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
