The scenario for the two Aussie teams still in the hunt to qualify for the quarter-finals was simple, but the foreign exchanges were more convoluted, especially in the NZ conference which had four teams eligible – and three would have to travel next week.
Who would play at home and who would play overseas, and where?
And the Lions’ coach gambled starting a team of scrubbers in Buenos Aires against Los Jaguares. Would his gamble to rest his best players pay off so the Lions could retain their overall Super Rugby standings lead and the benefits that flowed from that, including the possibility of a lucrative home final?
Sharks 40 – Sunwolves 29
by Dru Spork
The Sharks made the finals, heading the Bulls as best-placed runner-up in the South African Group, though they made six changes due to injuries.
The visitors were typically quirky and energetic. After the Sharks scored two converted tries to Oosthuizen and Mvovo within six minutes, the Sunwolves set up for a short-throw feint in a four-man lineout—but belted backwards to take a long throw.
Soon after, ten metres from the Sharks’ line, the rear pod of a full lineout retreated, but delivered the pass forward to halfback Shigenco, who strolled through the gap created, to score. Sucked in Sharks.
The Sunwolves scored another two tries through Paea and Lemalu, to one to Sharkie Pietersen.
Half-time score: Sharks 21 – Sunwolves 19
Although Esterhuizen scored soon after the interval the Sharks led only 28-22 with ten minutes remaining, before April scored the game-breaker set up by Pietersen. Bosch scored another from a clever April kick, and Paea got his second Sunwolves’ try at the end.
The Sharks scored six tries but had four against them. They need an “A” defensive game in NZ for the quarters. and hopefully some injured players back.
Before next year the Sunwolves also need to improve their defence.
Miftposei Paea – one of best for the Sunwolves – scored two tries
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Hurricanes 35 – Crusaders 10
by Scott Rea
These were two of the four teams that could finish top of the NZ Conference.
After an extended period of dominance by the Hurricanes including a chip kick, penalty, lineout and 5-metre scrum, Barrett (10) put Woodward (13) in under the posts in the eleventh minute.
In the 28th minute some good work from Read (8) at the ruck saw the ball squirt out to McNicholl (14) who passed to Crotty (13) for the Crusaders’ only try.
Crusaders looked set for a narrow lead at oranges but Perenara (9) charged down a kick from his opposite number Drummond to score before the break.
Half-time score: Hurricanes 14 – Crusaders 10.
That charge down was the turning point as it was all the Hurricanes after the break.
Halaholo (12) broke a tackle from Todd (7) for his first Super Rugby try after 55 minutes, and with ten minutes remaining Marshall (15) made a break passing to Gibbins (20) for their bonus-point try. They worked at keeping their bonus point and on full time the outstanding Barrett took an intercept right on the try line and scored.
The Hurricanes went to the top of the NZ Conference for the moment..
Callum Gibbins heads for the try-line
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Highlanders 25 – Chiefs 15
by “ozee316”
This final round Super rugby match between the Chiefs and Highlanders had the intensity of finals football. After the earlier game in Christchurch the Chiefs could top the NZ Conference or even overall if they won, and if the Highlanders got up they would be seeded higher to earn a more favourable draw.
It was the Chiefs who opened up the scoring, hammering the Highlanders line until Pulu (14) crashed over inside ten minutes. The Highlanders spent most of the first half inside Chiefs territory, but it was not until the 30th minute that Naholo (14) was able to find a way through out wide.
Half-time score: Chiefs 7 – Highlanders 5.
After the interval the Highlanders capitalised on the Chiefs being a man down and Super-sub Pryor (21) scored from a breakout from inside the Clan half. The Chiefs hit straight back when a charging run by Cane (7) was finished off in the corner by Boshier (20).
With the score18-15 to the Highlanders, Faddes (13) and Ben Smith (15) helped to seal the win with superb running and passing to put Sopoaga (10) over in the corner.
The Highlanders travel to Canberra next week for their quarter-final while the losing Chiefs go to South Africa to face the Stormers.
Toni Pulu scores opening try for the Chiefs
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Stormers 52 – Kings 24
by “redstragic”
The Stormers had secured its place in the finals by winning its Conference, but fielded a near-strength team to keep their momentum despite playing the lowly Kings,
Scottish International Huw Jones (13) scored four tries for the Stormers – starting at the 43rd second after a long pass from his flyhalf and chip-kicking for himself. His next was from a scrum near the posts with both sides confused.
His all-round game was to be outstanding, regularly beating defenders and making line breaks.
Human (10) kicked a penalty goal for the Kings after a dominant scrum, then at 27 minutes Zas (11) scored for the Stormers, being set up by De Allende (12). After Stormers scrummie Schreuder was carded Gates (12) kicked through for Jaer (15) for the King’s first try.
Half-time score: Stormers 21 – Kings 10.
The Stormers got on with it in the second half scoring five more tries (Jones 2, Zas 2, Thompson 1). The Kings folded although Mjekevu (11) and Watermeyer (13) scored late.
The Stormers did not have it all their own way: in the battle up front: they lost several scrums and will have to work hard during the week to get ready for the Chiefs in Cape Town.
Final score: Stormers 52 – Kings 24.
Huw Jones (v Reds) scored four for Stormers v Kings
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Bulls 43 – Cheetahs 17
by Jack Colley
The Bulls ended their season with a comprehensive victory on the road over the Cheetahs, despite both possession and territory stats favouring the Bloemfontein side.
Despite the sides featuring several Springboks, they had both been eliminated from playoff contention before kickoff, leaving only pride on the line.
Both teams had attacking opportunities at the beginning, but the first try was not scored until the 25th minute when Bulls winger Ismaiel touched down after some well-worked backline play.
Minutes later, eighthman Bothma brushed off shaky Cheetahs defence at the back of a lineout to score under the crossbar after a barnstorming 20-metre run. This seemed to break the ice for the Bulls, and they were never seriously challenged by the Cheetahs again.
Half-time score: Bulls 18 – Cheetahs 3.
The Bulls scored three tries to two after the break but the game was decided in the 57th minute, when Bothma scored off a Cheetahs error caused by a superb kick-chase from Ismaiel for the Bulls to lead 28-10 with 22 minutes left,
At least Ulengo was able to score the last try of the match to make the score more respectable for the Cheetahs, but they never really threatened the Bulls.
Call me Ismaiel – the winger scored two tries for the Bulls
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Jaguares 34 – Lions 22
by Scott Rea
With bigger fish to fry next week the Lions sent a makeshift squad to Buenos Aires.
After 13 minutes Cronje (9) threw a dummy and went through a huge hole in the Jaguares’ defence to set up Volmink (11) for a try.
In the 26th minute a string of good passes from the Lions sent Mahuza (15) into space on the wing on the 22, strolling down the touchline with no Jaguares in sight.
Close to half time, the Jaguares’ piggies earned a scrum penalty and Sanchez (10) kicked his fourth penalty goal.
Half-time score: Lions 15 – Jaguares 12.
Straight after the break Volmink waltzed over for his double, but after some more good Jaguares’ work at scrum time, Isa (8) scored from the base.
Lions’ eighthman Brink received a yellow card which the Jaguares took advantage of, being awarded a penalty try after a dominant scrum and infringement from the Lions.
Alemanno (19) then powered over from close range for the Jaguares.
Los Jaguares’ fourth win of the season moved them to 13th on the standings. The Lions finished second and host the Crusaders in Johannesburg but they could have surrendered a home final if they make it that far.
They were cheering in Wellington though.
Javier Ortega Desio makes a break
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Statistics courtesy of Opta Sports and NZ Herald
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