Weekend Review - Rugby Union
Wellington Hurricanes.
The Wellington Hurricanes secured their place in the semi-finals of the Super 14 with a hard earned two point victory over the Queensland Reds. This looks like a good result given all the upsets that have happened this weekend. This means that they will go into next weekends game knowing that a win will see them finish second and give them a home semi-final against the Waratahs, the same team they play this week. It has been a good season so far for the Hurricanes and it will be interesting to see the team they select next week.
There will be a temptation to rest a few key players, but with the thought of a home semi-final and the chance to take good momentum into this game may see a full strength side to be selected. Whatever happens they know that they will have to step up their defensive game over the next three weeks if they are to win the Super 14 title for the first time. They have started to concede too many points over the last few weeks and will need to stop this habit. They still have the back line that can destroy other sides, they now need to get the forwards to step up and stop the opposition making the hard yards. Fingers crossed that next week they travel well and can return to play one more game at the caketin.
Northampton Saints
The Saints finished their season with a loss the the Premiership champions Sale. This week they were unable to pull back the lead that they allowed the opposition to build. Whilst this season can be seen as a better one they need to work on this horrible habit of conceding a lot of points at the start of games leaving them playing catch up rugby for the best part of fifty minutes. This can be successful against the teams at the bottom, but against the champions you will always be on to a loser.
So it will be Heineken Rugby again next year which will mean that they will get a bit more TV money, and the chance to build a team that will challenge for the top four. The good news is that some of their key players will not be playing through the summer and should be well rested for next years campaign. No news on who will go or who will stay, but there will need to be changes for there to be an improvement next season. I am fairly optimistic and will be looking to better seasons from the likes of Thompson and Cohen that can take the Saints to the next level. The grading for this year is B+ lets hope for an A next year.
The Wellington Hurricanes secured their place in the semi-finals of the Super 14 with a hard earned two point victory over the Queensland Reds. This looks like a good result given all the upsets that have happened this weekend. This means that they will go into next weekends game knowing that a win will see them finish second and give them a home semi-final against the Waratahs, the same team they play this week. It has been a good season so far for the Hurricanes and it will be interesting to see the team they select next week.
There will be a temptation to rest a few key players, but with the thought of a home semi-final and the chance to take good momentum into this game may see a full strength side to be selected. Whatever happens they know that they will have to step up their defensive game over the next three weeks if they are to win the Super 14 title for the first time. They have started to concede too many points over the last few weeks and will need to stop this habit. They still have the back line that can destroy other sides, they now need to get the forwards to step up and stop the opposition making the hard yards. Fingers crossed that next week they travel well and can return to play one more game at the caketin.
Northampton Saints
The Saints finished their season with a loss the the Premiership champions Sale. This week they were unable to pull back the lead that they allowed the opposition to build. Whilst this season can be seen as a better one they need to work on this horrible habit of conceding a lot of points at the start of games leaving them playing catch up rugby for the best part of fifty minutes. This can be successful against the teams at the bottom, but against the champions you will always be on to a loser.
So it will be Heineken Rugby again next year which will mean that they will get a bit more TV money, and the chance to build a team that will challenge for the top four. The good news is that some of their key players will not be playing through the summer and should be well rested for next years campaign. No news on who will go or who will stay, but there will need to be changes for there to be an improvement next season. I am fairly optimistic and will be looking to better seasons from the likes of Thompson and Cohen that can take the Saints to the next level. The grading for this year is B+ lets hope for an A next year.
posted by Sports Potato at 2:06 PM
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