Sports After Dark

Week 11 saw the top three teams securing their spots at the top while leaving the race for the fourth and final semi final spot wide open.

Currently the Crusaders and Blues top the table on 37 points, followed by the Sharks on 34. Then there is a log jam of three teams on 27 points, the Chiefs, Bulls and Brumbies with the Force just one point back. With only two rounds to go the race to the semi finals is going to be a close one.

Hurricanes 37 Cheetahs 15
If the Hurricanes are going to make the semi finals they need to keep winning, keep scoring bonus points and hope results go their way. Based on Friday night’s performance this looks a long way off. Despite the convincing scoreline the Hurricanes did not secure the bonus point until after the full time siren, when Hosea Gear was able to run the length of the field to score. While the Cheetahs were able to dominate in some areas of the game, particularly the line outs, they were unable to match the Hurricanes’ attacking skills and ability to create something from nothing, which made all the difference in this match.

Chiefs 64 Force 36
For the second week in a row the Force have conceded over 50 points, while the Chiefs conceded more than 30 for the second week running. This scoreline somewhat flatters the Force who were never really in touch for most of the game and every time the Force scored, it was quickly followed by a Chiefs’ reply. With both teams chasing semi finals spots, they will have to work on their defences in the weeks to come as it is not often Super 14 teams win when conceding 30 points or more.

Highlanders 3 Crusaders 38
The Crusaders might have started slowly, but eventually hit their stride to put away their southern neighbour in convincing fashion. The Crusaders have always based their success on rock solid defence, something they showed once again and have now held their opponents tryless in their last two matches. The Highlanders will take little from this loss, other than their superior scrum. But a good scrum is worthless if a team fails to score points from it like the Highlanders did. This win also sent the Crusaders to the top of the table.

Blues 25 Sharks 32
The Blues’ season has been an unstoppable juggernaut up until this point, but hit a serious bump in the road with this defeat. With an accurate tactical kicking game, the Sharks put the Blues off their game plan. Poor discipline also cost the Blues any chance of winning the match with several players receiving warnings and second five Sam Tuitupou being sent to the sin bin for fighting. This win puts the Sharks campaign back on track, while the Blues’ season could fall apart as they head off on tour to South Africa and Australia.

Waratahs 26 Reds 13
The less said about this error-ridden snore-fest the better. Australian rugby clearly has no depth and no chance of winning the World Cup.

Bulls 49 Stormers 12
The Bulls were just too good for the inconsistent Stormers as they kept their semi final hopes alive. In a clinical display of rugged forward play, the Bulls pack wore down their opponents, allowing the backs to cut loose. This win lifts the Bulls into a tie for fourth place on the ladder, making next week’s home clash with the Blues a must win for both teams.

Similar Posts:

• Super 14: Can the chasing pack claw their way into the top four?
• Super 14 Week 14 Wrap
• Super 14 Week 8 Wrap
• Super 14 Week 11 Preview
• Super 14 Week 14 Preview

The Super 14 Week 11 Wrap by Hamish McBrearty, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.