Round 11 Super 12 2005 Wrap

Blues 10 Hurricanes 22 (My tip = Blues by 5)
The Hurricanes did what I never expected them to and that is to beat the Blues in their backyard. They managed to pull this cat out of the bag to ensure that they reach the semi finals. The Blues, on the other hand, will kick their own backsides that they did not win this match. They had numerous chances to score, but messed it up every time. The Hurricanes did what they wanted to do and their backline showed how dangerous they could be. Tana Umaga and Conrad Smith is a very good combination in the midfield and although we all sing the praises of the All Black captain; his centre partner is a very underestimated player. Ma’a Nonu is another devastating force that constantly tests the defense.

The Blues slipped in the wrong matches this year and that has lead to them sitting in a tight spot as they played most of the Super 12 far below their means.

The Hurricanes are already ensured of a place in the semi final and the Blues are still in with a chance if they win their last round.

Waratahs 27 Reds 8 (My tip = Waratahs by 10)
As expected the Waratahs were far too strong for the Reds. The Reds tried very hard, but the magical season of Peter Hewat just never seem to stop! He again walked away with more than a handful of points and is really starting to become an embarrassing problem for the Wallaby selectors. He will be a big discussion point when the tri Nation squad is selected.

The local derby was exactly as expected. The Reds played one of their better matches of the season, but it was never going to be good enough to stop the Waratahs from getting their first win against the Reds in Brisbane.

The Waratahs are secure on top of the log and will play a home semi final and the Reds is just hoping the season will end.

Highlanders 13 Crusaders 27 (My tip = Crusaders by 20)
The Crusaders are a class side and it showed against the Highlanders. They went to Dunedin and did exactly what was asked from them. They swallowed the Highlanders, chewed them and spat them out. They scored when required.

The Highlanders are starting to find the going tough now towards the end of the Super 12 and are hanging on. They are still in with a strong chance to make the semi finals if they can beat Chiefs in Hamilton and some other matches end their desired way.

At half time in this match the Highlanders were still in with a serious chance when they lead by 7 – 6. The second half the Crusaders came out with a bang and Aaron Mauger crossed twice and the Crusaders just went into a different gear to clinch this important match.

Brumbies 28 Chiefs 28 (My tip = Brumbies by 10)
The Brumbies played at home and never could have expected the onslaught from the Chiefs. I never expected a draw from this match, but I must also say that the Brumbies threw more chances away in this match than they have done for the whole season thus far. The frustration was clearly visible on the face of the old veteran Owen Finegan. They tried and tried, but things never seemed to work out. Stirling Mortlock showed that he is once again ready for the big time and scored an impressive two tries. A little light in the dismal match.

The Chiefs also had their chances and ironically they could have won if the reliable boot of David Hill.

This was the last time Owen Finegan played in Canberra before he leaves for Newcastle at the end of the Super 12. This will be a disappointing close for him on his home ground.

Sharks 17 Bulls 23 (My tip = Bulls by 7)
The Sharks came out firing and really shocked the Bulls by throwing the ball around and hitting out wide. The Bulls also had their hands full with Brent Russell who managed to let them grab in the air every time he came into the line. Things also started going wrong for the Sharks when he was forced to leave the field due to injury.

The Bulls managed to pull this one out of the fire and again showed that they can win some of their disappointing matches as well. The problem they have is that they again showed that they struggle to play away from home.

The Bulls are in the best position of all the contenders for the fourth semi final spot and have to beat the Stormers in their last round to secure their place. Theoretically it should be the easiest of the lot as the Stormers are fourth from the bottom on the log. To accomplish it, may be a different story, as they have never beaten the Stormers in the Super 12!

In a final word on this match, I have to make a special mention of the referee Shaun Veldsman. I am going to restrain myself by not giving any examples of his decisions, but will just like to add that I think it is a disgrace that he is allowed to be a referee in the Super 12.

Stormers 25 Cats 20 (My tip = Stormers by 3)
The Stormers and the Cats played for some personal glory and some players for positions in the Springbok team. It was one of the better matches t6o watch and like I said last week, I expected the Stormers to complete their 80 minutes on the field this past weekend. Can you remember? They played the first 20 against the Blues, the middle 40 against the Chiefs and now the last 20 against the Cats! A perfect 80 minutes! The only one we are waiting for now is that they play the full 80 minutes in one match and I am afraid there is only one more left for them – not something the Bulls would be looking forward too!

Jean de Villiers again showed his class in the midfield and it is still one of the great mysteries why Gert Smal would not play him there all tournament while Marius Joubert had a dreadful season this far. The Stormers faithful also said goodbye to one of the most exiting players they have seen in the Cape. Breyton Paulse will be leaving for France at the end of the Super 12.

General Super 12 comments
There is only one round left in the Super 12. Three teams, The Waratahs, Crusaders and Hurricanes have secured their places in the semi finals. The fourth place is open for any one of the following teams if they win. I give them in the order they will finish if they all win: Bulls, Highlanders and Blues. The Bulls take on the Stormers at Loftus, the Highlanders the Chiefs in Hamilton and the Blues the Waratahs in Sydney. Realistically I think the Bulls and the Highlanders have the only chances to win this weekend, with the Highlanders maybe just a whisker ahead to beat the Chiefs than the Bulls beating the Stormers.

Other Rugby
Nothing to report.

The Final Word
One of the most tragic things that ever happened to rugby is when overseas tours ceased to exist. I remember when I was a little boy in 1970 (All Blacks), 1974 (Lions), 1975 (France), 1976 (All Blacks), 1980 (Lions) and 1986 (Rebel Cavaliers from NZ) toured SA. Yes, there were cameo appearances by France, Argentina, the English and the Jaguars as well, but these are the specific ones I remember.

In 1970 I was in bed – with a burst appendix! - listening on the radio how Fergie McCormack removed Syd Nomiss’ front teeth in a test match. As a little boy I remembered when Pine-tree Colin Meads looked at amazement when Johan de Bruyn put his glass eye back with the grass sticking out around the edges.

In 1974 I watched with amazement on the small rugby field in East London when local hero, the winger Allan Stephenson, bumped off the international star JJ Williams in an amazing run against the Lions. Border put up one hell of a match that day while being destroyed by the Lions. I cannot member the score, but I will always remember the performance of our local hero.

In 1976 I can remember Western Province beating the All Blacks in the last minutes when Chris Pope scored. The country exploded with hope when the unbeaten All Blacks were beaten by one of the local sides.

In 1980 we all loved the boot of Clive Woodward when he joined the Lions tour as a replacement. Andy Irvine joined the tour late and the then veteran Scotsman was included in the match against Tranvaal just as he arrived. I remember how he seemed to manage to hit the uprights every time he kicked at goal. One of the most times I have ever seen it happen.

In 1986 the Northern Transvaal flanker, Burger Geldenhuys floored the rebel captain, Andy Dalton, with a sucker punch from behind and with that also ending Dalton’s tour. Something that went down with a sour taste in the mouth for both the rebel tour supporters and the SA public as the rebel players really gave up a lot to come to the then isolated South Africa. I was also at Ellis Park when the Louis Luyt fifteen (sorry Transvaal) beat the Cavaliers.

There are many more examples I can give you, but what I am trying to tell you is that I experienced something over my lifetime which the youth of today have never seen and will more than likely never see either. Those were the days when there were international tours and the international side traveled to the outskirts of the country to play against the local talent. They played in small towns and the people flocked from all over to actually see these international stars. You must remember that most of the people have never even seen or heard of a television set and if you were lucky, you saw a picture of the international player in a team photo in the local paper where his head was the size of a pin! After the match they would all flock down to the local country club or pub and have a chat over a couple of – very often a couple too many – beers. All in a good spirit and rugby triumphed at the end of the day.

These tours were killed when the game turned professional.

The days of international tours were the last days when rugby still belonged to the people. I know there are many people who still want to convince you today that the game belongs to the people, but they are wrong. It is no different to watching a rugby match than to watch a professional production on a stage or even to watch a movie. The experts, commentators and analysts are no different to any movie or theatre critic. They are paid officials to bring a view on a professional game. A game that is no longer controlled by passion or love, but by money, money, money, money and more money.

The sponsors now control what happens and if there is any chance they will not make a huge profit at the gates, they do not want to sponsor the match anymore. The fact that there are little boys, like I was, who dream of only having that chance to see or touch your international or local hero, does not mean one single damn thing to man with the cheque book. He is only interested in his money!

I can sometimes only sit back and dream of the days when rugby belonged to the people and I have these beautiful, very personal memories with my interactions with the game through the years.

That is something, which is gone forever. Just like international tours……… Oh, how I wish I can turn back the clock…….

That is my opinion, what is yours?

Future 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!