A competition which began on Thursday, February 23 with the Blues thrashing the Rebels in Melbourne has finally finished. Here's what we learned from six months of Super Rugby:
Crusaders were the best team
Who knows what would have happened had Kwagga Smith not been red-carded in the final? The Crusaders were definitely on top at that stage (12-3), but tired considerably in the final quarter. Some might say it was the right result, that the Crusaders had by far the tougher draw and playoff matches. Actually, I'd say that too.
Scott Robertson is the real deal
Coaches can't fake it at this level. The Crusaders and their 12 All Blacks needed careful managing this year before and after the British & Irish Lions tour and Robertson nailed it, creating a fun and inspiring workplace and a team culture that the franchise perhaps hasn't seen since the Robbie Deans days. Don't let the surfer dude/break dancing antics fool you - Robertson knows his rugby and how to manage people. Most importantly he knows how to get his knowledge across to his players.
The Aussies are in trouble
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has a job on his hands to provide meaningful resistance in the first Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney a week on Saturday. Australian rugby is in trouble - they can't decide which Super team to cut and their record in the competition this year speaks for itself. In 26 times of trying they failed to beat a New Zealand team. As for the All Blacks, they will be battle-hardened by having three teams in the playoffs and after coming through a tough series against the British & Irish Lions.
Lions show the way for Boks
South African rugby could do worse that following the Lions' recipe for success - an ambitious game plan backed up by excellent coaching. Johan Ackermann's departure for Gloucester is a big loss for the game there.
