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Greg Clark: Super 14 round five
By Greg Clark
Fox Sports
Last week turned out to be the best round in 2010 for the Australian Super 14 teams, with all three sides in action tasting success.
Queensland Reds provided the biggest highlight when they downed the previously unbeaten Chiefs in Hamilton, ending a run of four straight losses to the men from Waikato. Without Wallabies James Horwill, Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes, the Ewen McKenzie-coached Queenslanders showed what passion and commitment can do for a team. They played their hearts out and gained plenty of confidence from their first win on the road this year.
The Brumbies and New South Wales Waratahs each, meanwhile, picked up a win against South African opposition in their first home game, but both looked to be struggling from the effects of the long flight back from their road trip to Africa. Both failed to pick up a four-try bonus point, and that might come back to haunt them later in the season.
The Brumbies' faithful didn't have any real cause to voice their disapproval of the team's performance, but the Sydney fans let the Tahs know they are not going to tolerate a safety-first game plan this year.
It wasn't nice to hear the crowd booing the Tahs' kicking tactics in the second half, but people close to the team tell me the players were out on their feet and, in the end, were just grateful just to get a win against a Sharks team full of internationals.
I was just as frustrated as the people who disagreed with the Tahs' tactics, but I'm prepared to give them another chance to show what they can really do on attack against the Lions this week.
Elsewhere, the Cheetahs took a leaf out of the Reds' book to upset the previously unbeaten Hurricanes in Bloemfontein. That meant that the Bulls held onto top spot on the table even though they had a bye. The Crusaders won the big Kiwi derby against the Blues, and the Stormers proved yet again that they are genuine contenders this year with a huge win over the Highlanders. If the men from Cape Town can win on the road, they will be hard to beat at the business end of the tournament.
So let's take a look at this weekend. The Cheetahs and Blues have a bye so there are six games.
Chiefs v Crusaders
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, Friday, 5.35pm (EDT)
We start with what looks to be the game of the round. The Chiefs have the home-ground advantage in this Kiwi derby, and they'll be desperate to bounce back to winning form after allowing the Reds to recover from 15-0 down last week. That was the Chiefs' first game at home this season, and they, too, looked like they were struggling after their three-match road trip to Perth and South Africa. Mils Muliaina returned from his extended leave, and he will be much better this week now he has a run under his belt. Sione Lauaki will be back from suspension to boost the pack.
The Crusaders wore down the Blues in Christchurch last week to make it three from three at home this season. Dan Carter was in great touch with the boot, and his general direction was spot on most of the time. This is their second match on the road, and, after the shock loss to the Reds in Brisbane, there won't be any complacency. Both teams reached the semi-finals last year, and it's a tough one to pick this time round. The Chiefs have won two of the past three against the Crusaders. If they can reproduce some of their early form, I think they can win it. The Chiefs have a great backline, but their forwards need to move up a gear. Chiefs for me, but only just.
New South Wales Waratahs v Lions
Sydney Football Stadium, Friday 7.40pm (EDT)
There can be no excuses for the Waratahs this week. They're at home and they've had time to get over their jet-lag. There were no major injury concerns from last week's match, and star back Berrick Barnes has given his teammates a boost with news that he's extended his contract for another year. Now let's see if they can put it all together against one of the lowly-ranked sides.
The Lions are winless this season. They've been able to score plenty of points but they've also conceded plenty. They've never won in Sydney, and they recorded their only win over the Tahs way back in 2001 in Johannesburg. They're playing with much more spirit under the coaching of Dick Muir, but, on paper, they don't have the personnel to match the Waratahs.
I'm expecting the Tahs to win with a bonus point because there is simply too much at stake. If they fail to entertain the crowd this week, the fans who have threatened to abandon them just might carry out their threat. Waratahs to take maximum points.
Brumbies v Sharks
Canberra Stadium, Saturday, 7.40pm (EDT)
The Brumbies might have what looks to be a "dream team" on paper, but they haven't played like it so far. We are still waiting for them to put it all together for the full 80 minutes, and they will need to do so this week if they are to beat the desperate Sharks from Durban. The Brumbies looked good at times in the wet against the Lions last week, but they failed to score a fourth try to pick up a bonus point despite having plenty of opportunities. They have plenty of experienced players in the squad, but they were impatient at times - and that cost them dearly. They only led by seven points at the break and the Lions got within four points at one stage in the second half - and a boilover was looking possible.
The Sharks were unlucky not to pick up their first win of the season in Sydney after leading 14-6 with two men in the sin-bin. They were down by 11 points in the second spell before getting within four of the Tahs, but that's how it stayed. With 14 Springboks and one England international in their squad, it's hard to work out why the Sharks aren't doing better. They will always be a threat but they'll be up against a Brumbies side determined to make it happen this week.
The Sharks haven't won in Canberra since 1998, but they'll take some confidence out of the fact that they beat the Brumbies very easily in Durban last year. They must be getting close to breaking their drought this year, but I'm sticking with the Brumbies.
Bulls v Highlanders
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, Sunday 2.05am (EDT)
The form guide says this is a "no contest". The Bulls are fresh as they are coming off their bye. They're unbeaten this year and they've now won 13 straight in Pretoria. They're the defending champs with one of the best forward packs in the tournament, and they have speed to burn out wide. Fly half Morne Steyn is the leading points-scorer this season, and he will boot goals from anywhere within 60 metres. He's also turning out to be a very good attacking pivot as well.
The Highlanders, meanwhile, are coming off a 33-0 hiding by the Stormers in Cape Town, and they've lost their captain Jimmy Cowan to injury. They are one from four this year, and they haven't won in Pretoria since 2002. They did, however, beat the Bulls in New Zealand last year, and they did draw in South Africa in 2004.
The Highlanders can be competitive on their good days, but I can't see them matching a rampant Bulls team in front of a big crowd at Loftus Versfeld. Bulls to win with a bonus point again.
Stormers v Hurricanes
Newlands, Cape Town, Sunday 4.10am (EDT)
This should be a cracker.
The Stormers are at home, where they are two from three this season, and they're coming off a very good win over the Highlanders. The Hurricanes never got into top gear in last week's loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, and they'll be much better this week now they've had a chance to settle into the South African tour.
The Stormers looked a better side with captain Schalk Burger back from injury last week, and high-profile recruit Bryan Habana thrilled his new fans with another freakish try.
The Hurricanes have been hit pretty hard with injury, and they'll be hoping to get some key players back this week. They have a competitive pack but they failed to play to their potential last week. They have strike weapons in the backline, and the Stormers will have their hands full on defence if they fire this week.
The Stormers have a great draw with five of their first six games at home at Newlands, as well as two of their last three. They know they'll be in a good position to push for a semi-final spot if they can win the next two home games before heading off on a four-match Australasian road trip. I'm going to pick the Stormers to win this one but it should be a close contest.
Queensland Reds v Western Force
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Sunday 5.30pm (EDT)
It's hard not to like what the Reds are doing. Written off by most judges pre-season, they've now beaten Kiwi giants the Crusaders and the Chiefs. The Tahs beat them on the bell and they gave the Blues a fright. They've been hit hard by injury, but they still manage to go out each week and have a real dig. Coach Ewen McKenzie has managed to create a very good atmosphere in the squad, and the players are now starting to believe in themselves. With Will Genia and Quade Cooper calling the shots, they've been a pleasure to watch. They are one from three at home in Brisbane, and they'll want to make sure of this one before their bye and then a three-match tour to South Africa.
Western Force are coming off their bye, and they are in dire straits as they sit at the bottom of the table with no win this season. Like the Reds, they have more than their fair share of injuries but they can't use that as an excuse every week. They need to find some winning form in a hurry or their season could be an embarrassment. They've lost to three of the title contenders in the Brumbies, Hurricanes and Chiefs. After this week, they play another three of the more-fancied teams in the Waratahs, Bulls and Stormers. Lose this one and they could still be winless at the halfway point of their season.
This match is being played on Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium, and the heat shouldn't affect either side. The Force will be desperate while the Reds will be feeling confident. Aussie derbies can be dour affairs as both sets of players know each other so well and they try to smash each other. But with so much to play for, I suspect this one could be an exception. The home team has won all four games they've played. I'm picking the trend to continue with the Reds edging out the Force.
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