This is the combined PREVIEW of the Super 14 matches played between Friday 12 to Sunday 14 March 2010. The matches discussed are:

Friday:
1. Chiefs vs Crusaders – Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 12 March at 08:35 SA Time
2. Waratahs vs Lions – Sydney Footbaal Stadium, Sydney, 12 March at 10:40 SA Time
Saturday:
3. Brumbies vs Sharks – Canberra Stadium, Canberra, 13 March at 10:40 SA Time
4. Bulls vs Highlanders – Loftus, Pretoria, 13 March at 17:05 SA Time
5. Stormers vs Hurricanes – Newlands, Cape Town, 13 March at 19:10 SA Time
Sunday:
6. Reds vs Western Force – Brisbane, 14 March at 8:30 SA Time

Friday 12 March 2010:

Chiefs vs Crusaders: 08:35 SA Time 

One of the most exciting and most awaited matches in the Super 14, Finalists of 2009 (Chiefs) at home against multiple Super 14 Champions (Crusaders).

The Chiefs have played 4, won the first 3 against the Sharks, Lions and Force then lost against the Reds in week 4. It has not all been inspiring rugby and they have conceded 125 points in the process, scoring just 146, yet they lie at position No 2 on the Super 14 Log, so they cannot be taken lightly at all.

Their biggest worry must be defensive structures and capability because they have already allowed there to be 12 tries scored against them, granted that 9 of those came in one game against the Lions, the so called “Circus” game.

They have possibly the most exciting back 3 in world rugby… Muliaina, Masaga and Sivivatu, they have a clinical Halfback pairing in Leonard and Donald and they have one of the better forwards packs in the competition.

The Crusaders, on the other hand, started the Super 14 on low revs and 1st gear, winning in week 1, then losing badly in week 2 against the Reds, then easily beating the Sharks in week 3 and grinding out a win against the Blues in week 4.

Currently in 5th spot on the log tells us the story that they are there or thereabouts, having scored 13 tries to date and conceeding 7 tries in the process.

They have an underrated back 3 and midfield, Dan Carter at flyhalf and there is nothing wrong with any of the 8 forwards…. with richie McCaw leading the way from the position of openside flanker.

The more I look at the crusaders squad, the more these names worry me for later in the competition. The Crusaders have possible weak spots at scrumhalf and in the backline… oh hell there I go and underestimate them myself, after warning against it.

This game is all out war between rival factions of the same tribe…. and the outcome is a gamble…. but if I had to put money on the outcome, I would put it on the Crusaders by 5 or 7 points in a game of attrition… not low scoring, not very high scoring,,,,

Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Crusaders won 19-13 (Christchurch)
2008: Chiefs won 18-5 (Hamilton)
2007: Chiefs won 30-24 (Christchurch)
2006: Crusaders won 25-19 (Hamilton)

Teams:

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (captain), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Vern Kamo, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.

Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (captain), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.

Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Matthew Stanish (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

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Waratahs vs Lions: 10:40 SA Time

A game between 2 bottom-halvers on the Log.

The Waratahs, currently at No 10 on the Log, will not be happy with their performances of the first 4 weeks, having lost against the Reds in week 1, lost against the Stormers in week 2, lost against the Bulls in week 3 and finally grinding out an undeserved win against the sharks in week 4.

They have scored only 9 tries, yet conceeded 14 tries already and have conceeded 25 points MORE than they have racked up themselves… not a pretty picture. They have also been the team which was the slowest in adapting or accepting the New application of the Laws.

All in all, this is very strange because they are brim full of Australian Internationals and game breakers, they are definately playing well below expectation.

The Lions are 0 from 4 games in the season so far and a lot of critisism has been and probably will still be flung at their approach to the season, game plans, coaching and quality of players, or lack thereof.

I’ve had people cursing at me when I’ve said that the team comprises a bunch of average club players and a couple of has-been veterans, with a coach who adopts the wrong approach and game plan… so consider this not said… hahahaha.

It is not all doom and gloom though for the Lions, they have an able centre pairing in Doppie Le Grange and Walter Venter, a young wing (Mjekevu) who might surprise us more and more as the season progresses, an old King at flyhalf (Spencer), good loosies and a very strong front row. It is not those players who worry me though, it is the positions in between, where nothing seems to happen, which worry me.

With Jano Vermaak on the bench and probably in a starting berth from next week forward, there will also be a general in the system, a plan maker and playmaker and the Lions might just win a game from week 7 onwards.

At this stage however one would have to predict against all South African hope that the Waratahs will win and possibly win comfortably…. Waratahs by 12 and scoring their bonus point in the process.

Zeeeez, I hope this summary is taken in a possitive manner and I do not affront anybody in the process.

Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Waratahs won 38-33 (Johannesburg)
2008: Waratahs won 26-3 (Sydney)
2007: Waratahs won 25-16 (Johannesburg)
2006: Waratahs won 50-3 (Sydney)

Teams:

Waratahs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes,  11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell,  19 Ben Mowen, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Kurtley Beale, 22 Rob Horne.

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Wigan Pekeur.

Referee: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

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Saturday 13 March 2010

Brumbies vs Sharks: 10:40 SA Time

One of the possible title contenders against one of the biggest fallers from 2009 to 2010, this is how I see this match.

The Brumbies have played 4 of which they won against the Force in week 1, lost against the Bulls in week 2, surprised the Stormers in week 3and beat the Lions in week 4.

So, apart from losing to the Bulls who look like the Champions they were in 2009, they’ve gone unbeaten, but last week’s performance against the Lions suggests that they are beatable.

Do not let the Brumbies fool you and lull you into a false sense of security, they play probably the 2nd best overall or complete game in the current Super 14, with strenghts right accross each facet of play. They are strong in the scrums, line-outs, fast and accurate on the loose ball, very well organised in defence and they possess the game breakers to punish you senseless.

Just look at the balance in this squad…. Excellent fullback, Mortlock at No 13, Matt Giteau at Flyhalf, Hoiles, Smith and Elsom as loosies, Chisholm at lock, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore amd Ma’afu in the front row.

Against them we have a Sharks team who seem to be intent on how deep they can dive this year, how hard they can fall, how wrong they can be about dicipline and team selection.

The Sharks are 0 from 4 this season, having lost against the Chiefs, Cheetahs, Crusaders and Waratahs. There appears to be an impotency on attack and they have only scored a total of 3 tries in 4 games whilst conceeding 9 in the process.

Lack of dicipline has been their worst enemy as well as a lack of playmaking and solidity in the halfbacks.

The team is brim full of Springboks and Springbok contenders though and I never write them off.

I predict a win for the Brumbies… Brumbies by 10 PLUS.

Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Sharks won 35-14 (Durban)
2008: Brumbies won 27-21 (Canberra)
2007: Brumbies won 21-10 (Durban)
2006: Brumbies won 35-30 (Canberra)   

Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Justin Harrison, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Tyrone Smith.

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Waylon Murray.

Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Paul Marks (Australia), Simon Moore (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)

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Bulls vs Highlanders: 17:05 SA Time

Top of the log plays a team who struggles to travel well, that’s how I see it.

The Bulls have only 3 games and are returning after a weekend off, yet they still occupy the No 1 Position on the Log, with 3 impressive wins, scoring bonus points in every game.  People will only realize much later that bonus points in every game means that you effectively have 3 games in hand over any other team who does not score bonus points in their games with tries.

What can we say about the Champions of 2009 and the current Log leaders…. I suppose one can say that they are very carefully managed, well trained, full of confidense and they have the players.

The Bulls must however not be complacent, no team is to be underestimated and they must certainly guard against falling behind on the score board in the 1st 20 minutes, it will cost them one of these days and possibly more so away from hom on foreign soil.

The Bulls have balance and continuity in selection and they are brim full of Bokke… from Kirchner at the back, right through to loosehead prop. A revelation has been how they have jacked up their scrummaging and how they have developed in a team who plays total rugby in 2010.

The Highlanders are a difficult bunch, who often punch above their weight and last year in New Zealand they taught the Bulls a lesson in humility. I’m sure the Bulls remember this.

The Highlanders are without 2 stars in Hobbs and Thompson, who have both been suspended by their coach for missing curfew. Apart from that the Highlanders still boast a rough-and-tumble forwards pack and a capable backline.

One has to believe that the Bulls will win though, the odds are to heavily stacked in their favour…. Bulls by 25 PLUS.

Previous Super 14 Results:
28 Mar 2009 Bulls v Highlanders 12-36 Palmerston North
19 Apr 2008 Bulls v Highlanders 47-17 Pretoria
24 Mar 2007 Bulls v Highlanders 22-13 Dunedin
11 Mar 2006 Bulls v Highlanders 23-16 Pretoria
11 Mar 2005 Bulls v Highlanders 0-23 Dunedin

Teams:

Match Officials
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA)
Ass. refs: AN Other (XX), Christie du Preez (SA)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (SA)

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 Stormers vs Hurricanes: 19:10 SA Time

Definately 2 of the better teams in the competition.

The Hurricanes are smarting from a loss at the hands of the Cheetahs but before that they won all 3 encounters against the Blues, Force and Lions. The question on everybody’s lips are, are they angry and determined enough to bounce back and beat the Stormers?

This team is full of game breakers in Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, David Smith, Weepu, So’oialo, Vito, Tialata and Hore. They play an attacking and abrasive game and there are few weaknesses to expose, except perhaps if a team really defends in their faces and win the battle for dominance.

The Stormers are the best defensive team so far in the Super 14 and have shown consistency in selection policy but have not impressed on all out attack, despite the plethera of game breakers up front and at the back. Their weakness lies in their unsettled halfbacks though where the scrumhalves do not possess a good tactical kicking game, amplified by the inability of Peter Grant to play the tactical game of territorial dominance.

This will be a tight game, it is extremely difficult to predict an outcome but I will give the home side the benefit of the doubt….. Stormers by 5.

Previous Super 14 results:
18 Apr 2009 Stormers v Hurricanes 11-34 Wellington
19 Apr 2008 Stormers v Hurricanes 20-12 Cape Town
03 Mar 2007 Stormers v Hurricanes 30-17 Palmerston North
11 Mar 2006 Stormers v Hurricanes 19-23 Cape Town
25 Mar 2005 Stormers v Hurricanes 9-12 Palmerston North

Teams:

Match Officials
Referee: Nathan Pearce (Aus)
Ass. refs: Steve Walsh (Aus), Marc van Zyl (SA)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (SA)

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 Sunday 14 March 2010

Reds vs Western Force: 08:30 SA Time

This match is one of those where you say, what the heck… and where you throw a stone in the bush to see what jumps out.

The Reds have slayed 2 dragons this year so far, the Crusaders and the Chiefs, but lost against the Waratahs and the Blues. In the process, they have scored 11 tries and also conceeded 11 tries. It would be fair to say that they are the surprise package of the Super 14 because with limited players of quality (much like the Lions), they have produces amazing results due to a proper training and coaching regime and playing to their strenghts.

The Western Force was decimated by players leaving the Franchise at the end of last season and one senses that they must be the one team who is tendering for the wooden spoon.

They have only played 3 games but they have lost them all and do not have a single Log Point to show for their troubles. They have lost to the Brumbies, Hurricanes and the Chiefs and similar to the Bulls they have just returned from a rest week.

I’ going to boldly predict that the Reds will continue their exciting run and beat the Force by some margin….. Reds by 15 PLUS.

Teams:

Reds: TBA

Western Force: TBA