D'Arcy Waldegrave: Focusing on what's alive in rugby

Stadia? Governance? Socks and undies for Christmas. I’m done. 6 months until the zombie of Auckland venues rises again and staggers around the place before eating its own brain and who knows how long before NZ Rugby essentially does the same thing.   

I’m going to let the undead do their lie in a hole and focus on what is very much alive in rugby, Super Rugby Pacific.  

This comp, contrary to popular opinion at the start, has provided. Not only has the rugby been of top quality (for the most part), but the fans have also started to come back, and the last round is serving up a fascinating series of games for punters to feast on.  

Takeaways so far for this sport hack...  

The Blues and the Hurricanes are playing must-watch footy.   

The competition is a lot more engaging when the Crusaders soil the bedsheets.  

The Chiefs have learned the value of not peaking too early.  

Pacifica rugby is bringing a new layer of exuberance to proceedings.  

Bonus points have made a silk purse out of some pig-eared teams.  

8 teams qualifying for the finals isn’t as bad as we thought.  

Booting 2 clauses out of law 10.7 has worked. That’s the kick tennis tweak.  

The Rebel's demise has a positive. No more Super Round.  

I also think that the energy behind new All-Black coach Crazy Razor Ray Robertson and the retirement of some key players has left all Super players believing anything is possible now the decks have been cleared. They’re playing with urgency, excitement, and an overwhelming sense of ‘pick me’!  

No, it’s not perfect, but it’s a whole lot more entertaining than boardroom zombies ripping their arms off and beating each other with the wet end.   

That’ll do.   

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