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According to various Snapchat accounts, right now the Crusaders are still partying after taking out the Super Rugby title for this year. The rest of us spent our Mondays in a much less mad state – so while the champs enjoy a well-earned beer, let’s look back at the highs and lows of the season just gone.
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Best game
Either of the two Crusaders/Highlanders regular season matches. Both were highly anticipated, both delivered rugby of eye-popping quality, and both had stunning finishes. Unfortunately for Highlanders fans, they didn’t go the way they would’ve wanted. The two faced off a third time in the playoffs, however Christchurch’s shocking weather meant that game was a forgettable event.
Worst game
No tries, no winner. The Rebels and Sharks drew 9-9 in Durban back in round nine, in a game that would’ve been a perfect cure for anyone out there suffering from insomnia. Just to put a coat of polish on this turd, two players were sent from the field as well.
The drought breakers
2016 saw the Canes win the title for the first time in their history, but Crusaders fans probably felt like it had been a lifetime since their last Super Rugby triumph. Their win now means four out of the last five years have been won by a different NZ team.
The Horror-tahs
The only thing uglier than their on field performances were the NSW uniforms, oddly supplemented with red despite their biggest rival team literally being called ‘The Reds’.
Barrett-mania
Last year everything Beauden did seemed to turn to gold, so the Hurricanes doubles down and brought in his younger brother Jordie. The two combined for some of the best plays of the season, however it’s their other brother Scott who gets bragging rights at home – he plays for the champion Crusaders.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ0zCGUyXC0
The Never-Ending Story
Australian rugby is a shambles right now, but the ongoing saga around which team or teams might be cut from next year’s competition is probably the pinnacle of their problems. Especially since the South Africans resolved their situation pretty efficiently, announcing the Kings and Cheetahs would be out and then playing in the Pro 12 within a matter of weeks.
Ngani Laumape
Pity every poor midfielder tasked with marking the former rugby league player this season, with the Canes’ use of him centred mainly around having Laumape run as hard as possible at them at every given opportunity. He was deservedly rewarded with an All Black call up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-iluseQRHU&t=184s
The intermission
While the Lions tour was great, and Scotland definitely would’ve enjoyed their trip to Australia in June, the mid season Super Rugby break once again did the competition no favours at all. It seemed like a lot of fans needed to be reminded about what was going on, and for many teams the season was basically over anyway.
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This offload
Take a bow, Dillyn Leyds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeKx_5N19kk
The one bright spot for the Aussies
Joe Powell scored a try for the Brumbies that would be in serious contention for try of the year in any competition. Probably worth mentioning they lost 56-21 though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gw5T30s9ro
Empty seats
While the final was played in front of a packed Ellis Park, empty seats have been pretty noticeable around the stadiums in 2017. While there have been a couple of mitigating factors – Christchurch suffered flood-level rainfall in the week leading up to their playoff match – it clearly shows that the competition needs to do more to attract casual fans to the game day experience.
Angus Gardner got schooled by another cheeky halfback
Last year it was Aaron Smith, this year TJ Perenara managed to get the Australian whistleblower to reverse a decision simply by explaining the rules. While it was amusing, rumours are that it was this sort of joviality with the players that cost the Australian control of the Super Rugby final.
