Round 10 was always going to feature some riveting Rugby with the top of the conference New Zealand duel expected to grab most of the headlines. However, it was the performances of the Blues and the Reds that surprised most and grabbed plenty of newspaper space.
Here’s the mashup from Super Rugby’s Round 14 Results
Blues (23) v Bulls (18)
The leadership struggle between private investors and the Auckland Rugby Football Union at the Blues took a back seat to the footy action on Friday night as the Blues were able to hold on for win number three of 2015.
An understandably dismal crowd saw quality individual tries from Lolagi Visinia and George Moala get the better off the Bulls rolling mauls and a quality individual performance by Jan Serfontein. The pieces of back magic gave the Blues a five point win and gave a hint of what the Blues could be capable of if they were led well and governed by strong administration.
The third win at Eden Park means respite for Blues fans, and possibly points to some 2016 magic at the home of New Zealand rugby. Considering two of the wins have come against the Bulls and the Brumbies, the 2015 season will always be an enigma.
Youngsters Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, lock William Lloyd and halfback Jamison Gibson-Park all took their chance to shine for the hosts.
Blues: Tries – L.Visinia, G.Moala, Pen – I.West 3, Con – I.West 2
Bulls: Tries – J.Serfontein 2, Pen – H.Pollard 2, Con – H.Pollard
Reds (46) v Rebels (29)
The Reds got win number three of 2015, shocking the Rebels at home with a deadly five try burst in the second half at Suncorp. The Reds, now, might just be the most unfancied opponents, as playoff contenders will view the Queensland outfit as banana skin foes. The Reds’ final two games of the season come against the Chiefs and the Waratahs – they could have a big influence on the final standings.
The win means the hire of former Wallabies coach John Connolly paid instant dividends for the Reds who put together their best effort of the season, despite trailing by 11 after just 36 minutes. However, the second half was full of quality from Lachie Turner and Liam Gill in particular, but also a solid effort from young Jack McIntyre at fly half.
As much as the backs benefited on the scoresheet there were plenty of bumslaps for a forward pack that dominated the Rebels tight five. Led by lock Rob Simmons the Reds back men were worthy recipients of plenty of praise.
The loss is a major blow for the Rebels playoffs chances, now six points outside the top 6.
Reds: Tries – R.Simmons, J.McIntyre, L.Turner 2. C.Feauai-Sautia, L.Gill, Pen – J.O’Connor 2, Con – J.O’Connor 5
Rebels: Tries – S.Naivalu 2, D.Shipperley, L.Jones, Pen – M.Harris, Con – M.Harris 3
Hurricanes (22) v Chiefs (18)
The Chiefs were left to rue a controversial TMO decision in the final stages as they lost to the Hurricanes 22-18 in Wellington. An undermanned Chiefs side missing a host of players and then losing two locks inside they first half were brave and perhaps deserved more out of the top of the NZ conference match.
The controversial incident came in the closing stages as the Chiefs were camped in the Hurricanes 22. Replacement halfback Augustine Pulu snuck out from the back of the ruck to score a potential game winner but the TMO ruled a knock on in the ruck and called the play back. In fairness the knock on was courtesy of Hurricanes hands in the ruck and should have been a penalty to the Chiefs. They deserved the chance to tap that penalty and look for a match winner but the decision went against them.
Ma’a Nonu scored a double for the Hurricanes in an accomplished performance. He lost midfield partner Conrad Smith but made the most of breaks from the Savea brothers and displayed super handling to score his five pointers. He was one of only a few bright spots for a Hurricanes team that were down a gear from when Beauden Barrett plays, and one that struggled to take advantage of a numerical advantage when Liam Squire was binned.
Elsewhere, James Broadhurst and Brad Webber continued to press their All Black claims with fine efforts.
Hurricanes: Tries – M.Nonu 2, A.Savea, Pen – J.Marshall, Con – J.Marshall 2
Chiefs: Tries – C. Ngatai, S.Cane, Pen – D.McKenzie 2, Con – D.McKenzie
Waratahs (33) v Sharks (18)
The Sharks lost their sixth match in a row and helped the Waratahs to top of the Australian conference and second overall at Allianz Stadium.
A disappointing fixture saw plenty of clumsiness, plenty of errors and ultimately another Sharks loss – equalling their work streak in 19 years of Super Rugby.
They had their opportunities to win this one, especially when Francois Steyn scored to make the score 20-18 with a quarter of the match remaining. But Bernard Foley’s converted try made it impossible and inflated the scoreline in the Waratahs favour.
The Waratahs will be concerned about their 12 handling errors and the fact that they conceded 18 turnovers. Those worries may be cancelled out by the realisation that they have one of the most damaging ball runners in the competition in the form of Rugby League convert Taqele Naiyaravoro who scored his fourth try of the campaign.
Waratahs: Tries – A.Ashley-Cooper, T.Naiyaravoro, B.Foley, Pen – B.Foley 4, Con – B.Foley 3
Sharks: Tries – O.Ndungane, F.Steyn, Pen – F.Steyn 2, Con – F.Steyn
Lions (20) v Brumbies (30)
Six Super Rugby points during a difficult tour to South Africa is a decent return for the Brumbies who grabbed five of them in a win over the Lions on Sunday morning.
The bonus point win courtesy of four tries to two keeps the Brumbies in the hunt for a home semi-final (the Hurricanes a 14 points clear with a game in hand and the race is essentially one for second place). It’s the second time in succession the Brumbies have grabbed a win in Johannesburg, and helps atones for last weeks shocker against the Stormers.
Defence was again critical for the Brumbies. They have conceded less than 200 points in their 13 games, and in this fixture were able to support the defence with some devastating attack. Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano and Joe Tomane were the best for the ACT side, while the Lions got plenty of work out of flanker Jaco Kriel.
Lions: Tries – J.Kriel, A.Coetzee, Pen – E.Jantjies, R.Combrinck, Con – E.Jantjies, J.van der Walt
Brumbies: Tries – T.Kuridrani, I.Vaea, C.Lealiifano, J.Tomane, Pen – C.Lealiifano, J.Mogg, Con – C.Lealiifano 2
Cheetahs (24) v Highlanders (45)
The Highlanders scored a bonus pint win over the Lions in Bloemfontein to make it three New Zealand teams in the top six. Much like last week a destructive first half saw the Highlanders run out to a 26-3 lead, and unlike last week this time they were able to build on it and win crucial competition points.
The seven try to three win was full of quality running footy in nice conditions at Free State Stadium. Rugby League convert Ryan Tongia scored two well taken tries, as did Aaron Smith. Ben Smith, Patrick Osbourne and the prolific Gareth Evans also got on the scoreboard as the Highlanders moved to 5th on the Super Rugby table.
The final scoreline has a hint of competitiveness to it, but that wasn’t the case as all of the Cheetahs were scored late in a consolation mould. The respectability of the scoreboard however won’t do anything to improve the mood of the Cheetahs, nor do they get any competition points for their efforts. They remain last in the South African conference.
Cheetahs: Tries – R.Benjamin,C Wegner, F.Venter, Pen – F.Brummer, Con – F.Brummer 3
Highlanders: Tries – R.Tongia 2, A.Smith 2, P.Osborne, G.Evans, B.Smith, Con – L.Sopoaga 4, M.Banks
