Super Rugby – Round 3 Review

Round 3 of this year’s Super Rugby competition saw a number of teams finding their true potential, while SA’s local squads seemed to find a tough time against the foreign opposition.

Crusaders 19 Chiefs 24 (Napier) 

The weekend kicked off with Crusaders taking on the Chiefs. The home ground advantage for the Crusaders was not enough to hold off the exciting Chiefs backline, which are seemingly growing in confidence and momentum.

Robbie Fruen did manage to get over the line for the Crusaders, with Tyler Blydendaal adding to the score by slotting the conversion and 4 penalties, but last year’s finalists weren’t able to tries by the powerful Liam Messam and Sona Taumalolo.

Aaron Cruden was also impressive with the boot, giving Chiefs their second consecutive win over some tough competition.

Force 19 Hurricanes 46 (Perth) 

The Hurricanes proved their worth after a short but mediocre tour down in South Africa. The New Zealanders headed to Perth and managed to score a number of tries, including a dazzling run and score from fullback Andre Taylor.

Jason Eaton also managed to grab himself a 5-pointer, but the real contribution came from scrumhalf TJ Perenara who picked up a hat-trick thanks to his solid support play.

The Force did manage to drive over for a try of their own, but it was far too late.

Highlanders 18 Waratahs 17 (Dunedin) 

The Highlanders continued their winning ways and delivered another win for the Otago-based team by beating out a strong Waratahs team in a classic thriller.

Highlanders scrumhalf Aaron Smith managed to cross the line after a break and off-load by flyhalf Lima Sopoaga.

Waratahs flanker Pat McCutcheon then picked up a try and season ending injury after his ankle dislocated after scoring from a charged-down kick.

Flank Jane Hardy found his way into the corner after some good backline work from the Highlanders, and Hosea Gear got some good touches and runs, but unfortunately couldn’t find his way over the Waratahs line.

Reds 11 Rebels 6 (Brisbane)

The Reds and Rebels battled out in a rather quiet encounter, when Rebels centre James O’Connor and Reds’ flyhalf Mike Harris exchanged penalties throughout the first-half.

The game-breaker came in with a great try in the corner by Don Shipperly after a steal at the lineout on the Rebels’ line.

Brumbies 24 (10) Toyota Cheetahs 23 (13)

The Cheetahs narrowly lost out to the Brumbies in Canberra in a tightly contested occasion.

Brumbies winger Henry Speight crossed the line after a good attacking phase, but the Cheetahs’ hit back with left-winger Willie Le Roux who ran a great line off the lineout.

Cheetahs’ struck again with Le Roux making a break again and passing to scrumhalf De Bruin to go over the line.

Cheetahs’ flyhalf Johan Goosen was particualry impressive as he maintained his 100% kicking rate for the Super Rugby season, but it was Leliafano who trumped with the boot as he managed to slot a last minute penalty to give the Brumbies a win.

The Sharks 32 (17) MTN Lions 20 (6)

The Lions visited Kings Park in Durban for a match which became a very scrappy win for the home team. The Sharks’ flyer Lwazi Mvovo managed to score despite a questionable foot-in-touch scenario, and Riaan Viljoen also grabbed himself a try.

The Lions did cross the line with Jaco Taute dotting down in the corner, as well as Dreyer scoring one for himself, but Jacques Botes and Meyer Bosman, who managed to cross the white-wash after some great running from JP Pieterson, sealed the deal for the Sharks.

Vodacom Bulls 23 (8) Blues 29 (20)

The Bulls and Blues faced-off in an extremely physical match that saw the NZ visitors come out on top.

Young flyhalf Gareth Anscomb managed to cross the line twice – once from an intercept and with some great running from solid a solid Piri Weepu delivery for his second.

Bulls captain Pierre Spies also crossed the line with some strong driving and Bjorn Basson also picked up two tries for himself, although it wasn’t enough to overcome the Blues who managed to slot the needed penalties.