Super 14: Round 1 Results...and Lathurus saves the day.
February 20th 2008 06:02
Yeah, yeah...so this is a bit late...but it's here now so y'all can breathe easy now. Yes I'm at NASA now...in training as a space cadet.
Truth is...I didn't watch the matches live, I recorded (most of) them and have been taking my time to view. Fast Scan is such a handy feature on to have... Very new for me this, this not wanting to watch a Brumbies match live. Wonder why... I still would have recorded it (during the Larkham era) but only to freeze frame and slow mo. We do things slowly in space.
Crusaders (NZ) 34 v Brumbies 3
Crusaders
Tries: Mose Tuiali’i 2; Brad Thorn, Daniel Carter
Conversions: Daniel Carter 4
Penalty goals: Dan Carter 2
Brumbies
Penalty Goal: Julian Huxley
Injuries:
Adam Ashley-Cooper (#13 Outside Centre) - ankle, out for 6 weeks.
Gene Fairbanks (#12 Inside Centre) - shoulder/neck, out for 4 weeks.
Brumbies - pride, out all season.
It wasn't pretty people. Although Dan Carter is too pretty. naff ponce.
As I so politely stated in my Fixtures post
Brumbies are sitting at the bottom of the ladder. Sure one can say that it's early days but one can also say that the Brumbies day may be done.
Both sides suffered handling errors and turnovers but I blame that on the horrible conditions. Christchurch was cold and under water and water on a Rugby ball is like a hangover breakfast. Greasy. The field was an ice rink.
Still...the Crusaders played the better match and why wouldn't they? They were playing against a newly deCAPitated team. Missing their CAPtain Mortlock and their most CAPped legends, Gregan and Larkham.
Don't underestimate this very important factor. I'm not living in the past. I'm lamenting the Brumbies future.
Crusaders. humph. Take Dan Carter out and they're nothing. (not true but I like it). Unfortunately he was back to his brilliant best and no, there's nothing wrong with your eyesight. I may need help though...
Brumbies didn't do too badly...and that's me scraping the bottom of the barrel for optimism. Despite their lack of possesion and their 2 missed try opportunities, their 'strong' defence gave sportsfans hope.
Julian Huxley (#15 Fullback) and Greg Holmes (#9 Halfback) combined to stop a try. Then they just stopped trying.
Have I mentioned I'm a big fan of Japanese Rugby?
...but I haven't given up on the Brumbies. Not yet. Not until hell freezes over. And I've heard the devil encourages global warming.
**********
Qld Reds 22 v Highlanders (NZ) 16 - Brisbane
Reds:
Tries: (C)John Roe 2, Clinton Schifcofske
Con: Clinton Schifcofske 2
PG: Clinton Schifcofske
Highlanders
Tries: 1 Con: 1 PG: 3
Go The Reds!!...I told you so...so did Stephen Larkham...
6 point win isn't that different from a 10 point win.
Latham: "If that's a vestal virgin...I'm outta here..."
NB: this image is from the RWC '07.
Chris Latham is Legend!
Latham (or Latharus as he is now known) was knocked out cold and seeing star systems but then rose (Lazarus like) to win the match for the Reds.
Thus the banjos were brought out and a folk song was writ and scones were named in his honour.
Seriously though...Latham was amazing. In his first match of his final Super 14 season, he was hit by Highlanders #8 Steven Setephano (in the first half) but madly wrestled away the team doctor when he woke up and immediately ran back into the match. AND he played the full 80 minutes.
Reds coach Phil Mooney said;
With the Highlanders trailing by 3 points and looking to win, Latham earned his Hero status in the dying minutes by foiling an attack near the line and kicking the ball 100m down field, which allowed a final-minute 40m penalty goal by winger Clinton Schifcofske to clinch the win.
Schifcofske played a brilliant game, despite or because of his unpronouncable name.
There was some controversy over 2 calls by the SA ref. He awarded tries to the Reds without conclusive video proof.
The decisions puzzled and frustrated the Highlanders but they were told to get off their high horses.
Rumour has it that the Video Refs are going to strike, demanding more air time and a mirror in their dressing room.
**********
Sharks (SA) 17 v Western Force 10 - Durban
The Force wasn't with them...didn't see this match because it was on at some unGodlike hour plus I forgot to set the record timer on the DVD-R.
From what I have read and seen (highlights...obviously not the Force's), it was gloom before the Force ran on field. Captain Nathan Sharpe was ruled out with a stomach virus, leaving Hobbiteau (Matt Giteau) with the Captain duty.
Sportsfans can be forgiven for thinking they were watching an AFL match (albeit with less men in white coats. I say 'less' because doctors were on call just in case Henjak decided to get punch drunk)...this was a match "dominated by boot rather than ball in hand".
Can't say much. Can't be too hard on the Force because this wasn't a bad start for them and considering I took it easy on myex beloved Brumbies and they just plain sucked.
**********
NSW Waratahs 20 v Hurricanes 3(NZ) - Sydney
Waratahs:
Tries: Lachie Turner 2, Rocky Elsom tries;
Con: Kurtley Beale
PG: Kurtley Beale
Hurricanes:
PG: 1
Okay, so I was wrong. I thought the Hurricanes would do damage but the Waratahs withstood and conquered.
I still don't really care.
The Waratahs need to do much more to win my fan-dom. Like...actually win a match that counts. Still...twas good Rugby...no such thing as bad Rugby, except when the Crusaders win. Most impressive was the fact that the 'Tahs managed to keep the 'Canes tryless.
I was right about Lachlan Turner though. Kid's a star. If he knows what's good for him, he'll sign with the Brumbies now. Might go places then. Like Canberra.
Totally surprised at the crowd though. Obviously not everyone is as fickle as I. After their 2007 season, I was expecting an empty stadium but full capacity. Could be the start of something big. Let's just hope it's not Tuqiri's already inflated ego.
Standouts were #8 Wycliff Palu (Man of the Match), blindside flanker Rocky 'Ball-boa' Elsom, winger Timana Tahu and flyhalf Kurtley Beale.
**********
Here's the rest. Yawn....
Blues (NZ) 32 v Chiefs (NZ) 14
Stormers (SA) 9 v Bulls (SA) 16
Cheetahs (SA) 22 v Lions (SA) 23
**********
images courtesy of RugbyHeaven
**********
Thank You for clicking;
Truth is...I didn't watch the matches live, I recorded (most of) them and have been taking my time to view. Fast Scan is such a handy feature on to have... Very new for me this, this not wanting to watch a Brumbies match live. Wonder why... I still would have recorded it (during the Larkham era) but only to freeze frame and slow mo. We do things slowly in space.
Super 14: Round 1 Results:
Crusaders
Tries: Mose Tuiali’i 2; Brad Thorn, Daniel Carter
Conversions: Daniel Carter 4
Penalty goals: Dan Carter 2
Brumbies
Penalty Goal: Julian Huxley
Injuries:
Adam Ashley-Cooper (#13 Outside Centre) - ankle, out for 6 weeks.
Gene Fairbanks (#12 Inside Centre) - shoulder/neck, out for 4 weeks.
Brumbies - pride, out all season.
In space there is no gravity. Space Cadet Lesson #1
It wasn't pretty people. Although Dan Carter is too pretty. naff ponce.
As I so politely stated in my Fixtures post
I'm not sure that the Brumbies will win this match. The loss of Gregan, Larkham and Paul plus Mortlock out injured will be felt.
It was painful. Houston we have a problem. (I'm at NASA remember?)Brumbies are sitting at the bottom of the ladder. Sure one can say that it's early days but one can also say that the Brumbies day may be done.
Both sides suffered handling errors and turnovers but I blame that on the horrible conditions. Christchurch was cold and under water and water on a Rugby ball is like a hangover breakfast. Greasy. The field was an ice rink.
Still...the Crusaders played the better match and why wouldn't they? They were playing against a newly deCAPitated team. Missing their CAPtain Mortlock and their most CAPped legends, Gregan and Larkham.
Don't underestimate this very important factor. I'm not living in the past. I'm lamenting the Brumbies future.
Crusaders. humph. Take Dan Carter out and they're nothing. (not true but I like it). Unfortunately he was back to his brilliant best and no, there's nothing wrong with your eyesight. I may need help though...
Brumbies didn't do too badly...and that's me scraping the bottom of the barrel for optimism. Despite their lack of possesion and their 2 missed try opportunities, their 'strong' defence gave sportsfans hope.
Julian Huxley (#15 Fullback) and Greg Holmes (#9 Halfback) combined to stop a try. Then they just stopped trying.
Have I mentioned I'm a big fan of Japanese Rugby?
...but I haven't given up on the Brumbies. Not yet. Not until hell freezes over. And I've heard the devil encourages global warming.
**********
Qld Reds 22 v Highlanders (NZ) 16 - Brisbane
Reds:
Tries: (C)John Roe 2, Clinton Schifcofske
Con: Clinton Schifcofske 2
PG: Clinton Schifcofske
Highlanders
Tries: 1 Con: 1 PG: 3
Go The Reds!!...I told you so...so did Stephen Larkham...
6 point win isn't that different from a 10 point win.
Latham: "If that's a vestal virgin...I'm outta here..."
NB: this image is from the RWC '07.
Chris Latham is Legend!
Latham (or Latharus as he is now known) was knocked out cold and seeing star systems but then rose (Lazarus like) to win the match for the Reds.
Thus the banjos were brought out and a folk song was writ and scones were named in his honour.
Seriously though...Latham was amazing. In his first match of his final Super 14 season, he was hit by Highlanders #8 Steven Setephano (in the first half) but madly wrestled away the team doctor when he woke up and immediately ran back into the match. AND he played the full 80 minutes.
Reds coach Phil Mooney said;
You never write him off...I think he heard the sirens and got up.
That, in itself, was an example of the bloke. He might have been in Disneyland but his first reaction was to get back into the line.
The way he got through the 80 minutes, we don't want to make light of that. He was in pain.
That, in itself, was an example of the bloke. He might have been in Disneyland but his first reaction was to get back into the line.
The way he got through the 80 minutes, we don't want to make light of that. He was in pain.
With the Highlanders trailing by 3 points and looking to win, Latham earned his Hero status in the dying minutes by foiling an attack near the line and kicking the ball 100m down field, which allowed a final-minute 40m penalty goal by winger Clinton Schifcofske to clinch the win.
Schifcofske played a brilliant game, despite or because of his unpronouncable name.
There was some controversy over 2 calls by the SA ref. He awarded tries to the Reds without conclusive video proof.
The decisions puzzled and frustrated the Highlanders but they were told to get off their high horses.
Rumour has it that the Video Refs are going to strike, demanding more air time and a mirror in their dressing room.
**********
Sharks (SA) 17 v Western Force 10 - Durban
The Force wasn't with them...didn't see this match because it was on at some unGodlike hour plus I forgot to set the record timer on the DVD-R.
From what I have read and seen (highlights...obviously not the Force's), it was gloom before the Force ran on field. Captain Nathan Sharpe was ruled out with a stomach virus, leaving Hobbiteau (Matt Giteau) with the Captain duty.
Sportsfans can be forgiven for thinking they were watching an AFL match (albeit with less men in white coats. I say 'less' because doctors were on call just in case Henjak decided to get punch drunk)...this was a match "dominated by boot rather than ball in hand".
Can't say much. Can't be too hard on the Force because this wasn't a bad start for them and considering I took it easy on my
**********
NSW Waratahs 20 v Hurricanes 3(NZ) - Sydney
Waratahs:
Tries: Lachie Turner 2, Rocky Elsom tries;
Con: Kurtley Beale
PG: Kurtley Beale
Hurricanes:
PG: 1
Okay, so I was wrong. I thought the Hurricanes would do damage but the Waratahs withstood and conquered.
I still don't really care.
The Waratahs need to do much more to win my fan-dom. Like...actually win a match that counts. Still...twas good Rugby...no such thing as bad Rugby, except when the Crusaders win. Most impressive was the fact that the 'Tahs managed to keep the 'Canes tryless.
I was right about Lachlan Turner though. Kid's a star. If he knows what's good for him, he'll sign with the Brumbies now. Might go places then. Like Canberra.
Totally surprised at the crowd though. Obviously not everyone is as fickle as I. After their 2007 season, I was expecting an empty stadium but full capacity. Could be the start of something big. Let's just hope it's not Tuqiri's already inflated ego.
Standouts were #8 Wycliff Palu (Man of the Match), blindside flanker Rocky 'Ball-boa' Elsom, winger Timana Tahu and flyhalf Kurtley Beale.
**********
Here's the rest. Yawn....
Blues (NZ) 32 v Chiefs (NZ) 14
Stormers (SA) 9 v Bulls (SA) 16
Cheetahs (SA) 22 v Lions (SA) 23
**********
images courtesy of RugbyHeaven
**********
Thank You for clicking;
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