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.
My two cents worth: Read More >>
As most of you already know, the Cape Town Tens Tournament was held at Hamiltons Rugby Club last weekend. What you wouldn’t know, if you weren’t there, is what a raging success the whole weekend was! My condolences to all who didn’t make it. You REALLY missed out!
Surrounded on three sides by Table Mountain, the newly completed Cape Town Stadium and the Atlantic Ocean respectively, Hamiltons Rugby Club forms the perfect venue for the Cape Town Tens Tournament. Only in it’s second year, the tournament has been highly successful, with 2010 being bigger and better than the inaugural 2009 Cape Town Tens Tournament, and it is only set to grow from here.
The brainchild of former Springboks, Bob Skinstad and Robbie Fleck, in conjunction with Tournament Director Ron Rutland, and Don Everitt of Kreate Event Management, pooled their collective knowledge to bring this unique, ground-breaking event to the Mother City in February 2009, and there really is nothing they haven’t thought about.
Chilling hard, drinking a pint, playing some rugga:
From the electrifying on-field action, to the giant SAB Castle Beer Tent, where everyone, myself included, and especially ex Wallaby hooker, Jeremy Paul, enjoyed many a pint, late into the night. All your needs were catered for. What’s that, you’re feeling a tad peckish after 8 pints…? Well, make your way over to one of the very decently priced food tents and grab a bite to eat, before London based band, the Lightyears start playing their set…
Enjoying the Cape Town Tens Vibe: Read More >>
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.
My two cents worth: Read More >>
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.
My two cents worth: Read More >>
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.
My two cents worth: Read More >>
Philip Burger may not have had his chance to represent the Springboks in the 15 man game, but his rugby résumé is by no means lacking.
One of the quickest men in world rugby, and certainly the player with the best spacial awareness of anyone I’ve seen play the game, Philip Burger chose to ply his trade in France since leaving the Cheetahs after the 2007 season, where he was the top try-scorer in the 2006 Currie Cup competition. He joined up with French club, Perpignan, and has since enjoyed the chance of being part of their victorious 2008/2009 squad.
Burger has also excelled at rugby sevens and represented the Springbok 7s team, where he was the top try scorer in the 2006 IRB Sevens tournament in George.
He is probably best remembered for his gravity defying acrobatics when crossing the chalk for a try whilst in South Africa. He might no be diving so high these days, but he still loves getting the crowd going after scoring.
BlogSpotRugby caught up with Philip Burger and asked him a few quick questions regarding His time in France and the 2010 Super 14.
Here Goes: Read More >>
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 >>
