Saturday’s games:

Blues VS Chiefs: In the first of the ‘doesn’t really matter’ match ups of Saturday, the Blues, demolished their fellow NZ counter-parts, the Chiefs, 30 – 20.

The scoreline might suggest the game was closer than it actually was, but the Blues outscored the Chiefs 5 tries to 2, with the difference in score reflecting the lack of Stephan Brett’s kicking ability. He’s been a mixed bag for them all season.

Both teams have been disappointing this season, and are probably happy to put the 2010 Super14 behind them and enjoy a good break.

The Blues managed to put three tries on the board before the chiefs managed to open their try scoring account, but just three minutes later, the Blues added insult to injury when they scored the bonus point try.

Each team scored another after that, but by this stage, I’m sure no one cared.

My two cents worth:

• If I were the All Black selectors, I’d be getting worried at the lack of experienced or quality replacements for Dan Carter, should he pick up an injury. There really is no (other) stand out #10 in NZ at the moment.
• Rudi Wulfe was impressive from the wing, breaking the line twice, scoring twice and gaining 134m with ball in hand. Not bad from a gut who almost ended up paralysed after diving into a swimming pool wrong.
• Tanerau Latimer was once again a machine on defense, making a strong statement with his 24 tackles on the night.
• Both teams’ defense was horrid, but non more so than the Chiefs’ backline. Shocking stuff for this level of rugby.
• The scoreline would have been further apart if toss-box referee, Paul Marks hadn’t obstructed the Blues defense to allow Liam Messam through for a try in the 58th minute (1m14sec mark in the 2nd half)

Blues VS Chiefs 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Blues: 30

Tries: Paul Williams 26m; Benson Stanley 36m; Alby Mathewson 45m; Rudolffe Wulf (2) 61m, 73m

Conversions: 1/5 (20%) Stephen Brett 1/5 (20%)

Penalties: 1/2 (50%) Stephen Brett 1/2 (50%)

Chiefs: 20

Tries: Liam Messam 58m; Save Tokula 79m

Conversions: 2/2 (100%) Trent Renata 2/2 (100%)

Penalties: 2/2 (100%) Trent Renata 2/2 (100%)

Reds VS Highlanders: Another ‘doesn’t really matter’ match-up was played between the Reds and Highlanders on Saturday, with the Reds only just getting the better of the Highlanders 38 – 36.

The Reds played most of the rugby during the first half, but allowed the Highlanders back into the game during the second, when the Highlanders outscored the Reds five tries to two.

Quade Cooper was once again in superb form, putting together another great performance that may well see him a contender for player of the tournament, and capping it off with a high pressure conversion to seal the win and end their season on a high.

My two cents worth:

• Except for the mass brawl that erupted during the game, both teams were pretty disciplined, giving away a total of only 12 penalties on the night.
• Anyone who saw Quade Cooper’s pass for Peter Hynes’ try won’t argue at his genius this season, making him a must for the Wallaby #10 jersey. His defense needs some work though.
• I’m not too sure what Fetu’u Vainikolo was doing for his try celebrations, but he did score two good tries.

Reds VS Highlanders 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Reds: 38

Tries: Digby Ioane 1m; Radike Samo 11m; Peter Hynes 19m; Quade Cooper 34m; Poutasi Luafutu (2) 67m, 78m

Conversions: 4/6 (67%) Quade Cooper 4/6 (67%)

Highlanders: 36

Tries: Israel Dagg 41m; Chris King 53m; Fetu’u Vainikolo 55m; Fetu’u Vainikolo 63m; Jason Rutledge 72m

Conversions: 4/5 (80%) Israel Dagg 4/5 (80%)

Penalties: 1/2 (50%) Israel Dagg 1/2 (50%)

The light at the end of the tunnel that Dick Muir keeps babbling about?

Cheetahs VS Lions: The Lions put on another shockingly disgraceful display when they were demolished 9 tries to 1 (again scored by the only Lions player with hope, Michael Killian)

For the Cheetahs, it was a strong finish to their season, which saw them finish in their highest ever spot on the log.

My two cents worth:

• I’m not going to waste your time, the Lions are shit, and at this point, deserve to be relegated from the competition!
• Surely there is no way Dick Muir can continue as a Springbok assistant coach!?

Cheetahs VS Lions 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Cheetahs: 59

Tries: Bjorn Basson (2) 5m, 18m; Sarel Pretorius (2) 10m, 16m; Barend Pieterse 26m; Corne Uys 35m; Hennie Daniller (2) 48m, 56m; Coenrad Oosthuizen 76m

Conversions: 7/9 (78%) Naas Olivier 6/8 (75%)’ Louis Strydom 1/1 (100%)

Lions: 10

Tries: Michael Killian 44m

Conversions: 1/1 (100%) Herkie Kruger 1/1 (100%)

Penalties: 1/1 (100%) Herkie Kruger 1/1 (100%)

A preview to next week?

Stormers VS Bulls: The Stormers came up against a supposed Bulls ‘B’ side, who had a greater number of combined caps than the Western Force, beating them out to secure the second South African semi final.

The Stormers put together some decent rugby on the night, but faded once the win was secured. The first of their four tries coming in just the 4th minut, when former Bulls player, Bryan Habana crossed fo the 1st of his double on the night.

Their was a lot of talk about whether or not the Bulls were making  mistake resting so many of their first choice players, only time will tell though, and if you’re a betting man, I’d put my money on them to pick up where they left off.

My two cents worth:

• Peter Grant is still not the answer at #10, missing 6 tackles on the night.
• Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw and Schalk Burger have been superb all season, the best loose trio in the competition by a long shot.
• Pedrie Wannenburg relished his rare starting opportunity, making 19 runs and gaining 80m with ball in hand.

Stormers VS Bulls 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Stormers: 38

Tries:Bryan Habana (2) 4m,  24m; Andries Bekker 28m; Jaque Fourie 63m

Conversions: 3/4 (75%) Peter Grant 3/4 (75%)

Penalties: 4/5 (80%) Peter Grant 4/5 (80%)

Bulls: 10

Tries:Ruan Snyman 79m

Conversions: 1/1 (100%) Francois Brummer 1/1 (100%)

Penalties: 1/1 (100%) Jacques-Louis Potgieter 1/1 (100%)