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**dudeabides** · 04-29-2010, 02:32 PM

Almost over, and here is the preview for this rounds matches:

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The top four picture refuses to become any clearer with three rounds of Super 14 action remaining before finals time. Two of the big boys meet in South Africa while it's the last chance for the chasing pack to keep themselves in with a mathematical chance of making the finals.

The Bulls should make it safely to the play-offs with their run of games on home soil but the other three could easily drop out if they switch off for a moment as this frantic and enthralling season draws towards its climax. Competition surprise packets the Reds continue their fairytale season in our Game of the Week against the Brumbies on Saturday.

Second meets third when the Stormers host the Crusaders in Cape Town on Friday with both teams looking to bounce back from last-start losses. The match will be Crusaders captain Richie McCaw's 100th in Super Rugby. The Stormers fell to the in-form Reds in Brisbane last week while the Crusaders suffered a shock loss on Australian soil to the improving Force. Both teams sit level with the Reds on 34 points and with the Waratahs poised on 33, whoever fails to deliver in this match could have their finals fate taken out of their own hands for the last two matches.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has kept the faith with the line-up that lost by three points to the Reds, with JD Moller coming in for injured prop JC Kritzinger in the only change. The Stormers have beaten the other four New Zealand sides this season and will be hoping that last week's defeat was a mere aberration in an otherwise superb season. A clean sweep of New Zealand sides would be a first for a South African franchise.

The Crusaders have rushed Corey Flynn into their starting XV after the hooker recovered from a cracked ankle bone. Ti'i Paulo drops to the bench. Todd Blackadder continues to shuffle the rest of his deck with Wyatt Crockett and George Whitelock coming into the starting pack for Ben Franks and Thomas Waldrom, while Colin Slade starts at fullback, shifting Sean Maitland out to the wing.

Earlier on Friday, the Waratahs will try to keep the pressure on the three teams just ahead of them on a difficult trip to Invercargill to meet the Highlanders. The Waratahs have been there or thereabouts all season but they need to step their game up to the next level if they want to reach and then make an impression in the finals. The Highlanders have suffered some narrow losses in their eight reversals this campaign and will gladly spoil the Waratahs' top four ambitions if the Australians bring so much as a hint of complacency to New Zealand's deep south.

The Highlanders will have to do without star man Michael Hobbs (hand) as well as Tom Donnelly (ankle) and Jamie Mackintosh (foot) due to injuries. Fullback Israel Dagg is the seventh highest points scorer this season, showing his team can pose a threat if they keep things tight on their own line. The Waratahs edged out their fierce rivals, the Brumbies, last week and they now welcome back star hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who has been one of the form forwards of the competition. Polota-Nau is joined in the front row by Dan Palmer, in for injured prop Sekope Kepu.

There's a New Zealand derby on Saturday when the in-form Hurricanes host the Chiefs. Back-to-back wins have helped the 'Canes move up to seventh after a four-match losing streak derailed their season. The Chiefs have failed to achieve consistency and find themselves in tenth place at the bottom of the mid-table backlog. Even the Chiefs still have a mathematical chance of making the play-offs, such has been the close nature of the 2010 competition, but realistically, it's pride and reputations on the line for both teams.

The Hurricanes are sticking with the same XV that edged the Highlanders last week, but the Chiefs are facing some injuries to key players. Sitiveni Sivivatu needs shoulder surgery and will miss the rest of the season, while No.10-No.12 combination Stephen Donald and Mike Delany are both sidelined. Sione Lauaki misses out with a bruised arm after crashing his car through a fence after last week's match. Jason Hona starts on the wing for his run-on debut and Callum Bruce has been handed the fly-half duties. Sona Taumalolo comes in at prop in the other change.

The erratic Blues travel to face the Cheetahs also with a mathematical but unlikely hope of making a post-season appearance. The Blues have five wins and five losses this season, and it's anyone's guess which team will show up to face the lowly Cheetahs, who managed to hold the Chiefs to a draw last week after copping a string of hammerings.

The Cheetahs have a fairly settled side with their stars Juan Smith and Meyer Bosman intact. Frans Viljoen comes in at No.8 and Bjorn Basson starts on the wing in the only changes. The Blues have some baby-related absences, with key backs and expectant fathers Luke McAlister and Rudi Wulf returning to Auckland. Heading in the other direction are lock Anthony Boric and back George Pisi. Powerhouse centre Rene Ranger, who was unstoppable in the middle part of the season, could be in line for a starting berth after falling out of favour with Pat Lam in recent weeks.

Two cellar-dwellers clash at Ellis Park when the Lions host the Force. Rock-bottom Lions have lost every match this season but they've put in more than enough blood and sweat to deserve at least one triumph and they'll be eyeing this as the perfect opportunity to avoid a winless campaign. But the Force are now one of the form teams of the competition, with three wins in their last four. Since having the likes of David Pocock, Matt Hodgson and David Hill on the park together, the Force have looked more contenders than pretenders, but they simply left their run too late this year.

The Force head off for their season-ending tour of South Africa on the back of a stirring win over the Crusaders in Perth, but without the services of starlet James O'Connor. Scott Staniforth is expected to return from injury to take his place on the wing, shifting Cameron Shepherd to fullback.

The Bulls powered back into the outright lead at the top of the table after dismantling the Lions in the second half last week. They'll be desperate to get all the points when they host the Sharks in the last game of the round on Saturday, as tough battles with the Crusaders and Stormers follow. A top two spot is rewarded by a home semi-final and that's just about up for grabs for the Bulls this week. The Sharks have had an incredible season though with five straight wins cancelling out their opening five losses. The Bulls will provide a tougher test than they've faced in recent weeks.

The already imposing Bulls have been bolstered by five changes to their starting XV. Jacques-Louis Potgieter and Bakkies Botha are in line for their first starts of the season, while Fourie du Preez, Deon Stegmann and Francois Hougaard all return to the side. In a tragic blow for Springbok wing Akona Ndungane, he re-broke his leg in training after being pencilled in to make his return from the initial injury last year. For the Sharks, JP Pietersen is out for the rest of the season through injury, with his place in the side going to debutant Lwazi Mvovo. Ryan Kankowski failed a late fitness test on his thumb and misses out, allowing Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel and Jacques Botes to continue in the back-row. In a midfield change, Riaan Swanepoel replaces Andries Strauss.

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**dudeabides** · 04-30-2010, 01:21 PM

Highlanders v Waratahs:

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The Waratahs' finals hopes took a massive blow in the wind and rain of Invercargill as the Highlanders scored an upset 26-10 win on Friday night.

The chilly extremity of New Zealand's South Island gave the Highlanders the perfect home ground advantage and the brilliance of fullback Israel Dagg and superior breakdown play of hooker Jason Rutledge inspired the hosts to just their third triumph of the season.

Adam Thomson scored a double to go with Steven Setephano's early try while Matt Berquist was at one with mother nature as he steered some impressive kicks home in blustery conditions. The Waratahs missed the chance to move into second place in the opening match of the round, instead remaining one point behind the teams in second, third and fourth positions.

Much was made of the hostile locale before the match and the Waratahs looked well out of their comfort zone from the outset. Setephano broke through a scrum and fell over the line in the 10th minute before Dagg's line break create helped set up Thomson's first three minutes later.

The Waratahs could barely string a phase together but started to get some field position through better set piece play. When they finally did get some continuity a superb inside pass by Berrick Barnes put Kurtley Beale under the posts to bring the score back to 12-10 at half time.

Another linebreak by Dagg led to another try for Thomson after the break and only a trio of expert penalties by Berquist disturbed the scorers after that as the Highlanders kicked themselves to complete positional dominance in the perfect wet-weather performance.

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**dudeabides** · 04-30-2010, 03:09 PM

Stormers v Crusaders:

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The Stormers have signalled their Super 14 title credentials with a crushing 42-14 victory over the Crusaders at Newlands.

Peter Grant put the Stormers ahead with a first minute penalty after Richie McCaw, wining his 100th Super Rugby cap, had obstructed at the kick-off. McCaw was also at fault for Grant's second penalty, which the fly-half dispatched with ease before coughing up the first try of the game to Dan Carter. His lazy clearance was charged down by the All Black pivot for a simple run in and conversion.

Grant's third penalty restored the home side's narrow lead and after Carter had squandered a three-pointer he pounced again as half-time approached. Crusaders No.8 Kieran Read then paid the price for persistent breakdown infringements, getting 10 minutes from referee Stuart Dickinson in the final play of the first half.

Jaque Fourie turned the game on its head after the break with a try of rare brilliance. The Springbok centre was put clear by Grant's inside ball and he powered away, stepping three defenders before crashing over. Grant landed the conversion and a brace of penalties soon after to leave the home side in complete control. Grant kept the scoreboard ticking over as time ran down, with Crusaders fullback Colin Slade and Fourie trading late tries in front of a thrilled Newlands faithful.

**dudeabides** · 05-01-2010, 05:53 AM

Chiefs v Hurricanes:

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Ma'a Nonu's double helped earned the Hurricanes a thrilling 33-27 victory over the Chiefs in Wellington to keep their faint finals hopes alive.

The Chiefs led from early in the match but Nonu's second try late in the second half nudged his team in front by a point, before Neemia Tialata's last minute effort earned a precious bonus for the 'Canes.

Inside centre Jackson Willison crossed for the Chiefs after Hurricanes No.10 Aaron Cruden dropped the ball cold in his own 22. That didn't quell their expansive game though, and they were soon rewarded by a try to Cory Jane after an initial line break by Nonu.

After a period of sustained pressure by the Chiefs pack the honour of crashing over went to prop Sona Taumalolo to put the visitors in front. The uber-talented Tim Nanai-Williams then scored one of the individual tries of the season by stepping through a nonexistent hole in the 'Canes line and slipping past Jane to dive over.

The Chiefs then collected a first-half bonus point as captain Liam Messam broke from a scrum suspiciously early to intercept No.8 Rodney So'oialo's pop pass and run away to score his side's fourth try.

Nonu hit back with a typically powerful effort to keep the gap at nine points at the break, but despite both teams throwing the ball around freely the scoring was restricted to a series of penalties until Nonu busted through in trademark fashion in the 74th minute, and an exhausted Chiefs side couldn't dent the Hurricanes' charge at the top four.

**dudeabides** · 05-01-2010, 07:17 PM

Bulls v Sharks:

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The Bulls produced a battling second-half display to notch a 27-19 victory over South Africa rivals the Sharks and cement their place at the top of the Super 14 table.

The boot of Sharks fly-half Andy Goode kicked the visitors into a 12-9 lead at the break but the Bulls roared back and tries from Jacques-Louis Potgieter and Gerhard van den Heever handed them a lead they never relinquished despite a late score from Rory Kockott.

Goode gave the Sharks, who needed to win all of their remaining games and add a bonus point in each, an early lead with a fifth-minute penalty. Morne Steyn missed the chance to draw the hosts level and England international Goode punished the mistake by slotting over to move the Sharks 6-0 ahead. Steyn and Goode traded further penalties as the boot continued to dominate and when Goode converted another opportunity after 23 minutes the Sharks were full value for their advantage. Steyn finally found his range as the half wore on and two cool penalties saw the visitors' advantage trimmed to three points at the break.

Steyn missed the chance to drag his side level at the start of the second period but it proved only temporary respite for the Sharks as the hosts upped the tempo. Steyn made it 12-12 before the Bulls finally grabbed the opening try of the match on the hour mark. Potgieter opened up the Sharks defence before picking out Zane Kirchner. Kirchner powered on before slipping the ball back to Potgieter to go over for a score converted by Steyn.

Steyn notched another penalty to extend the Bulls' lead to 22-12 and the game was as good as won when Fourie du Preez's kick for the corner fell loose and Van den Heever was on hand to gather and touch down. The Sharks, having watched Steyn miss the conversion, had the final say when Kockott sprinted in from 40 metres to reduce the deficit. Ruan Pienaar added the extras but it wasn't enough.

Cheetahs v Blues:

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The Cheetahs added some further respectability to their current campaign with a 36-32 bonus point victory over the Blues in Bloemfontein to dent the Kiwis hopes of forcing their way into the play-off picture. But they required a final-quarter rally to seal victory after Rene Ranger and Alby Mathewson put the Blues 27-22 ahead. Replacement Philip van der Walt cancelled out that advantage and Waltie Vermeulen's converted score proved decisive.

The Cheetahs had held a comfortable 22-13 advantage at half-time thanks to South Africa flanker Juan Smith's third-minute try and further scores from wings Jongi Nokwe and Bjorn Basson. Centre Isaia Toeava had responded for the Blues, Stephen Brett kicking their other eight points. But when Ranger and Mathewson crossed it looked as though the Blues would go into their last two fixtures, against the Lions and the Chiefs, with their hopes of advancing intact.

But forward Van der Valt, on as a blood-bin replacement, had other ideas and Vermeulen's try opened up a nine-point gap. Blues wing Anthony Tuitavake pulled a try back but Brett's missed conversion left them still needing a further try and a valiant push in stoppage time was thwarted.

Lions v Force:

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And Western Force heaped woe on the rock-bottom Lions with a 33-12 victory in Johannesburg. After David Hill and Herkie Kruger traded four first-half penalties apiece, Scott Staniforth broke through late in the first half. And scores after the break from Hill and Mark Bartholomeusz made victory secure, leaving the Force 11th in the table.

Hill set the Perth side on their way with two penalties in the first three minutes. And they led 9-3 after the Lions' Kruger and Hill traded further shots, with Brett Sheehan off target for the Force with another effort in between. Hill stretched the lead by a further three points as the kicking duel continued, but indiscipline from the Australian side allowed Kruger to kick nine points in eight minutes and level the scores at 12 apiece.

Flanker Matt Hodgson had been sin-binned along the way, but when the Lions' Wikus van Heerden followed five minutes before the interval the Force took full advantage. A rare passage of spirited attacking running saw Bartholomeusz make good ground and set up a move which ended with Staniforth touching down. Hill added the extras to make it 19-12 at the interval. Whatever Dick Muir and Ray Mordt said to the Lions at half-time seemed to spur them into life and they twice surged towards the visitors' line only to knock on as the chance presented itself.

The Force responded and Nathan Sharpe was held at bay a yard out before good work by prop Matt Dunning went to waste as a subsequent pass went to ground. Staniforth was forced into touch but the breakthrough came when Pek Cowan received good line-out ball and put Hill over, the fly-half converting his own try. And Hill repeated the dose after Bartholomeusz crossed to complete a comfortable win.

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**dudeabides** · 05-01-2010, 07:19 PM

And finally, Brumbies v Queensland Reds:

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The Brumbies breathed life into their bid for this year's Super 14 title with an impressive 32-12 victory over the Reds at Canberra Stadium.

Two tries from loose-head Ben Alexander and further scores from lock David Chisholm and scrum-half Josh Valentine saw the hosts climb to sixth place on the ladder with fly-half Matt Giteau pulling the strings to claim victory in his showdown with Reds counterpart Quade Cooper who kicked all of his side's points. The Reds, who despite the loss remain in the play-off picture in fourth, were second in all departments and are now without a win against their Australian rivals since 1999.

In a lively opening the Reds applied all the early pressure with fly-half Quade Cooper almost picking off an interception but an error from flanker Daniel Braid gifted great field position to the Brumbies and when the Reds strayed offside the home side boldly opted for the scrum. And they were rewarded for their gamble when lock Chisholm powered over from close range for the opening try of the game. Giteau added the difficult conversion to cement the Brumbies deserved lead.

The Reds rallied well with Anthony Faingaa looking dangerous with ball in hand but Giteau's boot cleared the danger and continued to dictate proceedings. Scrum-half Josh Valentine opted for a quick tap when the Reds conceded another penalty in the shadow of their own posts soon after and although he was held up the Brumbies were handed another opportunity with the referee opting to penalise the Reds for not retreating. This time the Brumbies opted for the scrum and the Reds' creaking defence finally gave way again with loose-head Alexander burrowing his way over. The increasingly-influential Giteau ensured another maximum with an excellent kick for the extras.

The Reds finally got on the board thanks to a Cooper penalty a couple of minutes later but the ferocity of the Brumbies at the breakdown continued to bring further reward in terms of field position and momentum. However, a sloppy penalty for not retreating on a kick allowed Cooper to reduce the arrears with his second penalty.

Referee Chris Pollock, in charge after Steve Walsh was stood down for the game, then felt compelled to have a word with Reds captain Will Genia and his Brumbies counterpart Stephen Hoiles due to the amount of skirmishes off-the-ball but the break in the action failed to slow the home side who continued to press as the half drew to a close. Alexander went close to his second try but some excellent scrambling defence saw Genia snaffled the ball before Cooper cleared the danger. Prop Jack Kennedy was penalised for coming in from the side in the last act of the opening period but Giteau was unable to extend his side's lead from the kicking tee.

The Reds looked to raise their game after the break and their decision to stick to the basics led to significant time in possession but they found their way blocked on more than one occasion by some well-regimented defence. However, the Brumbies eagerness got the better of them and Cooper duly punished them with the first points of the second half. The Reds continued to turn the screw and Cooper soon had his fourth penalty when Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore was penalised inside his own 22 for not releasing the elusive Genia. In a rare foray into the Reds' 22, fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper took some stopping as he joined the line at pace and when the ball was recycled Valentine darted through a gap and the tackle of Cooper to notch his side's third try and stop that stopped the rot. Giteau slotted his third conversion to give the Brumbies a little more breathing room.

The Brumbies were soon knocking on the door again with a superb burst from flanker Rocky Elsom taking his team into the 22 but Ashley-Cooper could not hold what looked to be a scoring pass. Giteau was next to find a gap in the Reds' defence and Ashley-Cooper almost atoned for his earlier mistake before a knock gave the Brumbies the scrum under the posts. Pressure at scrum time drew yet another penalty against the Reds and Hoiles signalled to Giteau to go for the easy kick and his fly-half obliged.

Even with the game seemingly safe, the Brumbies refused to let up with Giteau orchestrating another powerful surge that resulted in replacement hooker Huia Edmonds losing the ball as he looked to score from close range. But play was called back for an earlier penalty and Giteau kicked to the corner in search of the bonus point try. And it was in the bag when Alexander darted over on the shortside after a well-worked lineout move. Giteau could only pull his conversion attempt wide of the posts but the contest was over. The Wallabies star added one final penalty from long range to set the seal on the victory and ensure the Rod Macqueen Cup remains in the nation's capital for at least another year.

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rugbyskier · 05-01-2010, 07:42 PM

A good summary of the Brumbies v Reds match that I attended. One minor error in the report though - the Brumbies second rower is Mark Chisholm, not David.

As a Brumbies supporter who also likes the Reds, I was pleased to see the Brumbies finally get their act together and deliver a performance this season that they have been capable of doing but not quite achieving. However, I also recognise that this has made life very difficult for the Reds going into the last two rounds of the Super 14 and it would be a shame to see them miss out on the finals as they've played good attacking rugby in most of their matches this year and they should be rewarded for that.

**dudeabides** · 05-02-2010, 01:27 AM

Thank you for your take on that match, I envy you of going to see them, had to set the alarm at 4:40 this morning to see them here. It's unbelievably close in the table once you get past the Bulls and Stormers. The Crusaders and Reds both have 34 points, the Waratahs have 33, and the Brumbies 32. Bulls v Crusaders and Chiefs v Waratahs are going to be fun.