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**dudeabides** · 02-19-2010, 06:14 AM

Highlanders v. Blues:

Quote:

The Blues held off a late Highlanders charge with Rene Ranger in the sin-bin to retain the Gordon Hunter trophy as they beat the Highlanders 15-19 at Carisbrook in Dunedin on Friday.

Fifteen minutes earlier the Blues had the Highlanders under pressure at their tryline with an extra man as Highlanders Josh Bekhuis was in the sin bin.

The Highlanders managed to hold the Blues out and did not concede a point while Bekhuis was in the bin which gave them confidence to mount their comeback.

Fullback Paul Williams who was making his first start for the Blues scored two tries against his old side - one in each half.

Blues winger Rene Ranger, whom Williams displaced in the starting 15, came off the bench to score a try but was later sin-binned in a match punctuated by penalties.

Highlanders flyhalf Michael Hobbs scored his third try in two matches, while Israel Dagg also scored a try and kicked a penalty.

"We know how hard it is to come down here to Carisbrook - it's probably one of the toughest games in Super 14, so we're really delighted with the result," Blues captain Keven Mealamu said.

Williams, son of the All Blacks great Bryan Williams, scored a try after only eight minutes during early Blues domination.

The Blues, 1-1 for the season, worked an overlap on the right-hand flank and poor Highlanders defense gave Williams a try, converted from the sideline by flyhalf Stephen Brett.

Highlanders who have now lost both of their matches this season responded with a try to Dagg, engineered by James Patterson who made a sharp midfield break.

Patterson's long pass to Dagg gave space to the talented fullback who crashed through tackles to score.

The Highlanders were superior in lineouts and scrums, and their disruption of a Blues lineout led to Hobbs' try, as Blues prop Tony Woodcock lost possession.

Williams scored his second try 12 minutes into the second half, when his clearance from deep defense was partially charged down by the Highlanders but fell to the Blues players who had been put onside by the deflection.

Ranger scored four minutes later and the Blues led 19-12, a margin that survived late pressure from the Highlanders.

"We had a great first half didn't and we played pretty well but the Blues got a couple of soft tries in the second half," Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan said.

"Hopefully if we play like that again we'll get a win pretty soon."

Blues hold off Highlanders in Dunedin | Super 14 Rugby News, Super14 Fixtures,Results

**dudeabides** · 02-19-2010, 07:18 PM

Chiefs v Lions:

Quote:

The Chiefs won a helter-skelter game of 18 tries 72-65 against the Lions at Ellis Park on Friday night, breaking the aggregate score record for the Super 14.

Callum Bruce crossed the Lions' line in the opening minute to set the tone, with Stephen Donald extending the lead from the kicking tee. Earl Rose landed two penalties in response before Chiefs skipper Sione Lauaki saw yellow for a spear tackle.

Despite their man disadvantage the Chiefs scored next as Richard Kahui carved through some static Lions defence from first-phase. Impressive young wing Wandile Mjekevu hit back immediately for the home side, picking a nice angle and backing his pace to score in the corner. Aled de Malmanche followed Lauaki to the bin for collapsing a maul and the home side rallied with an excellent try to US Eagles skipper Todd Clever.

Former All Black Carlos Spencer tormented the Chiefs with the third score as the Lions played some excellent high-tempo rugby but the home side squandered a number of attacking opportunities, allowing Donald to dart in and score under the posts for a 27-25 half-time lead. Liam Messam extended the lead immediately after the break as the game broke down in the Chiefs' favour.

Kahui added a quick-fire brace to complete his hat-trick, while Junior Poluleuligaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu rounded off flowing team moves. Doppies la Grange scored the Lions' bonus-point try after Kahui was binned harshly for a dump tackle, and Tonderai Chavhanga brought up the century of points out wide. Mjekevu's hat-trick arrived before the end, but only after Chiefs scrum-half Brendon Leonard had racked up 70 points for the visitors. Cobus Grobelaar scored the Lions' eighth and Jacques Lombard the ninth to secure a remarkable second bonus-point.

Cheetahs v Sharks:

Quote:

The Cheetahs secured their first win of the new season with a gutsy 25-20 victory over the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

Fullback Riaan Viljoen scored a brilliant individual try for the visitors while Ryan Kankowski replied in vain for the Sharks, who lost by a single point to the Chiefs last weekend.Rory Kockott and Naas Olivier traded early penalties but both sides were under pressure following an error-riddled start.

Viljoen ignited a tense game, collecting a Garryowen on his own 22 before carving a path through some static Sharks defence. Ruan Pienaar bought the fullback's final dummy and he glided across to give the visitors the lead. Kockott missed two shots at goal as the crowd grew restless, but was handed two simple opportunities before the break by some over-zealous Cheetahs defence.

The Sharks hit the front immediately after the restart thanks to Kankowski, but the visitors showed determination to provide Olivier with another successful shot at goal. Viljoen assumed kicking duties for a long-range shot and extended the Cheetahs' lead as the clock ticked past an hour. Kockott reduced the arrears as the Sharks' scrum won a penalty but a drop-goal from Olivier re-opened a five-point margin. Olivier put the game to bed with another penalty before Kockott slotted a last-minute penalty that brought a bonus-point to the hosts.

Reds v Crusaders:

Quote:

The Reds scored the first major upset of this season's Super 14 with a 41-20 bonus point victory over the Crusaders in Brisbane.

The Crusaders have frequently dug themselves out of a hole on Queensland soil in previous years but not on this occasion as the Reds atoned for last week's final quarter 28-30 meltdown against the Waratahs by holding their composure throughout. Ahead 14-6 at the break, the Reds maintained the rage to deservedly secure the four-try bonus point when the irrepressible Quade Cooper - who compiled a record 31 points - intercepted an Andy Ellis pass to stroll between the posts with five minutes remaining.

The Reds were Crusader-like in their execution, capitalising on a wealth of turnover ball to run in some superb counter attacking tries, notably through speedster Rod Davies when lock Adam Byrnes was in the sinbin for delaying the Crusaders' opening five-pointer. When Ellis dived over a minute after Byrnes was yellow-carded close to the line on the hour, a trademark Crusaders comeback threatened - though only briefly.

Morgan Turunui swiftly picked up off a dropped ball and set Davies on an angled 40-metre run to the line to put the Reds out of sight at 34-13 before Cooper iced a compelling performance.

Chiefs clinch 18-try thriller | Rugby Union | Super 14 2010 | Rugby News | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 02-20-2010, 11:14 AM

Hurricanes v Western Force:

Quote:

The Hurricanes blew away an injury-hit Western Force side 47-22 to secure a bonus point and continue their winning start to the new season in Wellington on Saturday.

The 2010 edition of Super 14 is promising to be a points-fest and this match at Westpac Stadium was no different, with the home team running in seven tries to the visitors' three. A stubborn Force outfit held the Hurricanes to an 18-8 half-time lead, but a series of repelled attacks at the try line and missed kicks by young fullback James O'Connor seemed to dishearten the Force, removing any chance of an upset.

Corey Jane and David Smith got the hosts off to a hot start but Josh Tatapu hit back to add to O'Connor's early penalty. O'Connor's conversion attempt from out wide hit the post and then the crossbar before missing by inches. Then his penalty attempt from in front and medium range shaved the post and missed on the cusp of half time. O'Connor played in No.15 but spent the game at first receiver, the young Wallaby tasked with steering the Perth-based side around the park in the absence of injured fly-half options Andre Pretorius and Mark Bartholomeusz.

The Hurricanes put their foot on the accelerator in the second half and took control through tries to Michael Paterson, Smith, Neemia Tialata, Ma'a Nonu and debutant Tyson Keats - the points were coming in from all angles and the Force's tackling left a lot to be desired as their heads dropped. Each team took the opportunity to blood some youngsters, particularly the injury-ridden Force, and there were tries on debut for Dane Haylett-Petty and Chris O'Young, albeit consolations.

**dudeabides** · 02-20-2010, 01:35 PM

Bulls v Brumbies:

Quote:

The Bulls moved to the top of the Super 14 table with a 50-32 victory over the Brumbies at Loftus Versfeld.

Fly-half Morne Steyn was the star of the show for the defending champions with the Springboks No.10 weighing in with 35 points courtesy of two tries, five penalties and five conversions as the hosts recorded their 12th successive victory at their Pretoria home. Scrum-half Fourie du Preez, winger Gerhard van den Heever and centre Wynand Olivier also crossed for tries to ensured Frans Ludeke's side began this season's competition with back-to-back bonus point wins.

First-half tries from Rocky Elsom and George Smith gave the Brumbies and early lead which they held at the break but they were unable to withstand the second half onslaught from the Bulls with winger Pat McCabe's last minute score nothing more than consolation. Veteran centre Stirling Mortlock slotted four penalties and a conversion for the Australian side with fly-half Matt Giteau adding a drop goal.

The Bulls welcomed back the versatile Francois Hougaard on the wing in place of John Mametsa while youngster Stephan Dippenaar was drafted into midfield as a replacement for the injured Jaco Pretorius. Danie Rossouw was earmarked to continue in the second-row during the injury absence of Bakkies Botha but picked up a neck injury in training, his place going to Flip van der Merwe.

The Brumbies dominated the post-season transfer with the acquisition of Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom and fly-half Matt Giteau and both players made their season bow with Elsom slotting into a formidable back-row alongside George Smith and Stephen Hoiles and Giteau replacing Matt Toomua at fly-half.

The home side conceded an early penalty for obstruction and were punished by Mortlock but Steyn levelled things up having missed an earlier long-range effort. But the Brumbies struck back with the opening try of the game courtesy of a powerful drive from Elsom - the flanker collecting the ball wide on the left from Ben Alexander and charging his way over to score in the corner. Mortlock missed the conversion and another Steyn penalty slashed the visitors' lead to just two points midway through the half.

The Australians, though, refused to lie down and claimed their second try when Elsom intercepted a pass and offloaded to Stephen Hoiles, who then sent Smith away to score under the post, with Mortlock finding his range this time to add the extras. The Bulls then benfited from some good fortune - Du Preez picking up the ball and running in at the line, with referee Mark Lawrence helping him out as he obstructed Alexander's attempted tackle. Steyn converted, but again the visitors came back strongly with Mortlock putting the ball over easily after the hosts conceded a penalty.

There was no luck needed for the Bulls' second score which came after some patient build-up play with Du Preez picking out Steyn who cut through close to the post. The conversion was added and, just as the Bulls looked liked they were going to head into the break in the lead, Mortlock sent over another three-pointer to hand his side a 21-20 lead.

Straight from the restart, a moment of brilliance from Matt Giteau extended the lead further - the Brumbies' No.10 sending over a drop goal from more than 40 metres out. Another penalty from Mortlock followed making it a seven-point game, but the Bulls then began their fightback.

First Steyn continued to show his accuracy with another penalty, followed by two tries - the first saw Van den Heever make the most of a loose ball at the back of the line-out. He controlled well and then eased his way over the line, followed by a bonus-point touchdown seconds later when Olivier found a gap in the Brumbies defence and charged through to score in the left corner. Steyn converted on both occasions as the gap was suddenly 10 in the Bulls' favour, before adding another 13 points to cap another vintage performance and seal the win.

Bulls down Brumbies in points-fest | Rugby Union | Super 14 2010 | Rugby Match Pack | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 02-20-2010, 05:29 PM

Stormers v Waratahs:

Quote:

Bryan Habana scored two tries in the Stormers 27-6 victory over the Waratahs at Newlands in Cape Town.

The match failed to live up to it's promise and was largely a defensive armwrestle broken only by the two moments from the Stormers new signing Bryan Habana.
The Waratahs started the match at pace and Drew Mitchell had two attacking runs but when no points came from the attack the Waratahs seemed to settle back into their slow and plodding game plan which could only produce two penalties from Berrick Barnes.

The Stormers also fell into their old habits and seemed a little disinterested in scoring the fourth try which would have given them a bonus point.

Skipper Schalk Burger led the early charges with a few bullocking runs that drew frequent roars from the Newlands faithfull but the Stormers did not pose a real threat to the Waratahs as their efforts were thwarted by a spate of knock-ons in their approach work.

Waratahs flyhalf Berrick Barnes opened the scoring with a 17th minute penalty which seemed to provide the Aussie visitors with a lift as they launched several moves into the Stormers half of the field.

However, the Stormers defence nipped their most promising moves in the bud and at the same time thy hosts tried to mount counter-attacks from inside their own half -one of which paved he way for a 29th minute try when flanker Francois Louw was driven over by his team mates.

Fullback Joe Pieterson goaled the conversion for a 7-3 lead.

The Stormers took their captain Schalk Burger off early on in the match due to a hamstring strain and said later that taking him off was more of a precautionary measure.

Burger's captaincy was taken over by Andries Bekker who went on to win man of the match. Burger's on field replacement was Pieter Louw.

The Stormers grew in confidence as the half wound to its close and Pietersen crowned their strong finish with two penalties in quick succession to open up a 13-7 lead at the break.

The second half started off on a hectic note as 10 points were scored in the first four minutes.

First Barnes banged over a penalty to reduce the deficit for the Waratahs and in the next minute winger Bryan Habana cantered in for his first try in a Stormers jersey after he coolly collected a charge-down from a clearance by Waratahs centre Kurtley Beale.

Pietersen snapped over the conversion and the Stormers were 14 points ahead.

The 37 000 strong crowd were on their feet 10 minutes later as the Stormers' pressure started taking its toll on the Waratahs defence.

From a scrum 15 metres out scrumhalf Ricky Januarie broke powerfully and once he had sucked in the opposition's midfield he reeled out a scoring pass to Habana.

Pietersen added the conversion once again.

This setback took the sting out of the Waratahs' challenge and although they sprung a few attempts to undo the Stormers' grip on the match they were on the backfoot for most of the time in the final 15 minutes of the match.

They did, however, wage one concerted scoring effort at the death but once again the never-say-die Stormers defence saw off their the efforts.

Habana seals Stormers victory over Waratahs | Super 14 Rugby News, Super14 Fixtures,Results

**dudeabides** · 02-21-2010, 01:12 PM

Table after round 2:

1. Bulls (2-0) 10 pts.
2. Hurricanes (2-0) 9 pts.
3. Chiefs (2-0) 9pts.
4. Stormers (2-0) 8 pts.
5. Reds (1-1) 6 pts.
6. Crusaders (1-1) 5 pts.
7. Brumbies (1-1) 4 pts.
8. Blues (1-1) 4 pts.
9. Cheetahs (1-1) 4 pts.
10. Waratahs (1-1) 4 pts.
11. Sharks (0-2) 2 pts.
12. Lions (0-2) 2 pts.
13. Highlanders (0-2) 1 pt.
14. Force (0-2) 0 pts.