Caption: Not needed

Nuff said. More pictures here

The second All Kiwi match up of the weekend produced the last four-try bonus point win of the weekend when the Crusaders managed to out-muscle and outscore the Highlanders 32 – 17. They were however made to work hard for their win.

In a game that showed equal possession for both teams, the Highlanders made the Crusaders defense work hard to keep them at bay. After being down 0 – 15 early in the second half, the Highlanders hit back once, draft player, Michael Hobbs took the field after Matt Berquist injured his ankle. The highlandes were camped near the Crusaders’ try line when Hobbs received the pass, handing off Dan Carter to cross the chalk and score the try.

Hobbs soon took it to a 1 point ball game through another try and a penalty, but the Crusaders hit back through promising young wing, Zac Guildford. The last try, and effectively the bonus point, was gifted to the Crusaders through some sloppy play from the Highlanders at the full time mark, ending the game and creating a scoreline that wasn’t really a true reflection of the proceedings.

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One of the best ball distributors in the game today...

The Cheetahs managed to cross the chalk for their first try after just 20 seconds when, superstar-in-waiting, Lionel Mapoe ran a great angle onto a flat pass, to crash over the line and dot down for the try, much to the delight of  the Cheetahs fans.

The lead changed hands a few times over the next half hour, but the Bulls took the lead thereafter, in what looked to be an easy win for them in Friday night’s final Super 14 game.

The Cheetahs however had different ideas, and managed to launch a convincing counter assault on the scoreboard just after half time. One has to feel for the Cheetahs though, as the flood lights at Vodacom Park went out, so did any hopes the Cheetahs had of making a comeback.

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Mortlock brings up the grand

The Brumbies got the second game of the 2010 Super 14 underway, when they faced the Western Force in Perth on Friday, in what was to be a scrappy affair.

As with the case of the opening match, between the Blues and Hurricanes, the players struggled to adjust to the new interpretation of referees’ calls at the breakdown, accumulating penalties like they were trading baseball cards. With a total of 19 penalties and 2 free-kicks, less than the opening match, but still an alarmingly high number. Hopefully the players will settle into the new interpretation quickly, and the ref’s will remain consistent.

The Brumbies managed to win the game 24 – 15, scoring 3 tries in the process and keeping the Force try-less through better defense than their opposition, but not a great showing at all. Only the steady boot of young Force back, James O’Connor managed to keep them in the game through 5 penalties.

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An average of 51 points per match were scored during the 1st round of Super 14 2010, with a grand total of 361 points scored throughout the much anticipated 1st weekend.

The 1st games of the season were always going to be difficult to judge, as referees trialed the new rule interpretations, and players had some difficulty adapting to the new style of refereeing, particularly to calls at breakdowns. Things should settle soon enough though, and I think we are in for a more closely competed and exciting Super 14 than ever before.

The Blues and the Hurricanes kicked off the 1st round of the 2010 Super 14 at North Harbour stadium, where a record attendance of 23000 spectators were recorded to have attended the game.

The action started thick and fast as Hurricanes’ and All Black #13, Conrad Smith put in a crunching hit shortly after the kickoff, resulting in an obstruction penalty to the Hurricanes. It was however the Blues who scored the 1st try, through Stephen Brett running onto a flat pass. Just minutes later, Brett again broke the Hurricanes’ line, offloading to John Afoa who crossed the chalk to score only his second Super 14 try.

The Hurricanes didn’t give up there though, they kept at it, chipping away at the Blues’ lead through penalties. The turning point of the game came their way through a Hosea Gear intercept try in the 57th minute, and they eventually went on to win the game 34 – 20.

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The Bulls would have to be the bookies favourites going into the 2010 Super 14. After winning the 2009 competition, as well as South Africa’s domestic competition, the Absa Currie Cup, the Bulls look to be riding the crest of their success into this year.

They have within their ranks, possibly, the greatest player depth out of any of the other union contending for the title. Not only that, but they also have, at their disposal, thousands of rugby crazy fans, whose blood runs blue, to pack out their fortress of altitude, Loftus, week in and week out.

The Bulls may have lost the services of Bryan Habana to the Stormers, but rising star, Gerhard van den Heever is no slouch on the park. He is just one of numerous “young guns” within the Bulls ranks, that coupled with the mentoring of experienced players like Fourie du Preez and captain, Victor Matfield , is a recipe for success

Players to watch: Read More >>

The Chiefs managed to surprise everyone last year when they made it to the Super 14 finals, only to get thumped by a rampaging Bulls team, after finishing in a crummy 7th place in 2008. The Chiefs, not short of talent or experience have been Super 14 underachievers for years, but after finishing in 2nd place overall, one might think that they have turned a corner, and things might be looking up for them.

The biggest question regarding the Chiefs is whether or not they can deliver the same kind of performances, and build on the success of last year. I personally think they can. Their tight five madea tremendous improvement from previous years, with hooker, Aled de Malmanche being one of the standouts in last years competition. Their loose forwards, in Sione Lauaki, Liam Messam and Tanerau Latimer are all brilliant players and fringe All Blacks.

They aren’t short in the backlineeither, with some of the quickest anddeadliest attackers in the competition, with the likes of Mills Muliaina, Lelia Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Stephan Donald, Mike Delany and Brendon Leonard all being All Blacks. Expect more good things from the Chiefs this year.

Players to watch: Read More >>

Going into the competition, the Hurricanes where heavy favourites to win the 2009 Super 14. They have placed consistently well in the log since 2005, bar 2007, where they finished 8th overall, but have in recent years picked up the label of “always the bridesmaid, never the bride”, due to their habit of getting close, but losing the big games.

They have featured in the semifinals 6 times, and only progressed to the final once, where they lost out to the Crusaders in 2006, in a game that was heavily effected by blankets of fog, to the extent that it could hardly be seen on television.

The Hurricanes enjoy the services of a whole host of All Blacks, including the likes of, midfield pair, Ma’a Nonu ndConrad Smith, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Rodney So’oialo, Piri Weepu, and speedster, Hosea Gear and Cory Jane, to name a few. Adding to these big names will be exciting All Black u20 star, Aaron Cruden, who will be looking to make things count this year, and use his chances to stake a claim on the #10 jumper.

Players to watch: Read More >>

The Crusaders have dominated Super Rugby over the years, but only managed to sneak into the knockout stages above the Waratahs on points difference. Always a massive threat, be it at homeor away, the Crusaders remain one of the biggest games on any teams roster. That being said, I do however think tat it is safe to say that the whole stigma surrounding them as “invincible” has eroded away.

The Crusaders will, this season, want to try and reclaim their place at the top of the Super Rugby food chain, and let the rugby supporting fraternity know that they are still the kings of the Southern Hemisphere competition. Whether they will manage to do this remains to be seen, as the Super 14 becomes more and more evenly contested each year. With the top eight or ten teams all having a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stages, and what happens in the semis is anyone’s guess.

The Crusaders will still, and probably always, be one of the favourites going into the competition. With All Black supestars like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter running the show, it creates a solid foundation for success. That, coupled with the rest of the depth within the Crusaders camp, which is by far the deepest of any Super 14 union, is a recipe for success.

Players to watch: Read More >>

George Smith, who in my opinion, revolutionised the role of a fetcher flank has just announced his retirement from international rugby. This from the Wallabies camp:

Qantas Wallabies flanker George Smith, one of only four Australians to have reached the milestone of 100 Tests,has announced his retirement from international Rugby and will be released from his ARU and Brumbies contract at the end of the 2010 Super 14 season.
 
The 110-Test veteran recently approached ARU and Brumbies officials to discuss his future and felt after 10 seasons in the Australian jumper he wanted to explore other options.
 
Talks led to the 29-year-old, who made his Test debut with a man of the match performance against France in Paris in 2000, requesting an early release from an ARU contract that was to expire after the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

“George has made an enormous contribution to Australian Rugby for more than a decade,” said ARU Managing Director and CEO John O’Neill.
 
“His list of achievements in the game, both with the Brumbies in Super Rugby and with the Wallabies at the highest levels of the game, stands him alongside the all time greats. Obviously we wanted George to stay and continue through to his third Rugby World Cup.
 
We had lengthy discussions. However, when he made it clear that his passion for international Rugby was not the driving force it once was, we agreed there were suitable grounds for an early release given his long and continuous service to the game in this country.
 
We could have insisted he see out his contract and blocked any opportunities to play the game overseas before the next Rugby World Cup. His wholehearted commitment over 10 years, however, deserves special consideration.
 
We wish George all the best for the future as he enters his final season of Super Rugby with the Brumbies.”

Smith said it was a difficult decision to leave Australian Rugby at the end of May having started with the Brumbies in 1999 and the Wallabies a season later.

“I have been involved with the Qantas Wallabies and Rugby at the highest level internationally for over 10 years,” he said.
 
“Throughout these 10 years I have always held a deep respect and honour for the Wallabies jersey and for what it means to be a Wallaby. I have considered it a privilege to wear the gold jersey in representation of my family, my friends, my fellow players, past Wallabies and of course my country.
 
Being a part of the Australian Rugby family has also allowed me to form and develop lifelong friendships. From coaching staff and mentors who have helped nurture my ability as a player to my fellow players who have not only treated me as an equal from my debut in France 2000, but also helped me to become a better Rugby player and I believe, a better person Read More >>