The seventh week of the Super 14 saw the Hurricanes potentially drop out of the Semi-final race.

The Hurricanes lost a home game they needed to win, whilst the Bulls showed they can win on the road and maintain their top log position.

Highlanders (39) v Lions (29)

The Highlanders deserved their victory even though they were aided by South Africa’s perennial nemesis Stuart Dickinson.
With a handy lead of 17-5 I am not sure why the Lions would then alter the game plan. Surely that indicates a poorly coached side? Mind you it also shows that the Lions are a side that has a losing culture and just don’t know how to win. Winning is a habit, and unfortunately so is losing.

Brumbies (30) v Chiefs (23)

A close fought game between two fairly even sides. It proved to be the case and the whilst the Brumbies are not the most dangerous side capable to producing moments of magic like the Chiefs, slow and steady proved to be the order of the day as they were the better overall side.

Cheetahs (10) v Reds (31)

What a poor display from the Cheetahs. It hurt them immensely to lose captain Juan Smith, but that is still no excuse for producing such a weak performance.

The Reds looked fairly dangerous with ball in hand, often breaking the advantage line and making good yardage.
Conversely when the Cheetahs had the ball, their handling skills let them down and they coughed up possession far too easily. Damp conditions didn’t help, but they were made to look second rate by a side that is hardly championship material.

The Reds could end up as the best Australian side this year, whilst the Cheetahs season is about to get even worse as they start their familiar slide and join the ranks of the Force and Lions.

Hurricanes (26) v Sharks (29)

Sharks coach John Plumtree indicated after the match that the better side may not have won. I’d tend to agree as the Hurricanes looked more threatening, weren’t aided by the advantage laws, and produced the wrong rugby once they got behind and became desperate.

The Sharks meanwhile showed great determination and all good sides have the ability to win, even when playing below their potential. The Sharks are still not technically great, but have improved their intensity and will to win. It should never require desperation stage to find the determination you should be exhibiting every week regardless.

Waratahs (39) v Blues (32)

The Waratahs-Blues clash was very similar to the Brumbies-Chiefs. Once again a side that does the basics well and shows greater consistency rather than the flash in a pan approach was victorious.

However like Blues coach Pat Lam, I agree the reffing was not fair and is having too much of an influence on matches. This game could easily have gone the other way.

Force (15) v Bulls 28)

I was surprised to hear the Commentators say how great a game this was, with both sides playing attractive running rugby.

3 Tries to 0 would support my theory that there was only 1 side in this contest. In the first half the Bulls started off in rampant form. Once again costly errors cost the Bulls from converting field position, possession and line breaks into points.

Referee Pearce put in a shocking performance. It is a disgrace that the Force were able to head into half time with a 2 point lead courtesy of the referee.

Whenever the Bulls had territory and possession the only thing the Force could do was transgress. It saved them from conceding points, but referee Pearce needed to take stronger action and issue a card.

The second half was much the same, but this time the Bulls came away with points and the introduction of the super subs brought some much needed pace and intensity into the Bulls attack. I thought Flip van der Merwe was very good, and Frans Ludeke may be better off starting with the big lock over Danie Rossouw.

Unfortunately the Bulls could not manage the bonus point, but once again Pearce was partly to blame. The Bulls will be pleased to have gotten the win and started their tour off on the right foot.