While some teams, the Blues in particular were a bit slow to adjust to the new application of the tackle law, the signs are that if we get everyone...players, coaches and refs, signing off the same song-sheet then we’ll see better rugby.

Article By: Tony Johnson

There was a bit of everything in the first round of the Rebel Sport Super 14, and what we saw augers well for the rest of the competition.

While some teams, the Blues in particular were a bit slow to adjust to the new application of the tackle law, the signs are that if we get everyone...players, coaches and refs, signing off the same song-sheet then we’ll see better rugby.

Stu Dickinson was given the role of lead-off on Friday night, and I guess if you ever wanted a ref to lead a crack-down then Stu would be your man.

It was hard to argue with most of the decisions he made, but he might have done a better job of managing the game...maybe taking a moment here or there to talk things through with the players in the way Chris Pollock did on Saturday night in Christchurch.

What Dickinson’s effort did do, was send out a clear warning as to what was and wasn’t going to be tolerated, a warning that was clearly heeded by the Crusaders and Highlanders on Saturday night. Both showed some great discipline to keep the penalty count down, and with Pollock keeping a fairly calm hand on proceedings the result was, for a round one fixture, an excellent match. Sure there were a couple of blues, most notably one that appeared to cost Adam Thomson a try, but all in all Pollock did a good job.

Two lingering concerns over the tackle/ruck situation are that there must still be a contest for the ball...we don’t want teams just hanging off rucks, conceding possession without challenge, and just setting up for the next tackle, but again the match in Christchurch showed that there are still turnovers to be had...you just have to pick your moment. The other is that I thought in some instances the refs were so busy watching the tackler, that the tackled player was given too much leeway in releasing the ball, but again that’s something that should be ironed out fairly soon.

There seemed to be far fewer scrum resets and much better policing off offside play from kicks, which will make for a better spectacle.

The Crusaders looked ominous, and as Nisbo said Saturday night you get the feeling Zac Guildford is going to score a lot of tries this season. It was great to see Dan Carter back, while we can still hold out big hopes for Robbie Freuan. You can bet he will thrive in the Crusaders environment. The word is he is still a fair way off the sort of fitness and conditioning needed, and given his recent history that will take time, but it’ll be worth the wait.

That was another feature of the Christchurch game. To me both the South Island teams looked in better shape than their North Island counterparts on Friday night.

The Chiefs will be delighted to sneak a win over the Sharks in the Tank in Durban. They might have had a couple of calls go their way but it’s hard to feel any sympathy for the Sharks, given the number of dodgy decisions that have gone their way in recent years.

Stephen Donald kept a cool head under pressure, and their superior discipline was a key factor in a win that really sets up their road trip. They have two eminently winnable games against the Lions next week and then the Force, and if they can win both they will be in a prime spot to kick on with a reinforced team on their return.

Elsewhere the Bulls were impressive against the Cheetahs but will face a more searching opponent next week when they take on the Brumbies, the Waratahs and Reds game turned into a right little handbag swinging contest, and the Stormers Lions game was not much to write home about.

So a real mixed bag, but from a New Zealand point of view a pretty good start, capped off by big crowds at both Albany and Christchurch.

The one galling note was that it took a long time for people to get to their seats at North Harbour Stadium, some apparently didn’t get in at all, and the queues for the food concessions in some parts of the ground were unacceptably long.

Not for the first time Stadium officials have to take their share of the blame for not judging the situation well enough, nor responding satisfactorily, but people also have to realise that you can no longer just rock up five minutes before kick-off and expect to waltz straight into their seats.