Friday’s Games:

Chiefs VS Cheetahs: The opening game of round 11 looked as if it would be yet another cricket score against the Cheetahs, when after 9 minutes, the Chiefs had already scored 2 tries and were 10 - 3 up, due to both conversions being missed in what was to become a nightmare showing with the boot for Stephen Donald.

10 minutes later the Chiefs had scored again, but yet another missed conversion by the Chiefs opened the window for the Cheetahs to claw their way back into the game.

Just three minutes later the Cheetahs launched their resurgence, after a brilliantly executed rolling maul from the lineout saw deserved Springbok tourist, Devon Raubenheimer cross over for the try.

Both teams had a very ordinary defensive display on the night, and whilst each had glimpses of some decent attack, neither really stood out in that department either.

In the end it was yet another example of how important goaling your kicks is in this competition. The Nightmare kicking from, the now shadow of their former self, Chiefs, with 0 from 8 on the night, allowing the Cheetahs to force the 25 all draw.

My two cents worth:

  • Chiefs #2, Hikawera Elliot had another strong showing in an otherwise ordinary Chief outfit. He carries the ball well and is a strong runner.
  • Meyer Bosman, who I usually sledge, scored a great try off a Chiefs handling error after Corne Uys pounced on the ball, flicking it out to Bosman for the footrace to the line.
  • Yet again, Stephen Donald showed why he isn’t at international standard, and can’t be viewed in the same class as Dan Carter.

Chiefs VS Cheetahs 2010 Highlights [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Chiefs:

Tries: Colin Bourke 5m, Dwayne Sweeney 9m,Toby Smith 19m, Hikawera Elliot 34m, Liam Messam 62m

Conversions: 0/5 (0%) Stephen Donald 0/4 (0%), Callum Bruce 0/1 (0%)

Penalties: 0/3 (0%) Stephen Donald 0/2 (0%), Callum Bruce 0/1 (0%)

Cheetahs:

Tries: Devon Raubenheimer 22m, WP Nel 49m, Meyer Bosman 54m

Conversions: 2/3 (67%) Naas Olivier 2/3 (67%)

Penalties: 2/3 (67%) Naas Olivier 2/3 (67%)

Here fishy fishy fishy....

Reds VS Stormers: The Stormers went from hero to zero after their scintilating display against the Chiefs last week, to their fumbling performance against the Reds this week.

The Reds, on the other hand, kept their Super 14 playoff hopes on track, and in the process keeping their title of giant killers, now having downed the top three teams in the competition.

The score might suggest the closeness of the contest, but the Stormers were their own worst enemies, not managing to spark any of the kind of play that saw them down the Chiefs in a spectacular display last week, battling to hang on to possession this week and fumbling the majority of their attempts. For the Stormers it is going to be a tough few weeks at home to stay within the top four.

The Stormers opened the try scoring account early on after Andries Bekker powered over for the try. From there on out though, the Stormers’ discipline let them down, conceding numerous penalties an allowing the Reds to keep in the scoreline.

In the end, the Reds played more rugby, whilst the Stormers didn’t use their chances, allowing the Reds to sneak it 16 – 13 at home.

My two cents worth:

  • The halfback combination of Will Genia and Quade Cooper continued to dominate the competition, the best of it on display in the cross kick for Will Chambers’ try.
  • Will Chambers should have receive a yellow card for his late, cinical shoulder charge on Bryan Habana.
  • Peter Grant should never have missed such a straight forward penalty. That’s exactly the kind of kick you have to goal 100% of the time to play high level rugby.
  • I could be wrong, but as far as I know you can’t kick directly out from the 22m dropout to end play, and the Stormers should have been awarded the lineout on the 22m line at half time.
  • It’s great to see the Reds doing so well again after years of poor performances.

Reds VS Stormers 2010 Highlights [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Reds:

Tries: Will Chambers 48m

Conversions: 1/1 (100%) Quade Cooper 1/1 (100%)

Penalties: 3/6 (50%) Quade Cooper 3/6 (50%)

Stormers:

Tries: Andries Bekker 3m

Conversions: 1/1 (100%) Peter Grant 1/1 (100%)

Penalties: 2/3 (67%) Peter Grant 2/3 (66%)

Force VS Crusaders: The Crusaders did the rest of the teams in the top for a huge favour when the stumbled against a resurgent Western Force outfit on Friday.

The Crusaders opened up the try scoring account in the 4th minute, and it looked as if the Force were going to get another hamering. But the team from Perth, who have been struggling with mass injuries this year, seemed to get their combinations right on the night, making a strong second half comeback and handing the Crusaders a first ever loss to the Force.

In beating the Crusaders 24 – 16, the Force may not have any playoff hopes of their own, but they have opened the door for a few possible upsets by the chasing pack.

My two cents worth:

  • The weekend’s results leave for an intersting run in to the playoffs, with three of the top four still having to face each other.
  • T’ii Paulo is another Kiwi hooker that is making a strong statement in this year’s competition, making 5 turnovers on the night.
  • How quick was Ben Whittaker, the Force’s hooker, in running all of 70-odd metres to set up Matt Hodgson’s try.
  • Had the Force had their kicking boots on, the score would have been a tad embarresing for the Crusaders

Crusaders VS Force 2010 Highlights [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

Force:

Tries: Ben Whittaker 45m, Pekahou Cowan 51m, Matthew Hodgson 71m

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

Penalties: 1/5 (20%) Brett Sheehan 0/1 (0%) David Hill 1/4 (25%)

Crusaders:

Tries: Kahn Fotuali’i 4m

Conversions: 1/1 (100%) Daniel Carter 1/1 (100%)

Penalties: 1/1 (100%) Daniel Carter 1/1 (100%)

Drop Goals: 2/2 (100%) Kahn Fotuali’i 1/1 (100%) Daniel Carter 1/1 (100%)