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**dudeabides** · 02-26-2010, 03:16 AM

A preview of the upcoming games, including extended coverage of Stormers v Brumbies:

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There were no signs of conservatism last weekend as the Super 14 season entered its second week, with the Bulls again coming out on top.

The reigning champions are one point clear of the chasing pack following bonus-point wins over the Cheetahs and Brumbies, with a cool 101 points scored in their opening games. Frans Ludeke's men are again at home this week, with the Waratahs the visitors to Loftus.

Derick Kuün will start at openside for the Bulls for the first time in three years - moving back from the hooker position where he played Super Rugby in 2008 and 2009. He replaces Deon Stegmann while Danie Rossouw has recovered from a neck injury and packs down at No.8 in the place of Pierre Spies who is still recovering from a knock to the knee. Ludeke left his back line unchanged, although Jaco van der Westhuyzen might replace John Mametsa, providing that his clearance papers from his Japanese club, NEC Green Rockets, arrive on time.

Meanwhile, the visitors have reshuffled their backline following defeat to the Stormers last weekend. Berrick Barnes shifts from fly-half to inside-centre, with Daniel Halangahu promoted to playmaking duties. Kurtley Beale drops to the bench along with lock Will Caldwell, who is replaced by Wallabies tourist Dave Dennis.

The Chiefs made the biggest headlines last weekend by coming out on the right end of a 72-65 scoreline against the Lions in Johannesburg. Ian Foster's men have left South Africa and face the Western Force in Perth on Saturday, with their hosts rooted to the bottom of the table.

Lelia Masaga has replaced fellow All Blacks wing Sitiveni Sivivatu in the Chiefs starting line-up with Masaga's rehabilitation from shoulder surgery perfectly timed for the unbeaten Chiefs after Sivivatu experienced his own shoulder problem during their record-setting 72-65 victory over the Lions in Johannesburg last week. In other changes from last weekend's side, Dwayne Sweeney moves to the left wing and Brendon Leonard starts at scrum-half ahead of Junior Poluleuligaga. In the pack, Romana Graham makes his debut in the second row for the injured Craig Clarke, Tanerau Latimer replaces Luke Braid on the openside flank and Colin Bourke is promoted to No.8 for the suspended Sione Lauaki. There is also a switch at hooker where Hika Elliot starts ahead of Aled de Malmanche.

Scott Staniforth will start on the right wing for the Force having been cleared to play after returning recently from Japan. The other wing position will be filled by Nick Cummins, who has recovered from a foot injury he suffered during the Wallabies training camp in October. Mark Bartholomeusz has been selected at fullback after missing opening two games nad his inclusion allows young star James O'Connor to slide into flyhalf. Outside centre Ryan Cross will resume his position in the centres alongside youngster Mitch Inman who impressed in the No.13 jersey against the Hurricanes in his run-on debut for the Force. In the front row, Nic Henderson returns to the starting side alongside Pek Cowan and Tim Fairbrother while the tight five will be rounded out with locks Tom Hockings and Nathan Sharpe.

The Lions will be hoping for a quieter day at the office when they take on the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium on Saturday, but the home side looked in fine fettle as they picked up a bonus-point win over the Force last time out. Carlos Spencer will return to New Zealand soil in the Lions' backline.

Lock Jason Eaton returns to the Hurricanes' line-up having served a one-week suspension for breaking team protocol. The Hurricanes' haven't revealed exactly what Eaton did, but media reports suggested there had been a verbal dispute with a barman. Coach Colin Cooper made two other changes to his starting 15, with No.8 Rodney So'oialo and openside flanker Karl Lowe making the run-on side for the first time this season.

Lions director of coaching Dick Muir has made only one enforced change from the side beaten by the Chiefs. Experienced lock Willem Stoltz, who is suspended for this match, is replaced by new cap George Earl. It will be the acquisition from Boland's first cap for the Lions and also his Super 14 debut.

The Stormers are in fourth and welcome the star-studded Brumbies to Newlands in our Game of the Week on Friday.

The biggest upset of last round came in Brisbane, where Quade Cooper inspired Queensland Reds to a bonus-point victory over Dan Carter and the Crusaders. Super Rugby returns to Ballymore this weekend as the Reds take aim at the Blues, who got their season up and running with a narrow win over the Highlanders.

Experienced forwards Sean Hardman and Van Humphries have returned from injury to win selection for the Reds. Hardman missed last week's victory over the Crusaders because of an ankle injury and will return via the bench as Saia Faingaa gets his second opportunity in the No.2 jersey. Humphries was given last week off to recover fully from a head knock and returns this week in captain James Horwill's No 5 jersey, following the skipper's season-ending knee injury. Scrum-half Will Genia has taken over the on-field leadership from Horwill and will lead the team out for the first time on Saturday night.

The Blues have made three changes including Rene Ranger switching to centre and All Black prop Tony Woodcock to the reserves. With the Blues having a midfield injury crisis, Ranger, usually a winger, fills in for Isaia Toeva, who went off during the win over the Highlanders last Friday with a hip problem. Apart from Toeava, Luke McAlister and Anthony Tuitavake are also sidelined, while George Pisi could be fit to make a return against the Reds and has been bracketed on the bench.

Coach Pat Lam said Woodcock, who is replaced in the starting front row by Charlie Faumuina, was not quite operating at 100 percent after joining up with the Blues late because of the All Blacks' end of the year tour. Faumuina's inclusion has also resulted in a reshuffle in the front row, with John Afoa moving to loosehead.

The Crusaders are back on home soil this round as they welcome the troubled Sharks to Christchurch. All Blacks Brad Thorn and Wyatt Crockett return to the Crusaders starting side for the first time this season while Richie McCaw will come off the bench. Coach Todd Blackadder had previously resisted rushing lock Thorn into the starting side after his heavy international workload last year while loosehead prop Crockett had been set back by a pre-season ankle injury.

In total, Blackadder has made four personnel changes to the team who lost to the Reds as well as positional change with Jared Payne moving from the right wing to replace Colin Slade at fullback. Sean Maitland will have his first start on the wing and Ryan Crotty, recovered from concussion suffered in a pre-season match, has replaced Tim Bateman at centre. In the forwards, Thorn replaces Isaac Ross, who injured his left ankle at training on Monday, and Crockett takes the place of fellow All Black Owen Franks.

The Durban side are yet to pick up a victory this season and will not get any favours from the home side. John Smit returns to tight-head, with Bismarck du Plessis in at hooker, and England fly-half Andy Goode is set to make his Super 14 debut off the bench for the visitors.

The Cheetahs heaped further woe on the Sharks last weekend thanks to the boot of Naas Olivier and a brilliant individual try from fullback Riaan Viljoen and both players start as they take on the Highlanders at Free State Stadium. Raw Southland flanker John Hardie has been handed his Super 14 debut by Highlanders coach Glenn Moore with Adam Thomson moving to No.8 for the injured Stephen Setephano. The two other changes see Fetu'u Vainikolo replace James Paterson on the left wing while Kendrick Lynn returns from a groin injury to centre enabling Jason Shoemark to return to centre at the expense of Jason Hayward.

**dudeabides** · 02-26-2010, 03:16 AM

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The unbeaten Stormers entertain the Brumbies at Newlands on Friday in the pick of the latest round of Super 14 action.

The hosts enter the clash on the back of victories over the Lions in Round 1 and the fancied Waratahs last weekend while the Brumbies made a winning start to their campaign against the Force before coming off second best against the Bulls in Pretoria. The Brumbies will be chasing their first win at Newlands Stadium since 2004 when they defeated the Stormers 33-15.

The Stormers have been stripped of captain Schalk Burger who is sidelined with a hamstring injury with Pieter Louw taking his place on the flank after a very impressive performance as a susbtitute last Saturday. Lock Andries Bekker is rewarded for his man of the match display against the Waratahs with the captaincy in Burger's absence.

"Obviously Schalla is a big blow for the team, as your captain and as a world class player, but when Schalla moves out there's an opportunity for Pieter Louw whose got more than 50 caps for WP," said head coach Allister Coetzee. "We've got no doubt this year in our back-up players. All is well with our depth and I'm very pleased with where we are. Dries took over the captaincy last week when we were under pressure and the whole side is quite a settled side and it just showed that the leadership has grown a bit and that's a good position to be in."

Coetzee said Burger's injury was a grade one tear and that normally requires a 10 to 14 day recovery time. "We want to make sure he has the best possible time to recover fully. We don't want have this become a chronic thing. We want to be fair on Schalla because there's a long season ahead and when he comes back we want to make sure he continues to play as many games as possible."

Ricky Januarie also celebrated his return to the starting XV with a accomplished performance last weekend and retains his place ahead of Dewaldt Duvenhage, who was the first-choice scrumhalf last season. "It's just a matter of the challenges we're faced with in the week and the best way to exploit them and that's what I base my selection on," explained Coetzee. "Ricky played well last week and you guys would have written me off if I hadn't selected him this week."

The Brumbies have made one change to the side over-powered by the Bulls last time out with lock Ben Hand making his first run-on appearance of 2010 having started every game in 2009. Hand replaces Justin Harrison in the second row with the veteran lock to start from the bench. Hand will pack down alongside Mark Chisholm behind the front row of Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and Salesi Ma'afu.

After making his return to Super Rugby in Pretoria last weekend, flanker Rocky Elsom will once again combine with fellow back-rowers Stephen Hoiles and George Smith, whose try last week was his first since 2006. The Brumbies' backline has remained untouched with Josh Valentine and Matt Giteau teaming up in the halves while Stirling Mortlock and Christian Lealiifano again form the centre pairing. Adam Ashley-Cooper, Francis Fainifo and Pat McCabe, who scored his first Super 14 try last weekend, make up the Brumbies' back three. The replacement bench also includes Matt Tooma who featured for the Cape Town-based Western Province in last year's Currie Cup.

Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend believes his side will require a more sustained effort against the Stormers this weekend. "Last week was a valuable eye-opener for us in that we understand if you play well for only 50 minutes you won't get you the result," he said. "In saying that, I was pleased with how we did front up in that first half and if we can string an 80-minute performance like that together it'll stand us in good stead.

"However, one thing we do need to improve is our discipline. We've conceded 15 and 21 points respectively in penalty goals over the past two weeks, so we'll be doing what we can to ensure we stay on the right side of those 50-50 decisions. There's no doubt Friday's game is a key one for us. If we can leave Perth and South Africa with two wins from the first three weeks - and seven of our next nine matches at home, it has the potential to set you up for a successful season."

Stormers: Joe Pietersen; Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie, Juan De Jongh, Bryan Habana; Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie; Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Pieter Louw, Andries Bekker (c), De Kock Steenkamp, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, JC Kritzinger

Replacements: Deon Fourie, Eusebio Guinazu, Anton Van Zyl, Pieter Myburgh, Dewaldt Duvenage, Lionel Cronje, Sireli Naqelevuki

Brumbies: Adam Ashley Cooper; Pat McCabe, Stirling Mortlock, Christian Lealiifano, Francis Fainifo; Matt Giteau, Josh Valentine; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Salesi Ma'afu, Ben Hand, Mark Chisholm, Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Stephen Hoiles (c)

Replacements: Huia Edmonds, Guy Shepherdson, Justin Harrison, Mitchell Chapman, Patrick Phibbs, Matt Toomua, Tyrone Smith

Stormers look to maintain winning run | Rugby Union | Super 14 2010 | Rugby Preview | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 02-26-2010, 03:18 AM

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The Crusaders got their Super 14 campaign back on track with a 35-6 victory over the Sharks in Christchurch on Friday night.

Winger Zac Guildford notched two tries for the hosts with Adam Whitelock and Quentin MacDonald grabbing late scores to ensure Todd Blackadder's side bounced back from their Round 2 defeat to the Reds in fine style. Fly-half Dan Carter weighed in with 15 points with the boot while All Blacks captain Richie McCaw made his season bow in the second half. The defeat was the Sharks' third in a row with scrum-half Rory Kockott kicking their points while new recruit Andy Goode's Super Rugby debut lasted just five minutes and ended with a yellow card.

In the wake of last week's disastrous 41-20 humbling at the hands of the Reds, the Crusaders were more disciplined, smothering their opponents in the physical exchanges. Up 10-6 at half-time and just 16-6 with nine minutes to play, the hosts rocketed clear with late tries to Guildford, replacement centre Whitelock and replacement hooker MacDonald to snare a bonus point. It took that long for the hosts to shake off the handling errors that had earlier frustrated their attempts to build a lead.

The Sharks rarely threatened, relying on two well-struck penalties from more than 50m out by scrum-half Kockott in the first half for their points, both aided by a stiff breeze. They were starved of possession and territory for the most part by a Crusaders side who also welcomed back All Blacks forwards Brad Thorn and Wyatt Crockett. They were at the heart of victory, establishing dominance at scrum time against an all-Springboks front row while all the home forwards were dominant defenders against opponents who were organised but lacking in attacking verve. Wth four matches on the road to follow, the play-offs already appear a distant hope for the Sharks.

The kick-dominated first half was reminiscent of how the Crusaders won numerous games tight last year, squeezing out a narrow lead through Guildford's sharp try on the cutback. They gradually pulled clear through the boot of Carter before Guildford's second arrived when he intercepted a long, loose pass by Riaan Swanepoel. With defenders increasingly falling off tackles and with Sharks reserve fly-half Goode in the sinbin for a high tackle on Carter, Whitelock and MacDonald took full advantage - the latter in just his second Crusaders appearance.

Twin black marks over the evening came with the sight of Crusaders prop Ben Franks and No.8 Thomas Waldrom hobbling off the field at the end of each half. Carter's 15 points saw him move ahead of former New South Wales Waratah Matt Burke to become the third-highest scorer in Super Rugby on 960.

The Crusaders next week host the Blues while the Sharks face the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.

Crusaders get back to winning ways | Rugby Union | Super 14 2010 | Rugby News | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 02-26-2010, 02:15 PM

Stormers v Brumbies:

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The Brumbies' Josh Valentine spots a gap in the Stormers' defence, Stormers v Brumbies, Super 14, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa, February 26, 2010
Josh Valentine snipes at the Stormers' defence
© Getty Images
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A last-gasp interception from veteran openside George Smith sealed a narrow 19-17 victory for the Brumbies over the Stormers at Newlands in Cape Town.

Stormers flanker Pieter Louw pounced for a try in the final play of the game to give his side the chance of a draw, but fullback Joe Pietersen hooked the vital conversion wide of the uprights.

Moments earlier, Smith had pounced on a loose pass from Stormers tight-head Brok Harris to canter clear, silencing the crowd and ending the home side's unbeaten start to the season.

Pietersen and Brumbies fly-half Matt Giteau traded four penalties in an error-riddled game that failed to hit the heights in terms of entertainment, but the Canberra-based victors will not be too concerned after bouncing back from a heavy defeat to the Bulls.

In a week when the standard of the Super 14 and the new law interpretations were called into question following the Chiefs' 72-65 win over the Lions, both sides struggled to string phases together and there was a dearth of quality attacking play.

The teams looked for early momentum from their loose forwards, with Smith and Duane Vermeulen crashing the ball up from deep. Bryan Habana went close to notching the first score of the game with a darting run but was swallowed up by the visitors' defence.

Quick turnover ball was almost exploited by the Stormers after Stirling Mortlock spilled the ball in midfield, but Jaque Fourie's kick ahead fell harmlessly to Brumbies' fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper. Louw missed out on the opening score when his stretch for the line was deemed to be touch-in-goal by the TMO, a tough call on the flanker following some excellent mauling work by the pack.

Pietersen knocked over the opening points after a midfield surge from Juan de Jongh drew a penalty from Smith but Giteau immediately levelled the scores when Andries Bekker was unfortunate to be pinged for offside.

De Jongh had the Newlands faithful on their feet with a brilliant break through the Brumbies' line, but his well-judged chip ahead took an unfortunate bounce and evaded the onrushing Habana. Pietersen's second penalty deservedly extended the Stormers' lead before Ashley-Cooper's mazy run threatened to unlock their defence, only for Gio Aplon to level the Wallaby with a little help from Pietersen.

The Brumbies levelled proceedings with Giteau's second kick, which arrived after Josh Valentine lured referee Craig Joubert into penalising Habana for not rolling away.

The game exploded into life with Rocky Elsom charging at the heart of the Stormers' defence. The flanker brought Giteau into the line before Aplon latched onto the fly-half's offload, tearing away and leading the Brumbies' defence on a dance before being hauled to earth and swiftly turned over. A raking kick from Peter Grant put the Stormers in decent field position but Fourie's handling let the side down as he bore down on the try-line.

After the break, Louw put the home side on the front foot with a blindside break and had Habana not overrun the pass of hooker Tiaan Liebenberg, who was excellent all game, the Stormers would have notched the opening try. As it was, the ball was spilled in midfield and the Brumbies were able to clear. Pietersen's third penalty opened up a narrow lead but as before the Stormers handed the points back to Giteau when Harris was pinged for going off his feet.

Pietersen missed a long-range kick from just inside the opposition half and the Brumbies were disappointed to see their best period of possession ended by an accidental offside. Giteau finally opened up some space and used Christian Lealiifano well off his shoulder to stretch the hosts but again a basic mistake undid their good work.

Giteau snatched the lead with his fourth kick, which came again from an aggressive kick return and some strong link play between Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander and Elsom. Lealiifano conceded the lead to Pietersen by failing to roll away, having pulled off an excellent tackle on a flying Habana.

The Stormers attacked the Brumbies with a renewed vigour following their levelling score, with Louw continuing his strong game by sniping at the fringes. Liebenberg barrelled through the defence but lost out to Brumbies replacement Huia Edmonds, who ended 8 phases of pressure by hacking downfield.

The game's pivotal moment came when Smith anticipated Harris' terrible pass on the home 22, snaffling possession and just beating Aplon to the try-line. Giteau made no mistake with the conversion.

With time ticking away the Stormers kicked a penalty to the corner, and again using their powerful maul were able to set up position. Louw's blindside dart caught the Brumbies napping and the TMO this time found in favour of the home side. As the Newlands faithful held their breath, though, Pietersen could only produce a dreadful hook to spark the visitors' celebrations.

George Smith snatches victory for Brumbies | Rugby Union | Super 14 2010 | Rugby Match Pack | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 02-27-2010, 03:49 AM

Hurricanes v Lions:

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The Hurricanes eased past the Lions 33-18 at Wellington in Round three of the 2010 Super14 and scored a bonus point in the process.

The Lions were outscored by two tries to four and although the gave the Hurricanes a good contest the Hurricanes never looked like losing.
The Hurricanes led the scoring throughout the match and led 21-7 at half time.

Hooker Andrew Hore scored a brilliant second-half try to lift the Hurricanes in the second half after what was probably the Lions best period.

Hore broke from a ruck 30 meters from the Lions' goal line in the 50th minute, fended off one player and sidestepped another to give the Hurricanes a 13-point lead.

Trailing 21-7, the Lions started the second half strongly, scoring a try through No. 8 Todd Clever who is the first American to play in Super 14.

The Lions closed to 21-15 before Hore's try gave the Hurricanes breathing space.

Tries to lock Michael Paterson, halfback Piri Weepu and winger David Smith gave the Hurricanes their third win in as many games and a bonus point.

The Lions have lost all three of their matches this season.

The Lions now head for Canberra while the Hurricanes head for Bloemfontein where they will face the Cheetahs.

Bonus point Hurricanes blow Lions away | Super 14 Rugby News, Super14 Fixtures,Results

**dudeabides** · 02-27-2010, 12:01 PM

Saturday's Super 14 action

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Chiefs v Western Force:

The Chiefs continued their unbeaten start to the season with a bonus-point 37-19 victory over Western Force in Perth on Saturday.

Following their helter-skelter 72-65 victory over the Lions, the Waikato-based side again showed their attacking pedigree but did not have it all their own way against a Force side still coming to terms with a nightmarish injury list.

Hika Elliot scored the only try of the first half and Stpehen Donald knocked over two penalties to put the Chiefs in control, with James O'Connor and Brett Sheehan replying for the home side. Two penalties from O'Connor after the break brought the Force back into contention but the visitors finally found their feet in attack to turn the tide.

Lelia Masaga was the first man to profit, the flying wing outstripping the cover defence to score in the corner after an alert midfield break from Callum Bruce. No.8 Colin Bourke sealed the points by pirouetting out of a ruck to round off a lengthy period of pressure and while Ryan Cross scored a late consolation for the Force, Sevens specialist Tim Nanai-Williams was able to scamper under a tackle in the dying moments to seal the fourth try and a job well done for the Chiefs.

Reds v Blues:

The Blues have hung on in a classic wet weather Super 14 match at Ballymore to edge out the Reds 27-18. The Reds sustained a lengthy period of pressure with the score at 20-18 but couldn't quite breach the Blues' aggressive defence before a late try to Rudi Wulf secured the victory for the visitors.

In contrast to some of the running rugby of recent weeks, the teams were forced by rainy conditions to look for field position over possession early, and the Reds started the stronger with two Quade Cooper penalties adding to a converted try from halfback Will Genia in the first minute after he reacted brilliantly to catch a deflected Stephen Brett clearance kick and race away.

The Blues fought their way back into the contest and a turning point came on 30 minutes when, after sustain pressure on the Reds line, a 75 metre clearance rolled centimetres over the line behind the corner post. That brought play back and Rene Ranger scored with a determined effort in the corner to keep things close at half time.

It was all Blues in the first half of the second period and they capitalised with tries to Anthony Boric and Alby Mathewson, before Cooper inspired the Reds quick short side passing game to get them upfield and into position for Laurie Weeks to score from a rollover. Both kickers had been inaccurate - Brett kicked two from six - and Cooper's missed conversion and subsequent penalty left the Reds two points behind and desperate. When they tried to pass out from inside their own 22 late on the ball was turned over and Wulf took full advantage.

**dudeabides** · 02-27-2010, 01:07 PM

Cheetahs v Highlanders:

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The Highlanders earned their first victory of the 2010 season when they beat the Cheetahs 24-31 in Bloemfontein in Round three of the Super14.

The Highlanders led 9-15 at half time after scoring the only two tries of the match through Kendrick Lynn and Fetu’,u Vainikolo.

They held on to the lead and started to create some space between the Cheetahs for most of the third quarter.

Heinrich Brussouw breathed some life into the Cheetahs with a try which was converted by Naas Olivier and that brought the Cheetahs to within two points.

The Highlanders however hit back with a try by Michael Hobbs after Israel Dagg had kicked a penalty.

The South African TMO had a busy match and was called on three times in the match and coincidentally found in favour of the South African team three times.

Highlanders bring Cheetahs back down to earth | Super 14 Rugby News, Super14 Fixtures,Results

Bulls v Waratahs:

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The Bulls survived an almighty scare from the Waratahs who gave the Bulls their toughest match probably in the last two years but eventually succumb to the Bulls by 48 points to 38.
The Waratahs took the game to the Bulls from the kick off and it was only in the 50th minute that the Bulls took the lead after trailing 17-26 at half time.

After 10 miuntes the Waratahs were leading 0-17.

Even then the Waratahs kept hot on the Bulls heels until a a try two minutes from full time gave the Bulls some breathing space.

Both teams picked up bonus points for scoring four tries.

http://www.super14.com/news/viewarticle.asp?id=24616

**dudeabides** · 02-28-2010, 01:41 PM

The four teams in line for the playoff at this stage are:

1. Bulls (3-0) 15 pts.
2. Hurricanes (3-0) 14 pts.
3. Chiefs (3-0) 14 pts.
4. Crusaders (2-1) 10 pts.