Our Rugby Scribe previews Friday’s Super Rugby semi-final clash between the Brumbies and the Hurricanes.
The first of the weekend’s Super Rugby play-off matches pits the Brumbies against the Hurricanes. Despite the Hurricanes earning a whopping 24-more points than the Brumbies over the duration of the round-robin stages, the farcical structure of the current tournament means that the Hurricanes, and not the Brumbies, will travel across the Tasman this week. Still, the ‘Canes’ 56-21 victory over the same opposition earlier in the tournament, as well as the quality of their performance against the Crusaders last week, means they won’t doubt themselves come Friday’s kick-off.
Brumbies v Hurricanes | Friday 21 July | GIO Stadium | 11:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Brumbies 4/1 | Draw 25/1 | Hurricanes 1/6
Handicap
Brumbies (+13.5) 9/10 | Hurricanes (-13.5) 9/10
Brumbies
To suggest that Stephen Larkham’s morbidly average bunch is lucky to be in the play-offs would be one hell-of-an understatement. His side has collected less points (34) than any one of the other qualified teams, and even three less than the Blues – who didn’t qualify at all. Somehow, however, they found themselves hosting last season’s champions in a winner-takes-all clash in Canberra – it really is a startling outcome.
Nonetheless, one big win would catapult the Brumbies into next week’s semi-finals, a spectacle that would force the whole rugby world to sit up and take notice. They certainly have some quality players in their ranks, but as a unit, they have become what every other Aussie side in the competition has been over the past few seasons, decidedly ordinary.
It would be a stretch to assume that they have the ability to take on one of, if not the most prominent attacking side in the tournament and one that has managed to score a massive 596-points to date (as opposed to their meagre 315). I simply do not see them coming anywhere near upsetting the 2016 champions.
Hurricanes
Chris Boyd’s brigade will be scratching their heads wondering what they did wrong to deserve having to travel all the way to Canberra, to face a side comprehensively less able than them. They can try as hard as they wish, however, it’s likely that they – much like the rest of us – will have to accept the ludicrousness of the tournament, shrug their great shoulders and just get on with it.
If anything, the unsound nature of the competition may push them on, especially after their special win over the Crusaders last week. Boyd should waste no sleepless nights in nervous anticipation of Friday’s clash, his boys are far too complete a side to fall to such an unlikely obstacle, especially with the present form that Jordie Barret is in.
The Hurricanes’ rush defence may well stifle an exceedingly one-dimensional Brumbies attack, their powerful ball-runners in the shape of Ardie Savea and Ngani Laumape will batter their hosts into submission this week, as the ‘Canes will march on into the semi-finals.
Verdict: Hurricanes (-13.5) 9/10
No two ways about it, the Brumbies shouldn’t even be in the playoffs. The Hurricanes will rack up a big score this Friday.
