Toulouse were able to withstand a gutsy late charge by Biaritz to again be crowned Heineken Cup champions, for a record 4th time. Here are the highlights.
The finals of the 2010 Super 14 finals are upon us and only two teams are left standing. It’s going to be another all South African final, with the Bulls set to take on the Stormers at Orlando stadium. Let’s have a look at what got them there.
Bulls VS Crusaders:The Crusaders came within seconds of beating the Bulls during their last encounter at Loftus, but were nowhere close to beating them during this encounter at Orlando Stadium.
For the Bulls, it’s their 3rd Super rugby final in four years. The first ever rugby match played at Orlando Stadium, in Soweto, was a raging success, and I’m sure this weeks final will be even more so.
The Bulls opened the try scoring account in just the 3rd minute, when Pierre Spies broke through the Crusaders line from 10 metres out, beaten his man and brushing off the defence to cross the chalk for the Bulls’ first try.
Not to be outdone, All Black captain, Richie McCaw hit back with a try of his own just 7 minutes later, when the Crusaders drove over the Bulls’ line from a ruck, just 5 metres out.
The game went back and forth at moments from there on out, but the Bulls kept adding to the scoreboard at every opportunity, and with the trusty kicking of Morne Steyn, the Crusaders were punished at every wrong step.
The Crusaders scored a late consolation try, when Sam Whitelock crossed over in the 79th minute, to allow the score to look closer than te actual game was by the end of it.
Fourie du Preez had some real glimpses of brilliance on the night, showing why he is the best player in the world.
Bulls: 39
Tries:Pierre Spies 3m; Zane Kirchner 15m; Fourie du Preez 63m
Conversions: 3/3 (100%) Morne Steyn 3/3 (100%)
Penalties: 6/7 (86%) Morne Steyn 6/7 (86%)
Drop goals: 0/2 (0%) Morne Steyn 0/2 (0%)
Crusaders: 24
Tries: Richie McCaw 11m; Sean Maitland 45m; Sam Whitelock 79m
Conversions: 3/3 (100%) Daniel Carter 3/3 (100%)
Penalties: 1/3 (33%) Daniel Carter 1/3 (33%)
Stormers VS Waratahs:The Stormers booked their ticket to their first ever Super 14 final when the took apart what can only be described as a flat Waratahs team, during the second semi final on Saturday.
The Waratahs made their intensions clear from the kick off, when they won back their own kick, and continued to hold their own in the opening exchanges, trying their best to gain the upper hand for the first quarter.
For the Waratahs though, they didn’t use that ascendancy to put any substantial points on the board, and their discipline let them down throughout, allowing the Stormers to continue clocking up points on the board.
The moment of the match came in the 25th minute, when deserved Springbok tourist, Juan De Jongh broke the Waratahs’ line, taking Kurtley Beale for an absolute nil, beating out the Waratahs cover defense, and crossing over for the only try of the match.
Stormers: 25
Tries:Juan De Jongh 25m
Conversions: 1/1 (100%) Peter Grant 1/1 (100%)
Penalties: 6/7 (86%) Peter Grant 6/7 (86%)
Drop goals: 0/2 (0%) Joe Pietersen 0/2 (0%)
Waratahs: 6
Penalties: 1/3 (33%)Berrick Barnes 1/3 (33%)
Drop goals: 1/2 (50%) Berrick Barnes 1/2 (50%)
Continuing with our look at the 2010 Super 14 semi finals, we take a look at the game between the 2nd placed Stormers and 3rd placed Waratahs.
Stormers VS Waratahs: The Stormers have been in their best form ever for most of this year’s Super 14, and it has duely paid off for them. Ending in second place on the log, with the best defensive record this year, they have also played with the kind of flair that has seen them score some of the best tries of the season.
The Waratahs on the other hand, have played some of the most boring rugby over the last two seasons of Super Rugby, but kudosto them for still managing to grind it out and finda way to the semis, ending third on the log after the round robin stages.
There are key match-ups between most player’s in this game, with either side wanting to gain the ascendancy over the other.
Our prediction for the Newlands clash: We back the home team to take it by 12 or less.
The 2010 Super 14 semi finals are upon us. It’s been a great season thus far,and one of the most evenly contested Super Rugby seasons ever, with a number of teams making a strong statement throughout the season, but at the end of the day, it can only come down to four.
Let’s have a look at a few of the match-ups and see who’s who for Saturday’s games. First things first:
Bulls VS Crusaders:
The Crusaders are the all time most successful team in Super Rugby, winning the competition 7 times in total, with their closest rivals (the Blues) on only 3 wins.
The Bulls, on the other hand, have been one of the teams who have dominated Super rugby over the last few years, winning the competition in 2007, annihilating the Chiefs in the 2009 final, and leading the log most of the way this year.
No surprises here…
It is going to be a tough game, possibly one of the toughest the competition has ever seen, but if you’re a betting man you’ll know that the Bulls will go into the game as favourites. The question will be whether they come out of it the same. I’ll put the Bulls to take it, but only just. By 6 or less.
This year sees 100 years since an official New Zealand Māori side 1st took the field. The following from the NZRU: New Zealand Māori made a winning start to its rich and successful history when the first official New Zealand Māori side met and defeated a Rotorua sub-union team 100 years ago today.
That encounter, played in Rotorua and won 25-5 by New Zealand Māori, launched the team on a Century of rugby that would see them play 429 times for 297 wins and only 109 losses, with 23 drawn matches. Those results included 58 wins over international sides against 30 losses and five draws.
Try-scorers in that historic first match included H Harrison (Thames Valley), C Tipene (Otago), R Dansey (Otago) and Southland’s Billy Stead. The team was captained by Alex Takarangi.
Following the Rotorua match, the team toured New Zealand taking on Auckland and a South Auckland XV before heading to Australia for an 11-match tour and returning to further domestic fixtures. They finished that inaugural season having played 19, won 12, drawn three, and lost seven matches, scoring 315 points and conceding 160.
The development of an official national Maori team owes a great deal to the vision and commitment of Wiremu Teihioka (“Ned”) Parata. Recognising the presence of rugby league among Maori, Parata took his idea of a Maori team to the-then New Zealand Rugby Football Union which agreed and supported the concept. Another of Parata’s masterstrokes was to entice Billy Stead, the vice-captain of the 1905 “Originals” All Blacks side and pioneer of the first five-eighth position, out of retirement to make the tour. Parata subsequently managed Maori teams for the next 16 years.
The establishment of a New Zealand Māori side built on the legacy of the privately-organised New Zealand Natives team which toured in 1888-1889 and which featured predominantly Maori players.
New Zealand Māori Rugby Board Chairman Wayne Peters said the Centenary was a milestone of significant importance in sporting terms, recognised on the international stage by the presence during the centennial year of teams of international standing as well as being accepted as the opportunity to pay tribute to those who have supported Maori rugby at all levels
“Māori rugby holds a special place for Māori, and New Zealand rugby followers generally, as it represents a distinctive and unique aspect of rugby in New Zealand. So it is appropriate that we celebrate the past and, in particular, those players, coaches and management and supporters who have contributed to the game over 100 years,” he said.
Mr Peters said the Centenary would be celebrated during the Sealord New Zealand Māori Centenary Series next month. New Zealand Māori take on the New Zealand Barbarians in Whangarei, Ireland in Rotorua and England in Napier, while a series of luncheons being held in each venue would create an opportunity to honour the former players and those others who have contributed so much to the success of the team and Maori rugby.
The first New Zealand Māori team was officially selected in 1910. The idea of a wholly Māori side was first mooted in the 1880s, resulting in the formation of the New Zealand Natives, whose famous 1888 tour was to have a tremendous impact on New Zealand rugby. Since their debut in 1910, the New Zealand Māori side has played almost every provincial side in New Zealand as well as numerous national sides and has toured extensively overseas. The team has a proud record, including victories in the professional era over England, Argentina, Scotland and Fiji, and an historic win over the 2005 British and Irish Lions.
Not bad. Hosea Gear is quite a machine!
So we have been featuring quite a few Super 14 cheerleaders posts of late, but I think it is time to do something for the ladies. Enjoy this, it wont happen often… [Sport24]
One for the cougars... - Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images
The following from the Rebels’ camp: Melbourne Rebels announced today that inspirational fullback, Julian Huxley, is the 19th signing to its Super squad.
Two months ago, and two years after having a brain tumour removed, Huxley astonished the rugby world with his courageous return to the Brumbies side in a game that saw him inspire his team mates to victory.
Now the 30 year old, in the best shape of his career, is ready for fresh challenges with the move to Melbourne for the expanded Super competition in 2011.
“I’ve had amazing support from the Brumbies and the rugby community in Canberra, particularly over the last two years, and now need to start a new chapter in my life. It’s very rare to get the opportunity to be a part of a start-up, to help build the foundations of a club. I am extremely fortunate to have this chance.” Huxley said.
“I have enormous respect for Rod Macqueen and look forward to helping him deliver on his determination to do things differently with the Melbourne Rebels. I must say I have a more holistic approach to life through my recent experience and I expect Melbourne to offer as much off the field as on.”
In commenting on the signing of the 9-capped Wallaby, Coaching Director Rod Macqueen said,
“Julian has shown great form since his return. He brings with him a fantastic attitude to life and the game we can all learn from. He is an intelligent player who will make a significant contribution to the Rebels.”
Julian Huxley Super Rugby Career
Honours
A mass brawl erupted during the round 14 of the 2010 Super 14, in the clash between the Reds and the Highlanders. The two main culprits were Van Humphries and (as always) Jimmy Cowan.
Whilst I don’t condone this type of behavior in rugby (it isn’t soccer after all), it is quite entertaining to watch afterwards. Kind of reminds me of school days, where we were banned from ever playing SACS again after a similar situation…
Jeez, Van Humphries got eaten alive by that #8. I like how 3 Reds okes attack Vainikolo. What’s with that?
Chill out mate, have another cold one.
It seems as if all those doom-sayers have egg on their face this morning, as the tickets for the Bulls VS Crusaders clash at Orlando Stadium is sold out. This from the Bulls camp:
Tickets for the Vodacom Super 14 semi-final at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on 22 May 2010 has been sold out. The tickets for the public were available at Computicket from 09h00 this morning, but sold out in hours.
Tickets not taken up by season ticket holders by Tuesday 18 May at 16:00 will be released to the public and an announcement in this regard will be communicated as soon as possible. (So there may be an opportunity for all the little people to still get tickets, but I doubt it…)
The Bulls have also been kind enough to organise transport to and from the stadium, as well as secure parking. As far as I know, they are even offering this to Crusaders fans. Nothing wrong with that:
The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd would like to announce the following transport information with regards to the Vodacom Super 14 semi-final between the Vodacom Bulls and Crusaders at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on the 22nd of May 2010 at 17h00.
Park and Ride SuperSport Park:
There will be a park and ride facility available at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Cost:
Times:
Please note that due to the rules and regulations of no liquor or braais will be allowed in the Supersport Park parking area. (What kind of kak rules are those?)
Park and Ride at Nasrec:
There will be 8000 secure parking bays available at Nasrec.
Cost:
Ticketing:
Please note that due to the rules and regulations of the City of Johannesburg no liquor or braais will be allowed in the Nasrec parking area. (Again with the kak rules. Who’s in charge here? I want to speak to the manager!)
Arriving at Orlando Stadium:
We look forward to hosting our Vodacom Bulls supporters at Orlando Stadium in Soweto!
Click here for detailed directions on getting there. Click below for more beer. (Don’t mix the two)
Blues VS Chiefs: In the first of the ‘doesn’t really matter’ match ups of Saturday, the Blues, demolished their fellow NZ counter-parts, the Chiefs, 30 – 20.
The scoreline might suggest the game was closer than it actually was, but the Blues outscored the Chiefs 5 tries to 2, with the difference in score reflecting the lack of Stephan Brett’s kicking ability. He’s been a mixed bag for them all season.
Both teams have been disappointing this season, and are probably happy to put the 2010 Super14 behind them and enjoy a good break.
The Blues managed to put three tries on the board before the chiefs managed to open their try scoring account, but just three minutes later, the Blues added insult to injury when they scored the bonus point try.
Each team scored another after that, but by this stage, I’m sure no one cared.
