A KIWI Point Of View

Where your S14 team is at this week
By TOBY ROBSON - The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Where your S14 team is at this week - Rugby news & coverage - Stuff.co.nz


The squeeze is going on at the top of the Super 14 table and the teams are reacting accordingly as the week 11 games loom. Here's a guide to how your team is shaping up.

HURRICANES

In the news: Jerry Collins proved he is human and succumbed to bruised ribs (but only when he found the injury was stopping him breathing).

Physio's table: Collins (bruised ribs), at least a week;

The good: Andrew Hore and Chris Masoe are in the form of their lives, Conrad Smith has rediscovered his mojo at centre and wing Zac Guildford made a good fist of his debut. Despite losing to the Stormers, the Canes are individually hitting form at the right end of the season.

The bad: Rodney So'oialo replaced his hands with wooden replicas for the Stormers match, Jimmy Gopperth missed two crucial goal kicks, and Piri Weepu chose a strange time to prove he could tap-kick a ball over his own head.

CRUSADERS

In the news: Locks Ali Williams and Ross Filipo relive their childhood as Spiderman and The Phantom, but deny they still collect rare comics and stamps or play Dungeons and Dragons together.

Physio's table: Casey Laulala (concussion), Dan Carter (high ankle strain).

The good: A loss is probably what the Cantabs needed to rev them up for the Blues this week. Stephen Brett may have been scratchy after his injury layoff, but he got through 80 minutes.

The bad: Finally, something to fill this spot. Skipper Richie McCaw looked jaded against the Chiefs and is being counselled this week after suffering from recurring Sione Lauaki nightmares.

CHIEFS

In the news: A convoy of trucks carrying RTDs into Hamilton for the V8 street race didn't stop 25,000 getting to the Chiefs-Crusaders game and hairdressers reported booming trade after offering half-price mullets for rugby or motorsport fans.

Physio's table: Jono Gibbes (knee/hamstring strain), day to day. Oh let's be honest, it's minute to minute with Jono.

The good: Where do you start? A capacity crowd, a win against the Crusaders, a rock-solid defence led by a rejuvenated Sione Lauaki, a brilliant performance from openside Tanerau Latimer and a blinder from first-five Stephen Donald.

The bad: Half the population of Hamilton are now sporting mullets (pronounced Mu-Lays) after their dream weekend of V8s and rugby in the Tron.

BLUES

In the news: Isa Nacewa escapes, I mean signs, with Leinster for next season.

Physio's table: George Pisi (hamstring), next week; Tom McCartney (hamstring), next week; Joe Rokocoko (wrist surgery), recovery time unknown.

The good: Former Hurricanes wing David Smith is found alive and well in Auckland.

The bad: "We've got a lot of confidence in David, so there has been no suggestion of [change] at all," said Blues chief executive Andy Dalton. Enough said.

HIGHLANDERS

In the news: Highlanders coach Glenn Moore says he can "build something special" if the current team remains together in coming seasons.

Physio's table: Daniel Bowden (concussion), returning home; Steven Setephano (calf), day to day.

The good: "The 47-16 loss to the Bulls had a silver lining guys," Moore's team talk this week. "It was 35-3 with 17 minutes to go, so we won the last quarter 13-7, right? Are you with me?" Should that have been, The bad?

The bad: The Highlanders have added "bad timing" to their already well-known "bad luck" after the Bulls rediscovered their form just in time to welcome them to Pretoria.

AUSSIE WATCH

In the news: Injured Waratahs stars Rocky Elsom and Timana "Hamstring" Tahu (presumably with a newly revamped running style) are set to rejoin the squad for the trip to South Africa.

Brumbies players Guy Shepherdson and Nic Henderson go into bat for dumped coach Laurie Fisher after their come-from-behind 27-21 victory against the Sharks in Canberra.

Pick of the bunch: The Reds are ridiculed by Teamtalk on a weekly basis, but pulled out all stops for a 29-12 win against the Force under young skipper James Horwill.

The Reds got the perfect teamtalk when former teammate Drew Mitchell said before the match they were capable of only "15 minutes of macho-bravado". Macho-bravado?
(Good one, Drew. Keep your gob shut will ya.)

SOUTH AFRICA WATCH

In the news: The Stormers' win against the Hurricanes came at a cost with wing Tonderai Chavhanga pulling his hamstring and prop JD Moller being ruled out for the season with a dislocated shoulder.

"Stupid", Sharks coach Dick Muir's description of his side blowing an 18-7 halftime lead against the Brumbies.

"We know where we are going and we are definitely not in crisis," Blue Bulls Company chief executive Barend Van Graan defends the team's record before it thrashes the Highlanders.

Pick of the bunch: The Stormers are on a roll with a three- game winning streak and with loose forwards Schalk Burger and Luke Watson firing.