The Super Rugby season just got a whole lot more exciting with arguably the most dynamic round of the competition – full of entertaining rugby and close finishes. Worryingly, for New Zealand fans, the round also featured injuries to several high profile players including Charles Piutau, Jerome Kaino and Beauden Barrett. They join an already full list of injured World Cup contenders that feature names such as McCaw, Dagg and Cruden.
Injuries aside, here’s our take on the Super Rugby Round 12 Results:
Highlanders (48) v Sharks (15)
The Highlanders turned in the most comprehensive performance of the round with a dazzling display of skill and audacity. The often overlooked Otago franchise shocked a timid Sharks outfit with an array of speculative offloads, ridiculous chip and chases and fleet feet, and ran in seven tires to their opponents two. Lima Sopoaga showed just why he’s being considered an All Black bolter to replace Aaron Cruden with a silky performance at the focal point of the Highlanders attack.
The win moves the Highlanders in to 5th on the Super Rugby ladder. Their ability to keep in touch with the leaders will be determined on their South African excursion which begins this week with a trip to the Lions den.
Highlanders: Tries – G.Evans, W.Naholo, P. Osborne, M.Reddish, A.Smith, B. Edmonds, E.Dixon, Pen – L.Sopoaga, Con – L.Sopoaga 5
Sharks: Tries – T.Mtawarira, B.du Plessis, Pen – F.Zeilinga, Con – F.Zeilinga
Brumbies (10) v Waratahs (13)
The Waratahs wrapped up consecutive victory number three with a gritty come from behind win over the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night. The win means the Waratahs are currently one of only two sides who have enjoyed multiple wins on the bounce (the other being the Hurricanes).
The match didn’t quite live up to the hype of the Dunedin blockbuster played earlier the same night, but did feature several intriguing matchup and resolute defence all round. In particular, the battle between Michael Hooper and David Pocock set tongues wagging. As was the first five eighth battle featuring Bernard Foley and Christian Leali’ifano.
Foley’s late penalty was enough to seal the win, but the real hero of the win was the desperate defence displayed through the majority of a pressure filled second half. The Waratahs have now closed the gap at the top of the Australian conference to just a solitary point, but also remain in the hunt for a wildcard playoff spot – currently sitting in 6th overall.
Brumbies: Tries – J.Tomane, Pen – C.Lealiifano, Con – C.Lealiifano
Waratahs: Tries – A.Ashley-Cooper, Pen – K.Beale, B.Foley, Con – B.Foley
Blues (41) v Western Force (24)
The Blues doubled their win tally for the season with a costly victory in Auckland. The Blues turned in their best effort of the season on a cool Auckland night that also turned cruel as they lost both Kaino and Piutau for the season. In a match that mimicked the Force’s effort against the Chiefs earlier in the season, the Force gave up too many points early before trying frantically to make it up in the last quarter before eventually finding it all too much.
The Force scored four of the last five tries, but the damage had already been done at 31-0 to the Blues in the first half. Plenty of Blues faces managed to get themselves on the scoreline, but none were worthy of headlines considering they were up gains the Force’s touch rugby defence. Much like the Blues, the Force will be hoping they can double their win tally next week.
Blues: Tries – M.Nanai 2, S.Luatua, A.Ioane, I.West, Pen – D.Bowden, I West, Con – D.Bowden 2, L.Visinia, I.West 2
Western Force: Tries – P.Cowan, M.Hodgson, R.Louwrens, B.McCalman, Con – L.Burton
Hurricanes (29) v Crusaders (23)
The game of the round culminated in a narrow home win for the runaway competition leaders. Wellington’s Hurricanes ran in a bonus point worthy four tries in a topsy turvy ma of rugby that also saw All Black Colin Slade turn in a scintillating first half effort.
The pivot set Dan Carter up for try number one and followed it with one of his own while leading his team to an early lead before the class of the Hurricanes proved too much. Tries to Reggie Goodes and Blade Thomson sealing it.
The victory came at a cost however. Star playmaker Beauden Barrett out for four weeks after being sandwiched in a nasty tackle. The Crusaders chances of making the playoffs appear to be over. They find themselves back in 9th with only a few rounds remaining.
Hurricanes: Tries – B.Barrett, B.Shields, R.Goodes, B.Thomson, Pen – B.Barrett, Con – B.Barrett 3
Crusaders: Tries – D.Carter, C.Slade, Pen – C.Slade 3, Con – C.Slade 2
Rebels (16) v Chiefs (15)
A brilliant first half was the foundation for the Melbourne Rebels upset win over the more fancied Chiefs side at AAMI park. The Rebels led 16-3 at the break courtesy of Scott Higginbotham and Nic Stirzaker tries and withstood a late Chiefs comeback (including when fly-half Damian McKenzie had the opportunity to take the lead when attempting the conversion of Michael Leitch’s try). As they so often do, the Rebels squeezed in another season upset and may now be asking to be taken seriously as finals contenders. They have a gentle run in with games against the Blues and Reds and could surprise if they can muster some bonus points.
The Chiefs are still comfortably inside the top 6 but will need to find a higher gear to forget this performance.
Rebels: Tries – S.Higginbotham, N.Stirzaker, Pen – J. Debreczeni 2
Chiefs: Tries – C.Ngatai, M.Leitch, Pen – A.Horrell, Con – D.McKenzie
Cheetahs (25) v Stormers (17)
The Cheetahs victory over the Stormers at Bloemfontein was also considered an upset. The Stormers blew countless kicking opportunities – it didn’t help that the ever-reliable D.Catrakilis was off injured – before finally succumbing to a nail in the coffin late Clayton Blommetjies try.
The Cheetahs were terrific in establishing an 18-3 lead, helped by an uncharacteristically slow start from the former competition playoff shoo-ins. The lead didn’t stand but the Free State side did enough to take the competition points.
The loss puts the Stormers back to 7th and outside a playoff spot. They have plenty of work to do before meeting the Brumbies this week.
Cheetahs: Tries – M.Van der Spuy, R.Benjamin, C.Blommetjies, Pen – J.Pietersen 2, Con – J.Pietersen 2
Stormers: Tries – D. Leyds, D.Vermeulen , Pen – D.Catrakilis, Con – D.Catrakilis, K.Coleman
Bulls (35) v Lions (33)
A compelling match played at Loftus Versfeld saw the Bulls take the spoils over shock playoff possibles, the Lions. An early double to Piet van Zyl appeared to be enough to send the Bulls towards a convincing win, before Elton Jantjies’ boot brought the Lions right back into the game.
Any nerves however were dispelled when the Bulls finished the stronger of the teams. Experienced heads Pierre Spies and Handre Pollard steering them to second on the Super Rugby ladder and four points clear in the race for South African conference honours. The Lions are still within striking distance of 6th. They find themselves just 4 points shy of the Waratahs (and play all of their remaining games in South Africa).
Bulls: Tries – P.van Zyl 2, JJ Engelbrecht, Pierre Spies, Pen – H.Pollard 3, Con – H.Pollard 3
Lions: Tries – F.de Klerk, J.Van Rooyen, J. Kriel, Pen – E.Jantjies 4, Con – E.Jantjies 3
