It was all about the Super Rugby Quarter-Finals this weekend as the play-offs were starting. Almost all the countries involved in the competition were represented. The only country which was missing was Japan because the Sunwolves had not manage to qualify.
New Zealand was once again dominating the play-offs with four franchises : Crusaders, Hurricanes, Chiefs and Highlanders. Second, it was South Africa with the Lions and the Sharks while Australia and Argentina had one franchise each (Waratahs and Jaguares).
Home advantage was going to be key and the rules about that changed for that year. Home advantage going to the higher-ranked franchises had been replaced. For that 2018 season, home advantage for the semi-finals were already known before the beginning.
* Hurricanes vs. Chiefs : Super Rugby (Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand)
The Hurricanes started the game well with Julian Savea intercepting a pass from Damian McKenzie for the first try. Though, the Chiefs came back with Brad Weber concluding a good build-up. Playmaker Beauden Barrett landed a kick and Damian McKenzie replied.
TJ Perenara brought the intensity and he was rewarded with a great try after a TMO review. In the second-half, the Chiefs kicked the ball with accuracy and counter-attacked as Anton Lienert-Brown touched down. Nevertheless, TJ Perenara got a deserved brace.
Keeping the momentum, winger Ben Lam also had his try. Later, Damian McKenzie scored a great try and Vaea Fifita was binned for foul play. The Chiefs had all the possession and Lachlan Boshier had a consolation try as the Hurricanes won (FT : 32-31).
* Crusaders vs. Sharks : Super Rugby (AMI Park, Christchurch, New Zealand)
The Crusaders worked well to get some turnovers at lineout time. Richie Mo’unga kicked first a penalty and they found space on the left wing. Bryn Hall finished the build-up on the corner. Ryan Crotty carried in the midfield and fullback David Havili touched down.
The Sharks needed to react and it came with winger Kobus van Wyk scoring the try. Before Half-Time, the Crusaders kept the ball and Richie Mo’unga kicked his second penalty. In the big second-half, Bryn Hall made a brillant assist for the Matt Todd’s score.
Following that, Robert du Preez and Richie Mo’unga traded a penalty each. Nevertheless, the Crusaders were too strong and winger Braydon Ennor scored a superb individual try. Flanker Pete Samu sealed the big win with one last stunning try for the team (FT : 40-10).
* Waratahs vs. Highlanders : Super Rugby (Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia)
The start of the first-half was very close with Bernard Foley landed two penalties for the Waratahs. Lima Sopoaga replied with one kick between the two before Waisake Naholo got the first try on the right wing. Lima Sopoaga kicked his second penalty after that try.
Lost, the Waratahs were not there in defence with Rob Thompson going under the posts and Lima Sopoaga adding another penalty. In the second-half, winger Waisake Naholo was binned for foul play. Bernard Foley took leading responsibilities and scored a try.
Kurtley Beale found the space to make the assist for Israel Folau while Bernard Foley got a brace after a stunning build-up. He also added a penalty but Paddy Ryan was sent to the bin. Though, the Waratahs remained strong in defence and made History (FT : 30-23).
* The Lions game : The Springbok franchise qualified against the Jaguares. They took the better start and scored their first three tries following Jaguares’ mistakes. Though, they built a good try which was scored by Andries Coetzee. Elton Jantjies was very influential.
The franchise from Johannesburg now has got the opportunity to reach the Super Rugby Final for the third consecutive season. The 2018 campaign has been tougher as they lost more games and had to re-build their game. However, they are still a tough side to beat.
The Lions might reach the final fairly but they would achieve it thanks to the conference system. Reaching the final without beating a single Kiwi franchise while almost all of them are out of the competition due to tougher games does not seem right. Rules have to be fair.
Conclusion
The Super Rugby Quarter-Finals have delivered some stunning fixtures with entertainment. First of all, the Hurricanes showed their commitment and they qualified. That is the fourth consecutive season that they are reaching the stage of the competition.
After that, the Crusaders made a statement and also maintained their standards. They are the defending Champions and they will be tough to beat. The Waratahs produced a stunning comeback while the Lions got the win after the mistakes from their opponents.
Next weekend, the semi-finals will take place with the Hurricanes facing the Crusaders away and the Lions hosting the Waratahs. It will be tough for the Hurricanes and the Waratahs to win away but it will be close contests and surely, a win is highly possible.
Stunning Weekend ! Let’s go, Semi-Finals !
Max.
Rugby, Only Rugby ! 