RUGBY: During the Six Nations rest week last weekend (Feb 14-16), Super Rugby kicked off in the southern hemisphere with teams from New Zealand and Australia competing for first-round victories.
The tournament has been dominated by teams from the land of the long white cloud but the resurgence of interest in Australia’s national side and the condensing of club talent, with the demise of the Melbourne Rebels, suggests a more competitive 2025 competition ahead.
The first round of Super Rugby produced a series of close scores. The Waratahs secured a final point to defeat the Highlanders 37-36 and the Force won against Moana Pasifika with a score of 45-44.
The only surprise being the defeat of last season’s champions the Auckland Blues at home to the team they beat in the final the Chiefs 14-25. Elsewhere the Brumbies won a tough away fixture against the Fijian Drua 32-36 and The Crusaders edged the Hurricanes 33-25.
Lots of free-flowing running rugby, exciting finishes and the prospect of more to follow.
Meanwhile, Six Nations teams have had a week off to re-charge their batteries, assess performances to date and discuss how they can improve going forward. The coaching stakes are high. Some may be named as Lions assistant coaches on the upcoming tour Down Under.
Andy Farrell names his Lions coaching assistants on Mar 26. Surprisingly Australia’s coach Joe Schmidt has announced he is resigning from his role after the rugby Championship later in 2025. This may influence players attitudes.
The Six nations competition is so fierce that no player can be rubber stamped into a place on the Lions tour until the tournament is over. Blending players from different nations into a fluent unit can take time. The best players don’t always provide the best on field playing combinations.
Then there is the surprise young player who is not on the radar but suddenly stakes a claim. A running support-based style has always been the hallmark of a Lions tour and this opens the door for instinctive young talent.
To whet the appetite or you may be thinking of going, here are the Lions fixtures:
- Friday, June 20 vs. Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland.
- Saturday, June 28 vs. Western Force, Perth Stadium, Perth, Australia
- Wednesday, July 2 vs. Queensland Reds, Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia
- Saturday, July 5 vs. NSW Waratahs, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia
- Wednesday, July 9, ACT Brumbies, Canberra Stadium, Canberra, Australia
- Saturday, July 12 vs. Invitational AU-NZ, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
- Saturday, July 19 vs. Australia (First Test), Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia
- Wednesday, July 22 vs. TBC, Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
- Saturday, July 26 vs. Australia (Second Test), Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
- Saturday, Aug 2 vs. Australia (Third Test), Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.