Those brave enough to bet against the favorite would have made a handsome profit this weekend. In a unique opening for super rugby 2015, six of the seven matches were won away from home and three of those games, by the ranked outsider.
The competition began with the Rebels’ defeat of last year’s finalists and seven-time champions, the Crusaders, in Christchurch. Although beaten on set pieces, the Rebels’ defense was exemplary and they made fewer errors than their opponents. As usual, the Crusaders were slow to leave the box, tended to rush things, kicked poorly and lacked ideas. For winners, McMahon was exceptional.
The Brumbies got back on track at home against the Reds, who looked completely disorganized. The referee didn’t help them but they were wrong in every way. The Brumbies looked solid and the back line was particularly dominant, with Kuridrani and the underrated Coleman up front.
Without several All Blacks, the Chiefs started quickly and established a good lead early on. They faded later and their continued tendency to lose the ball on contact needs to be addressed. Sonny Bill Williams made an immediate impact, defenses were good in the first half and the McKenzie brothers were good. However, if the Blues play up to their potential, the Stormers will have their hands full this weekend.
Lions vs Hurricanes was a strange game, which the visitors did well to win, but the result could easily have been different. Too many turnovers and lack of completion cost the Lions dearly and the Hurricanes made the most of limited opportunities. The result will hurt but much was promised in this performance by the Lions.
Unsurprisingly, the Bulls turned to the guy, but without the scrum muscle to back him up, they floundered against a motivated Stormers side and suffered a rare loss at Loftus. They were vastly outclassed by a team that fully deserved their victory.
Every year the cash-strapped Cheetahs lose top players to other South African franchises and in their match in Durban they lost Jager’s Bok lock early in the game. However, they always fight bravely and though their forwards fought back, Pretorius and le Roux lit them up in the back. They seemed sharper and more focused and despite a nervous finish they left Durban with a bag full of points. The Sharks were just disappointing.
Last but not least, the fearless Force, who have never won the opening game of a super rugby season and were without talismanic captain Hodgson for the first eight weeks of the competition, took on the packed champions magnificently. of stars. Even the loss of international support for him, Pek Cowan, did nothing to dampen his efforts. The Waratahs looked as if they thought all they had to do was show up and arrogance was their downfall. Despite mastering set pieces, they were slow to react and seemed unmotivated. Next weekend should be interesting.