Cool-hand Luke offers red-hot reminder Rugby

Remember old concrete shoulders? Also known as Chiefs loose forward Luke Jacobson? He played two tests for the All Blacks in 2019 and another 10 in ‘22, but hasn’t really been sighted since as other perhaps more dynamic types have been preferred.

Well, Jacobson well and truly offered a reminder of the qualities he brings to a well-oiled rugby machine on Saturday night in Canberra when he produced arguably the star turn for the Chiefs in a crunch 31-21 victory over the Brumbies that seals the minor premiership for Clayton McMillan’s side.

This time of the year, of course, is all about timing as teams jockey for, first, preferred spots in the playoff equation and, then, the sort of momentum that the Crusaders have mastered in order to become eventual Super Rugby champions.

Saturday’s result against a fellow title contender was vital for the Chiefs after their first slipup of the year against the Reds, and a slightly shaky correction against the undermanned Canes. It was the sort of statement that suggests they’re ready to go up a cog over the run home.

And it was hard to fault Jacobson’s timing on Saturday night as he produced a performance that must have had the watching All Blacks coaches scribbling furiously. He ran for a team-high 131 metres (on 13 carries), for goodness sake. With seven tackle-busts, one clean break, one try and an offload thrown in. Not bad for a No 8 supposedly more about withering defence and high physicality than what you might call more flamboyant qualities.

Jacobson was surpassed last year by the likes of Hoskins Sotutu, Shannon Frizell and Akira Ioane in the national pecking order, but another dynamic showing or two like Saturday’s might cause a rethink on that. Throw in his leadership qualities and the non-negotiables in his game, and you have a player who just might shine on the World Cup stage.

Wings, and a prayer

Speaking of All Blacks contenders, how about the options Ian Foster has at his disposal in the back three?

In terms of out-and-out wings Blues pair Mark Telea and Caleb Clarke, Chiefs speedster Emoni Narawa and Crusaders finisher Leicester Faainga’anuku have all showed pretty decent Super Rugby

form, while more fullback types such as Shaun Stevenson, Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett also factor into the mix.

Foster has some big calls to make to narrow down his chosen ones to head to France, with all of the above showing the sort of form in SRP that suggests they could be difference-makers on the big stage.

Telea, you would think, is now a cert after a string of impressive displays for the Blues, and it would be a big call to leave the powerhouse Caleb Clarke out. But does Fainga’anuku’s decision to head overseas count against him? And does Foster take a chance on the silky smooth Stevenson who has barely put a foot wrong all season?

It might just take a strong finals run to sort out the final pecking order, so close is it between these talented contenders. Something to keep an eye on as things unfold.

Maturing like a fine wine

Blues coach Leon MacDonald could only grin when asked about the game-changing efforts of 34-yearold utility back Bryce Heem after Saturday’s win over the Canes.

Heem probably sealed the competitive No 12 spot for the finals with a standout display at Eden Park that saw him combined strongly with Rieko Ioane in midfield and set up two crucial tries over the run home.

‘‘He’s reaching his peak as a 34-year-old,’’ noted the Blues coach. ‘‘You can’t not pick him at the moment, and that’s what you want from your players because the guys he’s leapfrogged have played good rugby as well. He was massive tonight. He gave us that gainline when needed and made plays like that grubber through (for Telea’s final try) to show he’s more than a heavy ball-carrier. He’s a smart footballer.’’