Super Rugby is no biggie

So the new Superrugby season is almost here and the teams are getting ready.  By last year’s performances at all levels, it would seem that it will a New Zealand franchise taking the title.  No real biggie as long as the South African teams and coaches learn lessons along the way.  Time to prioritise.  Next year is world cup year; just over a year and a half to make sure we have the best team taking part.  In between will be the Rugby Championship and a northern hemisphere tour.  All much more important than the Superrugby result. Don’t get me wrong – I would love it if a South African team takes it but will not be a reason to go slit my wrists if one doesn’t.  I will be a happy man if we come out the other side of the tournament with players and coaches who believe in the simple things:  you can only score points if you have the ball so stop kicking it away, the ball moves faster than the man so emphasise support play so that there is always someone to pass to, and most penalties are awarded in the ruck situation so do not caught with the ball by passing out of the tackle.  Forget about the rush defence and the crash-ball as nothing more than historical footnotes.  Mmm (?) – sounds like I have just described New Zealand rugby!  I wonder if that explains their recent success?  Doh!  Oh well, we have the better players so if we can improve ball skills whatever the position and ensure support both sides of the runner AND STOP KICKING THE BALL AWAY, we should turn them over in the Rugby Championship, cleansweep the northern hemisphere and take the World Cup for the third time.  What a dream that will be.  Let’s hope our franchises can start working together this year as the first step in making that dream come true.