Rugby Union Results from the semi finals of the 2010 Super 14

Bulls 39 v 24 Crusaders
Stormers 25 v 6 Waratahs

As predicted it’s an all South African semi final, with the Bulls hosting the Stormers in Soweto. They really are the two most deserving finalists, with both teams showing great form all year. No other two teams really come close.

BULLS to beat Crusaders by 5

STORMERS to beat Waratahs by 10

Two semi finals in South Africa, and I’ve picked the two South African teams to take both. The New Zealand media are talking up a Crusaders upset, but that ignores everything both the Bulls and Crusaders have shown us this season. The Crusaders have an amazing pedigree, and so an upset wouldn’t be a total shock, but you have to back the Bulls to continue their great season.

Every week I expect the Stormers’dream season to come to a crashing halt, but every week they continue to step up. It’s easier to imagine the Waratahs pulling off the upset here than the Crusaders, but this is actually the game with the highest betting odds. I’m expecting the Stormers to continue their fairy tale season one more week.

Rugby Union Results from Round 14 of the 2010 Super 14

Crusaders 40 v 22 Brumbies
Waratahs 32 v 16 Hurricanes
Sharks 27 v 22 Force
Blues 30 v 20 Chiefs
Reds 38 v 36 Highlanders
Cheetahs 59 v 10 Lions
Stormers 38 v 10 Bulls

Upset of the Round: The one sided nature of the Crusdaders, Brumbies and Waratahs, Hurricanes games.
Game of the Round: Reds v Highlanders. Some fancy tricks from Quade Cooper and a gritty comeback from the Highlanders.

The Crusaders and Waratahs have convincingly won their virtual quarter finals and the Hurricanes’ and Brumbies’ seasons are over.

The Crusaders scored 40 points to the Brumbies’ 22. Sean Maitland, Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Richie McCaw and Zac Guildford scored tries for the Crusaders. Dan Carter had an off night with the boot but still kicked 4 conversions and 3 penalties. Tyrone Smith, Ben Alexander and Huia Edmonds scored tries for the Brumbies, with Matt Giteau kicking 2 conversions and 1 penalty.

In an equally comfortable game the Waratahs beat the Hurricanes 32 to 16. Conrad Smith scored the solitary try for the Hurricanes, and Piri Weepu kicked the conversion and 3 penalties. The Waratahs did everything in twos. For their bonus point win both Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell scored two tries, and Berrick Barnes kicked 2 conversions and 2 penalties.

Unless a series of mysterious events unfold and the inform Stormers lose or draw to the heavily rotated Bulls team then the final four, in order, will be the Bulls, Stormers, Waratahs and Crusaders. This would mean both the Waratahs and Crusaders will have to fly to South Africa to play the Stormers and Bulls respectively.

CRUSADERS to beat Brumbies by 8

HURRICANES to beat Waratahs by 5

SHARKS to beat Force by 15

BLUES to beat Chiefs by 13

REDS to beat Highlanders by 9

CHEETAHS to beat Lions by 20

STORMERS to beat Bulls by 31

There are two virtual quarter finals this weekend, with the winners of the Crusaders v Brumbies and Hurricanes v Waratahs games progressing to the semi finals. The Stormers will have to win to guarantee their place, but that is looking even more likely with media speculating the Bulls are to rest up to 13 of their starting lineup. The Bulls are 8 points clear on the leader board so will finish in first position and host a semi final regardless.

A Reds bonus point win and a draw in one of the ‘quarter finals’, or perhaps a record thrashing of the Stormers could see them sneak a place. In other words, their season is over, as are the seasons of the Sharks, Force, Blues, Chiefs, Highlanders, Cheetahs and Lions.

If my above picks play out the final four, in order, will be the Bulls, Stormers, Crusaders, Hurricanes. Alternatively one or both of the New Zealand teams could be replaced with their Australian opponents. Either way, both semi finals will likely be in South Africa.

HURRICANES

Victor Vito (calf). Note: Kahn Fotuali’i has been stood down this week for breaching team recovery protocol.

BLUES

Luke McAlister (quadricep).

CRUSADERS

Corey Flynn (ankle); Kade Poki (hamstring).

CHIEFS

Nathan White (rib cartilage), Callum Bruce (ankle sprain), Richard Kahui (shoulder strain), likely to be out of rugby for between 2-3 weeks, Sona Taumalolo (shoulder strain), Sione Lauaki (bruised, infected arm), Stephen Donald (calf strain), Sitiveni Sivivatu (shoulder), Mike Delany (shoulder), Lelia Masaga (knee), Mils Muliaina (broken thumb), James McGougan (back strain).

HIGHLANDERS

Jason Macdonald (Achilles); Nasi Manu (knee); Michael Hobbs (bruised knee), Jamie Mackintosh (turf toe), Kendrick Lynn (groin); Clint Newland (back strain)

SUPER 14 WEEK 14 FIXTURES:

Crusaders v Brumbies Fri 14 May 19:35 AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Waratahs v Hurricanes Fri 14 May 19:40 Sydney Football Ground, Sydney
Sharks v Force Fri 14 May 19:10 ABSA Stadium, Durban
Blues v Chiefs Sat 15 May 19:35 Eden Park, Auckland
Reds v Highlanders Sat 15 May 19:40 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Cheetahs v Lions Sat 15 May 15:00 North West Stadium, Welkom
Stormers v Bulls Sat 15 May 17:05 Newlands, Cape Town

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Crusaders v Brumbies
Crusaders
Colin Slade, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Daniel Bowden, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Ben Franks, Ti’i Paulo, Owen Franks.
Replacements: Daniel Perrin, Wyatt Crockett, Chris Jack, Thomas Waldrom, Willi Heinz, Tim Bateman, 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 (c), 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.

Waratahs v Hurricanes

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 (c), 6 Pat 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
Cory Jane, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu/Tyson Keats, Rodney So’oialo, Karl Lowe, Michael Paterson, Jeremy Thrush, Bryn Evans, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore (captain), John Schwalger.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Nick Crosswell, Scott Waldrom, Keats/tbc, Jason Kawau/Willie Ripia, David Smith

Sharks v Force

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 (c), 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Andries Strauss.

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 (c), 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

Blues v Chiefs
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 (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

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

Reds v Highlanders
Reds
Ben Lucas, Peter Hynes, Will Chambers, Ben Tapuai, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (c), Leroy Houston, Jake Schatz, Scott Higginbotham, Van Humphries (vc), Radike Samo, Greg Holmes, Sean Hardman, James Slipper
Replacements: James Hanson, Jack Kennedy, Ezra Taylor, Poutasi Luafutu, Ed Quirk, Brando Va’aulu, Richard Kingi

Highlanders
Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Kenny Lynn, Jason Shoemark, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Matt Berquist, Jimmy Cowan (captain), Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Bronson Murray, Jason Rutledge, Chris King.
Replacements: Peter Mirrielees, Jamie Mackintosh, Joe Tuineau, John Hardie, Scott Cowan, Robbie Robinson, James Paterson.

Cheetahs v Lions
Cheetahs
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman/Corné Uys, 11 Corné Uys/Wilmaure Louw, 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 (captain), 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.

Stormers v Bulls
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 Kuün, 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.

Hurricanes 44 v 21 Reds
Bulls 40 v 35 Crusaders
Chiefs 19 v 46 Waratahs
Brumbies 31 v 3 Highlanders
Lions 14 v 56 Blues
Cheetahs 29 v 14 Force
Sharks 20 v 14 Stormers

Most matches went the way of the form sheet this week. Arguably the Sharks and Cheetahs victories could be considered upsets. However, both teams were at home and up against relatively even opponents in the Stormers and Force respectively. There are some pretty big scorelines on that result sheet. Four teams scored 40 or more and only one team scored less than 14.

To celebrate 100 Super Rugby games the Hurricanes gave Rodney So’oialo the party that the Crusaders didn’t give Richie McCaw. The Hurricanes beat the Reds 44 to 21, getting the 4 try bonus point and staying in semi final contention.

Rodney So’oialo joined former captain Tana Umaga as the Hurricanes’ only players to reach 100 caps. He first began his career for the Hurricanes in 2001 against the Reds, and took over the captaincy from Tana Umaga in 2006 and going on to lead them 49 times. He stepped down at the beginning of this year, handing the captaincy to Andrew Hore so So’oialo could focus on regaining his fitness, bulk, and his place in the All Blacks.

So’oialo debuted for Wellington in 2000 against Taranaki, winning the final in that year and has so far played 52 matches for his provincial team. He is still known for his sevens background, where he showcased his huge aerobic capacity in six international Sevens tournaments and winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games Manchester in 2002.

In tribute to Rodney So’oialo, his former captain Tana Umaga said “For me the memory that stands out was the 2000 season and the NPC final where I believe he and JC [Jerry Collins] really turned the game for us with their enthusiasm and willingness to take it to Canterbury. I just remember him being everywhere”. Early in the week So’oialo revealed he had already received congratulatory texts from both Umaga and former Hurricane star Christian Cullen.

His running game and tendency to kick the ball more than most forwards shows his background as a rugby union fullback; he didn’t convert to the forwards until after he finished high school. However, when he eliminated most of his kicking from his game was when he finally broke through and owned the No. 8 jersey for the All Blacks.

He first debuted for the All Blacks in 2002, taking part in the 2003 Rugby World Cup in John Mitchell’s team, and finally breaking into Graham Henry’s team on the End of Tour in 2004. In ‘that’ game against France in 2004 he came of age as an international 8, owing the jersey until 2009 and forming one of the best and most complementary All Black loose forward trios in history. The combination of Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw and Rodney So’oialo saw the All Blacks through till then end of the 2007 Rugby World Cup before Jerry Collins started to show signs of all the wear and tear. Collins wasn’t selected in 2008 and went to play overseas. Without his long-time provincial and international loose forward partner, and as a sign of his age, time in the game, and in no small part to the way he plays it, Rodney So’oialo is also showing signs of the same wear and tear. Last year for the first time in five years he didn’t finish the year as the best number 8 in New Zealand. His position in the All Blacks is currently held by Kieran Read.

Still bucking the trend by still putting his body on the line for New Zealand Rugby at 31, So’oialo will be hoping a big Super 14 will get him back in the All Blacks. His experience will be invaluable to the All Blacks challenge for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

HURRICANES to beat Reds by 9

BULLS to beat Crusaders by 7

WARATAHS to beat Chiefs by 5

BRUMBIES to beat Highlanders by 15

BLUES to beat Lions by 21

FORCE to beat Cheetahs by 10

STORMERS to beat Sharks by 3

There are some great matches in round 13 of the Super 14. Most rounds have contained a lot of mismatches, but this round seems to have some evenly matched clashes in store, or at least there should be. It’s hard to decide between the Hurricanes v Reds, Bulls v Crusaders and Stormers v Sharks as potential games of the round.

The Hurricanes host the Reds and desperately need to beat the Reds to stay in the hint. The Reds will be hurting from the thrashing they received from the Brumbies last week and the Hurricanes have lost pivotal centre Conrad Smith. However, I’ve picked the Hurricanes as they should be the more desperate team. Hopefully they play better than they did against the Chiefs last week.

The Crusaders need to do the impossible and beat the Bulls in Pretoria to get into the semi finals. However they were pretty desperate last week two, and even with Richie McCaw celebrating 100 Super Rugby games they still couldn’t beat the Stormers. I’ve picked the Bulls but would love to see an upset.

If form and ladder standings are anything to go by the Brumbies should thrash the Highlanders as should the Waratahs beat the Chiefs. The Chiefs are home at Waikato Stadium in what used to be a tough place for opposition teams to win at. However, they are yet to win there this year. Expect a low crowd turnout.

Last week I picked the Blues to beat the Cheetahs and they let themselves down in a shocking performance. However, they should still be good enough to take care of the Lions. The Force should beat the Cheetahs this week, although they’ll probably be beginning to show the effects of their road trip and lack of depth in this game.

Lastly The Sharks versus the Stormers will be a great match between two form teams. In the last 7 weeks the Sharks have only lost to the Bulls and are playing at home, while the Stormers are having an amazing season. I’ve picked the Stormers to continue their phenomenal run to the finals.