Friday’s games:

Will Dan be back to his best for the Orlando clash?

Crusaders VS Brumbies: The Crusaders, still upset from last week’s defeat to the Bulls, were the first of the ‘probables‘ to secure their place in the 2010 Super 14 semi finals, when they took apart their biggest rivals, the Brumbies, in Christchurch on Friday.

The Crusaders had their eye on the prize from the get go, and always looked like they were going to end the night with a win and in the process, earning a much wanted rematch against the Bulls, this time at Orlando stadium though.

The Crusaders opened up the try scoring sheet when Sean Maitland crossed the chalk after the 12th minute. The Brumbies weren’t ready to lie down though, and just 6 minutes later, Tyrone Smith, who has been firing from the midfield in recent weeks, hit back with a try for the Brumbies.

The Brumbies kept themselves on the right side of the stats, but it was all the Crusaders from there on out, as the Brumbies didn’t really look confident enough to win it, not using their opportunities, and ending their playoff hopes.

My two cents worth:

  • AAC was superb with ball in hand on the night, gaining a total of 155m, and most likely cementing his #15 Wallaby jersey.
  • The Crusaders defense was surprisingly bad on the night, missing 33 tackles on the night, with Richie McCaw worst of all, missing 4 on the night.
  • Huia Edmonds has been good all season when coming off the bench. He took the field for Stephan Moore who broke his jaw, and is subsequently out for 12 weeks. Edmonds broke the Crusaders line twice on the night.
  • Mitchell Chapman forced 4 turnovers on the night.
  • Good kicking effort by George Smith at the end of the game, had the distance too.

Crusaders VS Brumbies 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Crusaders: 40

Tries: Sean Maitland 12m; Kieran Read 25m; Owen Franks 28m; Richard McCaw 51m; Zac Guildford 78m

Conversions: 3/5 (60%) Daniel Carter 3/4 (75%); Daniel Bowden 0/1 (0%)

Penalties: 3/5 (60%) Daniel Carter 3/5 (60%)

Brumbies: 22

Tries: Tyrone Smith 18m; Ben Alexander 45m; Huia Edmonds 82m

Conversions: 2/3 (67%) George Smith 0/1 (0%); Matt Giteau 2/2 (100%)

Penalties: 1/1 (100%) Matt Giteau 1/1 (100%)

Waratahs VS Hurricanes: The Waratahs managed to put together one of their best wins of the season when they downed the Hurricanes to cement their place in the 2010 Super 14 playoffs.

After a week of moaning about the Bulls’ team selection, the Waratahs pulled it together and did their talking on the field, with Kurtley Beale, who put in another stellar performance, and Wallaby, Drew Mitchell, leading the way.

Beale opened up the try scoring after just the 15th minute, when Rob Horne broke the line, with the ball making it to Beale, who put through yet another perfect chip kick, regathering the ball over the line and dotting down the try. He went on to make it a double in the 51st, with Drew Mitchell scoring 2 in between.

The Hurricanes never gave up though, with a number of their players putting their hands up on the night, but somehow just couldn’t convert their opportunities into points.

But ultimately, it was the Waratahs who were hungrier for the win on the night, and sealed their fate for the second semi final in Cape Town this coming weekend.

My two cents worth:

  • Even when in the losing side, Cory Jane is brilliant with ball in hand, gaining a total of 144m with ball in hand and managing to offload 5 times.
  • For a winning side, the Waratahs defense was shocking at times, missing 38 tackles on the night, with Luke Burgess the worst of all, missing 7 on his own.
  • The Waratahs definitely seem set to play the kicking game. Whilst they are doing well with it, I’m not sure how well that will work at Newlands.
  • Phil ‘little girl’ Waugh is still a whining, moaning little bitch, but I’m looking forward to the battle between him and Schalk Burger this weekend.
  • Kurtley Beale has been superb in the last few outings, but I’m not sure how well that kind of game will work on the international stage.

Waratahs VS Hurricanes 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Waratahs: 32

Tries: Kurtley Beale (2) 15m, 51m; Drew Mitchell (2) 32m, 45m

Conversions: 3/4 (75%) Berrick Barnes 3/4 (75%)

Penalties: 2/2 (100%) Berrick Barnes 2/2 (100%)

Drop goals: 0/1 (0%) Berrick Barnes 0/1 (0%)

Hurricanes: 16

Tries: David Smith 74m

Conversions: 1/1 (100%) Piri Weepu 1/1 (100%)

Penalties: 3/3 (100%) Piri Weepu 3/3 (100%)

Sharks VS Force: The Sharks ended their disappointing 2010 season on a high when they beat the Western Force 27 – 22 on the weekend.

Both franchises have had a dismal season, with the Force suffering huge amounts of injuries, and the Sharks losing a number of their opening matches, but both finished strong and will want to carry that forward into next season.

Neither team had any chance of making the playoffs going into this round, but they gave it a good go, and there are some definat positives to take from this game.

My two cents worth:

  • Lwazi Mvovo is no slouch, and this speedster is one to watch out for in the future.
  • Stefan Terblanche may have stood up well to Jaque Fourie last week, but he is out of place at #13, missing 7 tackles on the night.
  • Ryan Cross might still be a suitable replacement for Stirling Mortlock, running great lines and gaining 95m with ball in hand.

Chiefs VS Waratahs 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Sharks: 27

Tries: Lwazi Mvovo 8m; Ryan Kankowski 34m; Jacques Botes 48m

Conversions: 3/3 (100%) Ruan Pienaar 3/3 (100%)

Penalties: 2/3 (67%) Ruan Pienaar 2/3 (67%)

Force: 22

Tries: Nick Cummins 61m

Conversions: 1/1 (100%) James O’Connor 1/1 (100%)

Penalties: 5/5 (100%) Brett Sheehan 2/2 (100%) James O’Connor 3/3 (100%)