Five rounds in and the New Zealand Conference is developing into a three-way scrap between the Crusaders on 21 points, the Chiefs on 19, and the Hurricanes on 15, with the latter two having a game in hand. The Blues remain in the official Top Eight with 11 points and the Highlanders on nine are ahead of every Australian side other than the Brumbies.
Over in the Africa Group the Stormers remain unbeaten and with 17 points have opened a significant lead over the Cheetahs (9) in the Africa 1 Conference. Africa 2 is considerably tighter with only the Kings off the pace, current leaders the Lions on 19 points being chased hard by the Jaguares (18) and Sharks (17).
Round 5 as it went down:
Blues 38-14 Bulls
After an indifferent first half the Blues stormed back with five second half tries against a Bulls outfit looking short of ideas not involving flyhalf Handre Pollard’s howitzer-like boot.
The Blues began well enough with a trademark ensemble try to halfback Augustine Pulu down the left flank just three minutes in. For the remainder of the half, however, they were guilty of throwing too many low-percentage passes and generally coughing the ball up.
The Bulls meanwhile were utterly reliant on Pollard to get them field position, and were equally guilty of poor handling and option-taking. They looked very much like the Stormers last year, desperately trying to play expansive rugby but lacking the basic skills and patience to execute. They did, though, level up at 7-7 through prop Lizo Gqoboka which was the half-time score.
Wing Matt Duffie got the Blues in front early in the second half, and further ahead with a second try minutes later for a 19-7 lead. Flanker Jimmy Tupou then got himself yellow carded for a blatant neck roll, seemingly bringing the Bulls back into the contest. Strangely, though, and with obvious pre-meditation, they subbed Pollard off at 60 minutes and never really threatened to mount a comeback.
Replacement 5/8 Ihaia West pushed the lead out to 24-7 with a good scoot for the bonus point try while Tupou was in the bin, replacement hooker Matt Moulds confirming the win with a 72nd-minute try in the corner as the Bulls tired. West made it 31-7 then from the kickoff wing Melani Nanai ran 40 metres to complete the rout in style, albeit the Bulls scored last through replacement halfback Rudy Paige after the siren had sounded.
Highlights
Stormers 44-31 Sunwolves
The Stormers remain the only unbeaten team in the Africa Group, overcoming the improving Sunwolves in a ten-try thriller in Singapore. The Sunwolves led 24-20 at the break, only lost the lead in the 60th minute, and look a far better side than their 0-from-5 season record.
Highlights
Lions 42-19 Kings
The Kings have suffered another heavy loss although did score three tries in response to the Lions six. A dominant first half had the Lions up 35-12 at the break but they didn’t score again until the 75th minute, the Kings having the better of a scrappy second half.
Highlights
Sharks 38-30 Cheetahs
Another high-scoring affair with seven tries scored. The Cheetahs had the better of the first half to lead 20-15 but were ground down by the Sharks tight forwards in the second. Curlin Bosch led the way in his first start at 10, kicking seven from eight off the tee.
Highlights
