The 6th round of the super14 has started to separate he contenders from the pretenders. Effectively the challenges from the Cheaters, Stormers and Worrytahs are gone. The Blues and the Sharks look assured of semi final spots at this stage. This weekend was highlighted with refereeing inconsistencies. Especially at the breakdown and in the scrums. Some teams are adapting better than others but sometimes it is beyond their control. And when we have TMO decisions that go against what we the viewers and commentators think, I believe they should have to explain how they arrived at their decision. Effectively it can costs teams games, which in the end may determine semi final places.
Super 14 Log
Blues 23
Sharks 20
Bulls 18
Farce 16
Islanders 16
Lions 16
Brumbies 14
Horrorcanes 14
Crusaders 12
Cheaters 12
Stormers 10
Chiefs 7
Worrytahs 7
Reds 6
Reds thumped at the House of Pain
The Islanders thumped the Reds 33-17, and scored a bonus point in their Super 14 rugby match played at Carisbrook in Dunedin on Friday
Islanders 33: Tries by Aaron Bancroft (3 min), Lucky Mulipola (28 min), Glen Horton (56 min), Jason MacDonald (73 min). Nick Evans kicked two penalties and two conversions and Aaron Bancroft a dropped goal.
Reds 17: Tries by Berrick Barnes (32 min), John Roe (43 min). Barnes kicked two conversions and a penalty
Stormers season over after loss to Brumbies
The Stormers must be the most inconsistent team on the planet. They lose games we expect them to win and eventually win when we expect them to lose. In losing 26-13 their season has gone so they may as well through caution to the win and play the expansive game they talk about but never produce. A change of coach on their return home should take place as it would otherwise simply be delaying the inevitable.
Brumbies 26: Tries: Mark Chisholm, Sterling Mortlock and Adam Ashley-Cooper. Conversion: Sterling Mortlock. Penalties: Sterling Mortlock 3.
Stormers 13: Try Gio Aplon. Conversion: Peter Grant. Penalties: Peter Grant 2.
Shepherd squeaks the Farce home
Cameron Shepherd scored at the death and kicked a sideline conversion to finally end the home jinx for the farce, as they beat the Horrorcanes 18-17 in Perth on Friday night
Farce 18: Tries by Drew Mitchell (4 min) and Cameron Shepherd (79 min). Cameron Shepherd kicked a conversion and two penalties.
Horrorcanes 17: Tries by Tana Umaga (34 min) and Jimmy Gopperth (76 min). Blair Stewart kicked a conversion and a penalty and Jimmy Gopperth a conversion
Lions hammered in Auckland
The Blues blitzed the Lions in the first half, scoring the bonus point try in the 37th minute to knock the wind out of the Lions challenge. The Lions created many chances but simple errors and turnovers at the breakdown cost them dearly. It hows that passion can only take you so far, at some stage your luck will run out. The challenge for the Lions is to match their skill level with their passion. And why do coaches persist with Doppies La Grange? Do we really have no one better?
Blues 41: Tries David Holwell, Rudi Wulf, Doug Howlett (2), Ben Atiga, Daniel Braid. Conversions: Holwell (4). Penalty: Holwell
Lions 14: Tries: Louis Ludik, Ettienne Reynecke. Conversions: André Pretorius, Earl Rose.
Bulls break Sydney hoodoo
The Bulls made the most of their chances and finally used their brains in playing to a plan and overcoming the Worrytahs to win for the first time in Sydney. I only wonder why don’t they utilize the skills of Bryan Habana every game as he showed how dangerous he can be with a bit of space and, and utilizing his pace can leave the opposition for dead. He can be either given the ball in space or run onto kicks as they did against the Worrytahs. Either way he will create you tries. The only Worry other than the Tahs was the poor performance of the Bulls set pieces on their own possession.
Bulls 32: Tries by Bryan Habana (16 min), Fourie du Preez (40 min), Habana (43 min), Du Preez (57 min). Derick Hougaard kicked three conversions and two penalties
Waratahs 19: Try by Kurtley Beale (76 min). Peter Hewat kicked four penalties and a conversion.
Sharks remain unbeaten in Bloemfontein
It was a black day in Bloemfontein as the Sharks beat the Cheaters 30-14. In the end the willingness of the Sharks to mix it up ensured enough line breaks to capitalize on and score 3 tries, whilst the one dimensional play of the Cheaters became predictable and easy to defend after 20 minutes. The standard of refereeing I thought was below par and aided the Cheaters who went unpunished for taking out sharks players off the ball on at least 3 critical occasions. The Cheaters look destined to now finish in the lower half of the table. Has Rassie been found out?
Sharks 30 : Tries Jacques Botes, Waylon Murray, JP Pietersen. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (3). Penalties: Pienaar (3).
Vodacom Cheetahs 14: Tries Juan Smith, Herkie Kruger. Conversions: Willem de Waal (2)
