Super 14 highlights 2010 – Round 6

It was Human Rights Day here in South Africa on Sunday, so Monday became a public holiday, which allowed me to exercise my right to be incredibly hung over and not post anything. For that reason, I have included both Friday and Saturday’s games into one post.

Blues VS Brumbies: The Blues ran out at home against a determined Brumbies team for what was to be captain, Kevin Mealamu’s, 100th Super Rugby appearance. The Brumbies drew first blood in the try scoring department, and whilst the Blues came back to win it, as is the tale of their performances this season, their ill-discipline in conceding penalties, allowed the opposition to stay in the game.

My two cents worth:

Rene Ranger has been a revelation in the midfield for the Blues this season. If he rectifies his habit of losing the ball in the tackle from time to time, he will surely be up for All Black selection very soon.
Kevin Mealamu didn’t exactly have a fairytale 100th appearance, defensively speaking, missing 4 tackles on the night.
Rene Ranger gained a total of 78m with ball in hand, the most by any player on the night.
It was great to see Joe Rokocoko scoring a few tries again.
Stephen Brett’s defense remains questionable.

Blues VS Brumbies 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Bulls VS Hurricanes: The Bulls came up against a resurgent Hurricanes team, wounded and hungry for a win, when they ran out at Loftus on Friday night. It was Victor Matfield’s 100thSuper Rugby appearance, the second new Super Rugby centurion of the day, after Kevin Mealamu’s appearance earlier on.

Matfield and his men had to dig deep and grind things out after the Hurricanes took them to the wire for the full eighty minutes. A huge feat for any team, made even more difficult by a win-less South African tour, and having the last game of said tour at fortress Loftus, in the Highveld.

The Hurricanes outscored the Bulls as far as tries are concerned, but the Hurricanes allowed the Bulls to remain in the game through their ill discipline and the accurate boot of Morne Steyn.

My two cents worth:

The Bulls took the ball hrough 162 phases, almost double what the Hurricanes managed. A testament to how good the Hurricanes’ defense was on the night.
The Bulls should use Fridays game as a wake up call, in that their defense needs to be worked on, because when they aren’t scoring tries, they can’t afford to allow more tries through.
Wynand Olivier remains a strong runner, but I felt that they were expecting too much from the marked man. They should have used him as a decoy instead, as the Hurricanes were committing two men to his channel every time it looked as if he would get the ball.

Bulls VS Hurricanes 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Crusaders VS Lions:The Crusaders must have been licking their lips at the thought of coming up against the Lions. Both teams were pretty equal stats wise, but the two are clearly in different class zones, with the Crusaders downing the Lions 46 – 19.

For the Lions, the season is all but a disaster, with no hope of reaching the playoffs. For the Crusaders on the other hand, the win brought them closer to the top of the log, allowing them to occupy the number 2 spot on the log, albeit briefly.

My two cents worth:

The Lions missed 32 tackles on the night, explaining the score difference perfectly. Earl Rose was the worst culprit, missing 4 tackles on the night.
Thomas Waldrom gained a total of 123m with ball in hand on the night, the most of any player.
Franco van der Merwe made an incredible 17 tackle on the night. Not bad at all for a tight 5 player.

Crusaders VS Lions 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Highlanders VS Sharks:The Sharks managed to gain their first win of the season when the faced the Highlanders in Dunedin on the weekend. The Highlanders were on the right side of the stats in every way except score wise. In fact the Highlanders spent almost five times as much time in the Sharks 22m area than what the Sharks managed in the Highlanders 22m.

There were some great glimpses of the Sharks of the previous few seasons during the game, but there is still a lot of work to be done if they are to end in the top half of the log. For me though, the thing that stood out the most in the game was the brilliant refereeing display from Jonathan White. Whilst he may be a bit inexperienced, never have I seen a better display of communication with the players by any referee.

My two cents worth:

There really is nothing good about Andy Goode. It was great to see Ruan Pienaar goaling some kicks again, and the game really got going forward once Rory Kockott took the field.
John Smit held his own, out of position, in the front row, when he took the field as a last minute replacement for a sick Tendai Mtawarira.
Highlanders #10, Robbie Robinson missed 6 tackles on the night. That kak doesn’t fly at this level!

Highlanders VS Sharks 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Force VS Waratahs:The injury ravaged Force ground out a close encounter when they took on the Waratahs at the weekend. The Waratahs opened up the try scoring and kept the Force at bay for the rest of the game, but the Force didn’t give up, coming within 4 points of the Waratahs, and gaining the bonus point for losing within 7 points. Not that it really matters, the Force’s ship wreck season in unsalvageable.

My two cents worth:

Soseni Anesigained a total of 119m with ball in hand, not too shaby from the New Zealand import.
Tatafu Polota-Naucontinues to make a strong statement with every game he plays.
Luke Burgess clearly feels like he too needed to make a statement that he is still a contender for the Wallaby #9 jumper.
James O’Connor uncharacteristically missed 4 tackles in the midfield, the most by any player on the night.

Force VS Waratahs 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Stormers VS Cheetahs:The North/South All South African derby between the Stormers andthe Cheetahs ended round 6 of the 2010 Super 14. The Stormers continued their great streak in this year’s tournament, beating the Cheetahs 21 – 8, landing them in 2nd place on the log.

Jaque Fourie showed the Cape fans once again why the Stormers fought so hard to sign him. The Cheetahs really missed the services of the injured Heinrich Brussow. The Stormers made the most of losing Peter Grant moments before the game and managed to dominate evey facet of the encounter.

My two cents worth:

The Stormers defence is impeccable!
Jaque Fourie gave the Cheetahs a hard time all night, breaking the line on three occasions, whilst debutant, Tim Whitehead had a good display on his 1st outing in the Stormers jumper.
Francois Louw keeps building on his form from last season and will surely be a Springbok sooner than later.