Super 14 preview #2 of 4 — the ‘friendlies’ in SA, OZ & NZ

1. Stormers vs Saracens

The Stormers ran in six tries in their 43-33 win over the English tourists Saracens in the international friendly clash at a sweltering Newlands on Sunday afternoon.

26 000 spectators turned out to watch the nine tries.

Scorers: Stormers: Tries: Sireli Naqelevuki (2), Gcobani Bobo, Schalk Brits, Luke Watson, Joe Pietersen. Conversions: Peter Grant (5). Penalty: Grant: Saracens: Tries: Kameli Taruvou, Richard Haughton, Wikus van Heerden.

Conversions: Glen Jackson (3). Penalties: Jackson (4).

2. Sharks vs Pumas

With the Cheetahs having elected to play Griquas instead of the Sharks, the latter were left with only one warm-up game (against the Bulls at the Absa Stadium, Durban on Wednesday, February 4) ahead of the tournament, which starts in just over three weeks’ time.

The Sharks have secured a match to take place in Witbank against the Pumas this Saturday at 5pm — 24 players will be selected

The Sharks side struggled to a 19-7 win over the Pumas in Witbank.
Coach Plumtree hoped the match would offer him greater insight into the abilities of some of his fringe players but they struggled against a determined Pumas outfit.
The Sharks became more structured in the second half, but their early looseness allowed the Pumas to stay in contention and are expected to field something close to their strongest Sharks side against the Bulls in their final warm-up match on Wednesday 4 February in Durban.

Sharks – Tries: Monty Dumond, Luzako Vulindlu, Len Olivier. Conversions: Dumond, Ruan Pienaar.
Pumas – Try: Valentine van Wyk. Conversion: Rudi Vogt.
3. Lions vs Bulls

The Lions, running in five tries before the break and seven in total, completely outplayed a young Bulls side in what was intended as a Super 14 warm-up for the two sides at Wits University on Saturday evening.

The final score was 44-21 to the Lions. In the match between the two second sides on view, the Lions also won this 22-13. We are going to have an interesting season ahead.

Even with Bakkies Botha, Bryan Habana and Akona Ndungane, plus Rayno Gerber, Zane Kirchner and Stegmann on in the second half, the Lions remained the initial second-half pacesetters and Michael Killian scored their seventh try to make it 44-7.

The Bulls, who will field their best side against the Cheetahs next weekend before again sending their youngsters in against the Sharks on February 4, have more work to do generally and on their structures, but then: this was not much more than their Vodacom Cup side against the Lions’ best.

Summary: Pedrie Wannenburg, looking to regain a place in the starting line-up, looked good on the Bulls side; Chiliboy Ralepelle is far from match-fit; and there is much work to be done on their structures, pace to the breakdown and ball retention.

The Lions have a fierce pack of forwards, scrummed well and looked sharp at the back if one discounts the many handling and option errors on both sides.

Scorers:

Lions:
Tries: Ashwin Willemse, Henno Mentz, Gert Muller, Earl Rose, Jaque Fourie, Michael Killian, Jano Vermaak.
Conversions: Rose (3).
Penalty: Rose.

Bulls:
Tries: Deon Stegmann (2), Akona Ndungane.
Conversions: Burton Francis (2), Bryan Habana.
In the early match between the two franchises, the Lions dominated the first half when the Bulls were intent on taking the ball wide.

The home side led 12-3 at the break, but a new urgency up front and a change in the game plan of the young Bulls in the second half saw them dominate until some 15 minutes before the end, when they led 13-12.
But a personnel change or two by the Bulls saw the fortunes change again and the Lions deservedly won 22-13.

What mattered more, undoubtedly, was the fact that new Lion Shandre Frolick caught well and ran well at fullback; Walter Venter was solidity itself at centre despite his lack of speed and Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Okkie Kruger and Frik Kirsten impressed with the experienced lock Nico Luus also keeping the Lions busy in the tight loose.

4. Cheetahs vs Griquas

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has stuck to the side announced for the aborted Abu Dhabi match against the Sharks, to tackle Griquas at Grey College in Friday night’s warm-up match for the Super 14 team.

A feature of the side is the availability of captain Juan Smith who has recovered sufficiently from his concussion sustained on the Springbok tour of the UK to be considered. Kobus Calldo was preferred to Bees Steyn at tight head; Frans Viljoen seems to be the man who will take over at number eight from Duanne Vermeulen who has moved to the Stormers; Meyer Bosman was preferred at fly half in a swap with Jacques-Louis Potgieter who would have been at inside centre; and two Boks Sevens speedsters, Danwell Demas and Fabian Juries, are the first-choice fit wings in a match that will help to iron out a few uncertainties coach Naka Drotske may still have.

The Cheetahs won 57-7 and scored nine tries to one in the match played at Grey College.

What the Cheetahs coaches could glean from the warm-up game was that Meyer Bosman is the man for the fly half berth. His general play and especially his distribution of the ball was of a high standard — and Jacques-Louis Potgieter will do nicely as a centre in a backline where the Cheetahs have plenty of pace out wide.

Springboks Heinrich Brussow and Juan Smith, along with Frans Viljoen, looked an impressive trio in a pack that dominated. However, there is still much work ahead for coaches Naka Drotske and Fourie and their players.

Final score: Cheetahs 57 Griquas 7

Scorers:

Cheetahs:
Tries: Danwel Demas (two), Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Juan Smith, Hendro Scholtz, Richardt Strauss, Corne Uys (two), Bjorn Basson.
Conversions: Tewis de Bruyn (three), Meyer Bosman (three).

Griquas:
Try: Jonathan Mokuena.
Conversion: Riaan Viljoen.

5. Crusaders vs Force – Friday

Defending Super 14 champions the Crusaders started life after Robbie Deans and Dan Carter in winning fashion, overcoming a 14-point deficit to post a thrilling 24-19 pre-season victory over the Western Force in Perth on Friday night.

In front of a sell out crowd of almost 18 000, the Force conceded the first try of the match but looked on course for victory when they posted three unanswered tries to race out to a 19-5 lead inside 35 minutes. But the Crusaders hit back with a vengeance, notching three unanswered tries of their own before holding off a determined Force outfit in a frantic final 10 minutes to secure the win. The Force entered the match without Wallabies Nathan Sharpe, Matt Giteau, Ryan Cross and James O’Connor, while the Crusaders All Blacks contingent of Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Brad Thorn and Ross Filipo were also rested.

Fans were barely in their seats when some slack Force defence allowed the Crusaders to post the first try of the match after just 65 seconds. Flanker George Whitelock was the lucky recipient of the Force’s sloppy marking, barging over for the easiest of tries after being left unguarded at the back of a Crusader line-out. The Force were awarded a penalty try in the 12th minute when Drew Mitchell was impeded as he jumped to grab a Scott Daruda chip and the Force notched their second try of the match eight minutes later when a neat pass from Daruda released Josh Tatupu into space.

The home side extended their lead to 19-5 in the 34th minute when a powerful rolling maul saw Luke Holmes cross over but the Crusaders hit back through a second try to Whitelock. Tempers flared in the 48th minute when Crusaders scrum half Andy Ellis took a swing that made a glancing connection to the face of Force lock David Pusey. The Crusaders closed the gap to two points when winger Jared Payne finished off a sweeping move from the visitors.

Crusaders winger Kade Poki scored the winning try in the 64th minute when he crossed over in the corner but the visitors were made to work hard to hold their lead, with the tiring Force mounting numerous attacks in the dying minutes. “It was a very strong start, we looked highly motivated,” Force coach John Mitchell said after the match. “The pleasing thing was that there was really good understanding in how we worked together. We got a good workout. Under fatigue at times our decisions could be better but in saying that the only way you learn well is through coping with greater resistance and we’ve been able to grow our game as a result of playing against the Crusaders because they brought a far greater resistance as the game wore on.”

6. Waratahs vs Reds

Less than a week after signing to the HSBC Waratahs for the 2009 Super 14 season, Peter Playford scored two tries to help the defending Super 14 runners up to a 17-5 win over the Queensland Reds in their opening pre-season match at Gold Park, Toowoomba. Sporting stitches across the bridge of his nose from a hit at training earlier this week, Playford was one of a number of players who staked an early claim for Super 14 selection in the Waratahs first pre-season match for 2009.

The first half of the match was distinct in its difference, with an arm wrestle in the opening 20 minutes gradually turning NSW’s way in the run to half time. Kurtley Beale was instrumental in the Waratahs first score, with some nice handling putting Peter Playford across for the opening try of the game.
Another experienced campaigner in Sam Norton-Knight created the Waratahs next try with a line-beating show-and-go and side-step creating space for Playford to cross for his second.

The Waratahs took a 12-0 lead into the break and their authority on the match continued into the third quarter.

Replacement back Mitch Inman scored the Waratahs third try and sent the visitors to an unassailable 17-0 lead as the clock wound down. With lightning peppering the ground throughout the match, the heavens finally opened in the final 20 minutes, making conditions difficult for both sides. The Reds scored a consolation try through replacement half Will Genia inside the last ten minutes, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Waratahs recording a 17-5 victory and a repeat of their opening trial victory over Queensland on Australia Day 2008.

“We did some things really well that we’ve been working on and we probably found a few more things that we’ll need to do some more work on,” said head coach Chris Hickey. “It’s a sound performance first up. There’s still some fine turning that needs to occur, but that’s what trials are for.

“The experienced players in the squad all stepped up and the young players we brought up [to Queensland] performed well. Mark Preston played really well when he came on, while Tim Bennetts and Damon Anderson showed some good touches in their first match out of school.” With no major injuries to report out of the match, Hickey added how happy he was with the performance of a number of players who had spent long periods on the sidelines since the conclusion of the 2008 Super 14.

“Tom Carter, Matt Carraro, Rob Horne – they’ve all had an extensive rehab from injuries last year and have come through the match really well, which is good news,” said Hickey. The Waratahs return to Sydney on Sunday afternoon and head into camp in the Hunter Valley on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s trial with the Fiji Warriors at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle.

HSBC Waratahs 17 (Peter Playford 2, Mitch Inman tries; Kurtley Beale con) d Queensland Reds 5 (Will Genia try) at Gold Park, Toowoomba. Half-time: HSBC Waratahs 17-5. Referee: Paul Marks.

7. Hurricanes vs Blues

Nine first-string Hurricanes squad members are missing from a 27-strong match-day team named yesterday to play the Blues at Albany Stadium on Friday.

All Blacks Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Andrew Hore, Jason Eaton and Hosea Gear all join the squad for the first time next week, while Jeremy Thrush, Faifili Levave and Josh Bradnock will sit out the first live hit-out of the year because of injury. The Blues, who lost their first pre-season match 21-17 last weekend to the Chiefs, have also named an experimental side for the match including several players from their wider training group and academy.

Hurricanes: Zac Guildford, Andre Taylor, Jason Kawau, Tamati Ellison, David Smith, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Chris Eaton, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Nick Crosswell, Bryn Evans, Api Naikatini, Tim Fairbrother, Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison. Reserves: Ged Robinson, John Schwalger, Bernie Upton, Piri Weepu, Willie Ripia, Cory Jane, Alby Mathewson, Shane Cleaver, Scott Waldrom, Jarrad Hoeata, Nathan Hohaia, Neemia Tialata.
Blues: Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, Paul Williams, Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, Tasesa Lavea, Chris Smylie, Chris Lowrey, Onosai’i Auva’a, Justin Collins, Jay Williams, Kurtis Haiu, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau. Reserves: Francis Smith, Pauliasi Manu, James Afoa, James King, Chris Smith, Anthony Elisala, Peter Saili, Tom Chamberlin, Grayson Hart, Jamie Helleur, Jimmy Gopperth, Mike Harris, Michael Hobbs, Lachie Munro, Winston Stanley.

8. Brumbies in camp at HMAS Creswell

THE ACT Brumbies rugby union side had a change of scene recently, spending a week in the sun and surf at HMAS Creswell.

The Brumbies, who are sponsored by the Australian Navy, chose the location based on head coach Andy Friend’s recommendation. Monday was the first time the full squad had trained together since their pre-season training began 12 weeks ago.

“We have been in training for 12 weeks now, so things are coming on well.

“Fitness is up and there are just a few things we are looking to work on to get our game structure together.”

On Tuesday number eight Stephen Hoiles was announced as the captain of the Brumbies for the 2009 Investec Super 14 season.

“Stephen Hoiles is our new captain and he’s going to be fantastic,” Friend said.

“We wanted to give Stirling Mortlock and George Smith some time away from the spotlight.

“Stephen is also a natural leader within the team and is highly respected.

“He plays a key position in controlling the game, so we asked him if he would like the job and he said yes.”

The Brumbies arrived at the base on Sunday night and completed four days of intense training, with one rest day.

Players were given the option of surfing, golf, kayaking or sleeping in.

Fullback Mark Gerrard planned to make the most of the coastal location.

“It’s a welcome change to Canberra; we don’t have many beaches out there,” he joked.

“We have a day off coming up so I think we might have surf at this Cave Beach I’ve heard about.

“That’s if there are any waves.

“Other than that we will just relax and probably have a few quiet beers at the Husky Pub.”

The Brumbies will play two pre-season trials against the Hurricanes on Friday, January 30 and the NSW Waratahs on Thursday, February 5.

They will begin their Super 14 campaign in New Zealand on February 13 when they take on the Highlanders at Carisbrook.

9. Chiefs vs Highlanders Friday 23 January

The Chiefs came back from a 12-all half-time score to beat the Highlanders 36-19 in their second Pre Super 14 warm up clash. The Chiefs scored two tries and one conversion in the first half but second half tries from Toby Morland, Tim Mikkelson, David Bason and Dwayne Sweeney handed the Chiefs victory.

The match was played in front of a crowd of 1500 in Rotorua!