There was some serious action over the weekend, and I will quickly look at all games.
Crusaders v Highlanders, Crusaders far to strong here and the old firm of, Whitelock, Mounga, Reese, Havaiili, etc. Really I could name the whole team as they all played really well. Highlanders were reasonable at times, and will welcome back some stars for week 3.They lack consistency and make some dumb mistakes.
Hurricanes v Rebels, with the Canes too strong for the Rebels team. Not as good as the week before the Canes, and got baited into stuff they don’t need in their game. They will have to improve this week against the Blues. The Rebels were a huge improvement and were unlucky not to win.
Chiefs v Moana Pasifika, The Chiefs ran out winners here and it is the old firm of, Stevenson, Weber, McKenzie, Jacobson, and Nankivell did a good job in the place of Anton Lienert-Brown’s absence. Pasifika have to travel to Perth to take on the Force. They have a show here and Aron Mauger will be hoping for discipline, more intensity, and concentration. They seem to switch on and off and will get punished if that continues.
Blues v Brumbies, with the Brumbies outplaying the Blues all over the park especially in the first half. The ref did not help as O’Keefe loves blowing his whistle, stopping play, but even so the Blues were terrible. You can see when Beauden Barrett gets pressured at 10,like he did, he looks bad. For me, he is a fullback, so Perofeta is the 10 for the Blues, and later in the season for the Black’s, let Ritchie run the ship. At 15, Barrett has more time and space to run, kick, or link up with his wingers especially from broken play. Salesi Rayasi looked good at 11,but other than that not many others impressed.
Brumbies were the team of the week by a country mile.
Reds v Force, with the Reds putting a cricket score on the Force. Brad Thorn would be happy, but they need to kick on for the rest of the season. They have the Brumbies next up, which will sort them out I reckon. The Force have Moana Pasifika in Perth.
Fijian Dura v Waratahs, Dura got a whipping ,against an improving Waratahs side. This week the Tah’s face the Rebels, and with both teams improving this could be a good game. Dura have the Crusaders in Fiji, and in front of their home fans ,plus the heat, they will be tough. Saders you have been warned.!
Keep an eye out for my selections for Round 3 ,starting tomorrow, with the Chiefs v Highlanders game.
My picks from last week were one wrong, as I picked the Blues to win, so 5 from 6 again.
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