Part 2 – Saturday’s games:

Look guys, a blind school can penetrate this defense...

Hurricanes VS Lions: The Lions gave the Hurricanes a tougher battle than most would have thought when the two sides met for their round three encounter in the first game on Saturday. The Hurricanes got off to an early lead when they scored the 1st try of the game in the 13th minute, but the Lions clawed their way back into the game 10 minutes later when they powered over the Hurricanes line and touched the ball down.

The Hurricanes hit back soon after that, and although the Lions held on right till the end, they didn’t have the class to match the ‘Canes.

My two cents worth:

• The Lions only had a 60% tackle rate success, compared to the Hurricanes 80% successful tackles, allowing them to be on the right side of the final score.
• The Lions had some good runs, especially by centre, Doppies La Grange, but failed to convert these into points.
• Cory Jane gained a total on 154m with ball in hand.
• Todd Clever was good all round, making 3 line breaks and scoring a great try.
• If the Lions keep letting opposition players walk through their defense like Andrew Hore did, they will be taking home the wooden spoon this year

Hurricanes VS Lions 2010 Highlights: Read More >>

This week sees us change the format of the weekend’s Super 14 highlights posts. I will be breaking the posts into two sections from now on. Part 1 will be the Friday’s games, posted on Mondays, whilst Part 2 will feature the Saturday’s games, posted on Tuesdays.

Part 1 – Friday’s games:

Crusaders VS Sharks: The Sharks made it 0 for 3 on Friday after they were annihilated by a rampant Crusaders team, keen to make a statement after last weeks loss against the Reds.

It is becoming clear that something is amiss at the Durban based franchise, and whispers are starting to surface that it might have something to do with the meddling of two men who should have long ago been banished from being involved in any form of South African rugby, Rudolf Straeuli and Brian van Rooyen. Whether there is merit in this or not, one thing is clear, the Sharks have to do something, and do it fast, if they have any hope of salvaging the sinking ship that is their 2010 Super 14 campaign.

The Crusaders on the other hand looked like they have put last week’s loss behind them and are re-focussed on getting to the playoffs.

My two cents worth:

• The Sharks look as if their is absolutely no sense of urgency in getting back on defence.
• Zac Guildford is going to be a superstar for many years to come.
• I still don’t see the point of bringing in Andy Goode. Can anyone help me out with this one?
• The Crusaders look to have been boosted from the return to action of their inspirational skipper, Richie McCaw

Crusaders VS Sharks 2010 Highlights: Read More >>

This from Varsity Cup: FNB Maties and FNB UCT, the two top teams in the Varsity Cup at present, face entirely different scenarios in Round Five of the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

The Maties will be up against their so-called ‘bogey team’ in the Varsity Cup, FNB Tuks, at 16h30, in Stellenbosch, whilst UCT will be travelling to Johannesburg to go up against the giant-killing University of Johannesburg, who last week, upset the Pukke in Potchefstroom.

Maties, the back-to-back Varsity Cup champions, last played against Tuks in the 2009 Varsity Cup semifinals; winning that encounter 38-14 to progress to a second successive final and, eventually, a second title in a row.

However, just the week before, Tuks beat the Maties in league action in Stellenbosch, having previously drawn with them in their opening league match of 2008 and losing a thrilling semifinal later that year in extra-time, after the scores were level at the end of regulation time.

Maties coach, Chean Roux, believes Read More >>

Friday 26th February 2010 08h35 (GMT+2) Christchurch 

Crusaders Team: 15. Jared Payne, 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Robert Fruean, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. Zac Guildford, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Thomas Waldrom, 7. George Whitelock, 6. Kieran Read (Captain), 5. Brad Thorn, 4. Sam Whitelock, 3. Ben Franks, 2. Ti`i Paulo, 1. Wyatt Crockett 

Replacements: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Owen Franks, 18. Joe Wheeler, 19. Richie McCaw, 20. Kahn Fotuali`i, 21. Adam Whitelock, 22. Colin Slade 

Sharks Team: 15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Adrian Jacobs, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Ruan Pienaar, 9. Rory Kockott, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Johann Muller, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. John Smit (Captain), 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira 

Replacements: 16. Deon Carstens, 17. Jannie du Plessis, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Keegan Daniel, 21. Andy Goode, 22. Riaan Swanepoel 

Friday 26 February 2010 19h10 (GMT+2) Cape Town 

Stormers Team: 15. Johan Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Juan de Jongh, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Ricky Januarie, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Pieter Louw, 5. Andries Bekker (Captain), 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. JC Kritzinger 

Replacements: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. Eusebio Guinazu, 18. Anton van Zyl, 19. Pieter Myburgh, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Lionel Cronje, 22. Sireli Naqelevuki 

Brumbies Team: 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Pat McCabe, 13. Stirling Mortlock, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Francis Fainifo, 10. Matt Giteau, 9. Josh Valentine, 8. Stephen Hoiles (Captain), 7. George Smith, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. Mark Chisholm, 4. Ben Hand, 3. Salesi Ma’afu, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Alexander 

Replacements: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. Guy Shepherdson, 18. Justin Harrison, 19. Mitchell Chapman, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Matt Toomua, 22. Tyrone Smith 

Saturday 27 February 2010 08h35 (GMT+2) Wellington 

Hurricanes Team: 15. Cory Jane, 14. Tamati Ellison, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. David Smith, 10. Willie Ripia, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Rodney So`oialo, 7. Karl Lowe, 6. Michael Paterson, 5. Jason Eaton, 4. Bryn Evans, 3. Neemiah Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (Captain), 1. John Schwalger 

Replacements: 16. Dane Stuart Coles, 17. Jacob Ellison, 18. Nicholas (Nick) Crosswell, 19. Scott Waldrom, 20. Tyson Keats, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. André Taylor 

Lions Team: 15. Earl Rose, 14. Tonderai Chavhanga, 13. Deon van Rensburg, 12. Doppies la Grange, 11. Wandile Mjekevu, 10. Carlos Spencer, 9. JP Joubert, 8. Todd Clever, 7. Derick Minnie, 6. Cobus Grobbelaar (Captain), 5. George Earle, 4. Franco van der Merwe, 3. Ross Geldenhuys, 2. Hannes Franklin, 1. Heinke van der Merwe 

Replacements: 16. Charles Emslie, 17. Kevin Buys, 18. Jacques Lombaard, 19. Robert Kruger, 20. Jacques (Pumas) Coetzee, 21. Walter Venter, 22. Michael Killian 

Saturday 27 February 2010 10h40 (GMT+2) Brisbane

Reds Team: 15. Peter Hynes, 14. Rod Davies, 13. Morgan Turinui, 12. Anthony Faingaa, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia (Captain), 8. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Daniel Braid, 6. Jake Schatz, 5. Van Humphries, 4. Adam Byrnes, 3. Laurie Weeks, 2. Saia Faingaa, 1. Ben Daley

Replacements: 16. Sean Hardman, 17. Greg Holmes, 18. Rob Simmons, 19. Leroy Houston, 20. Richard Kingi, 21. Tim Walsh, 22. Will Chambers

Blues Team: 15. Paul Williams, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 13. Rene Ranger, 12. Benson Stanley, 11. Rudi Wulf, 10. Stephen Brett, 9. Alby Mathewson, 8. Peter Saili, 7. Serge Lilo, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Anthony Boric, 4. Kurtis Haiu, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 2. Keven Mealamu (Captain), 1. John Afoa

Replacements: 16. Tom McCartney, 17. Tony Woodcock, 18. Filo Paulo, 19. Viliami Ma`afu, 20. Chris Smylie, 21. Dan Kirkpatrick, 22. Lachie Munro

Saturday 27 February 2010 13h05 (GMT+2) Perth

Western Force Team: 15. Mark Bartholomeusz, 14. Scott Staniforth, 13. Ryan Cross, 12. Mitch Inman, 11. Nick Cummins, 10. James O`Connor, 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Sam Wykes, 7. Matthew Hodgson, 6. Ben McCalman, 5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain), 4. Tom Hockings, 3. Timothy Fairbrother, 2. Pekahou Cowan, 1. Nic Henderson

Replacements: 16. Ryan Tyrrell, 17. Matt Dunning, 18. Richard Stanford, 19. Luke Jones, 20. Chris O`Young, 21. Sam Harris, 22. Dane Stafford Haylett-Petty

Chiefs Team: 15. Mike Delany, 14. Lelia Masaga, 13. Richard Kahui, 12. Callum Bruce, 11. Dwayne Sweeney, 10. Stephen Donald, 9. Brendon Leonard, 8. Colin Bourke, 7. Tanerau Latimer, 6. Liam Messam (Captain), 5. Culum Retallick, 4. Romana Graham, 3. Nathan White, 2. Hikawera Elliott, 1. Sona Taumalolo

Replacements: 16. Aled De Malmanche, 17. Ben Afeaki, 18. Jarrad Hoeata, 19. Luke Braid, 20. Junior Poluleuligaga, 21. Jackson Willison, 22. Tim Nanai-Williams

Saturday 27 February 2010 17h05 (GMT+2) Bloemfontein

Cheetahs Team: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Danwel Demas, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Naas Olivier, 9. Tewis de Bruyn, 8. Frans Viljoen, 7. Juan Smith (Captain), 6. Heinrich Brussow, 5. David de Villiers, 4. Nico Breedt, 3. Willem Petrus (WP) Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Wian du Preez

Replacements: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Coenie Oosthuizen, 18. Waltie Vermeulen, 19. Ashley Johnson, 20. Sarel Pretorius, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. Hennie Daniller

Highlanders Team: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Ben Smith, 13. Kenny Lynn, 12. Jason Shoemark, 11. Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10. Michael Hobbs, 9. Jimmy Cowan (Captain), 8. Adam Thomson, 7. Alando Soakai, 6. John Hardie, 5. Tom Donnelly, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 3. Clint Newland, 2. Jason Rutledge, 1. Jamie MacKintosh

Replacements: 16. Jason MacDonald, 17. Chris King, 18. Hayden Triggs, 19. Tim Boys, 20. Sean Romans, 21. Matthew Berquist, 22. James Paterson

Saturday 27 February 2010 19h10 (GMT+2) Pretoria

Bulls Team: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Stephan Dippenaar, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Danie Rossouw, 7. Pedrie Wannenburg, 6. Derick Kuun, 5. Victor Matfield (Captain), 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp

Replacements: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Bees Roux, 18. Mthunzi Karl Mabeta / Deon Stegmann, 19. Dewald Potgieter, 20. Heini Adams, 21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22. John Mametsa / Jaco van der Westhuyzen

Waratahs Team: 15. Sosene Anesi, 14. Lachlan Turner, 13. Tom Carter, 12. Berrick Barnes, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Daniel Halangahu, 9. Luke Burgess, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Phil Waugh (Captain), 6. Ben Mowen, 5. Kane Douglas, 4. Dave Dennis, 3. Al Baxter, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson

Replacements: 16. Damian Fitzpatrick, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. William Caldwell, 19. Locky McCaffrey, 20. Joshua Holmes, 21. Kurtley Beale, 22. Rob Horne

As most of you may know by now, the Western Force are facing a major injury crisis at the moment. If you haven’t heard about the happenings at the Perth based franchise, have a look here.

The Force are struggling with 7 or 8 of their more experienced players currently crocked, including the likes of:

We take a look at how the professional, injury specific, rehab program’s of Andre Pretorius and Tom Hockings are going:

[vanillajombi]

Answer from Tuesday trivia #38: Danie Gerber

Congratulations to David Harley for getting the answer correct.

Q: Which two prominant South African schools now share the record for the most Springboks to date?

Stormers VS Waratahs: The Stormers hosted the Waratahs at Newlands, on a sweltering Cape Town Saturday evening, for their first home game of the 2010 Super 14 season.

The Waratahs opened the scoring with a penalty shot at goal, but it was the Stormers who drew first blood in the try scoring department,when Francois Louw crossed the chalk in the 30th minute. Referee Keith Brown referred the try to TMO, Sean Veldsman, who couldn’t see any reason not to award the try.

A few more penalties were exchanged, and shots at goal taken before the Stormers again scored through a charge down by new Stormers recruit, and Springbok superstar, Brian Habana, in the 43rd minute of the game.

Habana made it a double in the 55th minute after Vermuelen picked up at the back of a scrum, passed to January, who drew the defence perfectly, before offloading to Habana, who had too much pace for the Waratahs defense and crossed the line again.

My two cents worth:

• The Stormers need to break their bad habit of going to sleep in the last 20 minutes of the match and start looking to score some bonus points if they want a spot in the playoffs.
• Bryan Habana showed the Newlands faithfull what a great buy he was with a good performance on the wing.
• Francois Louw was strong as always. He will be looking to continue making a strong statement to the Springbok selectors.
• The Waratahs just didn’t seem to have any real bite.
• Rickie January missed 7 tackles, with another 2 being ineffective, with only a 34% success rate. Whilst Peter Grant missed 5, for a 50% success rate. That is shocking at this level.

Stormers VS Waatahs 2010 Highlights: Read More >>

Bulls VS Brumbies: The Bulls carried on with their hopes at defending their Super 14 title when they took on the Brumbies at the fortress in the Highveld, Loftus, and won convincingly.

Two games down in Super 14 2010 and two 50 pointers on the board for the Bulls, who look to go from strength to strength in the early rounds of this year’s competition. With a number of Bulls players making strong statements early on in the competition, with the likes of Wynand Olivier, Pierre Spies, young Gerhard van den Heever, but non more so than #10, Morne Steyn who seems adamant on making me eat my words week in and week out.

The Brumbies opened the try scoring in the 14th minute, when #8, Rocky Elsom crossed the chalk and did exceptionally well to ground the ball. The Brumbies didn’t stop their however. Again, it was Elsom who sparked the Brumbies second try, when he intercepted a wrap around pass. The ball made it to George Smith, who dotted down under the posts.

The Bulls hit back shortly after that though, when Fourie Du Preez, in all his rugby wisdom, strolled over the Brumbies’ line to touch down under the poles. With the taste for blood after Du Preez’ try, the Bulls went on the rampage, building their lead and closing the Brumbies out to win the game.

My two cents worth:

• The Bulls were on the better end of the stats, spending a total of  5min30sec in the Brumbies’ 22m area.
• The Bulls also took the ball through an incredible 141 phases, managing to take it through 15 phases at one stage.
• It was great to see Rocky Elsom back in Super Rugby. What an incredible player.
• Stirling Mortlock uncharacteristically missed 2 tackles in the midfield.
• Olivier keeps impressing week in and week out in the #12 jumper, with powerful running and try scoring ability. Wouldn’t if be great if he played as well in the Green and Gold?

Bulls VS Brumbies 2010 Highlights: Read More >>

Hurricanes VS Western Force: As most would have expected, the Hurricanes blew away an injury ravaged Western Force outfit in Wellington on Saturday. A game which saw the Hurricanes score 7 tries against the Force’s 3 try tally.

The Hurricanes showed a good variety when attacking. Utilising both the forwards and the backs well on attack, they were just too strong for the Force to hold out for a full eighty minutes. The Hurricanes, although good on the day, may not ave been as consistent as they would have liked. Let us not forget though that the Western Force outfit that they faced has been heavily struck with injuries in the opening round of the 2010 Super 14 competition.

Injuries to Western Force players include the likes of:

• André Pretorius – hamstring (entire season)
• Cameron Shepherd – thigh (six weeks)
• Richard Brown – shoulder (six weeks)
• David Pocock – finger (six weeks)
• Mark Bartholomeusz – neck (two weeks)
• Nick Cummins – foot (four weeks)
• Ryan Cross – shoulder (one week)

My two cents worth:

• Stats wise, both teams were quite even in regards with possession, territory, phases and time in opposition 22 etc.
• Both teams enjoyed a fair amount of time in each others 22m area, with the Force camping in the Hurricanes’ 22m area for close to 6 minutes in total. Unfortunately for them, the Hurricanes capitalised on their time in the opposition’s 22, whilst the Force didn’t.
• Ma’a Nonu once again showed that he is the weakest link defensively, missing 4 tackles in the midfield.
• Andrew Hore once again had a high work rate with 17 tackles.
• Tamati Ellison was brilliant with his punch-through grubber kicks

Hurricanes VS Western Force 2010 Highlights: Read More >>

The Following from SANZAR: Outcome of Disciplinary Hearings

Victor Matfield:Vodacom Bulls lock Victor Matfield was found not guilty of foul play after being cited following Saturday’s Vodacom Super 14 match against the Brumbies in Pretoria. The Vodacom Bulls defeated the Brumbies 50-32.

Matfield appeared before a SANZAR Judicial Committee which was chaired by Advocate Jannie Lubbe in Pretoria on Monday. He was represented at the hearing by Stephan Weyers.

The Vodacom Bulls lock was cited under Law 10.4 (a) for striking Brumbies flanker Rocky Elsom around the head area in the 16th minute of the match.

Law 10.4 (a) states:

Punching or striking: A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including
the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).
Sanction: Penalty kick

SANZAR Judicial Officer Advocate Lubbe viewed the available video angles and deemed that Matfield cleared Elsom in a lawful manner. As a result, he will be available for selection for the Vodacom Bulls’ next Vodacom Super 14 match against the HSBC Waratahs in Pretoria on Saturday

Sione Lauaki:Chiefs No.8 Sione Lauaki has been found guilty of dangerous play after being cited following Friday’s Vodacom Super 14 match against the Lions in Johannesburg. The Chiefs defeated the Lions 72-65.

Lauaki has been suspended for two weeks for a spear tackle. Lauaki was cited under Law 10.4 (j) for lifting Lions centre Deon van Rensburg in a tackle in the 13th minute of the first half and not lowering the player safely back to the ground.

Law 10.4 (j) states:

Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst
that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and/or upper body
come into contact with the ground first is dangerous play.
Sanction: Penalty kick

Lauaki received a yellow card from referee Marius Jonker for the offence. He pleaded guilty to the charge and his defence argued that the yellow card issued by the referee was sufficient punishment.

Advocate Lubbe, after considering all relevant facts and available video evidence on a balance of probabilities, deemed that the referee’s decision was wrong and as a result, Lauaki was suspended from all forms of the game from February 19 to March 6.

That means he misses the Chiefs’ next two matches. The 1st against the Western Force in Perth next Saturday, February 27, and the next against the Reds in Hamilton on Friday, March 5.

Willem Stoltz: Lions lock Willem Stoltz has been suspended for one week for foul play. Stoltz was cited under Law 10.4 (a), for striking Chiefs hooker Aled de Malmanche in the face area with his elbow in the ninth minute of the game.

Law 10.4 (a) states:

Punching or striking: A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including
the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).
Sanction: Penalty kick

Stoltz was penalised and warned by the referee. He pleaded guilty to his charge and defence also argued that the actions of the referee were sufficient punishment.

Advocate Lubbe, after viewing the available video evidence and after taking into account the relevant facts on a balance of probabilities ruled that the referee should have issued a sterner reprimand and as a result, Stoltz was suspended from all forms of the game from the February 19 to February 27.

He misses the Lions’ first match on their five-match Australasian tour, against the Hurricanes in Wellington next Saturday, February 27.