Super 14 highlights 2010 – Round 12: Part 2

04 May 2010 in Super 14 by Dooley

Saturday’s games:

Hurricanes VS Chiefs: The Hurricanes kept their hopes of a semi-final berth alive, when they scored a bonus try victory over the Chiefs, after the full time hooter had sounded, at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, on Saturday.

The lack of a consistent goal kicker once again cost the Chiefs in this all important NZ derby, when they missed a relatively simple penalty kick, in front of the posts, with just minutes left on the clock. They did however take two bonus points out of the match.

The Chiefs opened the try scoring account after just the 6th minute, but Hurricane’s fullback, and All Black utility, Cory Jane hit back in the 14th with a try of his own. In true derby style, the game was a hard fought see-saw affair, but in the end the Hurricanes had the composure, and the Chiefs once again let themselves down when Richard Kahui chipped the ball into the hands of Hurricanes flyer, Hosea Gear who broke down the line, offloaded to Ma’a Nonu who beat out the last line of Chiefs’ defense and crossed over to score.

The Hurricanes weren’t done though, determined to score the vital bonus point, they soldiered on, and after the final hooter sounded, front rower, Neemia Tialata bashed through Ben Afeaki and crossed over for just his third Super Rugby try.

My two cents worth:

Things were pretty even possession wise, with the Hurricanes enjoying slightly more territory.
The Chiefs discipline let them down on the night, giving away 16 penalties, compared to the Hurricanes’ 7.
Ma’a Nonu was once again powerful with ball in hand, brushing off defenders and gaining 173m with ball in hand.
At times there was some pretty average defence from the Chiefs, with Callum Bruce being the worst, missing 5 tackles on the night.

Hurricanes VS Chiefs 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Hurricanes: 33

Tries: Cory Jane 14m; Ma’a Nonu (2) 36m, 75m; Neemia Tialata 80m

Conversions: 2/4 (50%) Aaron Cruden 1/2 (50%); Piri Weepu 1/2 (50%)

Penalties: 3/4 (75%) Aaron Cruden 2/2 (100%); Piri Weepu 1/2 (50%)

Chiefs: 27

Tries: Jackson Willison 6m; Sona Taumalolo 19m; Tim Nanai-Williams 24m; Liam Messam 28m

Conversions: 2/4 (50%) Callum Bruce 2/4 (50%)

Penalties: 1/3 (33%) Colin Bourke 0/1 (0%); Callum Bruce 1/2 (50%)

Brumbies VS Reds: The Brumbies kept their perfect home record against the Reds intact when they ended the Reds’ winning streak in the fourth game of round 12.

The Reds have had their best season in a decade, and travelled to Canberra, hoping for a historic win against their Aussie counterparts. It was not to be though, and the Brumbies scored one of their better wins of the season, and with it, kept alive their slim playoff hopes.

The Brumbies managed to score a bonus point victory over the try-less Reds, who on the night enjoyed majority of the possession, but couldn’t seem to string their attack together.

My two cents worth:

Matt Giteau dominated Quade Cooper on the night, ending Coopers dream run of Super 14 appearances. Giteau wasn’t all golden on the night though, missing 7 tackles.
Peter Hynes gained the most ground out of the dismal backline players, gaining 83m with ball in hand on the night.
Ben Alexander scored his second double of the year. Not bad for a front rower.

Hurricanes VS Chiefs 2010 Highlights: [Olbie1]

Scorecard:

Brumbies: 32

Tries: Mark Chisholm 13m; Ben Alexander (2) 23m, 73m; Josh Valentine 56m

Conversions: 3/4 (75%) Matt Giteau 3/4 (75%)

Penalties: 2/3 (67%) Matt Giteau 2/3 (67%)

Reds: 12

Penalties: 4/4 (100%) Quade Cooper 4/4 (100%)

Cheetahs VS Blues: The Cheetahs scored the unlikeliest of upsets when they downed the Blues and in the process scored their first bonus point victory of the 2010 season.

The value of Juan Smith was clear for all to see as he stepped the Blues defensive line and opened the try scoring sheet in just the 3rd minute.

The Blues weren’t ready to give up though, and hit back with their first try four minutes later after a sublime break from Benson Stanley who offloaded to Isaia Toeava crossed the chalk in the corner.

It was yet another see-saw battle in round 12, with the lead changing hands a number of times. For a moment two thirds through the match, it looked as if the Blues were going to run away with it, but the Cheetahs were ferocious at the breakdown and more hungry for the win.

My two cents worth:

What a difference Juan Smith makes to any team. His value is incalculable. A must for RWC 2011.
Paul Williams gained 134m with ball in hand, the most by any player on the night.
Whilst I’m glad the Cheetahs won, their unexpected upset absolutely destroyed my fantasy rugby predictions.

Cheetahs VS Blues 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Cheetahs: 36

Tries: Juan Smith 3m; Jongi Nokwe 22m; Bjorn Basson 27m; Phillip van der Walt 60m; Watie Vermeulen 73m

Conversions: 4/5 (80%) Naas Olivier 2/3 (67%); Meyer Bosman 2/2 (100%)

Penalties: 1/2 (50%) Naas Olivier 1/2 (50%)

Blues: 32

Tries: Isaia Toeava 7m; Rene Ranger 43m; Alby Mathewson 58m; Anthony Tuitavake 76m

Conversions: 3/4 (75%) Stephen Brett 3/4 (75%)

Penalties: 2/4 (50%) Stephen Brett 2/4 (50%)

Lions VS Force: The Force, with nothing to play for, continued their impressive climb to form, with yet another record victory on the weekend, when they beat the toothless Lions.

For the Lions is was yet another defeat in a win-less season that sees them in danger of being relegated. They remained try-less on the night, but somehow did manage to gain equal territory and advantage.

The Lions kept the Force try-less for the first 40 minutes, but let’s not fool ourselves, it was a one sided affair from the outset, and at this stage it looks as if the Lions will finish the season without a win.

My two cents worth:

The Lions are still kak, possibly making the Force look better on the night. To be honest, I’ve given up even attempting to watch any game they are meant to be involved in.

Lions VS Force 2010 Highlights: [Olbie1]

Scorecard:

Lions: 12

Penalties: 4/4 (100%) Stephan Kruger 4/4 (100%)

Force: 33

Tries: Scott Staniforth 40m; David Hill 58m; Mark Bartholomeusz 74m

Conversions: 3/3 (100%) David Hill 3/3 (100%)

Penalties: 4/5 (80%) Brett Sheehan 0/1 (0%); David Hill 4/4 (100%)

Bulls VS Sharks: The Sharks gave the Bulls a full run for their money on Saturday when the two sides met for a much anticipated North-South derby at Loftus over the weekend, but it was the Bulls shear power that overcame the Sharks’ spirited performance.

The Bulls may not have scored the bonus point at a rain drenched Loftus, but they did do enough to secure the top spot on the log for at least another week.

Both sides remained try-less for 60 minutes of the game, but then Jacques-Louis Potgieter crossed over for a well deserved try. The Bulls managed to score their second and last try 12 minutes later through rising star, Gerhard Van den Heever. At that point it looked as if the match was sealed, but the Sharks hadn’t given up, hitting back with a late Rory Kockott try in the dying minutes of the game.

Sadly for Sharks fans country wide, it was too little too late for he coastal team, and the Bulls moved closer to securing a home semi final spot.

My two cents worth:

Pierre Spies had a half solid game, gaining 83m with ball in hand on the night.
The match up between Fourie du Preez and Ruan Pienaar was great to see, and whichever way you look at it, the Springboks are sitting pretty at #9.
Bismark Du Plessis was a clear loss for the Sharks, and the Boks will miss him this season.
All in all, in true derby style, it was a pretty exciting game to watch.