Welcome to Round 7 of FOREIGN EXCHANGES, the place to go for a run down on what happened in this week’s non-Aussie Super Rugby matches.
Round 7 at a glance
- The Chiefs narrowly beat the Blues in a frantic match played at the pace expected from this Kiwi derby.
- The Stormers had way to much class for the still winless Sunwolves.
- The Hurricanes extended the Jaguares disappointing run off the back of a Savea hat trick.
- The Lions proved they are currently one of SAs best sides by accounting for the Sharks.
- The Bulls ran over the top of the Kings despite moments of ill-discipline.
Chiefs 29 – 23 Blues
by ‘ozee316’
The intensity of the ‘Battle of the Bombays’ was shown by the fact that the Chiefs half-back reserve Tawera-Kerr Barlow (21) played the final ten minutes at flanker. Every ruck was hardly contested and both teams preferred to attack in the wider channels.
The Chiefs went up early after a questionable TMO decision ruled Brad Webber’s (9) foot to be in and a surging run from in-form midfielder Charlie Ngatai (12) led to a second try 20 minutes later.
Down 10 – 6 at the break, the Blues came out and stunned the crowd of 20,000 when Melani Nanai (15) scored a brilliant 55 metre solo try and Sevens star Akira Ioane (14) backed up in similar fashion just moments later down the same flank to break the game open at 20 – 10 in favour of the Blues.
The Chiefs then displayed some magic of their own when All Black Aaron Cruden (10) ran and passed brilliantly to create two tries – one a solo effort and the other for blockbusting Seta Tamanivalu (13).
The final quarter of the game, with the score at 22 – 20, was played at a frantic pace from end to end. But finally it was the Chiefs’ Brodie Retallick (5) who scored the match-sealing try to make it 29 – 23.
ESPN match details here
Stormers 46 – 19 Sunwolves
by ‘TheBigDog’
The Stormers beat the Sunwolves in Cape Town in a well-rounded seven try onslaught.
Although possession and territory were mostly even throughout the match, the class of the Stormers was too much for the Sunwolves, who were under pressure the entire game.
After an early penalty goal from Jean-Luc du Plessis (10), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (6) opened the try scoring account for the Stormers, burrowing from short range to go over between the posts.
Some well-directed ball movement and line breaks setup the Stormers for their next tries, with Jacobus Van Wyk (14), Siyabonga Ntubeni (2) and Juan de Jongh (12) getting over the line.
It looked like there might be a cricket score on the cards with the Stormers up 27 – 0. However, the Sunwolves were able to strike just before half-time when fullback Riaan Viljoen (15) touched down for the first of his two tries, making the half-time score 27 – 5.
A frantic start to the second half saw Yuki Yatomi (9) score for the Sunwolves, closing the gap to 27-12. Then the Stormers clicked into gear and scored two tries in five minutes to push themselves well ahead.
Late tries apiece left the final score at 46 – 19 to the Stormers.
ESPN match details here
Hurricanes 40 – 22 Jaguares
by Scott Rea
Cory Jane (15) became the 8th player to play 100 games for the Hurricanes. But the real star of the night, on the scoreboard at least, was Julian Savea (11) with a hat trick.
Ardie Savea (7) captured a loose ball at the back of the Jaguares ruck and grubbered for a diving Beauden Barrett (10) for the opening try in the 10th minute.
Ardie Savea received a yellow card in the 19th minute for cynically collapsing a maul. Moments later, Leonardo Senatore (8) scored his first Super Rugby try after good work from the Jaguares forwards. Then Matias Moroni (13) took an intercept and ran 75 metres to put the Jaguares up 12 – 7.
Julian Savea scored twice before the recess, following breaks by TJ Perenara (9), one from his own half where he grubbered for Savea.
Half-time: Hurricanes 21 – 12 Jaguares
Dane Coles (2) scored next for the Canes, following a lovely inside ball by Barrett. Then the Savea hat trick came after a dominant scrum against the feed by the Canes.
Martin Landajo (9) gave the Jaguares some hope with 10 minutes left, by darting from the base of a scrum for a try. But Ben May (Canes 18) scored after the hooter for the bonus point.
ESPN match details here
Lions 24 – 9 Sharks
by Dru Spork
The Lions pick up their third away win early in the season. It will be debated, but (other than a confusing final whistle) Aussie ref, Angus Gardner had a good game.
The Sharks were missing a little sharpness starting with a maul held up over the line within the first three minutes of the game. Shortly after, a Lions try was called back due to a forward pass.
The Lions built scrum dominance and they played workmanlike attacking rugby, while the Sharks were rarely able to engage their Springbok back three, committed too many handling errors and gave away too many penalties.
Tries to the Lions (lock Andries Ferreira and centre Lionel Mapoe) and good kicking by Elton Jantjies (10) saw a half time score of 18 – 3 in the Lions favour. The stats were close, but this flattered the Sharks.
The second half saw a more confident start by the Sharks, with penalty points from the boot of Joe Pietersen (10) bridging the gap to 18 – 9, before Jantjies kicked a penalty for the Lions.
Bodies tired and handling errors increased as the Sharks pushed the tempo. But their energy was lost as a dropped ball led to minutes churned away at the scrum.
The Lions’ flair was perhaps a little restrained, but the Sharks defence did not make the difference.
ESPN match details here
 
Bulls 38 – 6 Kings
by ‘redstragic’
The Kings recorded their first win for 2016 last week, but were always going to be in for a torrid time against a solidly performing Bulls team.
The Kings started well enough, running the ball and leading at the 12-minute mark thanks to a penalty to Louis Fouche (10).
The Bulls hit back and normal transmission resumed leading 10 – 3 by the 20th minute thanks to tries to centre, Jan Serfontein and winger, Jamba Ulengo. They then took full control of the match when fullback Sarel Marais drifted through a gap to score the Bulls third try.
A tussle ensured for the remainder of the first half. The Kings worked hard and were rewarded with a penalty. Then, only moments before the break, the Bulls were reduced to 13 men after second rower, Rudolph Snyman and loosehead, Marcel Van de Merwe were binned for cynical play.
The Bulls lead 17 – 6 at the break.
The Kings were not able to convert the numbers advantage into any points and when back at full strength the Bulls continued to dominate, with tries in the second half to Rudolph Synman and second tries to Ulengo and Marias.
ESPN match details here
Round 8 – crucial matches
Blues v Sharks – Saturday 16 April 5.35pm AEST: The Blues will be looking to make life really tough for the Sharks in their first match outside of the Republic in 2016.
Lions v Stormers – Sunday 17 April 3.15am AEST: This clash between the top two ranked South African teams should be a beauty.
