Could the Hurricanes extend their unbeaten start to the competition and would the Blues finally get a win? Here’s how the round played out. Super 15 rugby results recapped!
Wellington Hurricanes (36) v (12) Melbourne Rebels
Conference and league leaders hosted the Melbourne Rebels at the Cake tin, Wellington. The Canes opened their account 11 minutes in with an overlap on the short side of the Rebels defense, TJ Perenara sitting on the shoulder to take the inside pass, converted by ex Rebel Jason Woodward. Both teams guilty throughout the half of breakdown infringements with Mike Harris and Woodward trading conversions, the half finishing 10-12 Rebels. The Hurricanes applied pressure early into the second half with good line out maul and grinding work finally spreading the ball out close and wide for Cory Jane to dot down (43rd) with Woodward slotting the sideline conversion. Midway through the second Callum Gibbons picked up his first super try after a turn over inside the Hurricanes 22 and a punt down field saw Cory Jane deflect the bounce of the ball with his chest and Gibbons scooping the ball up and running away for the try (57th). Perenara picked himself up a yellow card (68th) for continuous infringing around the ruck. The Rebels could not get the upper hand with the extra man and the Hurricanes subs made a strong impact with Milner-Skudder picking up his first try (76th) and a 2nd moments later through soft hands out wide (80th).
Hurricanes
Tries – TJ Perenara, C.Jane, C. Gibbins, N. Milner-Skudder 2
Pen – J.Woodward
Con – J.Woodward 4
Rebels
Pen – M.Harris 4
Queensland Reds (17) v (18) Lions
Quade Coopers return couldn’t inspire the Reds, a relatively uneventful first half full of fumbles and mistakes. The Lions were on the board first with sustained pressure from the forwards and aggressive running from the backs, Vorster got slightly outside of his opposite in the far corner to gracefully dive with an outstretched arm to dot down (13th). Just outside of half time a poor line out throw by the Reds was claimed and the Lions counterattacked with a hard run by flank Tecklenburg saw him crash over by the posts with Jantes converting (48th). The Reds had the scrum feed 10 out from the line and powerfully drove through to be awarded a penalty try as the Lions pack disengaged (52nd), Cooper converting. The Reds were next to score again through more forward pressure and quick hands through the backs close in to see centre Kerevi crash over to put the Reds ahead (67th). 3 minutes later, ill discipline from the Reds cost them 3 points when Jantjies converted (70th). The game rounded off with the Reds in possession and lining up a field goal, yet Cooper too slow out of the blocks and his kick was charged.
Reds
Tries – Penalty try, S.Kerevi
Pen – Q.Cooper
Con – Q.Cooper 2
Lions
Tries – H.Vorster, W. Tecklenburg
Pen – E.Jantjies 2
Con – E.Jantjies
Waikato Chiefs (37) v (27) Freestate Cheetahs
Waikato Stadium hosted the Chiefs v Cheetahs. A high scoring affair with ill discipline and red mist rearing its ugly head. The Chiefs opened their account inside the first 2 minutes with Sonny Bill Williams gaining the advantage line and with a short offload found the hands of Leitch who crashed over (2nd). What looked to be the Chiefs opening the flood gates saw Messam race away for another Chiefs try after what looked to be a regulation maul, Messam peeled away and dotted down (17th). Fitzgerald was binned (23rd) for sacking the support mauler and the Cheetahs hit back with a try to Prinsloo (27th) after the Chiefs were caught napping at the maul with no defenders driving the Cheetahs pack. Tameifuna was next in the bin after he sacked the maul illegally (32nd). The half rounding off 14-13 Chiefs, setting up an exciting 2nd 40. Cruden slotting penalty goals (45th & 52nd) in an uneventful opening. Fullback McKenzie blundering a grubber inside the Chiefs 22 which was deflected, Cruden attempted to clean up only to fumble the ball and Brussow pounced to score under the posts to even it up (53rd). Inside the final quarter Cheetahs lost Brussow for 10 minutes due to ill discipline (66th) and the Chiefs took advantage of the extra man at scrum-time inside the 22 with Leitch twisting off the back of the scrum and feeding Sam Cane who crashed over (67th). Augustine Pulu gutted the Cheetahs up the middle with a brilliant run, off loading in the tackle to a charging Horrell with the help of Sam Cane crashed over for the try (75th). Sustained pressure from the Cheetahs in the final minute saw them claw back a try with Brussow taking a quick tap and driving over (80th), too little too late.
Chiefs
Tries – M.Leitch. L.Messam. S.Cane. A.Horrell
Pen – A.Cruden 4
Con – A.Cruden 4
Cheetahs
Tries – B.Pinsloo, H.Brussow 2
Pen – J.Pietersen 2
Con – J.Pietersen 2. W. du Plessis.
Otago Highlanders (39) v (21) Stormers
The Highlanders hosted the Stormers at Forsyth Bar Stadium in Dunedin. The opening quarter was shaky from both sides; Highlanders slow to start were caught out through good retention from the Stormers albeit some dubious passes and knock on’s during the phases, de Jongh holding on nicely to an overhead pass, stepping inside for the try (18th). The Highlanders seemed to come alive after the try striking back with some fast thinking courtesy of Aaron Smith who planted the ball against the bottom of the posts. The Highlanders were on the board again after Naholo anticipated a Stormers pass perfectly and ran away to dot down under the posts (33rd). On the stroke of half time an Aaron Smith grubber just outside the Stormers 22 was deflected into the hands of Naholo who raced away for the line with one man to beat, Naholo steam rolled Kolbe to score. The hosts continued their first half dominance early into the 2nd half with great retention play from backs and forwards. Patrick Osborne first man off the ruck powered his way over the line (47th) courtesy of an excellent Aaron Smith short pass. Aaron Smith was binned for infringing at the breakdown (56th) resulting in Stormers hitting back through Rhodes (60th) driving over the line to eat away at the deficit. The host’s hard running was taking its toll on the visitors with replacement flank Dan Pryor splitting two defenders 22 out wide after the Stormers were caught short. Late into the half Kolbe cut up the Otago defense through a well run move from the backs which ended with de Jongh taking a pass 10 out to stroll over for his second (75th), Marty Banks rounded the game off went a converted penalty (79th).
Highlanders
Tries – A.Smith, W.Naholo 2, P.Osborne, D.Pryor
Pen – L.Sopoaga, M.Banks
Con – L.Sopoaga 4
Stormers
Tries – J.de Jongh 2, M.Rhodes
Con – D.Catrakilis, K.Coleman 2
New South Wales Waratahs (23) v (11) Auckland Blues
The Blues winless so far in the competition were hosted by Waratahs in Sydney. Phipps opened the hosts account early on with a well constructed backline move opening the Blues up and Michael Hooper running a great angle back inside to feed Phipps who dotted down under the posts (7th). The Tahs continued to dominate but failed to convert their opportunities through the half. Daniel Bowden converted two penalties (13th & 23rd ) to see the Blues close in on their hosts in an uneventful, stop start half of rugby. The Blues hit back with a try of their own in the second half, an excellent pick and go by veteran Mealamu put the Blues on the front foot and some quick ruck play and slick hands saw Francis Saili dissect 3 Waratah defenders on the line to score (53rd). Ill discipline from the Blues saw Foley convert three penalties (57th, 60th, & 68th) to put the hosts back in front, Kaino was sent to the bin (71st) for a high tackle on Dave Dennis. The extra man proved vital for the Tahs who went from right to left stretching the Blues defence, Betham cruising over (74th) to put the game out of reach for the Blues.
Waratahs
Tries – N.Phipps, P.Betham
Pen – B.Foley 3
Con – B.Foley 2
Blues
Tries – F.Saili
Pen – D.Bowden 2
Sharks (15) v (9) Western Force
Durban played host to the Sharks and the Force. Rain affected the possibility of a fluid running game however both teams resembled amateur outfits who decided to play a game of rugby. Ebersohn converting two penalties (30th & 38th) was all the action accounted for in the first half. Inside 2 minutes the Sharks were the first to dot down after Steyn through a dodgy pass where the pass interrupted the defense and Marais took advantage to run away for the try (42nd). Ebersohn missed a penalty from out in front and the Sharks countered with Marais darting out of his 22 to pass off to Mvovo who gallantly raced away (67th). The Force playing for the bonus point took the points on full time with Burton slotting a penalty (80th). A dour game.
Sharks
Tries – S.P.Marais, L.Mvovo
Pen – F.Zeilinga
Con – F.Zelinga
Force
Pen – S.Ebersohn 2, L.Burton
Bulls (31) v (19) Crusaders
The Bulls hosted the Crusaders in Pretoria. A surprise for both supporters with the visitors making so many uncanny mistakes and turnovers, the Bulls running the ball from the get go seeing early tries to Hougaard (3rd) and Odendaal (7th). Carter struck back with two penalties (14th & 18th) and Nadolo crashed over minutes later (22nd) with Carter converting to put the Crusaders in the lead. Carter and Pollard traded penalties to go into the half with the Bulls up 18-16. Pollard (52nd & 55th) and Carter (63rd) traded penalties. Carter attemped to fed an inside ball only to be struck at by Hattingh who juggled the ball and raced away 50 meters to dot down (65th) Pollard converted taking his tally to 16 for the night.
Bulls
Tries – F.Hougaard, B. Odendaal, G.Hattingh
Pen – H.Pollard 4
Con – H.Pollard 2
Crusaders
Tries – N.Nadolo
Pen – D.Carter 4
Con – D.Carter
Many critics have called for a review of the Super Rugby officating and use of the TMO in light of the high amount of yellow cards and strange decisions. Dubious calls regarding the definition of a high tackle such as players ducking into tackles only to be caught high. Ruck and maul laws such as an uncontested drive from a line out to a maul, what is considered obstruction? With referees focusing heavily on cleaning up these area’s are they being to harsh? Let’s see what SANZAR referee boss Lydon Bray can do to help clear this up.
