Category: Super 14

The Crusaders defeated the Sharks 77-34 in the opening games of Super 12 week 10.

In a high scoring match defence was scares with both teams scoring tries seemingly at will.

The Crusaders went into the half-time break with a seemingly insurmountable 42-8 lead.
But early in the second half the Sharks hit back with three tries to be back in reach at 45-34 with 18 minutes to go. But the Crusaders were able to seal the win running in four tries in the last 12 minutes.

The win takes the Crusaders to the top of the Super 12 table, although the Waratahs could still regain the top stop if they win their match this weekend.

Wallabies captain George Gregan will miss the rest of the Super 12 competition after breaking his leg during Saturday night’s 10-6 loss to the Waratahs in Canberra.

Gregan collided with opposition halfback Chris Whitaker in the second half off the game. It was initially thought that his left leg was only badly bruised, but scans later revealed a broken fibula.

He will be out of action for six weeks but is expected to play for the Wallabies when they play their first test of the year against Samoa on June 11 in Sydney.

The Crusaders defeated the Stormers 51-23

Determined defence from the Stormers kept the Crusaders at bay during the first half. Going into the halftime break the Stormers lead 6-3.

In the secondhalf the flood gates opened and the Crusaders scored 48 points including seven tries.

The win takes the Crusaders to number two on the table, behind the Waratahs. While the loss for the Stormers virtually eliminates any hope they had of making the semi-finals.

Crusaders - Tries: Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald, Dan Carter, Rico Gear(2), Caleb Ralph (2). Conversions: Andrew Mehrtens (2), Dan Carter (3). Penalties: Carter (2).

Stormers - Tries: Marius Joubert. Conversions: Chris Rossouw. Penalties: Rossouw (3).

The Chiefs defeated the Cats 45-14 in the first Super 12 rugby match of Week 8 at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton tonight.

The Chiefs score could have easily been closer to 70 as they butchered four movements that would have likely resulted in tries if it had not been for unforced errors.

The win for the Chiefs keeps their slim semi-final hopes alive.

For the Cats, Conrad Jantjes and Jaque Fourie played well. But the rest of the team played poorly. With only one win this year the Cats have no realistic chance of making the semi-finals and are only playing for pride, except the team seem to lack pride at the moment.

Chiefs - Tries: Byron Kelleher (2), Bernie Upton, Stephen Donald, Sione Lauaki, Sitiveni Sivivatu. Penalty: David Hill. Conversions: David Hill (6).

Cats - Tries: Conrad Jantjes, Juan Smith tries. Conversions: Andre Pretorius (2).

The Stormers’ star forward, Schalk Burger, is in doubt to play against the Crusaders Newlands on Saturday.

Burger sustained a heel injury against the Reds and has been bracketed with Pietie Ferreira at Number Eight.

Fullback, Werner Greeff, has been ruled out due to concussion, coach Gert Smal has chosen Gaffie du Toit as his replacement..

Stormers: Gaffie Du Toit, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry (captain), Jean De Villiers, Chris Rossouw, Bolla Conradie, Schalk Burger / Pietie Ferreira, Gerrie Britz,Luke Watson, Andries Bekker, Rob Linde, Faan Rautenbach, Pieter Dixon, Eddie Andrews

Replacements: Lukas Van Biljon, Riaan Olckers, Ross Skeate, David Hendriks, Neil De Kock, Gus Theron, Tonderai Chavhanga

Chiefs’ captain Jono Gibbes returns to his side this week as blindside flanker, for Friday night’s game against the Cats at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

While Sione Lauaki will move to number eight. While regular number eight, Steven Bates, is in doubt for the match because of a hamstring attachment injury and has been bracketed with Nili Latu on the bench.

Chiefs: Simms Davison, Aleki Lutui, Deacon Manu, Bernie Upton, Sean Hohneck, Jono Gibbes (captain), Marty Holah, Sione Lauaki, Byron Kelleher, Stephen Donald, Sailosi Tagicakibau, David Hill, Niva Ta’auso, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Sosene Anesi

Replacements: Scott Linklater , Ben Castle, Wayne Ormond, Steven Bates/Nili Latu, Kevin Senio, Keith Lowen, Adrian Cashmore

The Bulls played what must have been their best game of the season when they defeated the heavily favoured Crusaders 35-20 at Pretoria on Saturday.

The Crusaders lost their captain Richie McCaw early in the match due to a head clash.

The Bulls were able to dominate the Crusaders in forward play, winning several lineouts against the throw and putting pressure on in the scrum.

Bulls - Tries: Bryan Habana (2), Akona Ndungane, Bakkies Botha. Conversions: Morne Steyn (3). Penalties: Morne Steyn (3)

Crusaders - Try: Greg Feek. Penaltiess: Daniel Carter (5)

The Stormers kept their slim semi-final hopes alive when they narrowly beat the Reds 15-13 at Cape Town on Saturday.

Stormers - Tries: Jean De Villiers, Luke Watson. Conversion: Chris Rossouw. Penalty: Chris Rossouw

Reds - Try: Sean Hardman. Conversion: Julian Huxley. Penalty: Julian Huxley (2)

The Guardian are speculating that All Black and Blues fly half Carlos Spencer may move to Northampton to play in the Zurich Premiership.

Although the article appears to be pure speculation, a rumour is circulating that the Saints are interested in Spencer.

Spencer has been dropped from the starting side for the Blues’ last two games in the Super 12. If he can’t force his way back into the starting side then a move to the United Kingdom may well be on the books.

The Chiefs defeated the Sharks 40-5 in a Super 12 game played at Waikato Stadium on Saturday.

Going into the match both teams had only recorded one win this year, so were desparate for the win.

Lock Keith Robinson was set to make his return from injury for the Chiefs, but failed a fitness test before the game and was replaced by Sean Hohneck.
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