In a highly entertaining game of attacking rugby at its best, the Hurricanes scored a record 45-27 (half-time 35-13) win over the Blues at the Westpac Stadium on Friday. The ‘Canes scored six tries to four and carried on from where they left off last week when they scored eight tries against the Brumbies. They retain their top of the table status with the bonus point win.

The Crusaders kept their play-off hopes alive with a 32-20 bonus point win over the Lions at Coca Cola Park on Friday. The Lions got off to a flyer with ball in hand but could just not add the finishing touches and subsequently failed to put some points on the board.

Australian side New South Wales Waratahs climbed four places to fourth on the Super 14 table after a 18-10 win over the Cheetahs Friday. The bottom-of-the-table Cheetahs started and finished well while squandering try-scoring chances, but the rest of a match in this chilly central city was dominated by the visitors.
Waratahs dominance was particularly noticeable in the scrums where loose head Benn Robinson gave opponent Kobus Caldo a torrid time until the Cheetah was replaced late in the second half.
Wallaby Phil Waugh stood out in the loose exchanges on his record 108th appearance for the Sydney-based team, winning numerous turnovers before a sparse Absa Stadium crowd.

The Brumbies recorded a record 52-13 bonus point win against a sorry Reds outfit at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. The men from Canberra, who made the trip to Brisbane, outclassed their countrymen by seven tries to two. What’s more, the full house of five log points moved them from ninth to fifth, keeping them in the semi-final hunt.

The Sharks managed to beat the Highlanders 23-15 but failed to secure the all-important bonus point at the Absa Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks started the match like men on a mission and after 10 minutes of utter domination, Rory Kockott opened the scoring with a penalty.

(more…)

The two South African title Super 14 title contenders The bulls and Sharks are still on course for the play-offs despite having mixed fortunes over the weekend.

Log leaders the Sharks suffered an unexpected 31-6 defeat by the last-placed Vodacom Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, whilst the Vodacom Bulls ended a two-match losing run with a 20-6 win over the Waratahs in Sydney, also on Saturday.

Despite the loss, the Sharks remain three points clear at the top but having played a game more than their closest two challengers. The Bulls, meanwhile, move into third place with the same number of points as the second-placed Chiefs but with an inferior points difference.

The Chiefs, who arrive in South Africa today for a three-match tour, had a bye at the weekend.

The Waratahs’ loss to the Bulls, their first in eleven matches at the Sydney Football Stadium, leaves them in the top four but they are vulnerable to the three sides beneath them, who have all played a game less and trail by five points or less. In addition, the ‘Tahs still need to travel to South Africa.

The Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders, who occupy places 5 to 7, kept themselves firmly in the hunt with important wins at the weekend.

The Hurricanes beat the Force 28-27 at the death on Friday with the winning try scored by fullback Corey Jane after the final hooter. The Force looked to have done enough to secure a home win but the Hurricanes rallied to snatch the victory.

(more…)