Should John Plumtree Get The Boot?
Sharks Coach, John Plumtree
Plumtree has been the subject of much speculation since his Durban-based Sharks side started the new Super 14 rugby season with three straight defeats.
They were narrowly beaten in their first two home matches, by the Chiefs and Cheetahs respectively, and they were then thumped 35-6 by the Crusaders in Christchurch last weekend to start their long Australasian tour.
That led to suggestions from some that New Zealander Plumtree faced dismissal unless he turned things round dramatically on their five-week tour.
There was even talk of a private meeting and finger-wagging lecture from Sharks chief executive Brian van Zyl to that effect.
The Sharks, however, have acted quickly to dispel the rumours and not only assure Plumtree of his job security, but also wave a fat new three-year contract under his nose.
Plumtree, a former Wellington NPC coach, had reportedly showed some interest in the previously vacant Hurricanes job, but then withdrew himself from that race to concentrate on his role with the Sharks.
Pietermaritzburg newspaper The Witness reported that Van Zyl had fully endorsed Plumtree and strongly denied any suggestion that the highly rated coach might be facing the axe should his side’s poor run of results continue.
“The Sharks board have agreed to extend the contract by three years and we would not have done that if we did not have every faith in him as a coach,” Van Zyl told the paper.
“Plum only has to agree to the terms now but we obviously want him to stay. A good coach does not become a bad coach overnight.”
Plumtree’s wife is from Durban and he has a long association with Sharks rugby, having ended his playing days with the province in the Currie Cup.
The Sharks meet the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night, before continuing their road trip against the ACT Brumbies, Highlanders and Hurricanes.
And though Plumtree may now have some security around his future at the organisation, he still faces a massive challenge turning this season around after their horror start.
Courtesy of stuff.co.nz
HAVE YOUR SAY: Should Plumtree get the sack for the Sharks bad performance?
S14 Fantasy League: Round 4
With the Bulls and the Western Force each having byes this week, it’s time to start being strategic with your fantasy league.
The on-fire Chiefs get another boost this week, with the return of fullback Mils Muliaina and Lelia Masaga – their addition to a backline that already includes Richard Kahui and Sitiveni Sivivatu makes them a potent force indeed.
Good news for Stormers’ fans is the return of Schalk Burger, while for the Crusaders – who take on their arch-rivals the Blues this week – another fetcher flank Richie McCaw makes his first full start of the season. He will also take over the captaincy duties from Kieran Read.
Trickiest part of the week for most fantasy league players will be deciding what to do with their traded Bulls – especially kicker Morne Steyn. The Bulls flyhalf is the second most-popular pick on the fantasy league standings, and the most popular kicker.
Potential replacements include the Crusaders’ Dan Carter, who this week goes up against his mate and former teammate Stephen Brett; Stephen Donald, who’s been raking up the points with the high-flying Chiefs; the Reds’ Quade Cooper, who despite a car accident this week is in the team’s starting line-up; and Joe Pietersen from the Stormers, who despite that crucial miss last weekend, has still knocked over a number of penalties and conversions.
Chiefs vs Reds – Friday 5 March 8:35am
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 Culum Retallick, 4 Romana Graham, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.
Reds: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Will Chambers, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Brando Va’aulu, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (captain), 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Robert Simmons, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Blair Connor
Brumbies vs Lions – Friday 5 March, 10:40am
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 (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 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.
Lions: 15 Michael Killian, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Dusty Noble, 10 Burton Francis, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 George Earl, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Charles Emslie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Jacques Lombaard/Robert Kruger, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Carlos Spencer/Wandile Mjekevu, 22 Earl Rose.
Crusaders vs Blues – Saturday 6 March, 08:35am
Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robert Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis; 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (capt), 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.
Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 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.
Waratahs vs Sharks – Saturday 6 March, 10:40am
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.
Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Andrew Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Waylon Murray.
Stormer vs Highlanders – Saturday 6 March, 5:05pm
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 (captain), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Lionel Cronjé, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.
Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Jimmy Cowan (capt); 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 John Hardie, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 James Paterson.
Cheetahs vs Hurricanes – Saturday 6 March, 7:10pm
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Frans Viljoen, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Waltie Vermeulen, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 David de Villiers, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Viljoen, 22 Danwel Demas.
Hurricanes TBC
S14 FANTASY LEAGUE: Ready For Round Three
Losses for three of the contenders last week means there’s lots to play for as Super 14 Round Three kicks off.
The Waratahs, Brumbies and Crusaders all suffered setbacks last week – and it will be interesting to see if they can stage comebacks this weekend. The Crusaders welcome back Richie McCaw, but only from the bench this week – he should get a starting spot next week.
High flyers the Bulls will be without star flanker Pierre Spies this weekend as he is being rested – let’s hope this doesn’t come back to bite them in their match against the Waratahs.
Both the Hurricanes and Chiefs had massive wins last weekend, but while the Hurricanes can look forward to the return of Rodney So’oialo, the Chiefs will be without Sione Lauaki, who is out of the game due to a two-week suspension.
For the struggling Western Force, there’s a glimmer of light at the end of the dark tunnel – they’re at home this weekend, and will welcome back Mark Bartholomeusz, and Scott Staniforth.
Crusaders vs Sharks – Friday 8:35am
Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Kieran Read (captain), 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Joe Wheeler, 19 Richie McCaw, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.
Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Adrian Jacobs, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 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 Deon Carstens, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Andrew Goode, 22 Riaan Swanepoel.
Stormers vs Brumbies – Friday 7:10pm
Stormers: 15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Juan De Jongh, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Ricky Januarie, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Pieter Louw, 5. Andries Bekker (captain), 4. De Kock Steenkamp, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. JC Kritzinger
Substitutes: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. Eusebio Guinazu, 18. Anton van Zyl, 19. Pieter Myburgh, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Lionel Cronje, 22. Sireli Naqelevuki
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 (captain), 7. George Smith, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. Mark Chisholm, 4. Ben Hand, 3. Salesi Ma’afu, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Alexander
Substitutes: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. Guy Shepherdson, 18. Justin Harrison, 19. Mitchell Chapman, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Matt Toomua, 22. Tyrone Smith
Hurricanes vs Lions – Saturday 8:35am
HURRICANES: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu; 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Paterson, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (capt), 1 John Schwalger. Reserves: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18, Nick Crosswell, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Andre Taylor.
Lions – Earl Rose; Tonderai Chavhanga, Deon Van Rensburg, Doppies La Grange, Wandile Mjekevu; Carlos Spencer, JP Joubert; Todd Clever, Derick Minnie, Cobus Grobbelaar (capt), George Earl, Franco Van der Merwe, Ross Geldenhuys, Hannes Franklin, Heinke Van der Merwe.
Substitues – Charles Emslie, Kevin Buys, Jacques Lombaard, Robert Kruger, Jacques Coetzee, Walter Venter, Michael Killian.
Reds vs Blues – Saturday 10:40am
Reds: 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (captain), 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Leroy Houston, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Tim Walsh, 22 Will Chambers.
Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 John Afoa.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Viliami Ma’afu, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Lachie Munro.
Force vs Chiefs – Saturday 1:05pm
Western Force: 15 Mark Bartholomeusz, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Sam Wykes, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Pek Cowan, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Tyrrell, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Richard Stanford, 19 Luke Jones, 20 Chris O’Young, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Dane Haylett-Petty.
Chiefs: 15 Mike Delany, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (captain), 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Romana Graham, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Cheetahs vs Highlanders – Saturday 5:05pm
HIGHLANDERS: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Jimmy Cowan (capt); 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 John Hardie, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Chris King, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 James Paterson.
Cheetahs: Riaan Viljoen, Danwel Demas, Lionel Mapoe, Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe, Naas Olivier, Tewis de Bruyn, Frans Viljoen, Juan Smith (captain), Heinrich Brüssow, David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez.
Substitutes: Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuizen, Waltie Vermeulen, Ashley Johnson, Sarel Pretorius, Sias Ebersohn, Hennie Daniller.
Bulls vs Waratahs – Saturday 7:10pm
Bulls: Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever. Stephan Dippenaar, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg, Derick Kuun, Victor Matfield (capt.), Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Substitutes: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Deon Stegmann, Dewald Potgieter, Heini Adams, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Jaco van der Westhuyzen/John Mametsa.
Waratahs team: Sosene Anesi; Lachie Turner, Tom Carter, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell; Daniel Halangahu, Luke Burgess; Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Ben Mowen, Kane Douglas, Dave Dennis, Al Baxter, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Substitutes: Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Will Caldwell, Locky McCaffrey, Josh Holmes, Kurtley Beale, Rob Horne
Crusaders Crushing Blow
The Reds dealt a crushing blow to the Crusaders.
At times the Crusaders’ performance on Friday night was so dreadful that it would have been better suited to a slot on the Nickelodeon channel.
Laughable?
Yep, because when a team of the Crusaders’ calibre delivers an error-strewn performance like they did against the Queensland Reds the only alternative is to lean back and look at the lighter side of life.
The 41-20 hammering in Brisbane was so far removed from the previous weekend’s 32-17 victory over the Highlanders that you have to wonder if the players took this result for granted, or if their opponents’ appalling record, the Tasman flight or Queensland’s weather softened their resolve.
The Crusaders’ last defeat to the Reds was in 1999. And the last time they conceded so many points was when the Brumbies beat them 47-38 in the 2004 final.
When opponents think of the Crusaders they conjure up images of a heartless team that operates with machine-like efficiency – not one that delivers a performance whose low-lights package could be used as a quirky comedy on a TV cartoon channel.
Sound harsh?
Well, anyone who sat through the full 80 excruciating minutes, in which the Crusaders made 17 handling errors and 24 turnovers and Reds playmaker Quade Cooper scored 31 points, might disagree.
The poor showing would not have stung so much if it was the young rookies that made the botch-ups. But it wasn’t. Instead, the experienced heads were also guilty of flipping away intercept passes, poor ball maintenance, inaccurate tackles and ill-discipline.
The lineout was not without fault, either, but the Crusaders’ biggest problem was that they could not hold the ball as they mounted attacks. Among the bumblers were blokes you would usually trust to catch an acorn dropped from a helicopter.
Captain Kieran Read and fellow loosie Thomas Waldrom battled to hold the ball and halfback Andy Ellis will not fondly recall his 50th match in the Crusaders jersey.
Arguments that Craig Joubert’s tough rulings at the tackled ball area rocked the Crusaders are no excuse, because teams must adjust to the whistler’s interpretations.
The last time the Crusaders played so badly was when they were swamped 43-19 by the Waratahs in 2004.
On that evening Richie McCaw, who was recovering from injury, was unloaded off the bench before returning to start in the next round against the Blues.
Although the Crusaders lost 38-29 in that second-round encounter, McCaw’s opening tackle on Daniel Braid was memorable.
If McCaw is used from the bench for next Friday’s game against the Sharks we should expect sky-high intensity at AMI Stadium. It will need to be.
Courtesy of stuff.co.nz
HAVE YOUR SAY: Was this expected or was it a total surprise? Can the turn their loss around?
Super 14 Wrap – Week 2
Bryan Habana and Phil gets into a scuffle during Saturday's Super 14 encounter between the Stormers and the Waratahs at Newlands.
The Lions and the Chiefs set a new record for the highest scoring game (137 points) in Super Rugby on Friday night after the Waikato franchise defeated the hosts 72-65 in Johannesburg.
The previous record was 118 points when Natal defeated the Otago Highlanders 75-43 in Durban in 1997. It was also the first time in history where a team scored 65 points and were defeated in a Super Rugby game.
Each team scored nine tries at Coca Cola Park with the second half producing 85 points.
There were two hat trick try-scorers in this match. Nineteen year-old winger Wandile Mjekevu, who earned his second Super 14 cap for the Lions and All Black centre Richard Kahui, each added three tries for their side.
The Chiefs’ victory in Johannesburg kept them in third position on the log and also ensured that they ended their two-week South African tour undefeated. They travel to Perth for their next Super 14 match which will be against the Western Force on Saturday.
The Lions managed to secure two bonus points for scoring four tries and losing within seven points. The Johannesburg franchise departed for Wellington on Sunday and will start preparations for their game against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
The Bulls ran in six tries and secured their second win in the 2010 Super 14 after defeating the Brumbies 50-32 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Flyhalf Morne Steyn scored a brace of tries while centre Wynand Olivier, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and winger Gerhard van den Heever added the other five-pointers for the hosts. Steyn also kicked five conversions and five penalties.
Rocky Elsom, George Smith and Pat McCabe scored tries for the Brumbies while Stirling Mortlock kicked four penalties and a conversion.
The victory for the Bulls ensured that they ended round two in pole position on the log. Their next match will be against the Waratahs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
While the Chiefs and the Lions scored 18 tries on Friday, only three tries were scored at Newlands when the Stormers defeated the Waratahs 27-6 on Saturday evening. Springbok winger Bryan Habana added a brace of tries for the Cape franchise and Stormers flanker Francois Louw scored the other try of the match.
The Waratahs mounted many attacking plays and threw everything they had at their opponents, but failed to break the rock-solid defensive effort by the hosts. The visitors were kept on the back foot thanks to the superb tackling by the Stormers. This resulted in the visitors conceding numerous penalties at the breakdown.
Stormers fullback Joe Pietersen converted three of his four penalty attempts at goal. Waratahs utility back Berrick Barnes kicked two penalties.
In Durban, the Cheetahs handed the Sharks their second home defeat (20-25) in the Super 14 when these sides met at the Absa Stadium on Friday evening.
Cheetahs fullback Riaan Viljoen, who scored a brilliant 60-metre solo try and Sharks No 8 Ryan Kankowski were the only try-scorers in this match.
Naas Olivier converted Viljoen’s try and also kicked three penalties and a superb 40-meter drop goal. Viljoen also added two penalties for the visitors.
Rory Kockott scored 15 points for the Sharks by kicking five penalties which included a three-pointer in the final minute of the match to hand the hosts a bonus point for losing within seven points.
The Sharks are currently in 11th position on the log with two points after round two. They begin their five week Australasian trip on Saturday when they take on the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The Cheetahs will host the Highlanders in their second home game of the season at Vodacom Park on Saturday.
In the weekend’s other big upset the Reds broke an 11 year drought by defeating the Crusaders 41-20 in Brisbane on Friday. Flyhalf Quade Cooper added 31 points for the Queenslanders by scoring two tries, converting three tries and kicking five penalties.
In the first game of Round 2 Blues winger Paul Williams scored a brace of tries to steer the Auckland franchise to a 19-15 win over the Highlanders in this New Zealand derby played at the House of Pain, while the Hurricanes ran in seven tries to secure their first win at home in the 2010 Super 14 in their match against the Western Force in Wellington on Saturday.
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