Saturday’s games:

Blues VS Force: The Blues managed to outclass the Force 38 – 17 when the two teams clashed in Auckland on the weekend.

The Force were in high hopes after last week’s victory over the Highlanders, but the Blues had the better of then from the get go. With Luke McAlister near back to his form of old, and Joe Rokocoko playing the kind of rugby that saw him score a hat-trick of tries on the night, the Force had little chance of making any kind of decent assault at beating the Blues.

The Force started the game well, but allowed the Blues in for 3 tries a piece in each half, before staging a ‘too little too late’ comeback at the end of the game, running in a late try and being awarded a penalty try in the dying moments of the match.

By then however, it was too late for them, and the Blues sealed the win and with it, kept their Super 14 playoff hopes alive.

My two cents worth:

  • The Force were on the right side of the stats in almost every facet of the game, managing to spend over 8 minutes in the Force’s 22m area, but only managing to cross the try line once in the game, highlighting how good the Blues’ defensive effort was.
  • Stephen Brett has been a bit of a mixed bag for the Blues this year, and has been particularly poor on defence, missing 5 tackles on the night.
  • Tom Hockings took the cake in the missed tackle department though, missing 9 on the night, more than any other player, during a single game, in this year’s competition.
  • David Pockock on the other hand built on his impressive form, making a monster 20 tackles on the night.
  • It’s great to see Joe Rokocoko back to his best. One of the most exciting runners of the ball in the game today.

Blues VS Force 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Crusaders VS Cheetahs: The Crusaders defeated the under par Cheetahs in a 7 try to nil demolition over the weekend. The under performing outfit from Bloemfontein have been worse than usual after losing their two key players in captain, Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow.

The Crusaders weren’t without loss themselves, after their inspirational pivot, Dan Carter, fell out in the 11th hour. They didn’t seem to be lacking without the All Black stalwart’s presence though, but were perhaps made to seem better on the night by the Cheetahs’ poor showing, winning 45 -  6 on the night.

My two cents worth:

  • Thomas Waldrom was brilliant on the night, gaining 125m with ball in hand, making a monster 20 tackles, forcing 2 turnovers and scoring twice.
  • The Cheetahs really aren’t at Super 14 standard, and need to really dig deep to try and undo some of the embarrassment that their season has become.
  • The Cheetahs are also in desperate need of a defensive clue.
  • Once again, the Crusaders showed why they have been so successful over the years, making sure they score the vital bonus point and secure the top spot on the log

Crusaders VS Cheetahs 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Reds VS Bulls: As our mate, Red Menace, filled us in on, the Bulls and Reds kept true to history by the Bulls ‘having lost the final match of their Australasian tour in all 14 seasons of Super Rugby and the Reds having won their first home match after returning from South Africa every year since 2000.’

In what was always going to be a grudge match between two of the best half back combinations in the competition, the Reds managed to outclass the Bulls, systematically beating them 19 – 12.

The Bulls just couldn’t get their game-plan to work in their favour, and were outplayed by the Reds in almost every facet of the game, including losing majority of the key match-ups.

My two cents worth:

  • Digby Ione has to be a shoe in for the Wallaby #13 jumper, gaining 158m with ball in hand during his strong running.
  • I realise that both Stephan Dippenaar and Wynand Olivier had to turn, whilst Scott Higginbotham was at full pace, but I still believe they should have been able to catch him.
  • Will Genia made a strong statement against Fourie du Preez.
  • The Bulls missed 49 tackles in total, with both Pierre Spies and Guthro Steenkamp missing 6 a piece, whilst Danie Rossouw missed 5. Not a great showing by the three Springboks.
  • I said it last week, I’ll say it again. To all those idiots who think Deon Stegman is Springbok material, he is a liability, L-I-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y!

Reds VS Bulls 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Lions VS Sharks: The Sharks seemed adamant to give their fans another unnecessary nail biter when they downed the Lions 32 – 28, in the final game of round 10 of the 2010 Super 14.

At one point in the game, the Sharks seemed as if they were about to hand the Lions yet another landmark defeat, but within 6 minutes of madness, the Lions clawed back to make the score 19 – 18.

Carlos Spencer was a surprise selection at fullback, where he had his best outing in the red jumper to date. The Lions have also seemed to benefit from the short time they have spent with their new defensive ‘advisor’, former Springbok, Ray Mordt.

Both teams had moments of greatness, and both were good at the set piece, but in the end, the Sharks had too much for the Lions.

My two cents worth:

  • For the second week in a row Michael Killian has been impressive, gaining 138m with ball in hand and scoring an impressive try.
  • The Lions defence still has some way to go, missing 32 tackles on the night.
  • There still is nothing good about Andy Goode.

Lions VS Sharks 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]