Having lost all of their 13 games last season, the Lions have now won only one game in their last 24 Super Rugby appearances.

After getting just one win in the first 10 weeks of the competition – which had them hovering in 14th position on the 15-team table – the Cheetahs from Bloemfontein have raced into ninth place on the global standings with the wins over the Brumbies (47-36) and Lions in the last six days.

There are times when your heart has bled for the Lions – when they have been adventurous and lively and skilled, but not this time. They may have ended well but all is not well with Doppies la Grange’s rag-tag lot – pretty mangy Lions for all but the last 15 minutes when the game as a contest was long over.

That the Cheetahs are climbing the log is not surprising as they have got better and better, playing with greater energy and confidence while the Lions have slid into a slough of despond. The team which beat the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein was thrashed by them at home – and now they have to head for Australia and New Zealand where the Waratahs, the Highlanders and the Hurricanes must be licking their lips in expectation of plenty.

They did not start off too badly and for three minutes had the lead.

After Rory Kockott had been penalised twice for six points, a missed penalty kick turned out to be a happy fault for the Lions. Philip Burger was penalised at a tackle and Burton Francis’s penalty hit the upright and bounced out where Burger knocked on. That gave the Lions a five-metre scrum and they bashed till bearded Joshua Strauss forced his way over for a try. 7-6 to the Lions after 10 minutes.

It did not last as Lionel Mapoe was offside and metronomic Sias Ebersohn goaled. 9-7. Yet even then the Lions could have had the lead back when Warren Whiteley broke down the right but Strauss lost the ball over the line and the Cheetahs cleared. That was really the end of the Lions’ efforts at being competitive.

Instead the Cheetahs started mounting a typical attack with many passes and lots of support. Heinrich Brüssow was over but his foot just touched the touchline as Deon van Rensburg tackled him.

But then Deon van Rensburg was offside and Sias Ebersohn made it 12-7 after 22 minutes.

Riaan Viljoen was over but the TMO was undecided if he had got the ball grounded but the Cheetahs were there and a clever back flip from Brüssow sent Corné Uys rushing over for the first Cheetah try. 19-7 after 29 minutes.

Ebersohn made it 22-7 and then the Cheetahs rushed back. Adriaan Strauss broke and they had a five-metre scrum. They went 8 – 9 – 15 – Davon Raubenheimer – Sarel Pretorius – Viljoen and Viljoen burst past La Grange to score. 29-7 and a minute later they scored one of the great tries of the season.

Sias Ebersohn started it well inside his 22 when he fielded the kick-off. The Cheetahs went left and Riaan Smit raced down the left before playing back inside with lots of quick passing till Robert Ebersohn surfed over for a try under the posts.

The Cheetahs had scored 14 points in two minutes, and it was half-time at 36-7.

Sias Ebersohn goaled when Kockott was penalised at tackle a minute or so into the second half which then became less flamboyant than the first half had been.  The Cheetahs still enjoyed a plethora of  possession, winning many turnovers, but now they used lots of pick-’n-drive instead of their wider options.

The Lions had a good moment when they did what they do best, work their way upfield from well inside their own 22.

The Cheetahs won another turnover, flicked lots of passes and Viljoen scored the bonus-point try. 46-7 with 17 minutes to play.

There was an exquisite moment when Francis chipped to his left and Deon van Rensburg gathered the ball bouncing low and falling got a low pass to tall Michael Rhodes who caught it and went over for a try. 46-14 with 14 minutes to play.

The Lions played well now. Jano Vermaak had a long break, they went through two long sets of phases and then dropped the ball near the Cheetahs 22. Viljoen footed three times as hooker Martin Bezuidenhout chased him all the way to the goal-line where Viljoen completed his hat-trick of tries. Naas Olivier converted.

There were two minutes to play but the Cheetahs were penalised twice in that time. The Lions tapped and found the energy to attack, sending Bezuidenhout over in the corner.

Man of the Match: The choice was between hat-trick man Riaan Viljoen, him of the booming boot, and our choice – neat Sias Ebersohn with the unerring boot – all 10 kicks goaled – and the direction he gave his side.

The scorers:

For the Lions:
Tries: J Strauss, Rhodes, Bezuidenhout
Cons: Francis 2

For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Uys, R Viljoen 3, R Ebersohn
Cons: S Ebersohn 4, Olivier
Pens: S Ebersohn 6

Teams:

Lions: 15 Michael Killian, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Dylan des Fountain, 12 Doppies la Grange (captain), 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Patric Cilliers, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Jaco Taute.

Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Phillip Burger, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corné Uys, 11 Riaan Smit, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Hennie Daniller.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Sindile Mayende (South Africa), Stefan Breytenbach (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

Source: rugby365.com

Pic: theage.com.au

Pic

Mitchell was speaking after his team’s 30-34 loss to the Chiefs on Saturday and made it painstakingly clear that he was not going to put up with the mediocrity of some of his players.

“I’m sick of making excuses,” he said.

“It is the same old errors turning up and some individuals are leaving me no choice looking forward to the future.”

The quick fix to the former All Black coach’s headaches would be for the team’s money-men to go out and sign a few big-name players.

“It [losing] is a cultural issue here, it has been here for some time and clearly we are going to have to invest in the future of this organisation,” said Mitchell.

“The investors are certainly going to have to put their money where their mouth is.”

The recruitment of at least three experienced players – preferable in the engine room – is sure to complement the talent they have in their youth structures.

As things currently stand, the Lions are relying on youngsters to compete at a level they are not quite ready for.

Although they are doing their very best, their best simply is not good enough for the demands of Super Rugby as they cannot reproduce the needed intensity with every match.

As far as the most valuable assets of the union – the players – are concerned, the new coaching structures are beginning to deliver results at lower levels. With Mitchell at the helm, players also have no choice but to act more professionally than they have done in the past.

The team’s nine losses in the competition can therefore be attributed to of a lack of players that will hold their own at Test level.

“There is a strategy in place and they [the investors] are going to have to deliver, because otherwise we are just going to be going through the same-old same-old.”

“We have a very good critical mass here of good footballers that are probably experiencing their 10th or 11th cap and they are having to learn the hard way.”

Apart from long serving stalwarts Wikus van Heerden, Andre Pretorius and flyhalf Butch James, who will only be joining the Lions during their second week on tour, the rest of the squad consists of players with very little or no international experience to fall back on.

In the last three years, the Lions have lost as many players that are currently considered to be among the best in the world.

Source + Pic: rugby365.com

Vodacom Bulls 27 The Sharks 19
Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Gerhard van den Heever; Conversion: Morne Steyn; Penalties: Steyn (5).
The Sharks – Try: Rory Kockott; Conversion: Kockott; Penalties: Andy Goode (4).

Vodacom Cheetahs 36 Blues 32
Vodacom Cheetahs – Tries: Juan Smith, Jongi Nokwe, Bjorn Basson, Phillip van der Merwe, Waltie Vermeulen; Conversions: Naas Olivier (2), Meyer Bosman (2); Penalty: Olivier.
Blues – Tries: Isaia Toeava, Rene Ranger, Alby Mathewson, Anthony Tuitavake; Conversions: Stephen Brett (3); Penalties: Brett (2).

Auto & General Lions 12 Western Force 33
Auto & General Lions – Penalties: Herkie Kruger (4).
Western Force – Tries: Scott Staniforth, David Hill, Mark Bartholomeusz; Conversions: Hill (3); Penalties: Hill (4).

Brumbies 32 Reds 12

The Brumbies kept their chances of qualification for the 2010 Vodacom Super 14 semi-finals alive after they defeated the Reds 32-12 in Canberra on Saturday.

The Reds have never recorded an away win against the Brumbies in Super Rugby and were guilty of making numerous handling errors during this match. The hosts scored four tries and gained maximum points from this fixture.

Brumbies – Tries: Ben Alexander (2), Mark Chisholm, Josh Valentine; Conversions. Matt Giteau (3); Penalty: Giteau (2).
Reds – Penalties: Quade Cooper (4).

Hurricanes 33 Chiefs 27

The Hurricanes are back in the race of a place in the 2010 Vodacom Super 14 semi-finals following their 33-27 victory over the Chiefs in this New Zealand derby played in Wellington on Saturday.

Both teams played exciting attacking rugby in this match which saw the Waikato side and the hosts scoring four tries before the half time break.

Hurricanes – Tries: Ma`a Nonu (2), Cory Jane, Neemia Tialata; Conversions: Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu; Penalties: Cruden (2), Weepu.
Chiefs – Tries: Jackson Willison, Sona Taumalolo, Tim Nanai-Williams, Liam Messam; Conversions: Callum Bruce (2); Penalty: Bruce.

Highlanders 26 Waratahs 10

The Highlanders recorded their third victory in the 2010 Vodacom Super 14 when they defeated the Waratahs 26-10 in Invercargill on Friday.

The defeat kept the Sydney franchise in fifth position on the log. However the Waratahs are now 10 points behind the Vodacom Bulls who are in first position and nine points away from the second placed Vodacom Stormers.

Highlanders – Tries: Adam Thomson (2), Steven Setephano; Conversion: Israel Dagg; Penalties: Matthew Berquist (3).
Waratahs – Try: Kurtley Beale; Conversion: Daniel Halangahu; Penalty: Halangahu.

Source + Pic: sarugby.co.za

Chiefs 25 Vodacom Cheetahs 25
Chiefs – Tries: Colin Bourke, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith, Dwayne Sweeney, Liam Messam.
Vodacom Cheetahs – Tries: Devon Raubenheimer, WP Nel, Meyer Bosman; Conversions: Naas Olivier (2); Penalties: Olivier (2).

Vodacom Bulls 51 Auto & General Lions 11
Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Gerhard van den Heever (2), Derick Kuün, Morné Steyn, Wynand Olivier, John Mametsa; Conversions: Morné Steyn (3); Penalties: Steyn (5).
Auto & General Lions – Try: Wandile Mjekevu; Penalties: Herkie Kruger (2).

The Sharks 23 Blues 10
Scorers: The Sharks – Tries: Ruan Pienaar; Penalties: Pienaar (4), Kockott (2).
Blues – Tries: Peter Saili; Conversion: Stephen Brett; Penalty: Brett.

Western Force 24 Crusaders 16

The Western Force secured a surprise 24-16 win over the Crusaders and denied the Canterbury side valuable log points in this game played in Perth on Friday.

The result for the Crusaders ensured that they ended round eleven on equal log points with the Vodacom Stormers and the Reds, but are currently trailing the Vodacom Bulls and the Cape side due to their points’ differential.

Western Force – Tries: Pek Cowan, Matt Hodgson, Brett Whitaker; Conversions: David Hill (3); Penalty: Hill.
Crusaders – Try: Kahn Fotuali’i; Conversion: Dan Carter; Penalties: Carter (2); Drop goals: Fotuali`i, Carter.

Hurricanes 31 Highlanders 33

The Hurricanes kept their mathematical chances of making the Vodacom Super 14 semi-finals alive following their 33-21 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

Eight tries were scored in the first half with both teams scoring four tries a piece. However after the break, both sides dropped their intensity levels and as a result were both guilty of making numerous mistakes on attack.

Highlanders – Tries: Jimmy Cowan, Alando Soakai, Ben Smith, Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray; Conversions: Israel Dagg (3).
Hurricanes – Tries: Karl Lowe, Michael Paterson, Tyson Keats, Aaron Cruden, Ma`a Nonu; Conversions: Cruden (3), Piri Weepu.

Waratahs 19 Brumbies 12

The Waratahs are one point away from the Vodacom Stormers, Crusaders and the Reds who are all on 34 log points following their 19-17 win over the Brumbies in this Australian derby played in Sydney on Saturday.

The game was dominated by the boot as both teams resisted the temptation to run the ball from within their half of the field. Waratahs winger Lachlan Turner was the only try-scorer in this match.

Waratahs – Try: Lachlan Turner; Conversion: Daniel Halangahu; Penalties: Halangahu (4).
Brumbies – Penalties: Matt Giteau (4).

Source: sarugby.co.za

Reds 19 Vodacom Bulls 12
Reds – Tries: Scott Higginbotham, Rod Davies; Penalties: Quade Cooper (3).
Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Dewald Potgieter, Pedrie Wannenburg; Conversion: Morne Steyn.

Crusaders 45 Vodacom Cheetahs 6
Crusaders – Tries: Thomas Waldrom (2), Kahn Fotuali`i, Ryan Crotty, Sean Maitland, Ben Franks, Zac Guildford; Conversions: Colin Slade (5).
Vodacom Cheetahs – Penalties: Riaan Viljoen, Meyer Bosman.

Auto & General Lions 28 The Sharks 32
Auto & General Lions – Tries: Michael Killian, Franco van der Merwe, Derick Minnie; Conversions: Herkie Kruger (2); Penalties: Kruger (3).
The Sharks – Tries: Patrick Lambie, Odwa Ndungane, Bismarck du Plessis, Jacques Botes; Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (3); Penalties: Pienaar (2).

Blues 38 Western Force 17

Joe Rokocoko scored a hat trick of tries as the Blues recorded their fifth win of the Vodacom Super 14 by defeating the Western Force 38-17 in Auckland on Saturday.

The victory ensured that the Blues ended round 10 in seventh position on the log with 25 points and kept their playoff hopes alive. The Blues now travel to South African in preparation of their next match against the Sharks in Durban.

Blues – Tries: Joe Rokocoko (3), Tony Woodcock, Alby Mathewson, Rudi Wulf; Conversions: Luke McAlister (4).
Western Force – Tries: David Peacock, Penalty try; Conversions: James O`Connor (2); Penalty: O`Connor.

Brumbies 13 Hurricanes 23

The Hurricanes kept their Vodacom Super 14 semi final hopes alive after they defeated the Brumbies 23-13 in Canberra on Friday. Flyhalf Aaron Cruden scored 13 points by kicking three penalties and converted the tries scored by Conrad Smith and Victor Vito.

Brumbies – Tries: Patrick Phibbs, Matt Giteau; Penalty: Giteau.
Hurricanes – Tries: Conrad Smith, Victor Vito; Conversions: Aaron Cruden (2); Penalties: Cruden (3).

Source: sarugby.co.za

Chiefs

Chiefs – Try: Brendon Leonard; Conversion: Stephen Donald; Penalties: Donald (4).
Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Gerhard van den Heever, Pierre Spies, Gary Botha, Dewald Potgieter; Conversions: Morne Steyn (2); Penalties: Steyn (3).

Blues 21 Vodacom Stormers 33

Blues – Tries: Serge Lilo, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko; Conversions: Stephen Brett (3).
Vodacom Stormers – Tries: Jaque Fourie, Dewaldt Duvenhage, Anton van Zyl; Conversions: Peter Grant (3); Penalties: Grant (4).

Brumbies 61 Vodacom Cheetahs 15

Brumbies – Tries: Ben Alexander (2), Stephen Hoiles, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Rocky Elsom, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Alfi Mafi; Conversions: Matt Giteau (6), Julian Huxley (2).
Vodacom Cheetahs – Tries: Sarel Pretorius, Adriaan Strauss; Conversion: Riaan Viljoen; Penalty: Naas Olivier. Auto & General Lions 26 Reds 41

Auto & General Lions – Tries: Michael Killian (2), Franco van der Merwe, Herkie Kruger; Conversions: Kruger (3).
Reds – Tries: Rod Davies (2), Quade Cooper, Saia Faingaa, Peter Hynes, Ezra Taylor; Conversions: Cooper (4); Penalty: Cooper.

Other results:

Crusaders 20 Waratahs 13

Flyhalf Dan Carter scored 15 points as the Crusaders defeated the Waratahs 20-13 in Christchurch on Saturday. The win for the Canterbury franchise ensured that they ended round nine in joint second position on the log with the Waratahs who are on 29 points.

Crusaders – Try: Kahn Fotuali’i; Penalties: Dan Carter (5).
Waratahs – Try: Rob Horne; Conversion: Daniel Halangahu; Penalties: Daniel Halangahu, Berrick Barnes.

Highlanders 27 Western Force 41

Cameron Shepherd and Ryan Cross each scored a brace of tries to steer the Western Force to a comfortable 41-27 win over the Highlanders on Saturday. Six tries were scored by the visitors in this match as the Perth franchise moved to 12th position on the Vodacom Super 14 log after securing five points against the Highlanders.

Highlanders – Tries: Chris King, Steven Setephano, Fetu’u Vainikolo; Penalties: Matt Berquist (4).
Western Force – Tries: Cameron Shepherd (2), Ryan Cross (2), James O’Connor, Justin Turner; Conversions: O’Connor (4); Penalty: O’Connor.

Source: sarugby.co.za

Force 16 Stormers 15

Scorers: Western Force – Try: David Pocock; Conversion: James O’Connor; Penalties: O’Connor (2); Drop goal: David Hill.
Vodacom Stormers – Penalties: Peter Grant (5).

Blues 32 Bulls 17

Scorers: Blues – Tries: Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko; Conversions: Stephen Brett: (2); Penalties: Brett (5).
Vodacom Bulls – Try: Pierre Spies; Penalties: Morne Steyn (3); Drop goal: Steyn (1).

Waratahs 40 Cheetahs 17

Scorers: Waratahs – Tries: Rob Horne, Benn Robinson, Al Baxter, Kurtley Beale, Josh Holmes; Conversions: Daniel Halangahu (2), Berrick Barnes; Penalties: Halangahu (3).
Vodacom Cheetahs – Tries: WP Nel, Corne Uys; Conversions: Meyer Bosman (2); Penalty: Naas Olivier.

Sharks 30 Reds 28

Scorers: The Sharks – Tries: Odwa Ndungane, Jacques Botes, JP Pietersen; Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (3); Penalties: Pienaar (3).
Reds – Tries: Will Chambers (2), Quade Cooper, Greg Holmes; Conversions: Cooper (4).

Hurricanes 26 Crusaders 26

The Hurricanes and the Crusaders played out an exciting 26-26 draw which saw seven tries scored at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Friday.

Flyhalf Dan Carter added 11 points by kicking three penalties and a conversion while George Whitelock, Zac Guildford and Ti`i Paulo scored tries for the Canterbury side. Ma’a Nonu and Jeremy Thrush added five-pointers for the hosts which were both converted by flyhalf Willie Ripia. Hurricanes scrumhalf Piri Weepu also kicked four penalties.

The result ensured that the Crusaders maintained their position at three on the Vodacom Super 14 log while the Hurricanes ended the round in 9th place after eight games.

Scorers: Hurricanes – Tries: Ma`a Nonu, Jeremy Thrush; Conversions: Willie Ripia (2); Penalties: Piri Weepu (4).
Crusaders – Tries: George Whitelock, Zac Guildford, Ti`i Paulo; Conversion: Daniel Carter; Penalties: Carter (3).

Chiefs 27 Highlanders 21

The Chiefs are in joint sixth position on the Vodacom Super 14 log along with the Reds and Brumbies following their 27-21 victory over the Highlanders on Saturday.

Centre Stephen Donald added 17 points for the hosts after he scored a try, kicked two penalties and converted the five-pointers scored by Sione Lauaki and Sona Taumalolo. For the Highlanders Hayden Triggs and Fetu’u Vainikolo added their names to the try scoring sheet. Robbie Robinson kicked a drop goal while fullback Israel Dagg added two penalties and one conversion.

Scorers: Chiefs – Tries: Stephen Donald, Sione Lauaki, Sona Taumalolo; Conversions: Donald (3); Penalties: Donald (2).
Highlanders – Tries: Hayden Triggs, Fetu’u Vainikolo; Conversion: Israel Dagg; Penalties: Dagg (2); Drop goal: Robbie Robinson.

Source: sarugby.co.za

The Sharks recorded their second win in the 2010 Vodacom Super 14 after defeating the Hurricanes and became the fourth South African franchise to defeat the Wellington outfit in consecutive weekends.

Western Force 15 – Vodacom Bulls 25
Scorers: Western Force – Penalties: James O`Connor (5). Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Pierre Spies, Morne Steyn, Zane Kirchner; Conversions: Steyn (2); Penalties: Steyn (3).

Highlanders 39 – Auto & General Lions 29
Scorers: Highlanders – Tries: Hayden Triggs, Kenny Lynn, Penalty try; Conversions: Israel Dagg (3); Penalties: Dagg (6). Auto & General Lions – Tries: Wigan Pekeur (2), Michael Killian, Cobus Grobbelaar, JP Joubert; Conversion: Carlos Spencer, Earl Rose.

Vodacom Cheetahs 10 – Reds 31
Vodacom Cheetahs – Try: Ashley Johnson; Conversion: Naas Olivier; Penalty: Meyer Bosman. Reds – Tries: Will Genia, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane; Conversions: Quade Cooper (2); Penalties: Cooper (3), Genia. Other results:

Brumbies 30 – Chiefs 23
The Brumbies recorded their fifth win in the 2010 Vodacom Super 14 on Friday after they defeated the Chiefs 30-23 in Canberra. Flyhalf Matt Toomua who represented Vodacom Western Province during last year’s Absa Currie Cup scored the hosts’ third try of the match with three minutes remaining after both sides were locked at 23-23. Scorers: Brumbies – Tries: Josh Valentine, Michael Hooper, Matt Toomua; Conversions: Matt Giteau (3); Penalties: Giteau (3). Chiefs – Tries: Brendon Leonard, Richard Kahui; Conversions: Stephen Donald (2); Penalties: Donald (3).

Waratahs 39 – Blues 32

The Waratahs moved to fourth spot on the Vodacom Super 14 log following their 39-32 victory over the Blues in Sydney on Saturday.

Source + Pic: sarugby.co.za sarugby.com

The Waratahs ran in 11 tries to thrash the Lions 73-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday.
The hosts fired on all cylinders as they outclassed a sorry-looking Lions side who have now lost five in a row. Drew Mitchell scored four tries, Lachie Turner and Josh Holmes both got braces while Wycliff Palu, Dean Mumm and Tom Carter also got in on the act.

The Brumbies managed to scrape past the Sharks for a narrow win in Canberra on Saturday.
For the second time in the week there was heartbreak for the Sharks as they fought all the way to death when a Matt Giteau penalty snatched back the lead to hand the home side victory.

The Reds put fellow Australian side the Western Force to the sword with a first half blitz to condemn John Mitchell’s side to their fourth straight defeat this season.
The Reds, the surprise package of the season thus far, continued their good form by putting in a polished display on Sunday as they romped to an easy victory.

The Bulls stretched their home winning streak to 14 when they secured a comfortable 50-35 bonus point victory over a gutsy Highlanders side at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

A clinical Stormers side blew away the Hurricanes to record a comprehensive 37-13 bonus point win at Newlands on Saturday.
The Cape-based franchise again displayed their unrivalled defence and moved up to second place on the log while the ‘Canes dropped down to seventh.

Source + Pic: sarugby.com

Flyhalf Daniel Carter won a goalkicking duel with former teammate Stephen Brett to lead the Crusaders to a 33-20 win over the Blues in Super 14 rugby Saturday.
Carter kicked seven goals from seven attempts – three conversions and four penalties – for 18 points to steer the seven-time champions to their third win in four matches.
Brett, in his first match for Auckland against his former team, kicked four penalties and a dropped goal for 15 points.  Canterbury scored tries through flanker George Whitelock plus centres Ryan Crotty and Robbie Fruean, while Auckland had a late try by halfback Alby Mathewson.

Referee Paul Marks denied the Sharks a penalty try at the death to gift the Waratahs a four point win in controversial circumstances in Sydney on Saturday.
Both sides were desperate to turn around their losing form and a real scrap ensued in slippery conditions.  The two sides fought tooth-and-nail throughout in a game where two controversial late decisions by referee Paul Marks went a long way to decide the game.

The Stormers bounced back from their disappointing defeat last week with a dominant 33-0 bonus point win over the Highlanders at Newlands on Saturday.
Bryan Habana scored a try in the dying moments of the match to give the Stormers their first four-try bonus point and move them into the top four with three wins out of four games.
The Stormers’ defence, as it was in the opening three weeks, was simply outstanding and frustrated and softened up the Highlanders who looked nothing like the side who beat the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last week.

The Cheetahs produced a monumental upset when they ended the Hurricanes’ unbeaten run with a comprehensive 28-12 win in Bloemfontein on Saturday evening.
The ‘Canes, with consecutive wins over the Blues, Force and Lions, were earmarked to make it four in a row in the opening match of their three-week South African tour against an inconsistent Cheetahs side who had lost both their previous home matches.
Meyer Bosman produced a long-range goal kicking masterclass with three first half penalties, the second of which he slotted from 56m out, and another in the second half. Flyhalf Naas Olivier also had his kicking boots on, goaling three penalties and a conversion to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Source: sarugby.com

Pic: supersport.co.za