Super 14 wrap: Round 9
2006-04-08 22:42
Zaahier Adams
Cape Town - South African rugby slumped to new depths in Round 9 of the Super 14 series.
None of the four franchises could muster a win, the closest being the Bulls who salvaged a draw from the gaping jaws of victory.
The Pretoria side galloped to a 26-11 lead with just over 30 minutes remaining, when Pedrie Wannenburg's try was converted by flyhalf Morne Steyn.
The next half hour was, however, painful for the Bulls fans as they were forced to yet again watch their team surrender a commanding lead.
The Chiefs hit back through tries by Sam Tuitupou and Steven Bates, with a penalty by Stephen Donald sandwiched in between, to level the scores within 20 minutes.
The Bulls at least picked up three points (two for a draw and one bonus point for scoring four tries in the match) to keep their slim semi-final hopes alive.
Gregan fights back
Veteran scrumhalf George Gregan turned back the clock against the Cheetahs in Canberra on Saturday morning.
The Wallaby skipper, who has endured some heavy criticism recently, hit back at his critics with an inspired display behind a rampant Brumbies pack, leading the two-time Super 14 champions to a seven-try 53-20 romp over the Bloemfontein team.
Rassie Erasmus' team's attempt at playing an expansive game backfired against the modern-day masters of inventive back line play.
A mixture of ill-discipline and poor handling in the wet cost the Stormers dearly against the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland.
Springbok duo Hanyani Shimange and De Wet Barry were shown the yellow card at crucial times in the match, allowing an average Blues team to round off a comfortable 32-15 victory.
South Africa's winless weekend was completed when the Cats' dismal season continued against the Reds at Ellis Park.
Intense clash of top teams
Springbok flyhalf Andre Pretorius scored 11 of his team's 16 points (the other five points were via a penalty try), but it was not enough as the tournament's other strugglers edged the Joburg team 23-16.
Aross the seas, the top-of-table clash between the Crusaders and the Waratahs had all the intensity of a Test match, if not the quality, on Friday morning in Christchurch.
The Crusaders maintained their 100% record in this year's competition with a 17-11 victory.
Super 14 rookies - the Western Force - are still searching for their maiden win of the competition after another close shave this weekend against the Highlanders.
Three points was the difference as the Highlanders edged out the Perth-based team 25-22.
- Reuters