Saturday’s games: 

I think I just f*#@ed another one up…

Brumbies VS Sharks: The Brumbies hosted the Sharks at Canberra Stadium on Saturday, for the 3rd match of round 5 of Super 14 2010. The Sharks drew 1st blood through a long range penalty kick by Andy Goode, after the Brumbies were penalised for playing the ball from an offside position.From there on out, it seemed to be a game of scoreboard ping-pong, as each team had numerous chances to hold the lead. But sadly for the game of rugby, for the second consecutive week, the Sharks suffered a terrible decision at the hands of the blatant incompetence that is Paul Marks. The incident in question came with only minutes left on the clock, when the Sharks put a grubber kick through, only to be picked up by a Brumbies player who had a foot in touch. Marks ruled that it would be a Brumbies lineout. 

My two cents worth:

• The rule of a player being able to catch a ball with one foot in touch, in order for the ball to be deemed as taken out by the ball kicker’s team, only applies when the ball is caught directly out of the air, without touching the ground, and must be caught cleanly, without fumbling. It’s really quite simple, and most junior school referees would get that right. How an IRB certified referee can’t get the call right baffles me! Which leads me to my next point…
• Surely when someone is demoted for not being up to the necessary standard required, they should be demoted completely, not just relegated to the sideline, where they can have a negative effect on the game too. It is called “Assistant Referee” after all. This might have something to do with the fact that they can assist the referee with calls. Which brings me to point number three…
• Paul Marks is hopelessly incompetent! If any other professional had to make the same kind of blunders within their chosen profession, (a doctor incompetently screwing up an operation, for instance) they would be held liable and sued! What people need to realise is that Rugby is very much a business, and a team’s performance can have significant financial implications. That’s two games now where Paul Mark’s incompetence has been significant! I say send him a bill for loss of revenue!
• I’ve included longer highlights for this game, broken into both halves, so you can see the incident in question.

Brumbies VS Sharks 2010 Highlights [tonytai2017]

1st Half: 

2nd Half: 

Scorecard:

Bulls VS Highlanders: The Bulls firmly cemented their place at the top of the 2010 Super 14 log on Saturday, with a game in hand, when they hosted the Highlanders at Loftus. 

In a game where the final score didn’t really justify the thumping that the Bulls dished out, the Highlanders were let back into the game when the Bulls made numerous changes and went into auto pilot. At this point there doesn’t look to be much that can stop the Bulls, bar perhaps the Stormers or Crusaders who make up the rest of the top three respectively. (at this point I don’t see the Chiefs, currently in 4th place, being able to stop them). 

The Bulls drew 1st blod through a GaryBoha try in just the 6th minute of the game, after some impressive offloading and moving the ball through the hands. From there on out, the Highlanders never really had any real chance of winning the game,as the Bulls dominated every facet of the contest. 

My two cents worth:

• The Bulls attack is impressive to say the least. When guys like Danie Rossouw are running through the opposition, you know the defense has to take a long, hard look at themselves.
• The Bull defense on the other hand is not so impressive. I know they think that as long as they keep scoring more than the opposition, it’s okay, but it really isn’t. That is exactly the kind of thing that will end up biting them in the ass.

Bulls VS Crusaders 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Stormers VS Hurricanes: The Stormers hosted the Hurricanes on a greasy Newlands pitch for the last game of Saturday in what was a mighty defensive effort from the home team. The Stormers opened the try scoring in the 8th minute when Sireli Naqelevuki, with renewed vigour of late, went over for a try after some great running from the backline and a deft pass from Jaque Fourie to Joe Pietersen. 

The Hurricanes never stopped trying to crack the Stormers defence, but it was a night where it seemed like nothing would go right for the visiting team. The frustration started showing when Ma’a Nonu, who is fast becoming a menace, put in a high shoulder charge on Peter Grant. 

My two cents worth:

• Te Stormers probably have one of the best defensive systems in the competition at the moment. Don’t let the Hurricanes late consolation try fool you, the Stormers defense is rock solid.
• The Hurricanes really suffered once Cory Jane let the field concussed. It’s a testament to what a solid player he is.
• Ma’a Nonu has been cited for his charge on Peter Grant and must surly be suspended after repeated infringements in this year’s competition.
• I would love to know what has sparked Sireli Naqelevuki’s new found vigour for the game. He is a totally different player to the one that I wanted deported after the 2009 Currie Cup. Good on him.
• Peter Grant’s positional play was good on the night, but I still don’t believe that he is the answer. I would like to see Lionel Cronje get a full run, although it looks as if Cronje will be playing VodacomCup this weekend.

Stormers VS Hurricanes 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

 Scorecard: