The competition kicked into life this weekend proving that despite early perceptions, there are no certainties. Home favourites were blown away, sleeping giants reawakened and unbeaten runs were extended to rejuvenate the Southern Hemisphere’s premier contest.
After the Sharks put in another polished away-performance, two of Australia’s pedigree franchises returned to form with a vengeance. All money was on Warren Gatland’s Chiefs to punish the inconsistent Brumbies, but fans may not see as unexpected a first half as the one in Hamilton on Saturday morning. A sparkling first 40 minutes by young utility back Noah Lolesio gave the Brumbies a well-deserved, if not completely surprising 19–0 half-time lead.
The Brumbies would close out the second half 26–14 winners leaving the stage for their Queensland counterparts. The Reds demolished the scrappy Sunwolves by a 59-point margin, posing the question ‘Are the Reds back, or are the Sunwolves that bad?’. The Reds won’t get many easier games than that and will want to prove it was no fluke, with the in-form Sharks being the next to visit Brisbane.
The Sunwolves are leaving few reasons to suggest they will be missed when they make their departure at the end of this season and they could be on the end of another hiding when they face the Hurricanes. Also this weekend, The Lions will want to keep the Waratahs rooted at the bottom of the log, the dangerous Jaguares could heap more misery on the Loftus faithful and the Stormers will simply keep marching on.
