Super Rugby Rants and Raves: Pollard’s best so far

My top rant and top rave for Independent Media, following another action packed weekend of Super Rugby. For my full wrap of the weekend visit iol.co.za

TOP RAVE

On Thursday, 6 November, 2014, the Irish Times featured Springbok and Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard with the following headline: “The rise and rise of Handre Pollard the gifted young Springbok outhalf who has the world at his feet.”

Finally we’re seeing the Pollard who in 2014 revelled in his first season of international rugby. The 24-year-old is fit again, conditioned and bossing Super Rugby matches. His performance against the Highlanders was his best in Super Rugby.

TOP RANT

New Zealand’s Glen Jackson and SA’s Jaco Peyper are considered the two best referees in Super Rugby, but they were both guilty of howlers when it came to applying the law. The Bulls can rightly feel aggrieved, while the Crusaders lost a bonus-point try.

Sopoaga should have been yellow carded for a cynical foul on his team’s tryline. Instead he was only penalised. Peyper also only awarded a penalty when it should’ve been a yellow card and penalty try with the Crusaders player on his way to scoring in the last movement of the game.