This Week was another interesting weekend with some surprising results, great individual performances, wonderful tries and big hits.
The awards:
- Game of the Week – Best or most exciting game.
- Tries of the week – The three best tries from the weekend’s games.
- Player of the week – Best Performer.
- Team of the Week – Best Team from the weekend.
- Losers of the Week – Most disappointing teams and players of the weekend.
Game of the Week: Bulls vs Lions.
A magnificent game that saw both sides show real attacking intent. The Lions started the game by dominating the Bulls upfront and as the game continued we saw some real class from the Johannesburg outfit as they started running the ball. The Bulls were also in fine form scoring some beautiful tries and showing their appetite for running rugby this season. Unfortunately for the Bulls however they fell short against a better side on the day.
Tries of the week.
1. Brynn Hall (Crusaders) vs Stormers
2. Blade Thompson (Hurricanes) vs Jaguares
3. Robert Du Preez (Sharks) vs Waratahs
Player of the Week
Malcolm Marx
The Lions Hooker continues showing us what he is capable of a dominating performance all round. Marx found his line-out jumpers every time, dominated the collision and the breakdown. The fact that he is still only 23 is a frightening thing for any opposition. Marx is in my opinion the best in the business.
Jack Maddocks
Another youngster, Maddocks had a wonderful weekend scoring a hattrick and setting up a try. The youngster looks a frightening prospect as he runs into the first receiver channel looking for work. The Rebels have a very exciting young talent and I can’t think that it will be to long before we see this kid in an Aussie jumper.
Team of the week: Chiefs
There is no doubt in my mind that this week the Chiefs deserve this one. A team that has been hit with injuries early in the season and losing some big players in the off-season, adding to their big loss in week 2. The Chiefs looked like a poorly patched jacket when they announced their starting line-up with some unfamiliar or non-regulars starting.
However, the men from Hamilton showed their class, depth and fight with a brave win over their fellow Kiwi opponents the Blues. Sam Cane and his men were brilliant fighting tooth and nail to get over the finish line and that is exactly what they did.
Losers of the Week.
Pieter-Steph Du Toit
The Stormers lock was unfortunately stretchered of at half-time during the Stormers game vs the Crusaders. The Lock went into contact at the end of the first half and never got up. The Stormers and Springboks will be hoping the injury is not as bad as it seems. Du Toit was believed to be concussed and it looked like he had injured his neck. With the lock struggling with injuries in the past I believe all rugby supporters would be hoping that the Stormers and Springbok lock makes a swift recovery.
Fans watching the Reds vs Brumbies
The snore fest of the weekend. Fans were almost put to sleep by what was happening on the pitch until they were terrified by the sight of Jono Lance’s bum. Both teams were terrible and struggled to produce quality. However, the Reds will just be happy to get a win under their belt and Jono Lance might be wearing one in his next outing.
Sources:
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3376340
https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/wrap-super-rugby-week-2-20180223
https://www.foxsports.com.au/video/rugby/super-rugby/bryns-brilliant-try!667577
http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/553-gallagher-chiefs-clinch-fantastic-win-over-the-blues-in-auckland