Ah, Friday. The end of another week, and the start of a new chapter of rugby (history?). The first two rounds of Super Rugby have left me hopeful, if reticently so, about this year – at least in terms of the Aussie teams. Yep, the Tahs might be coming apart the seams, or more pointedly the forwards are buckling in their support of the backs, but the Reds, Brumbies and Rebels are showing the way. So far anyhow. And hasn’t the Six Nations been glorious in its’ upheavals – no more so than Wales’ pivotal win against England but no less deserving of mention the heart shown by France to defeat Scotland in amongst their tumult. Boy is that final weekend looking good. Yet it’s easy to miss the return of the Sevens, as intermittent as it is, and we are again in Las Vegas with the USA due for a tournament win. Boy do I love the match timings though – they are bloody brilliant. So much so that I rearranged my gym sesh on monday morning to squeeze right in amongst the Cup Semis and the 5th Place Final! 
hashtag winning, or something…
This weekend could be a massive turning point for Aussie rugby, at least in terms of Super Rugby, with big opportunities for all three teams in action to prove themselves. The Brumbies are first up, away to the Hurricanes in Palmerston North, then it’s straight on to Melbourne for the Rebels game against the Highlanders, where the Genia and Quade show will be looking for more creative interplay (and not just post-match interview hijinks ;p). Then on Saturday, we’ll find out if the Reds are the real deal after their much-vaunted performance last week. They really should have won last week against the Highlanders, won by the Highlanders in classic kiwi style at the death. I am so damn excited to see them all stick to the little brother across the ditch, but I am also all-too prepared to see them fall just as the Reds did last week and nothing will get me down (I hope…)
Failing a Aussie whitewash in Super Rugby, I’ll be similarly dreaming of glory throughout the weekend for our Sevens boys at Vegas, or failing that the Spanish being beaten by the Kiwis at the death despite showing all the heart they got doing a number on the All Black Sevens. I’m predicting the ruck will be again a point of weakness for us with Boyd Killingworth to be just as missed as Maurice Longbottom. As always, I’m looking forward to seeing teams like Canada, Argentina, Samoa and Kenya give it their all, cause an upset or two and make a splash. That variety, as much as it doesn’t always show in the tournament winner’s column, and teams’ and players’ ability to shock and surprise you is what is always makes sevens great and what keeps the fans coming back for more.
Also looking forward to see how the Bulls and the Lions bounce back from their unexpected losses last week as they face off in Jo’burg. The Jaguares live game is a touch early (for once the Kiwis have the time zone on point) but I’ll cop it – I even think they’ve improved the picture quality from last year (!) but mayhaps my eyes deceive… Here’s hoping it has, and that Hugh Bladen (the slow-speaking, Afrikaans-accented dude who seems to be on a perma-vacation to Buenos Aires for commentary) doesn’t give away the Lions-Bulls result
Enjoy your weekend, and may the rugby gods shine down upon you and your team. Australian rugby certainly needs their gaze just now
therugbyfanshaz 