Sanjay's Rugby World

This week saw the 2 kiwi teams slip up and let the South African duo of the Sharks and Bulls back in with a strong chance of winning the Super 14. The Bulls were maginificent in beating the Blues, who have lost all their momentum; whilst the Sharks are consistently doing enough to stay near the top of the log, whilst still not really playing top rugby every week. As long as they peak in the semis and finals they are well placed.

Super 14 Log

Crusaders 41
Sharks 40
Blues 37
Bulls 37
Chiefs 36
Brumbies 35
Farce 32
Horrorcanes 27
Islanders 27
Stormers 22
Lions 21
Cheaters 18
Worrytahs 15
Reds 11

Horrorcanes again sneak late win

The Horrorcanes snuck a late win against the Islanders in Wellington. however the biggest concern for the All Blacks will be the season ending injury to lock Jason Eaton. Oh well, shame, try again in 4 years time.

Horrorcanes 22: Tries by Jimmy Gopperth and Hosea Gear. Piri Weepu kicked four penalties.
Islanders 21: Tries by Nick Evans and Toby Morland. Evans kicked a conversion and three penalties.

Chiefs stay in hunt…only just

The Chiefs had to rely on a late try to beat the Worrytahs in Sydney. Whilst the Chiefs are coming right late in the season, the question has to be asked, what has happened to the Worrytahs? for such a strong team in the last few years, it shows the importance of 1 or 2 players and a winning culture. Good to see the Aussies being put in the place.

Waratahs 23: Tries by Sam Norton-Knight and Lachlan Turner. Peter Hewat kicked two conversions and three penalties.
Chiefs 28: Tries by Sitiveni Sivivatu, Liam Messam and Tane Tu’ipulotu. Stephen Donald kicked two conversions and three penalties

Crappy Cheaters feel the Force

The Cheaters are the only South African team to not win a game overseas this season. For supposed Currie Cup champions this is abysmal. They lost 45-17 to the Farce in Perth. They simply lack the depth and class to compete at this level.

Farce45: Tries by Ryan Cross, Digby Ioane, Scott Staniforth, AJ Whalley, Tai McIsaac, Staniforth, Cross. Matt Giteau kicked five conversions.
Cheetahs 17: Tries by Philip Burger, Ryno van der Merwe, Kabamba Floors. Willem de Waal kicked a conversion

Bulls magnificent at Loftus

The Bulls were simply magnificent at a packed Loftus, giving Auckland the Blues in beating them 40-19. After going down 9-0 after 9 minutes the Bulls showed the composure and defence to stay clam, stick to a basic game plan and knuckle down to do the business required. A couple of pieces of opportunism were testament to the pressure placed on a Blues team that will struggle to regain their early season momentum.

Bulls 40: Tries by Wikus van Heerden, Pedrie Wannenburg, Fourie du Preez and Heini Adams. Derick Hougaard kicked four conversions, three penalties and a dropped goal.
Blues 19: Try by Troy Flavell. Isa Nacewa kicked four penalties

Brumbies upset Crusaders

The Brumbies produced a tough performance to grind a win 15-6 against the Crusaders. The win keeps the Brumbies in the race, but most importantly if the Crusaders slip up in the last week it could allow a South African final.

Brumbies 15: Penalties: Stirling Mortlock 3 and Julian Huxley; Drop-goal: Stephen Larkham. Crusaders 6: Penalties: Dan Carter 2

Sharks do the job in Durbs

The Sharks did what was required in Durban. Amidst terrible conditions they beat the Lions 33-3, and secured the bonus point to keep the chances of a home semi and final alive. The rugby was nothing special, but a few moments of brilliance and straight hard running got the 4 tries, and they can now concentrate on doing the same to the Stormers before the playoffs.

Sharks 33: Two tries by JP Pietersen and two tries by Jacques Botes. Percy Montgomery kicked two conversions and two penalties and Francois Steyn a penalty.
Lions 3: Earl Rose kicked a penalty

Too little too late for Stomers

Now that the pressure is off the Stormers finally win 2 in a row, albeit against the hapless Reds, 37-24 at Newlands. Hopefully it is not enough for Kobus Van Der Merwe to keep his job as he has shown himself to be incompetent as a coach. For instance Brent Russell was bought to the Cape to play flyhalf, why hasn’t he been given at least 1 chance to do so in a team that was never in the hunt for a play off spot? Has the team made any direction forward, or have they simply ground out a few wins against teams they should be dominating? Does 2008 suggest the Stormers will be any different? They will definitely need new direction next year.

Stormers 37: Tries: Luke Watson 2, Brent Russell 2, Joe van Niekerk. Conversions: Peter Grant 3; Penalties: Peter Grant 2.
Reds 24: Tries: Ben Tune and Sean Hardman. Conversion: Clinton Schifcofske; Penalties: Clinton Schifcofske 4.

This week saw the top 4 probably take shape with the top spot practically cemented by the Crusaders. Whilst 2 South African teams have a great chance of making the semis, having to face the Crusaders at home will be a tough task

Super 14 Log

Crusaders 41
Blues 37
Sharks 35
Bulls 32
Chiefs 32
Brumbies 31
Farce 27
Islanders 26
Horrorcanes 23
Stormers 22
Lions 21
Cheaters 18
Worrytahs 15
Reds 11

Crusaders do enough to win at Jade

The Crusaders ground out a win in an error ridden match against the Horrorcanes at Jade Stadium

Crusaders 23: Tries by Corey Flynn, Ross Filipo. Dan Carter kicked two conversions and three penalties.
Hurricanes 13: Try by Ma’a Nonu. Piri Weepu kicked a conversion and two penalties

Brumbies scrape home against the Farce

A late penalty goal was enough to see the Brumbies sneak home against the Farce in Canberra to keep their slim semi final hope alive

Brumbies 14: Try by Jeremy Paul. Julian Huxley kicked two penalties and Mark Gerrard a penalty.
Farce12: Matt Giteau kicked four penalties.

Reds record second win of the season against Cheaters

In a battle of 2 very average teams, the Reds recorded only their second win of the season by making less mistakes than the Cheaters. Not a game to be remembered.

Reds 23: Tries: James Horwill, Ben Tune. Conversions: Clinton Schifcofske (2). Penalty: Schifcofske (3).
Cheaters 13: Try: Kabamba Floors. Conversion: Meyer Bosman. Penalties: Bosman (2).

Loser Leckie gets Chiefs home

James “the loser who has to try and make friends in NZ because he doesnt have any” Leckie played a great game for the Chiefs. From the opening whistle he dominated for the Chiefs, his reffing cost the Sharks the first 3 points, and from that moment on all the calls went against the Sharks. This disrupted the Sharks, and we simply couldn’t get any momentum against a Chiefs team who took full advantage. By the second half when Loser Leckie finally started to give the Sharks some ball, it was too far gone to come back from such a massive gap. I have no doubt that a fair ref would have seen a completely different game, maybe the Sharks may not have won, but they would have then been beaten in a fair contest. Leckie should be locked in a room with Mr Piet van Zyl!

Chiefs 35: Tries: Lelia Masaga, Tasesa Lavea (2), Brendon Leonard. Conversions: Stephen Donald (3). Penalties: Donald (3).
Sharks 27: Tries: Bob Skinstad, Deon Carstens, Bismarck du Plessis, Penalty try. Conversions: Francois Steyn (2). Penalty: Steyn

Worrytahs late comeback just falls short

Despite trailing 23-6 with 12 minutes to play, the Worrytahs fell just short in losing 26-25 to the Islanders in Sydney

Highlanders 26: Tries by Viliame Waqaseduadua, Nick Evans, Jason Kawau. Evans kicked a conversion and three penalties
Waratahs 25: Tries by Josh Holmes and Peter Hewat. Hewat kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Mission accomplished at Ellis Park

despite numerous errors the Bulls did enough to win with a bonus point in beating the Lions 31-7 at Ellis Park. Has one ever seen so many blue flags at Ellis park? The Bulls now need to show some consistency next week against the Blues. It will be a virtual quarter final.

Bulls 31: Tries by Wynand Olivier, Akona Ndungane, Olivier, Bryan Habana, JP Nel. Derick Hougaard kicked three conversions.
Lions 7: Try by Ernst Joubert. Andre Pretorius kicked a conversion

Stormers do Sharks and Bulls a favour

The Stormers pitched up to Newlands with their other team, the one that plays every second week and wins. They looked so much better than last week in beating the Blues 33-20, to help the Sharks and Bulls with log postition.

Stormers 33: Tries by Conrad Jantjes, Luke Watson and Jean de Villiers. Peter Grant kicked three conversions and four penalties.
Blues 20: Tries by Isaia Toeava and Tony Woodcock. David Holwell kicked two conversions and two penalties

Week 11 confirms the status of three of the semi-finalists and shows just how tough the last spot is going to be. The top 2 South African teams once again proved their worthiness with crushing wins. The aussies showed once again they are stuggling and the kiwi teams have been a mixed bag with strong running rugby that at times can leave them vulnerable.

Super 14 Log

Crusaders 37
Blues 37
Sharks 34
Chiefs 27
Bulls 27
Brumbies 27
Farce 26
Horrorcanes 23
Islanders 22
Lions 21
Cheaters 18
Stormers 18
Worrytahs 14
Reds 7

Cheaters ill-disciplined and sloppy

The Cheaters had field position and posession but failed to take their chances due to lateral running and a lack of execution of the basics of rugby. Even when the Horrorcanes were reduced to 14 men they couldn’t capitalise. Jannie Du Plessis was cited for biting, emphasising the lack of discipline this Cheaters outfit has. For so called Currie Cup champions, they are very average.

Horrorcanes 37: Tries by Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Hosea Gear. Piri Weepu kicked four conversions and three penalties.
Cheetahs 15: Tries by by Gavin Passens, Juan Smith. Willem de Waal kicked a conversion and a penalty

A century in Hamilton as Farce crushed by Chiefs

These 2 teams decided to throw defence out of the window as they embarked on a try scoring spree with the Chiefs scoring more than the Farce to emerge victors by 64-36. This keeps the Chiefs in the running for 4th spot but probably ends the hopes of the Farce.

Chiefs 64: Tries by Kinikinilau 3, Leonard 3, Masaga, Latimer & Lavea. Donald kicked 5 conversions and 3 penalties.
Farce 36: Tries by Giteau 2, Sharpe, Shepherd & Mitchell. Giteau also kicked 4 conversions and a penalty

Crusaders sloppy but win convincingly

The Crusaders were sloppy in the first half, only taking a 10-3 lead at the break. The replacements in the second half made a massive difference and they were able to run in 4 second half tries to win 38-3.

Crusaders 38: Tries: Casey Laulaula 2, Dan Carter, Rua Tipoki, Caleb Ralph.Conversions: Dan Carter 3 and Stephen Brett 2. Penalty: Dan Carter.
Highlanders 3: Penalty: Nick Evans

Super Sharks give Auckland the Blues at Albany

The Sharks started well and dominated an ill-discplined Blues outfit that did not adjust well to a late starting match due to a fire alarm in the main stand delaying the kickoff. However the Sharks adjusted to wet conditions well with a superb kicking game and outstanding defence. The Blues had all the ball in the first half but the Sharks were down the right end of the field to capitalise on expected errors. The first try by Odwa Ndungane was superb with great handling and from that moment the Blues were forced to play catch up. the in your face defence rattled the Blues whose discilpine disappeared and they were lucky ref Stu Dickinson did not take matters further. Although the Sharks missed out on a bonus point due to some poor kicking and option taking in the second half, the skill and defence of their team, and especially Steyn and Skinstad should not take anything away from an exceptional win.

Sharks 32: Tries by Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen 2. Percy Montgomery kicked two penalties and Francois Steyn two dropped goals, a conversion and a penalty.
Blues 25: Tries by Keven Mealamu, David Gibson, Daniel Braid. Isa Nacewa kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Worrytahs finally get a win in the battle for the wooden spoon

These 2 Aussie teams scored 3 tries between them in a dull game at Aussie stadium. This was the first win for the Worrytahs at home this year and their first at Aussie stadium in over a year. for the Reds, it is time to rebuild for next year.

Waratahs 26: Tries by Josh Valentine and Beau Robinson. Peter Hewat kicked two conversions and four penalties.
Reds 13: Try by Clinton Schifkofske. Schifkofske kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Bulls stampede over Stormers

The Bulls played some sublime rugby and some poor rugby in overcoming a Stormers team that is a disgrace to Western Province rugby. The Bulls were helped by a packed stadium of over 50000 fans who created a magical sea of blue. A stadium so full should entitle them to a bonus point! The Stormers socred the first try due to a piece of Brent Russell magic, who unfortunately left the field early on. Just why he has never been put at flyhalf in a team that was never going to be a semi-final contender is beyond me. Spies, Habana, Roets and Olivier provided the attacking spark that got the Bulls on the front foot and showed they are always difficult to beat at home. The most refreshing aspect being coach Heyneke Meyer’s comments that they wanted to throw the ball around, play attacking rugby and simply score more tries than the opposition. It is that sort of attitude SA rugby needs to be successful. The words of Nick Mallet 2 years ago that the Stormers would not be masacred at Loftus again seem to have been forgotten too.

Bulls 49: Tries by Bakkies Botha, Wikus van Heerden, Gary Botha, Wynand Olivier, Pedrie Wannenburg, Heini Adams. Derick Hougaard kicked two conversions and two penalties and Morne Steyn two conversions.
Stormers 12: Tries by Brent Russell, Dylan des Fountain. Peter Grant kicked a conversion.

An interesting weekend of the super 14 leaves the Blues and crusaders well placed. The Sharks revived their hopes spectactularly, whilst the race for 4th is too close to call and looks set to go down to the wire in the closest finish ever.Chiefs clinch close call
Once again the Stomers win after a series of losses, just when you expect them to be the easybeats. Their only problem is now they are expected to win, they won’t be able to. However the Lions have shown too much inconsistency to justify being higher on the log.

Stormers 30: Tries: Peter Grant, De Wet Barry and Naas Olivier. Conversions: Peter Grant penalty 3; Penalties: Peter Grant 3.
Lions 8: Try: Jaque Fourie; Penalty: Andre Pretorius
In an Australian derby, the Brumbies have hit form at the right time of the season and are serious contenders for that last semi final spot.

The Chiefs escaped in a close encounter 38-34 with the Islanders in the unlikely venue of Queenstown on saturday. This effectively ends the challenge of the Islanders.Farce 0

Super 14 Log
Blues 36
Crusaders 32
Sharks 30
Brumbies 27
Farce 25
Chiefs 22
Bulls 22
Islanders 22
Lions 21
Cheaters 18
Stormers 18
Horrorcanes 18
Worrytahs 10
Reds 7

Blues can’t quite finish off Cheaters

On friday night the Blues piled on the pressure in the first half but gutsy defence and poor finishing stopped the Blues from finishing off the Cheaters and missing out on the bonus point. That could cost them home advantage in the crucial stages.

Blues 26: Tries: Steve Devine, Dourg Howlett, Anothony Tuituvake. Penalties: Isa Nacewa 3 Conversions: Nacewa
Vodacom Cheetahs 8: Try: Ryno van der Merwe. Penalty: Herkie Kruger

Chiefs 38: Tries: Niva Ta`auso, Sitiveni Sivivatu 2, Lelia Masaga 2. Conversions: Stephen Donald 4. Penalty: Donald
Islanders 34: Tries: Loakimo Mulipola, Anton Oliver, Villiame Waqaseduadua, Matt Saunders, Toby Morland. Conversions: Nick Evans 2, Charlie Hore. Penalty: Evans

Crusaders crush the Farce

The Crusaders crushed the Farce 53-0 who had previously held the best defensive record for the year. It goes to show just how tough the Crusaders are at home and with their top players back, they must now be favourites to claim another title. When was the last time a team scored zero? They were just lucky you can’t score a negative!

Crusaders 53: Tries: Rico Gear, Mose Tuiali`i, Kieran Read 2, Ross Filipo 3, Richie McCaw. Conversions: Dan Carter 5. Penalty: Carter

Shark feeding frenzy at Suncorp leaves Queensland red faced

Eddie Moaned about the effort of the Reds after their 59-16 drubbing at the hands of the Sharks and half a stadium of South Africans at suncorp stadium. This was my first live game since 2005, maybe I need to go watch more often. The funniest (but so true) comment i have heard in a long time came from a young South African boy sitting behind me. When the game was producing aerial ping pong and the Sharks behind on the scoreboard he yells “This is bullshit”. I had to agree and even a youngster recognised that. However his mother was not impressed with what he had to say! In the second half the Sharks produced the rugby we have been waiting all season for…running straight and hard, into gaps, giving the ball air and playing with confidence. JP Pietersen and Waylon Murray looked like different players. Well done to them but the biggest wrap goes to a man who was all over the field, making tackle after tackle, he was out on his feet and sparked the Sharks team…Bob Skinstad. For South Africa to win the world cup we need him in the team. I rest my case.

Sharks 59: Tries: AJ Venter 2, JP Pietersen 2, Jacques Botes, Brad Barritt, Waylon Murray, Bismarck du Plessis, Keegan Daniel. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar 4, Francois Steyn 2
Reds 16: Try: John Roe. Conversion: Clinton Schifcofske. Penalties: Schifcofske 3

Stormers win again when they’re not supposed to

Brumbies comfortably beat the Worrytahs

Brumbies 36: Tries: Mark Gerrard 2, Stephen Larkham 2, Jone Tawake. Conversions: Julian Huxley 2, Mark Gerrard 2. Penalty: Huxley.
Worrytahs 10: Try: Rocky Elsom. Conversion: Peter Hewat. Penalty: Hewat

Another week of super 14 and a changing of the guard. New Zealand teams are starting to show their dominance once more, the aussies have regained their competitiveness and oh deary me the South Africans are back to where they have been for most of the 11 years of Super rugby.

4 losses out of 4 for South African teams, 1 try from all of those teams combined. And just a few weeks ago critics were praising our teams (mostly SA critics) saying we could have 3 in the semis. My prediction remains of the Blues and Crusaders making the top 4, joined by an aussie team and probably another kiwi team.

The most depressing aspect of our rugby is the lack of progress. 1 try in 4 games. we don’t seem to learn. The Bulls still run into each other and are accidentally offside at least once a game, as well as giving away offensive penalties at the breakdown. The lack of ability to run the ball is a worry with all our teams and the lack of grace and scoring tries. And each of our teams consistently runs into touch when they do eventually shovel the ball along the backline. Do they not know it hands the ball back to the opposition?? Surely the coaches have to share the responsibility here. A good coach is someone who can spot this and fix it.

I hope i can be proven wrong…unfortunately, as with every other year, I am looking forward to super 14 2008 and hopeing we can do better!