QR Reds lock Humphries confident of playing against Hurricanes on Friday
QR Reds lock Van Humphries has declared he ' ll be "100 per cent" ready to take on the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday (kickoff 5.30pm AEST) after recovering from an ankle injury that forced him to miss two games.
Humphries sustained the injury in the final lineout of the Reds’ 19-12 victory over the Bulls a fortnight ago and missed the subsequent games against the Stormers and Brumbies.
His experience and leadership around the paddock were sorely missed in the Brumbies match, where the Reds also lost starting locks Rob Simmons (fractured cheekbone) and Adam Byrnes (knee ligament) in the opening quarter of the match.
With Simmons and Byrnes joining fellow lock and captain James Horwill on the sideline, Humphries ' return couldn ' t have been better timed.
“It’s coming along well. We’ve had a checklist to tick off over the last couple of days and I’ve passed everything so far,” Humphries said.
“I’ll be 100 percent come Friday.”
Humphries could be packing down alongside late season recruit and former Wallaby Radike Samo if Head Coach Ewen McKenzie elects to include him in the squad to fly out for Wellington tomorrow morning.
“He (Radike) has been training for the past two or three weeks. From what we have done so far, and the way we trained this morning, he was very good,” Humphries said.
“He’s done a lot and he’s a good guy to actually come into the squad at the moment."
Humphries insisted the team had moved on from the disappointment of their 12th straight loss to the Brumbies and were eager to take the field against the Hurricanes.
“It’s sort of a chink to our pride, so
Showing posts with label Super 14. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super 14. Show all posts
Monday, May 3, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
REDS FAREWELL BRAID
Queensland Rugby will be disappointed to farewell Daniel Braid at the end of the current Investec Bank Super 14 season but delighted he will have the chance to pursue his ambition of adding to his four caps for the All Blacks.
Braid joined the QR Reds for the 2009 season as Australia ’s first marquee signing, under an ARU proviso that his stay be no longer than two years.
After suffering an Achilles tendon injury midway through 2009 he came back with a vengeance this year as one of the form open side flankers in the competition and caught the eye of All Black selectors, leading to a decision to renew ties with his home province, the Blues in Auckland, to press his claims for a recall to the All Black squad.
“Braidy has been fantastic for us as a player and as a leader within the team, and we’ll be sad to see him go,” said Head Coach Ewen McKenzie .
“However we take pride in knowing that not only are we developing Wallabies, we might also get a reputation for re-developing All Blacks….”
Braid joined the QR Reds for the 2009 season as Australia ’s first marquee signing, under an ARU proviso that his stay be no longer than two years.
After suffering an Achilles tendon injury midway through 2009 he came back with a vengeance this year as one of the form open side flankers in the competition and caught the eye of All Black selectors, leading to a decision to renew ties with his home province, the Blues in Auckland, to press his claims for a recall to the All Black squad.
“Braidy has been fantastic for us as a player and as a leader within the team, and we’ll be sad to see him go,” said Head Coach Ewen McKenzie .
“However we take pride in knowing that not only are we developing Wallabies, we might also get a reputation for re-developing All Blacks….”
CRUSADERS SKIPPER TO PLAY 100th GAME
One of world rugby’s leaders of the game will celebrate a playing milestone this weekend with Crusaders and All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw set to play his 100th Super Rugby match.
McCaw, 29, is scheduled to lead his team on to the field for his milestone game when the Crusaders face the Stormers in Cape Town in week 12 of the Rebel Sport Super 14. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2001 against the Hurricanes as a fresh-faced 20-year-old and since then has helped drive the Crusaders to Super Rugby championship titles in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
McCaw, who has scored 22 tries so far in his Crusaders career, will join an exclusive club of 10 other New Zealand Super Rugby centurions: Tana Umaga, Justin Marshall, Anton Oliver, Caleb Ralph, Greg Somerville, Reuben Thorne, Doug Howlett, Leon MacDonald, Justin Collins and Keven Mealamu.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Chief Executive Steve Tew said 100 games in one competition is a huge accomplishment.
“One hundred games in Super Rugby is a great achievement – but this milestone is particularly special because Richie has played all his Super Rugby for the Crusaders. I congratulate him on this fantastic new mark in his rugby career.
“Richie continues to set a fine example as an ambassador for the game both on and off the field, and I wish him well for this weekend’s match,” Mr Tew said.
McCaw, 29, is scheduled to lead his team on to the field for his milestone game when the Crusaders face the Stormers in Cape Town in week 12 of the Rebel Sport Super 14. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2001 against the Hurricanes as a fresh-faced 20-year-old and since then has helped drive the Crusaders to Super Rugby championship titles in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
McCaw, who has scored 22 tries so far in his Crusaders career, will join an exclusive club of 10 other New Zealand Super Rugby centurions: Tana Umaga, Justin Marshall, Anton Oliver, Caleb Ralph, Greg Somerville, Reuben Thorne, Doug Howlett, Leon MacDonald, Justin Collins and Keven Mealamu.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) Chief Executive Steve Tew said 100 games in one competition is a huge accomplishment.
“One hundred games in Super Rugby is a great achievement – but this milestone is particularly special because Richie has played all his Super Rugby for the Crusaders. I congratulate him on this fantastic new mark in his rugby career.
“Richie continues to set a fine example as an ambassador for the game both on and off the field, and I wish him well for this weekend’s match,” Mr Tew said.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
SUPER 14 AND ANZAC DAY
This weekend’s Rebel Sport Super 14 matches in Hamilton and Dunedin will again acknowledge ANZAC Day and the sacrifice of New Zealanders in war-time and current servicemen and women, including match-day activity and special Poppy Collections in both cities.
The Chiefs are offering special group ticket offers for veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces while the Highlanders have chosen the Returned Services Association Welfare Trust as their match-day charity.
New Zealand Rugby Union General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said ANZAC Day is an important part of New Zealand heritage.
“ANZAC Day is such a special day for many New Zealanders and Australians, and it’s very fitting that our Super Rugby matches this weekend pay tribute to the many men and women past and present, who have served in our armed forces,” he said.
The Highlanders are boosting fundraising efforts by donating $5 from every ticket sold through the RSA and service associations to the RSA Welfare Trust.
Tomorrow and Friday, members of the Highlanders squad will be out and about in Dunedin as part of the official Poppy Collection.
There will also be Poppy Collections at Waikato Stadium before Friday night’s Chiefs game against the Cheetahs.
Prematch entertainment at both games will pay special tribute to the ANZACs.
The Chiefs are offering special group ticket offers for veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces while the Highlanders have chosen the Returned Services Association Welfare Trust as their match-day charity.
New Zealand Rugby Union General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said ANZAC Day is an important part of New Zealand heritage.
“ANZAC Day is such a special day for many New Zealanders and Australians, and it’s very fitting that our Super Rugby matches this weekend pay tribute to the many men and women past and present, who have served in our armed forces,” he said.
The Highlanders are boosting fundraising efforts by donating $5 from every ticket sold through the RSA and service associations to the RSA Welfare Trust.
Tomorrow and Friday, members of the Highlanders squad will be out and about in Dunedin as part of the official Poppy Collection.
There will also be Poppy Collections at Waikato Stadium before Friday night’s Chiefs game against the Cheetahs.
Prematch entertainment at both games will pay special tribute to the ANZACs.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
REDS STOMP BULLS
X-rays have cleared QR Reds lock Van Humphries of any bone damage to the ankle he injured in last night’s 19-12 victory over the Bulls but he remains in doubt for next Friday’s match against the Stormers at Suncorp Stadium.
A relieved Head coach Ewen McKenzie said the injury was not as bad as first feared but more will be known tomorrow once Humphries has scans on his ankle when the swelling has gone down.
“It’s not broken, but we’ll have to see how it pulls up tomorrow. Obviously he’s in doubt for Friday but we’ll know more in the next 24 hours,” McKenzie said.
There were no other injuries from the match, which elevated the Reds into the top four for the first time since the early 2000s.
The win came in front of 26,669 vocal fans and puts the Reds in fourth place on the competition ladder with 30 points, behind only the Bulls, Crusaders and Stormers.
The competition leading Bulls came hard at the Reds in the concluding stages and almost pegged back a 19-7 lead the Queenslanders enjoyed late in the game, but the Reds responded when they needed and doggedly defended their line for the final five minutes.
The Reds’ defence put an exclamation mark on the win but the win came from a beautifully constructed gameplan by coach Ewen McKenzie , who instructed his team to retain possession at all costs to limit the Bulls opportunity at set-pieces.
“All credit to the players. We had a very specific gameplan and they went out and made it happen,” McKenzie said.
“We didn’t want to give them the ball and we had to find ways to be creative. It’s hard to play 80 minutes and not give them the ball, but that was our intention. We did pretty well and we didn’t give them the lineouts they wanted to set up their game with.”
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke credited the Reds’ gameplan and their ability to retain possession as the best he had seen in “quite some time”.
“They played a really expansive style, but their retention was spot on. Definitely one of the best continuity performances I have seen in a long time,” Ludeke said.
“To keep the ball that long and to keep it off the opposition is something to see.”
The Reds’ eagerness to play with the ball helped the Bulls get first points with a length of the field movement finished off by flanker Derick Kuun coming after turnover when the Reds were on attack.
That didn’t faze the Queenslanders and their up-tempo game was a major factor in scoring 19 unanswered points and tiring the Bulls’ large forward pack.
The Bulls threw everything at the Reds in the final stages but a turnover by wily veteran Sean Hardman on their goal line spelt the end of a prolonged raid and coincidentally the match.
Starting hooker Saia Faingaa and openside flanker Daniel Braid put in tireless performances, while the Reds’ front-row drew two penalties and a tighthead from their Springboks counterparts at the scrum.
“They (players) showed plenty of character and application over the 80 (minutes). Everyone probably thought we were going to wilt, but we went the distance,” McKenzie said.
Going into the game the match was billed as a great opportunity for flyhalf Quade Cooper and captain Genia to test themselves against Bulls and Springboks’ playmakers Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn.
After passing the test with flying colours, McKenzie praised his halves combinations for carrying out their gameplan to perfection.
“We knew they would mark Quade’s channel pretty hard, so Will had to take a fair bit of the workload and pump the short side. We just tried to get them confused by working both sides of the ruck,” he said.
Flanker Scott Higginbotham scored the Reds’ first try after running 80 minutes to reclaim a ball sitting on the ground following a turnover and kick by Genia, who said he was amazed by the pace of the 109kg flanker in beating the Bulls ' centres to the ball.
“I thought it was Rodney (Davies). I thought it was him chasing but I looked up and it was Higgers,” Genia quipped.
Their second came from a lineout steal and ended when Davies capitalised on a backline movement that went through four sets of hands – Genia, Chambers, Faingaa and Ioane.
Cooper had a mixed night with the boot, but ended with three penalty goals.
QR Reds 19 (Scott Higginbotham, Rod Davies tries, Quade Cooper 3 pens) def Bulls 12 (Derick Kuun, Pedrie Wannenburg tries, Morne Steyn con)
A relieved Head coach Ewen McKenzie said the injury was not as bad as first feared but more will be known tomorrow once Humphries has scans on his ankle when the swelling has gone down.
“It’s not broken, but we’ll have to see how it pulls up tomorrow. Obviously he’s in doubt for Friday but we’ll know more in the next 24 hours,” McKenzie said.
There were no other injuries from the match, which elevated the Reds into the top four for the first time since the early 2000s.
The win came in front of 26,669 vocal fans and puts the Reds in fourth place on the competition ladder with 30 points, behind only the Bulls, Crusaders and Stormers.
The competition leading Bulls came hard at the Reds in the concluding stages and almost pegged back a 19-7 lead the Queenslanders enjoyed late in the game, but the Reds responded when they needed and doggedly defended their line for the final five minutes.
The Reds’ defence put an exclamation mark on the win but the win came from a beautifully constructed gameplan by coach Ewen McKenzie , who instructed his team to retain possession at all costs to limit the Bulls opportunity at set-pieces.
“All credit to the players. We had a very specific gameplan and they went out and made it happen,” McKenzie said.
“We didn’t want to give them the ball and we had to find ways to be creative. It’s hard to play 80 minutes and not give them the ball, but that was our intention. We did pretty well and we didn’t give them the lineouts they wanted to set up their game with.”
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke credited the Reds’ gameplan and their ability to retain possession as the best he had seen in “quite some time”.
“They played a really expansive style, but their retention was spot on. Definitely one of the best continuity performances I have seen in a long time,” Ludeke said.
“To keep the ball that long and to keep it off the opposition is something to see.”
The Reds’ eagerness to play with the ball helped the Bulls get first points with a length of the field movement finished off by flanker Derick Kuun coming after turnover when the Reds were on attack.
That didn’t faze the Queenslanders and their up-tempo game was a major factor in scoring 19 unanswered points and tiring the Bulls’ large forward pack.
The Bulls threw everything at the Reds in the final stages but a turnover by wily veteran Sean Hardman on their goal line spelt the end of a prolonged raid and coincidentally the match.
Starting hooker Saia Faingaa and openside flanker Daniel Braid put in tireless performances, while the Reds’ front-row drew two penalties and a tighthead from their Springboks counterparts at the scrum.
“They (players) showed plenty of character and application over the 80 (minutes). Everyone probably thought we were going to wilt, but we went the distance,” McKenzie said.
Going into the game the match was billed as a great opportunity for flyhalf Quade Cooper and captain Genia to test themselves against Bulls and Springboks’ playmakers Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn.
After passing the test with flying colours, McKenzie praised his halves combinations for carrying out their gameplan to perfection.
“We knew they would mark Quade’s channel pretty hard, so Will had to take a fair bit of the workload and pump the short side. We just tried to get them confused by working both sides of the ruck,” he said.
Flanker Scott Higginbotham scored the Reds’ first try after running 80 minutes to reclaim a ball sitting on the ground following a turnover and kick by Genia, who said he was amazed by the pace of the 109kg flanker in beating the Bulls ' centres to the ball.
“I thought it was Rodney (Davies). I thought it was him chasing but I looked up and it was Higgers,” Genia quipped.
Their second came from a lineout steal and ended when Davies capitalised on a backline movement that went through four sets of hands – Genia, Chambers, Faingaa and Ioane.
Cooper had a mixed night with the boot, but ended with three penalty goals.
QR Reds 19 (Scott Higginbotham, Rod Davies tries, Quade Cooper 3 pens) def Bulls 12 (Derick Kuun, Pedrie Wannenburg tries, Morne Steyn con)
Friday, April 16, 2010
Carter out of home game
Crusaders first-five Dan Carter has been ruled out of tomorrow night’s Rebel Sport Super 14 match against
the Cheetahs at AMI Stadium due to a hip joint injury.
Carter picked up the injury, which is expected to be only a short-term problem, early in the week.
He was tested at the Crusaders captain’s run this morning and a decision was made to withdraw him from
the match.
Dan Bowden, who was initially listed on the reserves bench, will move to the first-five position to make his
Crusaders debut.
Wider training group player Tu Umaga-Marshall comes on to the reserves bench. It will be the first time he
has been included in the Crusaders match-day squad.
Halfback Andy Ellis, who missed last week’s match against the Waratahs with concussion and was
bracketed with Willi Heinz on the bench for tomorrow night’s match, has been ruled out.
Crusaders team to play Cheetahs at AMI Stadium, kick-off 7.35pm:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Ti’i Paulo
3. Ben Franks
4. Chris Jack
5. Sam Whitelock
6. George Whitelock
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Kahn Fotuali’i
10. Dan Bowden
11. Sean Maitland
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Tim Bateman
14. Jared Payne
15. Colin Slade
16. Dan Perrin
17. Owen Franks
18. Brad Thorn
19. Jonathan Poff
20. Willi Heinz
21. Tu Umaga-Marshall
22. Zac Guildford
the Cheetahs at AMI Stadium due to a hip joint injury.
Carter picked up the injury, which is expected to be only a short-term problem, early in the week.
He was tested at the Crusaders captain’s run this morning and a decision was made to withdraw him from
the match.
Dan Bowden, who was initially listed on the reserves bench, will move to the first-five position to make his
Crusaders debut.
Wider training group player Tu Umaga-Marshall comes on to the reserves bench. It will be the first time he
has been included in the Crusaders match-day squad.
Halfback Andy Ellis, who missed last week’s match against the Waratahs with concussion and was
bracketed with Willi Heinz on the bench for tomorrow night’s match, has been ruled out.
Crusaders team to play Cheetahs at AMI Stadium, kick-off 7.35pm:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Ti’i Paulo
3. Ben Franks
4. Chris Jack
5. Sam Whitelock
6. George Whitelock
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Kahn Fotuali’i
10. Dan Bowden
11. Sean Maitland
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Tim Bateman
14. Jared Payne
15. Colin Slade
16. Dan Perrin
17. Owen Franks
18. Brad Thorn
19. Jonathan Poff
20. Willi Heinz
21. Tu Umaga-Marshall
22. Zac Guildford
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
GOATS AND RUGBY
The Reds began their three match rugby tour of South Africa offering to donate one farm goat for every try scored and a “bonus goat” every time they racked up a bonus point earning four tries or more. The campaign struck a chord with fans who also donated cash to the appeal, while Fox Sports jumped aboard by matching the Reds “goat for goat”. Thirteen tries later (plus two “bonus goats”) and the total passed $2,000, or 54 goats to be donated to Oxfam’s Unwrapped initiative, which provides the animals to traditional goat herding villagers in Mozambique . The fifth placed Reds now take their try scoring skills to Suncorp Stadium this Saturday when they play competition leaders the Bulls in front of a loyal home crowd, delighted to see them back after a month’s absence (kickoff 7.30pm). Who got the goats? The Reds’ outside backs got among the goats with seven tries between wingers Rod Davies (2) and Digby Ioane, outside centre Will Chambers (2) and fullback Peter Hynes (2).
Flyhalf Quade Cooper also scored a brace of goats while captain Will Genia chipped in with a single. Among the forwards, prop Greg Holmes, hooker Saia Faingaa and backrower Ezra Taylor also contributed a goat each and helped achieve a four try “bonus goat” in two of the games. Quade Cooper 2 triesRod Davies 2 triesWill Chambers 2Peter Hynes 2Greg Holmes 1 Saia Faingaa 1Ezra Taylor 1Digby Ioane 1Will Genia 1(plus two “bonus goats” for four tries or more)
Flyhalf Quade Cooper also scored a brace of goats while captain Will Genia chipped in with a single. Among the forwards, prop Greg Holmes, hooker Saia Faingaa and backrower Ezra Taylor also contributed a goat each and helped achieve a four try “bonus goat” in two of the games. Quade Cooper 2 triesRod Davies 2 triesWill Chambers 2Peter Hynes 2Greg Holmes 1 Saia Faingaa 1Ezra Taylor 1Digby Ioane 1Will Genia 1(plus two “bonus goats” for four tries or more)
Monday, April 12, 2010
Brumbies record first bp win
The CA Brumbies have celebrated their first bonus point win of the Investec Bank Super 14 season with a runaway 61-15 win over the Cheetahs at Canberra Stadium tonight.
Coming off the bye, the home side showed some early rustiness, unable to capitalise on countless try-scoring opportunities. However, the first half frustration was cast aside in the second term with the ACT running in six touchdowns in the nine-tries-to-two rout.
Prop Ben Alexander recorded his second two-try haul of the season while flanker Rocky Elsom was at his barnstorming best – carrying the ball forward at everyone opportunity, wrestling each Free State breakaway runner to the ground in cover defence and finishing with a try in a man-of-the-match performance.
CA Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend said while it was a pleasing result, there was room for improvement.
“We wanted to come out tonight and have a solid win and we did that,” he said. “There’s still way too many dropped ball and forced passes but at the end of the day to put 60 points on a side, we’ve obviously done something well.
“There was certainly frustration at half time. The boys just felt we were trying to force things rather than allow them to happen but we tightened things up and in the last 15 minutes we played some pretty good football.”
While the CA Brumbies held a lion’s share of early possession, it was the Cheetahs who recorded first points through the boot of Naas Olivier with a fifth minute penalty goal.
Presented with a golden opportunity to level the scores in the 10th minute, the CA Brumbies turned down a straightforward penalty goal opting instead to push for a try. Stephen Hoiles’ decision paid dividends when after seven phases the CA Brumbies captain burrowed over with TMO George Ayoub confirming the try.
Matt Giteau enjoyed a golden night with the boot with the inside centre converting the first six tries in a flawless goal kicking display.
A yellow card to Barend Pieterse in the 18th minute further handicapped the visitors, with Patrick Phibbs capitalising on the one-man advantage. With the CA Brumbies pressuring the Cheetahs’ line, the scrumhalf’s clearing pass was knocked down by his opposite number, Tewis de Bruyn, only to have Phibbs collect the ball on the bounce to dart through and score.
With three minutes remaining in the half, a simple switch pass from Giteau provided Tyrone Smith a clear path to the tryline to give his side a 21-3 lead at the break.
At 43 minutes the CA Brumbies’ bonus point try started with Giteau’s 40-metre run down the left side of the field and finished with Elsom skirting around the defensive line in the right-hand corner.
The visitors provided some resistance with second half tries to Sarel Pretorius and Adriaan Strauss but the best was yet to come from the home side.
Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed for his first try after 56 minutes when he caught the defence napping with a quick tap on the Cheetahs’ 22-metre line, fending off Pretorius to dive over the line.
Holding a 42-15 lead with eight minutes remaining, the CA Brumbies added three late tries to blow out the winning margin.
Flyhalf Matt Toomua added a slick try at 72 minutes when he sliced through from 30 metres out and was fortunate not to incur any serious injury when he collided with the goal posts in the act of scoring.
Alexander, who crossed for his first at the 50-minute mark, added a second try with a trademark pick-and-drive from the back of a ruck with three minutes left in the game.
The home side provided the 14,111 spectators with a spectacular finish, scoring a final five-pointer from the restart of their previous try. Replacement hooker Huia Edmonds found space through the middle of the field and chipped through from 10 metres inside the Cheetahs’ half with the ball bouncing up perfectly to give winger Alfie Mafi his maiden Investec Bank Super 14 try. Fullback Julian Huxley added his second conversion from three attempts to complete the 46-point landslide.
The CA Brumbies will have a short turnaround in preparation for their match against the Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium on Friday, 16 April.
MATCH DETAILS
Brumbies 61 (Ben Alexander 2; Stephen Hoiles, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Rocky Elsom, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Alfie Mafi tries; Matt Giteau 6/6 conversions, Julian Huxley 2/3 conversions) defeated Cheetahs 15 (Sarel Pretorius, Adriaan Strauss tries; Naas Olivier 0/1 conversions, 1/1 penalty goals, Riaan Vijoen 1/1 conversion) at Canberra Stadium, Canberra .
Half time: Brumbies 21-3
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZ)
Crowd: 14,111
Brumbies
1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. Mitchell Chapman
5. Ben Hand
6. Rocky Elsom
7. Michael Hooper
8. Stephen Hoiles (c)
9. Patrick Phibbs
10. Matt Toomua
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Matt Giteau
13. Tyrone Smith
14. Pat McCabe
15. Julian Huxley
Reserves
16. Huia Edmonds
17. Guy Shepherdson
18. Mark Chisholm
19. Colby Faingaa
20. James Stannard
21. Ed Stubbs
22. Alfie Mafi
Replacements
18. Mark Chisholm for 4. Mitchell Chapman (14th minute)
16. Huia Edmonds for 2. Stephen Moore (50th minute)
20. James Stannard for 9. Patrick Phibbs (blood – 50th minute)
19. Colby Faingaa for 7. Michael Hooper (55th minute)
17. Guy Shepherdson for 3. Salesi Ma’afu (56th minute)
21. Ed Stubbs for 12. Matt Giteau (61st minute)
22. Alfie Mafi for 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper (62nd minute)
9. Patrick Phibbs for 20. James Stannard (blood return – 64th minute)
20. James Stannard for 10. Matt Toomua (72nd minute)
Cheetahs
1. Coenie Oosthuizen
2. Adriaan Strauss (c)
3. WP Nel
4. Izak van der Westhuizen
5. Waltie Vermeulen
6. Hendro Scholtz
7. Barend Pieterse
8. Kabamba Floors
9. Tewis de Bruyn
10. Naas Olivier
11. Jongi Nokwe
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Corne Uys
14. Wilmaure Louw
15. Hennie Daniller
Reserves
16. Ryno Barnes
17. Wian du Preez
18. Nico Breedt
19. Davon Raubenheimer
20. Sarel Pretorius
21. Robert Ebersohn
22. Riaan Viljoen
Replacements
Yellow Cards
7. Barend Pieterse (18th minute)
8. Kabamba Floors (77th minute)
NEXT GAME:
Investec Bank Super 14: Week 10
Brumbies v Hurricanes
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Friday, 16 April 2010
‘
Coming off the bye, the home side showed some early rustiness, unable to capitalise on countless try-scoring opportunities. However, the first half frustration was cast aside in the second term with the ACT running in six touchdowns in the nine-tries-to-two rout.
Prop Ben Alexander recorded his second two-try haul of the season while flanker Rocky Elsom was at his barnstorming best – carrying the ball forward at everyone opportunity, wrestling each Free State breakaway runner to the ground in cover defence and finishing with a try in a man-of-the-match performance.
CA Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend said while it was a pleasing result, there was room for improvement.
“We wanted to come out tonight and have a solid win and we did that,” he said. “There’s still way too many dropped ball and forced passes but at the end of the day to put 60 points on a side, we’ve obviously done something well.
“There was certainly frustration at half time. The boys just felt we were trying to force things rather than allow them to happen but we tightened things up and in the last 15 minutes we played some pretty good football.”
While the CA Brumbies held a lion’s share of early possession, it was the Cheetahs who recorded first points through the boot of Naas Olivier with a fifth minute penalty goal.
Presented with a golden opportunity to level the scores in the 10th minute, the CA Brumbies turned down a straightforward penalty goal opting instead to push for a try. Stephen Hoiles’ decision paid dividends when after seven phases the CA Brumbies captain burrowed over with TMO George Ayoub confirming the try.
Matt Giteau enjoyed a golden night with the boot with the inside centre converting the first six tries in a flawless goal kicking display.
A yellow card to Barend Pieterse in the 18th minute further handicapped the visitors, with Patrick Phibbs capitalising on the one-man advantage. With the CA Brumbies pressuring the Cheetahs’ line, the scrumhalf’s clearing pass was knocked down by his opposite number, Tewis de Bruyn, only to have Phibbs collect the ball on the bounce to dart through and score.
With three minutes remaining in the half, a simple switch pass from Giteau provided Tyrone Smith a clear path to the tryline to give his side a 21-3 lead at the break.
At 43 minutes the CA Brumbies’ bonus point try started with Giteau’s 40-metre run down the left side of the field and finished with Elsom skirting around the defensive line in the right-hand corner.
The visitors provided some resistance with second half tries to Sarel Pretorius and Adriaan Strauss but the best was yet to come from the home side.
Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed for his first try after 56 minutes when he caught the defence napping with a quick tap on the Cheetahs’ 22-metre line, fending off Pretorius to dive over the line.
Holding a 42-15 lead with eight minutes remaining, the CA Brumbies added three late tries to blow out the winning margin.
Flyhalf Matt Toomua added a slick try at 72 minutes when he sliced through from 30 metres out and was fortunate not to incur any serious injury when he collided with the goal posts in the act of scoring.
Alexander, who crossed for his first at the 50-minute mark, added a second try with a trademark pick-and-drive from the back of a ruck with three minutes left in the game.
The home side provided the 14,111 spectators with a spectacular finish, scoring a final five-pointer from the restart of their previous try. Replacement hooker Huia Edmonds found space through the middle of the field and chipped through from 10 metres inside the Cheetahs’ half with the ball bouncing up perfectly to give winger Alfie Mafi his maiden Investec Bank Super 14 try. Fullback Julian Huxley added his second conversion from three attempts to complete the 46-point landslide.
The CA Brumbies will have a short turnaround in preparation for their match against the Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium on Friday, 16 April.
MATCH DETAILS
Brumbies 61 (Ben Alexander 2; Stephen Hoiles, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Rocky Elsom, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Alfie Mafi tries; Matt Giteau 6/6 conversions, Julian Huxley 2/3 conversions) defeated Cheetahs 15 (Sarel Pretorius, Adriaan Strauss tries; Naas Olivier 0/1 conversions, 1/1 penalty goals, Riaan Vijoen 1/1 conversion) at Canberra Stadium, Canberra .
Half time: Brumbies 21-3
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZ)
Crowd: 14,111
Brumbies
1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Salesi Ma’afu
4. Mitchell Chapman
5. Ben Hand
6. Rocky Elsom
7. Michael Hooper
8. Stephen Hoiles (c)
9. Patrick Phibbs
10. Matt Toomua
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper
12. Matt Giteau
13. Tyrone Smith
14. Pat McCabe
15. Julian Huxley
Reserves
16. Huia Edmonds
17. Guy Shepherdson
18. Mark Chisholm
19. Colby Faingaa
20. James Stannard
21. Ed Stubbs
22. Alfie Mafi
Replacements
18. Mark Chisholm for 4. Mitchell Chapman (14th minute)
16. Huia Edmonds for 2. Stephen Moore (50th minute)
20. James Stannard for 9. Patrick Phibbs (blood – 50th minute)
19. Colby Faingaa for 7. Michael Hooper (55th minute)
17. Guy Shepherdson for 3. Salesi Ma’afu (56th minute)
21. Ed Stubbs for 12. Matt Giteau (61st minute)
22. Alfie Mafi for 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper (62nd minute)
9. Patrick Phibbs for 20. James Stannard (blood return – 64th minute)
20. James Stannard for 10. Matt Toomua (72nd minute)
Cheetahs
1. Coenie Oosthuizen
2. Adriaan Strauss (c)
3. WP Nel
4. Izak van der Westhuizen
5. Waltie Vermeulen
6. Hendro Scholtz
7. Barend Pieterse
8. Kabamba Floors
9. Tewis de Bruyn
10. Naas Olivier
11. Jongi Nokwe
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Corne Uys
14. Wilmaure Louw
15. Hennie Daniller
Reserves
16. Ryno Barnes
17. Wian du Preez
18. Nico Breedt
19. Davon Raubenheimer
20. Sarel Pretorius
21. Robert Ebersohn
22. Riaan Viljoen
Replacements
Yellow Cards
7. Barend Pieterse (18th minute)
8. Kabamba Floors (77th minute)
NEXT GAME:
Investec Bank Super 14: Week 10
Brumbies v Hurricanes
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Friday, 16 April 2010
‘
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
DANIEL BOWDEN TO LEAVE CRUSADERS.
Crusaders first five-eighth Daniel Bowden is to join London Irish after this year's Super 14 rugby competition.
Selected by the Crusaders on the draft to be Dan Carter's understudy this season, Bowden has signed a two-year contract with London Irish, the English premiership club said today.
The 23-year-old Aucklander made his Super 14 debut for the Highlanders in 2008.
A New Zealand age group representative, Bowden said he expected he would need to change his playing style in Britain when he joined fellow New Zealanders Clarke Dermody and Seilala Mapusua at London Irish.
"Playing in the premiership and Heineken Cup will be a new challenge and I expect that I will have some adjustments to make to my playing style," he told the club's website.
"I've watched Irish play over recent seasons and I feel it is a team and style of rugby that I'm looking forward to being a part of."
London Irish head coach Toby Booth rated Bowden highly.
"We are confident that he will have an instant impact at the club, his positional versatility is attractive and being a renowned goalkicker is an additional bonus."
Selected by the Crusaders on the draft to be Dan Carter's understudy this season, Bowden has signed a two-year contract with London Irish, the English premiership club said today.
The 23-year-old Aucklander made his Super 14 debut for the Highlanders in 2008.
A New Zealand age group representative, Bowden said he expected he would need to change his playing style in Britain when he joined fellow New Zealanders Clarke Dermody and Seilala Mapusua at London Irish.
"Playing in the premiership and Heineken Cup will be a new challenge and I expect that I will have some adjustments to make to my playing style," he told the club's website.
"I've watched Irish play over recent seasons and I feel it is a team and style of rugby that I'm looking forward to being a part of."
London Irish head coach Toby Booth rated Bowden highly.
"We are confident that he will have an instant impact at the club, his positional versatility is attractive and being a renowned goalkicker is an additional bonus."
THE HURRICANES SIDE TO PLAY CRUSADERS
The Hurricanes team to play the Crusaders in round eight of the 2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 at Westpac Stadium on Friday 2 April, kick-off 7.35pm, is as follows:
1. John Schwalger
2. Andrew Hore (captain)
3. Neemia Tialata
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Michael Paterson
6. Victor Vito
7. Karl Lowe
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Piri Weepu
10. Willie Ripia
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Tamati Ellison
15. Cory Jane
Reserves
16. Dane Coles
17. Anthony Perenise
18. Bryn Evans
19. Scott Waldrom
20. Tyson Keats
21. Aaron Cruden
22. Jason Kawau
1. John Schwalger
2. Andrew Hore (captain)
3. Neemia Tialata
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Michael Paterson
6. Victor Vito
7. Karl Lowe
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Piri Weepu
10. Willie Ripia
11. Hosea Gear
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Tamati Ellison
15. Cory Jane
Reserves
16. Dane Coles
17. Anthony Perenise
18. Bryn Evans
19. Scott Waldrom
20. Tyson Keats
21. Aaron Cruden
22. Jason Kawau
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wallaby Digby Ioane returns at outside centre and fellow international Peter Hynes to fullback for the QR Reds' round five Investec Bank Super 14 match with the Force at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon (kickoff 4:30pm), which Head Coach Ewen McKenzie predicts will be one of the Reds' toughest games.
McKenzie has shifted Ioane from the wing back to outside centre - where he flourished in 2009 for the Reds and later for the Wallabies in their end of season Spring Tour - following his recovery from a knee problem that forced him out of last week's 23-18 win over the Chiefs.
Fullback Hynes (dislocated finger) also missed that match but returns for the crucial match against the desperate Force, who have yet to earn a competition point in 2010.
McKenzie said despite the Reds' encouraging form in the opening rounds, he was always looking for ways to improve and the decision to move Ioane to outside centre at the expense of former Wallaby Morgan Turinui was a reflection of that.
"We don't want to pretend we're doing everything right. We've been competitive and we've had a couple of wins, but we've got to keep trying to improve," McKenzie said.
"We have a lot of good players, so it's about trying things and giving guys opportunities. Obviously Digby is the incumbent test outside centre and we think, for this match, it's the right way to start the game."
Hynes' return to fullback means Wallaby tourist Luke Morahan moves back to his more accustomed role on the right wing, with Brando Va'aulu on the left wing.
"There's a lot of detail in their (Morahan and Va'aulu) games that a lot of people wouldn't appreciate. We asked them to do a lot of things last week and they did a pretty good job," McKenzie said.
"We've got to recognise that and give them another opportunity."
In the only other change to the starting lineup, McKenzie has promoted young lock Robert Simmons, who will make his Queensland and Super Rugby run-on debut, to partner Van Humphries in the second row.
McKenzie said he wanted to reward Simmons' efforts when coming on as a replacement by swapping places with incumbent lock Adam Byrnes, who has had a lot of game time in the opening month of the season.
"It's a bit of both. Byrnesy's been doing the hard yards for us since the start and Simmo has been doing a good job off the bench, so we want to give him a chance," he said.
"But Byrnes is still there and across the game we'll be using both of them."
The Reds’ young front-row of loosehead Ben Daley, tighthead Laurie Weeks and hooker Saia Faingaa remains intact, as does their backrow of flankers Scott Higginbotham and Daniel Braid and number eight Leroy Houston.
The Reds’ inside backs remain the same, with interim captain and scrumhalf Will Genia, flyhalf Quade Cooper and inside centre Anthony Faingaa responsible for igniting their attack.
Former Wallabies Turinui, Sean Hardman and Greg Holmes partner Byrnes, Jake Schatz, Ben Lucas and Will Chambers on the bench.
Despite the Force being winless at the bottom of the ladder, McKenzie emphasised his team won't be underestimating the challenge they face.
"We're not underestimating them at all. You can't be fooled by their ladder position; they've had three games and they've been in all of them up until the last 15 minutes. They've been playing desperate and hard rugby the whole year.
"They're not inferior and they are a difficult team to play. This will be one of our toughest games. History tells us they've had good and substantial wins over us, and they obviously beat us in a trial a month and a half ago, so there's no reason we'll be taking them lightly."
This is an important game for the Reds, they must make the most of their home ground advantage. Reds by 7
McKenzie has shifted Ioane from the wing back to outside centre - where he flourished in 2009 for the Reds and later for the Wallabies in their end of season Spring Tour - following his recovery from a knee problem that forced him out of last week's 23-18 win over the Chiefs.
Fullback Hynes (dislocated finger) also missed that match but returns for the crucial match against the desperate Force, who have yet to earn a competition point in 2010.
McKenzie said despite the Reds' encouraging form in the opening rounds, he was always looking for ways to improve and the decision to move Ioane to outside centre at the expense of former Wallaby Morgan Turinui was a reflection of that.
"We don't want to pretend we're doing everything right. We've been competitive and we've had a couple of wins, but we've got to keep trying to improve," McKenzie said.
"We have a lot of good players, so it's about trying things and giving guys opportunities. Obviously Digby is the incumbent test outside centre and we think, for this match, it's the right way to start the game."
Hynes' return to fullback means Wallaby tourist Luke Morahan moves back to his more accustomed role on the right wing, with Brando Va'aulu on the left wing.
"There's a lot of detail in their (Morahan and Va'aulu) games that a lot of people wouldn't appreciate. We asked them to do a lot of things last week and they did a pretty good job," McKenzie said.
"We've got to recognise that and give them another opportunity."
In the only other change to the starting lineup, McKenzie has promoted young lock Robert Simmons, who will make his Queensland and Super Rugby run-on debut, to partner Van Humphries in the second row.
McKenzie said he wanted to reward Simmons' efforts when coming on as a replacement by swapping places with incumbent lock Adam Byrnes, who has had a lot of game time in the opening month of the season.
"It's a bit of both. Byrnesy's been doing the hard yards for us since the start and Simmo has been doing a good job off the bench, so we want to give him a chance," he said.
"But Byrnes is still there and across the game we'll be using both of them."
The Reds’ young front-row of loosehead Ben Daley, tighthead Laurie Weeks and hooker Saia Faingaa remains intact, as does their backrow of flankers Scott Higginbotham and Daniel Braid and number eight Leroy Houston.
The Reds’ inside backs remain the same, with interim captain and scrumhalf Will Genia, flyhalf Quade Cooper and inside centre Anthony Faingaa responsible for igniting their attack.
Former Wallabies Turinui, Sean Hardman and Greg Holmes partner Byrnes, Jake Schatz, Ben Lucas and Will Chambers on the bench.
Despite the Force being winless at the bottom of the ladder, McKenzie emphasised his team won't be underestimating the challenge they face.
"We're not underestimating them at all. You can't be fooled by their ladder position; they've had three games and they've been in all of them up until the last 15 minutes. They've been playing desperate and hard rugby the whole year.
"They're not inferior and they are a difficult team to play. This will be one of our toughest games. History tells us they've had good and substantial wins over us, and they obviously beat us in a trial a month and a half ago, so there's no reason we'll be taking them lightly."
This is an important game for the Reds, they must make the most of their home ground advantage. Reds by 7
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