Round 8 Super 12 2005 Wrap

Chiefs 45 Cats 14 (My tip = Cats by 5)
The Chiefs once again looked like a great side, whereas it was not their good play, but rather the pathetic performance by the Cats that caused this trashing. Byron Kelleher had a great match behind the dominating Chiefs pack and took charge of the game. The Cats did nothing to counter the little general.

This is the second week where the Chiefs had an easy run and a number of player looked like stars. There are really too many to mention, but I do believe the Chiefs’ party is now finished as they take the trip to South Africa.

For the Cats Conrad Jantjes had a very good game out on the wing, but Chester’s team is probably just waiting for this year’s Super 12 to finish. This was a humiliating loss against a very average team. If the team you loose against is very average, it really does not say a lot about you.

Bulls 32 Reds 7 (My tip = Bulls by 15)
At halftime the Bulls were leading 27 - 0 and it looked like this was going to be a record-breaking win. The Reds were destroyed by the Bulls pack as they played a very similar pattern as they did against the Crusaders. The pack was relentless and must raise the questions where the Bulls were when they were on tour. If their pack played this power rugby at all times they would have been on top of the log and not propping up the bottom half.

In the second half something amazing happened and instead of the Bulls tightening up the game, they let it become loose and the Reds played well to stay away from the tight phases. The powerful Bulls pack was now shifted around the field and it started taking its toll. The Bulls did nothing to take the control back and the Reds outscored the Bulls by 7 - 6 in the second half.

It was at the end however, a job well done by the Bulls getting a full 5 points for a job well done. It is really a pity that they did not play their previous matches (with the exception of the Crusaders outing) with the same passion and they could have been leading this tournament.

Blues 36 Sharks 13 (My tip = Blues by 25)
The Sharks held up for 70 minutes and were in with a definite shout. That is only because the Blues did not take advantage of all the ball they had in the first half. They just could not round off their moves and score. It must be a huge concern to them. That could have easily cost them the match. It was only in last quarter when they ran in no less than four tries to convincingly beat the Sharks.

The Sharks played much better than they did in their previous match, but were not good enough. They would also start hoping for this year to end so that they can start building for the next year.

Brumbies 6 Waratahs 10 (My tip = Waratahs by 2)
The drought in Canberra for the Waratahs has been broken. This was not pretty, but was a typical local derby where most players realized that an impressive performance in this match might just tip you for a place in the Wallaby side.

The Waratahs came what they had to do and hard hits in the midfield by Nathan Grey ensured that the Brumbies could not get any rhythm in the backline. Matt Gittau had a bit of a nightmare for most of the match and that did not help the Brumbies’ cause at all. Like I said a week or so ago, I think there are a lot more problems in the Brumbies camp than is visible. They are not the professional, well-oiled machine that we are used to. Anything to do with the fact that David Nucifora is no longer around? I am really staring to think that it just might be the case.

As said before, that match was hard and relentless and I was waiting to see whom of Finnegan or Harrison was going to throw the first punch!

There were a number of players who put up their hands for the Wallaby squad and just one or two who may just have dropped their shares a little. I am not going to discuss it in detail, as I do not want to influence the Wallaby selectors! I wish!

The Waratahs are now really on the way to a home semi-final. The Brumbies? Maybe they should start thinking about next year.

Stormers 23 Crusaders 52 (My tip = Stormers by 6)
This was the match of the weekend. The Stormers had an very good first half, but then the clinical play of the Crusaders took over. At half time the Stormers lead 6 – 3 in a very hard fought battle. The backline played well and got good ball from their forwards to keep the Crusaders away from their try line. It looked good for the Stormers, but the statistics showed that the Crusaders have a wealth of possession that they just could not use effectively.

After halftime the Crusaders pack kicked in gear and they showed the SA public why they are a champion side. They slowly destroyed the Stormers pack and that possession killed the Stormers. The pressure was just too much and the floodgates opened.

The Stormers tried hard, but the Crusaders just outplayed them. There were good performances on both sides. Individually some Stormers had a great game, but the red and black waves from the Crusaders were just too much to handle.

At the end of the day we saw, what I think, is the 2005 Super 12 champions in superb form after their lapse against the Bulls the previous week. They outplayed, outscored and just slaughtered the Stormers in the second half.

General Super 12 comments
Last week I bashed the referees and I am not going to do it this week again. I can however just make a comment or two by saying that there were again some diabolical decisions from certain referees. We some tries awarded that are not tries (about three) and even a yellow card to a player who did not even touch the person he was supposed to infringe upon! I can however, give a thumbs up to little George Ayoub for the superb way he handled the Stormers/Crusaders match.

The SA sides seem to be first half teams with all of them – except for the Cats – looking very good at half time. Second half? Well, they seemed to forget there is another to play.

The struggling Brumbies have been given another low blow with the news that George Gregan will be sidelined for at least six weeks with a broken leg. It fortunately does not sound like a very serious fracture, but it is a fracture.

The Cats have also received a heavy blow after their lock, Boela du Plooy, was suspended for 12 weeks for trampling. Unfortunate for the Cats, but a well earned suspension for Du Plooy whose use of the boots was totally uncalled for.

Other Rugby
The SA under 19 side beat the Baby Blacks to win the IRB u/19 championship. It was a very hard fought battle with both sides making a lot of mistakes towards the end that could have swung this one any direction. The final score is 20 – 15 to the Baby Boks. Well-done boys!

The Final Word
Due to some constraints I shall not write anything here this week, but will tackle the allocation of the Super 14 franchises in SA rugby next week.

Futures topics:

• The best player in the world

• The man of the match award

• If you want a short-term job, become a coach in SA!

• Referees and their impact on matches

• The allocation of the new Super 14 franchise in South Africa

• Ex rugby players who play analysts

• International tours

• The English bubble

• Bonus points in competitions

• Yellow and red cards in rugby

• The format of the Rugby World Cup and spreading of the game

• Some of my favourite players through the years

There are many more, but if there is something you would like me to add to the list, please feel free to let me know!