Super 14 Rugby 2008 Week 2 Report
A review of how the Aussie teams fared in the second round of games
In four tightly contested games, the Brumbies and the Force registered wins but the Reds and the Tahs went down.
Force 16 def Cheetahs 15
Wallaby Matt Giteau showed his class in scoring all 16 of the Force’s points in their thrilling win over the Cheetahs. Giteau scored a try in the 10th minute and his boot guided the Force to a comeback win over the hard fighting South Africans. The Force looked the better team for much of the match but were made to work hard for their win, which Giteau sealed, with a last minute penalty goal.
Week 3: Lions (Fri 29 Feb, Johannesburg)
Brumbies 22 def Highlanders 20
A strong first half saw the Brumbies hit the break at 17-7 but the inexperienced backline committed a series of errors in the second stanza as the Highlanders came roaring back into the match. Playing in their fortress, Canberra Stadium, the team recovered from a shock early try to the Kiwis and enjoyed the home support in taking the lead back and never conceding it again. Number 8 Stephen Hoiles was the hero for the home side, scoring their only second half try and saving a certain try with a desperate ankle-tap. The Brumbies were again hit by injury, this time young centre Anthony Faingaa injuring his knee and being ruled out for six weeks. The Brumbies have lost no less than seven backline players already from last season’s team.
Week 3: Reds (Sat 1 Mar, Canberra)
Hurricanes 23 def Reds 18
The Reds looked to be continuing their great start to the season when they skipped out to an early 10-0 lead in Wellington but seemed to lose the plot in defense and let the Canes hit the half only down by three. Ma’a Nonu was fantastic for the Hurricanes, regularly carving up the Reds defense, and the Canes enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory. A late John Roe try ensured the Reds did not come away empty handed as they sealed a bonus point with the narrow loss. In disastrous news, Wallaby Hugh McMeniman suffered a broken leg in the loss and looks to be out for his third season in succession after losing 2007 to an ankle injury and 2006 to shoulder and neck injuries.
Week 3: Brumbies (Sat 1 Mar, Canberra)
Chiefs 20 def Waratahs 17
After almost completing a fine late comeback from 17-5 down with under 10 minutes remaining, the Waratahs let errors and discipline give the Chiefs field position and a shot at goal, which Stephen Donald coolly potted over to take the match by three points. As was the case last week, the Tahs lacked execution in the backline even though the scoreline shows that the backs scored all three of the tries. What the scorecard doesn’t show though is the missed opportunities late in the game to seal the win. The Tahs will need to refine their game to be a success this season as inconsistency (flashy and brilliant one minute, dropped balls and poor passes the next) will not win them their first Super Rugby title.
Week 3: Highlanders (Sat 1 Mar, Dunedin)
