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WARATAHS 33 - 32 CRUSADERS

ANZ Stadium, Sydney - Saturday 2 August 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 20-13

HOW IT HAPPENED MINUTE BY MINUTE...

HIGHLIGHTS

Waratahs v Crusaders Tahs come out to rapturous applause & fanfare at ANZ Stadium!
Waratahs 0-0 Crusaders 1min We have KO in Sydney & Craig Joubert is at the helm...
Waratahs 0-0 Crusaders 1min Saders immediately offside & hand over penalty for Bernard Foley to tee up
Waratahs 3-0 Crusaders 2mins Good start for the Tahs as they get on the scoreboard early
Waratahs 8-0 Crusaders 4mins Super teamwork from Tahs as they sidestep Saders & Adam Ashley-Cooper flies over 
Waratahs 8-0 Crusaders 5mins However, Foley misses the conversion though...
Waratahs 8-0 Crusaders 8mins Saders not having a good day as Tahs in control & Sam Whitelock is pinged at breakdown
Waratahs 11-0 Crusaders 11mins And Foley punishes them with 3 more points...
Waratahs 11-0 Crusaders 13mins Yet again...Saders gift another penalty deep in their own territory...
Waratahs 14-0 Crusaders 15mins Joubert's not taking prisoners at the breakdown & Foley adds another 3
Waratahs 14-5 Crusaders 17mins Finally Saders make a mark & emulate Tahs teamwork with Matt Todd scoring
Waratahs 14-7 Crusaders 19mins Dan Carter converts to keep Saders in the game
Waratahs 14-7 Crusaders 20mins Meanwhile Will Skelton replaces Wycliff Palu for the Tahs
Waratahs 17-7 Crusaders 21mins But the Saders haven't learned lesson yet & are pinged AGAIN at breakdown! Foley pen 
Waratahs 17-7 Crusaders 23mins Joubert not biased & pings Foley for not rolling away...but he was trapped
Waratahs 17-7 Crusaders 25mins Michael Hooper overeggs turnover at breakdown & gifts penalty to Tahs in front of posts
Waratahs 17-10 Crusaders 26mins Colin Slade takes penalty as Carter struggles with his left ankle; kick is good
Waratahs 17-10 Crusaders 27mins Time out as Andy Ellis struggles after a tackle he makes...
Waratahs 17-10 Crusaders 29mins Huge tackle from Nadolo on Jacques Potgieter & ball pops forward in Saders 22 
Waratahs 17-10 Crusaders 30mins Excellent scrum from Tahs & win scrum put in while Tom Taylor replaces Carter
Waratahs 17-10 Crusaders 31mins Tahs still in possession tho forced back; head back up to 22...
Waratahs 17-10 Crusaders 32m But Rob Horne pinged at breakdown & Saders have chance to clear Tahs back; lineout on halfway 
Waratahs 17-10 Crusaders 33mins lineout is good but pump downfield is long into Beale's hands; but return too long
Waratahs 17-10 Crusaders 34mins Saders lineout outside Tahs' 22 & Kane Douglas pinged for pulling man down in air 
Waratahs 17-13 Crusaders 35mins Slade tees up from just outside 22 & kick is good to creep closer to Tahs
Waratahs 17-13 Crusaders 37mins But infringement from Saders & Foley tees up from in front of posts on 10m...
Waratahs 20-13 Crusaders 37mins Foley is on target & Saders' penalties are proving costly
Waratahs 20-13 Crusaders 39mins Beale pumps ball upfield out of own 22; Saders bring it back but...
Waratahs 20-13 Crusaders 39mins Saders enter ruck wrong (again) & there's enough time for lineout so kick to touch 
Waratahs 20-13 Crusaders 40mins Tahs lineout on Saders' 22; goes long & is stolen so ball into touch & its HT

Waratahs 20-13 Crusaders HT T: Ashley-Cooper P: Foley (5) | T: Todd C: Carter P: Slade (2)

Waratahs 20-13 Crusaders 41mins Great start for Saders as Nadolo flies over in corner > TMO to check touch
Waratahs 20-20 Crusaders 42mins TMO says all good & Slade adds the extras to equalise & it's game on!
Waratahs 20-20 Crusaders 47mins More knock ons...more penalties...more offside...Kepu pinged at scrum... 
Waratahs 20-23 Crusaders 48mins Slade knocks over another penalty & Saders in front for first time
Waratahs 20-23 Crusaders 51mins But Nadolo pinged for high tackle on Alofa but Foley misses crucial kick
Waratahs 23-23 Crusaders 53mins But Foley's time comes after McCaw pinged for offside...what a surprise!
Waratahs 23-26 Crusaders 56mins Beale saves try in own goal area but a high tackle gives Slade 3 more for lead
Waratahs 23-26 Crusaders 59mins Nick Phipps almost over for next try but for Andy Ellis' immense tackle
Waratahs 23-26 Crusaders 60mins Another opportunity goes begging for Tahs as Skelton loses ball into touch
Waratahs 28-26 Crusaders 62mins But Ashley-Cooper breathes life into Tahs with a magnificent 2nd try
Waratahs 30-26 Crusaders 63mins Foley adds the crucial extras now where every point counts...
Waratahs 30-26 Crusaders 64mins McNicholl, Tupou, Funnell, Laulala for Fonotia, Bird, Flynn, Moody
Waratahs 30-26 Crusaders 65mins Ryan, Chapman, Skelton, Latu for Kepu, Hoiles, Potgieter & Polota-Nau
Waratahs 30-29 Crusaders 67mins Heinz on for Crotty while Slade slots over another penalty...
Waratahs 30-29 Crusaders 70mins Talk about rugby on a knife edge! 10 minutes to go & Tahs in possession...
Waratahs 30-29 Crusaders 71mins Foley breaks out wide > Folau offloads to Horne but bad pass > touch on 22
Waratahs 30-29 Crusaders 72mins Play returns to halfway & Tahs in possession who edge forward into wall of red 
Waratahs 30-29 Crusaders 73mins Meanwhile Crotty back on to replace Ellis & Tahs into Saders' 22...
Waratahs 30-29 Crusaders 74mins But penalty goes to Crusaders & they clear the Tahs way way back into own half 
Waratahs 30-29 Crusaders 75mins Saders lineout on halfway & Nadolo breaks down the touchline flicking away defenders 
Waratahs 30-29 Crusaders 75mins Good Tahs defence & drive Saders back but then Latu offside in own 22!!!
Waratahs 30-32 Crusaders 75mins You'd have to cut off Slade's leg to miss that...& he doesn't of course...
Waratahs 30-32 Crusaders 76mins Tahs lineout on Saders 10m but not straight & lose it...back in own half
Waratahs 30-32 Crusaders 77mins Tahs running it back - get over halfway then back track > Beale up to 10m...
Waratahs 30-32 Crusaders 78mins McCaw pinged yet again for repeated offence at breakdown...45m out in front of posts
Waratahs 30-32 Crusaders 79mins Does Foley have it in him?!....
Waratahs 33-32 Crusaders 79mins Oh my dear he damn well has! Kick is bang on target & now 15 seconds to kill
Waratahs 33-32 Crusaders 80mins Roar is catastrophically deafening from Tahs fans as McKibbin kicks to touch 
Waratahs 33-32 Crusaders And that's been a damn long time coming for the deserving Waratahs who win Super Rugby 2014 title
Waratahs 33-32 Crusaders FT Now that's what you call a final! CONGRATULATIONS @NSWWaratahs! Bravo!

15 Israel Folau 14 Alofa Alofa 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Kurtley Beale 11 Rob Horne 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 1 Benn Robinson 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau 3 Sekope Kepu 4 Jacques Potgieter 5 Kane Douglas 6 Stephen Hoiles 7 MICHAEL HOOPER (C) 8 Wycliff Palu BENCH: 16 Tola Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Will Skelton 20 Mitch Chapman 21 Pat McCutcheon 22 Brendan McKibbin 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro

SCORERS T: Ashley-Cooper (2) C: Foley P: Foley (7)

15 Israel Dagg 14 Kieron Fonotia 13 Ryan Crotty 12 Dan Carter 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 1 Wyatt Crockett 2 Corey Flynn 3 Owen Franks 4 Dominic Bird 5 Sam Whitelock 6 Richie McCaw 7 Matt Todd 8 KIERAN READ (C) BENCH: 16 Ben Funnell 17 Joe Moody 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 Jordan Taufua 21 Willi Heinz 22 Tom Taylor 23 Johnny McNicholl

SCORERS T: Todd, Nadalo C: Carter, Slade P: Slade (6)

Referee: Craig Joubert Asst Referees: Steve Walsh, James Leckie TMO: George Ayoub

 

 

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SEMI FINAL A

CRUSADERS 38 - 6 SHARKS

AMI Stadium, Christchurch - Saturday 26 July 2014
KO:  19:35 HT: 16-6

HOW IT HAPPENED MINUTE BY MINUTE...

Crusaders 0-0 Sharks 0mins We have KO in Christchurch & the 1st of the semi finals is underway...
Crusaders 0-0 Sharks 1min Sharks pinged v early & Dan Carter is already teeing up for the uprights...
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 2mins Carter adds to Saders tally of scoring 1000 points more than any other SR team!
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 4mins Has all gone Saders way so far, til a knock on & Sharks have the scrum..their forte
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 6mins Good work from Sharks who efficiently clear Saders back over halfway...
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 7mins Saders manage to lose ball twice on the attack...Sharks defensive scrum outside 22
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 8m Patrick Lambie clears ball out & Francois Steyn kicks it but into hands of Israel Dagg
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 9mins Penalty Sharks & Lambie kicks away another ball badly - this time too long
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 10mins Saders scrum just over halfway but within seconds ball is in Saders' 22...
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 11mins Saders clear Sharks back taking play into midfield but pinged for not releasing
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 13mins Saders attack right up to Sharks' 22 but dropped & Sharks deep attack superbly
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 14mins The ball, however, is slipping from hands of far too many players
Crusaders 3-0 Sharks 15mins Sharks lose their momentum, back in possession but on halfway; aerial ping pong...
Crusaders 8-0 Sharks 16m But in true Saders style, defenders left wanting as Kieran Read runs in under posts
Crusaders 10-0 Sharks 17mins Carter bangs over the conversion & off they go...
Crusaders 10-3 Sharks 20mins Saders pinged after restart; to horrific racket from stands Steyn pumps over 3pts
Crusaders 10-3 Sharks 24mins Sharks kicking game really not going to plan today; defensive scrum on own 22...
Crusaders 10-3 Sharks 26mins The shove from the Saders forces an error & Sharks drop ball; Saders scrum...
Crusaders 13-3 Sharks 27mins Sharks concede a 3rd penalty bang in front of own posts & Carter bangs it thru
Crusaders 16-3 Sharks 31mins Sharks need to buck up if they're to have a chance; meanwhile Carter adds 3 more
Crusaders 16-3 Sharks 33mins Saders return to form where everyone at breakdown is off feet! Lambie tees up...
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 34mins No problems there & Sharks start to play catch up
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 37m Saders buy time from lineout with ropey kick from Carter; time off as Jannie du Plessis inserts lens
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 38mins Jannie can see again & its a Saders lineout on halfway; not great & Sharks turnover the ball
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 38mins Lambie's kick gives them lineout on Saders 10m
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 39mins lineout is good, rolling maul is far out, work it up to 22 & Cory Flynn pinged
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 40mins Lambie tees up but misses the psychologically vital kick. Tis HT...

Crusaders 16-6 Sharks HT T: Read C: Carter P: Carter (3) | P: Lambie (2)

Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 40mins Back at AMI Stadium & Jake White would've kick some proverbial in changing rooms!
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 42mins Saders steadily working their way into Sharks territory but pinged for offside
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 43mins Lambie clears to outside 22; Flynn drops ball & unimpressive clear from Saders
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 44mins However, they do clear it to Sharks 10m & play looks a little scrappy...
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 45mins Huge tackles arriving from Sharks & turnover from Bismarck du Plessis on own 22
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 46mins High kick from Steyn but Sharks manage to knock on; possession returns to Saders
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 47mins But Sharks defensive scrum on own 10m & up to halfway before turnover...
Crusaders 16-6 Sharks 47mins Penalty Saders but rather than 3pts, tap & go & defence nowhere to be seen...
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 48mins ...Slade >Carter > Dagg > Nemani Nadolo who steps it up & scores unhindered
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 50mins Carter fluffs the conversion, but unless Sharks step it up, it won't matter
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 52mins Not helping that Steyn is offside & Carter decides to kick for it; out wide
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 54mins Carter pulls it way wide & the replacements are prepped for Saders...
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 55mins Willi Heinz & Ben Funnell for Andy Ellis & Flynn | S'bura Sithole for SP Marais
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 58mins Lambie tees up from Saders penalty but he too pulls it wide; Saders 22 restart
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 59mins Time off as Dale Chadwick & Lourens Adriaanse replace Jannie du Plessis & Thomas du Toit
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 60mins Also Johnny McNicholl on for Kieron Fonotia...
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 62mins Sharks have to work it out defensively in their 22; clear back Saders but 22 lineout
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 63mins Saders pinged lineout not straight & while Jordan Taufua on for Read; scrum Sharks
Crusaders 21-6 Sharks 64mins Sharks allow ball to pop out & Heinz picks it up & charges over tryline to score >TMO
Crusaders 28-6 Sharks 65mins TMO confirms put in straight & hooked so tis a try & Carter converts
Crusaders 28-6 Sharks 66mins Can't see Sharks turn it around from here...they just didn't really turn up
Crusaders 28-6 Sharks 66mins Kyle Cooper for Bismarck du Plessis & Jimmy Tupou for Dominic Bird
Crusaders 28-6 Sharks 67mins Joe Moody & Nepo Laulala for Wyatt Crocket & Owen Franks
Crusaders 28-6 Sharks 67mins Sharks momentum in Saders 22 killed by time off for touch judge seeing punch
Crusaders 28-6 Sharks 68mins TMO rules a penalty for no intent from Laulala who clearly has intent but misses
Crusaders 33-6 Sharks 70mins Meanwhile McNicholl runs in a try while Carter misses another conversion
Crusaders 33-6 Sharks 73mins Sharks set up 5m lineout finally...and it overshoots so Saders just clear them out
Crusaders 33-6 Sharks 74mins A long Saders kick that Lwazi Mvovo has to chase to own 22 & he knocks it on!
Crusaders 33-6 Sharks 75m The disastrous semi continues for visitors; replacement Charl McLeod hacks it away
Crusaders 33-6 Sharks 77mins Both benches are now empty & have lineout deep in Sharks' 22...
Crusaders 38-6 Sharks 77mins Neat setpiece work from Saders & Matt Todd powers over tryline from drive
Crusaders 38-6 Sharks 79mins 5 tries to the homeside, but Carter's had a poor day with 56% success
Crusaders 38-6 Sharks 80mins Saders kick ball out & seal their final; Sharks poor performance = lacklustre game
Crusaders 38-6 Sharks FT Here's hoping the next semi final is more exciting & evenly matched...

15 Israel Dagg 14 Kieron Fonotia 13 Ryan Crotty 12 Dan Carter 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 8 KIERAN READ (C) 7 Matt Todd 6 Richie McCaw 5 Sam Whitelock 4 Dominic Bird 3 Owen Franks 2 Corey Flynn 1 Wyatt Crockett BENCH: 16 Ben Funnell 17 Joe Moody 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 Jordan Taufua 21 Willi Heinz 22 Tom Taylor 23 Johnny McNicholl

SCORERS T: Read, Nadolo, Heinz, McNicholl, Todd C: Carter (2) P: Carter (3)

15 SP Marais 14 JP Pietersen 13 Paul Jordaan 12 Frans Steyn 11 Lwazi Mvovo 10 Pat Lambie 9 Cobus Reinach 8 Ryan Kankowski 7 Jean Deysel 6 Marcell Coetzee 5 Stephan Lewies 4 Willem Alberts 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 1 Thomas du Toit BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Etienne Oosthuizen 20 Tera Mtembu 21 Charl McLeod 22 S'bura Sithole 23 Tonderai Chavhanga

SCORERS P: Lambie (2)

Referee: Glen Jackson Asst Referees: Rohan Hoffmann Mike Fraser TMO: Ben Skeen

 

 

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SEMI FINAL B

WARATAHS 26 - 8 BRUMBIES

Allianz Stadium, Sydney - Saturday 26 July 2014
KO:  19:40 HT: 11-8

HIGHLIGHTS

HOW IT HAPPENED MINUTE BY MINUTE...

Waratahs v Brumbies Jaco Peyper is marshalling proceedings as KO is imminent in Sydney...
Waratahs 0-0 Brumbies 1min From KO, Scott Sio makes the turnover early & Brumbies have good start; Nic White clears
Waratahs 0-0 Brumbies 2min Tahs have defensive lineout in own 22; Brumbies illegally steal & Tahs lineout close to halfway
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 3mins Lightening speed from Alofa Alofa who collects poor pass & charges 60m to score!
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 4mins Bernard Foley tees up conversion from out wide but pulls it left
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 5mins If this is how it continues it'll be a corker!
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 6mins Tahs in possession on halfway & good hands up to 22 but Nick Phipps drops it forward
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 6mins Penalty Brumbies & have defensive scrum...
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 8mins Scrum not so great; Brumbies clear Tahs back with a poor kick...bit of ping pong
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 9mins Brumbies attempt to clear Tahs back again resulting in Tahs lineout on Brumbies 10m
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 12mins A little pop this side of halfway - a little jink that side of it...Brumbies scrum
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 14mins Scrum collapses so reset...spins too far & Brumbies penalty...clear for 22 lineout
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 16mins Defensive scrum for Tahs is good but Brumbies steal ball & off they go...offside
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 18mins Good clear from Tahs & lineout on 10m but it goes Brumbies way thanks to Leon Power
Waratahs 5-0 Brumbies 19mins But Tahs win back possession & have lineout inside Brumbies 22...
Waratahs 8-0 Brumbies 21mins Tahs penalty & Foley adds 3 points to the homeside's score
Waratahs 8-0 Brumbies 23mins Brumbies secure defensive lineout & clear but back ball flies - both ways...
Waratahs 8-0 Brumbies 24mins Tahs begin to run it out of own half but Brumbies turnover; Jessie Mogg chips ahead
Waratahs 8-0 Brumbies 25mins TMO check on Phipps tripping up Robbie Coleman on the attack; Brumbies penalty
Waratahs 8-0 Brumbies 26mins Brumbies pressurising Tahs defence deep in their 22 & Tahs concede penalty
Waratahs 8-0 Brumbies 28mins Brumbies 5m lineout taken short but Tahs driving them back & along width of tryline
Waratahs 8-0 Brumbies 29mins Tahs pinged for not releasing; 5m scrum for Brumbies...
Waratahs 8-0 Brumbies 30mins Ball slow coming out but eventually Brumbies under posts tho not quite over...
Waratahs 8-0 Brumbies 30mins No way thru so hurl it out wide & Henry Speight flies over in corner > TMO
Waratahs 8-5 Brumbies 30mins Quick check to see Speight's foot wasn't in touch...try Brumbies!
Waratahs 8-5 Brumbies 32mins No conversion from Christian Leali’ifano tho
Waratahs 8-5 Brumbies 34mins Tahs scrum on Brumbies 10m is good but boom! What a tackle from Kuridrani!
Waratahs 8-5 Brumbies 36mins Pretty major tackle from Foley too but pinged for not releasing...tho he did
Waratahs 8-5 Brumbies 37mins Brumbies lineout; Tahs pinged & Brumbies plant it into touch for 22 lineout
Waratahs 8-5 Brumbies 37mins Huge bulldoze from Tatafu Polota-Nau but pinged for not rolling away
Waratahs 8-8 Brumbies 38mins An easy 3 points for Leali'ifano to equalise the score...
Waratahs 8-8 Brumbies 39mins Tahs pick up penalty from Brumbies hands in ruck from restart...inside 22
Waratahs 11-8 Brumbies 39mins Foley tees up just off centre inside the 22 line & it's bang on...
Waratahs 11-8 Brumbies 40mins Tahs just have the edge at HT but what an exciting match.

Waratahs 11-8 Brumbies HT T: Alofa P: Foley (2) | T: Speight P: Leali'ifano

Waratahs 11-8 Brumbies 41mins Tahs warned not to infringe by Peyper & play continues with Brumbies up to 22
Waratahs 11-8 Brumbies 42mins Leali'ifano tees up from in front of posts on the 22 & he misses it! What?!
Waratahs 11-8 Brumbies 43mins Risky tactics but good hands from Tahs but still in own 22 from restart...
Waratahs 11-8 Brumbies 44mins Tahs advantage & ref calls back for penalty; scrum Tahs just outside own 22
Waratahs 11-8 Brumbies 45mins Tahs drive & win penalty setting up 10m line lineout
Waratahs 11-8 Brumbies 46mins Brumbies steal the lineout & White kicks it clear to Izzy Folau
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 46m Ball comes back to Brumbies 22 & Kurtley Beale rips it away at B/D & escapes to corner
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 48mins Superb work from Beale; Foley tees up from touch & has distance but just fall short
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 49mins Jesse Mogg tactically replaced by Pat McCabe
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 51mins Brumbies taste the next try on the tryline before spitting it out with no success
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 52mins Whilst Speight is forced off with injury to be replaced by Jo Tomane
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 54mins Brumbies all over Tahs tryline again; Tahs turnover but clearance isn't great only to 22
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 54mins Brumbies penalty for Foley pulling down man in lineout - silly silly boy   5
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 56mins Tahs in possession & clear well; Kane Douglas replaced by Will Skelton
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 57mins Meanwhile, Skelton takes down White who stays down > TMO
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 57mins Much to Brumbies annoyance, Skelton just wrist-slapped & penalty
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 58mins Brumbies set up 5m lineout which is good...Peyper repeatedly warning use it
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 59mins Brumbies lose it & it's Tahs with defensive scrum...collapses
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 61mins Scrum's finally over but Tahs still deep in own territory...
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 62mins Brumbies charge down by Leali'ifano but held back by Beale...
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 63mins Churlish Tahs move there in own 22; Brumbies scrum V
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 65mins Brumbies pick n go repeatedly pretty much up to tryline...knock on in process
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 66mins Time out to get a Tahs skull mummified before Tahs defensive scrum
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 66mins Foley clears it hugely but not into touch & back come the Brumbies into 22 again
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 67mins Great hands from Brumbies but final pass & he's bundled into touch 7m short
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 67mins Chapman for Potgieter | Murphy & Auelua for Power & Mann-Rea
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 69mins Tahs defence has been immense with less possession & territory
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 70mins But Tahs need to increase winning margin to secure home final...
Waratahs 16-8 Brumbies 71mins Tahs advantage almost up to Brumbies 22; back for penalty but first a timeout
Waratahs 19-8 Brumbies 72mins Weary bodies out there as Foley tees up from 10m off centre...what a beauty!
Waratahs 19-8 Brumbies 74mins Brumbies in possession in Tahs 22; defences still holding up & force them back
Waratahs 19-8 Brumbies 75mins Tomane looks away to tryline but stopped short; offloads into Tahs hands!
Waratahs 24-8 Brumbies 76m Robinson collects & superb teamwork from Tahs from own 22 = Foley flying over tryline
Waratahs 26-8 Brumbies 77mins Excellent conversion from Foley & its in the bag
Waratahs 26-8 Brumbies 78mins Smith, McVerry, Alaalatoa & Dowsett for Sio, Butler, Alexander & White
Waratahs 26-8 Brumbies 78mins Latu, Tilse, McKibbin & Naiyaravoro on for Polota-Nau, Robinson, Phipps & Alofa
Waratahs 26-8 Brumbies 79mins McCutcheon for Palu; meanwhile Naiyaravoro goes straight off for shoulder charge
Waratahs 26-8 Brumbies 80mins Despite that, Tahs hold Brumbies out & it's all over for a home final
RESULT: Waratahs (11) 26-8 (8)Brumbies T: Alofa, Beale, Foley C: Foley P: Foley (3) YC Naiyaravoro | T: Speight P: Leali'ifano
Super Rugby FINAL 2014: Waratahs v Crusaders in Sydney, Saturday 2nd August KO: 19:30 AEST

15 Israel Folau 14 Alofa Alofa 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Kurtley Beale 11 Rob Horne 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 8 Wycliff Palu 7 MICHAEL HOOPER (C) 6 Stephen Hoiles 5 Jacques Potgieter 4 Kane Douglas 3 Sekope Kepu 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau 1 Benn Robinson BENCH: 16 Tola Latu 17 Paddy Ryan 18 Jeremy Tilse 19 Will Skelton 20 Mitch Chapman 21 Pat McCutcheon  22 Brendan McKibbin 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro

SCORERS T: Alofa, Beale, Foley C: Foley P: Foley (3) Naiyaravoro

15 Jesse Mogg 14 Henry Speight 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Christian Leali’ifano 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 7 Jarrad Butler 6 Scott Fardy 5 Leon Power 4 Sam Carter 3 Ben Alexander 2 Josh Mann-Rea 1 Scott Sio BENCH: 16 Ruaidhri Murphy 17 Ruan Smith 18 Allan Alaalatoa 19 Fotu Auelua 20 Tom McVerry 21 Michael Dowsett 22 Joe Tomane 23 Pat McCabe

SCORERS T: Speight P: Leali'ifano

Referee: Jaco Peyper Asst Referees: Craig Joubert James Leckie TMO: George Ayoub

 

 

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QUALIFIER A

BRUMBIES 32 - 30 CHIEFS

GIO Stadium, Canberra Saturday 19 July 2014
KO: 17:05 AEST HT: 22-10

HOW IT HAPPENED MINUTE BY MINUTE...

Brumbies 0-0 Chiefs And we have KO at Canberra with Craig Joubert marshalling the 1st qualifier today
Brumbies 0-3 Chiefs 3mins Visitors open scoring with penalty from Aaron Cruden off Brumbies early penalty
Brumbies 0-3 Chiefs 5mins Homeside reply attacking deep into Chiefs' 22 all over the tryline & penalty coming...
Brumbies 0-3 Chiefs 6mins Ref lays down law early & Tim Nanai-Williams binned for cynically obstructing
Brumbies 5-3 Chiefs 7mins Brumbies take advantage, set up 5m lineout & Nic White flies over from setpiece for try
Brumbies 7-3 Chiefs 8mins Christian Leali’ifano adds the extras & what a start to the 1st qualifier today
Brumbies 7-3 Chiefs 10mins Chip thru > Jesse Mogg > Robbie Coleman > tryline > TMO to confirm grounding
Brumbies 14-3 Chiefs 11mins TMO George Ayoub says yes & Leali’ifano adds 2 more to cushion the homeside
Brumbies 14-3 Chiefs 14mins Defensive scrum to Chiefs is reset & they clear Brumbies away from danger zone...
Brumbies 14-3 Chiefs 15mins Brumbies defensive lineout on own 10m; Chiefs steal it but not for long...
Brumbies 14-3 Chiefs 16mins Brumbies back into Chiefs 22 & this time slow & steady attack, stretching defence
Brumbies 14-3 Chiefs 17mins knock on in front of ref & Nanai-Williams returns to fray but time out for Sam Carter
Brumbies 14-3 Chiefs 18mins Another defensive setpiece for Chiefs with scrum in own 22...
Brumbies 14-3 Chiefs 20mins Chiefs get handle on scrum & clear Brumbies back but back they come 14 phases in
Brumbies 19-3 Chiefs 21mins Chiefs defence yet again can't hold out & Mogg flies over in corner from White pass
Brumbies 19-3 Chiefs 23mins No conversion this time but homeside aren't doing badly; Chiefs halfway lineout
Brumbies 19-3 Chiefs 25mins Chiefs finally have possession & slowly trundle over Brumbies 10m but...
Brumbies 19-3 Chiefs 26mins ...Mahroni Schwalger pinged for not releasing at breakdown & Brumbies clear them out
Brumbies 19-3 Chiefs 27mins Brumbies back up at Chiefs' 22 & Ben Tameifuna pinged for playing ball on ground
Brumbies 22-3 Chiefs 29mins Leali'ifano tees up from the 22 just off centre & boom - 3 more points
Brumbies 22-3 Chiefs 31mins Finally a chink of light for Chiefs as they make it up to Brumbies tryline & recycle
Brumbies 22-3 Chiefs 31mins Pick & go repeatedly along tryline & Scott Sio pinged for off feet; Chiefs 5m scrum
Brumbies 22-3 Chiefs 32mins Eventually scrum gets going & Chiefs retain ball; looks like knock on but still Chiefs
Brumbies 22-3 Chiefs 33mins A chip over but mark called by Brumbies & all momentum dissipates for visitors...
Brumbies 22-3 Chiefs 35mins Brumbies popping out penalties like smarties tho clear Chiefs out; Chiefs 5m lineout
Brumbies 22-3 Chiefs 36mins Chiefs piling on pressure on Brumbies tryline & penalty coming ...
Brumbies 22-8 Chiefs 36mins From under posts, quick offload to Bundee Aki who falls over tryline to narrow the gap
Brumbies 22-10 Chiefs 37mins Cruden adds the 2 points from conversion & finally it's not looking so tragic
Brumbies 22-10 Chiefs 38mins From restart penalty comes from Chiefs in own half & Brumbies set up 5m lineout
Brumbies 22-10 Chiefs 39mins lineout good but drift defence from Chiefs forces Brumbies from 1 touchline to other
Brumbies 22-10 Chiefs 39mins Turnover ball to Chiefs & clear but Brumbies come right back at tryline...
Brumbies 22-10 Chiefs 40mins Scott Sio drives ball towards tryline & almost makes it; Chiefs knock on & it/s HT

Brumbies 22-10 Chiefs HT T: White, Coleman, Mogg C: Leali'ifano (2) P: Leali'ifano | T: Aki C: Cruden P: Cruden Nanai-Williams

Brumbies 22-13 Chiefs 42min Better start for Chiefs with another penalty from Brumbies & Cruden knocks it over
Brumbies 22-13 Chiefs 44mins But Chiefs pinged for not rolling away at breakdown giving Leali'ifano easy kick in 22
Brumbies 25-13 Chiefs 45mins No problem for Leali'ifano & Chiefs early gain is quickly cancelled out
Brumbies 25-13 Chiefs 46mins Henry Speight deftly steals intercept & magically escapes Chiefs' clutches
Brumbies 25-13 Chiefs 47mins Speight's work clears Chiefs out of Brumbies 22 & visitors have halfway lineout
Brumbies 25-13 Chiefs 48mins But Speight promptly binned for cynically infringes at breakdown deep in own half
Brumbies 25-18 Chiefs 50mins Chiefs scrum; Brumbies & fans furious as Tawera Kerr-Barlow pops ball over tryline
Brumbies 25-20 Chiefs 51mins Cruden pops over conversion & the game is back on with a vengeance...
Brumbies 25-20 Chiefs 53mins Chiefs following Brumbies lead & taking full advantage of a man up...Aki over 22
Brumbies 25-20 Chiefs 55mins Brumbies t/o ball momentarily but flies loose & quick ball allows sharp offloads
Brumbies 25-25 Chiefs 55mins Cruden > Mike Fitzgerald > Nanai-Williams who flies over tryline to score
Brumbies 25-25 Chiefs 57mins No conversion from Cruden out wide; Fotu Auelua for Power & Tom Marshall for Sweeney
Brumbies 25-25 Chiefs 58mins Ruaidhri Murphy & Joe Tomane for Josh Mann-Rea & Coleman
Brumbies 30-25 Chiefs 60mins Meanwhile Brumbies drive like a juggernaut over tryline for Jarrad Butler try
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 62mins Leali'ifano adds the conversion as we shift into final quarter
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 65mins Chiefs aren't hanging around and are into Brumbies 22 & edge closer to tryline
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 66mins Visitors have the space but bounce flies into touch & Brumbies clear Chiefs out
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 67mins Time out; Symons, Pulu & Manu on for Fitzgerald, Kerr-Barlow & Mackintosh
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 68mins Brumbies on rampage deep into Chiefs territory; t/o but shocking pass into touch
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 69mins Brumbies drive into Chiefs 22 & offload but lose it forward! Tensions mounting...
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 71mins Nick Barrett debuts for Tameifuna & Chiefs have defensive scrum in own 22 & clear
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 72mins Brumbies attacking 10m lineout; get rumbled slightly but still have possession...
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 73mins Aki causes problems for homeside & eventually Chiefs clear them away
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 73mins James Lowe catches high ball & he sprints into the 22! Didn't quite straighten...
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 74mins ...but Chiefs have attacking scrum just inside Brumbies 22...
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 75mins McCabe for Mogg & Anscombe for Lowe whilst Chiefs just 5m out & penalty coming
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 76mins Brumbies offside & Chiefs are in front of posts in 22; opt for 5m scrum not 3 pts
Brumbies 32-25 Chiefs 77mins Quick hands off back of scrum & replacement Gareth Anscombe flies over in corner
Brumbies 32-30 Chiefs 77mins TMO confirms try is good but Cruden misses crucial conversion to equalise
Brumbies 32-30 Chiefs 79mins After restart Pulu is pinged in own 22 so Leali'ifano tees up but pulls it wide
Brumbies 32-30 Chiefs 80mins 22 drop out & Brumbies 5m out from Chiefs' tryline...pick n go; Chiefs disciplined
Brumbies 32-30 Chiefs 80mins But penalty Brumbies after clock turns 80 & ball is kicked into touch for the win
So Brumbies thru to Super Rugby semi final next week against Crusaders or Waratahs tbc after Sharks v Highlanders rugby match

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Henry Speight 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Christian Leali’ifano 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 7 Jarrad Butler 6 Scott Fardy 5 Sam Carter 4 Leon Power 3 Ben Alexander 2 Josh Mann-Rea 1 Scott Sio BENCH: 16 Ruaidhri Murphy 17 Ruan Smith 18 Allan Alaalatoa 19 Fotu Auelua 20 Tom McVerry 21 Michael Dowsett 22 Joe Tomane 23 Pat McCabe

SCORERS T: White, Coleman, Mogg, Butler C: Leali'ifano (3) P: Leali'ifano (2) Speight

Chiefs: 15 Dwayne Sweeney 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 13 Tim Nanai-Williams 12 Bundee Aki 11 James Lowe 10 AARON CRUDEN (C) 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 Liam Squire 7 Tanerau Latimer 6 Liam Messam 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Mike Fitzgerald 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Mahroni Schwalger 1 Jamie Mackintosh BENCH: 16 Nathan Harris 17 Pauliasi Manu 18 Nick Barrett 19 Matt Symons 20 Tevita Koloamatangi 21 Augustine Pulu 22 Gareth Anscombe 23 Tom Marshall

SCORERS T: Aki, Kerr-Barlow, Nanai-Williams, Anscombe C: Cruden (2) P: Cruden (2) Nanai-Williams

Referee: Craig Joubert Asst Referees: Rohan Hoffmann, James Leckie TMO: George Ayoub

 

 

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QUALIFIER B

SHARKS 31 - 27 HIGHLANDERS

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban Saturday 19 July 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 13-17

HOW IT HAPPENED MINUTE BY MINUTE...

2nd qualifier Kicks off in Durban... Sharks 0-0 Highlanders at Kings Park
Sharks 0-0 Highlanders 2mins Good start for homeside & force early penalty from visitors & Frans Steyn tees up
Sharks 3-0 Highlanders 3mins Boom & Sharks open their account first...
Sharks 3-0 Highlanders 5mins Highlanders opportunity to take adv but turns into ping pong & Steyn over-kicks
Sharks 3-0 Highlanders 6mins 1st scrum to Highlanders in Sharks territory but penalty to homeside
Sharks 3-0 Highlanders 8min Sharks clear, Highlanders run it back but Lima Sopoaga drops it forward; Sharks scrum
Sharks 3-0 Highlanders 9mins Sharks scrum much stronger & Steyn clears; SP Marais chips ahead neatly...
Sharks 3-0 Highlanders 10mins Highlanders defensive scrum deep in own half & stolen by Sharks...
Sharks 3-0 Highlanders 12mins Highlanders have put in for another defensive possession; Sharks steal it...
Sharks 3-0 Highlanders 13mins After huge scrum & turnover, penalty to Sharks & set up 5m lineout
Sharks 8-0 Highlanders 14mins Massive scrum for Sharks > huge drive & Marcell Coetzee scores 1st try
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 15mins Steyn conversion is bang on & Highlanders have a massive task on their hands 
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 16min From restart Sharks turnover, JP Pietersen breaks > offload to S'bura Sithole > touch
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 17mins Sithole throws it back in before touch but Ben Smith intercepts it
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 18mins Regardless of visitor lineout, Sharks take possession & heave over tryline under posts
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 18mins Try from Jannie du Plessis but ref Steve Walsh goes to TMO to check
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 18mins TMO Shaun Veldsman finds fault at breakdown & its penalty to Highlanders
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 19mins Highlanders lineout is good but Sharks intercept 10m from own tryline; slow ball at breakdown 
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 20mins Eventually comes out for Steyn to clear; Highlanders come back into 22 but turnover
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 21mins Steyn clears again v well for lineout outside Highlanders 22...
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 23mins Doesn't quite go to plan & Highlanders have lineout on Sharks 10m line!
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 23mins Highlanders have corner of field wide open to score but forward pass puts pay to that
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 24mins Sharks defensive 5m lineout & penalty to homeside so Steyn kicks to clear
Sharks 10-0 Highlanders 26mins But scuffle breaks out & Jannie du Plessis pinged for offside & Sopoaga tees up 
Sharks 10-3 Highlanders 26mins Sopoaga pulls it round & through it goes for visitors' first points
Sharks 10-3 Highlanders 27mins An horrific drop goal attempt from Marais turns out perfectly with Sharks lineout
Sharks 10-3 Highlanders 28mins Good lineout & a chip ahead towards tryline but Sopoaga gets to it first but offside
Sharks 13-3 Highlanders 30mins Back for penalty & Steyn tees up out wide just outside 22 & it's 3 more points
Sharks 13-3 Highlanders 30mins Time out for Anton Bresler who's hurt ribs; Jean Deysel replaces him
Sharks 13-8 Highlanders 32mins Meanwhile, Malakai Fekitoa collects offload from Ben Smith to run it in & score
Sharks 13-10 Highlanders 33min Despite acute angle, Sopoaga finds his mark & suddenly a 10pt lead reduced to 3
Sharks 13-10 Highlanders 35mins Sharks have taken eye off ball & Highlanders have swooped admirably
Sharks 13-10 Highlanders 35mins Sharks scrum is good outside 10m & Kane Hames buckles to give Sharks penalty 
Sharks 13-10 Highlanders 36mins Steyn tees up from same position slightly further back but bounces off upright
Sharks 13-10 Highlanders 38mins Highlanders from turnover ball attack well and are up to Sharks' 10...& win penalty
Sharks 13-10 Highlanders 39mins Big tackles from Sharks & they force a turnover on own 22 for Steyn to clear
Sharks 13-10 Highlanders 40m A huge drive from Sharks from Paul Jordaan turnover but Highlanders wrestle ball back 
Sharks 13-15 Highlanders 40mins & off they go after hooter's gone from own 22 & Hames trundles over for try
Sharks 13-17 Highlanders HT Most excellent try & Sopoaga adds extras to steal the lead from homeside

Sharks 13-17 Highlanders HT T: Coetzee C: Steyn P: Steyn (2) | T: Fekitoa, Hames C: Sopoaga (2) P: Sopoaga 

Sharks 13-17 Highlanders 40mins We have KO of final half & it's a Sharks scrum...
Sharks 13-17 Highlanders 42mins Sharks win the penalty & have attacking lineout which is good...up to 22...
Sharks 13-17 Highlanders 44m Another penalty & set up 5m lineout which is good but huge pressure from Highlanders
Sharks 13-17 Highlanders 45mins Massive tackle results in ball popping up for Highlanders in own 22...
Sharks 13-17 Highlanders 46mins ...& quickly end up in Sharks 22 with penalty coming!
Sharks 13-17 Highlanders 47mins Penalty is coughed up Sopoaga tees up from just outside 22
Sharks 13-20 Highlanders 48mins How fortunes turn as Highlanders secure 7 point lead...
Sharks 13-20 Highlanders 50mins Sharks scrum pretty much on H/W is solid & clear to touch...
Sharks 13-20 Highlanders 51mins Highlanders attempt to take quick throw in on own 22 but Sharks get there...
Sharks 13-20 Highlanders 51mins Sharks steal the lineout & get over the Highlanders' 22; Sithole almost at corner
Sharks 13-20 Highlanders 52mins Sithole outsteps one defender but not second; time out...
Sharks 13-20 Highlanders 52mins Highlanders defensive 5m scrum; visitors k/o & Sharks fall on ball over tryline...
Sharks 18-20 Highlanders 53mins TMO checking if Bismarck du Plessis grounded it...he did
Sharks 20-20 Highlanders 53mins Steyn whacks over the conversion from out wide outside 22 to equalise
Sharks 20-20 Highlanders 54m From restart Highlanders pinged for offside again; Sharks take huge advantage...
Sharks 25-20 Highlanders 56m Super offload from Bismarck to replacement Tonderai Chavhanga who sprints to score 
Sharks 25-20 Highlanders 58mins Steyn misses the conversion, but what pace from Chavhanga!
Sharks 25-20 Highlanders 59mins Coltman, Evans & Koen on for Robinson, Dixon & King; Chavhanga on for Mvovo 
Sharks 25-20 Highlanders 61mins Sharks defensive scrum 10m from own tryline & again ball is v slow coming out...
Sharks 25-20 Highlanders 63mins Reinach's kick is straight into Osborne's hands & it's an easy run back... 
Sharks 25-27 Highlanders 65mins ...Osbourne > Phil Burleigh > tryline for score & Sopoaga converts!
Sharks 25-27 Highlanders 66mins Highlanders attack yet again & Evans almost makes it before penalty Sharks
Sharks 25-27 Highlanders 67mins Excellent clear from Steyn > chip ahead from own half but Chavhanga knocks on
Sharks 25-27 Highlanders 68m Adriaanse, Chadwick, McLeod & Lambie on for Jannie du Plessis, du Toit, Reinach & Sithole 
Sharks 25-27 Highlanders 70mins Good kick from Lambie already & Sharks chugging towards Highlanders' 22... 
Sharks 25-27 Highlanders 72mins Oh so close but offside from Sharks & Highlanders clear but can't find touch
Sharks 25-27 Highlanders 72mins Sharks charge back into danger territory> Coetzee> McLeod> Deysel> tryline but... 
Sharks 25-27 Highlanders 72mins ...Deysel flies over but knocks on in process; Highlanders defensive 5m scrum
Sharks 25-27 Highlanders 73mins Scrum is reset & huge drive comes from Sharks over the line; penalty Sharks
Sharks 28-27 Highlanders 74mins Sharks opt for points deep in 22 & Steyn pumps over the penalty for the lead
Sharks 28-27 Highlanders 76mins Restart leads to Sharks lineout on own 10m which is good...
Sharks 28-27 Highlanders 76m Ball kicked into Highlanders territory & they take it but Wheeler doesn't release
Sharks 28-27 Highlanders 76mins Sharks ball to scrum but time out; Renata & Bekhuis for Osborne & Wheeler
Sharks 28-27 Highlanders 78mins Scrum just outside Highlanders 22 is good & ball flies width of pitch & back
Sharks 28-27 Highlanders 79mins Sharks just attack relentlessly along tryline but Chavhanga knocks on again!
Sharks 28-27 Highlanders 79mins Nope! K/O from Highlanders & Sharks running clock down deciding on what to do
Sharks 31-27 Highlanders 80mins Steyn's teeing up is slow fashion but finds his mark ...siren not gone yet tho
Sharks 31-27 Highlanders 80mins Just a few seconds to faff before Lambie kicks ball into stand for the win

Sharks: 15 SP Marais 14 S'bura Sithole 13 JP Pietersen 12 Paul Jordaan 11 Lwazi Mvovo 10 Francois Steyn 9 Cobus Reinach 8 Ryan Kankowski 7 Willem Alberts 6 Marcell Coetzee 5 Stephan Lewies 4 Anton Bresler 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 1 Thomas du Toit BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Etienne Oosthuizen 20 Jean Deysel 21 Charl McLeod 22 Pat Lambie 23 Tonderai Chavhanga

SCORERS T: Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Chavhanga C: Steyn (2) P: Steyn (4)

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Phil Burleigh 11 Patrick Osborne 10 Lima Sopoaga 9 Aaron Smith 8 NASI MANU (C) 7 Shane Christie 6 Elliot Dixon 5 Joe Wheeler 4 Jarrad Hoeata 3 Chris King 2 Ged Robinson 1 Kane Hames BENCH: 16 Liam Coltman 17 Matias Diaz 18 JP Koen 19 Josh Bekhuis 20 Tom Franklin 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Trent Renata 23 Gareth Evans

SCORERS T: Fekitoa, Hames, Burleigh C: Sopoaga (3) P: Sopoaga (2)

Referee: Steve Walsh Asst Referees: Jaco Peyper, Cobus Wessels TMO: Shaun Veldsman

 

 

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WESTERN FORCE 30 - 20 REDS

NIB Stadium, Perth - Saturday 05 July 2014
KO: 17:40 HT: 17-10

THE Western Force faces a ‘must win’ match against the Brumbies next Friday to progress in the Asteron Life Super Rugby competition following tonight’s 30-20 win over the Queensland Reds at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium).

The Force responded to last week’s loss to the Blues by running in three tries to claim the club’s sixth win at home for 2014 in front of a vocal 11,762 crowd.

Lock Sam Wykes – who claimed the Haigh & Hastings Man of the Match – and Hugh McMeniman led the Force forwards against an experienced Queensland pack, while centre Chris Tuatara-Morrison proved dangerous, creating several opportunities through the midfield.

Crowd favourite Nick Cummins had a heavy bearing on the match, scoring the Force’s first try and proving ruthless in his kick-chase.

The Reds opened the scoring with a penalty from the radar boot of fullback Mike Harris, who finished with an unblemished record off the kicking tee for the evening.

However, the response was quick from the Force with Cummins first bundling Rod Davies into touch from the restart before crashing over in the corner from a pinpoint Wykes cut-out pass from the base of the ruck.

Hayward’s conversion and penalty goal four minutes later extended the Force lead to 10-3 before Tuatara-Morrison busted through from 40 metres out to then find Hayward, Cummins, and Wykes who linked to put Ben McCalman over the line.

Leading 17-3, a yellow card to Hugh McMeniman gave the Reds a one-man advantage 10 minutes out from half-time, with the Queenslanders capitalising when Samu Kerevi slipped through for his side’s opening try of the night.

A high tackle on Jayden Hayward allowed the Force fullback to extend the lead by three, before replacement front-rower Albert Anae collecting the spoils from the back of a Queensland rolling maul to put his side to within three points at 20-17.

Harris and Hayward exchanged penalty goals in the 69th and 71st minute respectively, before a Brynard Stander charge helped result in Nathan Charles outrunning the converging defence over 40 metres to seal the Force win.

Western Force: 1 Pek Cowan 2 Nathan Charles 3 Kieran Longbottom 4 Sam Wykes 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp 6 Hugh McMeniman 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 8 Ben McCalman 9 Ian Prior 10 Zack Holmes 11 Nick Cummins 12 Chris Tuatara-Morrison 13 Marcel Brache 14 Dane Haylett-Petty 15 Jayden Hayward BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Oliver Hoskins 19 Adam Coleman 20 Brynard Stander 21 Justin Turner 22 Dillyn Leyds 23 Solomoni Rasolea

SCORERS T: Cummis, McCalman, Charles C: Hayward (3) P: Hayward (3) McMeniman

Queensland Reds: 1 Ben Daley 2 James Hanson 3 James Slipper 4 Rob Simmons 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 6 Curtis Browning 7 Beau Robinson 8 Jake Schatz 9 Nick Frisby 10 Ben Lucas 11 Lachie Turner 12 Ben Tapuai 13 Samu Kerevi 14 Rod Davies 15 Mike Harris BENCH: 16 Saia Fainga’a 17 Albert Anae 18 Sef Faagase 19 Dave McDuling 20 Tim Buchanan 21 Scott Gale 22 Sam Johnson 23 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi

SCORERS T: Kerevi, Anae C: Harris (2) P: Harris (2)

Referee: Angus Gardner

 

WARATAHS 44 - 16 HIGHLANDERS

Allianz Stadium, Sydney - Sunday 06 July 2014
KO: 16:05 HT: 11-9

THE NSW Waratahs demolished the Otago Highlanders, running in six tries to one on their way to a huge Sunday afternoon win at Allianz Stadium. In front of a spirited home crowd, the Tahs ran in five second half tries to ensure top spot on the ladder and a crucial home semi-final.

The Tahs were clinical in the opening exchanges, with Alofa Alofa making some early inroads down the right hand side and allowing Bernard Foley to boot the opening penalty goal, three minutes into the half.

All Black Malakai Fekitoa looked to reply soon after, charging down the right hand side and skipping past several would-be tackles, before a desperate Rob Horne did brilliantly to lunge and dislodge the ball to earn his side a scrum.

From the restart, some beautiful interplay from the Tahs’ backs saw Adam Ashley-Cooper punch through a midfield hole and work his way into the Highlanders’ half.

Under pressure in a retreating backline, scrumhalf Aaron Smith knocked down a pass in an offside position to defend a certain try. It was to no avail, with Israel Folau scooping up the loose ball and offloading to his skipper Michael Hooper, who swivelled around to feed an unmarked Horne for the first try of the game. As Foley’s conversion sailed left of the uprights, referee Steve Walsh showed Smith a yellow card for cynical play and the scrumhalf was sent to cool his heels for 10 minutes.

Some abrasive Otago forward play offset their numerical disadvantage, and fly half Lima Sopoaga had a chance to open the visitors’ account midway through the half. Although his penalty attempt was wide of the posts, he made amends 2 minutes later when Sekope Kepu was caught at the bottom of a Highlanders’ ruck.

The Tahs were back on the attack soon after, with a beautiful wrap around move sending Horne into space down the left and opening up a big hole in the midfield for Foley to float through on his way into the attacking 22. The pressure cracked the visitors, with flanker Shane Christie penalised for leaving his feet at ruck time.  Foley’s penalty goal sent the Waratahs to 414 season points, eclipsing their 2011 and 2013 single-season point scoring record in Super Rugby.

Sopoaga kicked two more penalties in the dying stages of the half to bring the visitors into attacking range, trailing 11-9 at the interval.

The Tahs came out firing after the break, swarming the Highlanders from the kickoff and earning an attacking scrum, five metres out. Kurtley Beale swung the ball inside to Folau in a planned move and the big fullback proved unstoppable from close range. The well-worked set piece try was their seventh of the season from first phase, much to the delight of those in their coaches’ box. In a game of milestones, Foley produced another with his successful conversion, surpassing Peter Hewat’s 2006 single-season Super Rugby point-scoring record for the Waratahs.

The ruthless Tahs were not done yet, and minutes later Alofa fired a beautiful flick pass to Kepu in space. The big prop, voted players’ player after the game, burst through several tackles on the way to his second Super Rugby try. After a tight half-time score line, two quick tries had blown the Tahs lead out to 23-9.

In desperate need of a reply, the danger men stepped up for Otago, with Ben Smith jinking his way through the middle and linking with winger Robbie Buckman. But Beale spoiled the move with a superb covering tackle bundling the fullback into touch in the left hand corner.

The Highlanders’ inability to convert their chances proved even more costly soon after, when a scrum of their five metre line was demolished by the Tahs’ pack. Nick Phipps dived on the ball when it popped out, but his offload travelled forward to an unmarked Horne.

Phipps made amends from the next scrum, which the Tahs again dominated for a tighthead win. Palu picked the ball up from the base and shovelled the ball to his scrumhalf, who burrowed under Elliot Dixon to dot down for the bonus-point try in the corner. Foley’s sideline conversion went off the upright and over, giving the Tahs an imposing 30-9 lead.

Kepu went from try-scorer to provider minutes later, bursting through the line and offloading to gift Jacques Potgieter a well-deserved score in close. Foley’s conversion sent the crowd into raptures and the Tahs even further ahead, before Potgieter received a standing ovation as he left the field.

A chip and chase try to Phil Burleigh from the kick-off gave the visitors their first try in the encounter but it would not be the last act of the game. That honour went to huge replacement winger Taqele Naiyaravoro, who ran over the helpless Highlanders’ outside backs to score his first ever Super Rugby try on fulltime.

Foley’s conversion after the siren was the final nail in the coffin, sending the final score line to 44-16 and ensuring the Tahs would top the ladder and host a semi-final.

NSW Waratahs: 1 Benn Robinson 2Tatafu Polota Nau  3 Sekope Kepu 4 Jacques Potgieter 5 Kane Douglas 6Stephen Hoiles 7 MICHAEL HOOPER (C) 8 Wycliff Palu 9 Nick Phipps 10 Bernard Foley 11 Rob Horne 12 Kurtley Beale 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper  14 Alofa Alofa 15 Israel Folau BENCH:16 Tolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Will Skelton 20 Mitch Chapman 21 Pat McCutcheon 22 Brendan McKibbin 23Taqele Naiyaravoro

SCORERS T: Horne, Folau, Kepu, Phipps, Potgieter, Naiyaravoro C: Foley (4) P: Foley (2)

Highlanders:  1 Kane Hames 2 Brayden Mitchell 3 Chris King 4 Tom Franklin 5 Joe Wheeler 6 Elliot Dixon 7 Shane Christie 8 NASI MANU (CC) 9 Aaron Smith 10 Lima Sopoaga 11 Patrick Osborne 12 Shaun Treeby 13 Malakai Fekitoa 14 Richard Buckman 15 BEN SMITH (CC) BENCH: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Matias Diaz 18 JP Koen 19 Josh Bekhuis 20 Lee Allan 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Hayden Parker 23 Phil Burleigh

SCORERS T: Burleigh C: Parker P: Sopoaga (3) Aaron Smith

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

 

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CHIEFS 24 - 16 HURRICANES

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Friday 04 July 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 16-6

PLAYOFF time came early as the Chiefs kept their championship treble hopes alive with a demanding 24-16 victory over the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium.

With Chiefs centurion Tanerau Latimer, Bundee Aki and Asaeli Tikoirotuma all playing their final home matches, it was a chance for the defending champions to avenge a 45-8 loss earlier in the season.

Both outfits showed their intent with early opportunities to launch their attack at each other's opposing try lines but the teams defences showed they were up to the task.

As the Chiefs and Hurricanes looked for an advantage, eventually the first points of the match came through a penalty to the hosts as Aaron Cruden provided the 3-0 lead.

However, the Hurricanes replied immediately after as first five Beauden Barrett levelled the score with a difficult attempt.

The Chiefs would come back again at the opponents, this time electing to turn down the penalty shot and converting soon after as prop Jamie Mackintosh ploughed his way over from close range for the try.

Playing against each other, New Zealand's top number 10s were able to trade penalties after both teams were penalised for being offside by referee Nick Briant.

Although in an explosive start to the second stanza, the Hurricanes missed a possible chance when the promising Ardie Savea brushed off a Chiefs defender but was unable to link up with brother Julian for what could've been a try.

Minutes later, Barrett stepped up to slot his third penalty of the night to reduce the margin to within a converted try at 16-9.

The Chiefs would also go within scoring range when fullback Tom Marshall went close to dotting down but only for some desperate defence sweeping across to deny him.

The home side were not about to let another chance slip when several Chiefs players combined to put Cruden into open space.

From there the captain linked up with the rampaging lock Brodie Retallick proving to be too big and too strong close to the line for the try and giving the Chiefs some breathing space on the scoreboard.

In a telling moment moments after, an apparent tip tackle cost the Chiefs field position and the Hurricanes cashed in with a try to second five Hadleigh Parkes.

But upon replay it looked as though the former Blues and Southern Kings player had lost the ball over the line but the try had been awarded.

As the clock winded down both teams showed a willingness to keep on attacking and look to post further points but eventually the Chiefs held on to keep their finals hopes alive.

Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 13 Tim Nanai-Williams 12 Charlie Ngatai 11 James Lowe 10 AARON CRUDEN (C) 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 Liam Squire 7 Tanerau Latimer 6 Liam Messam 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Mike Fitzgerald 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Mahonri Schwalger 1 Jamie Mackintosh BENCH: 16 Rhys Marshall 17 Pauliasi Manu 18 Nick Barrett 19 Matt Symons 20 Tevita Koloamatangi 21 Augustine Pulu 22 Gareth Anscombe 23 Bundee Aki

SCORERS T: Mackintosh, Retallick C: Cruden P: Cruden (4)

Hurricanes: 15 Matt Proctor 14 Cory Jane 13 Tim Bateman 12 Hadleigh Parkes 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Brad Shields 7 Ardie Savea 6 Jack Lam 5 Blade Thomson 4 JEREMY THRUSH (C) 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 2 Dane Coles 1 Ben Franks BENCH: 16 Ash Dixon 17 Chris Eves 18 Reggie Goodes 19 James Broadhurst 20 Adam Hill 21 Chris Smylie 22 Cardiff Vaega 23 James Marshall

SCORERS T: Parkes C: Barrett P: Barrett (3)

Referee: Nick Briant

 

CRUSADERS 21 - 13 BLUES

AMI Stadium, Addington, Christchurch - Saturday 05 July 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 11-13

CELEBRATIONS for Keven Mealamu’s 150th game for his franchise were dashed as the Blues suffered a heart-breaking 21-13 defeat to the Crusaders in Christchurch tonight.

The result leaves the Blues with little chance of making the playoffs now as they must rely on a string of results to go their way to have any hopes of sneaking into the top six with one game to go against the Chiefs. It was a gut wrenching defeat for the Blues who dominated all facets of the game and looked likely to secure their first win in Christchurch since 2004.

The forwards toiled hard, defending admirably and carrying the ball strongly. Ma’a Nonu was once again a wrecking ball, smashing his way through would-be tacklers and in particular running right over the top of Colin Slade.

But a double to Crusaders wing Nemani Nadolo, the second coming with just eight minutes to go in the second half following a lovely Dan Carter offload, was the difference as the Crusaders march on into finals contention.

Ihaia West and Colin Slade traded early penalty kicks before Nadolo crashed over in the corner for the first try of the evening after 16 minutes, bashing his way past Lolagi Visinia and Bryn Hall.

The Crusaders looked to be in just three minutes later as Ryan Crotty made a break before Dominic Bird got the home side just inches away from the try line.

However with the Crusaders hot on attack and with numbers away to the left, Frank Halai did superbly to race off the line and intercept Andy Ellis’ pass, running 100 metres untouched to dot down under the posts.

West’s penalty kick edged the Blues ahead 13-11 at the break in a tight encounter, and the second half became a dead lock as neither team refused to give an inch.

Carter finally got points on the board for his side with a well struck penalty kick to give the home side a narrow 14-13 lead with 13 minutes remaining before Nadolo clinched the game with a try to give the Crusaders a 21-13 victory.

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Kieron Fonotia 13 Ryan Crotty 12 Dan Carter 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 8 KIERAN READ (C) 7 Matt Todd 6 Jordan Taufua 5 Sam Whitelock 4 Dominic Bird 3 Owen Franks 2 Ben Funnell 1 Wyatt Crockett BENCH: 16 Corey Flynn 17 Joe Moody 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 Luke Whitelock 21 Willi Heinz 22 Tom Taylor 23 Johnny McNicholl

SCORERS T: Nadolo C: Carter P: Slade (2), Carter

Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia 14 Frank Halai 13 Pita Ahki 12 Ma'a Nonu 11 Charles Piutau 10 Ihaia West 9 Bryn Hall 8 Jerome Kaino 7 LUKE BRAID (C) 6 Steven Luatua 5 Tom Donnelly 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH:16 James Parsons 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi 18 Sam Prattley 19 Hayden Triggs 20 Peter Saili 21 Jamison Gibson-Park 22 Francis Saili 23 George Moala

SCORERS T: Halai C: West P: West (2)

Referee: Glen Jackson

 

 

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The Cell C Sharks will be the only South African team contesting the Vodacom Super Rugby playoffs this year after the Vodacom Bulls slipped up in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon, shortly before the KwaZulu-Natalians’ title hopes were dealt a blow in Bloemfontein.

The team from Durban dropped one position to third on the overall standings after their shock defeat by 27-20 to the Toyota Cheetahs at the Free State Stadium. It was arguably the team from Bloemfontein’s best performance of the season as they moved up from the last spot on the log to 14th.

Earlier on Saturday afternoon, the DHL Stormers recorded the fourth-ever clean sheet in a local derby when they beat the Vodacom Bulls by 16-0 at DHL Newlands. Just before the June-break, the Capetonians did the same when they beat the Toyota Cheetahs by 33-0 in Cape Town.

It will be only the third time in the last 10 years that the Vodacom Bulls will not feature in the playoffs.

The other two times a South African side failed to score any points in local derbies, were in 1999 when the Cell C Sharks beat the Vodacom Bulls by 29-0, while the team from Pretoria beat the Southern Kings by 34-0 last year.

In total, it was the sixth time ever a South African team were kept point-less in Vodacom Super Rugby and the Vodacom Bulls’ third zero. The Pretorians lost 27-0 to the Crusaders in Timaru in 2011 and the DHL Stormers lost 22-0 to the Crusaders in Cape Town in 2008.

On Friday evening, the Lions recorded their sixth win of the season when they beat the Rebels by 34-17 at Ellis Park, meaning 2014 will go down as the most successful for the team based in Johannesburg since the Cats franchise was dissolved before the 2006-season. Their previous best was five wins in 2007.

Although the Cell C Sharks lost, it was a special occasion for Springbok loose forward Willem Alberts, who became the 31st South African to reach 100 Vodacom Super Rugby points when he replaced Anton Bresler in the 45th minute in Bloemfontein.

This season alone nine players from South Africa moved past this magical mark. Alberts made his Vodacom Super Rugby debut in 2007 for the Lions, whom he represented in 37 matches until 2009. Since then, he’s played 63 times for the Cell C Sharks.

Other players who went past 100 Vodacom Super Rugby appearances in 2014, are JP Pietersen, Akona Ndungane, Werner Kruger, Jean de Villiers, Keegan Daniel, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira and Peter Grant.

 

LIONS 34 - 17 MELBOURNE REBELS

Ellis Park, Johannesburg - Friday 04 July 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 14-10

Twenty unanswered points in the final quarter saw the Lions win their sixth match of the Vodacom Super Rugby season when they beat the Rebels by 34-17 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Friday evening.

The Lions’ strong finish included tries by loose forwards Warwick Tecklenburg and Warren Whiteley, while Marnitz Boshoff capped another fine performance by contributing 19 points with the boot.

The home team started strongly when Anthony Volmink went over in the second minute for their first try, but thereafter the Lions struggled to assert themselves on the visitors from Melbourne, who slowly but surely crept their way back into the match.

Both teams tried to keep the ball in hand, which led to some exciting attacking rugby but also a lot of unnecessary errors.

Colby Fainga’a’s try 10 minutes after the break saw the visitors take the lead for the first time, but thereafter the Lions got their challenge back on track and did what was necessary to clinch their sixth win of 2014.

They capitalised when Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham was sent to the sin bin in the 70th minute, with Whiteley crashing over for the try which saw the Rebels lose their seventh straight match on South African soil.

It also means that this year will go down as the Lions’ best in history since the Cats-franchise split at the end of the 2005 season.

Lions: Coenie van Wyk, Deon van Rensburg, Stokkies Hanekom, Alwyn Hollenbach, Anthony Volmink, Marnitz Boshoff, Ross Cronje, WARREN WHITELEY (C), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Franco van der Merwe, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: Armand van der Merwe, Jacques van Rooyen / Corné Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, Willie Britz, Derick Minnie, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Lionel Mapoe

SCORERS T: Volmink, Teckleburg, Whiteley C: Boshoff (2) P: Boshoff (5)

Rebels: Jack Debreczeni, Tom Kingston, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Tom English, Bryce Hegarty, Luke Burgess, SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C), Scott Fuglistaller, Colby Fainga'a, Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle, Laurie Weeks, Shota Horie, Toby Smith BENCH: Pat Leafa, Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Cadeyrn Neville,  Jordy Reid, Nic Stirzaker, Jason Woodward, Telusa Veainu

SCORERS T: English, Fainga'a C: Debreczeni (2) P: Debreczeni Higginbotham

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

STORMERS 16 - 0 BULLS

DHL Newlands, Cape Town - Saturday 05 July 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 16-0

The DHL Stormers recorded only the fourth ever – but their second of 2014 – clean sheet in a South African Vodacom Super Rugby derby when they beat the Vodacom Bulls by 16-0 at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.

The home team started like a house on fire and were ahead by 10-0 after only 15 minutes of relentless attacking play on a cold day in Cape Town. Jaco Taute scored the DHL Stormers’ try, while Kurt Coleman added the rest via the boot.

Two more Coleman penalty goals saw the home team lead by 16-0 after a dominant first half for the Capetonians and where the Vodacom Bulls hardly got their hands on the ball. The main reasons for the visitors’ struggles were the DHL Stormers’ enterprising play, but also a slew of errors by the team from Pretoria.

The Vodacom Bulls’ scrum was under constant pressure in the first half and their line-out was not as solid as always. The DHL Stormers also struggled at line-out time, but they did not make as many mistakes.

When the rain came down in the second half, both teams struggled to put together anything resembling a proper attacking move and after the excitement of the first quarter, the match lost a lot of fizzle towards the end.

Supporters of the DHL Stormers wo not complain too much though as their team has now beaten all four other South African teams in the competition this year.

However, for the Vodacom Bulls this defeat spelled the end of their slim hopes of reaching the playoffs and they will now play for pride and second position in the SA Conference.

DHL Stormers: Jaco Taute, Gio Aplon, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Juan de Jongh, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt Coleman, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, SCHALK BURGER (C), Nizaam Carr, Ruan Botha, Michael Rhodes, Pat Cilliers, Deon Fourie, Alistair Vermaak BENCH: Tiaan Liebenberg, Sti Sithole, Martin Dreyer, Manuel Carizza, Siya Kolisi, Louis Schreuder, Peter Grant, Seabelo Senatla

SCORERS T: Taute C: Coleman P: Coleman (3)

Vodacom Bulls: Jurgen Visser, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Handré Pollard, Francois Hougaard, Grant Hattingh, Jacques Engelbrecht, Jono Ross, VICTOR MATFIELD (C), Paul Willemse, Werner Kruger, Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling BENCH: Bongi Mbonambi, Morné Mellett, Marcel van der Merwe, Marvin Orie, Roelof Smit, Piet van Zyl, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, William Small-Smith

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

CHEETAHS 27 - 20 SHARKS

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Saturday 05 July 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 17-13

The Toyota Cheetahs beat the Cell C Sharks for the first time in Bloemfontein since 2009, seriously denting the KwaZulu-Natalians’ title aspirations when they won this highly entertaining local derby by 27-20 on Saturday evening.

It was clear from the outset that the Toyota Cheetahs were not bothered too much by their last spot on the overall log, or that the Cell C Sharks were sitting pretty in second position.

The home team led by 10-0 early on after a try by Torsten van Jaarsveld. Shortly thereafter a scintillating solo-try from Cobus Reinach, who cut the home team’s defence to shreds from a line-out, woke the visitors up.

After 30 minutes, the Cell C Sharks led by 13-10, but a late first-half try from eventual Man of the Match Philip van der Walt saw the Toyota Cheetahs finish the first half in front by 17-13.

A third Toyota Cheetah try, by new Springbok lock Lood de Jager, followed by another penalty goal from Johan Goosen increased their lead to 27-13, but then the Cell C Sharks woke up again from their mid-game slumber, with the introduction of a host of Boks from the bench lifting the visitors.

The Cell C Sharks scored a second try – by Bismarck du Plessis after a superb maul – and with minutes to go they were behind by only seven points. That is how it ended, with the Toyota Cheetahs on the back foot but defending like Trojans as the visitors put up a massive fight for another log point at the death.

Toyota Cheetahs: Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Johann Sadie, Ryno Benjamin, Raymond Rhule, Johan Goosen, Sarel Pretorius, Philip van der Walt, Teboho Mohoje, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Francois Uys, Lood de Jager, Coenie Oosthuizen, ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C), Trevor Nyakane BENCH: Caylib Oosthuizen, Luan de Bruin, Carl Wegner, Jean Cook, Henco Venter, Shaun Venter, Elgar Watts, Hennie Daniller

SCORERS T: van Jaarsveld, van der Walt, de Jager C: Goosen (3) P: Goosen (2) Goosen

Cell C Sharks: SP Marais, JP Pietersen, S’bura Sithole, Frans Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo, Tim Swiel, Cobus Reinach, Ryan Kankowski, JEAN DEYSEL (C), Marcell Coetzee, Anton Bresler, Stephan Lewies, Lourens Adriaanse, Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick BENCH: Thomas du Toit, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Willem Alberts, Tera Mtembu, Charl McLeod, Odwa Ndungane, Tonderai Chavhanga

SCORERS T: Reinach, Bismarck du Plessis C: Swiel (2) P: Swiel (2)

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

 

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MELBOURNE REBELS 20 - 36 REDS

AAMI Park, Melbourne - Friday 27 June 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 3-22

Rebels: 15 Jack Debreczeni 14 Jason Woodward 13 Tamati Ellison 12 Mitch Inman 11 Tom English 10 Bryce Hegarty 9 Luke Burgess 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 7 Colby Fainga'a 6 Sean McMahon 5 Luke Jones 4 Cadeyrn Neville 3 Laurie Weeks 2 Pat Leafa 1 Toby Smith Reserves: 16 Shota Horie 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Paul Alo-Emile 19 Hugh Pyle 20 Scott Fuglistaller 21 Nic Stirzaker 22 Telusa Veainu 23 Tom Kingston

SCORERS T: Burgess, Hegarty, Inman C: Woodward P: Woodward Inman

Reds: 15 Mike Harris 14 Rod Davies 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Anthony Fainga’a 11 Dom Shipperley 10 Ben Lucas 9 Nick Frisby 8 Jake Schatz 7 Beau Robinson 6 Curtis Browning 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 Greg Holmes 2 James Hanson 1 James Slipper BENCH: 16 Saia Fainga’a 17 Albert Anae 18 Ben Daley 19 Dave McDuling 20 Liam Gill 21 Samuela Kerevi 22 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 23 Lachie Turner

SCORERS T: Turner (2), Harris, Frisby (2), Davies C: Harris (3) Turner

Referee: Angus Gardner

 

WARATAHS 39 - 8 BRUMBIES

ANZ Stadium, Sydney - Saturday 28 June 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 14-5

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau 14 Alofa Alofa 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Kurtley Beale 11 Rob Horne 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 8 Wycliff Palu 7 Michael Hooper 6 DAVE DENNIS (C) 5 Kane Douglas 4 Jacques Potgieter 3 Sekope Kepu 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau 1 Benn Robinson BENCH: 16 Tolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Will Skelton 20 Stephen Hoiles 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Jono Lance 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro 24 Cam Crawford

SCORERS T: Robinson, Alofa (2), Foley, Palu C: Foley (4) P: Foley, Beale

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Henry Speight 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Andrew Smith 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Christian Leali’ifano 9 Nic White 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 7 Jarrad Butler 6 Jordan Smiler 5 Leon Power 4 Scott Fardy 3 Ben Alexander 2 Ruaidhri Murphy 1 Scott Sio BENCH: 16 Luke Holmes 17 Ruan Smith 18 JP Smith 19 Fotu Auelua 20 Jack Whetton 21 Michael Dowsett 22 Clyde Rathbone 23 Lionel Cronje

SCORERS T: Mogg P: Leali'ifano Auelua

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

WESTERN FORCE 14 - 40 BLUES

NIB Stadium, Perth - Saturday 28 June 2014
KO: 19:45 HT: 0-26

Western Force: 15 Jayden Hayward 14 Dane Haylett-Petty 13 Marcel Brache 12 Chris Tuatara-Morrison 11 Nick Cummins 10 Sias Ebersohn 9 Alby Mathewson 8 Ben McCalman 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 6 Hugh McMeniman 5 Adam Coleman 4 Sam Wykes 3 Kieran Longbottom 2 Nathan Charles 1 Pek Cowan BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Oliver Hoskins 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp 20 Brynard Stander 21 Ian Prior 22 Zack Holmes 23 Solomoni Rasolea

SCORERS T: Charles, Stander C: Hayward (2)

Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia 14 Frank Halai 13 Pita Ahki 12 Ma'a Nonu 11 George Moala 10 Ihaia West 9 Bryn Hall 8 Jerome Kaino 7 LUKE BRAID (C) 6 Steven Luatua 5 Patrick Tuipulotu 4 Tom Donnelly 3 Charlie Faumuina/ Angus Ta'avao 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH: 16 James Parsons 17 Angus Ta'avao/ Tom McCartney 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi 19 Hayden Triggs 20 Peter Saili 21 Piri Weepu 22 Francis Saili 23 Tevita Li

SCORERS T: West, Faumuina, Visinia, Nonu, Braid, Ahki C: West (5) Donnelly

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

 

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HIGHLANDERS 29 - 25 CHIEFS

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Friday 27 June 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 10-13

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Shaun Treeby 11 Patrick Osborne 10 Lima Sopoaga 9 Aaron Smith 8 Nasi Manu 7 Shane Christie 6 Elliot Dixon 5 Joe Wheeler 4 Tom Franklin 3 Ma'afu Fia 2 Brayden Mitchell 1 Kane Hames BENCH: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Matias Diaz 18 Chris King 19 Josh Bekhuis 20 Lee Allan 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Hayden Parker 23 Phil Burleigh

SCORERS T: Osbourne, Ben Smith C: Sopoaga (2) P: Sopoaga (4), Parker

Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe 14 Dwayne Sweeney 13 Robbie Fruean 12 Bundee Aki 11 Tom Marshall 10 AARON CRUDEN (C) 9 Augustine Pulu 8 Liam Squire 7 Tanerau Latimer 6 Liam Messam 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Michael Fitzgerald 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Mahonri Schwalger 1 Pauliasi Manu BENCH: 16 Nathan Harris 17 Jamie Mackintosh 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Matt Symons 20 Tevita Koloamatangi 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22 Tim Nanai-Williams 23 James Lowe

SCORERS T: Sweeney, Nanai-Williams, Hohneck C: Cruden (2) P: Cruden, Anscombe

Referee: Garratt Williamson

 

HURRICANES 16 - 9 CRUSADERS

Westpac Stadium, Wellington - Saturday 28 June 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 11-3

Hurricanes: 15 Matt Proctor 14 Cory Jane 13 Tim Bateman 12 Alapati Leiua 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Victor Vito 7 Ardie Savea 6 Brad Shields 5 Blade Thomson 4 JEREMY THURSH (C) 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 2 Dane Coles 1 Ben Franks BENCH: 16 Motu Matu'u/Reggie Goodes 17 Chris Eves 18 Reggie Goodes/Brendon Edmonds 19 James Broadhurst 20 Jack Lam 21 Chris Smylie 22 Hadleigh Parkes 23 James Marshall

SCORERS T: Thomson (2) P: Barrett (2)

Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor 14 Johnny McNicholl 13 Kieron Fonotia 12 RYAN CROTTY (C) 11 Nafi Tuitavake 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 8 Luke Whitelock 7 Matt Todd 6 Jordan Taufua 5 Samuel Whitelock 4 Dominic Bird 3 Nepo Laulala 2 Corey Flynn 1 Wyatt Crockett BENCH: 16 Ben Funnell 17 Joe Moody 18 Owen Franks 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 Kieran Read 21 Willi Heinz 22 Dan Carter 23 Rob Thompson

SCORERS P: Slade (3) Todd

Referee: Mike Fraser

 

 

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REDS 38 - 31 HIGHLANDERS

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - Friday 30 May 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 21-0

Reds: 15 Mike Harris 14 Dom Shipperley 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Anthony Fainga'a 11 Rod Davies 10 Ben Lucas 9 Will Genia 8 Jake Schatz 7 Beau Robinson 6 Curtis Browning 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 Greg Holmes 2 James Hanson 1 James Slipper BENCH: 16 Andrew Ready 17 Albert Anae 18 Sef Faagase 19 Dave McDuling 20 Liam Gill 21 Nick Frisby 22 Samu Kerevi 23 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi

T: Browning, Davies, Shipperley, Schatz (2) C: Harris (4), Genia P: Harris

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Shaun Treeby 11 Patrick Osborne 10 Lima Sopoaga 9 Aaron Smith 8 Nasi Manu 7 Shane Christie 6 Gareth Evans 5 Joe Wheeler 4 Jarrad Hoeata 3 Ma'afu Fia 2 Liam Coltman 1 Kane Hames BENCH: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Matias Diaz 18 Chris King 19 Tom Franklin 20 Elliot Dixon 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Hayden Parker 23 Phil Burleigh

T: Sopoaga, Buckman, Osbourne, Tanaka C: Sopoaga (2), Parker (2) P: Parker

Referee: Andrew Lees

 

BRUMBIES 37 - 10 MELBOURNE REBELS

Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Saturday 31 May 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 25-3

Brumbies: 1 Scott Sio 2 Stephen Moore 3 Ruan Smith 4 Scott Fardy 5 Sam Carter 6 Fotu Auelua 7 Jarrad Butler 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 9 Nic White 10 Matt Toomua 11 Clyde Rathbone 12 Christian Leali’ifano 13 Tevita Kuridrani 14 Henry Speight 15 Pat McCabe BENCH: 16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Ben Alexander 18 JP Smith 19 Leon Power 20 Jordan Smiler 21 Michael Dowsett 22 Andrew Smith 23 Jesse Mogg

T: Toomua (2), McCabe, Sio, Carter, Power C: Leali'ifano (2) P: Leali'ifano Alexander

Rebels: 1 Toby Smith 2 Pat Leafa 3 Laurie Weeks 4 Cadeyrn Neville 5 Luke Jones 6 Colby Fainga'a 7 Scott Fuglistaller 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 9 Ben Meehan 10 Bryce Hegarty 11 Tom English 12 Mitch Inman 13 Tamati Ellison 14 Male Sau 15 Jason Woodward BENCH: 16 Shota Horie 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Paul Alo-Emile 19 Hugh Pyle 20 Jordy Reid 21 Josh Holmes 22 Jack Debreczeni 23 Tom Kingston

T: Higginbotham C: Woodward P: Woodward

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

 

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CRUSADERS 30 - 7 WESTERN FORCE

AMI Stadium, Addington, Christchurch - Friday 30 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 16-0

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Johnny McNicholl 13 Tom Taylor 12 Ryan Crotty 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 8 KIERAN READ (C) 7 Richie McCaw 6 Jordan Taufua 5 Sam Whitelock 4 Dominic Bird 3 Nepo Laulala 2 Ben Funnell 1 Tim Perry BENCH: 16 Corey Flynn 17 Wyatt Crockett 18 Owen Franks 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 Luke Whitelock 21 Willi Heinz 22 Adam Whitelock 23 Nafi Tuitavake

T: McNicholl, PT (2) C: Slade (3) P: Slade (3)

Force: 15 Jayden Hayward 14 Dane Haylett-Petty 13 Patrick Dellit 12 Chris Tuatara-Morrison 11 Nick Cummins 10 Sias Ebersohn 9 Ian Prior 8 Angus Cottrell 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 6 Brynard Stander 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp 4 Sam Wykes 3 Kieran Longbottom 2 Nathan Charles 1 Pek Cowan BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Francois van Wyk 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Adam Coleman 20 Ryan Hodson 21 Justin Turner 22 Zack Holmes 23 Dillyn Leyds

T: Haylett-Petty C: Ebersohn Wykes

Referee: Mike Fraser

 

CHIEFS 17 - 33 WARATAHS

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth - Saturday 31 May 2014
KO: 16:35 HT: 3-13

Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall 14 Dwayne Sweeney 13 Tim Nanai-Williams 12 Andrew Horrell 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 10 AARON CRUDEN (CO-C) 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 Liam Squire 7 Sam Cane 6 LIAM MESSAM (CO-C) 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Matt Symons 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Nathan Harris 1 Jamie Mackintosh BENCH: 16 Mahonri Schwalger 17 Pauliasi Manu 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Michael Fitzgerald 20Tanerau Latimer 21 Brad Weber 22 Gareth Anscombe 23 Bundee Aki

T: Aki C: Cruden (2) P: Cruden

Waratahs: 1 Benn Robinson 2 Tatafu Polota Nau 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Jacques Potgieter 5 Kane Douglas 6 DAVE DENNIS (C) 7 Michael Hooper 8 Wycliff Palu 9 Nick Phipps 10 Bernard Foley 11 Rob Horne 12 Kurtley Beale 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 14 Alofa Alofa 15 Israel Folau BENCH: 16 Hugh Roach 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Sekope Kepu 19 Will Skelton 20 Stephen Hoiles 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Jono Lance 23 Matt Carraro

T: Folau, Dennis, Foley C: Foley (3) P: Foley (3), Beale

Referee: Chris Pollock

 

BLUES 37 - 24 HURRICANES

Eden Park, Auckland - Saturday 31 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 15-7

Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia 14 Frank Halai 13 Pita Ahki 12 Ma'a Nonu 11 George Moala 10 Ihaia West 9 Bryn Hall 8 Jerome Kaino 7 LUKE BRAID (C) 6 Peter Saili 5 Tom Donnelly 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH: 16 James Parsons 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Hayden Triggs 20 Steven Luatua 21 Piri Weepu 22 Simon Hickey 23 Albert Nikoro

T: PT, Visinia, Kaino, Moala, Tuipolotu C: West (3) P: West (2)

Hurricanes: 1 Reggie Goodes 2 Dane Coles 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 4 Jeremy Thrush 5 James Broadhurst 6 Faifili Levave 7 Jack Lam 8 Victor Vito 9 TJ Perenara 10 Beauden Barrett 11 Julian Savea 12 Alapati Leiua 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 14 Cory Jane 15 Matt Proctor BENCH: 16 Motu Matu'u 17 Chris Eves 18 Ben Franks 19 Brad Shields 20 Ardie Savea 21 Chris Smylie 22 Tim Bateman 23 James Marshall

T: Levave (2), Julian Savea, Ardie Savea C: Barrett (2) Proctor

Referee: Garratt Williamson

 

 

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LIONS 32 - 21 BULLS

Ellis Park, Johannesburg - Saturday 31 May 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 9-6

Lions: 15 Coenie van Wyk 14 Courtnall Skosan 13 Stokkies Hanekom 12 Alwyn Hollenbach 11 Chrysander Botha 10 Marnitz Boshoff 9 Ross Cronje 8 WARREN WHITELEY (C) 7 Warwick Tecklenburg 6 Jaco Kriel 5 Franco Mostert 4 Rudi Mathee 3 Ruan Dreyer 2 Robbie Coetzee 1 Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: 16 Armand van der Merwe 17 Corne Fourie 18 Jean Marais 19 Willie Britz 20 Derick Minnie 21 Faf de Klerk 22 Elton Jantjies 23 Deon van Rensburg

T: Hollenbach, Tecklenburg C: Boshoff (2) P: Boshoff (4) DG: Boshoff (2)

Bulls: Jurgen Visser Akona Ndungane JJ Engelbrecht Jan Serfontein Bjorn Basson Jacques-Louis Potgieter Francois Hougaard Jacques Engelbrecht Jacques du Plessis Jono Ross Grant Hattingh FLIP VAN DER MERWE (C) Marcel van der Merwe Callie Visagie Dean Greyling BENCH: Bongi Mbonambi Werner Kruger Morne Mellett Paul Willemse Wimpie van der Walt, Piet van Zyl Louis Fouche, William-Small Smith

T: Small-Smith, du Plessis C: Potgieter P: Potgieter (3)

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

SHARKS 19 - 21 STORMERS

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban - Saturday 31 May 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 16-9

Sharks: 15 SP Marais 14 JP Pietersen 13 S'bura Sithole 12 Paul Jordaan 11 Lwazi Mvovo 10 Francois Steyn 9 Cobus Reinach 8 Willem Alberts 7 Tera Mtembu 6 Marcell Coetzee 5 Stephan Lewies 4 Etienne Oosthuizen 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 1 Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Ryan Kankowski 20 Keegan Daniel 21 Charl McLeod 22 Tim Swiel 23 Heimar Williams

T: Reinach C: Steyn P: Steyn (4) Coetzee

Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute 14 Cheslin Kolbe 13 Juan de Jongh 12 Damian de Allende 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau 10 Kurt Coleman 9 Nic Groom 8 DUANE VERMEULEN (C) 7 Siya Kolisi 6 Nizaam Carr 5 Ruan Botha 4 Michael Rhodes 3 Pat Cilliers 2 Deon Fourie 1 Alistair Vermaak BENCH: 16 Stephan Coetzee 17 Sti Sithole 18 Martin Dreyer 19 Jean Kleyn 20 Manuel Carizza 21 Dylon Frylinck 22 Demetri Catrakilis 23 Peter Grant

P: Coleman (4), Catrakilis (2) DG: Taute Carr

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

 

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MELBOURNE REBELS 19 - 41 WARATAHS

AAMI Park, Melbourne - Friday 23 May 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 9-16

Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward 14 Tom Kingston 13 Tamati Ellison 12 Mitch Inman 11 Tom English 10 Bryce Hegarty 9 Ben Meehan 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 7 Scott Fuglistaller 6 Colby Fainga'a 5 Luke Jones 4 Cadeyrn Neville 3 Paul Alo-Emile 2 Pat Leafa 1 Toby Smith BENCH: 16 Steve Fualau 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Max Lahiff 19 Hugh Pyle 20 Sean McMahon 21 Josh Holmes 22 Jack Debreczeni 23 Telusa Veainu

T: Veainu C: Woodward P: Woodward (4) Pat Leafa

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau 14 Alofa Alofa 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Kurtley Beale 11 Rob Horne 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 8 Wycliff Palu 7 Michael Hooper 6 Dave Dennis 5 Kane Douglas 4 Jacques Potgieter 3 Paddy Ryan 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau 1 Benn Robinson BENCH: 16 Hugh Roach 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Sekope Kepu 19 Will Skelton 20 Stephen Hoiles 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Jono Lance 23 Matt Carraro

T: Horne, Ashley-Cooper, Hooper, Beale, Folau, McKibbin C: Foley P: Foley (3

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

WESTERN FORCE 29 - 19 LIONS

NIB Stadium, Perth - Saturday 24 May 2014
KO: 17:40 HT: 15-9

Force: Jayden Hayward, Dane Haylett-Petty, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Luke Burton, Nick Cummins, Sias Ebersohn, Ian Prior, Ben McCalman, MATT HODGSON (C), Angus Cottrell, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Sam Wykes, Kieran Longbottom, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan BENCH: Heath Tessmann, Tetera Faulkner, Ollie Hoskins, Adam Coleman, Brynard Stander, Justin Turner, Zack Holmes, Patrick Dellit

T: Hodgson (2), Hayward, Tuatara-Morrison C: Ebersohn Hayward (2) P: Ebersohn

Lions: Coenie van Wyk, JW Jonker, Deon van Rensburg, Alwyn Hollenbach, Anthony Volmink, Marnitz Boshoff, Ross Cronje, WARREN WHITELEY (C), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Rudi Mathee, Ruan Dreyer, Armand van der Merwe, Corne Fourie BENCH: Robbie Coetzee, Jacques van Rooyen, Julian Redelinghuys, Willie Britz, Stephan de Wit, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, Stefan Watermeyer

T: Jantjies C: Boshoff P: Boshoff Fourie

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

 

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BLUES 23 - 29 SHARKS

North Harbour Stadium, Albany - Friday 23 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 6-16

Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia 14 Frank Halai 13 Pita Ahki 12 Ma'a Nonu 11 Tevita Li 10 Simon Hickey 9 Bryn Hall 8 Jerome Kaino 7 LUKE BRAID (C) 6 Peter Saili 5 Tom Donnelly 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH: 16 James Parsons 17 Sam Prattley 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Hayden Triggs 20 Steven Luatua 21 Jamison Gibson-Park 22 Ihaia West 23 Albert Nikoro

T: Braid, Li C: Hickey, West P: Hickey (2), West

Sharks: 15 SP Marais 14 JP Pietersen 13 S'bura Sithole 12 Paul Jordaan 11 Lwazi Mvovo 10 Francois Steyn 9 Cobus Reinach 8 Willem Alberts 7 Tera Mtembu 6 Jacques Botes 5 Stephan Lewies 4 Etienne Oosthuizen 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 1 Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Ryan Kankowski 20 Keegan Daniel 21 Charl McLeod 22 Tim Swiel 23 Heimar Williams

T: Bismarck du Plessis, Reinach C: Steyn (2) P: Steyn (3), Marais DG: Steyn Jannie du Plessis, Steyn

Referee: Nick Briant 

 

HIGHLANDERS 30 - 32 CRUSADERS

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Saturday 24 May 2014
KO: 17:35 HT: 12-10

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Shaun Treeby 11 Patrick Osborne 10 Lima Sopoaga 9 Aaron Smith 8 Nasi Manu 7 Shane Christie 6 Elliot Dixon 5 Joe Wheeler 4 Jarrad Hoeata 3 Chris King 2 Ged Robinson 1 Kane Hames BENCH: 16 Sam Anderson-Heather 17 Matias Diaz 18 Ma'afu Fia 19 Tom Franklin 20 Gareth Evans 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Hayden Parker 23 Phil Burleigh

T: Robinson, Osbourne, Fekitoa, Ben Smith C: Sopoaga, Parker P: Sopoaga, Parker

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Johnny McNicholl 13 Tom Taylor 12 RYAN CROTTY (C) 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 8 Luke Whitelock 7 Richie McCaw 6 Jordan Taufua 5 Sam Whitelock 4 Dominic Bird 3 Nepo Laulala 2 Ben Funnell 1 Tim Perry BENCH: 16 Corey Flynn 17 Wyatt Crockett 18 Owen Franks 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 George Whitelock 21 Willi Heinz 22 Adam Whitelock 23 Nafi Tuitavake

T: Taufua, Perry, Laulala, Nadolo C: Slade (3) P: Slade (2) McCaw

Referee: Glen Jackson

 

HURRICANES 45 - 8 CHIEFS

Westpac Stadium, Wellington - Saturday 24 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 21-8

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor 14 Cory Jane 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Alapati Leiua 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Victor Vito 7 Jack Lam 6 Faifili Levave 5 James Broadhurst 4 Jeremy Thrush 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 2 Dane Coles 1 Ben Franks BENCH: 16 Ash Dixon 17 Chris Eves 18 Reggie Goodes 19 Brad Shields 20 Ardie Savea 21 Chris Smylie 22 Tim Bateman 23 Matt Proctor

T: Taylor, Franks, Julian Savea, Lam, Shields C: Barrett (6) P: Barrett Goodes

Chiefs: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams 14 Dwayne Sweeney 13 Charlie Ngatai 12 Bundee Aki 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 10 Gareth Anscombe 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 LIAM MESSAM (C) 7 Sam Cane 6 Tanerau Latimer 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Michael Fitzgerald 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Nathan Harris 1 Pauliasi Manu BENCH: 16 Mahonri Schwalger 17 Jamie Mackintosh 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Kane Thompson 20 Liam Squire 21 Brad Weber 22 Aaron Cruden 23 Tom Marshall

T: Squire P: Anscombe Retallick

Referee: Angus Gardner

 

 

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BULLS 44 - 23 BRUMBIES

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria - Friday 23 May 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 23-6

Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser 14 Akona Ndungane 13 JJ Engelbrecht 12 Jan Serfontein 11 Bjorn Basson 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter 9 Francois Hougaard 8 Grant Hattingh 7 Jacques du Plessis 6 Jono Ross 5 Victor Matfield 4 FLIP VAN DER MERWE (C) 3 Werner Kruger 2 Callie Visagie 1 Dean Greyling BENCH: 16 Bongo Mbonambi 17 Morné Mellett 18 Marcel van der Merwe 19 Paul Willemse 20 Jacques Engelbrecht 21 Piet van Zyl 22 Handré Pollard 23 Ulrich Beyers

T: Serfontein, Ross (2), Basson C: Potgieter (2), Pollard P: Potgieter (6)

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Henry Speight 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Christian Leali’ifano 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 7 Jarrad Butler 6 Scott Fardy 5 Sam Carter 4 Leon Power 3 Ben Alexander 2 Stephen Moore 1 Scott Sio BENCH: 16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Ruan Smith 18 JP Smith 19 Fotu Auelua 20 Jordan Smiler 21 Conrad Hoffmann 22 Andrew Smith 23 Pat McCabe

T: Speight, Mowen, Kuridrani C: Leali'ifano P: Leali'ifano (2) Toomua, Mann-Rea

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

STORMERS 33 - 0 CHEETAHS

DHL Newlands, Cape Town - Saturday 24 May 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 15-0

Stormers: Jaco Taute, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, JEAN DE VILLIERS (C), Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt Coleman, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Nizaam Carr, Ruan Botha, Michael Rhodes, Pat Cilliers, Deon Fourie, Alistair Vermaak BENCH: Stephan Coetzee, Oli Kebble, Brok Harris, Jean Kleyn, Siya Kolisi, Dylon Frylinck, Peter Grant, Kobus van Wyk

T: Fourie, van Wyk, Kolisi, Tagicakibau C: Coleman, Grant P: Coleman (2), Grant Rhodes

Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Cornal Hendricks, Johann Sadie, Ryno Benjamin, Willie le Roux, Johan Goosen, Shaun Venter, Boom Prinsloo, Teboho Mohoje, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Uys, Boela Serfontein, Coenie Oosthuizen, ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C), Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: Torsten van Jaarsveld, Trevor Nyakane, Maks van Dyk, Hilton Lobberts, Carel Greeff, Tian Meyer, Elgar Watts, Riaan Smit

Strauss

Referee: Stuart Berry

 

 

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REDS 27 - 30 MELBOURNE REBELS

Suncorp Stadium Brisbane - Saturday 17 May 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 17-17

THE RaboDirect Rebels beat the Reds for the first time in Super Rugby, with a double from Luke Burgess leading the way to a nail-biting 30-27 victory secured at the death.

It was not the start the Rebels were after as they headed to Suncorp Stadium to take on the Reds in a battle between 4th and 5th in the Australian conference.

Captain Scott Higginbotham, himself a former Red, was yellow carded after a late hit on Mike Harris in the 1st minute, and it was Harris who capitalised to score a 3rd minute converted try after the home team exploited an overlap created by the one-man advantage.

Jason Woodward, on his 24th birthday, hit back with an early penalty and in a blow for the home team star playmaker Cooper was substituted with a shoulder injury as Higginbotham returned to the field. And it was the Rebels who were next to score after a great turnover from Cadeyrn Neville led to a Tom English break, and a great Woodward offload for Tom Kingston to score his first for the Club. Woodward's kick was successful, as the visitors took the lead just 16 minutes into the clash.

Harris, taking over the goal kicking duties, was next to score a penalty as Tamati Ellison was guilty of hands in the ruck after making a try-saving tackle on Cooper's replacement Ben Lucas. But after James Horwill was penalised for hands in the ruck, a great Rebels lineout saw Luke Burgess scoot through from 25 metres out and dot down under the posts, Woodward successfully converting.

With half time approaching a minor scuffle broke out, with Steve Walsh warning both skippers, however there was still time for the Reds to score through Greg Holmes and Harris added the extras on the hooter to send the teams into the sheds locked at 17 points apiece.

It did not take long for the Rebels to wrestle back the lead however, with Cadeyrn Neville doing well to regain the ball straight from the kick off. Just two minutes later, following good work by Colby Fainga'a and Scott Fuglistaller, scrumhalf Burgess was in for his second right under the posts, with Woodward again making no mistake with the kick.

The momentum swing continued, with a concerted push at the Rebels' line for ten minutes coming close for the hosts, only for Pat Leafa and Fainga'a to somehow prevent Horwill from scoring when he appeared destined to do so. The defensive pressure continued and eventually, after nearly 20 minutes of pressure, the Reds scored their third try through Lucas, locking the scores with less than 15 minutes to go.

In a physical game, Luke Burgess and Tamati Ellison joined Ben Daley and Cooper on the sidelines, with a young Rebels squad needing to step up without their most experienced backs. Woodward slotted another penalty from right on the touchline, only for Harris to respond with an equally challenging kick five minutes later to set up a showcase finish.

And it was an indiscretion from Ed O'Donoghue that presented the Rebels with the opportunity to take the lead, and ultimately the win, after he was red carded for serious misconduct. Jason Woodward slotted from directly in front, and the Rebels were able to put the ball into touch to record a historic first ever victory over the Reds.

Reds: 15 Mike Harris 14 Dom Shipperley 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Anthony Fainga’a 11 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia 1 Ben Daley 2 James Hanson 3 Greg Holmes 4 Rob Simmons 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 6 Curtis Browning7 Beau Robinson 8 Jake Schatz BENCH: 16 Saia Fainga’a 17 Albert Anae 18 Jono Owen 19 Ed O’Donoghue 20 Dave McDuling 21 Nick Frisby 22 Ben Lucas 23 Rod Davies

SCORERS T: Harris, Holmes, Lucas C: Cooper, Harris (2) P: Harris (2) O'Donoghue

Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward 14 Tom Kingston 13 Tamati Ellison 12 Mitch Inman 11 Tom English 10 Bryce Hegarty 9 Luke Burgess 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 7 Scott Fuglistaller 6 Colby Fainga'a 5 Luke Jones 4 Cadeyrn Neville 3 Laurie Weeks 2 Pat Leafa 1 Toby Smith BENCH: 16 Steve Fualau 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Paul Alo-Emilie 19 Hugh Pyle 20 Sean McMahon 21 Ben Meehan 22 Jack Debreczeni 23 Telusa Veainu

SCORERS T: Kingston, Burgess (2) C: Woodward (3) P: Woodward (3) Higginbotham

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

WARATAHS 41 - 13 LIONS

Allianz Stadium Sydney - Sunday 18 May 2014
KO: 16:05 HT: 17-13

A brace of tries to winger Rob Horne and 21 points from Man of the Match Bernard Foley propelled the NSW Waratahs to a vital 41-13 bonus point victory at Allianz Stadium. In front of their biggest home crowd of the season the Waratahs ran in five tries, and held the Lions scoreless in the second half, to maintain their perfect winning record at home this season.

Unfazed by a series of missed opportunities early on, the Tahs’ relentless attack peppered the Lions’ line. The pressure exposed chinks in the visitor’s armour, and Foley was able to swivel inside centre Lionel Mapoe and lunge over the black dot. The fly half converted his try and took the score to 7-0 after 10 minutes.

However the Lions were quick to counter, earning an offside penalty and driving the ball deep into the Tahs’ 22 for an attacking lineout. Their set piece finished the job, with a powerful maul driving flanker Jaco Kriel over for a 5-pointer in the left hand corner. Fly half Marnitz Boshoff slotted a sideline conversion, and the visitors were back at level pegging on the 15 minute mark.

Strong running from Beale got the Tahs back onto the front foot and into the 22, with the pressure forcing a Lions ruck infringement. Foley made no mistake with his penalty attempt, but Boshoff replied minutes later to level the ledger again at 10-all midway through the half.

The end to end rugby continued, and from an attacking scrum Foley dropped a perfectly-weighted grubber kick into the in-goal area, with Beale scooping it up unopposed to score the Waratahs’ second try of the game. Foley’s second conversion from in front gave the Tahs breathing space at 17-10.

Boshoff added his second penalty, but failed to convert another from beyond halfway, and the Tahs held a four point advantage at the break, 17-13.

The Tahs emerged from the sheds with a renewed enthusiasm, with a nice interplay between Foley and Skelton sending Horne into space on the left hand side. The powerful winger brushed aside the tackle of fullback Chrysander Botha on his way to a deserved try, but Rob Horne was denied a second in quick time when van Rensburg dragged the winger down 5 metres out. The Lions winger was rewarded for his heroics with a yellow card for intentionally slowing the Tahs’ ruck ball.

Van Rensburg’s absence left the Lions vulnerable at the back, and a neat chip kick from Kurtley Beale gave centre Adam Ashley-Cooper the bonus point try. Foley’s conversion extended the lead to an imposing 31-13 on the 50 minute mark.

Horne’s pace and physicality continued to bamboozle the Lions’ outside backs and, if not for a desperate cover tackle from Lions captain Warren Whitley, the winger would have had his second try after a break midway through the second half.

The Tahs settled for a consolation Foley three-pointer after Horne was denied a second try, and an imposing Waratahs scrum effort demolished the Lions forwards 2 minutes later.

The comfortable lead allowed Cheika to ring the changes, blooding two debutants in as many minutes – with hooker Hugh Roach replacing Tatafu Polota-Nau and giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro on for Ashley-Cooper.

The injection of fresh legs proved valuable for the Tahs, with Folau offloading to gift Horne – voted player’s player after the match – a well earned second try on the fulltime siren. Foley’s successful conversion capped off a perfect night with the boot, and gave the Tahs an impressive 41-13 final scoreline.

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau 14 Matt Carraro 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Kurtley Beale 11 Rob Horne 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 1 Benn Robinson 2 Tatafu Polota Nau 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Will Skelton 5 Kane Douglas 6 DAVE DENNIS (C) 7 Michael Hooper 8 Wycliff Palu BENCH: 16 Hugh Roach 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Sekope Kepu 19 Jacques Potgieter 20 Stephen Hoiles 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Alofa Alofa 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro

SCORERS T: Foley, Beale, Horne (2), Ashley-Cooper C: Foley (5) P: Foley (2)

Lions: 15 Courtnall Skosan 14 Deon van Rensburg 13 Lionel Mapoe 12 Stefan Watermeyer 11 JW Jonker 10 Marnitz Boshoff 9 Faf de Klerk 1 Schalk van der Merwe 2 Robbie Coetzee 3 Julian Redelinghuys 4 MB Lusaseni 5 Martin Muller 6 Jaco Kriel 7 Derick Minnie 8 WARREN WHITELEY (C) BENCH: 16 Armand van der Merwe 17 Corne Fourie 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 Rudi Mathee 20 Warwick Tecklenburg 21 Ross Cronje 22 Elton Jantjies 23 Chrysander Botha

SCORERS T: Kriel C: Boshoff P: Boshoff (2) van Rensburg

Referee: Nick Briant

 

 

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HURRICANES 16 - 18 HIGHLANDERS

Westpac Stadium Wellington - Friday 16 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 13-9

THE Hurricanes lost to the Highlanders 16-18 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Friday night in their Investec Super Rugby Round 14 clash, dropping them out of the top six with four regular season matches to play.

In a tight and willing encounter, the Hurricanes thought they had won the game with 4 minutes remaining when halfback TJ Perenara dived through a ruck at close quarters and claimed a try. But the Highlanders defenders were quick to complain and referee Jaco Peyper went upstairs to his TMO for obstruction. Replays showed that replacement hooker Ash Dixon had inadvertently disrupted the Highlanders defenders, the try was disallowed and the visitors held on.

This was the second of two opportunities late in the match for the Hurricanes to win the game, after fullback and stand-in goal kicker Andre Taylor pushed a penalty attempt wide of the bar. Taylor, taking over the kicking duties from first fly half Beauden Barrett who sustained a first half knock to his leg that forced his retirement from the contest with 18 minutes to play, also previously missed a more difficult penalty attempt.

Ultimately, the Highlanders won the match in the 65th minute after their fly half Hayden Parker snapped a close-range dropped goal. This followed his five penalties earlier in the match after Perenara had scored what turned out to be the only try of the match late in the first half.

In a stilted match, the Hurricanes created several chances but, while their willingness and endeavour was always there, their execution was lacking in the face of stiff Highlanders defence. The Hurricanes made an up-tempo start to the match and Barrett opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a penalty. Swift early attack turned to committed defence by the Hurricanes, holding out a concerted raid at their line by the visitors.

The Highlanders went close to scoring the opening try but prop Ma’afu Fia was held up over the chalk. Coming back for a penalty, Parker kicked the equaliser making it 3-3 after 15 minutes. Parker kicked the Highlanders ahead with his second penalty from halfway, before a galloping 20 metre run up the middle of the field by prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen put the Hurricanes in the ascendancy.

The Highlanders held on, but Barrett kicked his second penalty and the game was locked up at 6-6 with almost half an hour.

From the restart, halfback TJ Perenara put a high kick up and the Hurricanes re-gathered possession and fed left wing Julian Savea in space who was scrambled into touch by Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa in a try-saving tackle. Barrett kicked across to Savea’s wing, who won a penalty against his marker Parker, who tackled him while still in the air. But the Hurricanes overthrew their lineout and the Highlanders won a defensive scrum.

Perenara then brilliantly disrupted his All Blacks halfback opposite Aaron Smith at the base of this scrum, slapping Smith’s hand, scooping up the loose ball and diving over the line to score the game’s first try. Fullback Taylor kicked the conversion putting the Hurricanes ahead 13-6.

Parker had the last say of the first half, kicking his third penalty in injury time to cutting the Hurricanes’ lead at the turnaround to 13-9. Parker closed the gap to 1 point with his fourth penalty with the first scoring act of the second spell. For the second time in the match, Perenara disrupted Highlanders ball at the base of the scrum. This led directly to another penalty for Taylor to convert and restore the 4-point lead. Parker’s fifth penalty in reply advanced the score to 16-15 to the Hurricanes, before his dropped goal from in front of the posts put the Highlanders in front by 2 points with 15 minutes to play.

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor 14 Cory Jane 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Tim Bateman 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Victor Vito 7 Jack Lam 6 Faifili Levave 5 James Broadhurst 4 Jeremy Thrush 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 2 Motu Matu'u 1 Ben Franks BENCH: 16 Ash Dixon 17 Chris Eves 18 Reggie Goodes 19 Blade Thomson 20 Ardie Savea 21 Brad Shields 22 Chris Smylie 23 Alapati Leiua

SCORERS T: Perenara C: Taylor P: Barrett (2), Taylor

Highlanders: 15 BEN SMITH (C) 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Shaun Treeby 11 Jason Emery 10 Hayden Parker 9 Aaron Smith 8 Nasi Manu 7 Shane Christie 6 Elliot Dixon 5 Joe Wheeler 4 Jarrad Hoeata 3 Ma'afu Fia 2 Liam Coltman 1 Kane Hames BENCH:16 Ged Robinson 17 Matias Diaz 18 Aki Seuli 19 Tom Franklin 20 Gareth Evans 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Trent Renata 23 Phil Burleigh

SCORERS P: Parker (5) DG: Parker

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

CRUSADERS 25 - 30 SHARKS

AMI Stadium Addington Christchurch - Saturday 17 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 13-10

THE Cell C Sharks recorded probably their greatest ever victory in New Zealand when they became the first South African team since 2001 to beat the Crusaders away from home.

The KwaZulu-Natalians scored three tries to one, but had to play with 14 men for 63 minutes following a red card to Jean Deysel as they won by 30-25.

The Cell C Sharks’ three tries were the most they scored in one match since round four, more than two months ago.

The visitors started very well when S’bura Sithole went over in the ninth minute following a great run by Frans Steyn, but Colin Slade cancelled it four minutes later when he scored for the Crusaders. Slade added a conversion and two penalty goals, but Steyn’s three-pointer just before the break ensured the Cell C Sharks trailed by only three points at the break.

The second half belonged to the Cell C Sharks. They defended extremely well and snuffed out the Crusaders’ attack every time.

The visitors also used their opportunities with tries to Cobus Reinach – an opportunistic effort after kicking through loose ball, shortly after the break, and Kyle Cooper, who burst over after a good drive by the visitors four minutes before the end, proving the difference.

Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor 14 Johnny McNicholl 13 Rey Lee-Lo 12 RYAN CROTTY (C) 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 Colin Slade 9 Willie Heinz 8 Luke Whitelock 7 Richie McCaw 6 Jordan Taufua 5 Sam Whitelock 4 Dominic Bird 3 Owen Franks 2 Corey Flynn 1 Wyatt Crockett BENCH: 16 Ben Funnell 17 Tim Perry 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 George Whitelock 21 Andy Ellis 22 Tyler Bleyendaal 23 Nafi Tuitavake

SCORERS T: Slade C: Slade P: Slade (6)

Sharks: 15 SP Marais 14 JP Pietersen 13 S'bura Sithole 12 Paul Jordaan 11 Lwazi Mvovo 10 Francois Steyn 9 Cobus Reinach 8 Willem Alberts 7 Jean Deysel 6 Tera Mtembu 5 Stephan Lewies 4 Etienne Oosthuizen 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 1 Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Ryan Kankowski 20 Keegan Daniel 21 Charl McLeod 22 Tim Swiel 23 Heimar Williams

SCORERS T: Sithole, Reinach, Cooper C: Steyn (2), Swiel P: Steyn (2), Swiel Alberts Deysel

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

 

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SATURDAY’S three Vodacom Super Rugby matches involving the Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and Toyota Cheetahs ended in a whitewash for the South African teams as they all recorded good victories.

The Cell C Sharks consolidated their spot at the top of the Vodacom Super Rugby log with a superb 30-25 victory over the in-form Crusaders in Christchurch – the first defeat for the team from Canterbury in New Zealand since 2001 against South African opposition and also the maiden victory for a team from the Republic in the Land of the Long White Cloud this season.

The Durbanites became the first South African team to win in Christchurch since the franchise system was put in place in 1998.

It was only the second time a SA team managed to beat the Crusaders in Christchurch – Northern Transvaal won there in 1996 – and the third time out of 46 matches that the seven-time Vodacom Super Rugby champions lost at home to a team from the Republic – the Cats beat the Crusaders in Nelson in 2001.

(The Crusaders also drew twice at home to teams from South Africa in the early years of Super 12, in 1996 against Western Province and in 1997 against the Sharks.)

Later on Saturday afternoon, the DHL Stormers won their third successive home game of 2014 when they easily beat the high-flying Force by 24-8 in Cape Town, outscoring their visitors by three tries to one – ironically the same try count as in the Sharks/Crusaders match.

Saturday ended in ecstasy for the Toyota Cheetahs as they managed to beat the Brumbies for the first time since 2011 when they won this replay of their 2013 qualifier by 27-21, thanks mainly to a very good second half performance.

On Sunday morning, the Lions started very well against the Waratahs in Sydney, but the home team had too much left in the second half and eventually won this match by 41-13.

The Vodacom Bulls, currently second in the South African Conference behind the Cell C Sharks, had a bye this weekend.

STORMERS 24 - 8 WESTERN FORCE

DHL Newlands Cape Town - Saturday 17 May 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 17-3

THE DHL Stormers continued their good run at home in Cape Town when they beat the Force by 24-8 in a rather one-sided Vodacom Super Rugby match at DHL Newlands.

It was the Capetonians’ third consecutive home win this season and their fourth out of five starts at DHL Newlands.

The DHL Stormers basically had the game in the bag by the break after a very good first half performance, during which they dominated territory and possession and took the points when they were on offer

Juan de Jongh rounded off a good attacking move in the 20th minute and referee Chris Pollock awarded a penalty try just before half-time for a superb DHL Stormers scrum, when the Force had a man in the sin-bin.

The DHL Stormers made their numerical advantage count early in second half when Ruan Botha went over for their third try as they scored 14 points with the Force reduced to 14.

The visitors came back strongly for the rest of the match and managed to hold onto the ball much better, but the DHL Stormers defended very well, even when they were reduced to 13 men late in the match with Cheslin Kolbe and Jaco Taute in the bin.

Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute 14 Kobus van Wyk 13 Juan de Jongh 12 Damian de Allende 11 Cheslin Kolbe 10 Peter Grant 9 Nic Groom 1 Brok Harris 2 Deon Fourie 3 Pat Cilliers 4 Michael Rhodes 5 Ruan Botha 6 Nizaam Carr 7 SCHALK BURGER (C) 8 Duane Vermeulen BENCH: 16 Stephan Coetzee 17 Alistair Vermaak 18 Martin Dreyer 19 Jean Kleyn 20 Siya Kolisi 21 Dylon Frylinck 22 Kurt Coleman 23 Michael van der Spuy

SCORERS T: de Jongh, PT, Botha C: Grant (2) P: Grant Kolbe, Taute

Force: 15 Jayden Hayward 14 Marcel Brache 13 Chris Tuatara-Morrison 12 Luke Burton 11 Nick Cummins 10 Sias Ebersohn 9 Ian Prior 1 Pek Cowan 2 Nathan Charles 3 Kieran Longbottom 4 Sam Wykes 5 Adam Coleman 6 Angus Cottrell 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 8 Ben McCalman BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp 20 Brynard Stander 21 Justin Turner 22 Zack Holmes 23 Patrick Dellit

SCORERS T: Hodgson P: Ebersohn Coleman

Referee: Chris Pollock

 

 CHEETAHS 27 - 21 BRUMBIES

Free State Stadium Bloemfontein - Saturday 17 May 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 9-11

THE Toyota Cheetahs caused a minor upset when they beat the Australian Conference leading Brumbies by 27-21 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday evening.

The home team started the match very well and were 9-0 up after 16 minutes, thanks to three penalty goals by Johan Goosen.

However, the Brumbies started building pressure, especially upfront where they looked very strong at scrum-time, as they fought back to lead by 11-9 at the break. It could’ve been more had the visitors not missed four shots at goal in the first 40 minutes.

The Toyota Cheetahs quickly forgot their struggles late in the first half and came out storming after half-time. They played very well and scored both their tries, by Willie le Roux after a great Shaun Venter break and Goosen from a superb cross-kick by Elgar Watts, in the first 12 minutes of the second half.

Leading 21-11 and later 24-21 after the Brumbies mauled Stephen Moore over for their second try five minutes before the end, Goosen stepped up to the plate with a drop-goal of more than 50 metres to give the home team some breathing space at the death.

That is how it stayed as the Toyota Cheetahs recorded a great win which will have had the Cell C Sharks smiling down in New Zealand.

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller 14 Cornal Hendricks 13 Johann Sadie 12 Rayno Benjamin 11 Willie le Roux 10 Johan Goosen 9 Shaun Venter 8 Boom Prinsloo 7 Teboho Mohoje 6 Heinrich Brüssow 5 Francois Uys 4 Boela Serfontein 3 Coenie Oosthuizen 2 ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C) 1 Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH:16 Torsten van Jaarsveld 17 Trevor Nyakane 18 Nicolaas van Dyk 19 Carel Greeff 20 Waltie Vermeulen 21 Renier Botha 22 Elgar Watts 23 Raymond Rhule

SCORERS T: le Roux, Goosen C: Goosen P: Goosen (4) DG: Goosen Brussow

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Henry Speight 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Christian Leali’ifano 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9
Nic White 1 Scott Sio 2 Stephen Moore 3 Ben Alexander 4 Scott Fardy 5 Sam Carter6 Fotu Auelua 7 Jarrad Butler 8 BEN MOWEN (C) BENCH: 16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Ruan Smith 18 JP Smith 19 Jordan Smiler 20 Tom McVerry 21 Conrad Hoffmann 22 Andrew Smith 23 Pat McCabe

SCORERS T: Coleman, Moore C: White P: White (3) Fardy

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

 

 

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MELBOURNE REBELS 15 - 25 HURRICANES

AAMI Park, Melbourne - Friday 09 May 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 10-12

THE RaboDirect Rebels came up just short in a pulsating Super Rugby encounter with the Wellington Hurricanes at AAMI Park, with the visitors holding on for a 15-25 victory.

The Canes survived a late flourish from the home side, having built a commanding lead through fly half Beauden Barrett, who slotted 6 out of 8 penalties in a personal haul of 20. Former Hurricane Tamati Ellison gave the Rebels hope, however it was not enough to keep the Canes winless in Australia.

The visitors had built 9 point lead early in the match through the boot of Barrett, with the Rebels defence having to repel constant pressure from the Canes exciting back line.

Japanese international Male Sa'u added spark to the Rebels attack, setting up a string of attacking phases, before Jason Woodward added the first points for the home side with a penalty goal.

Although the visitors dominated first half possession, it was the Rebels who scored the first try of the night against the flow of play. Clever play from Sa'u off the back of the scrum, followed by a quick break and chip over the top from fullback Woodward led to Bryce Hegarty crossing under the posts. A successful conversion from Woodward gave the homeside the lead.

However, it was not long before the Cane's hit back with another penalty from Barrett. It was the Rebels who had the final chance of the first half but a penalty from Woodward landed just short of the sticks to leave it 10-12 at the break.

Barrett scored the first points just after the break in a mirror of the first half, before squandering two more opportunities with Rebels giving away a string of penalties. Barrett's fifth penalty of the night came of the 50 minute mark, and with it an 8 point lead.

The Canes then scored a deserved first try on the 57 minute mark after continuing to test the Rebels defence, TJ Perenara making a clever cross-field kick giving his captain Smith the opportunity to touch down. Barrett extended the lead to 15 with just under 20 minutes to go.

The Rebels refused to lie down, fighting their way back into possession deep in Hurricanes territory, with Conrad Smith taking a short sabbatical in the sin bin. Skipper Scott Higginbotham looked to have scored, but the TMO ruled him held up. The video referee gave a more favourable result shortly after, with Tamati Ellison scoring in the opposite corner against his old side. Woodward's boot let him down, unable to convert, leaving the difference at ten points.

With five minutes to go, and two scores desperately needed, the Rebels' continued to push hard, with Hegarty combining with youngster Tom Kingston for a look at the try line. However, a forward pass meant another opportunity went begging. The siren sounded as the Canes kicked the ball into touch, with the final score standing at 15-25.

Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward 14 Male Sau 13 Tamati Ellison 12 Mitch Inman 11 Tom English 10 Bryce Hegarty 9 Luke Burgess 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 7 Scott Fuglistaller 6 Colby Fainga'a 5 Luke Jones 4 Cadeyrn Neville 3 Laurie Weeks 2 Pat Leafa 1 Cruze Ah-Nau BENCH: 16 Shota Horie 17 Max Lahiff 18 Paul Alo-Emilie 19 Hugh Pyle 20 Sean McMahon 21 Ben Meehan 22 Tom Kingston 23 Angus Roberts

SCORERS T: Hegarty, Ellison C: Woodward P: Woodward

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor 14 Cory Jane 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Alapati Leiua 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Victor Vito 7 Ardie Savea 6 Faifili Levave 5 James Broadhurst 4 Jeremy Thrush/Blade Thomson 3 Ben Franks 2 Dane Coles 1 Reggie Goodes BENCH: 16 Motu Matu'u 17 Chris Eves 18 Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen 19 Blade Thomson/Brad Shields 20 Jack Lam 21 Billy Guyton 22 Tim Bateman 23 Matt Proctor

SCORERS T: Smith C: Barrett P: Barrett (6) Smith

Referee: Matt O'Brien

 

BRUMBIES 16 - 9 SHARKS

Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Saturday 10 May 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 6-3

THE Cell C Sharks could not repeat their Melbourne win from last weekend in terrible conditions in Canberra when they went down 16-9 to the Brumbies in a match dominated by tactical play.

In the end, the home team simply won the tactical battle as they added a second South African scalp to their 2014 collection with a 16-9 win, 11 of the 16 points coming from the boot of Christian Leali’ifano.

The only difference on the score board was a converted try by Sam Carter – the only try of the match – in the 63rd minute. It was also the only real highlight of a typical wet-weather arm-wrestle where both teams took the safe option and kicked most of the time.

Unfortunately for the Cell C Sharks, their kicking game was not good enough on the night – both out of hand and at goal, and Frans Steyn could only muster three penalties, leaving another three on the park. Though in his defence, Leali’ifano also had a paltry 50% success rate.

This match will not be remembered for long, but at least the Cell C Sharks managed to cling onto the top spot on the log before the New Zealand leg of their Australasian tour.

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Joe Tomane 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Christian Lealiifano 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 7 Jarrad Butler 6 Fotu Auelua 5 Sam Carter 4 Scott Fardy 3 Ben Alexander 2 Stephen Moore 1 Scott Sio BENCH: 16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Ruan Smith 18 Ruaidhri Murphy 19 Jordan Smiler 20 Tom McVerry 21 Michael Dowsett 22 Andrew Smith 23 Pat McCabe

SCORERS T: Carter C: Leali'ifano P: Leali'ifano (3)

Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo 14 Odwa Ndungane 13 S'bura Sithole 12 Paul Jordaan 11 JP Pietersen 10 Frans Steyn 9 Cobus Reinach 8 Ryan Kankowski 7 Jean Deysel 6 Keegan Daniel 5 Stephan Lewies 4 Willem Alberts 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 1 Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Etienne Oosthuizen 20 Tera Mtembu 21 Charl McLeod 22 Heimar Williams 23 SP Marais

SCORERS P: Steyn (3)

Referee: Glen Jackson

 

REDS 29 - 57 CRUSADERS

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - Sunday 11 May 2014
KO: 16:05 HT: 17-16

THE St.George Queensland Reds went down 57-29 to the in-form Crusaders in an entertaining Mother Day’s Asteron Life Super Rugby clash at Suncorp Stadium.

It was the most points ever scored in a Super Rugby match at Suncorp with 10 tries in total – four to the Reds through Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, Dom Shipperley, Rod Davies and Rob Simmons and six to the free-flowing Crusaders.

The Reds took the lead early through a close range penalty goal to Quade Cooper before the Crusaders hit back through a converted try to former Queensland schoolboy, winger Nemani Nadolo.

Referee Jaco Peyper lost patience with the Saders infringing at the breakdown, sending scrumhalf Andy Ellis to the sin bin, but Colin Slade added a penalty on 15 minutes to take the score to 3-10.

The Reds poured on the pressure with the man advantage and winger JJ Taulagi plunged over in the corner for his first Super Rugby try. Cooper landed a superb conversion from the left touchline to make it 10-10. Two minutes later they were in again with Cooper this time holding up a pass superbly for Shipperley to charge in to a gap and score next to the posts. Cooper landed the conversion and the Reds were suddenly in charge 17-10.

Slade brought it back to 17-13 on 28 minutes with a second well-struck penalty and the gap was reduced to 17-16 after a scrum penalty on 36 minutes, also converted by Slade, giving the home team the narrowest of leads at the break.

But the Crusaders kicked up a gear in the second half, starting with prop Wyatt Crockett crashing over from a quick tap just two minutes in. Slade’s conversion made the score 23-17. A freakish bounce from an Israel Dagg kick saw 6 minutes gone in the second half.

Luke Whitelock benefitted from another piece of class play from a kick to gallop under the posts before Nadolo got his second, both tries converted by Slade. At the start of the final quarter, Crusaders were firmly in control at 47-17.

The Reds hit back on 63 minutes from another line out close to the Crusaders try-line after Genia put replacement winger Rod Davies over in the left corner, though Cooper could not convert.

Shipperley almost slipped away to put the Reds back in touch but Queensland were penalised for obstruction and Slade’s penalty made it 50 for the visitors.

A cross-field kick from Cooper saw Rob Simmons crash over to score out wide with 7 minutes remaining, with the fly half’s pin-point conversion from the touchline making it 50-29. It seemed the Reds might score again through some stunning ball-handling, but McNicholl intercepted to run away and score his second, and Slade added the conversion to close the game out.

Reds: 15 Mike Harris 14 Dom Shipperley 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Anthony Fainga'a 11 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia 8 Jake Schatz 7 Beau Robinson 6 Curtis Browning 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 Greg Holmes 2 James Hanson 1 Ben Daley 16 Saia Fainga'a 17 Albert Anae 18 Jono Owen 19 Ed O'Donoghue 20 Dave McDuling 21 Nick Frisby 22 Ben Lucas 23 Rod Davies

SCORERS T: Taulagi, Shipperley, Davies, Simmons C: Cooper (3) P: Cooper

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Johnny McNicholl 13 Rey Lee-Lo 12 RYAN CROTTY (C) 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 8 Luke Whitelock 7 Richie McCaw 6 Jordan Taufua 5 Samuel Whitelock 4 Luke Romano 3 Owen Franks 2 Corey Flynn 1 Wyatt Crockett 16 Ben Funnell 17 Tim Perry 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 George Whitelock 21 Willi Heinz 22 Tyler Bleyendaal 23 Nafi Tuitavake

SCORERS T: Nadolo (2), Crockett, McNicholl (2), Luke Whitelock C: Slade (6) P: Slade (5) Ellis

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

 

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CHIEFS 32 - 20 BLUES

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth - Friday 09 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 20-13

IN an historic evening for the Chiefs, the defending champions made a statement defeating the in-form Blues 32-20 in their first home match at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth.

There was another milestone as halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow celebrated his 50th Super Rugby cap, while the Chiefs bonus point win consolidates their place atop the New Zealand conference.

The Blues were first to strike when an early scrum penalty provided some ideal field position for the away side to launch their attack. After a few phases All Black second five Ma'a Nonu to bust through and offload to winger Lolagi Visinia who did exceptionally well to juggle the ball and score.

Although the Chiefs replied moments later on the back of some defensive pressure to create the turnover. Immediately the hosts shifted the ball wide where rampaging prop Ben Tameifuna crossed in the corner for the try that helped level the scores.

In a huge blow for the Blues, an injury to star fullback Charles Piutau allowed the Chiefs to capitalise on the extra man and saw loose forward Sam Cane make the initial break and providing a lovely pass to send winger Dwayne Sweeney down the sideline. With plenty of work still to do Sweeney brushed off the tackle of Blues centre George Moala before linking up with a supporting Tim Nanai-Williams for the Chiefs second try.

As it looked like the Chiefs were beginning to gain the ascendency in the match, both Gareth Anscombe for the defending champions and Simon Hickey for the Blues added to their team's tally as they traded penalties, and a quick succession against the Chiefs allowed Hickey to step up again to close the gap to 4 points.

The Chiefs signal caller had the final say of the half kicking a difficult penalty to restore their earlier lead heading into half time with a 20-13 advantage.

Within minutes of the second half, the Chiefs punished the Blues after winning a turnover close to their own line before Tameifuna bagged his second try when he rumbled over; and the hosts were not done as brilliant counter attack by the Chiefs saw Nanai-Williams pierce the Blues defence as he connected with fullback Tom Marshall who finished an excellent team try.

Rocked by the two tries, the Blues looked to get back into the contest as the threw everything in attack but the Chiefs defence proved they were up to task.

Discipline began to cost the Chiefs when they lost Nanai-Williams to the sin bin, and eventually lead to Moala diving over in the corner to give his side some hope of snatching victory. Despite playing with 14 men, the Chiefs appeared certain to have scored when replacement Mahonri Schwalger dotted down only to be denied by the TMO.

Again the Chiefs gritty defence was highlighted in the closing stages of the match when they held out a determined Blues side who were looking for a losing bonus point.

Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall 14 Dwayne Sweeney 13 Tim Nanai-Williams 12 Bundee Aki 11 James Lowe 10 Gareth Anscombe 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 LIAM MESSAM (C) 7 Sam Cane 6 Tanerau Latimer 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Michael Fitzgerald 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Nathan Harris 1 Pauliasi Manu BENCH: 16 Mahonri Schwalger 17 Jamie Mackintosh 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Matt Symons 20 Liam Squire 21 Brad Weber 22 Andrew Horrell 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

SCORERS T: Tameifuna (2), Nanai-Williams, Marshall C: Anscombe (3) P: Anscombe (2) Nanai-Williams

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau 14 Frank Halai 13 George Moala 12 Ma'a Nonu 11 Lolagi Visinia 10 Simon Hickey 9 Bryn Hall 8 Jerome Kaino 7 Brendon O'Connor 6 Steven Luatua 5 Tom Donnelly 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 KEVEN MEALAMU (C) 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH: 16 James Parsons 17 Sam Prattley 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Hayden Triggs 20 Kane Barrett 21 Piri Weepu 22 Ihaia West 23 Pita Ahki

SCORERS T: Visinia, Moala C: Hickey, West P: Hickey (2)

Referee: Mike Fraser

 

HIGHLANDERS 23 - 22 LIONS

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Saturday 10 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 23-0

IF ever there was a typical “game of two halves”, it was the Lions’ one-point defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

It was the second time this season the Lions held their opponents score-less in the second half, but other than when they beat the Reds at Ellis Park in round six, this time the Highlanders held out to win by 23-22.

The home team scored all the points in the first-half, through three well-worked tries -a brace from Richard Buckman and third from Gareth Evans- a conversion, penalty goal and a drop goal, as the Lions struggled to really get into the game, running in 23 points down at the break with not a point to show for their efforts.

But as much as they struggled to get going in the in first half, the Lions were simply a different proposition in the second and played much better. They scored four tries during this time for their first try-scoring bonus-point all season.

Three of these, by Lionel Mapoe, Armand van der Merwe and Courtnall Skosan, came in the final 13 minutes when the Highlanders’ tank ran dry, but between Marnitz Boshoff and Elton Jantjies they missed all three conversions, which probably would have seen the Lions win their first match in New Zealand since 2011.

Highlanders: 15 BEN SMITH (C) 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Phil Burleigh 11 Jason Emery 10 Hayden Parker 9 Aaron Smith 8 Nasi Manu 7 John Hardie 6 Elliot Dixon 5 Josh Bekhuis 4 Joe Wheeler 3 Ma'afu Fia 2 Ged Robinson 1 Chris King BENCH: 16 Liam Coltman 17 Matias Diaz 18 Kane Hames 19 Tom Franklin 20 TJ Ioane 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Trent Renata 23 Gareth Evans

SCORERS T: Buckman (2), Evans C: Parker P: Parker DG: Parker YC King

Lions: 15 Chrysander Botha 14 Courtnall Skosan 13 Lionel Mapoe 12 Stefan Watermeyer 11 Anthony Volmink 10 Marnitz Boshoff 9 Faf de Klerk 8 WARREN WHITELEY (C) 7 Derick Minnie 6 Jaco Kriel 5 Martin Muller 4 MB Lusaseni 3 Julian Redelinghuys 2 Robbie Coetzee 1 Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: 16 Armand van der Merwe 17 Corne Fourie 18 Jacques van Rooyen 19 Rudi Mathee 20 Warwick Teckenburg 21 Ross Cronje 22 Elton Jantjies 23 JW Jonker

SCORERS T: de Klerk, Mapoe, Armand van der Merwe, Skosan C: Boshoff

Referee: Angus Gardner

 

 

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THE Vodacom Bulls flew the South African flag in Vodacom Super Rugby this weekend as the other four teams all lost their matches on Saturday.

The team from Pretoria won their traditional North-South derby against the DHL Stormers by 28-12 on Saturday evening and had to dig deep early on when the Capetonians scored two very good tries in the first 20 minutes. It was the Vodacom Bulls’ biggest victory over the DHL Stormers since round 11 in 2007, when they won by 49-12 in Pretoria.

Earlier on Saturday, the Lions almost caused a massive upset in Dunedin when they came back from 23-0 down at half-time to lose 23-22 after scoring four great second-half tries against the Highlanders.  Had their kicking been better – the visitors’ kickers missed three conversions – the Lions could easily have become the first South African team to win in New Zealand this year.

The Cell C Sharks went down by 16-9 to the Brumbies in a top-of-the-table clash in a very wet Canberra, but managed to hold on to their first position on the log thanks to a losing bonus-point. And on Saturday afternoon, the Force won in South Africa for the first time since March 2011 and beat the Toyota Cheetahs for the first time in three years when they won by 23-16 in Bloemfontein, putting a dampener on Naka Drotské’s 100th match in charge of the team from Central South Africa.

CHEETAHS 16 - 23 WESTERN FORCE

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Saturday 10 May 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 6-16

THE Western Force won the first match of their South African tour and broken a three-match losing streak against the Cheetahs with a 23-16 victory in Bloemfontein tonight.

The Cheetahs had the majority of possession (66%) and pressured the Western Force’s line continuously throughout the match but the Western Australians were relentless in their defensive efforts. Bloemfontein-born Sias Ebersohn was flawless with the boot on his old stomping ground, kicking two conversions and three penalties while Jayden Hayward and Nick Cummins crossed the try-line off the back of shared team effort.

The Force kicked off the scoring inside the 3 minute mark when Angus Cottrell was illegally cleared from the ruck and Sias Ebersohn slotted his first of five goals for the evening.

After missing his first penalty goal following a Force-collapsed scrum, Johan Goosen evened up the scores for the home side when after 12 phases of play the Force was penalised for not releasing.

Marcel Brache looked to have kick-started the Force’s first try for the match when he smothered a Cheetahs kick and combined with Sam Wykes to send Kyle Godwin over the try-line but it was called back after the TMO confirmed the smothered ball had bounced off an offside Ebersohn.

Nick Cummins also looked to have given the Force fans a reason to celebrate when he drove the ball across the line in a maul but the Cheetahs defence held it up. The resulting scrum was collapsed by the Cheetahs and the Force sent the ball inside to Adam Coleman who was brought down before the try-line, drawing another penalty goal for Ebersohn to take the score to 6-3.

The Force was finally rewarded for their attacking efforts when captain Matt Hodgson pilfered the ball in his own territory and made the quick pass to Hayward who followed the combined efforts of Marcel Brache and Nathan Charles down the field to run it over in the corner. Ebersohn’s conversion pushed the lead out to 13-3.

With 2 minutes remaining in the half, Ebersohn slotted his third penalty to give the Force a 13-point buffer but just before the siren sounded, Goosen responded with three points of his own to take the scoreline to 16-6 at half-time.

The Cheetahs tested the Force defence in the second half and when Hodgson was shown a yellow-card for repeated infringements, the Cheetahs capitalised, scoring under the posts despite Kieran Longbottom’s efforts to get a hand underneath the grounding. Goosen’s conversion had them back within three points.

The Force rallied to slow the Cheetahs momentum and an intercept from the deft hands of Hayward gave them the opportunity. Patiently moving the ball downfield, the Force drew the Cheetahs defence in and Ian Prior sent a wide cut out pass from the base of the ruck to send Cummins over unopposed. Ebersohn converted and the Force led, 23-13.

The Cheetahs continued to pressure the Force defensive line and another Goosen penalty goal had them within 7 points but they could not close the gap, losing 23-16.

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller 14 Raymond Rhule/Cornal Hendricks 13 Johann Sadie 12 Rayno Benjamin 11 Willie le Roux 10 Johan Goosen 9 Sarel Pretorius 8 Boom Prinsloo 7 Teboho Mohoje 6 Heinrich Brüssow 5 Francois Uys 4 Andries Ferreira 3 Coenie Oosthuizen 2 ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C) 1 Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld 17 Trevor Nyakane 18 Maks van Dyk 19 Carel Greeff 20 Waltie Vermeulen 21 Shaun Venter 22 Elgar Watts 23 Cornal Hendricks/Howard Mnisi

SCORERS T: Prinsloo C: Goosen P: Goosen (3)

Force: 15 Jayden Hayward 14 Dane Haylett-Petty 13 Marcel Brache 12 Kyle Godwin 11 Nick Cummins 10 Sias Ebersohn 9 Ian Prior 8 Ben McCalman 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 6 Angus Cottrell 5 Sam Wykes 4 Adam Coleman 3 Kieran Longbottom 2 Nathan Charles 1 Pek Cowan BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp 20 Brynard Stander 21 Justin Turner 22 Zack Holmes 23 Chris Tuatara-Morrison

SCORERS T: Hayward, Cummins C: Ebersohn (2) P: Ebersohn (3) Hodgson

Referee: Chris Pollock

 

BULLS 28 - 12 STORMERS

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria - Saturday 10 May 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 12-12

THE Vodacom Bulls suffocated and strangled the DHL Stormers for 60 minutes to win their North-South derby at Loftus Versfeld by 28-12 on Saturday evening.

The visitors from Cape Town started the match like a house on fire and by the 20th minute, they were leading by 12-0 thanks to two great tries, by Kurt Coleman and Juan de Jongh. Both came after some enterprising attacking play on the counter by the DHL Stormers.

Unfortunately for the DHL Stormers, they did not trouble scorers again as the Vodacom Bulls started to exert the pressure with their big pack dominant. In fact, the visitors did not even have an opportunity to kick for points again during the match.

The Vodacom Bulls was very effective in and dominated proceedings for the 20 minutes of the first half. They took the points on offer, with Handré Pollard slotting three penalty goals and a drop to ensure the teams go into the break even at 12-12.

With their pack on the front foot and a kicking game that strangled the visitors, the Vodacom Bulls kept up their dominance for the final 40 minutes. Pollard added two more penalty goals before Akona Ndungane rounded off a great counter-attacking move and with 14 minutes to go, it was all over at Loftus.

Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser 14 Akona Ndungane 13 JJ Engelbrecht 12 Jan Serfontein 11 Bjorn Basson 10 Handré Pollard 9 Francois Hougaard 8 Grant Hattingh 7 Jacques du Plessis 6 Jono Ross 5 VICTOR MATFIELD (C) 4 Paul Willemse 3 Marcel van der Merwe 2 Callie Visagie 1 Dean Greyling BENCH: 16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Werner Kruger 18 Morné Mellett 19 Jacques Engelbrecht 20 Wimpie van der Walt 21 Rudy Paige 22 Jacques-Louis Potgieter 23 William Small-Smith

SCORERS T: Ndungane C: Pollard P: Pollard (5), Potgieter DG: Pollard

Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute 14 Damian de Allende 13 Juan de Jongh 12 Peter Grant11 Cheslin Kolbe 10 Kurt Coleman 9 Nic Groom 8 Duane Vermeulen 7 SCHALK BURGER (C) 6 Nizaam Carr 5 Ruan Botha 4 Jean Kleyn 3 Pat Cilliers 2 Scarra Ntubeni 1 Brok Harris BENCH: 16 Stephan Coetzee 17 Alistair Vermaak 18 Martin Dreyer 19 Siya Kolisi 20 Deon Fourie 21 Dylon Frylinck 22 Michael van der Spuy 23 Devon Williams

SCORERS T: Coleman, de Jongh C: Coleman

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

 

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MELBOURNE REBELS 16 - 22 SHARKS

AAMI Park, Melbourne - Friday 02 May 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 6-15

THE RaboDirect Rebels have lost their second home game of the season, going down 22-16 to competition leaders the Sharks despite finishing strongly.

The Sharks, who are the first South African side to record a win on Australian territory in 2014, played a precise kicking game, drawing the Rebels into their duel. However, mistakes and first half ill-discipline were the Rebels undoing, with Francois Steyn kicking five penalty goals.

The Sharks' attack was working hard early, with sharp passing and a pinpoint kicking game, however the Rebels defence looked solid despite immense pressure. The visitors were close to earning the perfect start, as Lwazi Mvovo was just beaten to the ball by a diving Bryce Hegarty.

Mitch Inman and Luke Jones both threatened early with ball in hand, however it was a half-field run from fullback and man of the match Jason Woodward, who glided through the Sharks' defence before drawing the penalty which put the first points on the board.

The Sharks' were quick to equalise with a penalty from the restart, taking the lead shortly after with a scrum penalty giving Francois Steyn a shot on goal. Both sides continued to alternate penalty goals, with Bryce Hegarty slicing through the Sharks' defence before drawing the penalty and the visitors once again earning a shot on goal shortly after the restart.

The home side pushed hard and fast into Sharks' territory, however were unable to capitalize against a strong defensive unit. Steyn was able to extend the lead to 15 points to 6 at half time, as the Rebels were undone by mistakes, despite dominating first half possession and territory.

The visitors were relentless in attack in the second half; however the Rebel's defence was tethered, with Male Sau making his mark in the early stages with a try saving tackle and great defensive running. Inman continued to bust through packs with ball in hand, relieving the pressure on the home side's defence.From the turn over, the Five Stars looked dangerous in attack, with Woodward bringing the margin within a converted try through a penalty goal on the 55 minute mark.

Both sides traded time in possession, however it was the Sharks who scored the first try of the evening, capitalising on a poor pass from the Rebel's in attack to make a 75 metre run eventuating with JP Pietersen touching down. Steyn's kick was again accurate, and the Sharks had earned a thirteen point lead with fifteen minutes to go.

The Rebels were quick to find a response however, combining to send replacement hooker Pat Leafa over for his maiden Super Rugby try. A successful conversion from Woodward closed the gap back to 6 with 5 minutes remaining on the clock.

A final opportunity presented itself for the Rebels as the Sharks put the ball into touch with 30 seconds on the clock. Flanker Sean McMahon combined beautifully with Woodward from the line-out, bringing the home side into the Sharks' 22. The hosts looking ominous, but a penalty was ultimately their undoing, with the Sharks sending the ball into touch, calling game over, with the visitors taking a 16-22 victory.

Rebels: Jason Woodward, Male Sa’u, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Tom English, Bryce Hegarty, Luke Burgess, SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C), Scott Fuglistaller, Colby Fainga’a, Luke Jones, Cadeyrn Neville, Laurie Weeks, Shota Horie, Cruze Ah-Nau BENCH: Pat Leafa, Max Lahiff, Paul Alo-Emile, Hugh Pyle, Sean McMahon, Nick Stirzaker, Tom Kingston, Angus Roberts

SCORERS T: Leafa C: Woodward P: Woodward (3)

Sharks: Lwazi Mvovo, Odwa Ndungane, Paul Jordaan, Heimar Williams, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Charl McLeod, Ryan Kankowski, Jean Deysel, Marcell Coetzee, Stephan Lewies, Willem Alberts, Jannie du Plessis, BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C), Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick, Lourens Adriaanse, Etienne Oosthuizen, Keegan Daniel, Cobus Reinach, Fred Zeilinga, SP Marais

SCORERS T: Pietersen C: Steyn P: Steyn (5)

Referee: Andrew Lees

 

WARATAHS 39 - 30 HURRICANES

Allianz Stadium, Sydney - Saturday 03 May 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 24-24

IN one of the best games of the season, the NSW Waratahs ran in five tries to three on their way to a breathtaking 39-30 win over the Wellington Hurricanes, in front of their biggest home crowd of the season.

 

The Tahs showed extraordinary tenacity in the face of adversity, overcoming a 17-point deficit by running in 24 points in as many minutes to storm home against a potent Hurricanes attack. The bonus-point win catapults the Tahs to fourth overall on the table, only one point behind the Brumbies at the top of the Australian conference.

The Tahs have scored in the first 5 minutes of every home game this season, and Israel Folau gave them every opportunity to maintain the record when he leapt above the Hurricanes’ pack to regain a perfectly executed kickoff from Bernard Foley. The home side fed off Folau’s early momentum, probing the Hurricanes’ defence for 11 phases before the elusive Adam Ashley-Cooper burst through the tackle of Alapati Leiua and fed Rob Horne for a well worked 5-pointer. Foley’s tricky sideline conversion saw him pass the 100-point mark for the season and gave the Tahs a 7-0 lead after only 3 minutes.

But the Hurricanes hit back with prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen muscling his way over the line from close range. Fly half Beauden Barrett added the conversion, and a penalty goal minutes later, to nudge the visitors into a 3-point lead midway through the half. Michael Hooper forced a crucial turnover but his efforts were undone in the ensuing phase, when poor execution saw Barrett pounce on an errant pass to give the Hurricanes their second try and a 10-point ascendancy.

The kickoff inflicted more pain on the Tahs, with Jack Lam making a midfield break to send the Hurricanes straight back into attacking territory, and quick hands from Barrett and Leuia exploited the overlap to gift Julian Savea a try in his 50th outing for the Hurricanes.

Despite conceding three unanswered tries, the Waratahs maintained their composure, allowing Ashley-Cooper to burst through the line with another scything run. Dennis then carried his team back into contention, along with two Hurricanes defenders, when he crashed over on the half hour mark.

The Tahs continued to gain momentum, and a scrum penalty from the kickoff gave them the perfect platform to claw back more of the deficit. It was Foley who seized the attacking opportunity, beating his opposite number in Beauden Barrett to find his way over from close range. A cruel bounce robbed Horne of a second try in the game, but the Tahs settled for a Foley penalty kick and the sides entered the sheds locked at 24-all, eager for a temporary reprieve to a frenetic opening half.

The end-to-end rugby continued immediately after the break, with more Hooper heroics denying the Hurricanes a certain 5 pointer as he dragged down Perenara on a sniping blindside run. The Tahs had opportunities of their own but were unable to capitalise on a pair of searching crossfield kicks from Foley.

The home side’s perseverance was rewarded in the 54th minute, when Foley produced a beautiful inside ball to right winger Matt Carraro, who broke through three tackles on the way to his first ever Super Rugby try. Foley added his fourth conversion, and the Tahs enjoyed a 7-point buffer.

The game maintained its breakneck speed, with Barrett answering Carraro’s effort with two penalty goals in the space of 3 minutes, bringing the Canes into striking distance and setting up a tense final 15 minutes.

But the Tahs delivered the knockout punch 2 minutes later, with birthday boy Will Skelton producing a perfect inside ball to give replacement Stephen Hoiles his first try for the Waratahs in 2982 days. Foley’s conversion hit the upright, and the Tahs held a slender 36-30 lead.

Beale looked to have scored again minutes later but the ball with dislodged in a desperate tackle from replacement Hurricanes’ lock Blade Thomson.  The disallowed try though had no effect on the outcome, with a late Foley penalty goal capping off a breathtaking 39-30 win.

Waratahs: 1 Benn Robinson 2 Tatafu Polota Nau 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Kane Douglas 5 Jacques Potgieter 6 DAVE DENNIS (C) 7 Michael Hooper 8 Wycliff Palu 9 Nick Phipps 10 Bernard Foley 11 Rob Horne 12 Kurtley Beale 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 14 Matt Carraro 15 Israel Folau BENCH: 16 Tolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Sekope Kepu 19 Will Skelton 20 Pat McCutcheon 21 Stephen Hoiles 22 Brendan McKibbin 23 Jono Lance 24 Cam Crawford 25 Alofa Alofa

SCORERS T: Horne, Dennis, Foley, Carraro, Hoiles C: Foley (4) P: Foley (2)

Hurricanes: 1 Ben Franks 2 Dane Coles 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 4 Jeremy Thrush 5 James Broadhurst 6 Faifili Levave 7 Jack Lam 8 Victor Vito 9 TJ Perenara 10 Beauden Barrett 11 Julian Savea 12 Alapati Leiua 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 14 Cory Jane 15 Andre Taylor BENCH: 16 Motu Matu’u 17 Chris Eves 18 Reggie Goodes 19 Blade Thomson 20 Ardie Savea 21 Billy Guyton 22 Tim Bateman 23 Matt Proctor

SCORERS T: Toomaga-Allen, Barrett, Julian Savea C: Barrett (3) P: Barrett (3)

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

 

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BLUES 44 - 14 REDS

Eden Park, Auckland - Friday 02 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 20-0

THE St George Queensland Reds fell to an impressive Blues outfit in Auckland, going down 44-14 in the Asteron Life Super Rugby clash at Eden Park.

The Reds crossed for two tries through captain James Horwill and reserve prop Ben Daley while the Blues crossed the try line five times, after Quade Cooper led the visitors onto the field ahead of his 100th Queensland cap.

The Reds wore black armbands in memory of Scott Sullivan, recipient of the 2011 Queensland ‘Pride of Australia Medal’ for Courage, who succumbed to Motor Neurone Disease earlier in the day.

The Blues took an early lead with two penalty goals to Simon Hickey after 10 minutes. Cooper had a chance to close the gap on 15 minutes but his long range penalty attempt from just on halfway faded to the right of the posts. He was also unsuccessful with a closer shot a minute later.

It looked as if returning Reds flanker Liam Gill had scored the first try on 22 minutes after a strong run but the try was disallowed by the TMO Glenn Newman, ruling that Gill had been grounded earlier in the move.

Scrumhalf Will Genia then pulled off a superb try-saving tackle on opposing scrumhalf Bryn Hall when it looked like the Blues No.9 was away. Genia however could not prevent the Blues going over on 32 minutes when centre Jackson Willison finished off a move set-up by All Black Ma’a Nonu. Hickey converted to make it 13-0.

The Reds looked dangerous soon after when a strong run by Anthony Fainga’a set up an opening for winger Chris Feauai-Sautia but the final pass from Cooper was judged forward. Queensland’s task got tougher on 35 minutes when prop James Slipper was yellow carded for a lifting tackle, for which he was later cited.

Soon after, the Blues took advantage of the extra man with Nonu putting through a clever grubber kick, which was grounded by winger Lolagi Visinia. The conversion made it 20-0 at half time.

Hall went over for a converted try early in the second half to put the Blues further ahead 27-7.

The Reds then put together 18 phases on 47 minutes close to the Blues line but just when it looked like the try would come the ball was turned over after a big tackle on Cooper. The resulting penalty to the Blues saw the home team race away for their fourth try, scored by Tom Donnelly, after a sweeping move. The conversion to Hickey making it 34-0.

The Reds however fought back. After Blues prop Tony Woodcock was yellow carded for a punch on Eddie Quirk, the Reds set a lineout on the Blues 22. A clean take from Horwill allowed the Reds to set up a maul and with some skillful work from the pack, they drove over from 20 metres out, Daley coming up with the five pointer. Cooper’s well struck conversion brought the score back to 34-7.

A penalty to Hickey made it 37-7 on 58 minutes before Cooper and No.8 Jake Schatz almost combined to set up a second Reds try on 60 minutes. A minute later Schatz looked to have scored after bursting over from the back of a strong five-metre scrum but the TMO again ruled the try out.

The Reds however remained patient and from the next scrum, multiple phases saw Horwill crash over underneath the posts. Cooper’s second conversion made it 37-14. Queensland continued to attack but the Blues snatched a late converted try to Ihaia West after an intercept.

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau 14 Frank Halai 13 Francis Saili 12 Ma'a Nonu 11 Lolagi Visinia 10 Simon Hickey 9 Bryn Hall 8 Jerome Kaino 7 Brendon O'Connor 6 Peter Saili 5 Tom Donnelly 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 KEVEN MEALAMU (C) 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH: 16 James Parsons 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Hayden Triggs 20 Piri Weepu 21 Steven Luatua 22 Ihaia West 23 George Moala

SCORERS T: Willison, Visinia, Hall, Donnelly, West C: Hickey (4), West P: Hickey Woodcock

Reds: 15 Mike Harris 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Anthony Fainga'a 11 Rod Davies 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia 8 Jake Schatz 7 Liam Gill 6 Eddie Quirk 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 Greg Holmes 2 Saia Fainga'a 1 James Slipper BENCH: 16 James Hanson 17 Ben Daley 18 Jono Owen 19 Ed O'Donoghue 20 Beau Robinson 21 Nick Frisby 22 Ben Lucas 23 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi

SCORERS T: Daley, Horwill C: Cooper (2) Slipper

Referee: Nick Briant

 

CRUSADERS 40 - 20 BRUMBIES

AMI Stadium, Addington, Christchurch - Saturday 03 May 2014
KO: 16:35 HT: 22-6

THE Crusaders have dealt the Brumbies their biggest loss in almost three years, beating them by 40 points to 20 on Saturday afternoon.  A sell-out crowd at AMI Stadium enjoyed watching their team put the second-placed Brumbies to the sword.

As in the previous three wins, it was a mixture of pressure and patience that paid off for the Crusaders.  First five Colin Slade was again in superb kicking form, and the home team were dominant in the set pieces and superior at the breakdown.  Despite losing three players in the first half to injuries (Matt Todd with a calf strain; Kieron Fonotia re-aggravating his hamstring injury and Tom Taylor with a head knock), the Crusaders looked self-assured and in control. 

A lack of discipline on the part of the Brumbies saw the Crusaders take an early lead.  Slade popped a perfect five penalties over in the first half to give them fifteen points at the 37 minute mark, while the Brumbies had just six points from two penalty goals. 

The Crusaders had spent much of the first half pressuring the Brumbies line, and that paid off when wing Johnny McNicholl scored the first try of the game out wide on the stroke of halftime.  Slade maintained his perfect record and converted to give the Crusaders a 22-6 point halftime lead.

The visitors clearly pulled themselves together at the break and came out with a renewed potency.  Brumbies Hooker Stephen Moore gave them their first try just a few minutes into the second half after Ben Mowen passed him the ball close to the Crusaders line. 

The Crusaders responded well though, with a penalty goal and then their second try – Sam Whitelock charging down a Brumbies kick and delivering the ball to big winger Nemani Nadolo to cross the line.

The Brumbies continued to concede penalties and then took further punishment when they allowed Luke Whitelock to direct the loose ball into their in goal area and then reach it first to score the Crusaders’ third try.  Replacement halfback Willi Heinz kicked the conversion to put the Crusaders well out of reach at 40 points to 13. 

The Brumbies managed a last minute consolation try by centre Pat McCabe, but any opportunity the Brumbies might have had to claw things back had been well and truly lost by then and the Crusaders took a comfortable 20 point win.

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Johnny McNicholl 13 Kieron Fonotia 12 Ryan Crotty 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 8 Luke Whitelock 7 Matt Todd 6 RICHIE MCCAW 5 Samuel Whitelock 4 Dominic Bird 3 Owen Franks 2 Ben Funnell 1 Wyatt Crockett BENCH: 16 Corey Flynn 17 Tim Perry 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Luke Romano 20 Jordan Taufua 21 Willi Heinz 22 Tom Taylor 23 Nafi Tuitavake

SCORERS T: McNicholl, Nadalo, Luke Whitelock C: Slade, Heinz P: Slade (7) Romano

Brumbies: 1 Scott Sio 2 Stephen Moore 3 Ben Alexander 4 Scott Fardy 5 Sam Carter 6 Jordan Smiler 7 Jarrad Butler 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 9 Nic White 10 Matt Toomua 11 Robbie Coleman 12 Christian Leali’ifano 13 Tevita Kuridrani 14 Joe Tomane 15 Jesse Mogg BENCH: 16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Ruan Smith 18 Ruaidhri Murphy 19 Jack Whetton 20 Tom McVerry 21 Michael Dowsett 22 Andrew Smith 23 Pat McCabe

SCORERS T: Moore, McCabe C: Leali'ifano, Toomua P: White (2)

Referee: Glen Jackson

 

CHIEFS 38 - 8 LIONS

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Saturday 03 May 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 19-3

THE Lions’ Vodacom Super Rugby tour Down Under started with a 38-8 defeat at the hands of the defending champion Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday morning.

Although the visitors from Johannesburg started the match well and actually took a 3-0 lead early on, the men from Waikato started picking up the pace in the second part of the first half.

The Chiefs grew in confidence and two quick tries before the break, followed by their bonus-point try shortly thereafter, basically saw them sew up the result.

The Lions didn’t go down though and kept on fighting. But apart from Courtnall Skosan’s try in the second half, they failed to breach the Chiefs’ defence.

Although they scrummed very well and had the Chiefs under pressure in this facet, the Lions slipped too many tackles, especially close to their own line and the home team scored two more quick tries toward the end of the match.

The Chiefs have now gone unbeaten at home in 13 matches against teams from South Africa. Their last defeat at home against a team from the Republic was on 28 February 2009 against the Cell C Sharks (22-15), but they drew to the Toyota Cheetahs (25-25) on 23 April 2010.

Chiefs: Nanai-Williams, Dwayne Sweeney, Charlie Ngatai, Tom Marshall, James Lowe, Gareth Anscombe, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, LIAM MESSAM (C), Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer, Brodie Retallick, Ross Filipo, Josh Hohneck, Nathan Harris, Pauliasi Manu BENCH: Mahonri Schwalger, Jamie MacKintosh, Ben Tameifuna, Matt Symons, Michael Fitzgerald, Brad Weber, Bundee Aki, Andrew Horrell

SCORERS T: Anscombe, Latimer, Ngatai, Manu, Aki, Nanai-Williams C: Anscombe (3), Horrell

Lions: Chrysander Botha, Deon van Rensburg, Lionel Mapoe, Stefan Watermeyer, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, WARREN WHITELEY (C), Derick Minnie, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Martin Muller, Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: Armand van der Merwe, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Dreyer, MB Lusaseni, Willie Britz, Ross Cronje, Marnitz Boshoff, JW Jonker

SCORERS T: Skosan P: Jantjies

Referee: Chris Pollock

 

 

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THREE wins and only one defeat against Australasian opposition meant the last round of Vodacom Super Rugby was the best weekend from a South African perspective since round two earlier this year.

However, two of the three wins in the second round were in local derbies. This weekend, only the Vodacom Bulls’ victory over the Toyota Cheetahs was an all-South African affair as the Cell C Sharks and the DHL Stormers clinched victories over Australasian opponents.

In fact, the Cell C Sharks broke a losing run of 13 matches in Australasia for the South African franchises (this includes the Toyota Cheetahs’ defeat in their 2013 Qualifier against the Brumbies in Canberra) when they beat the Rebels by 22-16 in Melbourne on Friday morning.

The worst South African losing run Down Under was from 2005 to 2006, when 17 consecutive matches were lost. Overall, SA teams win 23.8% of their away matches to overseas teams.

On Saturday morning, the Lions were outplayed by the defending champion Chiefs in their tour opener (38-8) in Hamilton, conceding six tries in the process.

But on Saturday afternoon in Cape Town, the DHL Stormers won an eight-try thriller against the Highlanders by 29-28 for only their third win of the season.

The Vodacom Bulls’ 26-21 win – their first in more than a month – over the Toyota Cheetahs in an entertaining but tough derby brought the weekend’s proceedings to an end.

STORMERS 29 - 28 HIGHLANDERS

DHL Newlands, Cape Town - Saturday 03 May 2014
KO: 15:00 HT: 19-14

THE DHL Stormers stretched their winning run over Highlanders in Vodacom Super Rugby to six victories when they won an exciting match at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon by 29-28.

It was a highly entertaining match played in perfect autumn conditions in the Cape where both teams showed attacking intent and ended up scoring four tries each.

It was the DHL Stormers’ first try-scoring bonus-point in more than a year and only their second one since beating the Toyota Cheetahs in final round of pool play before the playoffs in 2011.

Three of the DHL Stormers tries were scored in the first half, during which they produced probably their best rugby of the season thus far.

Two of these went to Frans Malherbe. His first came in the second minute after a great start by the Capetonians and he crossed again before the half-hour mark following a superb “blind” pass from Schalk Burger. A couple of minutes later Damian De Allende rounded off a brilliant backline move after the visitors made a hash of a line-out.

In the second half, Oliver Kebble burrowed his way over for the bonus-point try, which gave the DHL Stormers a 26-14 lead with 30 minutes left on the clock.

Like they did in the first half though, the Highlanders never gave up and used their chances. They scored a bunch of great tries – three of which involved clever little kicks inside the DHL Stormers’ 22 – and took a 28-26 lead with 20 minutes to go.

But a Peter Grant penalty and some solid defence late in the match sealed the win for the Capetonians.

Stormers: Jaco Taute, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, JEAN DE VILLIERS (C), Devon Williams, Peter Grant, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Michael Rhodes, Ruan Botha, Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff BENCH: Stephan Coetzee, Oliver Kebble, Brok Harris, Jurie van Vuuren, Schalk Burger, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Kobus van Wyk

SCORERS T: Malherbe (2), de Allende, Kebble C: Coleman (3) P: Grant Ntubeni

Highlanders: BEN SMITH (C), Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Trent Renata, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, John Hardie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Josh Bekhuis, Chris King, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames BENCH: Brayden Mitchell, Matias Diaz, Ma'afu Fia, Jarrad Hoeata, Shane Christie, Fumiaki Tanaka, Jason Emery, Phil Burleigh

SCORERS T: Aaron Smith, Renata, Ben Smith, Fekitoa C: Sopoaga (2), Renata (2) Mitchell

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

BULLS 26 - 21 CHEETAHS

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria - Saturday 03 May 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 9-18

THE Vodacom Bulls won a typically hard and entertaining South African Vodacom Super Rugby derby against the Toyota Cheetahs by 26-21 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.

It was one of those clichéd “game of two halves” in which the home team managed to work their way back from an 18-9 half-time deficit to win by five points in the end.

Four tries were scored – two by each team. The visitors got both theirs in the first half, when Johann Sadie ran 80m after intercepting with the Vodacom Bulls hot on the attack, and Raymond Rhule later finishing off a superb attacking move.

The Vodacom Bulls could’ve scored a couple of tries in the first half, but again failed to make the most of good attacking positions, a problem they often encountered on their recent Australasian tour.

It was a different story in the second half though as the home team, thanks mainly to converted tries by Paul Willemse and Callie Visagie, fought back. They also denied the Toyota Cheetahs any further tries and defended very well at the death to record their first win in more than a month.

Bulls: Jurgen Visser, Akona Ndungane, William Small-Smith, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Handré Pollard, Francois Hougaard, Grant Hattingh, Jacques du Plessis, Jono Ross, VICTOR MATFIELD (C), Paul Willemse, Marcel van der Merwe, Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling, BENCH: Bongi Mbonambi, Morné Mellett, Werner Kruger, Jacques Engelbrecht, Wimpie van der Walt, Rudy Paige, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, JJ Engelbrecht

SCORERS T: Willemse, Visagie C: Pollard (2) P: Pollard (2), Visser, Potgieter Pollard

Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Raymond Rhule, Johann Sadie, Ryno Benjamin, Willie le Roux, Elgar Watts, Sarel Pretorius, Boom Prinsloo, Jean Cook, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Uys, Andries Ferreira, Maks van Dyk, ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C), Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: Torsten van Jaarsveld, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Ligtoring Landman, Teboho Mohoje, Shaun Venter, Johan Goosen, Cornal Hendricks

SCORERS T: Sadie, Rhule C: Watts P: Watts (2), Goosen

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

 

 

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BRUMBIES 41-23 CHIEFS

Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Friday 25 April 2014
KO: 17:40 HT: 13-6

TWO tries to both Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani have handed the UC Brumbies a bonus point win over the Chiefs on Friday as the ACT remembered the Anzacs at GIO Stadium.

Two-up, Victoria Cross recipients and more than 16,000 UC Brumbies fans set the tone for an electric game of rugby, pitched against the last two seasons’ best teams. The hype had been built all week surrounding a Super Rugby Final rematch and did not disappoint, with seven tries registered including six in the second half.

While Toomua was eventually named Man of the Match after a commanding display in the No.10 jersey, there were plenty of standout performers as the side stamped its authority. Joe Tomane had another cracker, the set piece, under the guidance of Ben Mowen, Ben Alexander and Stephen Moore was outstanding and Scott Fardy did not stop working.

Christian Leali’ifano and Gareth Anscombe traded penalties for the first quarter with the Chiefs holding a three-point margin, 6-3 up until the 30 minute mark. But the UC Brumbies managed to build momentum late in the half, eventually breaking the Chiefs from close range when Matt Toomua reached out to score. The conversion from Leali’ifano was successful, and when the inside-centre added another three off the boot the UC Brumbies had the lead for half-time sewn up, 13-6.

Anscombe again closed the gap with a penalty to open the second half, but celebrations were short lived for the Chiefs as Joe Tomane performed his usual acrobatic display in the right corner to score his second try in two weeks. The conversion was away, but the UC Brumbies were out to an 18-9 lead with just over half an hour to play.

Tomane’s try sparked the Chiefs to life and they mounted a series of attacks from all over the park. The visitors launched the same intensity into their defence, with James Lowe taking it one step too far when he tripped Tomane in open space. Lowe was yellow carded and UC Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White was able to convert the opportunity into points, the home side moving out to a 21-9 point lead with after 55 minutes.

Kuridrani added more pain to the Chiefs just two minutes later, the UC Brumbies shifting the ball quickly after a huge driving maul pushed them into attacking territory. He was in again just four minutes later, this time in the opposite corner and the UC Brumbies were running home.

The Chiefs claimed two consolation tries late in the piece, but it was Toomua who stole the show, capitalising on an intercept from Ruan Smith to claim his first brace of tries and hand the UC Brumbies a comfortable 41-23 victory.

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Joe Tomane 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Christian Lealiifano 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 7 Jarrad Butler 6 Jordan Smiler 5 Sam Carter 4 Scott Fardy 3 Ben Alexander 2 Stephen Moore 1 Scott Sio BENCH: 16 Siliva Siliva 17 Ruan Smith 18 JP Smith 19 Jack Whetton 20 Tom McVerry 21 Michael Dowsett 22 Andrew Smith 23 Pat McCabe

‪‎SCORERS T: Toomua (2), Tomane, Kuridrani (2) C: Leali'ifano, White P: Leali'ifano (2), White (2)

Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall 14 Tim Nanai-Williams 13 Andrew Horrell 12 Bundee Aki 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 10 Gareth Anscombe 9 Augustine Pulu 8 LIAM MESSAM (C) 7 Sam Cane 6 Nick Crosswell 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Ross Filipo 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Mahonri Schwalger 1 Pauliasi Manu BENCH: 16 Nathan Harris 17 Jamie Mackintosh 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Matt Symons 20 Tevita Koloamatangi 21 Brad Weber 22 Dwayne Sweeney 23 James Lowe

SCORERS T: Webster, Hohneck C: Horrell (2) P: Anscombe (3) Lowe

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

WESTERN FORCE 15 - 9 BULLS

NIB Stadium, Perth - Saturday 26 April 2014
KO: 17:40 HT: 9-6

THE Western Force recorded its fourth straight victory at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) following its 15-9 win over the Bulls tonight.

In wet conditions, field position was highly sought after with both sides determined to play the match down their respective attacking ends, despite neither side being able to cross the line in the rain-soaked match.

Force fly half Sias Ebersohn controlled the match for the home side, with his contestable kicking and ability to drive the ball downfield, proving just as valuable as his perfect goal-kicking display. Ebersohn, who kicked five penalties from as many attempts, was acknowledged for this composed performance in receiving the Haigh & Hastings Man of the Match.

Flankers Angus Cottrell and captain Matt Hodgson were again tireless in their performances, continually cutting down and charging through the big Bulls pack in their side’s sixth win of the season.

On the back of an aggressive forward pack and early aerial bombardment, the Bulls ensured they had the early running in the match, with fly half Jacques-Louis Potgieter converting the pressure into points two early penalty goals.

Having weathered the initial storm, the Force began to work their way into the match with Ebersohn providing his side with a 9-6 half-time advantage following three penalty goals in the final 14 minutes of the half.

Ebersohn added another four minutes into the new term, before the Force launched their most promising try-scoring raid of the match midway through the half, but was forced to settle for another Ebersohn penalty and a 15-6 lead.

While Bulls replacement Handré Pollard pulled back the margin with another penalty goal 17 minutes from full-time, the Force repelled a late onslaught from the Pretoria-based side to seal the six-point win.

Western Force: 15 Jayden Hayward 14 Dane Haylett-Petty 13 Marcel Brache 12 Kyle Godwin 11 Nick Cummins 10 Sias Ebersohn 9 Ian Prior 8 Ben McCalman 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 6 Angus Cottrell 5 Sam Wykes 4 Adam Coleman 3 Kieran Longbottom 2 Nathan Charles 1 Pek Cowan BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp 20 Brynard Stander 21 Justin Turner 22 Zack Holmes 23 Chris Tuatara-Morrison

SCORERS P: Ebersohn (5)

Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser 14 Akona Ndungane 13 JJ Engelbrecht 12 Jan Serfontein 11 Bjorn Basson 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter 9 Francois Hougaard 8 Grant Hattingh 7 Jacques du Plessis 6 Jono Ross 5 VICTOR MATFIELD (C) 4 Paul Willemse 3 Werner Kruger 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Dean Greyling BENCH: 16 Bandise Maku 17 Morné Mellett 18 Marcel van der Merwe 19 Wimpie van der Walt 20 Jacques Engelbrecht 21 Rudy Paige 22 Handré Pollard 23 Ulrich Beyers

SCORERS P: Potgieter (3)

Referee: Angus Gardner

 

 

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BLUES 21 - 13 WARATAHS

Eden Park, Auckland - Friday 25 April 2014
KO: 17:35 HT: 8-3

THE NSW Waratahs are still searching for an elusive second win at Eden Park after going down 21-13 to a resurgent Blues outfit on ANZAC Day.

It was the Waratahs who kicked off and, inside two minutes, winger Rob Horne was tackled short of the line and stretched out to touch down for what looked like the opening points of the match.  But New Zealand referee Chris Pollock did not agree and it was an early let off for the Blues, when he penalising the winger for not releasing.

The Tahs were creating plenty of opportunities but their poor handling at crucial times lifted the home side and it took committed defence from the Tahs to turn back a determined Blues attack.  Seven minutes in, Blues’ fly half Simon Hickey put his side in front with a penalty goal from 35 metres.

Dropped balls continue to plague the Waratahs but still Bernard Foley had a chance to level the scores in the 17th minute before spraying it left.  NSW continued to make inroads without putting points on the board and it was left to the Blues to produce the razzle dazzle for the opening try.

Ma’a Nonu’s cut out pass for Lologi Visinia opened up the space and the young winger, in just his second year out of high school, did the rest to cross out wide.  Hickey missed the conversion but the locals led by eight points, before the slightest of knock ons denied Horne for a second time.

Coach Michael Cheika made his first change of the match in the 27th minute, with Paddy Ryan replacing Sekope Kepu.  For the final 10 minutes of the period, the Waratahs launched raid after raid but finding a way through the Blues defence provide too difficult. The Tahs’ sustained pressure was finally rewarded with a Foley penalty goal, meaning the visitors went into the half-time break trailing 8-3.

After a big performance, young lock Will Skelton made way for Wycliff Palu for the start of the second 40.  Five minutes after the restart, Hickey posted first points of the second period with a penalty goal to stretch the Blues’ lead to 11-3.

The kiwis were over for their second try in the 52nd minute, when two offloads saw Francis Saili score.  Despite being all over him, Michael Hooper could not prevent the score and Hickey converted to have the Blues cruising at 18-3.

But five minutes later, the Waratahs were back in the game when Jacques Potgieter powered over. Foley was dragged down just short of the try line, before a bullet pass from scrumhalf Nick Phipps to a charging Potgieter was unstoppable.  The South African’s try in the 57th minute was his fifth try in Super Rugby and the conversion from Foley had the Waratahs just eight points adrift.

Ten minutes later, the fly half closed the gap to just five with a penalty goal from close range.  The Waratahs kept pushing before a late penalty to Hickey stretched the Blues’ lead to 21-13 to all but end the Tahs’ charge with six minutes left on the clock.  The 21-13 victory has the Blues unbeaten at home this season.

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau 14 Frank Halai 13 Francis Saili 12 Ma'a Nonu 11 Lolagi Visinia 10 Simon Hickey 9 Bryn Hall 8 Peter Saili 7 LUKE BRAID (C) 6 Jerome Kaino 5 Tom Donnelly 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH: 16 James Parsons 17 Sam Prattley 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Hayden Triggs 20 Piri Weepu 21 Steven Luatua 22 Ihaia West 23 Pita Ahki

SCORERS T: Visnia, Francis Saili C: Hickey P: Hickey (3)

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau 14 Cam Crawford 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Kurtley Beale 11 Rob Horne 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 8 DAVE DENNIS (C) 7 Michael Hooper 6 Jacques Potgieter 5 Kane Douglas 4 Will Skelton 3 Sekope Kepu 2 Tatafu Polota Nau 1 Benn Robinson BENCH: 16 Tolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Pat McCutcheon 20 Wycliff Palu 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Jono Lance 23 Matt Carraro 24 Stephen Hoiles

SCORERS T: Potgieter C: Foley P: Foley (2)

Referee: Chris Pollock

 

 HURRICANES 35 - 21 REDS

Westpac Stadium, Wellington - Saturday 26 April 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 10-14

THE St.George Queensland Reds slipped to a hard fought 35-21 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington tonight in their ANZAC Round clash. The Reds were looking to celebrate the 100th Queensland cap of captain James Horwill and 50th for centre Ben Tapuai, but after leading 14-10 at halftime they were over run in the second half by the fast-finishing Hurricanes.

Queensland scored two tries through Ben Lucas and replacement hooker James Hanson, while the Hurricanes' five tries came through a hat-trick to Cory Jane and singles to TJ Perenara and Ardie Savea.

The temperature was a chilly 13 degrees at kick-off in Wellington and the Reds got off to the perfect start with a try to Lucas after just 7 minutes. The 5-pointer was superbly set up by Quade Cooper. From quick ruck ball on the Hurricanes 22 the Reds fly half took the ball to the line before popping a well-timed pass to a charging Beau Robinson. Robinson then found Lucas and the fullback dove over in the right-hand corner. Cooper's conversion was unsuccessful but the Reds were up 5-0, thrilling the large contingent of Queensland fans in the stands.

The home side was back to 5-all with an unconverted try to Jane on 17 minutes, but 5 minutes later Cooper landed a difficult penalty attempt from just to the right of the posts and 40 metres out to reclaim the lead. Just a minute later a second unconverted try to Jane put the home team back in front 10-8.

The Reds dominated the rest of the half and good pressure saw Cooper land two more penalties to give Queensland the 14-10 lead at half time.

The Hurricanes dominated the start of the second half in both possession and territory and scrumhalf Perenara went over after 47 minutes to put the home team back in front 17-14, with fly half Beauden Barrett's conversion this time successful.

The Hurricanes poured on the attack again and after multiple phases Jane dove over in the right corner to complete his hat-trick and put the hosts out to a 22-14 lead, with the conversion from Barrett going wide.

Coach Richard Graham went to his bench with a triple change -Hanson on for Saia Fainga'a, Rod Davies on for JJ Taulagi and Curtis Browning on for Jake Schatz. Will Genia came off minutes later after receiving a knock to the ankle, with Nick Frisby replacing him. A penalty to Barrett made it 25-14 on 62 minutes but the Reds were back in the match shortly afterwards.

From a solid scrum on the Hurricanes 22, Cooper found centre Mike Harris who drove towards the line. From the next ruck Horwill took the ball on before a pick-and-drive from James Slipper was stopped just short. Hanson then picked up and dove over with Cooper's conversion putting Queensland back in striking distance, down by just four points, 25-21.

The Reds looked like they would take the lead just a minute later when Slipper broke the Hurricanes' line out wide and found a rampaging Rob Simmons. But the big lock's kick ahead was grounded by Victor Vito, just ahead of the Reds chasers.

Queensland had their chances in the final minutes but the Hurricanes were able to close the game out with a converted try to Savea and another penalty to Barrett.

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor 14 Cory Jane 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Alapati Leiua 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Victor Vito 7 Jack Lam 6 Faifili Levave 5 James Broadhurst 4 Jeremy Thrush 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 2 Dane Coles 1 Ben Franks BENCH: 16 Motu Matu'u 17 Chris Eves 18 Reggie Goodes 19 Blade Thomson 20 Ardie Savea 21 Chris Smylie 22 Tim Bateman 23 Matt Proctor

‎‪‎SCORERS T: Jane (3), Perenara, Ardie Savea C: Barrett (2) P: Barrett (2)

Reds: 15 Ben Lucas 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Mike Harris 11 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia 8 Jake Schatz 7 Beau Robinson 6 Eddie Quirk 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 James Slipper 2 Saia Fainga'a 1 Ben Daley BENCH: 16 James Hanson 17 Greg Holmes 18 Jono Owen 19 Ed O'Donoghue 20 Curtis Browning 21 Nick Frisby 22 Anthony Fainga'a 23 Rod Davies

SCORERS T: Lucas, Hanson C: Cooper P: Cooper (3)

Referee: Mike Fraser

 

 

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THE Toyota Cheetahs delivered their best performance of the Vodacom Super Rugby season when they won comfortably against the DHL Stormers in an exciting local derby, but the Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks were kept try-less as they ended up on the losing side in Round 11.

The team from Central South Africa and the Capetonians were involved in an thrilling derby where the most tries were scored this season. The Toyota Cheetahs won this encounter in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon by 35-22, outscoring the visitors by five tries to three.

It was the most tries scored against the DHL Stormers in a local derby since the Cell C Sharks and Vodacom Bulls put five and seven respectively past them in 2007.

Earlier on Saturday, the Vodacom Bulls had to battle the elements and Sias Ebersohn’s boot in Perth. The Force beat the visitors from Pretoria by 15-9 in a kick-fest where no tries were scored.

It was the first time ever the Vodacom Bulls had failed to score a try in two consecutive matches as they went without a victory on an Australasian tour for the first time since 2008.

And the Cell C Sharks, despite losing their first home match of the season by 34-18 against the Highlanders on Friday evening, managed to hold on to their top spot on the log. They’ve since departed on their Australasian tour and know they will have to improve a lot from this defeat if they are going to be successful Down Under.

The Lions had a bye this weekend and have also made the trek across the Indian Ocean where their overseas tour kicks off next week.

SHARKS 18 - 34 HIGHLANDERS

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban - Friday 25 April 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 12-24

THE Cell C Sharks looked a bit lethargic as they delivered probably their worst performance of 2014 when the Highlanders, full of life upon arriving in South Africa, became the first team to beat the KwaZulu-Natalians in Durban this season.

The home team lost by 34-18 in a match most supporters at Growthpoint Kings Park will want to forget as soon as possible. Their team was outscored by four tries to zero in only their second defeat of the season.

The Highlanders basically had the result sewn up at the break, in which time they had scored three tries. But the Cell C Sharks refused to give up. The home team looked sharp early in second half and fought back from 24-12 down to 24-18, but the fact that they did not finish their chances cost them dearly.

However, when Malakai Fekitoa waltzed through for the Highlanders’ only try after the break – from one of their very few opportunities, mainly thanks to slack defence from the home team – it was game over.

This was the first time since May last year, when they went down to the Reds, that the Cell C Sharks leaked four tries in a Vodacom Super Rugby match.

Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo 14 JP Pietersen 13 Paul Jordaan 12 Frans Steyn 11 S'bura Sithole 10 Tim Swiel 9 Charl McLeod 8 Keegan Daniel 7 Jean Deysel 6 Marcell Coetzee 5 Stephan Lewies 4 Willem Alberts 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 1 Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Etienne Oosthuizen 20 Ryan Kankowski 21 Stefan Ungerer 22 Heimar Williams 23 SP Marais

SCORERS P: Swiel (6)

Highlanders: 15 BEN SMITH (C) 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Shaun Treeby 11 Patrick Osborne 10 Lima Sopoaga 9 Aaron Smith 8 Nasi Manu 7 Shane Christie 6 Elliot Dixon 5 Joe Wheeler 4 Jarrad Hoeata 3 Chris King 2 Liam Coltman 1 Kane Hames BENCH: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Craig Millar 18 Ma'afu Fia 19 Josh Bekhuis 20 Gareth Evans 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Trent Renata 23 John Hardie

SCORERS T: Buckman, Aaron Smith, Christie, Fekitoa C: Sopoaga (4) P: Sopoaga (2) Wheeler

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

CHEETAHS 35 - 17 STORMERS

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Saturday 26 April 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 20-10

IT was a try-fest at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein where the Toyota Cheetahs had too much firepower as they beat the DHL Stormers by 35-22 on Saturday afternoon.

A total of eight tries were scored, five of those going to the home team, who used their opportunities better and also showed some improvement on defence.

The DHL Stormers started the match very well when Juan de Jongh was held up over the line shortly after the kick-off, but from ensuing scrum Nizaam Carr burst over under the sticks.

Thereafter the Toyota Cheetahs awoke from their initial slumber and scored three great first-half tries – by Hennie Daniller, Rayno Benjamin and Willie le Roux – to go into the break leading by 20-10.

The DHL Stormers narrowed the gap to 23-15 after an hour when Devon Williams rounded off, but the Toyota Cheetahs were not done yet. First Cornal Hendricks rounded off after a turn-over close to their line with the visitors hot on the attack, and four minutes later Trevor Nyakane crashed over to put the result beyond any doubt.

The Capetonians had the last say when Springbok captain Jean de Villiers scored his team’s third try, but it was too little, too late for the visitors, who swapped places at the bottom of the log with the Toyota Cheetahs after this defeat.

Toyota Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Raymond Rhule, Johann Sadie, Ryno Benjamin, Willie le Roux, Elgar Watts, Sarel Pretorius, Boom Prinsloo, Jean Cook, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Uys, Andries Ferreira, Maks van Dyk, ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C), Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: Torsten van Jaarsveld, Trevor Nyakane, Rossouw de Klerk, Waltie Vermeulen, Teboho Mohoje, Shaun Venter, Riaan Smit, Cornal Hendricks

SCORERS T: Daniller, Benjamin, le Roux, Hendricks, Nyakane C: Watts (2) P: Watts (2)

DHL Stormers: Jaco Taute, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, JEAN DE VILLIERS (C), Devon Williams, Peter Grant, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Michael Rhodes, Ruan Botha, Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff BENCH: Stephan Coetzee, Oliver Kebble, Brok Harris, Jurie van Vuuren, Schalk Burger, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Kobus van Wyk

SCORERS T: Carr, Williams, de Villiers C: Grant, Coleman P: Grant

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

 

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MELBOURNE REBELS 22 - 16 WESTERN FORCE

AAMI Park, Melbourne - Friday 18 April 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 6-6

THE RaboDirect Rebels ended the Western Force's five-match winning streak in a tough match, grinding out a 22-16 win at AAMI Park in a Good Friday blockbuster. The Force struggled with the wet ground at AAMI Park after a rainy day in Melbourne, with the Rebel's home ground proving to be a fortress; the Club has now won six of their last seven matches at home.

 

Momentum see-sawed in the first half, with the Force the first to get points on the board through an offside penalty goal to Sias Ebersohn at the three minute mark. However, the Rebels attack looked sharp early, particularly with incredible pressure at the set piece coming from the home-side's forwards.

Mitch Inman and Luke Jones both threatened the Force's defence early, tearing holes and finding space. A grubber kick from flyhalf Bryce Hegarty gave the Rebels' their first look at the try line, with the ball dribbling into touch less than a metre from the line.

Both sides continued to trade penalties as the first half went on, with the scores level at 6-6 at the half hour mark. A mistake from the Force gave the Rebels a chance to take the lead as half time loomed, however Woodward's kick fell just short of the posts. The Rebels earned one final look at the try-line as the buzzer sounded with sharp team play off the back of another strong scrum, however the opportunity went begging as a knock on called the end of play.

The second half kicked off where the first ended, with the Rebels earning the opening advantage with an early penalty goal to Woodward. The lead was short lived, with the Force showing fierce attack from the re-start. The home-side's defence held strong, however Ebersohn levelled the scores on the 50 minute mark through a penalty goal.

Woodward once again put the Rebels in the lead, this time with a beautiful strike from just inside half way for his fourth penalty goal of the night. A bizarre re-start attempt from the Force opened up another opportunity for the Rebels to score, with strong play from the scrum sending the home-side sailing into attack.

The Rebels continued to push hard, with the forward pack proving to be a formidable force and a key component in the first try of the night. The visitors gave away a penalty just metres from their line, with the Rebels' opting to take the scrum. After another dominant set piece display, skipper Scott Higginbotham broke away from the pack, slicing the Force's defence to cross the line. A successful conversion from Woodward gave the Rebels a 10 point lead with under 20 minutes to go.

The Rebels ferocity in attack continued, with replacement winger Tom Kingston breaking the Force's line multiple times. Woodward was presented with an opportunity to extend the lead through another mistake from the Force, however sent the ball left of the posts.

Desperate to reduce the margin, the visitors threatened the Rebels' line for a 10 minute block, however the home side held strong until an eventual mistake forced the turnover.

With the Rebels back in possession, Woodward was able to further extend the lead from another Force mistake as the full-time siren loomed, with the game now well out of the Force's reach and their winning streak over.

Force star Nick Cummins refused to let his team fly back to Perth without a 'meat pie', orchestrating a post-siren try to the visitors, with a successful conversion from Zac Holmes sending the Force home with a bonus point.

The Rebels dedicated the Good Friday fixture to The Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal, raising much-needed funds for kids in need through their 'Turf a Teddy' initiative, with help from BONDS and Hillier's Chocolates. Fans were allowed on to the field to meet players from both sides post match, in wonderful scenes reflective of the community spirit of Australian Rugby.

Force: 1 Pek Cowan 2 Nathan Charles 3 Kieran Longbottom 4 Adam Coleman 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp 6 Angus Cottrell 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 8 Ben McCalman 9 Ian Prior 10 Sias Ebersohn 11 Nick Cummins 12 Kyle Godwin 13 Marcel Brache 14 Patrick Dellit 15 Dane Haylett-Petty BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Phoenix Battye 20 Brynard Stander 21 Justin Turner 22 Zack Holmes 23 Chris Tuatara-Morrison

SCORERS T: Higginbotham C: Woodward P: Woodward (5) Ellison

Rebels: 1 Toby Smith 2 Shota Horie 3 Laurie Weeks 4 Cadeyrn Neville 5 Luke Jones 6 Colby Fainga’a 7 Scott Fuglistaller 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 9 Nic Stirzaker 10 Bryce Hegarty 11 Tom English 12 Mitch Inman 13 Tamati Ellison 14 Male Sau 15 Jason Woodward 1 BENCH: 6 Pat Leafa 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Paul Alo-Emile 19 Hugh Pyle 20 Sean McMahon 21 Luke Burgess 22 Tom Kingston 23 Angus Roberts

SCORERS T: Cummins C: Holmes P: Ebersohn (3)

Referee: Andrew Lees

 

WARATAHS 19 - 12 BULLS

Allianz Stadium, Sydney - Saturday 19 April 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 13-6

THE NSW Waratahs held off a fast-finishing Blue Bulls outfit to record a crucial 19-12 win at Allianz Stadium. An early try from fullback Israel Folau proved decisive, as the Tahs ground out a tough win to snap an eight-game losing streak against the men from Pretoria.

It took Israel Folau only 28 seconds to announce his return from a four-week injury layoff, when the star fullback latched onto an Adam Ashley-Cooper offload and stepped inside scrumhalf Piet Van Zyl for his ninth try of the season. Fly half Bernard Foley nudged the conversion over from in front and the score was 7-0 in the blink of an eye.

The Tahs enjoyed 80% of possession in the next ten minutes, but when Bulls winger Bjorn Basson was penalised for entering a ruck offside Beale was unable to convert his side’ ascendancy into points.

But fly half Bernard Foley made amends minutes later, slotting successive penalty goals to give the Tahs a comfortable 13-point buffer midway through the half.

Despite the home side dominating the stats sheet, the Bulls’ swarming defence kept them in the match, and allowed fly half Jacques-Louise Potgieter to kick two penalties in as many minutes to keep his team within striking distance going into halftime.

The Bulls came out of the break with all the momentum but the Tahs held firm, and when Jono Ross was penalised for hands in the ruck Foley added his third penalty goal of the night in the 63rd minute.

The game changed complexion three minutes later, when Bulls’ number eight Grant Hattingh was yellow carded after a high tackle on Michael Hooper. Foley converted the ensuing penalty attempt and his side regained a crucial 10-point buffer.

But commanding defence from a 14-man Bulls outfit shut the Waratahs out of further scoring opportunities and Hattingh took the field again with his side having conceded a solitary penalty goal.

Two further penalties from Potgieter set up a grandstand finish, but Magners Man of the Match Michael Hooper forced a turnover in his own 22, and the Tahs recorded their first win against the Bulls since 2005.

Waratahs: Israel Folau, Cam Crawford, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, DAVE DENNIS (C), Michael Hooper, Jacques Potgieter, Kane Douglas, Will Skelton, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson BENCH: Tola Latu, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Patrick McCutcheon, Wycliff Palu, Brendan McKibbin, Jonathan Lance, Matt Carraro

SCORERS T: Folau C: Foley P: Foley (4)

Bulls: Jurgen Visser, Bjorn Basson, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Francois Hougaard, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Piet van Zyl, Grant Hattingh, Jacques du Plessis, Jono Ross, Victor Matfield, FLIP VAN DER MERWE (C), Werner Kruger, Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling BENCH: Bongi Mbonambi, Marcel van der Merwe, Morne Mellett, Paul Willemse, Jacques Engelbrecht, Rudy Paige, Handré Pollard, William Small-Smith

SCORERS P: Potgieter (3), Pollard Hattingh

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

 

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HURRICANES 39 - 20 BLUES

Westpac Stadium, Wellington - Friday 18 April 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 13-17

THE Hurricanes enjoyed a convincing 39-20 win over the Blues at Westpac Stadium on Friday. Led by rampaging left wing Julian Savea, and backed up by a hugely committed forward pack that hustled and harried the Blues all match, the Hurricanes outscored the Blues five tries to two. The bonus point win lifts the Hurricanes firmly inside the top half of the Super Rugby points table ahead of their next match at home against the Reds.

An early lightning raid by Savea up the touchline had set the attacking tone of the match for the Hurricanes. Savea made the bust and Leiua subsequently skipped through the tackle of his opposite Jackson Willison to score untouched under the posts. First five-eighth Beauden Barrett’s conversion put the Hurricanes ahead 13-3 after he kicked two penalties at the start of the contest.

Leiua and Savea struck again in tandem several minutes later to seemingly score the Hurricanes’ second try, after Leiua latched on to a Barrett kick-and-chase and freed up Savea on his outside. But the pass was ruled forward by the TMO and the Blues held on with a defensive scrum.

Instead, it was the Blues’ turn to score, with right wing Moala diving over in the corner after a Blues penalty and lineout drive. Noakes was successful with the sideline conversion, cutting the Hurricanes’ lead to 13-10.

Barrett missed a penalty chance, before the Hurricanes were once again denied a try in the left corner by the call of the TMO. This time it was hooker, Coles, who lunged at the line after another kick ahead behind the Blues' line and a concerted raid inside the 22. But he was ruled to have been taken into touch in the tackle of the Blues defender Charles Piutau.

Coles was then the centre of attention at the other end of the field as the Blues made a break and replacement Blues back Benji Marshall was pulled down just short of the line by Coles, who was subsequently sin-binned for an illegal act. From the next play, the Blues were awarded a penalty try and they went into halftime leading 17-13.

Two tries early in the second half proved the winner for the Hurricanes. After starting the second half with 14 men, the Hurricanes raced to a 27-17 lead.

Barrett kicked ahead from an under fire scrum and Blues right wing Moala knocked on inside his 22. Awarded another series of scrums in prime attacking position, the forwards peeled off and drove at the chalk over several phases. Barrett then attacked the line and passed back on his inside to a flying Savea who scored to put the Hurricanes back ahead.

Moments later, second five-eighth Alapati Leiua busted the Blues wide open on the counter-attack and linked up with right wing Cory Jane, who in turn flung the ball back infield to no man’s land. But halfback TJ Perenara was on hand centre-field to scoop up the loose ball and score under the posts.

The Hurricanes hit back with their tries to Savea and Perenara, before Savea broke the match open by setting up the Hurricanes‘ third try of the second half and their bonus point try. He found space in open play and kicked ahead, forcing another error at the back by the Blues’ cover defence. The ball was kicked ahead again and captain Conrad Smith beat Marshall to the loose ball and scored the try.

Barrett converted Smith’s try to put them ahead 34-20 with under 15 minutes remaining. This was followed by Matu’u’s try on the fulltime hooter, sealing a convincing win.

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor 14 Cory Jane 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Alapati Leiua 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Victor Vito 7 Jack Lam 6 Faifili Levave 5 James Broadhurst 4 Jeremy Thrush 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 2 Dane Coles 1 Reggie Goodes BENCH: 16 Motu Matu'u 17 Chris Eves 18 John Schwalger 19 Blade Thomson 20 Ardie Savea 21 Chris Smylie 22 Tim Bateman 23 Matt Proctor

SCORERS T: Leuia, Julian Savea, Perenara, Smith, Matu'u C: Barrett (4) P: Barrett (2) Coles

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau 14 George Moala 13 Francis Saili 12 Jackson Willison 11 Lolagi Visinia 10 Chris Noakes 9 Bryn Hall 8 Steven Luatua 7 LUKE BRAID (C) 6 Jerome Kaino 5 Tom Donnelly 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH: 16 James Parsons 17 Sam Prattley 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Liaki Moli 20 Brendon O'Connor 21 Jamison Gibson-Park 22 Benji Marshall 23 Frank Halai

SCORERS T: Moala, PT C: Noakes, Marshall P: Noakes, Marshall

Referee: Nick Briant

 

CHIEFS 17 - 18 CRUSADERS

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Saturday 19 April 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 17-9

A superb second half fightback secured the Crusaders a hard-fought 18-17 victory over the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.

The Chiefs had a chance to win the game with the last kick of the match, but a Gareth Anscombe penalty attempt, from 52 metres out, fell just short of the cross-bar. Anscombe's direct opponent was the visitors' hero as he scored all their points via six penalties.

The match started at a frenetic pace with both sides running the ball from all areas of the field, but despite the enterprising attacking play, there was little to show for their efforts.

The Crusaders dominated the early exchanges and spent large parts of the opening 20 minutes camped inside the home side's 22. The men from Christchurch raced into a 6-0 thanks to two penalties from Colin Slade inside the opening 10 minutes, before Gareth Anscombe reduced the deficit with a three-pointer of his own to open the home side's account.

Slade added another penalty 2 minutes later to give the visitors a 9-3 lead but they were to suffer two big setbacks in quick succession. First, Dominic Bird was sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge on Liam Squire and shortly afterwards Kieran Read was also forced to leave the field after taking a stiff arm from Michael Fitzgerald to his face.

Referee Garratt Williamson and his assistants did not see that incident and it proved costly for the visitors as Read subsequently failed a concussion test during his spell on the sidelines.

The Chiefs gradually took control of proceedings and the match came alive just before half-time when Tom Marshall ran onto a perfectly-timed pass, from his namesake Rhys Marshall, before slipping past Jordan Taufua and Willi Heinz to score in the corner.

Anscombe failed to convert but the hosts went into the sheds with their tails up and holding a 17-9 lead.

The Chiefs came out firing after the interval and nearly scored their second try after taking the ball through 23 phases with their forwards. Liam Messam and Ben Tameifuna both came agonisingly close to scoring but the visitors kept them at bay with a solid defensive effort.

Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall 14 Tim Nanai-William 13 Andrew Horrell 12 Bundee Aki 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 10 Gareth Anscombe 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 1 Pauliasi Manu 2 Rhys Marshall 3 Ben Tameifuna 4 Michael Fitzgerald 5 Brodie Retallick 6 LIAM MESSAM (C) 7 Tanerau Latimer 8 Liam Squire BENCH: 16 Nathan Harris 17 Jamie Mackintosh 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Matt Symon 20 Sam Cane 21 Augustine Pulu 22 Anton Lienert-Brown 23 Jordan Payne

SCORERS T: Tom Marshall P: Anscombe (4)

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Johnny McNicholl 13 Tom Taylor 12 Ryan Crotty 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 Colin Slade 9 Willi Heinz 1 Wyatt Crockett 2 Corey Flynn 3 Owen Franks 4 Dominic Bird 5 Samuel Whitelock 6 Jordan Taufua 7 Matt Todd 8 KIERAN READ (C) BENCH: 16 Ben Funnell 17 Tim Perry 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 Luke Whitelock 21 Andy Ellis 22 Tyler Bleyendaal 23 Adam Whitelock

SCORERS P: Slade (6) Bird

Referee: Garratt Williamson

 

 

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THE Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers were victorious on a weekend where all five South African Vodacom Super Rugby franchises were involved in low-scoring matches.

In all three matches involving teams from the Republic, the most points the different teams on the winning side in any of the encounters could score were 19. Only five tries were scored in these matches.

The Vodacom Bulls lost to the Waratahs for the first time since the 2005 semi-final when they were beaten by 19-12, with a try in the opening minute by Israel Folau the difference between the two sides in Sydney.

Vodacom Bulls lock Flip van der Merwe was cited after the match. He is alleged to have contravened Law 10.4 (a) Punching or striking when he made contact with the Waratahs’ Paddy Ryan in the 75th minute of the match.

In Durban, the Cell C Sharks ground out a victory in a tough derby for the second successive week when they beat the Toyota Cheetahs by 19-8, with each side scoring only one try each.

The final match of the weekend saw the DHL Stormers end a five-match losing streak when they beat the Lions by 18-3 after leading 18-0 at the break in Cape Town.

Following this match, DHL Stormers lock Michael Rhodes was issued with an off-field yellow card for contravening Law 10.4 (j) Lifting Tackle in the 27th minute. After the referee for the match did not act upon the incident and upon further review, the Citing Commissioner deemed an off-field yellow card was appropriate.

SHARKS 19 - 8 CHEETAHS

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban - Saturday 19 April 2014
KO: 15:00 HT: 3-3

FOR the second successive week, Frans Steyn’s boot proved to be the catalyst the Cell C Sharks needed to win a typically tough South African Vodacom Super Rugby derby when they beat the Toyota Cheetahs by 19-8 at Growthpoint Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.

Steyn slotted three penalty goals after half-time to break a 3-3 deadlock against a Toyota Cheetahs side that limited the number of mistakes they made compared to the last fortnight. Their defence was also much better.

With the home team leading by 12-3, an opportunistic try by Rayno Benjamin for the Toyota Cheetahs saw the visitors close the gap to 12-8 with a bit over 10 minutes to play.

But a few minutes later, Jean Deysel burrowed over for the Cell C Sharks’ only try of the match. Steyn added the conversion and at 19-8, the visitors needed to score twice if they were going to cause an upset.

It was not to be though and the Cell C Sharks opened up a gap at the top of the log from the chasing pack.

Sharks: Lwazi Mvovo, Tonderai Chavhanga, S’bura Sithole, Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Tim Swiel, Charl McLeod, Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel, Marcell Coetzee, Stephan Lewies, Willem Alberts, Jannie du Plessis, BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C), Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick, Lourens Adriaanse, Ettienne Oosthuizen, Ryan Kankowski, Stefan Ungerer, Heimar Williams, SP Marais

SCORERS T: Deysel C: Steyn P: Swiel, Steyn (3)

Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Cornal Hendricks, Johann Sadie, Ryno Benjamin, Willie le Roux, Elgar Watts, Sarel Pretorius, Boom Prinsloo, Jean Cook, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Uys, Lodewyk de Jager, Maks van Dyk, Adriaan Strauss, Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: Ryno Barnes, Trevor Nyakane, Rossouw de Klerk, Andries Ferreira, Teboho Mohoje, Shaun Venter, Riaan Smit, Raymond Rhule

SCORERS T: Benjamin P: Watts Brüssow

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

STORMERS 18 - 3 LIONS

DHL Newlands, Cape Town - Saturday 19 April 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 18-0

TWO first half tries, coupled with a great defensive display, were enough for the DHL Stormers to record their second win of the Vodacom Super Rugby season when they beat the Lions by 18-3 at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.

The home team played some of their best rugby of the season before half-time, which allowed Damian de Allende and Nizaam Carr to score the only two tries of the match.

Their defence was also very good against a Lions team that is never shy to run with the ball. It took the visitors from Johannesburg 44 minutes to get on the score board, when Marnitz Boshoff slotted his first and only penalty goal.

Those three points were the only which were scored in the entire second half as both teams started to make mistakes. But this victory was enough to lift the DHL Stormers from the bottom of the log after they lost their last five matches.

For the Lions, who started the season pretty well, this was their third successive defeat.

 

Stormers: Peter Grant, Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, JEAN DE VILLIERS (C), Sailosi Tagicakibau, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Michael Rhodes, Ruan Botha, Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff BENCH: Stephan Coetzee, Pat Cilliers, Brock Harris, Jurie van Vuuren, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Louis Schreuder, Devon Williams, Jaco Taute

SCORERS T: de Allende, Carr C: Grant P: Catrakilis, Grant Fourie

Lions: Chrysander Botha, Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Stefan Watermeyer, Anthony Volmink, Marnitz Boshoff, Ross Cronje, WARREN WHITELEY (C), Derick Minnie, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Martin Muller, Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: Malcolm Marx, Corné Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, MB Lusaseni, Willie Britz, Faf de Klerk, Elton Jantjies, JW Jonker

SCORERS P: Boshoff

Referee: Stuart Berry

 

 

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REDS 20 - 23 BRUMBIES

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - Friday 11 April 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 10-20

THE St.George Queensland Reds fell 23-20 to the Brumbies in a hard-fought Asteron Life Super Rugby clash in front of 30,004 fans in Brisbane.

The Reds suffered an early setback when Brumbies lock Scott Fardy scored an opportunistic try after following up an infield kick. Nic White landed the conversion to make it 7-0 after 9 minutes.

Fly half Quade Cooper brought the score back to 10-3 with a penalty close to the posts on 22 minutes, but just a minute later another penalty to White made it 13-3. The Reds found themselves down 20-3 at the 30-minute mark, as winger Joe Tomane went over for the visitors out wide. The try once again was converted by White.

Queensland lifted immediately and a well worked try from a rolling maul close the Brumbies line saw flanker Beau Robinson go over to put the Reds back in the match. Cooper landed the conversion and the Reds were back to 20-10. A scrum penalty gave Nic White a chance to increase the Brumbies lead on the stroke of halftime but he pushed it wide.

Hooker Saia Fainga’a came on to a warm reception from the home fans at half time to play his 100th Super Rugby game. Meanwhile, another scrum penalty awarded to the Brumbies by referee Steve Walsh early in the second half saw White land an attempt from 40 metres out to put the visitors out to a 23-10 lead, which put an end to the visitors’ pints and left the Reds to play catch up.

The Reds started to apply pressure with a dangerous grubber from Cooper on 46 minutes causing problems for the Brumbies. Queensland continued to play a territory game in the second half and the tactic looked to have worked when Will Genia went over out wide for what looked like a try shortly afterwards. But after much discussion with the TMO and his assistant, Walsh disallowed the try.

On 56 minutes the Reds looked set to finally score a try but after a thrilling backline move a heavy tackle saw winger Rod Davies lose the ball just short. Then the Reds seemed certain to have got over for their second try on 62 minutes but Cooper could not ground the ball when over the line.

It did not matter though as from the resulting 5-metre scrum a superb shove from the Reds pack pushed the Brumbies forwards backwards over their own line where Quirk dove on the ball for a try. Cooper converted to make it 23-17.

The Reds were dominant now as they strove to complete a stunning come-back over the tiring Brumbies. With just over 10 minutes left Cooper landed another penalty to make it a three-point game, 23-20.

But the Brumbies then controlled the ball to starve the Reds of opportunities as the clock wound down. With 3 minutes to go the Reds finally got some possession but some desperate work from the Brumbies at the breakdown disrupted the home team’s ball and the Brumbies held on for a narrow win.

Reds: 15 Ben Lucas 14 Rod Davies 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Anthony Fainga'a 11 Chris Feauai-Sautia 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia 8 Jake Schatz 7 Beau Robinson 6 Eddie Quirk 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 Greg Holmes 2 James Hanson 1 James Slipper BENCH: 16 Saia Fainga'a 17 Albert Anae 18 Jono Owen 19 Ed O'Donoghue 20 Curtis Browning 21 Nick Frisby 22 Mike Harris/Dave McDuling 23 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi

SCORERS T: Robinson, Quirk C: Cooper (2) P: Cooper (2)

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Joe Tomane 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Pat McCabe 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 7 Jarrad Butler 6 Jordan Smiler 5 Tom Staniforth 4 Scott Fardy 3 Ben Alexander 2 Stephen Moore 1 Scott Sio
BENCH: 16 Siliva Silva 17 Ruan Smith 18 JP Smith 19 Jack Whetton 20 Lachlan McCaffrey 21 Michael Dowsett 22 Andrew Smith 23 Christian Leali’ifano

SCORERS T: Fardy, Tomane C: White (2) P: White (3)

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

WESTERN FORCE 28 - 16 WARATAHS

NIB Stadium, Perth - Saturday 12 April 2014
KO: 17:40 HT: 13-9

THREE tries to winger Nick ‘The Honey Badger’ Cummins has extended the Western Force’s winning streak to five matches following the 28-16 win over the Waratahs at the ‘Force Field’, and the club’s first victory over the Waratahs in Perth.

In front of a roaring 14,281-strong ‘Sea of Blue’, the home side built the win on a rock wall defensive line with Cummins capitalising on the limited possession the Force received during the match.

Starved of possession throughout the first term, the Force held a narrow 13-9 lead at the break, with Cummins crossing for two of his three tries in the second half to extend the final margin to 12 points.

The massive NSW pack ensured the Waratahs started well, getting across the gain line and giving them momentum with Kurtley Beale adding two early penalties for a 6-0 lead.

While Sias Ebersohn piloted home a penalty attempt with one of the Force’s rare forays into the Waratahs’ half, it was Cummins who brought the crowd to its feet when he intercepted a Nick Phipps ball on the Western Australian goal line – after six minutes of sustained NSW pressure – to race the length of the field and touch down under the posts.

Ebersohn added the conversion and a late penalty goal, with Bernard Foley adding a NSW penalty goal of his own, allowing the Force to go to the break with a 13-9 lead.

The visitors started the second half with momentum – just as they had begun the first, with winger Cam Crawford seemingly crossing for the Tahs’ first try after 6 minutes, only to be called back after the TMO deemed Force scrumhalf Alby Mathewson was impeded in his attempt to tackle Crawford.

Mathewson led the response 4 minutes later when he found space around the ruck at the 40-metre mark, and linked with a flying Cummins, who crossed in the corner for his second and an 18-9 lead.

Eleven minutes later Cummins added his third when he swooped on a loose Waratahs pass to race three-quarters of the field and slipped out of tackles from Crawford and Jono Lance to score. Ebersohn added the sideline conversion to give his side a 25-9 lead.

Not to be outdone, Beale crossed for the Tahs’ first try of the evening when he found space down the left-hand side to cross in the corner.

While Bernard Foley also landed the sideline conversion attempt, a late Ebersohn penalty put the result beyond doubt and allowed the Force to take the 12-point win.

Force: 1 Pek Cowan 2 Nathan Charles 3 Kieran Longbottom 4 Sam Wykes 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp 6 Angus Cottrell 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 8 Ben McCalman 9 Alby Mathewson 10 Sias Ebersohn 11 Nick Cummins 12 Kyle Godwin 13 Marcel Brache 14 Luke Morahan 15 Jayden Hayward BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Adam Coleman 20 Brynard Stander 21 Ian Prior 22 Zack Holmes 23 Chris Tuatara-Morrison

SCORERS T: Cummins (3) C: Ebersohn (2) P: Ebersohn (3)

Waratahs: 1 Benn Robinson 2 Tatafu Polota Nau 3 Sekope Kepu 4 Will Skelton 5 Kane Douglas 6 Jacques Potgieter 7 Michael Hooper 8 DAVE DENNIS (C) 9 Nick Phipps 10 Bernard Foley 11 Rob Horne 12 Kurtley Beale 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 14 Cam Crawford 15 Israel Folau BENCH: 16 Tolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Stephen Hoiles 20 Pat McCutcheon 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Jono Lance 23 Matt Carraro

SCORERS T: Beale C: Foley P: Beale (2), Foley

Referee: Angus Gardner

 

 

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HIGHLANDERS 27 - 20 BULLS

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Friday 11 April 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 13-13

THE Highlanders scored 24 unanswered points as they stopped the Vodacom Bulls march after halftime, eventually winning their Super Rugby game 27-20 at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

The Bulls looked very good in the first half leading 13-3 at one stage, even risking Victor Matfield, but fell apart after halftime as they made a plethora of errors and failed to take the momentum forward in the latter part of the game, but at least stole a bonus point at the end of the game with a last-gasp try.

The Bulls started well, with Jacques-Louis Potgieter slotting two penalties to take an early 6-0 lead. While the Highlanders got one back, the Bulls rocked the home side with a blindside try that was simply magical, as Piet van Zyl broke off the scrum to chip ahead for Basson to gather and score.

At this stage it looked as if the Bulls were on target to get the win, and were dominating proceedings, but the Highlanders hit back twice before halftime to send the teams in level at the break, 13-13, first with Shaun Treeby who broke through the defence with way too much ease before offloading to Lima Sopoaga to score, and then Sopoaga added a penalty.

The Bulls missed an ideal opportunity on the break when Potgieter knocked on, and from there it was simply downhill for the side. The second half saw a different Bulls side emerge, one more unsure of themselves and one that struggled with their normal strong points. Losing Flip van der Merwe to injury added to their woes.

The Highlanders struck early as Malakai Fekitoa beat Jono Ross with ease to send Gareth Evans over to score, putting them ahead. Fekitoa was again in the action as he continued tormenting the Bulls, running onto the perfect pass from Aaron Smith to bust through a tackle from Van Zyl and score.

Leading 27-13, the Bulls did their best to get themselves back into the game, taking in a lot of possession, but every time they got close, they made a handling error that cost them dearly in the end.

The Highlanders showed some amazing defence as the clock ticked down, stopping the rolling maul on several occasions and negating every Bulls attack with some excellent attacking.

The Bulls got a try where Marcel van der Merwe scored at the end from close range to grab an all-important bonus point, but it was a scant reward for a night where there was so much promise, but little to smile about in terms of the result.

Highlanders:  1 Kane Hames 2 Liam Coltman 3 Chris King 4 Brad Thorn 5 Joe Wheeler 6 Gareth Evans 7 Shane Christie 8 Elliot Dixon 9 Aaron Smith 10 Lima Sopoaga 11 Patrick Osborne 12 Shaun Treeby 13 Malakai Fekitoa 14 Richard Buckman 15 BEN SMITH (C) BENCH: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Craig Millar 18 Ma'afu Fia 19 Jarrad Hoeata 20 John Hardie 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Trent Renata 23 Nasi Manu

SCORERS T: Sopoaga, Evans, Fekitoa C: Sopoaga (3) P: Sopoaga (2)

Bulls: 1 Dean Greyling 2 Callie Visagie 3 Werner Kruger 4 FLIP VAN DER MERWE (C) 5 Victor Matfield 6 Jono Ross 7 Jacques du Plessis 8 Grant Hattingh  9 Piet van Zyl 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter 11 Bjorn Basson 12 Jan Serfontein 13 JJ Engelbrecht 14 Francois Hougaard 15 Jurgen Visser BENCH: 16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Marcel van der Merwe 18 Paul Willemse 19 Jacques Engelbrecht 20 Ulrich Beyers 21 Handré Pollard 22 William Small-Smith  23 Morné Mellet

SCORERS T: Basson, Marcel van der Merwe C: Potgieter (2) P: Potgieter (2)

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

CHIEFS 22 - 16 MELBOURNE REBELS

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Saturday 12 April 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 19-6

THE RaboDirect Rebels came agonisingly close to scoring their first win in New Zealand before going down to two-time defending champion Chiefs 22-16 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.

The Rebels displayed their intent to attack early but some untidy work at the opening lineout resulted in a turnover and penalty to the Chiefs, Anscombe putting the opening points on the board. Anscombe added a second penalty goal soon after when the Rebels were caught offside and then a third inside of 13 minutes when the Rebels were overpowered at the scrum, Scott Higginbotham giving away the penalty which Anscombe nailed from 45 metres out.

The Rebels were in trouble once again when the Chiefs crossed for the opening try of the night, lock Michael Fitzgerald powering over from close range to establish a 16-0 lead, and a blowout potentially looked to be on the cards.

Needing to halt the Chiefs' momentum, the Rebels won back possession from the restart via Colby Fainga'a and earned themselves a penalty close to the posts. The skipper turned down the shot at goal in order to further pressure the Chiefs defence however the opportunity was lost with Bundee Aki ripping the ball from the grasp of Tamati Ellison to regain possession for the home side.

The Rebels were then penalised for the sixth time in the match in the 23rd minute and Anscombe landed his fourth penalty for a 19-0 lead.

Following the restart, the Rebels again found themselves deep in Chiefs territory and caught the Chiefs offside. This time the Rebels elected to take the penalty chance, Jason Woodward opening his account for the night to make the score 19-3. Chiefs Captain Brodie Retallick was then pinged for leaving his feet in the ruck, allowing Woodward to land his second penalty goal in what was the final act of the first half, though Scrumhalf Nic Stirzaker ended his evening in hospital seeking attention to a damaged rib-cage after being replaced near the end of the first half by Luke Burgess.

Facing a 19-6 deficit, the Rebels started the second half in impressive fashion with winger Tom English bursting through into Chiefs territory, Ellison making further ground on the next phase and Burgess sending a beautiful pass to hooker Shota Horie. The Japanese International burst through the line at full speed and was over for the Rebels' first try of the night.

With the conversion cutting the margin to six points at 19-13, the Chiefs almost replied immediately following a bullocking run from prop Ben Tameifuna but a handling error from Aki just metres from the try line robbed them of a certain 5-pointer. Bryce Hegarty then prevented a Chiefs try, winning the chase for the loose ball metres from his own line and kicking the ball over the sideline from the ground. But from the resultant lineout, a Higginbotham infringement saw referee Matt O'Brien reach for his pocket and produce a yellow card.

Anscombe then added another 3 points following a scrum penalty, but Woodward replied by landing a difficult penalty shot to bring the margin to within a converted try at 22-16. Back up to full complement, Woodward missed an opportunity to close the gap to 3 points when he sprayed his penalty shot wide in the 73rd minute.

The Chiefs began to falter under the pressure, committing multiple infringements until a collapsed maul metres from the line saw replacement forward Pauliasi Manu sent to the sin-bin for the final minutes of the match.  

Poised to cause a major boilover, the Rebels threw everything they had into claiming an historic away win but their ball security deserted them, allowing the Chiefs to escape with the win.

Chiefs: 1 Jamie Mackintosh 2 Rhys Marshall 3 Ben Tameifuna 4 Michael Fitzgerald 5 BRODIE RETALLICK (C) 6 Tanerau Latimer 7 Sam Cane 8 Kane Thompson 9 Augustine Pulu 10 Gareth Anscombe 11 Mils Muliaina 12 Bundee Aki 13 Andrew Horrell 14 Tim Nanai-Williams 15 Tom Marshall BENCH: 16 Nathan Harris 17 Pauliasi Manu 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Ross Filipo 20 Liam Messam 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22 Anton Lienert-Brown 23 Jordan Payne

SCORERS T: Fitzgerald C: Anscombe P: Anscombe (5) Manu

Rebels:  1 Toby Smith 2 Shota Horie 3 Laurie Weeks 4 Hugh Pyle 5 Luke Jones 6 Colby Fainga'a 7 Scott Fuglistaller 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 9 Nic Stirzaker 10 Bryce Hegarty 11 Tom English 12 Mitch Inman 13 Tamati Ellison 14 Male Sau 15 Jason Woodward BENCH: 16 Pat Leafa 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Paul Alo-Emilie 19 Cadeyrn Neville 20 Sean McMahon 21 Luke Burgess 22 Tom Kingston 23 Angus Roberts

SCORERS T: Horie C: Woodward P: Woodward (3) Higginbotham

Referee: Matt O'Brien

 

 

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THE Cell C Sharks ground out their sixth win of the Vodacom Super Rugby season to stay at the top of the standings, but for the other three South African teams in action this weekend, the ninth round wasn’t a happy one.

The KwaZulu-Natalians beat a plucky Lions side by 25-12 in front of more than 30,000 people at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday evening. It was a battle of attrition and the visitors from Durban scored the only try of the match.

Earlier on Saturday, the Toyota Cheetahs put up a brave fight, but for a second successive week they fell off the pace in the final 10 minutes as they lost by 52-31 to the Crusaders in Bloemfontein – the team from Canterbury’s first win in the Free State Stadium for seven years.

On Friday morning, the Vodacom Bulls could not put an end to a seven-year drought in Dunedin as they paid the price for making way too many errors with ball in hand and on defence as they went down by 27-20 to the Highlanders.

The DHL Stormers had a bye.

CHEETAHS 31 - 52 CRUSADERS

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Saturday 12 April 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 10-19

THE Toyota Cheetahs’ inability to close out matches again saw them squander a lead in the final 20 minutes as they went down by 52-31 to the Crusaders at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Last weekend, the Chiefs scored four tries in the final 20 minutes to force a draw in Bloem. The Crusaders dotted down four times in the final 15 minutes to hand the Toyota Cheetahs their sixth defeat of 2014.

The Toyota Cheetahs, who fought back from 26-10 early in the second half to lead by 31-26 with 20 minutes to go, again delivered a below-par performance on defence. They conceded six tries to the Crusaders, with all of them going to backs and Nemani Nadolo bagging a hat-trick.

As they did against the Chiefs, the Toyota Cheetahs got four tries – by Cornal Hendricks, Sarel Pretorius, Oupa Mohoje and Willie le Roux – in return. Their last three five-pointers were scored during 10 magical minutes for the home team just before the hour mark.

But thereafter the Crusaders took back control of the match and added four more tries. Colin Slade scored 27 points for the visitors from Christchurch, while Elgar Watts, who replaced Johan Goosen early in the match for the Toyota Cheetahs, kicked four conversions and a penalty goal.

Cheetahs: 1 Trevor Nyakane 2 ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C) 3 Maks van Dyk 4 Lodewyk de Jager 5 Francois Uys 6 Boom Prinsloo 7 Lappies Labuschagne 8 Jean Cook 9 Sarel Pretorius 10 Johan Goosen 11 Hennie Daniller 12 Ryno Benjamin 13 Johann Sadie 14 Cornal Hendricks 15 Willie le Roux BENCH: 16 Ryno Barnes 17 Caylib Oosthuizen 18 Rossouw de Klerk 19 Andries Ferreira 20 Teboho Mohoje 21 Shaun Venter 22 Elgar Watts 23 Howard Mnisi

SCORERS T: Hendricks, Pretorius, Mohoje, le Roux C: Watts (4) P: Watts

Crusaders: 1 Wyatt Crockett 2 Corey Flynn 3 Nepo Laulala 4 Dominic Bird 5 Samuel Whitelock 6 George Whitelock 7 Matt Todd 8 KIERAN READ (C) 9 Willi Heinz 10 Colin Slade 11 Nemani Nadolo 12 Ryan Crotty 13 Kieron Fonotia 14 Johnny McNicholl 15 Israel Dagg BENCH: 16 Ben Funnell 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown 18 Owen Franks 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 Jordan Taufua 21 Andy Ellis 22 Tyler Bleyendaal 23 Tom Taylor

SCORERS T: Dagg, Nadolo (3), Taylor, Slade C: Slade (4), Bleyendaal P: Slade (4)

Referee: Glen Jackson

 

LIONS 12 - 25 SHARKS

Ellis Park, Johannesburg - Saturday 12 April 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 6-6

THE Cell C Sharks remained patient and kept the pressure up as they won their first away game of the season by beating the Lions by 25-12 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.

It was a typical South African derby. At half-time, the teams were deadlocked at 6-6 as both sides made mistakes but also defended very well. All the points were scored through penalty goals by the two fly halves, Marnitz Boshoff and Fred Zeilinga, who limped off with an injury in the first half.

It took two massive penalty goals by Frans Steyn to take the Cell C Sharks back into the lead in the second half before they pounced on probably their best try-scoring opportunity of the match.

Former Springbok Sevens player Sibusiso Sithole forced a brilliant turn-over before Lwazi Mvovo chipped and gathered to score the only try of the match, with less than 15 minutes left on the clock.

Up until that point, the Cell C Sharks had steadily built up the pressure on the Lions, but the home team deserves a lot of credit as they kept on trying for the full 80 minutes.

Ultimately they were denied by yet another superb defensive effort by the Durbanites, who have conceded only eight tries in their seven matches this year.

Lions: 1 Schalk van der Merwe 2 Willie Wepener 3 Julian Redelinghuys 4 Martin Muller 5 Franco Mostert 6 Derick Minnie 7 Willie Britz 8 WARREN WHITELEY (C) 9 Faf de Klerk 10 Marnitz Boshoff 11 Courtnall Skosan 12 Stefan Watermeyer 13 Lionel Mapoe 14 Deon van Rensburg 15 Andries Coetzee BENCH: 16 Robbie Coetzee 17 Corne Fourie 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 MB Lusaseni 20 Jaco Kriel 21 Ross Cronje 22 Elton Jantjies 23 Alwyn Hollenbach

SCORERS P: Boshoff (4)

Sharks: 1 Tendai Mtawarira 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 3 Jannie du Plessis 4 Willem Alberts 5 Stephan Lewies 6 Marcell Coetzee 7 Jean Deysel 8 Ryan Kankowski 9 Charl McLeod 10 Fred Zeilinga 11 JP Pietersen 12 Frans Steyn 13 S'bura Sithole 14 Odwa Ndungane 15 Lwazi Mvovo BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Etienne Oosthuizen 20 Keegan Daniel 21 Stefan Ungerer 22 Paul Jordaan 23 SP Marais

SCORERS T: Mvovo C: Steyn P: Zelinga (2), Steyn (4) Jannie du Plessis

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

 

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BRUMBIES 26 - 9 BLUES

Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Friday 04 April 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 13-6 

THE Blues were kept try-less for the first time this season as the University of Canberra Brumbies stormed to a commanding 26-9 win to stay top of the Australian Conference.

A double from Man of the Match Pat McCabe and Robbie Coleman’s sixth in as many games sealed the win for the home team, who absorbed plenty of attacking flair from the competition’s highest try-scorers.

The Blues looked sharp early, pinning the UC Brumbies back in their own half for the opening 10 minutes. Despite struggling to get over the advantage line, they held the ball and made slow progress towards the UC Brumbies line.

Clearing kicks from Jesse Mogg eased the pressure on the UC Brumbies throughout the game, none coming timelier than in the first 15 minutes which turned the flow of the match in the UC Brumbies favour.

Looking dangerous early with two quality line breaks, McCabe was the first to score after finding his way through the defence from 10 metres out. Nic White kicked the UC Brumbies ahead to 7-0 with the conversion and the home team had managed to turn the momentum into points.

Both sides traded penalties over the next half an hour, with White managing to move the UC Brumbies ahead by 10 while keeping the Canberra-based team camped well within the Blues territory.

Typical of a wet-weather game the ball spent plenty of time in the air, Jesse Mogg managing to defuse all but two of the Blues plethora of bombs that came down as heavy as the rain which fell on the nation’s capital throughout the day.

Blues fly-half Simon Hickey kicked penalties either side of half time to bring the visitors back into the game at 13-9, but a screaming overlap which found McCabe lurking on the left flank handed the Wallabies centre his first brace of tries and his team a 9-point buffer with 28 minutes to play.

The UC Brumbies were able to capitalise on more opportunities than their opponents, with Robbie Coleman taking advantage of a second huge overlap to score in the same corner as McCabe, the lead moving out to 23-9 with 22 minutes left.

White landed a final penalty inside the last five minutes, and despite some heavy pressure from the Blues the UC Brumbies managed to keep the Auckland native try-less and surge to their best win of 2014, 26-9.

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Joe Tomane 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Pat McCabe 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 7 Jarrad Butler 6 Jordan Smiler 5 Sam Carter 4 Scott Fardy 3 Ben Alexander 2 Siliva Siliva 1 JP Smith BENCH: 16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Ruan Smith 18 Ruaidhri Murphy 19 Jack Whetton 20 Lachlan McCaffrey 21 Conrad Hoffmann 22 Andrew Smith 23 Christian Leali’ifano

SCORERS T: McCabe (2), Coleman C: White P: White (2), Leali'ifano

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau 14 Frank Halai 13 George Moala 12 Ma'a Nonu 11 Tevita Li 10 Simon Hickey 9 Bryn Hall 8 Steven Luatua 7 Brendon O'Connor 6 JEROME KAINO (C) 5 Hayden Triggs 4 Liaki Moli 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 Tom McCartney 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH: 16 James Parsons 17 Sam Prattley 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Jordan Manihera 20 Luke Braid 21 Sonatane Takulua 22 Francis Saili 23 Benji Marshall

SCORERS P: Hickey (3)

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

REDS 29 - 32 WESTERN FORCE

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - Saturday 05 April 2014
KO: 18:40 HT: 17-17 

THE Western Force recorded four consecutive victories for the first time in the club’s history after edging past the Queensland Reds at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Trailing 29-25 with 6 minutes remaining in the see-sawing affair, Force fullback Jayden Hayward stepped through two tackles to fall over the line and score, with his successful conversion helping claim the narrow 3-point win.

Against the Reds, the Force survived an early scare when Luke Morahan, playing against his former side, diffused a near Rod Davies try when he knocked free the ball from the Queensland winger’s grasp over the try line.

Fly half Sias Ebersohn then catapulted the Force to a 12-0 lead after 22 minutes on the back of four successful penalty goals.

When Force flanker Angus Cottrell received a yellow card for a shoulder charge at 24 minutes, momentum swung the way of the Reds with Ben Tapuai and James Slipper both finding space out wide to cross to claim a 14-12 by the time Cottrell returned.

Having their full complement reinstated, the visitors began working away at the deficit and after 16 phases in the Queensland half No.8 Ben McCalman crashed over the claim a 17-14 lead a minute out from half-time.

However, with little separating the two teams on the field, Reds fly half Quade Cooper ensured nothing did on the scoreboard either when he levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time.

Mike Harris wrestled back the lead with a penalty after 54 minutes, before Pek Cowan and Ebersohn provided to put Morahan over for a try in his Queensland return.

Harris added another three penalty goals – interrupted only by an opportune Ebersohn drop goal – to give the Reds a 29-25 lead with five minutes remaining.

However, the Force’s patience and ability to work the ball into the Reds’ quarter eventually resulted in Hayward stepping through the defence to cross adjacent to the posts.

The Reds created an opportunity to level the scores after the siren with Cooper’s drop goal attempt narrowly drifting away to the right of the uprights.

Reds: 15 Ben Lucas 14 Rod Davies 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Mike Harris 11 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia 8 Jake Schatz 7 Beau Robinson 6 Eddie Quirk 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 Greg Holmes 2 James Hanson 1 James Slipper BENCH: 16 Albert Anae 17 Pettowa Paraka 18 Jono Owen 19 Ed O'Donoghue 20 Curtis Browning 21 Nick Frisby 22 Anthony Fainga'a 23 Jonah Placid

SCORERS T: Tapuai, Slipper C: Cooper T: r (2) P: Cooper, Harris (4)

Force: 15 Jayden Hayward 14 Luke Morahan 13 Solomoni Rasolea 12 Kyle Godwin 11 Nick Cummins 10 Sias Ebersohn 9 Alby Mathewson 8 Ben McCalman 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 6 Angus Cottrell 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp 4 Sam Wykes 3 Kieran Longbottom 2 Nathan Charles 1 Pek Cowan BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Adam Coleman 20 Brynard Stander 21 Ian Prior 22 Zack Holmes 23 Marcel Brache

SCORERS T: McCalman, Morahan, Hayward C: Hayward P: Ebersohn (4) DG: Ebersohn Cottrell

Referee: Garratt Williamson

 

 

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HIGHLANDERS 33 - 30 MELBOURNE REBELS

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Friday 04 April 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 20-13 

THE RaboDirect Rebels came agonisingly close to their first win outside of Australia before going down 33-30 to the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Both sides scored three tries each in a high-scoring affair but the boot of Highlanders fly half Lima Sopoaga ultimately proved the difference, landing four penalties and three conversions for a personal tally of 18 points.

After a free-flowing opening half hour, the match turned into a tense grind with a number of scrum penalties slowing the tempo. The Highlanders managed to hold the Rebels at arm's length during a tight second half though a late try to fullback Jason Woodward earned his side a bonus point.

The Rebels looked to stamp their authority in defence early, Higginbotham almost shocking the locals with an intercept that could have ended in a try had he kept his feet.

Despite this setback, the Rebels scored first when the nippy Stirzaker stepped through the defence and offloaded to Scott Fuglistaller who forced his way over the line, Woodward converting for a 7-0 lead.

The Highlanders responded when Sopoaga landed his first penalty goal of the night then launched a counter attack from their own half that included some exciting attacking play, scrumhalf Aaron Smith appearing to cross for a sensational try, but the TMO ruled the final pass forward. The home side kept the pressure on until flanker Shane Christie dived over for a try to establish a 10-7 lead.

The Rebels levelled the score, but the Highlanders responded with Fekitoa and Treeby combining to put the Rebels on the back foot, allowing Aaron Smith to step his way past two defenders to cross for a converted try. Sopoaga then put his side up 20-10 with halftime approaching.

A Woodward penalty closed the gap to 7 points, and a rare miss from Sopoaga saw the teams leave the field with a 20-13 Highlanders lead.

The Rebels took to the field in the second half knowing that they overcame a much larger halftime deficit to beat the Highlanders in Melbourne last season. And they made the best possible start when, with the Highlanders threatening the line, Higginbotham rushed out of the defensive line to intercept. This time the skipper kept his feet, running forty metres along the sideline and placing a well weighted kick along the ground for Roberts to pick up and score, Woodward levelling the match at 20-all with the great conversion from out wide.

Sopoaga again gave his side the advantage with his third penalty of the night before the Highlanders elected to kick for territory rather than settle for the penalty attempt after another scrum penalty against the visitors.

The Rebels defended valiantly but the Highlanders kept hammering the line until eventually spreading the ball wide left for an unmarked Ben Smith to score, restoring the lead to ten points.

The Rebels stayed in touch with a Woodward penalty goal but were twice caught offside in defence, Sopoaga landing one of two attempts for a 33-23 lead with fifteen minutes to go.

After a sustained period of pressure, the Rebels looked like they had blown their last opportunity when replacement half Luke Burgess pressed the line but was unable to find a teammate with the offload pass. The Highlanders cleared the ball but the ensuing lineout resulted in a great backline move, a slick Ellison pass putting the in-form Woodward on a path to the line. A booming sideline conversion from Woodward made the score 33-30 with just three minutes to play.

With the clock ticking, the Rebels probed the defence from deep in their own half but the Highlanders came up with the vital turnover to secure victory.

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Shaun Treeby 11 Kurt Baker 10 Lima Sopoaga 9 Aaron Smith 8 NASI MANU (C) 7 Shane Christie 6 Gareth Evans 5 Joe Wheeler 4 Jarrad Hoeata 3 Ma'afu Fia 2 Liam Coltman 1 Chris King BENCH: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Craig Millar 18 Matias Diaz 19 Josh Bekhuis 20 Elliot Dixon 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Trent Renata 23 TJ Ioane

SCORERS T: Christie, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith C: Sopoaga (3) P: Sopoaga (4)

Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward 14 Male Sau 13 Tamati Ellison 12 Mitch Inman 11 Tom English 10 Bryce Hegarty 9 Nic Stirzaker 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 7 Scott Fuglistaller 6 Sean McMahon 5 Luke Jones 4 Hugh Pyle 3 Laurie Weeks 2 Shota Horie 1 Toby Smith BENCH: 16 Pat Leafa 17 Paul Alo-Emilie 18 Cruze Ah-Nau 19 Cadeyrn Neville 20 Jordy Reid 21 Luke Burgess 22 Angus Roberts 23 Alex Rokobaro

SCORERS T: Fuglistaller, Roberts, Woodward C: Woodward (3) P: Woodward (3)

Referee: Chris Pollock

 

HURRICANES 25 - 20 BULLS

McLean Park, Napier - Saturday 05 April 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 16-13 

THE Vodacom Bulls produced a strong display against the Hurricanes despite undertaking the long journey to New Zealand only three days prior to the match, with their performance featuring solid attack and defence.

The Hurricanes’ only try of the match was scored by fullback André Taylor in the 16th minute, while the Vodacom Bulls outscored the hosts two tries to one from Jurgen Visser and Handré Pollard. Unfortunately for the Pretoria side, they created a handful of other try-scoring chances, but battled to convert them into points.

Penalties at crucial times, however, proved to be the visitors’ downfall, as Hurricanes fly half Beauden Barrett slotted over six penalties in total – two of which were in the last nine minutes to seal the victory for his team.

The Vodacom Bulls’ defeat against the Hurricanes marked their first since the 2008 season in which they went down 50-22 against the Wellington team at Loftus Versfeld. Their last away defeat against the Hurricanes was in 2007 when they suffered a 17-9 defeat.

The result also brought an end to the Vodacom Bulls’ unbeaten run, which was capped at four matches.

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor 14 Cory Jane 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Alapati Leiua 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Victor Vito 7 Jack Lam 6 Faifili Levave 5 James Broadhurst 4 Jeremy Thrush 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen 2 Dane Coles 1 Ben Franks BENCH: 16 Ash Dixon 17 Chris Eves 18 Reggie Goodes 19 Blade Thomson 20 Brad Shields 21 Billy Guyton 22 Hadleigh Parkes 23 Marty Banks

SCORERS T: Taylor C: Barrett P: Barrett (6)

Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser 14 Akona Ndungane 13 JJ Engelbrecht 12 Jan Serfontein 11 Bjorn Basson 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter 9 Francois Hougaard 8 Jacques Engelbrecht 7 Dewald Potgieter 6 Deon Stegmann 5 FLIP VAN DER MERWE (C) 4 Paul Willemse 3 Werner Kruger 2 Callie Visagie 1 Dean Greyling BENCH: 16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Marcel van der Merwe 18 Morné Mellett 19 Grant Hattingh 20 Jacques du Plessis 21 Piet van Zyl 22 Handré Pollard 23 Ulrich Beyers

SCORERS T: Visser, Pollard C: JL Potgieter, Pollard P: JL Potgieter (2)

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

 

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IT was a disappointing weekend for South Africa’s Vodacom Super Rugby franchises, with the best result among the four teams that took to the field being a 43-43 draw by the Toyota Cheetahs.

The Vodacom Bulls faced the Hurricanes in Napier on Saturday in their first tour game with the hope of becoming the first domestic franchise to win in the Antipodes this season, but penalties conceded at crucial times allowed the hosts to come away with a 25-20 victory.

The Toyota Cheetahs, meanwhile, built up an encouraging 34-10 half-time lead against New Zealand conference leaders and defending champions, the Chiefs, in Bloemfontein, but they allowed the visitors to fight back strongly after the break and had to settle for a 43-43 draw.

At Ellis Park, the Lions produced a competitive first-half performance against the Crusaders to trail only 6-0 after 40 minutes, but the home side battled to shut out the seven time Vodacom Super Rugby champions in the second half, and went down 28-7.

In the last match of the weekend, the DHL Stormers’ woes continued in their first home game after their Australasian tour, as they suffered their fifth back-to-back defeat after going down 22-11 against the Waratahs in a physical encounter at DHL Newlands.

The Cell C Sharks, meanwhile, enjoyed a bye, and despite this retained the top spot on the log. They are now two points ahead of Australian conference leaders, the Brumbies, and three points clear of the Chiefs and Waratahs.

 

CHEETAHS 43 - 43 CHIEFS

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Saturday 05 April 2014
KO: 15:00 HT: 34-10 

The Toyota Cheetahs were left gutted at the Free State Stadium as they squandered a dream start to their match against the defending champions, which saw them secure their bonus point try before the break, but were denied their first victory ever against the Chiefs by a last-minute try.

The Toyota Cheetahs were in fine form in the first half as they scored their first two tries in the opening 15 minutes thanks to Sarel Pretorius and Rayno Benjamin. Pretorius added his second try later in the half and three minutes later Boom Prinsloo secured the bonus-point try, while Chiefs scrumhalf Augustine Pulu scored a try for the visitors.

The Chiefs, however, found their rhythm after the break and showed their class on attack by scoring an impressive five tries – the last of which was in the dying seconds - thanks to their effective passing and support play. For the second week in a row the team was two points behind on the scoreboard in the final play of the match and slotted over the kick to secure a draw. The team drew 34-34 against the Vodacom Bulls last week at Loftus Versfeld.

The draw marked the third time the teams finish level on the scoreboard in their eight matches up to now, and interestingly all three were by more than 20 points. Unfortunately for the hosts, the result extended their winless streak against the Chiefs, as they have never beaten the Chiefs since their entry into Vodacom Super Rugby in 2006. 

Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux 14 Cornal Hendricks 13 Johann Sadie 12 Ryno Benjamin 11 Hennie Daniller 10 Johan Goosen 9 Sarel Pretorius 8 Jean Cook 7 Lappies Labuschagne 6 Boom Prinsloo 5 Francois Uys 4 Lodewyk de Jager 3 Maks van Dyk 2 ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C) 1 Trevor Nyakane BENCH: 16 Ryno Barnes 17 Caylib Oosthuizen 18 Rossouw de Klerk 19 Andries Ferreira 20 Teboho Mohoje 21 Shaun Venter 22 Elgar Watts 23 Howard Mnisi

SCORERS  T: Pretorius (2), Benjamin, Prinsloo C: Goosen (4) P: Goosen (5)

Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe 14 Tim Nanai-Williams 13 Andrew Horrell 12 Tom Marshall 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 10 AARON CRUDEN (C) 9 Augustine Pulu 8 Liam Messam 7 Sam Cane 6 Michael Fitzgerald 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Matt Symons 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Rhys Marshall 1 Pauliasi Manu BENCH: 16 Nathan Harris 17 Jamie Mackintosh 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Liam Squire 20Tanerau Latimer 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22 Anton Lienert-Brown 23 Mils Muliaina

SCORERS T: Pulu (2), Nanai-Williams (2), Tikoirotuma (2) C: Cruden (5) P: Cruden

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

LIONS 7 - 28 CRUSADERS

Ellis Park, Johannesburg - Saturday 05 April 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 0-6 

THE Lions’ inability to convert their try-scoring opportunities into points against the Crusaders came at a high price at Ellis Park on Saturday, as it cost the side a possible fifth victory of the season.

The home side produced a competitive first-half performance, in which they showed courage on attack and defence and did well to contain the Crusaders. Such was the competitiveness of the first half the only points scored were two penalties by Crusaders fly half Colin Slade in the 10th and 14th minutes respectively.

The Lions continued this impressive attacking display in the second half, but unfortunately so did the mistakes at vital moments, which left them with little to show for these efforts on the scoreboard except for a converted try by centre Lionel Mapoe.

In stark contrast the Crusaders capitalised on three of their attacking opportunities and earned the rewards with captain and centre Ryan Crotty crossing the tryline for their first-five pointer in the 45th minute. A strong finish for the visitors with two tries in the last 10 minutes inflated their score to 28-7, but the Lions will take comfort from the fact that they denied the tourists a bonus point for four tries.

The Lions’ defeat marked their fifth successive loss against the Crusaders since 2008, and this was also the first time since then that they scored less than 10 points against the Christchurch side.

The loss also kept the team’s disappointing record of only one win against the Crusaders at home since 2006 intact.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee 14 Deon van Rensburg 13 0Lionel Mapoe 12 Stefan Watermeyer 11 Courtnall Skosan 10 Marnitz Boshoff 9 Faf de Klerk 8 WARREN WHITELEY (C) 7 Willie Britz 6 Jaco Kriel 5 Martin Muller 4 Franco Mostert 3 Julian Redelinghuys 2 Willie Wepener 1 Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: 16 Malcolm Marx 17 Corné Fourie 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 MB Lusaseni 20 Warwick Tecklenburg 21 Ross Cronjé 22 Elton Jantjies 23 JW Jonker

SCORERS T: Mapoe C: Boshoff

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Nemani Nadolo 13 Kieron Fonotia 12 RYAN CROTTY (C) 11 Johnny McNicholl 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 8 Luke Whitelock 7 Matt Todd 6 George Whitelock 5 Sam Whitelock 4 Dominic Bird 3 Owen Franks 2 Ben Funnell 1 Wyatt Crockett BENCH: 16 Corey Flynn 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Jimmy Tupou 20 Jordan Taufua 21 Willi Heinz 22 Tyler Bleyendaal 23 Tom Taylor

SCORERS T: Crotty, Ellis, Fonotia C: Slade, Bleyendaal P: Slade (2), Dagg

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

 

STORMERS 11 - 22 WARATAHS

DHL Newlands, Cape Town - Saturday 05 April 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 8-10

THE DHL Stormers will rue missed opportunities in their clash against the Waratahs at DHL Newlands, which resulted in the team dropping to the foot of the combined log table below the Toyota Cheetahs with only one victory in seven matches and only six log points.

The hosts were physical on attack and defence, and they did well to keep the Waratahs in check. With the team’s attack being criticised heavily going into the clash, they rose to the challenge and showed more innovation with ball in hand and spread the ball well throughout the match. However, mistakes under pressure saw them score only one try in the 21st minute.

Trailing 10-8 at the break the DHL Stormers had a fair chance to win the match, but their discipline let them down, which allowed Waratahs fly half Bernard Foley and fullback Kurtley Beale to keep the scoreboard ticking and deny them a single point from the match.

The Waratahs’ victory ended an eight-year winning drought in Cape Town, as their last victory against the DHL Stormers at home was in 2006. They won 32-26 in that season.

The win catapulted the Sydney-based side one spot up the log into fourth position, while the Stormers sunk to the foot of the table to occupy their lowest position in the series this season. 

Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute 14 Kobus van Wyk 13 Juan de Jongh 12 Damian de Allende 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau 10 Peter Grant 9 Louis Schreuder 8 DUANE VERMEULEN (C) 7 Siya Kolisi 6 Nizaam Carr 5 Michael Rhodes 4 Ruan Botha 3 Frans Malherbe 2 Deon Fourie 1 Steven Kitshoff BENCH: 16 Stephan Coetzee 17 Oliver Kebble 18 Brok Harris 19 Tazz Fuzani 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe 21 Nic Groom 22 Demetri Catrakilis 23 Michael van der Spuy

SCORERS T: van Wyk P: Grant (2)

Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale 14 Alofa Alofa 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Jono Lance 11 Peter Betham 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 8 DAVE DENNIS (C) 7 Michael Hooper 6 Jacques Potgieter 5 Kane Douglas 4 Will Skelton 3 Sekope Kepu 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau 1 Benn Robinson BENCH: 16 Tolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Pat McCutcheon 20 Stephen Hoiles 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Matt Carraro 23 Cam Crawford

SCORERS T: Phipps C: Foley P: Foley (3), Beale (2) McKibbin

Referee: Glen Jackson

 

 

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MELBOURNE REBELS 32 - 24 BRUMBIES

AAMI Park, Melbourne - Friday 28 March 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 3-10

THE RaboDirect Rebels have returned to AAMI Park with an ardent victory over Australian conference leaders the ACT Brumbies.

Jason Woodward shone for the Rebels, individually scoring 27 points for the night including a sensational try, as the Five Stars came from behind to storm home in the second half for a 32-24 triumph.

The Brumbies were the first to score as a penalty from the scrum turned the ball over on the Brumbies’ 22. The set piece dominance of the visitors was shown early, as they drove towards the line before slick hands saw the ball with full back Jesse Mogg, who crossed to score the first try of the night. Nic White was able to convert and the Brumbies jumped out 7-0 lead on the four minute mark.

Some reprise for the Rebels came soon after, as returning full back Woodward put his first points on the board, with the Brumbies conceding a penalty for entering from the side. However, the Brumbies were straight back into attack from the restart. White scored his second goal of the night from a penalty to bring the difference back to seven.

The Rebels looked to be finding their feet in the match holding more of the ball mid-way through the first half, however were unable to advance into their attacking zone, as winger Tom Kingston was replaced by Male Sa’u due to blood.

A kicking game ensued, with the Rebels earning their first look at the try line due to a powerful charge down from Scott Higginbotham inside the Brumbies’ 22. A penalty against the Rebels for not releasing gave the Brumbies some relief for the home side’s pressure, however dominance at the lineout saw the ball turned over and the home side back into attack.

The Rebels were unable to earn reward for effort as a penalty at the scrum gave possession back to the visitors. However, as the Brumbies attacked, the Rebels defensive pressure was too strong, disallowing the Ponies entry into the 22.

As half time loomed, the Rebels regained possession and moved into a strong attacking position, pushing hard at the Brumbies line. The Five Stars were unable to reap the rewards of their possession late in the half, earning a penalty seconds before the siren, with the lineout disallowed by the referee as the ball crossed after the buzzer, the half time score stood at 3-10.

The Rebels made a strong start to the second half, with Jason Woodward kicking his second penalty goal of the night after four minutes to close within four points of the Brumbies.

From the restart, the Brumbies shifted into attack. A fumbled ball saw the Rebels ground behind their own try line. The Brumbies set piece once again proved too strong from the five meter mark, pushing the ball over and earning a penalty try as scrum half Nic Stirzacker attempted to play the ball in the scrum. A penalty against the Brumbies closed the gap again with Woodward kicking his third goal of the night, however the visitor’s continued to maintain possession.

Both sides began to make some unfortunate mistakes, with the Brumbies gifting Woodward his fourth penalty goal of the night for kicking it out on the full. Shortly after, the Rebels made the same mistake in their own territory, with the visitor’s opting to attack rather than take the points.

This decision turned out to be costly for the Brumbies, losing the ball in what was a turning point in the match. The Rebels pushed into attack, with All Black Tamati Ellison setting up a beautiful run from fellow Kiwi Male Sa’u, before the ball travelled cross field. With Woodward in possession, he showed some sharp footwork, dodging four Brumbies players to cross for the Rebels first of the night. A successful conversion put the Rebels two points up with 20 minutes to go.

Tom English looked to score again for the Rebels only moments after as he teamed up with Mitch Inman down the wing, however grounded the ball centimetres too early. With the Brumbies under immense pressure, another opportunity went begging for the Rebels, as a grubber from Higginbotham saw the ball grounded by the Brumbies in their own in goal for a restart.

The Brumbies continued to struggle with the ball in hand, turning it over and giving away a penalty for diving over the ball. Woodward made it five from five with his penalty goal, extending the lead to five as lock Scott Fardy was sent off with a yellow card.

With a man down, the Brumbies faltered in defence, with the entire Rebels team combining with flair in attack. The ball eventually reached Mitch Inman, who tore a hole in the visitor’s defence for the Rebels’ second try of the night. Another on target kick from Woodward had the lead out to twelve with fewer than ten minutes to go.

The conference leaders weren’t going to leave AAMI Park without a  fight, pushing hard at the Rebels line, with winger Robbie Coleman crossing on the 78 minute mark. A quick conversion put the Brumbies within five points as the full time siren loomed.

Woodward then made his final mark on his return from injury, kicking his sixth penalty goal of the night as the Brumbies once again wavered from the restart, putting the Rebels eight points in front and the game out of reach for the Ponies. As the siren sounded, the score line stood at 32-24, bringing the AAMI Park crowd too their feet after an emphatic showing from the Rebels.

Rebels: 1 Max Lahiff 2 Pat Leafa 3 Laurie Weeks 4 Hugh Pyle 5 Luke Jones 6 Colby Fainga'a 7 Scott Fuglistaller 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 9 Nic Stirzaker 10 Bryce Hegarty 11 Tom English 12 Mitch Inman 13 Tamati Ellison 14 Tom Kingston 15 Jason Woodward 16 Shota Horie BENCH: 17 Paul Alo-Emile 18 Cruze Ah-Nau 19 Cadeyrn Neville 20 Sean McMahon 21 Luke Burgess 22 Male Sa'u 23 Angus Roberts

SCORERS T: Woodward, Inman C: Woodward (2) P: Woodward (6)

Brumbies: 1 JP Smith 2 Stephen Moore 3 Ben Alexander 4 Scott Fardy 5 Sam Carter 6 Jordan Smiller 7 Jarrad Butler 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 9 Nic White 10 Matt Toomua 11 Robbie Coleman 12 Pat McCabe 13 Tebita Kuridrani 14 Joe Tamone 15 Jesse Mogg BENCH: 16 Siliva Siliva 17 Ruan Smith 18 Ruaidhri Murphy 19 Jack Whetton 20 Lachlan McCaffrey 21 Conrad Hoffmann 22 Andrew Smith 23 Christian Leali’ifano

SCORERS T: Mogg, PT, Coleman C: White (2), Toomua P: White Fardy

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

REDS 22 - 17 STORMERS

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - Saturday 29 March 2014
KO: 18:40 HT: 13-10

THE St. George Queensland Reds returned to winning ways with a hard fought 22-17 victory over the Stormers in the Asteron Life Super Rugby clash at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

The Reds were once again led in the scoring by an outstanding performance from fly half Quade Cooper, who landed 17 points, including a long range drop goal, to make the game safe late in the second half. Lock Rob Simmons scored the Reds only try.

Heavy rain during the week meant conditions were slippery underfoot at Suncorp with the temperature a humid 27 degrees at kick off. The Reds were almost rewarded early on after a clever offload from Cooper saw Rod Davies win a penalty after a late tackle. However Cooper’s penalty attempt from 40 metres out to the left of the posts hit the upright.

The Stormers however were in to score on 10 minutes after quick hands saw Damian de Allende go over out wide on the right. Peter Grant added the conversion and the visitors had an early 7-0 lead. Strong smothering defence from the Stormers then contained the Reds and Grant missed an opportunity to increase the visitor’s lead with a long-range penalty shot on 17 minutes.

A strong burst off the back of the scrum from No.8 Jake Schatz then saw Will Genia earn a penalty which Cooper landed on 20 minutes to make it 7-3. The Reds then had to hold off some spirited Stormers attack before Lachie Turner cleared and James Horwill chased well to pin the Stormers in their half. Play then stopped for an injury to Gio Aplon who went off with a dislocated elbow. The home team then upped the ante and Dom Shipperley was tackled in to touch just metres out from the Stormers line after multiple phases.

The Stormers throw-in to the line out was not straight however and the Reds had a scrum just 5 metres out from the tryline. From the scrum Genia then again fed Shipperley who once more was stopped inches short but Simmons was on hand to pick up from the back of the ruck and dive over. Cooper converted and the Reds were in front 10-7 after 25 minutes.

Cooper and Grant then traded penalties to make it 13-10 at halftime. Shipperley was replaced just before half time due to injury with Ben Lucas coming on at fullback and Turner moving to the wing.

The Stormers poured on the attack early in the second half but a superb tackle from James Slipper saw de Jongh lose the ball on the Reds 22. The Stormers were having enormous problems with their lineout with Deon Fourie losing repeated lineouts through crooked throws.

Jono Owen then came on for prop Greg Holmes with Curtis Browning replacing the hard working flanker Ed Quirk as the tough collisions at the breakdown began to take their toll. Yet another lost lineout from the Stormers then saw the Reds attack again. Tapuai was stopped just short of the line before the ball came wide to Davies. The Reds winger was also stopped short but the Stormers had infringed. Cooper landed the penalty and the Reds led 16-10 on 57 minutes.

Lucas then re-gathered a high kick on 62 minutes and a break from James Hanson gave the Reds an attacking opportunity in the Stormers territory but Cooper’s chip kick was grounded by the Stormers.

The Reds continued to attack but were met by stout Stormers defence. So Cooper took his chance and landed a well struck drop goal from 40 metres out to give the Reds some breathing room, 19-10 up with 13 minutes remaining. He then won a superb turnover on Jaco Taute. He then landed another penalty on 70 minutes to make it 22-10.

The Stormers finally got a lineout right and Sikhumbuzo Notshe forced his way over from 5 metres out after a Duane Vermeulen take. Demetri Catrakilis, on for Grant, converted from the touchline to make it 22-17 and set up a grandstand finish with only 5 minutes remaining. The Stormers attacked desperately in the final minutes but the Reds defended resolutely to take out a well-deserved victory.

Reds: 15 Lachie Turner 14 Rod Davies 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Mike Harris 11 Dom Shipperley 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia 8 Jake Schatz 7 Beau Robinson 6 Ed Quirk 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 Greg Holmes 2 James Hanson 1 James Slipper BENCH: 16 Saia Fainga'a 17 Albert Anae 18 Jono Owen 19 Ed O'Donoghue 20 Curtis Browning 21 Nick Frisby 22 Anthony Fainga'a 23 Ben Lucas

SCORERS T: Simmons C: Cooper P: Cooper (4) DG: Cooper

Stormers: 15 Gio Aplon 14 Damian de Allende 13 Juan de Jongh 12 JEAN DE VILLIERS (C) 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau 10 Peter Grant 9 Louis Schreuder 8 Duane Vermeulen 7 Siya Kolisi 6 Nizaam Carr 5 Michael Rhodes 4 Jurie van Vuuren 3 Frans Malherbe 2 Deon Fourie 1 Steven Kitshoff BENCH: 16 Stephan Coetzee 17 Oliver Kebble 18 Brok Harris 19 Tazz Fuzani 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe 21 Nic Groom 22 Demetri Catrakilis 23 Jaco Taute

SCORERS T: de Allende, Notshe C: Grant, Catrakilis P: Grant

Referee: Chris Pollock

 

 

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CRUSADERS 26 - 29 HURRICANES

AMI Stadium, Addington, Christchurch - Friday 28 March 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 18-17

The Hurricanes beat the Crusaders 29-26 in an electric Investec Super Rugby match in Christchurch on Friday night, with both sides playing positive rugby throughout.

Right wing Alapati Leiua was the hero for the Hurricanes, scoring a dazzling 55-metre solo try with 7 minutes remaining to put the Hurricanes ahead for the final time in a thrilling encounter. In a swirling wind, first five-eighth Beauden Barrett couldn’t land the conversion, but the determined Hurricanes held on for a well-taken bonus point win.

Barrett kicked a penalty, before tighthead prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen made a storming break up the middle of the field, setting up the first try of the match to blindside flanker Faifili Levave, who was on hand to scoop up a pass in the tackle by left wing, Savea. Barrett converted, putting the Hurricanes ahead 10-0 after as many minutes.

Crusaders second five-eighth Tom Taylor put his side’s first points on the board with a 40-metre penalty, but from the next restart the Hurricanes swung straight back on to attack, won a penalty, and launched an assault from a lineout in the corner. Halfback TJ Perenara darted over from close range to score their second converted try.

Playing into a cool wind, the Hurricanes played with conviction and purpose throughout the first half, dominating both possession and territory and opening up a 17-3 lead with a quarter of the game played.

The Crusaders replied with a long-range try against the run of play, cutting the gap to 17-10.

Halfback Andy Ellis took a quick tap penalty, darted ahead into space up into Hurricanes’ 22 and linked up with midfielder Ryan Crotty, who kicked ahead for left wing McNicholl to re-gather and cross to score.

From a turnover and raid up into the Hurricanes’ 22, the Crusaders ran in McNicholl for his brace to close the deficit to 17-15. Taylor put the Crusaders ahead for the first time in the match with a penalty moments before halftime, 18-17.

The Hurricanes re-took the lead early in the second half with left wing Julian Savea’s try. Barrett converted from out wide, putting the Hurricanes in front 24-18. Fullback Andre Taylor made a piercing run back up into Crusaders territory, who escaped with a relieving defensive penalty.

Savea went close to scoring a second sensational try in as many minutes, after a kick ahead that was regathered by No. 8 Blade Thomson, who passed in field in the tackle to Savea. The winger scooped a bounce pass up off the turf and crossed the chalk. However, the officials ruled a forward pass between Thomson and Savea and once more the Crusaders held on.

Instead, it was the Crusaders who scored the next try, lock Sam Whitelock stealing a Hurricanes lineout inside their own territory and first five-eighth Colin Slade crashing over to make it 24-23 to the Hurricanes.

Taylor slotted his second penalty, putting the Crusaders ahead 26-24 with 15 minutes left. A tense period of play followed, broken open by Leiua who scored the match winner.

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Nafi Tuitavake 13 Ryan Crotty 12 Tom Taylor 11 Johnny McNicholl 10 Colin Slade 9 Andy Ellis 8 KIERAN READ (C) 7 Matt Todd 6 Luke Whitelock 5 Sam Whitelock 4 Luke Romano 3 Owen Franks 2 Ben Funnell 1 Wyatt Crockett BENCH: 16 Codie Taylor 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Dominic Bird 20 Jordan Taufua 21 Mitchell Drummond 22 Kieran Fonotia 23 Nemani Nadolo

SCORERS T: McNicholl (2), Slade C: Tom Taylor P: Tom Taylor (3)

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor 14 Alapati Leiua 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Tim Bateman 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Blade Thomson 7 Jack Lam 6 Faifili Levave 5 James Broadhurst 4 Jeremy Thrush 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 2 Dane Coles 1 Ben Franks BENCH: 16 Ash Dixon 17 Chris Eves 18 John Schwalger 19 Mark Reddish 20 Ardie Savea 21 Billy Guyton 22 Matt Proctor 23 Marty Banks

SCORERS T: Levave, Perenara, Julian Savea, Leiua C: Barrett (3) P: Barrett

Referee: Francisco Pastrana

 

BLUES 30 - 12 HIGHLANDERS

Eden Park, Auckland - Saturday 29 March 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 17-9

 

The Blues finally delivered with a clinical 30-12 victory over the Highlanders at Eden Park on Saturday night.

With enforcers Jerome Kaino and Ma’a Nonu back in the starting line-up, the Blues found a new edge and produced their finest performance of the season. It was no coincidence the All Black duo’s return to the side coincided with a huge shift in attitude.

With Kaino marshalling the forwards, they brought a new physicality in defence, smashing the Highlanders behind the gain-line as Liaki Moli, Hayden Triggs and Steven Luatua all had stellar games to hold the Highlanders try-less.

While in the backs, Nonu brought a calming influence to the young halves pairing of Bryn Hall and Simon Hickey with his typical strong ball carries giving them a strong attacking platform and his deft kicks turning the Highlanders around.

After three rounds against South African opposition, Eden Park came alive with the local derby – a physical, fast and furious game which had the 16,700 strong crowd on the edge of their seat for much of the match.

It was a pulsating opening 10 minutes by the Blues who had much more sting in defence and repelled a patient Highlanders attack.

Taking the reins in the absence of Piri Weepu, Bryn Hall had a strong game and played a hand in both the Blues’ first half tries.

His grubber kick from an attacking scrum ricocheted off wing Richard Buckman as the ball fell fortuitously into the arms of a rampaging George Moala who charged away to go over in the corner.

Simon Hickey’s superb conversion from the sideline gave the Blues a 7-0 lead after 11 minutes, but three consecutive penalty kicks by Highlanders sharpshooter Lima Sopoaga put the visitors ahead 9-7 on the half hour mark.

Hickey regained the lead for his side with a simple penalty kick before Nonu, who worked tirelessly all night, crashed over for a fine try.

Hall charged through a gaping hole from a lineout and as the ball was recycled Nonu showed plenty of strength and power to bash his way over from close range with the help of Steven Luatua.

With the Blues leading 17-9 at halftime, Hickey and Sopoaga traded penalty kicks before Charles Piutau scored a sublime try for the home side.

There was plenty of interest on how he would face up against All Black fullback Ben Smith, and Piutau certainly came out on top in that duel as he stood Smith up, palmed him in the face and went around him to score a superb five pointer.

However the Blues fell slightly flat towards the end of the match and were unable to secure the four try bonus point try as Hickey’s penalty kick gave the home side a well deserved and convincing 30-12 victory.

The Blues have a short turnaround, facing off against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night.

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau 14 Frank Halai 13 Jackson Willison 12 Ma'a Nonu 11 George Moala 10 Simon Hickey 9 Bryn Hall 8 Steven Luatua 7 LUKE BRAID (C) 6 Jerome Kaino 5 Hayden Triggs 4 Liaki Moli 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 Tom McCartney 1 Tony Woodcock BENCH: 16 James Parsons 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Tom Donnelly 20 Peter Saili 21 Sonatane Takulua 22 Pita Ahki 23 Benji Marshall

SCORERS T: Moala, Nonu, Piutau C: Hickey (3) P: Hickey (3)

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Phil Burleigh 11 Patrick Osborne 10 Lima Sopoaga 9 Aaron Smith 8 NASI MANU (C) 7 Shane Christie 6 Elliot Dixon 5 Jarrad Hoeata 4 Brad Thorn 3 Chris King 2 Ged Robinson 1 Kane Hames BENCH: 16 Liam Coltman 17 Craig Millar 18 Ma'afu Fia 19 Joe Wheeler 20 TJ Ioane 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Hayden Parker 23 Shaun Treeby

SCORERS P: Sopoaga (4)

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe

 

 

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THE Cell C Sharks continued to stamp their authority in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition this weekend as they secured their fifth victory of the season, while the Vodacom Bulls allowed a fourth successive victory to slip through their fingers and the DHL Stormers stumbled in their final tour match.

A strong second-half showing by the Cell C Sharks combined with a flawless kicking performance by fly half Fred Zeilinga, who punished the Waratahs indiscipline, earned the team a 32-10 victory at Growthpoint Kings Park. The victory allowed the team to remain in pole position on the combined log table.

The Vodacom Bulls, meanwhile, had their fourth consecutive victory in their sights until the last minute of their clash against defending champions, the Chiefs, at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, but a last-minute try by Chiefs captain Aaron Cruden and successful conversion by Gareth Anscombe forced them to settle for a disappointing 34-34 draw.

The team departs for their Australasian tour today knowing that their defence, in particular, needs attention after allowing a 31-15 lead to slip against the Chiefs.

In Brisbane, the DHL Stormers were unsuccessful in their mission to complete their Australasian tour with a victory against the Reds as they went down 22-17 following defeats against the Crusaders, Chiefs and Brumbies.

While the performance was one of their better displays on tour, the fact that they defended most of the time did not assist their cause. The winless tour marked the team’s first since the 1998 season.

The Lions and Toyota Cheetahs, meanwhile, enjoyed byes this weekend.

BULLS 34 - 34 CHIEFS

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria - Saturday 29 March 2014
KO: 15:00 HT: 14-15

THE Vodacom Bulls’ struggle to make effective one-on-one tackles against the Chiefs cost them a fourth back-to-back victory at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday and forced them to settle for a draw.

Despite this the three-time Vodacom Super Rugby champions will depart for their Australasian tour with confidence after recovering from two defeats early in the season to remain unbeaten in their last four matches.

The Vodacom Bulls were solid in the set pieces throughout the match, but the Chiefs’ impressive counter-attacking and support play allowed them to run circles around the hosts at times.

Such was the effectiveness of the Chiefs attack they ran in five tries to only three by the home side - three of which were in the last 10 minutes. This brace of tries blew an encouraging 31-15 lead by the Vodacom Bulls with 25 minutes to play.

Unfortunately for the Pretoria-side virtually all of the Chiefs tries were created from mistakes or lapses on defence. But while they will work on improving this area of their game as they prepare to face the Hurricanes, Highlanders, Waratahs and Force on tour, their opposition will be wary of the threat posed by fly half Jacques-Louis Potgieter, whose impressive kicking display allowed him to slot over five penalties.

Potgieter’s kicking performance catapulted him from ninth place to sixth place on the top point-scorer’s list in the competition with 70 points.

The draw allowed the Vodacom Bulls to stretch their unbeaten run against the Chiefs to six matches, with the Chiefs’ last win against the Pretoria team dating back to 2012.

Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser 14 Akona Ndungane 13 JJ Engelbrecht 12 Jan Serfontein 11 Bjorn Basson 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter 9 Francois Hougaard 8 Dewald Potgieter 7 Jacques du Plessis 6 Deon Stegmann 5 VICTOR MATFIELD (C) 4 Paul Willemse 3 Werner Kruger 2 Callie Visagie 1 Dean Greyling BENCH: 16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Marcel van der Merwe 18 Grant Hattingh 19 Jono Ross 20 Piet van Zyl 21 Handré Pollard 22 Ulrich Beyers 23 Morné Mellet

SCORERS T: Stegmann, PT, Basson C: JL Potgieter (2) P: JL Potgieter (5)

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina 14 Anton Lienert-Brown 13 Andrew Horrell 12 Tom Marshall 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 10 AARON CRUDEN (C) 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 Kane Thompson 7 Tanerau Latimer 6 Liam Messam 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Matt Symons 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Rhys Marshall 1 Pauliasi Manu BENCH: 16 Mahonri Schwalger 17 Jamie Mackintosh 18 Ben Afeaki 19 Michael Fitzgerald 20 Sam Cane 21 Augustine Pulu 22 Gareth Anscombe 23 Tim Nanai-Williams

SCORERS T: Muliaina, Messam, Anscombe, Symons, Cruden C: Cruden, Anscombe (2) P: Cruden Symons

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

SHARKS 32 - 10 WARATAHS

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban - Saturday 29 March 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 12-3

 

THE Cell C Sharks took full advantage of the Waratahs indiscipline at Growthpoint Kings Park to secure their fifth victory of the season ahead of a well-deserved bye.

All the points in the first half were scored through penalties, with young Cell C Sharks fly half Fred Zeilinga, who was named as a replacement for injured Springbok Pat Lambie, kicking three and Bok centre Francois Steyn one to only by Waratahs fly half Bernard Foley for their 12-3 lead at the break.

The Sharks, however, lifted their game in the second half and scored their first try in the 50th minute compliments of Ryan Kankowski, shortly after Waratahs flank and captain Dave Dennis was sent to the sin-bin.

Keegan Daniel added another try in the 72nd minute, while Zeilinga kept the score board ticking for an impressive individual tally of 19 points.

The victory for the Cell C Sharks allowed them to inflate their lead at the top of the combined log table to six points and kept their unbeaten status at home this season intact.

Equally importantly for the team, it was a significant win from a mental perspective as it marked only their fifth victory against the Waratahs since the 1998 season.

Sharks: 15 Lwazi Mvovo 14 Odwa Ndungane 13 S'bura Sithole 12 Frans Steyn 11 JP Pietersen 10 Fred Zeilinga 9 Charl McLeod 8 Ryan Kankowski 7 Jean Deysel 6 Marcell Coetzee 5 Stephan Lewies 4 Willem Alberts 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 1 Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Etienne Oosthuizen 20 Keegan Daniel 21 Stefan Ungerer 22 Heimar Williams 23 SP Marais

SCORERS T: Alberts, Daniel C: Zeilinga (2) P: Zeilinga (5), Steyn

Waratahs: 15 Jono Lance 14 Rob Horne 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Kurtley Beale 11 Peter Betham 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 8 Wycliff Palu 7 Michael Hooper 6 DAVE DENNIS (C) 5 Kane Douglas 4 Jacques Potgieter 3 Sekope Kepu 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau 1 Benn Robinson BENCH: 16 Tolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Will Skelton 20 Pat McCutcheon 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Matt Carraro 23 Alofa Alofa

SCORERS T: Foley C: Foley P: Foley Dennis

Referee: Mike Fraser

 

 

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WARATAHS 32 - 8 MELBOURNE REBELS

Allianz Stadium, Sydney - Friday 21 March 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 11-8

THE Weary Dunlop Shield returned to NSW after a Kurtley Beale-inspired Tahs outfit registered a 32-8 home victory over the Melbourne Rebels.

Despite a challenging opening half, the potent Tahs’ attack clicked into gear in the second half, running in four tries to secure a crucial bonus point victory. Kurtley Beale turned in a Magners Man of the Match performance, orchestrating three tries against his former team – two of which went to prolific fullback Israel Folau.

The Tahs were off to another blistering start when flanker Michael Hooper, playing his 50th Super Rugby game, burst through the middle in the fourth minute and found the bruising Jacques Potgieter in space out wide. Feeding off his forwards’ momentum, fly half Bernard Foley flung the ball to winger Alofa Alofa, who dummied past the cover defence to dot down for the team’s first try – his second in a promising rookie season.

 

A dominant display from the Tahs’ forwards saw the home side control possession and territory for the next 10 minutes of play but some sloppy execution saw good work by Folau and Dennis go unrewarded.

The Rebels made the Tahs pay for their inaccuracy through skipper Scott Higginbotham, who barged over to level the scores on the half hour mark. But obstruction from the ensuing kickoff by Tamati Ellison gifted Foley his first penalty goal, and the Waratahs an 8-5 advantage.

Foley and Bryce Hegarty traded penalty goals in the dying stages of the half, and the Tahs entered the break with a slim 11-8 advantage.

Just as they did in the first half, the Tahs stormed out of the sheds and straight onto the attack. From a lineout 40m out, Beale swung the ball inside to high school teammate Peter Betham, who burned former Waratah Tom Kingston on the outside to dive into the left hand corner. Foley nailed the conversion, in spite of a difficult angle, and the Tahs held a comfortable 10-point buffer after 45 minutes.

From the restart Foley feigned a clearing kick, instead opting to glide effortlessly past two defenders, before chipping ahead and earning his side a lineout on the five metre line. The dynamic fly half backed it up with a lovely inside ball to a flying Alofa, who was cut down inches from the line by Ellison. Replacement prop Benn Robinson looked to have scored from the next phase but after a lengthy deliberation from the TMO, the prop was ruled to have fumbled picking the ball up.

However a ruthless Tahs outfit refused to relent and, after forcing a ruck turnover, Nick Phipps hit a barnstorming Beale on the counterattack. The impressive playmaker ran a wide angle across field before switching the ball back inside to Folau, who ran in untouched for his seventh try of the season. Foley hit an easy conversion attempt and advanced the score to 25-8 with half an hour to play.

Foley’s tactical nous again came to the fore after the kickoff, as he nudged a deft clearance kick in behind a scrambling Angus Roberts. Determined kick-chase pressure from Betham forced Roberts into error, and the Rebels’ fullback was sin binned in the 55th minute after preventing a quick lineout.

The bonus point try came in the 73rd minute, when some fancy footwork from Beale allowed him to step inside Scott Fuglistaller and gift Folau his second of the night. Foley’s third conversion sent the score to 32-8 and put the result, and the Weary Dunlop Shield, beyond doubt. Folau’s double takes his tally for the season reach eight, taking him half way to eclipsing Super Rugby’s highest season tally, currently held by Rico Gear and Joe Roff (15).

Waratahs: 1 Sekope Kepu 2 Tatafu Polota Nau 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Will Skelton 5 Kane Douglas 6 Jacques Potgieter 7 Michael Hooper 8 DAVE DENNIS (C) 9 Nick Phipps 10 Bernard Foley 11 Peter Betham 12 Kurtley Beale 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 14 Alofa Alofa 15 Israel Folau BENCH: 16 Tolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Benn Robinson 19 Wycliff Palu 20 Stephen Hoiles 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Rob Horne 23 Matt Carraro

SCORERS T: Alofa, Betham, Folau (2) C: Foley (3) P: Foley (2)

Rebels: 1 Toby Smith 2 Pat Leafa 3 Paul Alo-Emile 4 Hugh Pyle 5 Luke Jones 6 Sean McMahon 7 Scott Fuglistaller 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 9 Luke Burgess 10 Bryce Hegarty 11 Tom English 12 Mitch Inman 13 Tamati Ellison 14 Lachlan Mitchell 15 Angus Roberts BENCH: 16 Shota Horie 17 Max Lahiff 18 Cruze Ah-Nau 19 Cadeyrn Neville 20 Colby Fainga'a 21 Ben Meehan 22 Male Sa'u 23 Tom Kingston

SCORERS T: Higginbotham P: Hegarty Roberts

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

BRUMBIES 25 - 15 STORMERS

Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Saturday 22 March 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 13-10

THE DHL Stormers were largely undone for a second time in three weeks by themselves as they were beaten by 25-15 by the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday morning.

It was the first time since the DHL Stormers has lost to the Brumbies, runners up in 2013, but it was a game that was there for the taking for the Capetonians.

Individual errors and poor decision-making at key moments, as well as bad kicking – tactical and at goal – let the visitors down badly They looked good at times, but struggled to get out of their own half and kept on making silly mistakes which gifted the Brumbies points.

This lack of composure also cost the DHL Stormers dearly a fortnight ago when they lost by one point to the Crusaders in Christchurch, as well as last weekend in Hamilton when the Chiefs scored two late tries to put some daylight between them and the Capetonians on the scoreboard.

Duane Vermeulen scored a great try from a rolling maul as the DHL Stormers looked to have the upper hand upfront Later in the Juan de Jongh added much-needed spark off the bench and was also rewarded with a good try.

But a last-minute penalty try for a scrum infringement on their own goal-line meant the DHL Stormers missed out on a losing bonus point as they suffered a third successive tour defeat.

Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Joe Tomane, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Robbie Coleman, Matt Toomua, Nic White, BEN MOWEN (C), Jarrad Butler, Jordan Smiler, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, JP Smith BENCH: Siliva Siliva, Ruan Smith, Ruaidhri Murphy, Jack Whetton, Lachlan McCaffrey, Michael Dowsett, Stephan van der Walt, Lionel Cronje

SCORERS T: Coleman (2), PT C: White (2) P: White (2)

Stormers: Gio Aplon, Kobus van Wyk, JEAN DE VILLIERS (C), Damian de Allende, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Peter Grant, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger (vice-captain), Deon Fourie, Michael Rhodes, Ruan Botha, Frans Malherbe, Tiaan Liebenberg, Steven Kitshoff BENCH: Stephan Coetzee, Oliver Kebble, Brok Harris, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Demitri Catrakilis, Juan de Jongh

SCORERS T: Vermeulen, de Jongh C: Grant P: Grant Liebenberg

Referee: Glen Jackson

 

WESTERN FORCE 18 - 15 CHIEFS

NIB Stadium, Perth - Saturday 22 March 2014
KO: 19:00 HT: 8-9

 

THE Western Force secured its third victory in as many matches following an emphatic 18-15 win over reigning champions, the Chiefs, at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium).

In front of a heaving 16,380-strong Sea of Blue, the win marked the first time the Force has recorded three consecutive victories since 2007, with Matt Hodgson leading the way with the first two-try performance of his career in a Haigh & Hastings Man of the Match display.

Despite opposing one of the best attacking units in Asteron Life Super Rugby, the Force became the first team since the Brumbies of 2001 to hold the Chiefs try-less in a match in Australia, with Aaron Cruden and Gareth Anscombe posting the five penalty goals between them.

Having scored the opening try in their past two matches, the Force continued that trend in the 13th minute when Hodgson latched onto the back of a rolling maul to cross in the right hand corner.

Fly halves Sias Ebersohn and Cruden traded penalty goals in the 26th and 32nd minute respectively, before the All Black playmaker added two further first half penalties to give his side a 9-8 lead at the break.

A long-range Gareth Anscombe penalty four minutes into the new term extended the lead to four points but was quickly negated when Hodgson finished a string of pick-and-drives close to the Chiefs line, when he crashed over for his second.

The Force almost added another immediately after when Nick Cummins dived over in the corner, only for the TMO to confirm that the winger had put his foot in touch prior to grounding the ball.

An Ebersohn penalty in the 58th minute provided his side with a six-point buffer with Cruden reinstating the three-point margin with 18 minutes remaining.

While the Chiefs continued to ask questions of the Force defence throughout the final quarter of the match, the Western Australians had the answers on each occasion, hanging on for a memorable three-point victory.

Force: 15 Jayden Hayward 14 Luke Morahan 13 Solomoni Rasolea 12 Kyle Godwin 11 Nick Cummins 10 Sias Ebersohn 9 Alby Mathewson 1 Pekahou Cowan 2 Nathan Charles 3 Kieran Longbottom 4 Sam Wykes 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp 6 Hugh McMeniman 7 Matt Hodgson 8 Angus Cottrell BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Oli Hoskins 19 Adam Coleman 20 Brynard Stander 21 Ian Prior 22 Zack Holmes 23 Marcel Brache

SCORERS T: Hodgson (2) C: Ebersohn P: Ebersohn (2)

Chiefs: 1 Jamie Mackintosh 2 Mahonri Schwalger 3 Ben Tameifuna 4 Michael Fitzgerald 5 Brodie Retallick 6 Liam Messam 7 Sam Cane 8 Liam Squire 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 10 AARON CRUDEN (C) 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 12 Tom Marshall 13 Tim Nanai-Williams 14 Mils Muliaina 15 Gareth Anscombe BENCH: 16 Rhys Marshall 17 Pauliasi Manu 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Kane Thompson 20 Tanerau Latimer 21 Augustine Pulu 22 Andrew Horrell 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

SCORERS P: Cruden (4), Anscombe Mackintosh

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe

 

 

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HIGHLANDERS 35 - 31 HURRICANES

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Friday 21 March 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 18-9

 

THE Highlanders were back in the winners circle after a scintillating game of running rugby, whilst Hurricanes fly half, Beauden Barrett alone contributed 26 of the visitors’ 31 points, and they scored three tries to the homeside’s two.

The first half was a typically tight contest between these two New Zealand sides, both teams not giving an inch on defence forcing a kicking contest for much of the half, with both sides trading penalties.

The Highlanders got on the board through the boot of Lima Sopoaga, while the visitors responded with their own penalty moments later courtesy of Beauden Barrett.

The Highlanders regained the lead thanks to two more Sopoaga penalties before the Hurricanes came back with another Barrett penalty to stay in touch.

Sopoaga kicked another penalty leading into the half time break and the Highlanders went into the break with a comfortable lead of 18 points to 9.

After an early second half penalty to the Hurricanes, the Highlanders started to find gaps in the visitors defence.

Ben Smith sparked an attack up the middle of the field, linking with Aaron Smith before he offloaded the ball to Phil Burleigh who juggled it before running in for the game's first try.

Patrick Osborne added his name to the score sheet when he intercepted the ball while the Hurricanes were hot on attack to turn the run of play around and go in for a try, Sopoaga converted to give the Highlanders a 35-12 lead.

The Hurricanes then fought back and closed the gap with a Ben Franks try, before Beauden Barrett added a try of his own to close the gap up to 35-26 with less than 10 minutes to go.

Players from both teams were out on their feet by this stage. A late try to Barrett gave the Hurricanes a sniff of victory with scores close at 35-31, however, they ran out of time as the Highlanders defence held strong to keep the visitors out for the win.

Highlanders: 1 Kane Hames 2 Liam Coltman 3 Ma’afu Fia 4 Brad Thorn 5 Joe Wheeler 6 Elliot Dixon 7 Shane Christie 8 NASI MANU (C) 9 Aaron Smith 10 Lima Sopoaga 11 Patrick Osborne 12 Phil Burleigh 13 Malakai Fekitoa 14 Richard Buckman 15 BEN SMITH (C) BENCH: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Matias Diaz 18 Chris King 19 Jarrad Hoeata 20 TJ Ioane 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Hayden Parker 23 Shaun Treeby

SCORERS T: Burleigh, Osbourne C: Sopoaga (2) P: Sopoaga (7) Hoeata

Hurricanes: 15 Marty Banks 14 Alapati Leiua 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Hadleigh Parkes 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 1 Ben Franks 2 Dane Coles 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen 4 Mark Reddish 5 James Broadhurst 6 Jack Lam 7 Ardie Savea 8 Faifili Levave BENCH: 16 Ash Dixon 17 Chris Eves 18 John Schwalger 19 Mark Abbott 20 Adam Hill 21 Chris Smylie 22 Matt Proctor 23 Andre Taylor

SCORERS T: Franks, Barrett (2) C: Barrett (2) P: Barrett (4)

Referee: Nick Briant

 

BLUES 40 - 30 CHEETAHS

Eden Park, Auckland - Saturday 22 March 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 30-16

FOR the first time since 2009, the Toyota Cheetahs will return from their Australasian Vodacom Super Rugby tour after losing all four matches and not scoring one log point in the process.

The team from Central South Africa paid the price for making too many unforced errors at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday morning when they were beaten by 40-30 by the Blues.

The Toyota Cheetahs put up a brave display after last weekend’s big defeat in Wellington With 20 minutes gone, the scores were tied at 13-13 following Boom Prinsloo’s converted try.

But a few minutes later Prinsloo was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul and the tide turned in the Aucklanders’ favour With the Toyota Cheetahs one player short, the Blues scored two converted tries before the break.

Despite making too many errors and defensive lapses, the visitors never gave up though – Cornal Hendrics and Hennie Daniller scored second half tries, but in the end the gap the Blues had opened up was simply too big for the Toyota Cheetahs to close.

The only small consolation was that their 30 points was the most the Toyota Cheetahs have ever scored against the Blues in New Zealand.

Blues: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, George Moala, Jackson Willison, Tevita Li, Simon Hickey, Piri Weepu, Peter Saili, LUKE BRAID (C), Steven Luatua, Tom Donnelly, Liaki Moli, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock BENCH: Tom McCartney, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Jerome Kaino, Hayden Triggs, Bryn Hall, Ma’a Nonu, Benji Marshall

SCORERS T: Luatua, Moala, Li, Woodcock C: Hickey (4) P: Hickey (4)

Cheetahs: Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Johann Sadie, Ryno Benjamin, Hennie Daniller, Johan Goosen, Sarel Pretorius, Philip van der Walt, Jean Cook, Boom Prinsloo, Francois Uys, Lodewyk de Jager, Maks van Dyk, Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: Ryno Barnes, Trevor Nyakane, Rossouw de Klerk, Andries Ferreira, Lappies Labuschagne, Shaun Venter, Elgar Watts, Howard Mnisi

SCORERS T: Prinsloo, Hendricks, Daniller C: Goosen, Watts (2) P: Goosen (2), Watts Prinsloo

Referee: Francisco Pastrana

 

 

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THE Lions and Vodacom Bulls flew the South African flag in Vodacom Super Rugby this weekend when they scored come-from-behind home victories on Saturday.

The side from Johannesburg scored two late tries to deny the Reds by 23-20 after they were still behind by 20-3 shortly before the break at Ellis Park.

In the process, Lions fly half and kicking ace Marnitz Boshoff became the first player this season to reach 100 points when he kicked his second penalty goal in the 40th minute of the match.

In the final match of the weekend, the Cell C Sharks lost their first encounter of 2014 when they went down 23-19 to a determined Vodacom Bulls side at Loftus Versfeld.

The home team outscored their visitors from Durban by two tries to one in a typically tough South African derby, where room to move was kept to a minimum through good defence, which also forced both sides to make too many mistakes.

Earlier on Saturday, the Toyota Cheetahs came unstuck against the Blues in Auckland (40-30), while the DHL Stormers played well but not well enough as they lost by 25-15 to the Brumbies in Canberra.

In probably the upset of round six, the only other unbeaten side in the competition, the defending champion Chiefs, lost by 18-15 to the Force in Perth.

LIONS 23 - 20 REDS

Ellis Park, Johannesburg - Saturday 22 March 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 6-20

THE Lions scored 17 unanswered points in the second half of their Vodacom Super Rugby clash against the Reds at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday to win this match by 23-20.

It was a rather scrappy match, but the Lions would not mind after they staged one of the finest fightbacks of recent times. The home team’s performance in the first half was not great and the Reds, through fly half Quade Cooper, who scored all their points, pounced when they got the chance.

The men from Gauteng were behind by 20-3 shortly before the break, when Marnitz Boshoff slotted his second penalty goal to make the score at half-time 20-6 as the Lions fly half became the first player to reach 100 season points.

The home team controlled possession for most of the second half as they started finding their groove Boshoff added another penalty goal before Lionel Mapoe’s converted try in the 65th minute made it a four-point game.

Courtnall Skosan scored what turned out to be the match-winner in the 77th minute after a period of sustained Lions pressure during which two Reds players were sin-binned for professional fouls.

But the visitors did not give up and the Lions’ defence was properly tested in the dying moments They held out though and won their third straight home game of the season – a feat they last achieved in 2007.

Lions: Coenie van Wyk, JW Jonker, Deon van Rensburg, Stefan Watermeyer, Courtnall Skosan, Marnitz Boshoff, Faf de Klerk, WARREN WHITELEY (C), Willie Britz, Jaco Kriel, Franco van der Merwe, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Willie Wepener, Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: Mark Pretorius, Corne Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, MB Lusaseni, Stephan de Wit, Ross Cronje, Lionel Mapoe, Ruan Combrinck

SCORERS T: Mapoe, Skosan C: Boshoff (2) P: Boshoff (3)

Reds: Aidan Toua, Rod Davies, Ben Tapuai, Mike Harris, Lachie Turner, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ed Quirk, JAMES HORWILL (C), Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper BENCH: James Hanson, Albert Anae, Jono Owen, Ed O’Donoghue, Beau Robinson, Nic Frisby, Anthony Fainga’a / Ben Lucas, Dom Shipperley

SCORERS T: Cooper (2) C: Cooper (2) P: Cooper (2) Hanson, Schatz

Referee: Stuart Berry

 

BULLS 23 - 19 SHARKS

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria - Saturday 22 March 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 6-13

THE Vodacom Bulls’ home resurgence continued at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria where they were too good for a disrupted Cell C Sharks in the final Vodacom Super Rugby match of the weekend.

The home team won 23-19 after erasing a 13-6 deficit at half-time with two second half tries to win their third successive home game of the season It was also the KwaZulu-Natalians’ first defeat of 2014, but they remain at the top of the log.

The Cell C Sharks lost both their halfbacks, Cobus Reinach and Pat Lambie, to injuries within the first 15 minutes, which upset their rhythm, but they remained composed, with a superb scrum performance putting the Vodacom Bulls under pressure upfront.

Willem Alberts exploited some defensive errors by the home team for the visitors’ first and only try in the first half.

The Vodacom Bulls started the second half very strong though and when Jacques du Plessis burst through weak tackles from the Cell C Sharks to score from 30m out in the 48th minute, the contest was on at 13-all.

JJ Engelbrecht’s try saw the Vodacom Bulls take the lead five minutes later, at which stage the home team hit their attacking straps But Frans Steyn, who was named Man of the Match, kept the visitors in the hunt with superb goal kicking.

A 79th minute penalty goal by Handré Pollard though put the Vodacom Bulls ahead by four points and that is how it ended in Pretoria in JP Pietersen’s 100th Vodacom Super Rugby match.

Bulls: Jurgen Visser, Sampie Mastriet, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Dewald Potgieter, Jacques du Plessis, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield, FLIP VAN DER MERWE (C), Werner Kruger, Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling BENCH: Bongi Mbonambi, Morné Mellet, Marcel van der Merwe, Paul Willemse, Jono Ross, Piet van Zyl, Handré Pollard, Ulrich Beyers

SCORERS T: du Plessis, Engelbrecht C: JL Potgieter (2) P: JL Potgieter, Pollard DG: JL Potgieter

Sharks: SP Marais, JP Pietersen, S’bura Sithole, Frans Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Cobus Reinach, Ryan Kankowski, Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Stephan Lewies, Anton Bresler, Jannie du Plessis, BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C), Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick, Lourens Adriaanse, Ettienne Oosthuizen, Tera Mtembu, Charl McLeod, Tim Swiel, Andre Esterhuizen

SCORERS T: Alberts C: Swiel P: Steyn (4)

Referee: Mike Fraser

 

 

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MELBOURNE REBELS 19 - 25 CRUSADERS

AAMI Park, Melbourne - Friday 14 March 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 9-12

THE RaboDirect Rebels went down to Super Rugby’s most successful side the Crusaders 25-19, in a tight match at AAMI Park.

With the Crusaders side amassing a total of 294 All Black caps, the Rebels knew they were in for a challenge from the get go. A scrappy game saw to a tight score line, with the Rebels gaining the bonus point for losing by less than 7 points at full time.

The match was dictated by mistakes early, with the Crusaders giving away a penalty within the first 2 minutes, allowing Jason Woodward to put the first points on the board for the home side. However the lead did not last long, with the Rebels giving away a series of penalties in defence saw Tom Taylor equalise at the six minute mark.

It took only moments for Woodward to kick his second penalty of the night, as the Rebels pushed into attack, the visitors were caught out for diving on the ball. It appeared as Woodward and Taylor were taking turns, with the Crusaders again successfully kicking a penalty. Woodward then had another look at the goals but the ball drifted right, leaving the score 6-6 after 13 minutes.

It was the Crusaders turn to attack; after looking to threaten the Rebels defence with the penalty tally growing, the visitors took the kick for a 6-9 lead. The Crusaders began to attack with ease and the Rebels continued to make mistakes in defence, which allowed Taylor to earn his fourth penalty of the night.

The Rebels looked a chance to score their first try of the night when Scott Fuglistaller charged down a Crusaders restart pushing them into their own in goal, however the set piece opportunity went begging as the visitors’ defence looked strong.

With the penalty count well in the Crusader’s favour, the Rebels’ earned one back late in the half from the scrum. The home side pushed towards the line, earning another penalty just before the buzzer for Woodward to close the gap to three at half time.

The second half looked to imitate the first, with the Crusaders taking advantage of Tom Taylor’s accurate kicking, the visitors extending their lead to six on the 42 minute mark. Injuries began to plague the home side, with Laurie Weeks already subbed off with a suspected concussion; play was paused as fullback Woodward came off gingerly.

The Rebels closed the gap back to three with Bryce Hegarty taking his first shot on goal from an offside penalty at 50 minutes.

The Rebels had the perfect opportunity to shift back into attack, intercepting the ball 5 metres from their own line, however a kick from Angus Roberts failing touch and the Crusaders immediately ran back into Rebels territory. The Crusaders countered and spread the ball quickly, allowing Hooker Ben Funnell to sail over the line. Taylor continued to kick truly and the lead was out to ten points, 22-12.

Possession continued to swing back and forth throughout the second half, with 50% a piece on the 65 minute mark, both teams suffering from missed opportunities and the penalty tally growing.

With 10 minutes left in the match, the Rebels gave the Crusaders the opportunity to extend the lead by diving onto the ball when in possession. Taylor’s kick was again on point, with the score line out to 12-25.

The Rebels had one last chance to salvaging a miraculous victory in the closing minutes, with a beautiful line break from Hegarty bringing the Rebels within metres of the line. A penalty against the Crusaders lead to a Rebels line out, with a strong maul sending Fuglistaller over for the tryline.

With the final siren looming, Hegarty kicked the Rebels within 6 points of the Crusaders, giving the Rebels the bonus point and one last opportunity to win. However a knock on put paid to any last minute heroics, and the Crusaders walked away with the win.

Rebels: 1 Toby Smith 2 Pat Leafa 3 Laurie Weeks 4 Hugh Pyle 5 Luke Jones 6 Sean McMahon 7 Scott Fuglistaller 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 9 Luke Burgess 10 Bryce Hegarty 11 Tom English 12 Mitch Inman 13 Tamati Ellison 14 Lachlan Mitchell 15 Jason Woodward BENCH: 16 Shota Horie 17 Max Lahiff 18 Paul Alo-Emile 19 Cadeyrn Neville 20 Colby Fainga'a 21 Ben Meehan 22 Angus Roberts 23 Telusa Veainu

SCORERS T: Fuglistaller C: Hegarty P: Woodward (3), Hegarty

Crusaders: 1 Wyatt Crockett 2 Ben Funnell 3 Owen Franks 4 Luke Romano 5 Samuel Whitelock 6 Luke Whitelock 7 Matt Todd 8 KIERAN READ (C) 9 Andy Ellis 10 Colin Slade 11 Johnny McNicholl 12 Tom Taylor 13 Ryan Crotty 14 Nafi Tuitavake 15 Israel Dagg BENCH: 16 Codie Taylor 17 Tim Perry 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Dominic Bird 20 Jordan Taufua 21 Mitchell Drummond 22 Kieron Fonotia 23 Nemani Nadolo

SCORERS T: Funnell C: Tom Taylor P: Tom Taylor (6)

Referee: James Leckie

 

BRUMBIES 28 - 23 WARATAHS

Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Saturday 15 March 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 20-9

THE Waratahs had to be content with a losing bonus point in Canberra, thought they were first on the scoreboard with fly half Bernard Foley booting a penalty goal just 4 minutes in.  The Brumbies responded with a penalty of their own, with scrumhalf Nick White levelling it at three apiece, 2 minutes later.

NSW had the better of the opening exchanges but good defence by the Brumbies made tries hard to come by.  It was an arm wrestle early on but Foley did not waste any opportunities, slotting over a second three-pointer for a 6-3 lead with 12 minutes gone on the clock.

The Brumbies finally found some rhythm and, with the Waratahs pinned inside their 22 on 15 minutes, White found the visitors napping and quick ball allowed him to dart three metres to cross alongside the posts for the game’s first try. White converted his own try to put the Brumbies ahead 10-6 and there was more to come from the home side.

Playing NSW at their own running game, the Brumbies forced an overlap on the Tahs’ right hand side.  When confronted by the defence, they kicked over the top and turned it into a race.  Fullback Jesse Mogg was the winner, touching down for his side’s second try, which White again converted for the Brumbies to lead 17-6.

The Tahs responded with a third penalty to trail 17-9, 26 minutes into the match.

South African import Jacques Potgieter was tough and uncompromising in defence and a handful with the ball in his hand but nothing was going the Waratahs’ way.   In the 33rd minute, NSW saw a try go begging when a pass from Peter Betham went astray with the line wide open.

The Brumbies scrum was in control at the end of the first quarter and a scrum penalty handed White his fourth successful kick, taking the Brumbies out to a 20-9 lead at half-time.

The Brumbies’ confidence continued to grow in the second period as they controlled the ball well  and continually tested the Tahs’ defence.  But the Waratahs prevented the ACT franchise from extending its lead with committed scramble defence soon after the restart.

The Brumbies had the Waratahs pinned on their line.  Prop Ben Alexander almost strolled over before quick hands to the right put ACT centre Tevita Kuridrani over for what looked like it could have been a match winning lead at 25-9.

On the hour mark the Brumbies lost fly half Matt Toomua to the sin bin for 10 minutes for repeat infringement at the breakdown, but even with an extra man the Waratahs struggled to gain the upper hand.  Flanker Michael Hooper found the line and forced his way over to give the Waratahs some hope and with Foley’s conversion, NSW trailed by nine with 15 minutes still to play.

The try lifted NSW but finding points was not easy. Playing his 119th state game, Prop Benn Robinson and hooker Tatafu Polota Nau were at the core of the sky blues’ comeback in the scrums but the Tahs could not capitalise. 

The Brumbies lost their second player when prop Ruan Smith was sent to the bin on the 72nd minute mark.  The finish was nail-biting stuff, with Israel Folau crossing for the third straight game and dotting down with 5 minutes remaining. Foley’s conversion attempt found the target, putting the fly half past 100 Super rugby points, to leave the Tahs behind by just 2 points. 

In the end the Waratahs had all the momentum but ran out of time, with the Brumbies winning 28-23.

Brumbies: 1 Scott Sio 2 Stephen Moore 3 Ben Alexander 4 Leon Power 5 Sam Carter 6 Scott Fardy 7 Jarrad Butler 8 BEN MOWEN (C) 9 Nic White 10 Matt Toomua 11 Robbie Coleman 12 Pat McCabe 13 Tevita Kuridrani 14 Henry Speight 15 Jesse Mogg BENCH: 16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Ruan Smith 18 Jean-Pierre Smith 19 Jordan Smiler 20 Locky McCaffrey 22 Andrew Smith 21 Michael Dowsett 23 Lionel Cronje

SCORERS T: White, Mogg, Kuridrani C: White (2) P: White (3) Toomua, Smith

Waratahs: 1 Benn Robinson 2 Tatafu Polota Nau 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Jacques Potgieter 5 Kane Douglas 6 DAVE DENNIS (C) 7 Michael Hooper 8 Wycliff Palu 9 Nick Phipps 10 Bernard Foley 11 Peter Betham 12 Kurtley Beale 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 14 Alofa Alofa 15 Israel Folau BENCH: 16 Tola Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Sekope Kepu 19 Will Skelton 20 Stephen Hoiles 21 Pat McCutcheon 22 Brendan McKibbin 23 Rob Horne 24 Matt Carraro s25 Jonno Lance

SCORERS T: Hooper, Folau C: Foley (2) P: Foley (3)

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

 

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CHIEFS 36 - 20 STORMERS

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Friday 14 March 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 17-6

THE DHL Stormers hopes of building on their competitive performance against the Crusaders last week proved unsuccessful in their second tour game against the Chiefs as errors at crucial times came at a high price. The Cape side started the match slowly as mistakes disrupted the momentum they gained through their solid set pieces and phase play.

This played into the Chiefs hands, as it allowed them to counter-attack, which earned them their first of five tries in the 16th minute, while New Zealand fly half Aaron Cruden kept the scoreboard ticking with goal kicks.

The visitors did well to claw their way back into the match thanks to a stunning individual try by the fleet-footed Gio Aplon and another by replacement loose forward Nizaam Carr, which left them trailing 24-20 with five minutes left and a bonus point or possible upset in sight.
These hopes, however, were dashed as further mistakes by the DHL Stormers allowed the Chiefs to score two tries in the dying minutes to secure their bonus point for tries and their third successive victory in the competition.

The five tries against the DHL Stormers marked the most the Cape-side conceded since May 5, 2007 when lost 36-10 to Sharks, and also the most they conceded in New Zealand since March 7, 2003, when they leaked five tries against the Hurricanes, which earned the Wellington team a 33-18 win.

The defeat also means this season will mark the first time since 2009 that the DHL Stormers would have left New Zealand winless. They went down to the Crusaders and Hurricanes that year.

Chiefs: Gareth Anscombe, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Tom Marshall, James Lowe, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Squire, Tanerau Latimer, LIAM MESSAM (C), Brodie Retallick, Matt Symons, Ben Tameifuna, Mahroni Schwalger, Jamie MacKintosh BENCH: Rhys Marshall, Pauliasi Manu, Josh Hohneck, Michael Fitzgerald, Tevita Koloamatangi, Brad Weber, Robert Fruean, Asaeli Tikoirotuma

SCORERS T: Lowe, Tom Marshall, Kerr-Barlow, Tevita Koloamatangi, Latimer C: Cruden (4) P: Cruden

DHL Stormers: Jaco Taute, Kobus van Wyk, JEAN DE VILLIERS (C), Damian de Allende, Gio Aplon, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger (vice-captain), Deon Fourie, De Kock Steenkamp, Ruan Botha, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, Steven Kitshoff BENCH: Stephan Coetzee, Oliver Kebble, Frans Malherbe, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Peter Grant, Sailosi Tagicakibau

SCORERS T: Aplon, Carr C: Grant (2) P: Catrakilis (2)

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

HURRICANES 60 - 27 CHEETAHS

Westpac Stadium, Wellington - Saturday 15 March 2014
KO: 16:35 HT: 29-20

 

THE Toyota Cheetahs were the masters of their own destruction at the Westpac Stadium as their substandard defence allowed the Hurricanes to run riot on attack and score nine tries to their three.

The first 30 minutes was a competitive affair as the Hurricanes and Toyota Cheetahs took turns at scoring points, which resulted in the home side taking a narrow 22-20 lead. The Hurricanes’ bonus-point try on the stroke of half time, however, bolstered their confidence and saw them take control of proceedings.

The Toyota Cheetahs’ hopes of forcing their way back into the match suffered a big blow when their star player, Springbok fullback Willie le Roux was sent to the sin-bin in the 44th minute for what appeared to be an attempt to intercept the ball, rather than a deliberate knock-down.

In his absence the Hurricanes were able to add two more tries to their tally, which was eased by the Toyota Cheetahs third try of the match by Francois Uys in the same period. But three more impressive tries by the hosts thanks to their hard running and enterprising attack allowed them to inflate their score to 60 points by the end of the match.

The 60 points marked the most the Toyota Cheetahs have conceded in New Zealand and the second highest number they have conceded in Australasia. The highest score scored against them on tour was 61 points by the Brumbies in 2010.

This match marked the third time the Bloemfontein-based team conceded nine tries Down Under, with the other occasions being against the Crusaders in 2008 and the Brumbies in 2010.

Hurricanes: James Marshall, Alapati Leiua, Conrad Smith (C), Hadleigh Parkes, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Chris Smylie, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Faifili Levave, Mark Reddish, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Ben Franks BENCH: Motu Matu’u, Chris Eves, John Schwalger, James Broadhurst, Jack Lam, TJ Perenara, Matt Proctor, Marty Banks

SCORERS T: Coles, Barrett (2), Smylie, Marshall, Thrush, Proctor, Smith, Leiua C: Barrett (5), Banks P: Barrett

Toyota Cheetahs: Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Johann Sadie, Francois Venter, Raymond Rhule, Johan Goosen, Sarel Pretorius, Philip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagne, Boom Prinsloo, Francois Uys, Lood de Jager, Maks van Dyk, ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C), Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: Ryno Barnes, Trevor Nyakane, Rossouw de Klerk, Andries Ferreira, Jean Cook, Shaun Venter, Elgar Watts, Hennie Daniller

SCORERS T: le Roux, van der Walt, Uys C: Goosen (3) P: Goosen (2) le Roux

Referee: Angus Gardner

 

HIGHLANDERS 29 - 31 WESTERN FORCE

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Saturday 15 March 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 16-21

THE Western Force recorded the club’s first back-to-back bonus point victories following a remarkable 31-29 win over the Highlanders at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Leading 31-24, the Force was forced to defend their own line with 13 men for the final 7 minutes of the match after Adam Coleman (professional foul) and Ben McCalman (dangerous tackle) received yellow cards from referee Glen Jackson in the same passage of play. While replacement fly half Hayden Parker crossed in the final minute of play, he was unable to convert with the Force claiming a gutsy two-point victory.

After crossing in the third minute in the side’s 32-7 win over the Melbourne Rebels last weekend, the Force was over in the fourth against the Highlanders when Ebersohn delivered a perfect two-man cut-out pass to send hooker Nathan Charles over for his first try of the season.

After holding the bulk of possession throughout the first half, the Highlanders held a two-point lead by the 18-minute mark on the back of three Lima Sopoaga penalty goals, with the Force repelling several Highlander attempts to cross their try line. Despite playing with limited ball, the Force was next onto the scoreboard then Ebersohn intercepted a Liam Coltman pass to race 45 metres and score under the posts.

The Highlanders returned fire when a well-waited Aaron Smith grubber inside their attacking quarter sat up perfectly for Shaun Treeby to score adjacent to the posts.

With half-time nearing, the Force crossed for the final try of the term when Ben McCalman steamrolled over two Highlander defenders to slam the ball down under the posts, with Ebersohn’s conversion giving the Force a 21-16 lead at the break.

Ebersohn extended the lead by three with a penalty 5 minutes into the new half, before Solomoni Rasolea sealed the four-try bonus point in the 56th-minute when he charged down a Sopoaga clearing kick and regathered to cross in the corner. A Malakai Fekitoa try and Sopoaga penalty goal drew the home side to within 31-24 with 10 minutes remaining, before Coleman and McCalman were forced to exit the match setting up a tense final seven minutes.

Playing two men down, the Force continued to work tirelessly in defence, with Hodgson holding up opposite number Shane Christie with three minutes remaining. While Parker found space out wide to cross just on full time, his conversion fell under the crossbar with the Force claiming the two-point win.

Highlanders: 1 Kane Hames 2 Liam Coltman 3 Chris King 4 Jarrad Hoeata 5 Joe Wheeler 6 John Hardie 7 Shane Christie 8 NASI MANU (C) 9 Aaron Smith 10 Lima Sopoaga 11 Kurt Baker 12 Shaun Treeby 13 Malakai Fekitoa 14 Richard Buckman 15 Ben Smith (C) BENCH: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Matias Diaz 18 Craig Millar 19 Josh Bekhuis 20 Elliot Dixon 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Hayden Parker 23 Phil Burleigh

SCORERS T: Treeby, Fekitoa, Parker C: Sopoaga P: Sopoaga (4)

Force: 1 Pek Cowan 2 Nathan Charles 3 Kieran Longbottom 4 Sam Wykes 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp 6 Angus Cottrell 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 8 Ben McCalman 9 Alby Mathewson 10 Sias Ebersohn 11 Nick Cummins 12 Kyle Godwin 13 Junior Rasolea 14 Luke Morahan 15 Jayden Hayward BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Adam Coleman 20 Brynard Stander 21 Ian Prior 22 Zack Holmes 23 Marcel Brache

SCORERS T: Charles, Ebersohn, McCalman, Rasolea C: Ebersohn (4) P: Ebersohn McCalman, Coleman

Referee: Glen Jackson

 

 

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THE Cell C Sharks stretched their winning streak in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition to four matches, while the Lions bounced back strongly from back-to-back defeats to overpower the Blues and force their way into fourth place on the combined log table.

South Africa’s touring teams, the DHL Stormers and Toyota Cheetahs, however, continued to struggle in Australasia as they suffered another round of defeats leaving them both winless on their tours so far.

A strong first half by the Cell C Sharks and a flawless kicking performance by fly half Pat Lambie and centre Frans Steyn set up the Durban-based side for their 35-20 victory against the Reds at Growthpoint Kings Park.

In Johannesburg the Lions started their match against the Blues with a bang and took advantage of the visitors’ ill-discipline to secure their 39-36 victory. The win nudged them back on track following defeats against the Cell C Sharks and Vodacom Bulls.

Overseas, the DHL Stormers hopes of celebrating captain Jean de Villiers’ impressive milestone of 100 Vodacom Super Rugby matches with a victory were dashed as they had to settle for a disappointing 36-20 defeat against the Chiefs in Hamilton, while the Toyota Cheetahs were on the receiving end of their biggest defeat yet on tour after going down 60-27 against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

The Stormers’ defeat marked their third of the season and their second in as many matches on tour, while the Cheetahs suffered their third successive tour defeat, which left the teams at the foot of the combined log table with only five points apiece.

The Vodacom Bulls, meanwhile, had a bye. 

LIONS 39 - 36 BLUES

Ellis Park, Johannesburg - Saturday 15 March 2014
KO: 15:00 HT: 17-0

THE Lions came out firing at Ellis Park against the Blues as they destroyed the visitors in the scrums and showed fantastic innovation on attack. This was supported by another fine performance by fly half Marnitz Boshoff, who contributed a total of 24 points with the boot, which included three conversions, two drop goals and four penalties.

Despite the strong start the Lions earned their first points of the match only in the 33rd minute as the Blues were reduced to 14 men following a professional foul by Charlie Faumuina. Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk crossed the tryline first and this was followed by a Marnitz Boshoff drop-goal and a Courtnall Skosan try to hand the hosts an encouraging 17-0 half-time lead.

Boshoff wasted no time adding to their score in the second half with another drop goal, while the Blues woes continued with lock Tom Donnelly receiving a yellow card for dangerous entry at a ruck.

With the chips down and the pressure rising, the Blues soon found their rhythm as they stepped up their performances in the scrums and started running with the ball. The reward for this was five second-half tries and a shot at winning the match.

Three second-half penalties by Boshoff and a lucky try by Coenie van Wyk, however, proved to be enough to shut out the Blues and earn the Lions their third victory in five outings.

The victory for the Lions was their first against the Blues since the decision to discard the Cats name at the end of the 2006 season, and it marked their third win against the Blues since the inception of the Super 12 in 1996.

The team’s only victories against the Blues were in 2001 and 2000 in which they won 26-23 and 34-27 respectively, when they still fell under the Cats banner with the Free State players.

Boshoff’s contribution with the boot allowed him to extend his lead on the top point-scorer’s list to 40 over his Toyota Cheetahs counterpart Johan Goosen.

Lions: Coenie van Wyk, JW Jonker, Deon van Rensburg, Stefan Watermeyer, Courtnall Skosan, Marnitz Boshoff, Faf de Klerk, WARREN WHITELEY (C), Willie Britz, Jaco Kriel, Franco van der Merwe, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: Willie Wepener, Corne Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, MB Lusaseni, Warwick Tecklenburg, Ross Cronje, Elton Jantjies, Ruan Combrinck

SCORERS T: de Klerk, Skosan, van Wyk C: Boshoff (3) P: Boshoff (4) DG: Boshoff

Blues: Benji Marshall, Frank Halai, George Moala, Pita Ahki, Charles Piutau, Chris Noakes, Piri Weepu, Steven Luatua, LUKE BRAID (C), Patrick O’Connor, Tom Donnelly, Patrick Tuipulotu, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock BENCH: Tom McCartney, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta’avao, Liaki Moli, Jordan Manihera, Bryn Hall, Simon Hickey, Jackson Willison

SCORERS T: Piutau, Hall, Halai, Moala, Marshall C: Noakes (2), Hickey (2) P: Noakes Faumuina, Donnelly

Referee: Stuart Berry

 

SHARKS 35 - 20 REDS

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban - Saturday 15 March 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 26-6

THE Cell C Sharks reaffirmed their status as one of the tournament favourites as they kicked their way to victory and weathered a strong second-half fightback by the Reds at Growthpoint Kings Park to maintain their lead at the top of the log table.

The opening 20 minutes was a balanced contest as the hosts’ strong defence shut out the determined Reds who played with urgency and intent. The only points scored in the first 27 minutes of the match were penalties, and with the Reds infringing regularly, Pat Lambie and Frans Steyn were able to work the team into a comfortable 25-6 lead at the break with six penalties between them.

The Reds, however, hit back in the second half by dominating territory and possession and trying to kick the ball behind the Cell C Sharks’ defensive line. With their confidence up, they played their way back into the match with two second-half tries and found themselves trailing by only eight points with 17 minutes left.

But this momentum was soon lost as replacement loose forward Beau Robinson received a yellow card for dangerous play in a lineout, which the Cell C Sharks capitalised on as prop Dale Chadwick scored their second try three minutes from time for their 35-20 victory.

Of the Cell C Sharks eight victories against the Reds since 1996, this result marked the fourth time they scored 35 points or more and their fifth victory on home soil. The last time the Cell C Sharks scored 35 points or more against the Brisbane-based side was in 2007 when they registered a convincing 59-16 victory.

Cell C Sharks: SP Marais, JP Pietersen, S’bura Sithole, Frans Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Cobus Reinach, Ryan Kankowski, Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Anton Bresler, Jannie du Plessis, BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C), Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick, Lourens Adriaanse, Stephan Lewies, Tera Mtembu, Charl McLeod, Heimar Williams, Jaco van Tonder

SCORERS T: Alberts, Chadwick C: Lambie (2) P: Steyn (2), Lambie (5)

Reds: Aidan Toua, Rod Davies, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Mike Harris, Lachie Turner, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ed Quirk, JAMES HORWILL (C), Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper BENCH: James Hanson, Ben Daley, Jono Owen, Ed O’Donoghue, Beau Robinson, Nicholas Frisby, Ben Tapuai, Dom Shipperley

SCORERS T: Harris, Genia C: Cooper (2) P: Cooper (2) Robinson

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe

 

 

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REDS 43 - 33 CHEETAHS

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - Friday 07 March 2014
KO: 18:40 HT: 29-20

 

THE St. George Queensland Reds treated home fans to a thrilling 43-33 bonus-point victory over the Cheetahs in their first home game of the 2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby season at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

The Reds scored five tries through a double to young flyer Chris Feauai-Sautia, singles to Rod Davies and James Hanson and a penalty try. Meanwhile the visitors saw Francois Venter, Boom Prinsloo and Elgar Watts cross the whitewash three times.

As part of Reds Ladies Round, the home side took the field looking resplendent in their pink-edged jerseys in honour of International Women’s Day, which also carried their Mum’s names on the back. And 2 minutes in, the homeside were on the scoreboard, with Rod Davies breaking through the Cheetahs defence before popping the ball up to Feauai-Sautia. The young centre looked to get over out wide but referee Garratt Williamson ruled that Cheetahs winger Ryno Benjamin had illegally kicked the ball out of his hands as Feauai-Sautia placed it over the line. Benjamin was shown a yellow card and a penalty try was awarded, denying Feauai-Sautia the 5-pointer but making Cooper’s conversion simpler, and the Reds were up 7-0.

But immediately the Cheetahs hit back. Willie Le Roux looked offside as he charged down Will Genia’s kick from the back of a ruck but play was allowed to go on and Le Roux re-gathered and sprinted downfield. He was pulled down short of the line by desperate Reds defence, but the ball came wide quickly to Francois Venter who went over for the Cheetahs. Johan Goosen landed the conversion and scores were even 7-7 after just four minutes.

On 10 minutes the Cheetahs were in again with Boom Prinsloo, and Goosen’s conversion put the Cheetahs up 14-7.

But this time it was the Reds turn to hit back straightaway with quick ruck ball which saw Gill feed Cooper who looped a long ball to Mike Harris, passed perfectly to Davies who sprinted away to score in the right corner. Cooper’s conversion cannoned over off the uprights to lock the scores up at 14-14.

The teams traded penalties to go to 17-17, before quick thinking by Genia saw him opt to take a quick tap rather than a simple shot at goal following a Cheetahs infringement. The scrumhalf’s vision was rewarded as the ball was swung wide quickly to Feauai-Sautia who fought his way over in the corner. Again the referee went to the TMO but this time the young centre could not be denied and the Reds led 22-17. Cooper’s conversion this time from the left touchline just missed to the left.

Goosen added another penalty to bring it back to 22-20 but the action was not over in a breathtaking first half. The Reds continued to run the ball after the siren and big lock Simmons cut through the Cheetahs defence; prop Ben Daley got a pass away in contact to Cooper who popped a speculative pass towards the wing. Hansen re-gathered the ball on the bounce, stepped inside one defender, palmed off another and beat the cover defence to score a brilliant solo try in the corner – and earn the Reds a first half bonus point. Cooper guided his conversion over from the left touchline to give the home favourites a 29-20 lead at half time.

The Reds opened the scoring in the second half, stringing 14 phases together before Cooper sent a well weighted grubber kick through for Feauai-Sautia to score again. For the third time the referee went to the TMO and this time the decision went in favour of the 20-year-old as he was awarded his second try. The Reds led 34-23.

Goosen added a penalty to bring the score back to 34-26 but another break by Simmons, who was having a standout match, saw the Reds win another penalty, which Cooper landed to overtake Elton Flatley and become the highest point scorer in Super Rugby for the Reds.

Another penalty to Cooper made it 40-26 but the Cheetahs refused to throw in the towel. Reserve scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius set up a try for reserve fly half Elgar Watts to bring it back to 40-33 with 6 minutes remaining.

Cooper added a further 3 points with a penalty goal in the final play of the game to rob the Cheetahs of a losing bonus point.

Reds: Aidan Toua, Rod Davies, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Mike Harris, Dom Shipperley, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Ed Quirk, JAMES HORWILL (C), Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, James Hanson, Ben Daley BENCH: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Jono Owen, Ed O’Donoghue, Beau Robinson, Nicholas Frisby, Anthony Faingaa, Ben Tapuai

SCORERS T: PT, Davies, Feauai-Sautia (2), Hanson C: Cooper (3) P: Cooper (4)

Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Rayno Benjamin, Johann Sadie, Francois Venter, Willie le Roux, Johan Goosen, Shaun Venter, Philip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagne, Boom Prinsloo, Francois Uys, Lood de Jager, Maks van Dyk, ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C), Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: Ryno Barnes, Trevor Nyakane, Rossouw de Klerk, Ligtoring Landman, Jean Cook, Sarel Pretorius, Elgar Watts, Cornal Hendricks

SCORERS T: Francois Venter, Prinsloo, Watts C: Goosen (2), Watts P: Goosen (4) Benjamin

Referee: Garratt Williamson

 

WESTERN FORCE 37 - 7 MELBOURNE REBELS

NIB Stadium, Perth - Saturday 08 March 2014
KO: 16:40 HT: 37-0

THE Western Force marked captain Matt Hodgson’s 100th Asteron Life Super Rugby match for the club with an emphatic 32-7 bonus point win over the Melbourne Rebels at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium).

Having been a cornerstone of Force sides over the past nine years, the skipper was typically tireless in both attack and defence, finishing the match with a game high 21 tackles and bringing the crowd to its feet after crashing over for the side’s third try.

After starting the season on a high following an impressive performance against the Cheetahs last week, the Rebels were left shell-shocked as the Force totally dominated proceedings from the outset, running in four tries to one to return the club’s first bonus point victory since its 45-19 win over the Queensland Reds in Perth – in which Hodgson also crossed for a try.

Having placed a focus on the starting matches in a positive fashion, the Western Force transferred it to the field when Alby Mathewson, who was awarded the Haigh & Hastings Man of the Match, put the home side on the scoreboard after just three minutes when he dummied and ran through for his side’s opening try.

Just seven minutes later the Force added its second, when Hodgson batted the ball down to Kyle Godwin who progressed the attack well into the Rebels’ quarter. In the following phase Sias Ebersohn and Jayden Hayward combined to send winger Luke Morahan over in the corner.

Having drilled home the first two conversions, Ebersohn then added two penalty goals in the 16th and 21st minutes, to maintain his side’s near point-per-minute scoring rate and return the highest score (17 points) for the first 20 minutes in a home game in the club’s history.

The loudest cheer of the evening came after 23 minutes when Hodgson chased through an awkwardly bouncing Mathewson bomb to cross for his eighth try for the Western Force.

The bonus point was sealed 13 minutes from half-time when outside centre Junior Rasolea got his arms free to put Angus Cottrell over for a 32-0 half-time lead.

While the visitors came out with renewed vigour in the second half, the Force managed to repel 10 minutes of intense Rebel attack inside their own quarter. The Rebels persevered through a tough half, preventing the Force from scoring with Sean McMahon and Fainga'a especially busy in defence.

The Rebels threatened a couple of times late in the half, but a clean break from captain Scott Higginbotham break went unrewarded followed by Mitch Inman's quick tap that appeared to result in a burrowing effort to place the ball on the try line. However the TMO ruled that Inman's second effort after contact was illegal and awarded no try.

Even when the Rebels found themselves in a promising position, a lack of organisation and poor kicking ensured the Force were never truly under threat of a comeback. While they managed to keep the home side scoreless in the second half, the only highlight was debutant replacement winger Telusa Veainu scoring a consolation try at the end of the match after he chased down a Bryce Hegarty grubber in goal to prevent a shutout.

Force: 15 Jayden Hayward 14 Luke Morahan 13 Junior Rasolea 12 Kyle Godwin 11 Nick Cummins 10 Sias Ebersohn 9 Alby Mathewson 1 Pek Cowan 2 Nathan Charles 3 Kieran Longbottom 4 Sam Wykes 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp 6 Angus Cottrell 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 8 Ben McCalman BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Tetera Faulkner 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Adam Coleman 20 Brynard Stander 21 Ian Prior 22 Zack Holmes 23 Marcel Brache

SCORERS T: Mathewson, Morahan, Hodgson, Cottrell C: Ebersohn (3) P: Ebersohn (2)

Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward 14 Tom Kingston 13 Tamati Ellison 12 Mitch Inman 11 Tom English 10 Angus Roberts 9 Luke Burgess 1 Max Lahiff 2 Pat Leafa 3 Paul Alo-Emile 4 Hugh Pyle 5 Cadeyrn Neville 6 Sean McMahon 7 Colby Fainga'a 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) BENCH: 16 Shota Horie 17 Toby Smith 18 Laurie Weeks 19 Luke Jones 20 Lopeti Timani 21 Ben Meehan 22 Bryce Hegarty 23 Lachlan Mitchell

SCORERS T: Veainu C: Hegarty

Referee: Nick Briant

 

 

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HURRICANES 21 - 29 BRUMBIES

Westpac Stadium, Wellington - Friday 07 March 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 13-15

 

THE University of Canberra Brumbies claimed a bonus point 29-21 win over the Hurricanes in Wellington. The visitors were outscored four tries to two by the Brumbies, after kicking two early penalties and scoring the game’s first try to lead 13-3 later in the first half. Brumbies hit back with a burst of three quick tries either side of halftime, taking a 22-13 and holding the Hurricanes off throughout the remainder of the match, moving the Brumbies stretch of wins to four over the Hurricanes having not lost to the New Zealanders since 2010.

The Hurricanes were first to score, off the boot of Beauden Barrett, who nailed two in the first 20 minutes to give the Hurricanes a 6-point lead.

White clawed the Brumbies back within three from a wide angle, but the relief was short lived with Barrett busting through the middle leading to a TJ Perenara try. There were suggestions Corey Jane had stepped out in the lead-up and the slow motion replay seemed to back that up. But it mattered little with Barrett adding the extras, Canes up 13-3.

With 10 minutes to play in the first half, momentum swung in the Brumbies favour – Pat McCabe breaking through to run 50 metres and almost score. While that opportunity did not eventuate, Mogg was able to slice through from an ensuing 5m-centre-field scrum to get the Brumbies back in with a sniff.

Trailing by 3, the Brumbies marched the ball back 80 metres from the kick-off, eventually spinning it wide to Robbie Coleman who scored in the corner. Despite White’s kick hitting the post, the Brumbies were able to grab the lead and headed to the sheds 15-13 up.

Spectators barely had time to get back to their seats after half time and the Brumbies were in again, this time through Tevita Kuridrani. The kick was over and the Brumbies were up 22-13 with 37 minutes to play.

But the Hurricanes were not going to let the visitors have it all their way, Barrett kicking 3 more points to edge the home side back within a converted try, 22-16. The Canes threw everything at the Brumbies and for close to 15 minutes it looked like they would score, but for some solid defence which kept them out.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, the Brumbies made huge inroads down the left side of the field, and after a series of flick passes and off loads from the likes of Lionel Cronje and Scott Fardy, Lochie McCaffrey found himself in space and over the line to give the Brumbies a bonus-point try.

The Hurricanes managed a last-minute 5-pointer to No.8 Blade Thompson, but it was not enough for to claim a bonus point, the final score 29-21, Brumbies winners.

Hurricanes: 15 James Marshall 14 Cory Jane 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Hadleigh Parkes 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 1 Ben Franks 2 Dane Coles 3 John Schwalger 4 Jeremy Thrush 5 Mark Reddish 6 Adam Hill 7 Jack Lam 8 Blade Thomson BENCH: 16 Motu Matu’u 17 Chris Eves 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 19 James Broadhurst 20 Ardie Savea 21 Chris Smylie 22 Alapati Leiua 23 Marty Banks

SCORERS T: Perenara, Thomson C: Barrett P: Barrett (3)

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Henry Speight 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Andrew Smith 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 1 Scott Sio 2 Stephen Moore 3 Ben Alexander 4 Leon Power 5 Sam Carter 6 Scott Fardy 7 Jarrad Butler 8 BEN MOWEN (C) BENCH: 16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Ruan Smith 18 JP Smith 19 Jordan Smiler 20 Lachlan McCaffrey 21 Conrad Hoffmann 22 Pat McCabe 23 Lionel Cronje

SCORERS T: Mogg, Coleman, Kuridrani, McCaffrey C: White (3) P: White

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

CRUSADERS 14 - 13 STORMERS

AMI Stadium, Addington, Christchurch - Saturday 08 March 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 3-3

THE DHL Stormers very nearly made history in Christchurch, before going down by 13-14 to the Crusaders in a tense Super Rugby fixture in New Zealand.

The DHL Stormers were looking for a first-ever victory against the Crusaders in Christchurch and a first South African Vodacom Super Rugby away victory over the Red & Blacks since back in 2001. However, they were denied by a penalty goal 4 minutes from full-time, after leading 13-3 at one stage in the second half – that after a tough travel schedule and some very cold weather conditions during the week which saw training cancelled and postponed.

A late burst by replacement loose forward Nizaam Carr, right on the Crusaders line, looked to have sealed a dramatic and historic win for the Men from Cape Town but a tap-tackle on Carr brought him down and the Crusaders were able to clear from their in-goal area.

Earlier, a stunning 52nd-minute try from centre Damian de Allende, converted by deadeye fly half Demetri Catrakilis, saw the DHL Stormers lead by 13-6 going into the final 10 minutes. But replacement Crusaders back Kieron Fonotia’s crucial try in the 71st minute made it a 2-point game and, then, Tom Taylor landed what would be the winning penalty in the 76th minute.

A late flurry from the DHL Stormers, with replacement forwards Tiaan Liebenberg, Oli Kebble and Pat Cilliers all featuring prominently, saw Carr put into space but he was brought down with the line at his mercy.

The Crusaders managed to scramble the ball into touch and were forced to withstand one more attack from the visitors, whose defence on the night – led by their all-action loose trio of Fourie, Burger and Vermeulen – was nothing short of brilliant.

Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade 14 Johnny McNicholl 13 Reynold Lee-Lo 12 Ryan Crotty 11 Israel Dagg 10 Tom Taylor 9 Willi Heinz 1 Wyatt Crockett 2 Corey Flynn 3 Owen Franks 4 Luke Romano 5 Samuel Whitelock 6 Luke Whitelock 7 Matt Todd 8 KIERAN READ (C) BENCH: 16 Ben Funnell 17 Tim Perry 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Dominic Bird 20 Jordan Taufua 21 Andy Ellis 22 Tyler Bleyendaal 23 Kieron Fonotia

SCORERS T: Fonotia P: Taylor (3)

DHL Stormers: Jaco Taute, Kobus van Wyk, JEAN DE VILLIERS (C), Damian de Allende, Gio Aplon, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Deon Fourie, De Kock Steenkamp, Michael Rhodes, Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff BENCH: Tiaan Liebenberg, Oliver Kebble, Pat Cilliers, Ruan Botha, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Peter Grant, Sailosi Tagicakibau

SCORERS T: de Allende C: Catrakilis P: Catrakilis

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

 

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BULLS 38 - 22 BLUES

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria - Saturday 08 March 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 25-12

THE Vodacom Bulls put in their best Vodacom Super Rugby performance of the season when they comfortably beat the Blues by 38-22 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.

The home team outscored their visitors from Auckland by four tries to one – three of these, by Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Jono Ross and Jan Serfontein, coming in the first half where the Vodacom Bulls controlled the game very well.

The Vodacom Bulls’ defence was rock-solid against a Blues team who scored seven tries in their first two matches, but could only get one on Saturday.

The foundation was again laid upfront, where the Vodacom Bulls pack simply had too much power for their opponents, and while the backline looked much better this weekend, they can still improve.

Potgieter had another good game for the Pretorians – he scored their opening try and contributed a total of 21 points, which included a well-taken drop goal, three penalty goals and two conversions.

Bulls: Jurgen Visser, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Francois Hougaard, Jono Ross, Jacques du Plessis, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield, FLIP VAN DER MERWE (C), Werner Kruger, Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling BENCH: Bongi Mbonambi, Morné Mellet, Marcel van der Merwe, Paul Willemse, Dewald Potgieter, Piet van Zyl, Handré Pollard, Ulrich Beyers

SCORERS T: Potgeiter, Ross, Serfontein, Marcel van der Merwe C: Potgieter (2), Pollard P: Potgieter (3) DG: Potgieter

Blues: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, George Moala, Jackson Willison, Tevita Li, Simon Hickey, Piri Weepu, Peter Saili, LUKE BRAID (C), Steven Luatua, Tom Donnelly, Liaki Moli, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock BENCH: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Brendon O’Connor, Bryn Hall, Chris Noakes, Pita Ahki

SCORERS T: Ahki C: Hickey P: Hickey (5)

Referee: Andrew Lees

 

SHARKS 37 - 23 LIONS

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban - Saturday 08 March 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 23-9

THE Cell C Sharks cemented their position at the top of the log after beating the Lions by 37-23 in a hotly-contested local Vodacom Super Rugby derby at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban on Saturday evening.

Like they did in their season-opener against the Vodacom Bulls a few weeks ago, the Cell C Sharks bagged the four-try bonus-point, but only got it in the dying moments of the game after having scored their third try in the 50th minute already.

After that, it seemed like the KwaZulu-Natalians went to sleep though, while their ill-discipline also cost them some momentum during the match.

They did well upfront and looked in control, but the Cell C Sharks’ wheels came off a bit as a bunch of substitutions were made. The Lions pounced with two quick tries midway through the second half, which saw them trial by only seven points with a tad more than 10 minutes remaining.

But the home team remained composed under pressure and in the end they were simply better at finishing their opportunities, with Frans Steyn putting in a good performance at fly half after moving into the position following the late withdrawal of Pat Lambie.

Sharks: SP Marais, Odwa Ndungane, Paul Jordaan, Frans Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Cobus Reinach, Ryan Kankowski, Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Anton Bresler, Jannie du Plessis, BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C), Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick, Lourens Adriaanse, Stephan Lewies, Jean Deysel, Charl McLeod, Heimar Williams, S’bura Sithole

SCORERS T: Jordaan, Reinach, Ndungane, Coetzee C: Steyn (4) P: Steyn (3) Kankowski

Lions: Marnitz Boshoff, Ruan Combrinck, Deon van Rensburg, Stefan Watermeyer, Chrysander Botha, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, WARREN WHITELEY (C), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Franco van der Merwe, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Willie Wepener, Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: Robbie Coetzee, Corne Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, MB Lusaseni, Willie Britz, Ross Cronje, JW Jonker, Coenie van Wyk

SCORERS T: de Klerk, van Rensburg C: Boshoff (2) P: Boshoff (3) Fourie

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

 

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MELBOURNE REBELS 35 - 14 CHEETAHS

AAMI Park, Melbourne - Friday 28 February 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 17-0

 

AFTER an intense pre-season and three successful trials, the RaboDirect Rebels have secured an impressive 35-14 win over the Cheetahs.

The Rebels were attacking early in the match, piling on the pressure in the opening minutes, and the first try of the game came at the 5 minute mark. A steal at the lineout lead to a brilliant 50 metre run from full back Jason Woodward. The Cheetahs' defence was then broken, with the ball travelling by hand across the ground, where Lachlan Mitchell stood alone on the wing and the Foundation Rebel dotted down, with Woodward missing the kick.

And the second try was not far away. Strong attack allowed Tom English to come millimetres from the line before being dragged down, with Captain Scott Higginbotham taking the quick tap with clever improvisation for a cross field kick. The ball landed in the hands of Woodward, who had the crowd on their feet when he grounded the ball for a try, however once again he was unable to convert.

Flyhalf Bryce Hegarty then took his first Super Rugby kick from a penalty on halfway, the ball drifting left of the posts. The home side refused to let the pressure down with two minutes to go, allowing scrum half Luke Burgess to find a gap for the Rebels third try of the night. Hegarty extended the half-time lead to 17-0, with a successful conversion on the buzzer.

The Cheetahs looked refreshed after the break with the visitors pushing hard on the line, allowing reserve Jean Cook to cross for the Cheetah's first try. Goosen converted to close the gap to ten points on the 45 minute mark.

The Rebels were quick to move back into the attack, with lock Hugh Pyle breaking the line and carrying the ball into the Cheetahs' defence before being dragged down just short. Next to go close was hooker Pat Leafa, who was held up as he crossed the line. Scott Fuglistaller was then yellow carded for striking Jean Cook, giving the Cheetahs a one-man advantage in the second half.

Even with the Rebels a man down, there was no relenting in attack as they continued to push hard. The Cheetahs, after regaining possession, turned it over metres from the line and allowed the Rebels to run the ball coast to coast in a matter of seconds. A beautiful pass from former All Black Tamati Ellison allowed Bryce Hegarty to find space for a 20 metre run and his first try of the night. Before coming off for Angus Roberts, Hegarty converted for the second time of the night to extend the lead back to 17 points with 19 minutes to go.

The Cheetahs hit right back though, after a high tackle from Ellison gave them the opportunity to score their second try of the night. The visitors appeared to cross the line, and a TMO confirmed the score to Ryno Barnes. Goosen's kick put the Cheetah's back within 10 points, with as many minutes left in the match.

Roberts' penalty attempt a few minutes later fell short, however he soon redeemed himself with the first ever drop goal in the history of the club.

Hugh Pyle was next to go close for what looked like the fifth try of the night, until the TMO denied the lock of his glory due to a knock on in the lead up. However, with only a minute left on the clock, the Rebels earned a penalty from the scrum and Roberts extended the score to 30-14. The Rebels then put the icing on the cake, a turnover allowing Captain Higginbotham to fittingly cross minutes after the siren. An unsuccessful conversion from Roberts was no problem for the Rebels, as they secured their biggest ever victory, 35-14, and their first ever win over the Cheetahs.

Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward 14 Lachlan Mitchell 13 Tamati Ellison 12 Mitch Inman 11 Tom English 10 Bryce Hegarty 9 Luke Burgess 8 SCOTT HIGGINBOTHAM (C) 7 Scott Fuglistaller 6 Sean McMahon 5 Luke Jones 4 Hugh Pyle 3 Laurie Weeks 2 Pat Leafa 1 Toby Smith BENCH: 16 Steve Fualau 17 Max Lahiff 18 Paul Alo-Emile 19 Cadeyrn Neville 20 Colby Fainga'a 21 Ben Meehan 22 Angus Roberts 23 Tom Kingston

SCORERS T: Mitchell, Woodward, Burgess, Hegarty, Higginbotham C: Hegarty (2) P: Roberts DG: Roberts Fuglistaller

Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux 14 Cornal Hendricks 13 Johann Sadie 12 Francois Venter 11 Raymond Rhule 10 Johan Goosen 9 Shaun Venter 8 Phillip van der Walt 7 Lappies Labuschagné 6 Boom Prinsloo 5 Francois Uys 4 Lodewyk de Jager 3 Coenie Oosthuizen 2 ADRIAAN STRAUSS 1 Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: 16 Ryno Barnes 17 Trevor Nyakane 18 Maks van Dyk 19 Rynard Landman 20 Jean Cook 21 Sarel Pretorius 22 Elgar Watts 23 Hennie Daniller

SCORERS T: Cook, Barnes C: Goosen (2)

Referee: Angus Gardner

 

WARATAHS 32 - 5 REDS

ANZ Stadium, Sydney - Saturday 01 March 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 19-5

 

ON a night celebrating 140 years of rugby in NSW, the Waratahs regained the Templeton Cup with a 32-5 demolition of the Queensland Reds at ANZ Stadium. Playing some scintillating attacking rugby, the Waratahs record their highest ever Super Rugby win over their fancied interstate rivals.

It did not take long for the prolific Folau to pick up where he left off last week, as the boom fullback opened the Waratahs’ account after only two and a half minutes. A crisp, flat ball from fly half Bernard Foley hit a flying Kurtley Beale, who burst through a gap and offloaded to give Folau his fourth try of the season.

The relentless NSW outfit continued to pepper the Reds’ defensive line, as a Betham offload and quick hands from Foley put Adam Ashley-Cooper into a hole. Just two minutes later, scrumhalf Nick Phipps broke free down the blindside, only to be brought down in desperate cover defence by Eddie Quirk.

In the 26th minute their persistence was rewarded with what will surely be remembered as one of the tries of the season. Foley broke through two front rowers in broken play and, in a breathtaking display of continuity, the ball travelled through six pairs of NSW hands before finding Jacques Potgieter, who sped down the line to set up Folau for his second try of the game.

The Tahs’ potent backline continued to deliver on the half hour mark, when Beale produced a brilliant inside ball to bring Peter Betham off his wing and into a gaping hole for the home team’s third try of the evening. Foley’s incisive running continued to trouble the visitors, and when he found another midfield gap in the 37th minute, it was only a forward pass that denied rookie Alofa Alofa a try.

Minutes later, Reds fullback Aidan Toua showed serious pace to beat his man on the outside, before planting a deft grubber kick deep into the Waratahs’ 22. Folau showed fierce determination to sweep away the loose ball but was deemed to have illegally batted the ball into touch and was yellow carded.

The numerical advantage found the Tahs short on the outside and the ball was sent through the hands for Waratah-turned-Red Lachie Turner to cross in the corner. Fly half Quade Cooper missed the conversion, leaving the home side to take a commanding 14-point advantage into the break.

Changes in the front row for the Reds disrupted their set piece and after two early scrum penalties to the Tahs, the opportunistic Beale took a quick tap and burrowed under two Reds defenders to score the bonus point try after only 47 minutes.

Midway through the half, Alofa looked to have created something from nothing, going from a standing start to swerve through two defenders and lunge over the line, before referee Glen Jackson ruled that James Horwill and been impeded in the play and forced the Tahs to settle for a penalty goal from an accrued advantage.

Foley’s second penalty goal put the result beyond doubt and ensured the Templeton Cup returned south for the first time since 2011.

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau 14 Alofa Alofa 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Kurtley Beale 11 Peter Betham 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 8 Wycliff Palu 7 Michael Hooper 6 Stephen Hoiles 5 Kane Douglas 4 Jacques Potgieter 3 Paddy Ryan 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau 1 Benn Robinson BENCH: 1 Pat McCutcheon 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Rob Horne 23 Matt Carraro 24 Jonno Lance

SCORERS T: Folau (2), Betham, Beale C: Foley (3) P: Foley (2) Folau

Reds: 15 Aidan Toua 14 Lachie Turner 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Anthony Fainga'a 11 Dom Shipperley 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia 8 Jake Schatz 7 Liam Gill 6 Eddie Quirk 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 Greg Holmes 2 Saia Fainga'a 1 James Slipper BENCH: 16 James Hanson 17 Ben Daley 18 Jono Owen 19 Ed O'Donoghue 20 Beau Robinson 21 Nick Frisby 22 Ben Lucas 23 Chris Feauai-Sautia

SCORERS T: Turner

Referee: Glen Jackson

 

WESTERN FORCE 14 - 27 BRUMBIES

NIB Stadium, Perth - Saturday 01 March 2014
KO: 19:00 HT: 0-24

 

THE Western Force went down to the Brumbies 27-14 at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) in a lacklustre match for the most part.

While the visitors held a 24-0 half-time advantage at half time, the Force stemmed the flow of points after the interval, crossing for two late tries to outscore the Brumbies 14-3 in the second term.

After claiming best-on-ground honours in the corresponding match last season, No.8 Ben McCalman was again dominant in the Force pack and was awarded the Haigh & Hastings Man of the Match.

The Brumbies dominated the early passages of play and converted the pressure into points through the opening 5-pointer to Scott Fardy, and tries out wide to Jesse Mogg and Robbie Coleman. Scrumhalf Nic White was accurate from the kicking tee, kicking all three conversions and a penalty on the stroke of half time for the 24-point lead.

While White added another penalty at the 55th-minute mark, it was the Force who had begun working their way back into the match, culminating with two late tries to in the final three minutes of the match

The first try was ignited by a darting run from the halfway mark by replacement fly half Sias Ebersohn who, in turn, linked with Luke Morahan with Jayden Hayward stepping past three defenders and carrying another across the line to score.

Determined to ride the momentum, the Force continued to keep the ball alive after the full-time siren, with a quick-thinking Matt Hodgson taking a quick tap inside the Brumbies quarter to send McCalman diving over the try line.

Force lock Hugh McMeniman was stretchered from the field in the 37th minute as a precaution and will be assessed  regarding his availability to face the Melbourne Rebels at the ‘Force Field’ (nib Stadium) in Round 4.

Force: 15 Luke Morahan 14 Patrick Dellit 13 Junior Rasolea 12 Kyle Godwin 11 Nick Cummins 10 Zack Holmes 9 Alby Mathewson 8 Ben McCalman 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 6 Chris Alcock 5 Hugh McMeniman 4 Sam Wykes 3 Kieran Longbottom 2 Nathan Charles 1 Tetera Faulkner BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Pek Cowan 18 Ollie Hoskins 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp 20 Angus Cottrell 21 Ian Prior 22 Sias Ebersohn 23 Jayden Hayward

SCORERS T: Hayward, McCalman C: Ebersohn (2)

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Henry Speight 13 Tevita Kuridrani 12 Pat McCabe 11 Robbie Coleman 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 8 Jarrad Butler 7 David Pocock 6 BEN MOWEN 5 Sam Carter 4 Scott Fardy 3 Ben Alexander 2 Stephen Moore 1 Scott Sio BENCH: 16 Siliva Siliva 17 Ruaidhri Murphy 18 Ruan Smith 19 Leon Power 20 Lachlan McCaffrey 21 Conrad Hoffmann 22 Andrew Smith 23 Lionel Cronje

SCORERS T: Fardy, Mogg, Coleman C: White (3) P: White (2) Mogg

Referee: Nick Briant

 

 

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BLUES 35 - 24 CRUSADERS

Eden Park, Auckland - Friday 28 February 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 15-17

 

THE Blues rediscovered their attacking mojo with a rousing 35-24 victory over traditional rivals the Crusaders at Eden Park. A week after their disappointing opening round defeat to the Highlanders, Sir John Kirwan’s men found the spark they had been missing as they dazzled the 27,000 strong Eden Park crowd with four tries in the space of 15 minutes to stun the visitors.

Inspired by the young and exciting trio of Simon Hickey, Patrick Tuipulotu and Tevita Li, the home side overcame a 17-3 deficit to score 29 unanswered points either side of half time.

It took the Crusaders 12 minutes to make their way into the opposition’s half but unlike the Blues they seized their opportunities when it counted. Hooker Corey Flynn was on the end of a slick set of hands and remarkably charged down the wing and outsprinted Piri Weepu to crash over in the corner after 14 minutes.

Tom Taylor and Simon Hickey traded penalties to bring the score to 10-3 midway through the first half, and despite the Blues showing some superb resilience in defence, Colin Slade eventually crossed from a five metre scrum following what looked to be obvious and deliberate obstruction. However much to Blues captain Luke Braid’s protestations the try was awarded without even going to the TMO as the Crusaders suddenly found themselves in control at 17-3 up.

After a quiet week last week, Frank Halai was back to his barnstorming best as he ran a great line from a Peter Saili offload and beat two players on his way to the try line. From the re-start, athletic lock Patrick Tuipulotu climbed high into the air to claim the ball before charging over two defenders and offloading to Tevita Li. The 18-year-old prodigy then beat three players including a fend on All Blacks captain Richie McCaw to race 40 metres and touch down in the corner, his gold tooth glistening under the Eden Park floodlights as his beaming smile lit up the stadium.

Trailing 15-17 at the break, the Blues started the second half how they ended the first as George Moala scored to give the Blues a 22-17 lead just two minutes in. It was a defensive howler from the Crusaders that gifted the Blues a try as both Colin Slade and Reynold Lee-lo retreated to tidy up a deft Simon Hickey kick, but they ran into each other and George Moala retrieved the ball and barged his way over the try line.

Brimming with energy and confidence, the Blues looked unstoppable as they started to string some phases together, and when midfielder Jackson Willison pounced on a well weighted grubber kick from Piri Weepu to score the bonus point try, the Blues sailed out to a 29-17 lead.

The Blues were bolstered by All Black and Blues centurions Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock who came onto the field 50 minutes in, and their impact was just what the home side were looking for as they hoed into their work in tight. Hickey extended the Blues' advantage to 30-17 after 54 minutes, but as they always do the Crusaders never gave up and they came back hard at the home side.

Tevita Li looked to have raced the length of the field for an intercept try only to be controversially called back for being offside, and when Steven Luatua was sin binned for repeated infringements the Blues’ had their backs to the wall. It was tiresome stuff by the Blues who were desperately holding on, but they eventually cracked as Ryan Crotty crossed from a five metre attacking scrum following an Israel Dagg offload.

Ahead 32-24 with seven minutes remaining, veteran Keven Mealamu did a fantastic job of earning a penalty right in front as Hickey slotted the goal on fulltime to give the Blues a rousing 34-24 victory.

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau 14 Frank Halai 13 George Moala 12 Jackson Willison 11 Tevita Li 10 Simon Hickey 9 Piri Weepu 8 Peter Saili 7 LUKE BRAID (C) 6 Steven Luatua 5 Tom Donnelly 4 Patrick Tuipulotu 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 James Parsons 1 Sam Prattley BENCH: 16 Keven Mealamu 17 Tony Woodcock 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Liaki Moli 20 Brendon O'Connor 21 Bryn Hall 22 Benji Marshall 23 Pita Ahki

SCORERS T: Halai, Li, Moala, Willison C: Hickey (3) P: Hickey (3) Luatua

Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade 14 Rob Thompson 13 Rey Lee-Lo 12 Ryan Crotty 11 Nafi Tuitavake 10 Tom Taylor 9 Andy Ellis 8 KIERAN READ (C) 7 Richie McCaw 6 George Whitelock 5 Dominic Bird 4 Sam Whitelock 3 Owen Franks 2 Corey Flynn 1 Tim Perry BENCH: 16 Ben Funnell 17 Wyatt Crockett 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Luke Romano 20 Matt Todd 21 Willi Heinz 22 Adam Whitelock 23 Israel Dagg

SCORERS T: Flynn, Slade, Crotty C: Taylor (3) P: Taylor

Referee: Mike Fraser

 

CHIEFS 21 - 19 HIGHLANDERS

Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Saturday 01 March 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 7-16

 

A superb second half saw the Chiefs come from behind to defeat the Highlanders 21-19 in a thrilling battle between two New Zealand conference sides at Waikato Stadium.

After their courageous performance last week against the Crusaders, the defending champions were forced to overcome a 16-7 halftime deficit to claim their second victory of the season.

Within the first minute the Highlanders secured the early lead with a successful penalty to first five Lima Sopoaga. But it was lead short lived as the Chiefs replied kindly through Tim Nanai-Williams after some lovely exchanges of passing between forwards and backs allowing the dynamic winger to cruise in for the first try.

The visitors soon enjoyed some possession and looked to be building well as another penalty at the ruck saw Sopoaga slot his second attempt to narrow it to 7-6 midway through the first half. It was not long before the Highlanders launched another attacking raid on the Chiefs line. Then it was the hosts who missed an opportunity to turn defence into attack when Asaeli Tikoirotuma pounced on a loose ball and screamed down the sideline but could not connect with his supporting players.

Soon after the Highlanders capitalised on a lineout close to their try line and mauled their way over seeing openside flanker John Hardie pick up the try to regain the lead.

With the penalty count going against the Chiefs, referee Rohan Hoffmann pinged the home side once more for a Chiefs player running interference off the ball. As a result, Sopoaga chalked up another 3 points to extend their advantage to 16-7 heading into the interval.

Despite facing a halftime deficit the Chiefs set about their work in the second half with halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow leading the charge with his darting runs. In a great scoring position the hosts were able to put the heat on the Highlanders defence as they edged closer to the try line before co-captain Liam Messam rumbled over to help his side back into the contest.

Penalties continued to haunt the Chiefs as Sopoaga lined up another shot at goal to push their lead out again to 19-14.

The Chiefs appeared to be building nicely at times but could not quite finish, but found the breakthrough they wanted when replacement Liam Squire blitzed through the defence.  From the ensuing phase the ball was spread through as Tikoirotuma claimed a deft kick off Cruden then combined with second five Charlie Ngatai to score the try in the corner. A calmly taken sideline conversion by Cruden gave his side the lead again and set up a tense final 10 minutes of the match.

The Chiefs defence were again tested with the Highlanders searching for the decisive blow, but eventually managed to hold firm and claim the tough 21-19 win.

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina 14 Tim Nanai-Williams 13 Robbie Fruean 12 Charlie Ngatai 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 10 AARON CRUDEN (C) 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8 Liam Messam 7 Tanerau Latimer 6 Nick Crosswell 5 Matt Symons 4 Michael Fitzgerald 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Mahroni Schwalger 1 Pauliasi Manu BENCH: 16 Rhys Marshall 17 Jamie Mackintosh 18 Josh Hohneck 19 Tevita Koloamatangi 20 Liam Squire 21 Brad Webber 22 Andrew Horrell 23 James Lowe

SCORERS T: Nanai-Williams, Messam, Ngatai C: Cruden (3)

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith 14 Richard Buckman 13 Winston Stanley 12 Shaun Treeby 11 Malakai Fekitoa 10 Lima Sopoaga 9 Aaron Smith 8 NASI MANU 7 John Hardie 6 Gareth Evans 5 Joe Wheeler 4 Jarrad Hoeata 3 Chris King 2 Liam Coltman 1 Kane Hames BENCH: 16 Brayden Mitchell 17 Matias Diaz 18 Craig Millar 19 Josh Bekhuis 20 Shane Christie 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Trent Renata 23 Phil Burleigh

SCORERS T: Hardie C: Sopoaga P: Sopoaga (4)

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

 

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THE Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers returned to winning ways on a weekend of Vodacom Super Rugby where six from seven home teams were victorious.

Ironically both the teams from Pretoria and Cape Town were outscored by two tries to one in their respective matches against the Lions and the Hurricanes, but won mainly because of pin-point goal-kicking accuracy.

On Friday evening the DHL Stormers snuck through by 19-18 against the Hurricanes at DHL Newlands, while the Vodacom Bulls beat the Lions by 25-17 in the first Gauteng-derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.

It was not a happy weekend for the Toyota Cheetahs though, as they lost their first tour match of the season by 35-14 to the Rebels in Melbourne.

The Cell C Sharks had a bye.

STORMERS 19 - 18 HURRICANES

DHL Newlands, Cape Town - Friday 28 February 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 6-12

 

THE DHL Stormers, thanks to a late maul try by loose forward Deon Fourie, recorded their fourth successive win over the Hurricanes when they won a nail-biting Vodacom Super Rugby clash by 19-18 on Friday evening.

Fourie’s try, in the 77th minute, was the DHL Stormers’ only five-pointer of the night, but as it stood that was all they needed to win a match in which they showed a lot of resilience and character.

Their discipline at the death was also exemplary as the ‘Canes took the ball through numerous phases, within striking distance, until almost three minutes after the hooter had sounded.

It was a well-deserved victory for the DHL Stormers, who never let their heads hang despite making a host of bad mistakes, especially with the wet and slippery ball in hand. It did not deter them though and when they were awarded a couple of penalties close to the visitors’ try-line, they opted for the line-out, knowing full-well that their maul will be unstoppable if they get it going.

Bad line-out play earlier in the match almost cost them, while their tactical kicking and option taking also were not up to scratch in the first 50 or so minutes. Thereafter they knuckled down, did what was needed and ensured they leave South Africa with a win under their belts.

The Hurricanes also deserve a pat on the back for scoring two great first-half tries when their wingers Julian Savea and Cory Jane crossed, both after good kicks in the DHL Stormers’ 22. It was the only chances the visitors had and they took them – something the home team struggled with for almost 80 minutes.

Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute 14 Kobus van Wyk 13 JEAN DE VILLIERS (C) 12 Damian de Allende 11 Gio Aplon 10 Demetri Catrakilis 9 Louis Schreuder 8 Duane Vermeulen 7 Schalk Burger 6 Siya Kolisi 5 Manuel Carizza 4 Rynhardt Elstadt 3 Frans Malherbe 2 Scarra Ntubeni 1 Steven Kitshoff BENCH: 16 Deon Fourie 17 Oliver Kebble 18 Pat Cilliers 19 Michael Rhodes 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Nic Groom 22 Kurt Coleman 23 Ryno Eksteen

SCORERS T: Fourie C: Catrakilis P: Catrakilis (4)

Hurricanes: 15 Marty Banks 14 Cory Jane 13 CONRAD SMITH (C) 12 Hadleigh Parkes 11 Julian Savea 10 Beauden Barrett 9 TJ Perenara 8 Blade Thomson 7 Jack Lam 6 Faifili Levave 5 Mark Reddish 4 Jeremy Thrush 3 John Schwalger 2 Dane Coles 1 Ben Franks BENCH: 16 Motu Matu'u 17 Chris Eves 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 19 James Broadhurst 20 Ardie Savea 21 Chris Smylie 22 Alapati Leiua 23 James Marshall

SCORERS T: Julian Savea, Jane C: Barrett P: Barrett (2)

Referee: Steve Walsh

 

BULLS 25 - 17 LIONS

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria - Saturday 01 March 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 19-10

 

VODACOM BULLS recorded their 10th straight Vodacom Super Rugby victory over the Lions at a wet and windy Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon when they won the first Gauteng-derby by 25-17.

The Lions outscored the Vodacom Bulls by two tries to one, but in the end they simply conceded too many kickable penalties. It was the second time that the team from Johannesburg scored more tries than the Pretorians, but still ended up losing – this also happened in 2008 when the Lions got three tries to two, but lost 31-17.

In a match where both teams defended well, the Vodacom Bulls looked a bit more enterprising with ball in hand, built on a proper platform laid by their pack of forwards. They stole a number of the Lions’ throws at line-out time and also got a couple of penalties from scrums, which Jacques-Louis Potgieter duly converted into points.

Potgieter contributed 20 of the Vodacom Bulls’ points in his first game back for the side from Pretoria since the Vodacom Super Rugby final in 2010.

Jan Serfontein scored their only try, which came from good counter-attacking play from a turn-over. Had the home team been better and finishing off, the score could’ve been even bigger.

The Lions tried hard to throw the ball around but the adverse conditions did not help. Both the Johannesburgers’ tries, by Stefan Watermeyer and Willie Wepener, came after they put the Vodacom Bulls’ kickers under pressure and charged down kicks close to the try-line.

Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser 14 Akona Ndungane 13 JJ Engelbrecht 12 Jan Serfontein 11 Bjorn Basson 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter 9 Francois Hougaard 8 Grant Hattingh 7 Jacques du Plessis 6 Jono Ross 5 Victor Matfield 4 FLIP VAN DER MERWE (C) 3 Frik Kirsten 2 Callie Visagie 1 Dean Greyling BENCH: 16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Werner Kruger 18 Marcel van der Merwe 19 Paul Willemse 20 Jacques Engelbrecht 21 Piet van Zyl 22 Handré Pollard 23 Ulrich Beyers

SCORERS T: Serfontein C: Potgieter P: Potgieter (5) DG: Potgieter

Lions: 15 Chrysander Botha 14 Deon van Rensburg 13 JW Jonker 12 Stefan Watermeyer 11 Ruan Combrinck 10 Marnitz Boshoff 9 Faf de Klerk 8 WARREN WHITELEY (C) 7 Warwick Tecklenburg 6 Jaco Kriel 5 Franco van der Merwe 4 Franco Mostert 3 Julian Redelinghuys 2 Robbie Coetzee 1 Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: 16 Willie Wepener 17 Jacques van Rooyen 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 MB Lusaseni 20 Willie Britz 21 Ross Cronje 22 Courtnall Skosan 23 Coenie van Wyk

SCORERS T: Watermeyer, Wepener C: Boshoff (2) P: Boshoff

Referee: Chris Pollock

 

 

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BRUMBIES 17 - 27 REDS

Canberra Stadium, Canberra - Saturday 22 February 2014
KO: 19:40 HT: 9-17

 

A superb try from fullback Aidan Toua and an impressive debut from Lachie Turner spearheaded a 27-17 win over last year’s runners-up, the Brumbies, in Canberra. The Reds won their opening encounter of the 2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby competition through fierce defence and an intent to chance their arm when opportunities arose.

The Brumbies kicked off, giving fullback Toua his first touch of the Super Rugby season. The Reds started slowly, losing a lineout in just the second-minute, which led to a penalty at the breakdown for the Brumbies. Jesse Mogg lined up the penalty from 35 metres out but the kicked faded to the left. Mogg had a second opportunity minutes later, from right in front. He made no mistake and the Reds trailed 3-0 after eight minutes.

Another breakdown penalty saw Nic White land an attempt from 41 metres out and the Reds trailed 6-0 after 15 minutes.

A mistake from Mogg from the kick off then gave the Reds an excellent attacking opportunity in the Brumbies 22. The Reds launched a sustained attack with Will Genia and Cooper working the ball from side to side. A strong Liam Gill burst gave the Reds some momentum and then Dom Shipperley went close on the left. The ball was then moved quickly back to the right and a stellar cut-out pass from Cooper found Turner out wide. The winger forced his way over just inside the corner post to score his side’s first try. Cooper then landed the conversion from the touchline, with a bit help from the right upright. Suddenly the Reds were up 7-6 after 19 minutes.

Toua was next to spark the Reds attack, taking a cutout pass from Cooper inside his own half before sprinting sixty metres and bamboozling the defence to score a stunning solo try. The conversion was good and the Reds had silenced the home crowd, leading 14-6. Turner was again sound in defence, holding Mogg up over the line to deny the Brumbies fullback.

Play re-started with a penalty, however, to the Brumbies, which Mogg landed to make the score 14-9 to Queensland. The Reds were now dominating the breakdown and another penalty for the Brumbies trying to slow the ball down gave Cooper another shot. He slotted it over from 46 metres out on the right, to put the Reds up 17-9 at half time.

A cagey start to the second half saw Mogg and Cooper trade penalties to maintain the Reds lead 20-12 on 50 minutes. The Brumbies were then given an opportunity to get back in the match as prop Greg Holmes was sent to the sin-bin for a minor breakdown offence close to his own line. From the scrum, the Brumbies used the extra man advantage and Mogg went over out wide. The conversion was out to the left and the Reds led 20-17 after 55 minutes.

The Brumbies then ramped up the pressure with Holmes still in the sin-bin, but good defence from Rob Simmons held up Scott Sio over the line. Then, in a huge moment, the Reds captain James Horwill burst through the middle of the Brumbies rolling maul metres from the line to stop another certain try.

Mogg had the chance to level the scores with nine minutes remaining but missed the attempt from 35 metres out. A cruel bounce for Schatz gave the Brumbies another chance as the clock wound down but a huge shove from the Reds pack, with Ben Daley and James Hanson boosting the front row, won the Reds an important penalty.

The Brumbies threw everything they had at the Reds’ defence in the final few minutes but the Queensland line was impregnable. The Reds were then awarded a penalty and Cooper kicked for touch. The ball didn’t find touch, but a mistake from Mogg saw Feauai-Sautia pounce to score the match-clinching try. Cooper landed the conversion to cap the win.

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg 14 Henry Speight 13 Andrew Smith 12 Pat McCabe 11 Joe Tomane 10 Matt Toomua 9 Nic White 8 Jarrad Butler 7 David Pocock 6 BEN MOWEN (C) 5 Scott Fardy 4 Sam Carter 3 Ben Alexander 2 Stephen Moore 1 Scott Sio BENCH: 16 Siliva Siliva 17 Ruan Smith 18 Ruaridh Murphy 19 Leon Power 20 Lachlan McCaffrey 21 Conrad Hoffman 22 Lionel Cronjé 23 Tevita Kuridrani

SCORERS T: Mogg P: Mogg (3), White

Reds: 15 Aidan Toua 14 Lachie Turner 13 Ben Tapuai 12 Mike Harris 11 Dom Shipperley 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia 8 Jake Schatz 7 Liam Gill 6 Ed Quirk 5 JAMES HORWILL (C) 4 Rob Simmons 3 Greg Holmes 2 Saia Fainga'a 1 James Slipper BENCH: 16 James Hanson 17 Ben Daley 18 Jono Owen 19 Ed O'Donoghue 20 Beau Robinson 21 Nick Frisby 22 Anthony Fainga'a 23 Chris Feauai-Sautia

SCORERS T: Turner, Toua, Feauai-Sautia C: Cooper (3) P: Cooper (2) Holmes

Referee: James Leckie

 

WARATAHS 43 - 21 WESTERN FORCE

Allianz Stadium, Sydney - Sunday 23 February 2014
KO: 16:05 HT:  22-11

AN Israel Folau hat-trick has inspired the NSW Waratahs to a comprehensive 43-21 victory over the Western Force at Allianz Stadium. In their Asteron Life Super Rugby season opener, the Tahs ran in six tries to two on their way to their biggest ever win against their conference rivals.

The season opener got off to the perfect start for the home side, when quick hands from the electric Israel Folau sent flying debutant Alofa Alofa into space down the right hand side in just the 2nd minute of the match. The fullback was then brilliant in support, backing up to dot the ball down for the first score of the season.

The powerful Force pack seized back momentum soon after, charging into the Waratahs’ 22 and earning a crucial penalty. Although Zack Holmes missed his seventh minute attempt, the fly half made amends just three minutes later to narrow the deficit to 5-3.

Foley added another penalty after 17 minutes, before skilful link play between NSW debutant Nick Phipps and Wycliff Palu gave Folau the space to score his second try after only 23 minutes.

Unperturbed by a breathtaking start from the home side, the Force hit back through a Holmes penalty, and when winger Nick Cummins crashed in from close range, the visitors trailed by only four points.

But fortune favoured the Tahs.  On the half time siren, Foley’s penalty attempt bounced off the upright and into the waiting arms of Alofa for a well-deserved try on debut. Foley made no mistake with the conversion and the Waratahs entered the break with an 11-point buffer.

The home side were not so lucky immediately after half-time, when repeated team infringements saw prop Paddy Ryan sin binned in the 44th minute. Digging deep, the 14-man Tahs repelled 10 minutes of attacking pressure, frustrating the Force into settling for a third Holmes penalty.

The home side were back to their full contingent following the kick, with Paddy Ryan and Wycliff Palu retaking the field in place of Sekope Kepu.  Their return paid immediate dividends, with Peter Betham finding Kane Douglas in space out wide. The athletic lock swerved his way inside winger Michael Brache on his way to recording a crucial bonus point try.

However the Force refused to give up, with Nick Cummins pouncing on an errant offload to feed Kyle Godwin for a try against the flow of play. Holmes kicked the conversion and reduced the deficit to just 8 points, giving the Force a glimmer of hope with only 15 minutes to play.

The frenetic exchanges continued minutes later when replacement centre Matt Carraro swept back to scoop up a loose ball, before charging through four defenders in the middle of the field to feed Folau for his third try and first hat-trick in light blue. Foley continued his good form with the boot, slotting a sideline conversion to send the score to 36-21.

Just 5 minutes later Carraro was at it again, slicing through a gap and offloading to Kurtley Beale, who marked his return to NSW with an unmarked try under the posts. An easy conversion to Foley capped off an impressive first outing for the men in blue, who ran away 43-21 victors.

Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau 14 Alofa Alofa 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper 12 Kurtley Beale 11 Peter Betham 10 Bernard Foley 9 Nick Phipps 8 Wycliff Palu 7 Michael Hooper 6 Dave Dennis 5 Kane Douglas 4 Will Skelton 3 Paddy Ryan 2 Tatafu Polota Nau 1 Benn Robinson BENCH: 16 Tola Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Sekope Kepu 19 Jacques Potgieter 20 Stephen Hoiles 21 Brendan McKibbin 22 Rob Horne 23 Matt Carraro

SCORERS T: Folau (3), Alofa, Douglas, Beale C: Foley (5) P: Foley Ryan

Western Force: 15 Luke Morahan 14 Pat Dellit 13 Junior Rasolea 12 Kyle Godwin 11 Nick Cummins 10 Zack Holmes 9 Alby Mathewson 8 Ben McCalman 7 MATT HODGSON (C) 6 Angus Cottrell 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp 4 Sam Wykes 3 Kieran Longbottom 2 Nathan Charles 1 Tetera Faulkner BENCH: 16 Heath Tessmann 17 Pek Cowan 18 Oli Hoskins 19 Hugh McMeniman 20 Chris Alcock 21 Brynard Stander 22 Ian Prior 23 Sias Ebersohn

SCORERS T: Cummins, Godwin C: Holmes P: Holmes (3)

Referee: Rohan Hoffman

 

 

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CRUSADERS 10 - 18 CHIEFS

AMI Stadium, Addington, Christchurch - Friday 21 February 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 0-8

 

BLUE skies and a sea of red in the sold-out AMI Stadium painted a stunning picture for the Crusaders’ season opener against the Chiefs, but that was the only pretty thing about this game.  Despite being dominant in both possession and territory, handling errors and missed goals dogged the Crusaders and resulted in a rare at-home loss.

It was a former Crusader who took the first points, with Robbie Fruean scoring off a quick lineout throw to put the Chiefs 5 points up.  First five Aaron Cruden failed to convert, but it was the Crusaders’ kickers who turned out to be off target for the rest of the game, missing seven penalty shots in total.

Tyler Bleyendaal’s first three missed penalties were from some challenging angles and distances but when he missed his fourth attempt from in front of the posts it was clear this just wasn’t going to be his night and his fifth penalty kick just before halftime also missed its target.

In a game as scrappy as this one, it is unsurprising that a number of yellow cards were handed out.  Crusaders lock Dominic Bird was sin-binned for playing the ball on the ground, allowing Cruden to stretch the lead to 8-0.

Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna was next in the bin followed by George Whitelock in the second half, the subsequent penalty putting the Chiefs up 11-0.

The only moment of glory for the home team came from Sam Whitelock when he plucked the ball out of the lineout throw, shrugged his defender off and ran twenty metres to the try line to give the Crusaders their first points of the match.  Tom Taylor, who had replaced Bleyendaal in the second half, put the conversion over to put the Crusaders back in the game. A penalty conversion with less than ten minutes to go put the scoreline at 11 – 10 to the Chiefs and suddenly it was anyone’s game.

Both reserve benches were being emptied out as the teams gave their everything – the Crusaders on constant attack and the Chiefs in desperate defence.  But with just a minute left to play, Chiefs replacement fullback James Lowe intercepted a pass and ran 75 metres to score a seven-pointer that would deny the Crusaders even a bonus point.  

Played with all of the intensity of a test match, this first encounter of 2014 showed that these are both going to be teams to contend with.

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Johnny McNicholl 13 Reynold Lee-Lo 12 Ryan Crotty 11 Nafi Tuitavake 10 Tyler Bleyendaal 9 Andy Ellis 8 Luke Whitelock 7 RICHIE MCCAW (C) 6 George Whitelock 5 Dominic Bird 4 Sam Whitelock 3 Owen Franks 2 Corey Flynn 1 Tim Perry BENCH: 16 Ben Funnell 17 Wyatt Crockett 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Luke Romano 20 Matt Todd 21 Willi Heinz 22 Tom Taylor 23 Rob Thompson

SCORERS T: Sam Whitelock C: Taylor P: Taylor Bird, George Whitelock

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina 14 Tim Nanai-Williams 13 Robbie Fruean 12 Charlie Ngatai 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma 10 Aaron Cruden (C) 9 Augustine Pulu 8 Kane Thompson 7 Tevita Koloamatangi 6 LIAM MESSAM (C) 5 Brodie Retallick 4 Mike Fitzgerald 3 Ben Tameifuna 2 Rhys Marshall 1 Jamie Mackintosh BENCH: 16 Nathan Harris 17 Pauliasi Manu 18 Ben Afeaki 19 Matt Symons 20 Nick Crosswell 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22 Andrew Horrell 23 James Lowe

SCORERS T: Fruean, Lowe C: Cruden P: Cruden (2) Tameifuna

Referee: Chris Pollock

 

HIGHLANDERS 29 - 21 BLUES

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Saturday 22 February 2014
KO: 19:35 HT: 24-0

 

THE Highlanders emerged victorious over the Blues on Saturday night in front of a huge, noisy crowd at Forsyth Barr Stadium. The team got things off to the perfect start with Aaron Smith charging down a Chris Noakes clearance to score and Malakai Fekitoa dotting down following a huge bust from broken play 50 metres out. Ben Smith put his name on the scoreboard just out from halftime to give the Highlanders a healthy lead heading into the break. The Highlander's defence was impressive and they had the bulk of territory and possession in the first half.

The Blues came out fired up in the second half, scoring a try to Francis Saili right after the break to which the Highlanders replied straight away with a classic winger try from Patrick Osborne to bring up the bonus point. After a bit and back and forth the Blues attack kicked into gear and they scored two tries, one to Ta’avao and one to Tuipoluto, to narrow the deficit to 8 points setting up a very nervous last 10 minutes. The Highlanders defence held strong to bring up our first win in our first game of the season and to retain the hallowed Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy.

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith 14 Richard Buckman 13 Malakai Fekitoa 12 Shaun Treeby 11 Patrick Osborne 10 Liam Sopoaga 9 Aaron Smith 8 NASI MANU (C) 7 Shane Christie 6 Gareth Evans 5 Jarrad Hoeata 4 Brad Thorn 3 Chris King 2 Liam Coltman 1 Kane Hames BENCH: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Matias Diáz 18 Craig Millar 19 Josh Bekhuis 20 TJ Ioane 21 Fumiaki Tanaka 22 Hayden Parker 23 Phil Burleigh

SCORERS T: Aaron Smith, Fekitoa, Ben Smith, Osbourne C: Sopoaga (3) P: Sopoaga

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau 14 Frank Halai 13 Jackson Willison 12 Francis Saili 11 George Moala 10 Chris Noakes 9 Piri Weepu 8 Peter Saili 7 Luke Braid 6 Steven Luatua 5 Tom Donnelly 4 Liaki Moli 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 James Parsons 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi BENCH: 16 Tom McCartney 17 Sam Prattley 18 Angus Ta'avao 19 Patrick Tuipulotu 20 Brendon O'Connor 21 Bryn Hall 22 Benji Marshall 23 Tevita Li

SCORERS T: Francis Saili, Taavao-Matau, Tuipulotu C: Noakes (3)

Referee: Garratt Williamson

 

 

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IT was a weekend of firsts in South African Vodacom Super Rugby history, with bragging rights in two derbies going to the Lions and the Toyota Cheetahs, while the Cell C Sharks cemented their position at the top of the standings.

On Friday evening, the Toyota Cheetahs turned around an 11-match losing streak against the Vodacom Bulls for their first-ever win over the team from Pretoria in this competition. It wasn’t pretty and the conditions were dire, but the side from Central South Africa would not have been too bothered by that as they won 15-9.

Saturday afternoon saw the Cell C Sharks dismantle a spirited Hurricanes side by 27-9 in Durban, after which the Lions were responsible for yet another upset when they trashed the DHL Stormers by 34-10 in Johannesburg – their first win over the Capetonians in 10 attempts.

Lions fly half Marnitz Boshoff was his team’s hero with a personal haul of 29 points, meaning he has already reached 50 points this season after he got 21 last week against the Toyota Cheetahs.

His three drop-goals against the DHL Stormers also meant Boshoff joined a special group of only three players who have achieved this feat previously – Morné Steyn scored four for the Vodacom Bulls against the Crusaders in 2009, while Louis Koen (Vodacom Bulls v Cats in 2003) and Andrew Mehrtens (Crusaders v Highlanders in 1998) both slotted three drops each.

Boshoff’s efforts in the last two weekends is one of the fastest season fifties in the history of the game in SA, but it will take some doing to better the record held by Gavin Lawless, who scored 50 points in the opening match for the Sharks against the Highlanders in 1997.

CHEETAHS 15 - 9 BULLS

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Friday 21 February 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 12-3

THE Toyota Cheetahs won the kicking contest in atrocious weather for rugby when they recorded their first-ever win over the Vodacom Bulls in eight years of Vodacom Super Rugby.

The score of 15-9 tells a story of a match where no tries were scored and all the points came via the boot. It was the first time the Toyota Cheetahs could not breach the Vodacom Bulls’ line, and vice versa.

The heavy downpour in Bloemfontein obviously didn’t help, but both sides struggled to get their game going in a match which will probably not be remembered for too long.

In the end, the Toyota Cheetahs probably played the conditions better, with fullback Willie le Roux underlining the massive improvement he’s shown in his tactical play by keeping his team in the right areas of the field with a number of superb kicks up field, along with Johan Goosen.

The Toyota Cheetahs were also very good on defence and won a number of turnovers from the three-time champions, who struggled to get going on a night which would’ve been bitter-sweet for Victor Matfield as he became the most-capped Vodacom Super Rugby player in the history of South African rugby with 126 matches.

Toyota Cheetahs: Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Johann Sadie, Francois Venter, Raymond Rhule, Johan Goosen, Shaun Venter, Philip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagne, Boom Prinsloo, Francois Uys, Lood de Jager, Coenie Oosthuizen, ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C), Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: Ryno Barnes, Trevor Nyakane, Rynard Landman, Jean Cook, Sarel Pretorius, Elgar Watts, Hennie Daniller, Maks van Dyk

SCORERS P: Goosen (4) DG: Goosen

Vodacom Bulls: Jurgen Visser, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Louis Fouché, Francois Hougaard, Jacques Engelbrecht, Jacques du Plessis, Jono Ross, Grant Hattingh, FLIP VAN DER MERWE (C), Werner Kruger, Callie Visagie, Dean Greyling BENCH: Bongi Mbonambi, Frik Kirsten, Marcel van der Merwe, Victor Matfield, Wiaan Liebenberg, Piet van Zyl, Handré Pollard, Ulrich Beyers

SCORERS P: Fouche, Pollard (2)

Referee: Stuart Berry

  

SHARKS 27 - 9 HURRICANES

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban - Saturday 22 February 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 10-6

THE Cell C Sharks cemented their place at the top of the Vodacom Super Rugby standings with a 27-9 win over the Hurricanes at Growthpoint Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.

However, the KwaZulu-Natalians will be disappointed that their great forward ascendancy, especially in the first half, did not lead to more tries. The Cell C Sharks really had their visitors from the New Zealand capital on the back-foot, but simply could not find the tryline.

As it stands, they outscored the Hurricanes by two tries to nil, but one of those was a well-taken intercept from 40 metres out by speedster Lwazi Mvovo.

Bulldozing loose forward Willem Alberts celebrated his 50th appearance for the Cell C Sharks with their first try after a period of sustained pressure on the ‘Canes’ line.

The rest of the Cell C Sharks’ points came from the boot of Pat Lambie, who was spot-on with five of his six kicks at goal.

The Hurricanes, who play the DHL Stormers in Cape Town next weekend, never gave up though, but they were kept in the game by the Cell C Sharks finishing struggles.

Cell C Sharks: SP Marais, Odwa Ndungane, Paul Jordaan, Frans Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo, Patrick Lambie, Cobus Reinach, Ryan Kankowski, Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Anton Bresler, Jannie du Plessis, BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C), Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick, Lourens Adriaanse, Stephan Lewies, Jean Deysel, Charl McLeod, Heimar Williams, S’bura Sithole

SCORERS T: Albert, Mvovo C: Marais P: Lambie (5)

Hurricanes: Marty Banks, Cory Jane, CONRAD SMITH (C), Hadleigh Parkes, Julian Savea, TJ Perenara, Blade Thomson, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Mark Abbott, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Ben Franks BENCH: Motu Matu'u, Chris Eves, John Schwalger, Mark Reddish, Adam Hill, Chris Smylie, Alapati Leiua, James Marshall

SCORERS P: Barrett (2), Banks Hill

Referee: Andrew Lees

 

 LIONS 34 - 10 STORMERS

Ellis Park, Johannesburg - Saturday 22 February 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 0-8

FOR a second successive week the Lions caused an upset as they kept on celebrating their return to Vodacom Super Rugby with a magnificent 34-10 win over the DHL Stormers at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.

Unlike their victory over the Toyota Cheetahs, which came thanks to a last-minute drop-goal, the Lions were the dominant side from the opening play and they kept it up for most of the 80 minutes.

The victory was built on Marnitz Boshoff’s dominant boot and a superb defensive effort, which saw the Lions turning over the scoreboard with regularity and keeping the DHL Stormers scoreless in the second half.

The Lions started very strongly – by the 19th minute Stefan Watermeyer had scored a try and Boshoff had added a conversion, two drop-goals and two penalty goals as the home side scored at a point a minute.

Thereafter the DHL Stormers narrowed the gap, with Scarra Ntubeni scoring his first Vodacom Super Rugby try, but the Lions were not to let this one slip. They stepped up the intensity after the break, especially on defence, with Boshoff and Co effectively kicking for territory and turning any scoring opportunity into points.

This was the first time in seven years the Lions have managed back-to-back Vodacom Super Rugby victories – in 2007 they beat the Reds and Force on consecutive weekends in rounds four and five.

It was also the Lions franchise’s biggest win in any local derby. As the Cats, they beat the Vodacom Bulls by 57-24 in 1999 and the DHL Stormers by 41-7 in 1998.

Lions: Chrysander Botha, Deon van Rensburg, Stefan Watermeyer, Alwyn Hollenbach, Ruan Combrinck, Marnitz Boshoff, Faf de Klerk, WARREN WHITELEY (C), Derick Minnie, Jaco Kriel, Franco van der Merwe, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: Willie Wepener, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Dreyer, MB Lusaseni, Warwick Tecklenburg, Ross Cronje, JW Jonker, Coenie van Wyk

SCORERS T: Watermeyer C: Boshoff P: Boshoff (6) DG: Boshoff (3) Mostert, Redelinghuys

DHL Stormers: Gio Aplon, Kobus van Wyk, Michael van der Spuy, JEAN DE VILLIERS (C), Damian de Allende, Demetri Catrakilis, Louis Schreuder, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger (vice-captain), Siya Kolisi, Manuel Carizza, Rynhardt Elstadt, Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff BENCH: Deon Fourie, Oliver Kebble, Pat Cilliers, Michael Rhodes, Nizaam Carr, Nic Groom, Kurt Coleman, Ryno Eksteen

SCORERS T: Ntubeni C: Catrakilis P: Catrakilis

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

 

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THE Lions celebrated their return to Vodacom Super Rugby with a good win over the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein before the Cell C Sharks showed they mean business in 2014 with a bonus-point victory over the Vodacom Bulls in Durban.

For the Cell C Sharks, under a new coach in former Springbok mentor Jake White, it was a perfect start to the season. They got their fourth try at the death of their 31-16 win after scoring three great five-pointers in the first 40.

Interestingly enough, it was the first time ever the Cell C Sharks managed to score a bonus-point victory at home in February, when Durban’s notorious high heat and humidity play havoc with handling.

In fact, it was only the second time since the inception of Vodacom Super Rugby that a side managed four February tries at Growthpoint Kings – the Toyota Cheetahs did just that when they beat the KwaZulu-Natalians by 27-26 in 2006.

Yesterday however the Cell C Sharks were firmly in control, but the Toyota Cheetahs’ performance was unlike that day when they won in Durban in 2006 – they came unstuck against a spirited Lions side that shocked a lot of people with a 21-20 victory in Bloemfontein.

Lions fly half Marnitz Boshoff contributed all of his team’s points with a near flawless kicking display – he slotted all six his attempts at penalty goals and got one from two drop-goals. His opposite numbers though struggled with the boot and between Johan Goosen and Elgar Watts, they squandered nine points with missed kicks at goal.

Boshoff’s exploits were similar to those of Elton Jantjies in 2012, when the currently injured Lions fly half kicked all of his team’s points as they beat the Toyota Cheetahs by 27-25 in the opening round.

The DHL Stormers had a bye this weekend but will be in action next week when the teams from Down Under also get in on the action.

 

CHEETAHS 20 - 21 LIONS

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Saturday 15 February 2014
KO: 17:05 HT: 10-9

 

MARNITZ BOSHOFF, making his Vodacom Super Rugby debut, broke the Toyota Cheetahs’ hearts with a 78th minute drop-goal to help the Lions to a good 21-20 victory in the opening match of the season at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Even though they were outscored by two tries to nil, the Lions – back in Vodacom Super Rugby after missing out last season – never gave up. The home side simply gave away too many kickable penalties and Boshoff duly made the scoreboard tick over when he got an opportunity.

And when the Lions played themselves into a promising attacking position late in the match, fans of the Toyota Cheetahs must’ve been on the edge of their seats. Boshoff’s antics were enough for the visitors as he pushed his personal tally to 21 points thanks to six penalty goals and a drop goal.

Both sides showed some early-season rustiness and they were very keen on throwing the ball around, which resulted in way too many unforced errors.

The Toyota Cheetahs though did get the first two tries of the season after some enterprising play – first by Raymond Rhule and in the second half Cornal Hendricks, who was this week named the SA Sevens Player of 2013, capped his Vodacom Super Rugby debut with a good try.

For the Lions, this was just the way to re-enter Vodacom Super Rugby, while last season’s surprise package, the Toyota Cheetahs, will be left wondering where things went awry for them.

15 Willie le Roux 14 Cornal Hendricks 13 Johann Sadie 12 Francois Venter 11 Raymond Rhule 10 Johan Goosen 9 Shaun Venter 8 Philip van der Walt 7 Lappies Labuschagne 6 Boom Prinsloo 5 Francois Uys 4 Lood de Jager 3 Coenie Oosthuizen 2 ADRIAAN STRAUSS (C) 1 Caylib Oosthuizen BENCH: 16 Ryno Barnes 17 Trevor Nyakane 18 Maks van Dyk 19 Ligtoring Landman 20 Jean Cook 21 Sarel Pretorius 22 Elgar Watts 23 Rayno Benjamin

SCORERS T: Rhule, Hendricks C: Goosen (2) P: Goosen, Watts Cook

15 Chrysander Botha  14 Deon van Rensburg  13 Lionel Mapoe  12 Stefan Watermeyer  11 Ruan Combrinck 10 Marnitz Boshoff 9 Michael Bondesio 8 WARREN WHITELEY (C) 7 Derick Minnie 6 Jaco Kriel 5 Franco van der Merwe 4 Franco Mostert 3 Julian Redelinghuys 2 Robbie Coetzee 1 Schalk van der Merwe BENCH: 16 Willie Wepener 17 Jacques van Rooyen 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 Willie Britz 20 Warwick Tecklenburg 21 Faf de Klerk 22 Coenie van Wyk 23 Alwyn Hollenbach

SCORERS P: Boshoff (6) DG: Boshoff

Man of the Match: Marnitz Boshoff

Referee: Craig Joubert

 

SHARKS 31 - 16 BULLS

Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban - Saturday 15 February 2014
KO: 19:10 HT: 23-9

 

THE Cell C Sharks, thanks mainly to a superb first-half effort, got their season off to a great start when they beat the Vodacom Bulls by 31-16 at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban on Saturday evening.

The home side scored three crucial tries in the first 40 minutes of a match that was played at a great pace by two teams having a full go.

The Cell C Sharks though were more composed, took their chances and bagged the points. On the other hand, the Vodacom Bulls were not patient enough on the attack and didn’t convert their opportunities into points.

Their maul was very good, but the team from Pretoria got very little reward when they came within striking distance. Their only try, by Jono Ross late in the second half, came from a rolling maul.

The home team though looked sharp on the attack and scored three great tries in the first half, followed by a crucial fourth one, by Pat Lambie, in injury time.

The first two tries came from Paul Jordaan, after a sniping run by Lwazi Mvovo, and Cobus Reinach. However, Odwa Ndungane’s superb effort in the right-hand corner, coming from a pin-point cross-kick by Frans Steyn after the buzzer in the first half, was probably the pick of the tries this weekend.

15 SP Marais 14 Odwa Ndungane 13 Paul Jordaan 12 Frans Steyn 11 Lwazi Mvovo 10 Patrick Lambie 9 Cobus Reinach 8 Ryan Kankowski 7 Willem Alberts 6 Marcell Coetzee 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit 4 Anton Bresler 3 Jannie du Plessis 2 BISMARCK DU PLESSIS (C) 1 Tendai Mtawarira BENCH: 16 Kyle Cooper 17 Dale Chadwick 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Stephan Lewies 20 Jean Deysel 21 Charl McLeod 22 Heimar Williams 23 S'bura Sithole

SCORERS T: Jordaan, Reinach, Ndungane, Lambie C: Lambie P: Lambie (3) Deysel

15 Jurgen Visser 14 Akona Ndungane 13 JJ Engelbrecht 12 Jan Serfontein 11 Bjorn Basson 10 Louis Fouchè 9 Francois Hougaard 8 PIERRE SPIES (C) 7 Jacques du Plessis 6 Jono Ross 5 Flip van der Merwe 4 Paul Willemse 3 Werner Kruger 2 Callie Visagie 1 Dean Greyling BENCH: 16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Frik Kirsten 18 Marcel van der Merwe 19 Victor Matfield 20 Jacques Engelbrecht 21 Piet van Zyl 22 Handrè Pollard 23 Ulrich Beyers

SCORERS T: Ross C: Pollard P: Fouche (2) DG: Fouche Basson

Man of the Match: Marcell Coetzee

Referee: Jaco Peyper

 

 

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SCHEDULE 2014

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CATCH UP ON 2013

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THE TEAMS

Interactive Super Rugby: click on club to go to official site...

 

 

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