Devastating...injuries and kicking

I haven’t been posting about rugby much lately. Let’s be honest – there’s a lot that has been going on. The standings on the left margin are up-to-date even if my posts are not. Between U2 and camp getting busy – I have found myself in a place where I’m watching rugby but not necessarily keeping the world abreast of my opinions

As for previous weeks…I have to say that the Hurricanes looked more like themselves last week with the likes of Cory Jane, Ma’a Nonu, and Conrad Smith back in the starting line up. They’re all wonderful players of brilliant talent. But my pick of the week (and this includes all games) was Aaron Cruden. He came out of nowhere!! Two passes around the backs of defenders and a couple of tries to boot. Cheers mate, you deserve to be noticed. I hope that he is atleast carried with the All Blacks for some of the World Cup.

Probably my biggest upset was over the Crusaders losing to the Reds…and in the final moments nonetheless. I really thing that it will be the Cru and the Reds in the finals. The Stormers are too predictable of a team – too old fashioned in their playing style to really get their way to the finals…or at the very least – deserve to be in the finals. Both the Crusaders and the Reds are dynamic and have depth in their bench. They’ve had to dig for it especially with all of the injuries they’ve suffered so far. The Crusaders have learned to adapt in the last few weeks with the likes of Sean Maitland and Isreal Dagg having been injured a couple weeks ago and now Richie McCaw is out for another two weeks with the screw in his ankle causing him discomfort. Nicely enough the Cru got a bye this week but I don’t believe that we will be seeing McCaw in next week’s game either.

Brumbies (22) vs. Reds (14)

The Reds – what a similarly devastating game for injuries this week against the Brumbies with Digby Ioane getting completely knocked out by Vaea (cited and suspended), Lucas getting his bell seriously rung and then something happening to his knee, Anthony Faingaa (hamstring) and potentially even Wil Genia who came off towards the end of the game. With almost half of their backline gone Quaid Cooper better shine up his boots and research some new moves because his normal tricks might not get him too far at this rate.

But wow – I don’t know where the Brumbies got it from…but they dug for it and found something that has been missing all season long. Heart. Adam Ashley-Cooper (AAC) actually showed up with fire in his belly and Matt Giteau looked like he wanted the ball. Even at the end when he kicked the penalty for points to deny the Reds the bonus point rather than just out to end the game. The commentators kept making the point that the "right" thing to do would have been to just kick it out...but when you have spent the entire season looking for a chance to say 'it's about time' then you know what? Take the freaking points. The Brumbies didn't get out of the game scott free as far as injuries goes. Mark Chisholm (the tall one) tore his ACL and kissed his World Cup hopes goodbye - which is a massive shame. I really liked him - he's a strong lock and his place on the Wallabies was all but good. Here's to fast healing Mark...They'll love you in France in 2012, that's for sure.

Blues (11) vs. Chiefs (16)

Talk about devastating. That's about how much I can sum up the Blues' playing tonight - and mostly Luke McAllister's kicking. What did he miss? Like 6 penalty kicks and a conversion? I think he only made two penalty kicks. Completely atrocious. At the level that they're playing, he cannot be missing kicks like that. If his counterpart was not Duck then I would say that there must have been swirling wind but Duck missed his fair share of kicks too. The commentators were very gracious with Duck (Stephen Donald) but you know me, I'm never gracious with him. He's trash - so I really need players like Luke McAllister to get it right when they are matched against him. I might throw up in my mouth in Duck makes it onto the All Blacks squad for the world cup. Please Graham Henry - take Aaron Cruden instead? Or Brett...or Berquist - he'd be better too.

Confusion is how I started the game. Mealamu started on the bench...???? Really? You're going to put your captain, your most consistent rucker, your most reliable dude on the bench? Maybe it was a rest thing - maybe they just needed to try something different. Maybe the coaches just underestimated the Chiefs...which isn't hard when they're ranked almost at the bottom (right alongside of the Brumbies who are ranked 13th). But I don't feel like the Blues had it in them this game. There was no flash and no pep. They should have dismantled the Chiefs - she should have hit it hard up the field, aiming at Duck almost the entire time and then getting it out to the wing so Ranger could seal the deal. But nope - there was no sealing and a whole lot of deal breakers for me. It's too late in the season to be flatlining.

Tana Umaga was back and was okay. He's showing his age and Mil Muliaina announced this last week that he will be moving to Japan so the World Cup will be a giant goodbye to a lot of our giants. But I'll talk about that at a later time.

Hurricanes (38) vs. Lions (27)

Not much to say about this other than Piri Weepu...um, where is the Piri Weepu with the fire in his belly? You're a bit flat man. Time to lose about 20 pounds (what were you doing in your months and months off?)

Sharks (23) vs. Cheetahs (18)

So much of me would love the Cheetahs to just start winning games. They're like the Oilers of the SuperXV. They are always so close with no reward in the end, always falling short of the mark. The Sharks - struggle...struggle...struggle. But holy moly - Patrick Lambie. What is he, like 15? He's phenomenal! I hope that the 'Boks bring him on and start grooming him to someday replace Morne Steyn. Morne is not done yet by any means but they will need someone to someday step up. The skill that is coming up through the juniors is unbelievable. But in the end, the Cheetahs just couldn't pull it out.

We're getting close to the home stretch now. Mistakes like the ones the Reds and Blues made this week are exceptionally costly. Luckily - those mistakes benefit the Crusaders. Look for the Crusaders to be in position where they'll need to secure the win this next week and hopefully a bonus point. All seven games are televised so I will be glued to my television as long as the NHL doesn't get in my way (come on Canucks - finish it off already!).

Peace out kidlets- I'll talk to you soon.