Rugby

The Chiefs fired off the scoring account first while ACT Brumbies levelled them up at 7-7 after a TRY of their own. But the first half belongs to the Chiefs who managed to score another TRY + the penalty goal ahead of the break, 7-17.

Although the Brumbies scored two consolation tries within the last 10 minutes of the night. However, that wasn’t enough to close in the unbeatable Chiefs who got away with a well-secured victory on the run home. The final score at GIO Stadium in Canberra was Brumbies 21-31 Chiefs.

Commiserations to the best Australian Super Rugby side right now following a rough night in the office. They weren’t bad on occasions when it comes to the fightback, having been blessed with the winning penalties/advantages/turnovers at times that led to a couple of tries along the way. They just couldn’t crack a robust Chiefs defense for the majority where not only the inconsistent attacking deficiencies are there, but their defense has been isolated too every time the Chiefs swoop in with the tries they’ve conceded on their doorstep. Speaking of the Brumbies doorstep, they got another home game coming up v Melbourne Rebels on Friday night + the Quarter-Final after that most likely v the Hurricanes. 

Meanwhile, it’s great to see the Chiefs take home the Minor Premiers after a near unbeaten 2023 campaign – bar the shock loss v the Reds two weeks ago. Their defense was simply outstanding where they gave the Brumbies a really hard time for most of the night. Not only that, they were really dominant going forward too thanks to the sheer physicality the Chiefs have in their arsenal where tries are being made there. And that is how the Chiefs were in cruise control all along by opening the scoring account first before they extend their winning margin by staying ahead on the run home towards a secure win in Canberra. They will now fly out to Perth v Western Force for the last regular season match of the year next Saturday.

With one round left, the Brumbies really need the home crowd to give them a great lift towards making the semi-finals once again no matter what happens – as they could go one better for a chance in the big final this time. Meanwhile, if there’s 1-2 weaknesses the Chiefs might wanna look out right now is the injury of Brad Weber earlier on & some discipline as of late, but hope Brad is okay as they do want this Super Rugby trophy real bad going into the Playoffs starting in two weeks time.

Shoutout to Freddie Burns on what has been an outstanding night at No.10 for the Highlanders. He too has been such a huge threat in the attack, particularly during the 2nd half revival including the game-winning conversion kick. His role dissects the ability to design their way past the Reds blocks in the hope of getting the job done that includes some physicality to unpack himself, having been given ample time thanks to the Reds injury struggles before his side touched down with these big scores a few times off the back of his work. And he’s happy to be here after a illustrious career in the Premiership, especially when he scored the winning drop goal also at the death in the final v Saracens last year for Leicester Tigers.

Speaking of last-minute heroics, how about we go with the Highlanders reserve half-back Folau Fakatava who scored the winning TRY with less than two minutes to go. He has made such a huge difference since he came on where Folau helped them overtook the Reds with the lead for the first time; Although the Reds stole back once more via the penalty goal shortly after but he too found a way to close them out just before full-time with the win. He boasts a mix of pace & physicality even though Folau might not be very tall just like his understudy Aaron Smith, as he learned so much from him that made Folau a long-term asset for the Landers. Now he & Freddie are hoping to surprise the Blues next week in the hope of having an extended run from behind soon.

And Harry Wilson has been excellent in the No.8 Reds shirt where he possesses a mix of pace & physical power that broke the Highlanders line at times along the way. He’s such an all-rounder that saw him win penalties/turnovers as being tested both in attack & defense. His attacking skillsets have devastated them the most though, having helped the Reds win possession where his side were able to get the job done throughout the opening half by staying ahead. Sadly, injuries to a few key players saw the Reds good start begin to collapse through only a few penalty goals before they were piped by the Highlanders towards the finish line at the last minute with the loss in Dunedin.

Hats off to Max Jorgensen who led the Waratahs backline well at No.15 (full-back). Love how he can do all sorts of things that helped his side steer clear above Fijian Drua such as his defensive contribution thanks to the help from his robust forwards line, as well as the passing, kicking to clear out, pace & TRY assists going forward. It goes to show he can make such a big impact right away after making his Super Rugby debut 11-12 weeks ago & also straight out of High School at the same Allianz Stadium in Moore Park. He never stops working hard from start to finish & that is something he wants to keep on improving every week, as he can’t wait to get tested now v the champs Crusaders next Saturday in NZ.

Next up is 2nd half superman for the Waratahs Joey Walton on the inside midfield role at No.12. He too has made such a big impact that helped complete his side’s attack in order to stay ahead of the Fijian Drua who doesn’t give the Waratahs an easy run. Every time he has the ball, he boasts some blistering pace as well as some brilliant passing through the channels where the support players around him were able to get the job done with a few tries on the board. Such a dynamic player to watch, especially when he made that successful 50/22 line-out kick before they converted that into a match-winning TRY. He’s still got a lot to offer after tough times with injury at 22.

And Joseva Tamani did so well on the blindside for Fijian Drua at No.6  He did everything possible in order to keep his side in contention, having helped Drua win a few penalties including 2 x three-point goals earlier in the 1st 40 before he tested the Waratahs blocks well later on that led to a TRY assist & a TRY for himself. You can’t underestimate his natural game where he has greater vision thanks to the tall frame, as well as the physicality in order to plow himself over the line. Sadly, the Drua just couldn’t overcome the Tahs robust defense despite winning possession, as they just couldn’t keep it up under pressure with the loss.

Fijian Drua opened the scoring account first with the three-point penalty goal & then the same again, while the Waratahs got away by overtaking them twice alongside these two tries where they just extended their lead after the 2nd big score at half-time, 13-6. Later on, the Tahs continued to score a few more tries in order to stay ahead. On the other hand, Drua at last improved their play with back-to-back tries. But then there’s only winner to settle and that is the Waratahs where they responded to Drua’s fightback well before they got away with a comfortable win in front of their home supporters. The final score over in Moore Park was 32-18.

Commiserations to the Fijian Drua with their hard-fought loss tonight, even though they’ve done well at times with a great vibe amongst the Fijian supporters out there watching in-person. Their defense & the way they control possession with the ball wasn’t bad where they won a few penalties/turnovers, as well as back-to-back three-point penalty goals earlier on before Drua managed to fight back with back-to-back tries in the 2nd half. But the only key weakness they couldn’t overcome was the Waratahs defensive blocks where they gave them a really hard time before Drua were being punished in return along the way before it was just too much to keep up towards the end – that’s all. It doesn’t mean that their bid to the Finals is over though with back-to-back home games ahead v Moana Pasifika next Saturday & QLD Reds in two weeks time.

And how good it was to see the Tahs win another game yet again for the fourth time in a row, having won the last three at home including the Reds away in Townsville. Their defense has been outstanding where they held the Drua’s conversion play accountable before they cashed in with back-to-back tries through a good lead ahead of the break. Then they managed to extend their lead along the way thanks to their amazing attacking momentum & patience. Now the Drua may have fought back at times, but the home side stayed ahead with another few tries before the job was well & truly done towards the home run first. Great timing to have the strongest side back together in time for the Finals soon. For now, they hope to win another upset v Crusaders this time on in Christchurch next Saturday arvo just like last year at Leichhardt Oval.

I’ve gotta say that Harry Plummer was outstanding particularly in the 2nd half on the Blues inside midfield at No.12. He too can cover everything, particularly when he had to take over from the main No.10 in Beauden Barrett with the kicking duties after he had to come off not long following half-time due to injury. Nevertheless, his passing has been excellent with the ball as always, so the link-up play can continue through the channels that led to another few tries along the way. And once the tries are done, Harry’s kicking has been spotless to add the extra conversion points & bonus point win too. Although there’s still some unfinished business left & hope injuries don’t affect their goal of winning the championship next month.

Next up is Cameron Suafoa in the No.5 Blues shirt who provided a great link with the backline well that not only help got away with a great start, but also extend their winning lead along the way. Speaking of balance, he too unpacked his natural game well between pace, power & physicality. He has done the digging with the ball on hand while his attackers are ready to pounce. That way, the Blues were able to show so much fight with more tries under his watch. And once the Blues were in an easy position towards full-time, he deserved an early mark off to the bench with 20 to go. Well done on giving his backline that link to help finish off for him.

And Liam Wright has been excellent last night on the Reds blindside back row at No.6. Every time he contributes in the attack, he’s such a huge threat where his towering frame & packed muscle broke away the Blues’ defensive wall on occasions. You can see there he has found the support he needs verbally & physically in order for the Reds to get over the line where a few tries are being made there with all credit to Liam. His hard work saw the Reds land not far behind the Blues at half-time, but they just couldn’t build on their good start when they just couldn’t stop the firing Blues attack while their finishing play has been consistent as well.

Wow!! There’s a couple of NASCAR interest amongst the Supercars community back here over the last 24 hours when Shane Van Gisbergen will be making his Cup Series debut in the 3rd part-time Trackhouse car (No.91 Chevy Camaro) in early July for the Inaugural Chicago event at the brand new Chicago Street Circuit. Such a cool iRacing track to see that actually happen into the real world real soon which is going to be great to watch during the US summer there.

At the same time, it’s also great to see SVG try out a different type of race car in the form of stock cars, having seeing him race rally cars, production cars, sports cars & open wheelers in the past. I’m sure he will do his best there thanks to his usual road course experience where he will racing up against a mix of most cup series regulars & other road course ringers. 

Now there’s some talk that he might be seeking a move over to the US just like fellow NZer & 2 x Supercars champ Scott McLaughlin did back in 2021 to IndyCar with Team Penske. Even though most regular NASCAR drivers go through the usual series ladder, Trackhouse would love to have him full-time alongside Ross Chastain & Daniel Suarez if interested. 

Right now, I don’t think any team would be interested to buy a charter off let’s say Live Fast Motorsports until at least after 2024 when the next TV rights contract has been decided for 2025 onwards. Once that is settled, then we’ll wait & see if SVG would be willing to leave Australia & have a crack at NASCAR for like 40 odd weekends a year. You never know for sure.

It’s a whole different kettle of fish when you have turn to left for most parts of the year, but sure he has done it in the past through the 24 Hours of Daytona on a hybrid road course & oval “Roval” layout as well as some sprint cars on dirt tracks.

After SVG, we hope Brodie Kostecki get his debut there at Cup level soon & potentially full-time in the medium-long term whether if it’s Cup or Xfinity Series level, as he too will be stopping by at Richard Childress Racing over in North Carolina in a few weeks time thanks to his current Supercars employer at Erebus Motorsport.

So good to see some NASCAR interest hitting down under in the hope of having a Supercars driver crack the US when Marcos Ambrose has last done it full-time for many years through all three national series that spanned from 2006-2014.