Welcome to Round 11 of FOREIGN EXCHANGES, the place to go for a run down on what happened in this week’s non-Aussie Super Rugby matches.
Round 11 at a glance
- The Highlanders knocked off competition leaders, the Chiefs, with strong defence the key to their victory.
- The Sharks scored four tries and a Bonus Point win against the Hurricanes.
- The Blues claimed their third straight victory in a fairly unconvincing display against the Kings.
Highlanders 26 – 13 Chiefs
by Trevor Robertson
The Highlanders showed starch and won three tries to two. The Chiefs had their moments, but blew key chances.
Key observations
The first try came from dropped ball. Highlanders prop Dan Lienert-Brown regathered as defenders rushed passed him, turned around and scored untouched. His try celebration seemed to depict opening a book??? Clearly he doesn’t score often.
Aaron Smith proved box kicks are effective, if executed and chased well. The Highlanders used them stock in trade – placed perfectly for the chasers to contest, or longer and flatter finding touch – but always ending in a contest, not allowing the Chiefs free range to run them back.
Waisake Naholo (Landers wing) was a machine. He scored two tries, trampled people and won turnovers. When the commentators asked ‘how happy are we to see him back?’ My reaction was ‘not very’.
Ma’a who? Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs 12) has speed, footwork and strong defence. He kicks torpedoes and passes bullets. Even his bad is good – copping only yellow for a lifting tackle because the player somersaulted past vertical all the way back over to their back. He then set up a try with his first touch after returning from the bin.
Sopoaga outplayed Cruden in the battle of the 10s.
ESPN match details here
Sharks 32 – 15 Hurricanes
by Jack Colley
Both teams came into this match in the upper echelons of their respective conferences and a competitive matchup in Durban was anticipated. The Hurricanes started as mild favourites with the bookies, but never looked a winning chance after the Sharks stepped into gear.
A relatively quite first half came to life in the 30th minute when a slick inside ball from Canes fullback James Marshall put loosehead Reggie Goodes in for a meat pie that put the visitors out to an 8 – 3 lead. But this would be the last time the Canes would score until the 74th minute, with one-way traffic all the Sharks way.
JP Pietersen (14) was the beneficiary of a wide cut-out ball from Willie le Roux (15) to step past Julian Savea and tie the score in the shadows of half-time. He was in again moments later when a Brad Shields (Canes 6) off-load found grass and was toed through and touched down.
Despite having the lion’s share of possession, the Canes scrum was decimated en route to the Sharks next two tries – one off a penalty and one off a No. 8 run – which put the Sharks out to a Bonus Point advantage.
Marshall split the Sharks defence to score under the sticks in the 74th, but the damage was well and truly done by this stage.
ESPN match details here
Blues 34 – 18 Kings
by ‘thebigdog’
In not the most convincing of victories, the Blues made it three wins on the trot. The Kings continued to struggle, but showed much more passion following their flogging at the hands of the Jaguares the week before.
A five try display from the Blues opened early when hooker James Parsons crossed in the 9th minute to set the scene for the visitors. The Kings struck back straight away though, through half-back James Hall, and looked a much improved side from their previous outing.
Some brilliance from Melani Nanai (14) proved the difference between the sides, however, as he produced a two-try effort in the space of five minutes.
Then, despite another hit back from the Kings in the second half, Billy Guyton came off the bench to seal the win for the Blues, who crossed once more to secure a five-point win.
The Blues will take some confidence from the away win as they press towards a finals berth, while the Kings can also feel quite positive, as they bounced back from a heavy loss to remain competitive for the full 80 minutes.
ESPN match details here
Round 12 matches
Highlanders v Crusaders: Friday 13 May, 5.35pm (AEST)
Sunwolves v Stormers: Saturday 14 May, 9.55pm (AEST)
Cheetahs v Kings: Sunday 15 May, 1.05am (AEST)
Lions v Blues: Sunday 15 May, 3.15am (AEST)
Jaguares v Sharks: Sunday 15 May, 6.40am (AEST)
