Super Rugby: 5 Things we learnt from Round 4

1     Aaron Cruden’s inaccurate goalkicking is reducing him to an also-ran in the quest to be the All Blacks back-up and stand-in for Dan Carter. The Chiefs lost their unbeaten record on Friday, but would have won comfortably had Cruden goaled his penalty kicks. Right now, with Carter again struggling with injury, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade are way ahead of Cruden as contenders for what is for the All Blacks a crucial role. New Zealand’s two young pivot stars of the future, Damian McKenzie and Ihaia West, are also staking a strong claim for recognition in the not-too-distant future.

2     In terms of goalkicking, it is the South African teams setting the standard. Again this weekend, their success rate was superb. In the Cheetahs vs Bulls derby, the goalkickers goaled 12 out of 12, and in the Stormers vs Sharks match, 10 out of 10. The accuracy of Patrick Lambie, Demetri Catrakilis, Handré Pollard, and Joe Pietersen has been pinpoint through the first four weeks of the competition.

3     Sir John Kirwan’s protestations that he remains confident and is the right man for the job notwithstanding, the Blues head coach is under immense pressure because his team is underperforming. A record of played four, lost four, and a home defeat to the hitherto winless Lions, should be sufficient to question whether he is indeed the best man to guide the Blues. Richard Graham is under similar siege at the Reds. For how much longer will the Queenslanders be allowed to underperform before Graham gets replaced? An effective assistant coach doesn’t necessarily graduate to a successful head coach.

4     Newlands earned a well-deserved reputation over many decades for being a fair, knowledgeable crowd of spectators who applauded opposition teams when they performed well and earned applause. Sadly, this is no longer so. The Newlands crowd boo, barrack, and hurl abuse at opposition teams and especially their goalkickers, they jeer at opposition coaches as they walk to and from their coaches’ box, and they boo referees and assistant referees vociferously. Is there a major stadium anywhere in the rugby world where more boorish behaviour is tolerated?

5     The Western Force appear to be on a downward spiral after a promising start to the season, the Bulls are racing ahead, with a second consecutive display of skill and confidence after a dismal start to the competition, the Brumbies were good again, and while the Waratahs stuttered along the way and are only part of the way to looking like repeat champions, they won easily enough in the end. The Stormers are now four from four and looking good. Their winning momentum will be tested against the Chiefs on Saturday and then by two games in New Zealand and two in Australia.