Week one of the 2008 Super 14 Rugby season is in the books and the Brumbies and Waratahs had very different results.
BRUMBIES
Crusaders 34 (Tuiali’i 2, Thorn, Carter tries, Carter 2pg, 4c) def Brumbies 3 (Huxley pg)
A waterlogged pitch in Christchurch played host to the 2008 Super 14 season opener and it was not a pleasant start for the Brumbies. Matched up against their long time rivals and always-dangerous Crusaders, a strong showing in the first game was always going to be a big ask. Missing key members of the very successful squad from the past decade (Gregan, Larkham, Paul, Mortlock etc), the Brumbies struggled to form a cohesive unit. The defense was quite solid early but the men from Canberra eventually succumbed to injuries (Fairbanks and Ashley-Cooper) and a superior Crusader forward pack and kicking game. Mose Tuiali’i crossed for two tries with Brad Thorn and Dan Carter each bagging one, the latter sealing a bonus point for the Kiwis moments from full time. The Brumbies had their chances to cross the tryline but errors at crucial times cost them dearly.
Looking Ahead: The team is going to struggle to adapt to life without Larkham, Gregan and Paul, three of the most instrumental Brumbies in the club’s history. With powerhouse skipper Stirling Mortlock out for six weeks recovering from shoulder surgery and Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper set to join him (ankle), the road ahead will be a long and arduous one for the young team. With Mark Chisolm and Mitch Chapman set to return to the lineup, they should be better served in the pack this week however early signs point to a rebuilding year for the club as most experts predicted.
Round Two: Highlanders (Saturday 23 Feb, Canberra)
WARATAHS
Waratahs 20 (Turner 2, Elsom tries, Beale 1pg, 1c) def Hurricanes 3 (Gopperth 1pg)
The Tahs got off to a nice start to the season with a solid win over the Hurricanes. New league recruit Timana Tahu showed silky skills in providing passes for fullback Lachie Turner’s two tries. Tahu has shown quick adaptation to the 15-man game and looks to be a great signing for the Tahs after losing Peter Hewat in the offseason. While the NSW defense was strong in forcing 32 turnovers, simple errors on the attacking side ended up costing the team. They were often found struggling to retain possession and several attempts to cross the line from close range for the bonus point try went begging courtesy of poor execution. The Tahs should be pleased with the end result but the game highlighted that they still have a lot to work on if they are to win their first Super rugby title.
Looking Ahead: The Waratah back three of Turner, Tahu and Lote Tuqiri (The Three Ts? T-Time?) has the potential to be devastating this season with their awesome combination of power, pace and panache. Add in rising young talent Kurtley Beale at flyhalf and this backline will surely produce some crowd-pleasing displays as the season wears on. The forward pack will need to provide them with regular quick ball to allow them to make the most of the new relaxed rules around the scrum.
Round Two: Chiefs (Saturday 23 Feb, Hamilton)
Review of the Red and Force games form week one on Suite101
