The last week of the open Rounds of the Super 14 and only one team, the Bulls, have booked a spot in the semi-finals. This week sees 7 games of which only 3 are of paramount importance and we’ll only know the semi-final contenders after the last game of the week between the Stormers and the Bulls.

The games are the following:

14	Crusaders	v	Brumbies	Christchurch	09:35
14	Waratahs	v	Hurricanes	Sydney	11:40
14	The Sharks	v	Western Force	The Absa Stadium Durban	19:10
15	Blues	v	Chiefs	Auckland	09:35
15	Reds	v	Highlanders	Brisbane	11:40
15	Vodacom Cheetahs	v	Auto & General Lions	GWK Park, Kimberley	15:00
15	Vodacom Stormers	v	Vodacom Bulls	Newlands Rugby Stadium	17:05

Friday 14 May 2010:

 

Crusaders vs Brumbies

The Crusaders host the Brumbies at the AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 09:35 SA Time.

This is one of the crunch matches with the winner progressing to the semi’s.

The Crusaders have come away from tour with 3 successive losses to the Force, the Stormers and the Bulls but they will feel that they have definately stepped up a gear against the Bulls. They are also back at home.

They are currently in 6th spot on the Log on 36 Log points. A win is all they need to progress further but a bonus point win will stand them in good stead and present a challenge to the other teams who still have to qualify for the semi’s.

Their current game plan, as exhibited against the Bulls, speak volumes of clever and structured play but they have one important factor against them, that being the amount of travel they had to do back to Christchurch.

Has Richie McCaw and Dan Carter finally reached peak form in the competition?

The Brumbies on the other hand are in 4th spot on 37 Log Points and have clearly shown that they are also aiming to peak at the right time.

Winning away from home against a fired-up Crusaders team is a tough ask but should they win they’ll do justice to me touting them as a semi-final contenders before the season started.

With players of the quality of Matt Giteau, Josh Valentine, Stephen Hoiles, George Smith and Rocky Elsom in their midst it is a gamble to bet against them.

It is probably the most difficult prediction to make for the weekend and I would have to favour home ground advantage as the only factor seperating the 2 teams…. Crusaders by 4.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
2009: Brumbies won 18-16 (Canberra)
2008: Crusaders won 34-3 (Christchurch)
2007: Brumbies won 15-6 (Canberra)
2006: Crusaders won 33-3 (Christchurch)

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Daniel Bowden, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tim Bateman, 22 Jared Payne.

Brumbies: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Mitchell Chapman, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Brackin Karauria-Henry, 22 Andrew Smith.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Josh Noonan (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

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Waratahs vs Hurricanes

The Waratahs host the Hurricanes at the Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney at 11:40 SA Time.

This is the second of the crunch matches with the winner progressing to the semi’s.

The Waratahs, the whinging and boring Australian team who made the news this weak with their rant against the Bulls for playing a second string outfit against the Stormers, are currently in 3rd spot on the Log, with 38 Log Points.

This team’s strenght for this game probably lies in the forwards, with players like Phil Waugh, Dean Mumm, Al Baxter and Tatafu Polota-Nau. This does not mean to say that they have a weak backline, far from it, but the backline is exactly where the Hurricanes are strong.

The positive factor for the Waratahs are that they are at home whereas the negative factor might be the fact that they have focussed too much on what team the Bulls have chosen in stead of focussing on their job at hand.

The Hurricanes seems to have stepped up a gear in recent weeks as well, with players like Ma’a Nonu, Hosea Gear and Conrad Smith back to their best form. They are currently at No 5 on the Log (37 Log Points).

Who in their right mind stakes his house against a backline with this much fire power?

Well luckily I do not have to mortage a house or place money on this game, I can boldly predict and be wrong and it’ll be no skin off my back… Waratahs by 5.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
2009: Waratahs won 26-22 (Wellington)
2008: Waratahs won 20-3 (Sydney)
2007: Waratahs won 38-14 (Wellington)      
2006: Hurricanes won 16-14 (Wellington) – semifinal
2006: Hurricanes won 19-14  (Sydney)

 

Teams:

Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Patrick McCutcheon, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Dan Palmer.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Chris Thomson, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Rory Sidey.

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Paterson, 5 Jeremy Thrush, 4 Bryn Evans 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Jason Kawau / Willie Ripia, 22 David Smith.

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees:  Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Angus Gardiner (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

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Sharks vs Western Force

The Sharks host the Western Force at ABSA Stadium, Durban at 19:10 SA Time.

Sorry my Sharks and Force friends, but this match is of little to no importance in the bigger scheme of things!

The Sharks will be playing for pride and in an effort to complete the season on a high. They are currently in 9th spot on the Log and have just come off a very good demolition job over the Stormers.

The forwards are solid and the backline has suddenly sprung to life last week, but they still battle to put the tries on the board and let far too many opportunities go a begging.

The Force are in 12th spot on the Log and had a terrile start to the season, then came right in the middle of the season and here at the business end of matters have stuttered then surprised, then stuttered.

Injuries hampered this team at the start of the season but they have managed to get quite a few players back and available and dealt well with the Crusaders and the Lions, whereafter they lost to the Cheetahs.

I predict a home win for the Sharks and for the Sharks to show a bit of contempt for the Force in Durban….. Sharks by 18.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
2009: Sharks won 22-10 (Perth)
2008: Sharks won 17-10 (Durban)
2007: Force won 22-12 (Perth)
2006: Sharks won 41-25 (Durban)

Teams:

The Sharks: 15 Patrick Lambie, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Patric Cilliers, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Andries Strauss.

Western Force: 15 James O’Connor, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 David Hill, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Ben McCalman, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ben Whittaker, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Sam Wykes, 19 Tom Hockings, 20 Justin Turner, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Mark Bartholomeusz.
 
Referee: Pro Legoete (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Marc van Zyl (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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Saturday 15 May 2010:

 

Blues vs Chiefs

The Blues host the Chiefs in Auckland, New Zealand at 09:35 SA Time.

This match is of little or no consequence as well!

The Blues have had a rather ordinary tour to South Africa, losing to the Sharks and the Cheetahs and then following up with a good win over the shoddy wooden spoon Lions.

The Blues are in 8th spot of the Log, on 32 Log points, too far out to make the semi’s.

This Blues team should be kicking their own butts by now… just look at the team on paper, specially the backline, and you would think that they must be somewhere very close to the top but they have this uncanny ability to blow hot then icy cold!

Surely against a severely delpleted Chiefs team they HAVE TO blow hot.

The Chiefs are nowhere near the team of last year, currently on 10th spot on the Log at a dismal 26 Log points.

The Chiefs look totally unfamiliar with some of the no-names doing business for them now and if I had to put money on a match between them and the Bulls B-Team, the money would be on the Bulls!

I predict that the Blues will finally string 2 wins in a row together and punish the Chiefs…… Blues by 20.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
21 Mar 2009 Blues v Chiefs 34-63 Hamilton
16 Feb 2008 Blues v Chiefs 32-14 Auckland
31 Mar 2007 Blues v Chiefs 18-11 Hamilton
13 May 2006 Blues v Chiefs 9-30 Auckland
12 Mar 2005 Blues v Chiefs 9-18 Hamilton

Teams:

Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger / Luke McAlister, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino/Peter Saili, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa
2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Tom Chamberlain, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 George Pisi.

Chiefs: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Save Tokula, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Trent Renata, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Kevin O’Neill, 19 Luke Braid 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Siale Piutau, 22 Tim Mikkelson.

Match Officials:
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Jonathon White (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

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Reds vs Highlanders

The Reds host the Highlanders in Brisbane, Australia at 11:40 SA Time.

There’s a little bit of interest in this game for 2 reasons, namely firstly the wonderful style of play the Reds have brought to the party in 2010 and secondly because the Reds still stands a mathematical chance of reaching the semi’s… but a lot of water must flow into the sea before the stars align right for thm in this regard.

The Reds are not a bunch of no-names anymore… we have grown quite fond of Peter Hynes, Will Chambers, Digby Ioane, Scott Higginbotham, ans Van Humphries. We have admired Will Genia and Quade Cooper, the 2 game breakers and extra-ordinary play makers in this team.

On 34 Log points and in 7th spot on the Log the season has probably been one game out of reach for the most improved team in the Super 14 of 2010.

Damn, it is difficult to compliment an Australian Team…..

The hillbilly Highlanders are a strange bunch, successful every season at least once in upsetting one of the High Flyers and 2 weeks ago it was the Waratahs turn to get shots!

A few of these Highlanders players’ market value has certainly increased this seaon, players like Israel Dagg, Fetu’u Vainikolo and Josh Bekhuis.

I predict a difficult match and earlier on I was sure that the Reds could run rings around the Bucketheads, but now I’m nt so sure…. what the hell, the match is in Brisbane…… Reds by 15.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
11 Apr 2009 Reds v Highlanders 19-24 Ivercargill
15 Feb 2008 Reds v Highlanders 22-16 Brisbane
09 Mar 2007 Reds v Highlanders 17-33 Dunedin
12 May 2006 Reds v Highlanders 22-16 Townsville
01 Apr 2005 Reds v Highlanders 16-23 Brisbane

Teams:

Reds: 15 Ben Lucas, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Will Chambers, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (c), 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Jake Schatz, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Radike Samo, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Jack Kennedy, 18 Ezra Taylor, 19 Poutasi Luafutu, 20 Ed Quirk, 21 Brando Va’aulu, 22 Richard Kingi.

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Chris King.

Replacements: 16 Peter Mirrielees, 17 Jamie Mackintosh, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 John Hardie, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 James Paterson.

Match Officials:
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia), Simon Moore (Australia)
Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)

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Cheetahs vs Lions

The Cheetahs host the Lions at GWK Park, Kimberley at 15:00 SA Time.

This match is of considerable importance, everybody is waiting in anticipation to see the Lions lose for a 13th time in succession…

The Cheetahs have shown a lot of guts after a series of injuries derailed the middle part of their season. They have fought back valiantly to show that they will not bow down to overseas team at home anymore… and for that I salute them and their fiery captain, Juan Smith!

The Cheetahs are unlikely to climb a single Log position with this game, the points difference is far too much but pride and pleasure clearly plays a role in this team.

The Lions…. why oh why do I have to give my opinion of them… nothing good can come from this situation!

Well, the Lions are playing on Saturday. I doubt whether they’ll move to increase their 5 Log Points.

I predict a Cheetahs win and with a bonus point….. Cheetahs by 25 PLUS.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
13 Feb 2009 Cheetahs v Lions 28-34 Johannesburg
16 Feb 2008 Cheetahs v Lions 22-23 Bloemfontein
05 May 2007 Cheetahs v Lions 16-10 Johannesburg
13 May 2006 Cheetahs v Lions 28-23 Kimberley

Teams:

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Corne Uys, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Izak van der Westhuizen, 3 WP Nel, 2 Skipper Badenhorst, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Marnus Hugo, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Riaan Viljoen.

Lions: 15 Carlos Spencer, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Marius Delport, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Deon Van Rensburg, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Derick Minnie, 7 Franco Van der Merwe, 6 Wikus Van Heerden, 5 George Earle, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Charles Emslie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Gert Muller, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Jonathan Mokuena, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Michael Killian, 22 Bernardo Botha.

Match Officials:
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Joey Salmans (South Africa), Stefan Breytenbach (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

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Stormers vs Bulls

The Stormers host the Bulls at Newlands, Cape Town at 17:05 SA Time.

What a last game of the open rounds of the Super 14!

The Stormers still have a win to chase to put them in the semi’s and the Bulls have sent a bunch of youngsters to go dismantle the Stormers! Imagine the possibilities here, imagine the drama, this is still the North / South Derby… with an added twist.

The Stormers must be thinking, how do we prepare for this unknown quanity which the Bulls will send, where are their weaknesses and where are their strenghts?

The Stormers will know at kick-off in this match exactly what will be needed to get to the semi’s and what needs to be achieved to qualify to host a home semi and end 2nd on the Log, still behind the Bulls.

For the Stormers, this is do or die… win at all costs… only win, that is all that is needed.

The Bulls have shocked some, angered others, pleased a lot of people and generally thrown a spanner in the works by sending a B-Team to Newlands for this game and resting their key-players.

This is still a strong team, 6 Springboks and one player (Heini Adams) who has toured with the Bokke in the squad. The tight five are strong and robust, no need to stand one inch back to the Stormers, the 2 flanks have been there and done that, Pedrie has 110 Super 14 Caps. Gert-Jan van Velze is the regular captain of the Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup team who went through the season unbeaten… not much wrong in the forwards!

The backline is equally challenging and daunting with the deamon tackler, De Wet Barry in midfield and a solid enough back 3… but at halfback pairing is probably where this team will succeed or falter… can they impliment the precision game which the Bulls have become accostomed to from their pivots, can they direct and dominate play?

I predict a closer match than many would suggest if the Bulls B-team can hold the Stormers relatively in check in the first 40 minutes but fear that the Stormers might start at such intensity that they race ahead early on, in which case their win should be big.

I predict a Stormers win but the margin is what bothers me….. Stormers by only 10 or by plenty.

 

Previous Super 14 Results against the Bulls A-Side:
07 Mar 2009 Stormers v Bulls 10-14 Pretoria
16 Feb 2008 Stormers v Bulls 9-16 Cape Town
14 Apr 2007 Stormers v Bulls 12-49 Pretoria
13 May 2006 Stormers v Bulls 10-43 Cape Town
14 May 2005 Stormers v Bulls 14-75 Pretoria

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Eusebio Guinazu, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Willem de Waal, 22 Tim Whitehead.

Bulls: 15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 De Wet Barry, 11 Deon Helberg, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 6 Derick Kuun, 5 Bakkies Botha (c), 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Bees Roux, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 Fudge Mabeta, 19 Okkie Kruger, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Stefan Watermeyer.

Match Officials:
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Reuben Rossouw (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)