Crusaders beat the Chiefs in a humdinger yesterday morning. An absolute classic game. Interestingly it was played in Fiji. Young crusaders 10 Richie Mounga outplayed Aaron Cruden and might be a bolter for the tri nations to win his first cap. Lions will come too soon for him though.
Stormers withstood strong first half display from Blues to win at home. Stormers physicality had just gotten them on top when blues had a man sent off which killed their chance.
Hurricanes demolished the Cheetahs this morning. Hat trick from Vince Aso who is not far off player of the tournament. I remain of the view that the canes are flat track bullies though and that NZ are more likely to win playing Crusaders type rugby. Interestingly Beauden Barret played at 15, a position many feel is his best. Not sure what the thinking was behind it.
Highlanders winning away from home at the minute against one of the generic shite aussie sides.
I tend not to read too much into the super rugby games apart from a barometer of individual players form. On that front Cruden is not at his best, Sonny Bill is having a very poor time of it. The Barret brothers are flying.
I think Vince Aso might make squad for one of the tests. Crotty picked up a knock yesterday and there might be am opening in the midfield for someone in top form like Aso to get a break
At least it means another Britisher is added to the party at the expense of an immigrant.
V.M.L. has really experienced the highs and lows of rugby over the past week.
A European champion last week, he’s now licking his wounds from an agonising Premiership semi-final yesterday loss and now the unkindest cut of all, missing out on a Loins tour of New Zealand.
I see Tom English and some other chap have a book out on the 1971 tour . Any reports ?
Tom English wrote a decent book on the 1990 Calcutta Cup test which also happened to have the Grand Slam , Triple Crown and Championship at stake . That said , I hope writing on the stale topic that is Scottish soccer has not dimmed his prose on journalistic vigour .
