.
4. Kiwi ‘draft’ already in place for smart teams
Tamati Tua went hard at Crusaders No.10 Richie Mo’unga in Christchurch – with some success. The Brumbies midfielder, formerly of the Blues, has been one of the big pluses of their season so far, although he doesn’t yet have the variations offered by Irae Simone. Meanwhile, in Melbourne, Auckland back-rower Vaiolini Ekuasi is excelling.
There has previously been talk of a ‘draft’ system in Super Rugby Pacific, with Australian sides picking up New Zealanders who missed out on contracts.
Forget about that, the Kiwis’ depth is stretched as it is, but the Brumbies and Rebels have shown that targeted, position-specific recruitment raids can work just as well.
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5. Still too much TMO
It happens every year – we are promised the game will be officiated a certain way, and after about five weeks the preseason edicts start to be forgotten.
We were promised less TMO interventions, but clearly old habits die hard and there were three incidents in the Rebels-Reds game that were technical and debatable: two disallowed tries and even the ‘foul play’ incident involving Ryan Smith and Matt Gibbon.
Smith isn’t the complaining type, but Gibbon certainly isn’t the dirty type and any contact with Smith came after he first bounced off the turf in a clumsy fall. Play on, please.
Cully's team of the week
- Matt Gibbon (Rebels)
- Alex Mafi (Rebels)
- Santiago Medrano (Force)
- Ryan Smith (Reds)
- Cadeyrn Neville (Brumbies) - Player of the Round
- Luke Kemeny (Rebels)
- Brad Wilkin (Rebels)
- Vaiolini Ekuasi (Rebels)
- Jake Gordon (Waratahs)
- Carter Gordon (Rebels)
- Monty Ioane (Rebels)
- Tamati Tua (Brumbies)
- Stacey Ili (Rebels)
- Mark Nawaqanitawase (Waratahs)
- Joe Pincus (Rebels)
Watch all the action from the Super Rugby Pacific with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.