SUPER 15 - WEEK BY WEEK

HIGHLANDERS vs BLUES

A thoroughly entertaining match ended in a narrow win for the Highlanders. But the result was in the balance until well beyond the final hooter.

The Blues produced a massively improved performance as I suspected they might. Although their title aspirations are now effectively dead in the water they are likely to become a major threat to those sides who still have ambitions and who might make the mistake of taking them for easybeats.


REDS vs STORMERS

The Stormers produced a very clinical performance to outstay the Reds.

They certainly seem to have a formula at present which few teams appear to be able to unpick.

The Reds suffered the same kind of luck that dogged the Stormers last week – the loss of crucial players early on in the game.

What must be most encouraging to the Stormers management is the fact that it is primarily the younger players who are producing the goods.


HURRICANES vs CRUSADERS

What were the Hurricanes thinking? For the first 30 minutes they kicked possession straight down the throats of the Crusaders and paid the price.

In addition they looked initially overawed by the visitors and were hesitant when they should have been aggressive.

Once they started carrying the ball they immediately stressed the Crusaders’ defence but by then it was already effectively game over.

Their report card has to read : Can do better.

The Crusaders escaped with an easy five pointer in a match which should have been a real scrap.


WARATAHS vs REBELS

After quickly putting daylight on the scoreboard between themselves and the Rebels the Waratahs then lapsed into a three quarter pace style which they have been guilty of on a number of occasions before in this season.

Nevertheless they were still ahead at the final whistle in a largely forgettable match.

SHARKS vs CHIEFS

In a bitter struggle in Durban where humidity played no little part the title seeking Chiefs out-muscled and out-defended the home side to grab a priceless victory.

The home side played a combination of gritty but often quite stupid rugby in succumbing to the visitors. In fact they were a showcase of everything that is dumb about South African rugby and local back play in particular and ended up paying the price.

The difference between South Africa and New Zealand approaches to the game were also graphically illustrated by the last move of the match. Whereas a South African side would have hoofed the ball into touch the Chiefs took an ambitious and successful final stab at the Sharks defence and scored. For an uncomfortable few moments the Sharks faced the prospect of going home empty handed when they had been in a position to win a minute or two earlier.

This win exerts enormous pressure on the chasing pack in the New Zealand conference. The Crusaders, in particular, are not closing the gap on the front runners in the manner that their price would suggest. The Sharks ambitions are rapidly fading.


BULLS vs BRUMBIES

The Bulls’ natural conservatism proved to be a two edged sword in the last encounter of the weekend.

When they were well in control of this fixture they failed to seriously press for the two additional tries which would have secured for them a very handy bonus point and propelled them to the top of the South African table.

In the final analysis it was probably just as well that they handed the ball to an in-form Morne Steyn on each occasion they were awarded a penalty because few would have predicted the late flurry from the Brumbies which brought them to within two points of an unlikely victory and gave them a 5-2 advantage in tries scored on the evening.

Adding to the somewhat bizarre nature of this game was refereeing of an almost laughable standard. Mr Jonker’s one knock on ruling was so diabolical that he set a precedent that resulted in an equally obvious knock on needing to be adjudged in the same manner. He also only seemed to penalise the visitors for failing to release in the tackle and allowed the Bulls loose forwards to flaunt the offside line with such impunity that they quite often nearly got to the Brumbies’ halfbacks before the ball.

Clearly he provides stiff competition for Bryce Lawrence insofar as competence is concerned.

BLUES vs REDS

This should be a lot closer than the price of 4/10 Blues suggests. Tony Woodcock, one of the few Blues’ players to live up to his reputation in recent weeks, is out. This leaves the Blues front row looking at lot less formidable whilst the remainder of the lineup has been less than flash in the tournament to date.

The Reds regain Digby Ioane and Mike Harris – giving its backline the appearance of regaining a little punch for the first time in weeks. The pack remains competent.

I am going to buck the trend on this match and take the Reds to win.


LIONS vs BRUMBIES

A lot has been made about how close the Brumbies ran the Bulls last week. Although the scoreboard reflects a two point margin at the final whistle the reality is that the match was over with about 15 minutes to play.

In my opinion the market accurately reflects the likelihood of a Brumbies win although not by very much.

However – the Lions are more likely to play the type of rugby that the Brumbies will find more difficult to defend against than the Bulls did.

As an interested neutral I am going to tip the Lions to shade this one.


CHIEFS vs HURRICANES

On present form it is difficult to envisage the Hurricanes upsetting the Chiefs. But at the risk of sounding like a stuck record – this is a NZ derby and anything is possible.

I tip the Chiefs.


WESTERN FORCE vs STORMERS

This match is as important as any the Stormers have played to date. And to date they have delivered as expected.

But playing resources are starting to get a little thin and in the Force they are going to encounter a side likely to make quite a nuisance of itself at the breakdown.

Whether Carr, Kolisi & Elstadt are going to be able to match or better Pocock and friends remains to be seen. But it will not be easy.

Stormers by a whisker.


CHEETAHS vs HIGHLANDERS

The Highlanders start their tour with a demanding matchup against the Cheetahs.

Injuries have robbed the Highlanders of some of the snap they were displaying at the beginning of the season although the arrival of Mike Delaney at flyhalf made quite a difference last week.

Matters should be about even up front so it remains to be seen who proves to be more penetrative behind the scrum.

17/20 Cheetahs looks a reasonable assessment of their chances but I think you will score if you take the 11/10 about the Highlanders.


WARATAHS vs CRUSADERS

The Waratahs have a pretty sad record against the Crusaders and seem seldom to have really bothered the NZ franchise when it really mattered.

Injuries compound the home side’s woes at present so it looks likely that the visitors will escape with the result.

the lions need to be relegated !!

mr hawaii Wrote:

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> the lions need to be relegated !!


Fully agreed they have hardly had a top 10 finish in the last 10 or so years. Southern Spears couldn't do any worse than the hapless Lions.

butch james should turn it up ! what a liability

shrek Wrote:

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> mr hawaii Wrote:
>

---

>

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> > the lions need to be relegated !!
>
>
> Fully agreed they have hardly had a top 10 finish
> in the last 10 or so years. Southern Spears
> couldn't do any worse than the hapless Lions.


So let the EP Kings / Southern Spears (who struggle to win a game in the Vodacom Cup) and the Lions play a promotion / relegation match - and I know where my money would be

Poor rugby by the Lions. Tactical kicking is part of rugby, but the 'good old anywhere stuff' and nobody prepared to chase, loosing ball at the break-downs etc......there is something wrong in the camp.

they have had too many poor seasons give another area a chance -

Well done Stormers, 13 points on tour. Must say, a couple of bad, bad calls by the officials

Ai ai ai, Cheetahs, Goosen wil be the no 10 in the world cup in 2015. How the hell did they lose this game?

i have never seen a team go backwards so quickly - I must say that the ref decided not to give a red against the wishes of his linesman which would have seen them home - very poor ref and very poor OFS second half

mr hawaii Wrote:

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> i have never seen a team go backwards so quickly -
> I must say that the ref decided not to give a red
> against the wishes of his linesman which would
> have seen them home - very poor ref and very poor
> OFS second half


Marius Jonker now had 2 bad Saturday's at the office.......