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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Super 15 Rugby Round 4 Review –Demise of NZ Teams 14 views
09 March 2014 by The Swede Eaters
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How did you go in Super Rugby Round 4. Scotty Donaldson looks at the results and asks the tough questions like is this the end of New Zealand's Super Rugby dominance? Is Victor Matfield the answer for the Bulls and did the Force not get the memo?
Super Rugby Round 4 was supposed to be easy for tipsters with only six matches, but while the Crusaders, Reds and Sharks picked up expected wins, someone forgot to tell the Western Force.
The Western Force thrashed the Rebels who were one of the form teams of Super Rugby Round 3. Only 19 percent of tipsters in SuperBru picked the Force to win, with the 25 point margin being far greater than most anticipated. Force legend Matt Hodgson's 100th match obviously inspired his team!
The Brumbies and Bulls beat New Zealand teams in matches which divided SuperBru tipsters. The Brumbies margin of eight points has now happened four times in Super Rugby 2014 so far which was unlucky for the Hurricanes who just missed out on a bonus point for being within seven points. The Bulls 16 point win over the Blues was bigger than expected by most people. The Bulls keep improving in Super Rugby 2014.
In the Super Rugby Tips SuperBru conference dave earns bragging rights for winning the yellow cap in a great performance. dave managed to pick the winner of every game meaning he also got the Grand Slam Point and jumped to fourth spot in the conference despite not picking all of the margins. Rocky and olec are first and second following solid efforts in Super Rugby Round 4.
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/03/super-15-rugby-round-4-review-demise-of.html
There are plenty of questions being asked in Super Rugby 2014 even if we are only four rounds in;
Are we seeing the demise of the New Zealand's Super Rugby dominance? The Hurricanes and Blues deservedly lost to the Brumbies and Bulls respectively, while the aging Crusaders only just beat the Stormers in Christchurch to get their first win of their campaign. If it wasn't for the Chiefs, the New Zealand teams would only have won one match each. The Highlanders are in eighth position as the second highest place New Zealand team at this stage. Sure, it is only Super Rugby Round 4, but are the Australian and South African conferences showing the New Zealand teams how to win?
Did we underestimate the influence of a returning Victor Matfield to the Bulls starting line up or is it the starring role of first five eighth Jacques Louis-Potgieter? The Bulls have now won two on the trot and look far better than they did in the first two rounds.
Are the Force as bad as people think or did the Rebels simply have a hangover from their Round 3 win over the Cheetahs?
With the Reds and Brumbies winning comfortably, is the Australian conference really that weak when you consider the Waratahs have been on fire this season and had the bye in Super Rugby Round 4?
Super Rugby Round 4 Results
Friday , March 7
Hurricanes 21 - 29 Brumbies
Reds 43 - 33 Cheetahs
Crusaders 14 - 13 Stormers
Western Force 32 - 7 Melbourne Rebels
Bulls 38 - 22 Blues
Sharks 37 - 23 Lions
Did you miss any of the action? Watch Super Rugby Round 4 video highlights
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/03/watch-super-rugby-round-4-video.html
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