It’s business as usual

by Gavin Rich | www.supersport.co.za | 11 March 2008 (10:45)

For those who didn’t pick up the note of glee in the weekend review on Monday morning, this past weekend of Super 14 action was particularly enjoyable for this scribe.

I had grown a bit tired of all the doom and gloom which seemed to be attending the South African performances in the early rounds of the competition, particularly the many questions from radio interviewers which went along the lines of “So what is going wrong with South African rugby?”

While it is patently obvious that the experimental law variations do play to New Zealand strengths more than they do to South African ones, at least until such time as we start using our brains and adapting to them, there was nothing in those early weeks to say, as someone did, that it is now embarrassing for South Africa to be considered the world champions.

How so? Because the Bulls, after realising they couldn’t win the game and missing several key players threw their hands up and surrendered against the Crusaders to the point that they eventually conceded 50 points?

Or was it the big Blues win over the Lions that prompted the appearance of all the sack-cloth? Their defensive effort was woeful, but let’s not forget how young and inexperienced the Lions are, and they are missing some key players.

The Stormers, in their only match against overseas opposition prior to this past weekend’s win over the Reds, went down 22-0 to the Crusaders. But we know how good the Crusaders are, and we also know, after watching the Brisbane game, how important Luke Watson is to the Stormers effort, not to mention the suspended Schalk Burger.

The Cheetahs conceded a lot of points against the Blues in Bloemfontein but then also scored quite a few. It was obvious where the Cheetahs were going wrong – they produced a tackling display that would have embarrassed a team of school kids. They got this aspect right against the Chiefs in Hamilton, where they showed a lot of promise.

As for the Sharks, by the admission of their coach Dick Muir, they had not played well in their first three matches. And yet before the Blues match they were one log point better off than this time last year. You have to have something going for you if you can play poorly against a team like the Bulls at Loftus and still win by 14 points.

Of course, there are concerns. If you run a line through all the South African performances against overseas opposition this season, you will notice an alarming tendency to fall away in the second half. Are we fit enough to play the faster game? And yes, some of the teams do need to move away from dinosaur rugby.

But ultimately we need to remember that it is the Springboks who won the World Cup last year, not the Super 14 franchises, and even in these unimpressive opening four weeks there has been more than enough emerging talent to push the established stars and give Bok coach Peter de Villiers heart.

No prizes for guessing that Keegan Daniel tops my list. Two tries against the Blues, a man of the match award against both the Blues and the Bulls. Enough said. Then there is Duane Vermuelen, the Cheetahs flanker who performed like a colossus against the Chiefs in Hamilton and who does look the part of a highly promising loose-forward.

Bismarck du Plessis showed that if for some reason John Smit is not able to continue as Bok captain, here is a world class player who can more than adequately replace him at hooker. There is not too much wrong with Tiaan Liebenberg either, and maybe the new coach can find an impact role for the sublime running skills of Schalk Brits.

Bradley Barritt and Waylon Murray are starting to gel again in the Sharks midfield, while Meyer Bosman is an underrated inside centre at the Cheetahs. There are not many local flyhalves excelling at the moment, but scrumhalves there are aplenty, with Rory Kockott of the Sharks the star newcomer.

At forward there are a number of good young props learning their trade, and ditto for lock, where Andries Bekker is starting to show his potential and Wilhelm Steenkamp looks a great prospect.

So why is there so much negativity? Yes, some of the local Super 14 teams will bomb out. But then they always do, even in years when the Springboks win the World Cup and the Tri-Nations. From the evidence of the early rounds, there is nothing to be too concerned about – adaptations need to be made, and it would be foolish to ignore this, but overall it is business as usual.

Crusaders freshen up with six changes

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - RugbyHeaven | Thursday, 13 March 2008

he Crusaders, not surprisingly, have decided it's time for a breather for some of their established players with coach Robbie Deans making six changes to his side to face the Cheetahs in Christchurch on Saturday night.

It's the top-placed side against the bottom-placed team and with the Crusaders having to counter a bit of travel on their way back from Perth's draining match with the Western Force, Deans clearly saw a need for some fresh legs.

No 8 Nasi Manu and hooker Ti'i Paulo will make the first starts of their Super 14 rugby careers.

Five of the changes come in the forwards and all six demoted players have gone to the bench as a bit of insurance.

This is a match that the Crusaders will have earn-marked as a must-win and Deans is confident his backup brigade will front.

The Cheetahs, on the back of four consecutive losses, have also made some major adjustments with eight changes to the team that pushed the Chiefs so close last weekend.

"We've had a tight turnaround this week, so it's an appropriate time to freshen the side up a little bit,"  Deans said in announcing his side.

Flanker Reuben Thorne, lock Michael Paterson and prop Wyatt Crockett also come into the pack that laid the foundations for the 29-24 comeback win in Perth.

Paterson replaces Ali Williams, Paulo takes over at hooker from Corey Flynn and Wyatt Crockett starts at prop instead of Greg Somerville, with Ben Franks shifting from the loosehead to tighthead side. Manu and Thorne are in for Mose Tuiali'i and Kieran Read respectively.

Maitland replaces Caleb Ralph on the left wing in the only backline change.

Workaholic skipper Richie McCaw is asked to start a fifth consecutive match as is first five Daniel Carter.

CRUSADERS: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Stephen Brett, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andrew Ellis, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Richard McCaw (c), 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Campbell Johnstone, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Mose Tuiali'i. 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Caleb Ralph, 22 Kieran Read

Liverpool have mark of a great team - Gerrard

Andy Hunter
Thursday March 13, 2008
The Guardian

The slur could only go unanswered for so long and, with Internazionale added to Liverpool's list of routine European conquests, Steven Gerrard yesterday rebuked Rio Ferdinand's theory that Champions League success is no longer the mark of a great team.

Gerrard chose not to mention his Manchester United rival by name as he basked in Liverpool's victory at San Siro but believes Ferdinand displayed a deliberate lack of respect with the recent declaration that the Premier League title is a more accurate barometer of quality than the Champions League.

The Liverpool captain has not disguised his anguish at the club's domestic performance but insists two Champions League final appearances in three years and the prospect of a fourth in Moscow, with Inter, Juventus, Milan and Barcelona all vanquished en route, has earned Rafael Benítez's team the right to wider European recognition. With Liverpool having won more European Cups than the seven teams left in the competition combined, appearing in as many finals under Benítez as United have experienced in their history, Gerrard had Ferdinand in mind as he demanded more respect for Liverpool.

"People have said that teams have won the Champions League that are not great, but I think we can let our record answer that," he said. "We have been to the final twice in three years and we have won some big games in some important stadiums across Europe, and we have produced the performances of a great European side.

"In Europe we are a force. We do not fear anyone. We have got great experience in Europe, we have been there and we know what it is all about. I don't want to say who we want to play and who we don't but I think we can let the rest worry about us, because we have got the pedigree in this competition."

Gerrard and Ferdinand may beg to differ over the qualities required to win the Champions League but few would dispute that Liverpool, for all their shortcomings in the Premier League, are a team to avoid in tomorrow's quarter-final draw. Victory in Milan was their sixth in all competitions since the FA Cup defeat by Barnsley and with Fernando Torres in exhilarating form, Gerrard believes Liverpool have hit their stride at an opportune time.

He added: "We have got momentum, we have, there is no doubt about that, and it could be important. We are playing very, very well now. We cannot get carried away because there are some monster teams left in it, but we are playing a lot better now and we know we have got a great chance in the last eight. We know what it's like to get to the Champions League final."

Oz seek Super Rugby revamp

Super 14 | March 13th, 2008

ARU chief John O’Neill says discussions have begun to implement a 26-week Super Rugby competition that could drastically alter southern hemisphere schedules.

The competition was expanded in 2006 from 12 teams to 14, and there have been rumours that two more sides will be added in the near future. However, it may not be as simple as adding two teams to the current schedule, as a major alteration could be made that will see the Super Rugby competition played out over six months.

The revamped tournament would be in a three-round format. Following the traditional round-robin contest, a second round of local derbies in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa would be played. The final round would most likely involve the top six teams.

This would see the competition conclude in August, meaning the Tri-Nations would only be played thereafter. Autumn Test matches involving northern hemisphere opposition will be played midweek.

O’Neill also wants Japan in the mix, with a franchise set to be based in Tokyo. Half the team would comprise locals and the other half foreigners.

“We are very serious about Japan,” he said. “We want to really accelerate Japan’s move into the proper professional era. There is the possibility of a Bledisloe Cup being played in Tokyo, a Pacific Rim tournament, and a team based in Japan playing in Super Rugby.”

O’Neill said the structures of other codes had been consulted when drawing up the new format.

“In the AFL and NRL, the teams don’t actually play each other twice. This is a version of a round and a half, where the second round are local derbies. Then we go to a really big final series, which would be promoted almost as a new product. We could really pump up that finals series, so it becomes a serious knockout competition.”

However, his NZRU counterpart Steve Tew said the proposals were at the preliminary stage.

“John has floated one option that would clearly suit the Australian set of circumstances, probably better than ourselves or South Africa,” Tew told NZPA.

“There are any number of things we would need to consider, though, in terms of finding our position.”

Tew did say Japan are being targeted, but also believesthe Pacific nations and Argentina need to be incorporated as well.

“There needs to be a more strategic look at how Super rugby might unfold,” he said. “We wouldn’t dismiss John’s thoughts out of hand. We see the gateway to Asia as being important.”

Posted by JC |

$25m plan falls short for Pacific Islanders

MIDWEEK MAUL: By JIM KAYES - The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 12 March 2008

You've gotta love the New Zealand Rugby Union. It certainly knows how to spend money.

In the Midweek Maul's letterbox this week was a flash new copy of the NZRU's Community Rugby Plan with a letter confirming $25 million will be spent on community rugby during the next four years.

It means, according to Brent Anderson's letter, that $48 million will be spent during eight years.

That's a a huge relief for Midweek Maul because last year we had dared to mention that New Zealand rugby was a bit slow in bringing Pacific Islanders through as referees, coaches and administrators.

It was noted that in many ways South Africa was actually doing more to ensure the sport represented its people at all levels of the game. A day later an e-mail arrived from the NZRU's Harbhajan-spinners, highly critical of what was written and asking "haven't you read the community plan?".

So it was with breathless anticipation that the latest, glossy booklet (three copies, actually) came in the post. A quick scan of the contents showed lots of areas were being covered but nothing specifically aligned with ensuring the massive contribution Pacific Islanders have made as players, was also reflected in the refereeing, coaching and administrative ranks.

Perhaps it will be in the next community plan. Can't wait.

THE LACK of Pacific Islanders helping to run the game was debated in Wellington last week, with Wainuiomata's "Mayor" Ken Laban rasing a few sticky points when he was asked to speak.

Laban noted that reigning Air New Zealand Cup champions Auckland were coached by a Samoan, and that when Wellington last won the NPC they were coached by Dave Rennie, a Cook Islander.

He pointed out that Alama Ieremia, a Samoan, was sacked as Lions coach last year and now coached the province's academy.

Laban also noted there were no Pacific Islanders involved at a governance level in Wellington rugby.

As Laban later remarked, South Africa has a coloured Springboks coach. The All Blacks have been captained by a man of Samoan heritage in Tana Umaga, but will they ever be coached by one?

ALL BLACKS great John Kirwan may have come to the aid of scrum guru Mike Cron and kicking coach Mick Byrne. The pair have been part of the All Blacks landscape under coach Graham Henry but their involvement was being scaled back under a leaner, post-World Cup management.

Enter Kirwan, who has asked the International Rugby Board to employ the two specialists to coach club sides in Japan. If the deal is approved, Cron and Byrne will earn their money in Japan but should still be able to help the All Blacks, which, for the cash-strapped NZRU, will be a great result.

MARIST ST PAT'S stalwart Kevin Horan is set to join Irish club Leinster as their forwards coach and former Samoa first five-eighth Earl Va'a starts in mid-April as Japanese club Yokogawa Electric's backs coach.

NO ONE should be surprised that the northern hemisphere unions are already expressing doubts about the new laws being trialled in the Super 14.

Speed the game up! Use the ball more! Make sure rugby's entertaining! Bah humbug. Just look at the Six Nations last weekend. Scotland 15, England 9 (all penalties). Wales 16, Ireland 12 (one try to Wales). No wonder Brits are so skilled at dividing by three.

A FAIRLY decent team could be named of New Zealand-born Super 14 players from the four Australian squads, while the team could be coached by former All Black John Mitchell, and Reds assistant coach Damon Emtage, who was born in Auckland.

A starting XV could be: Digby Ioane (Reds), Brendan Va'aulu (Reds), Sam Harris (Waratahs), Junior Pelesasa (Force), Francis Fainifo (Brumbies), Quade Cooper (Reds), Adam Clarke (Force), Leroy Houston (Reds), Tamati Horua (Force), Ole Avei (Reds), Troy Takiari (Force), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Herman Hunt (Reds), Huia Edmonds (Brumbies), John Ulugia (Brumbies). Reserves: Pek Cowan (Force), Charlie Fetoai (Reds), Chris Siale (Reds), Josh Tatupu (Force).

The bench is a bit skinny with Takiari a prop, playing lock, but at 1.91m tall he is only a millimetre shorter than Reuben Thorne. Avei is a hooker who has played loose forward.

CONGRATULATIONS to Hutt Old Boys-Marist who won the Spillane Cup last weekend with a 22-20 win against North Harbour in the final.

Jake in, Ashton out for England - reports

RugbyHeaven | Wednesday, 12 March 2008

World Cup-winning Springboks coach Jake White is being lined up as a successor to Brian Ashton with the under-achieving England team, according to reports in the British media.

Ashton's future as coach of England, who will tour New Zealand for two matches in June, is now considered under real threat after his side sunk to defeats against Wales and Scotland in the Six Nations championship.

They went down 15-9 to the Scots in the latest round in a dismal encounter that has already seen Jonny Wilkinson lose his place in the flyhalf position.

England close their campaign with a home match against Ireland this weekend, but with a mid-table placing in prospect at best, it has left media in the UK speculating that Ashton will be replaced as head coach.

Ashton is on a one-year "rolling" contract with the RFU which, in essence, leaves him open to sacking at any time.

There had been widespread dissatisfaction over some of his methods during last year's World Cup but a dream run to the final saw the RFU bail out on any plans they may have had to replace him.

But the Guardian newspaper, among others in the UK, has begun speculation that Ashton is set for the axe and White will be brought in to replace him.

"Sources at the Rugby Football Union indicate the ruling body has run out of patience with England's one-dimensional rugby, the nadir of which was reached in the dismal defeat to Scotland," the newspaper reported.

The RFU is to begin a review of England's Six Nations campaign on Monday, following their final outing against the Irish, and the Guardian says an unfavourable finding for Ashton will see White immediately installed as the favourite to take over.

"Only a performance of stunning adventure at Twickenham will rescue the England coach's 15-month reign," said the newspaper's rugby writer.

White has been out of work since guiding the Boks on their post-World Cup tour of the UK last November. His name has already surfaced as a contender to coach the Lions to South Africa next year, but it is widely known that he covets the England job.

"They have a rugby culture and they have played in three World Cup finals out of six," he said recently. "They have a lot of things going for them." He has told confidants that England were one of the few international teams that he would consider taking charge of.

Former England hooker Brian Moore also said in his column in The Telegraph that he believed Ashton was a dead man walking.

"I suspect that Ashton's contract will not be renewed come what may," wrote Moore. "Jake White's convenient impression of Banquo's ghost suggests it is a done deal; thus England will fire a man for doing a job which no one else would take when they were in crisis, and for which he was not originally engaged."

The Times also weighed into the debate, suggesting that Ashton's continued employment as England coach was causing major rifts among players.

"The atmosphere of frustration and unrest in the England dressing-room is such that some players, from at least two clubs, are considering making themselves unavailable to play for their country next year," wrote Owen Slot.

"It is certainly a damning comment on life in Brian Ashton's England army.

"What we have is repeated evidence that Ashton is not capable of maintaining an elite environment in which international sportsmen can flourish," he added. 

The England coach's days appear to be numbered. It only remains to be seen whether the equally bold stroke of appointing a South African to replace him will be made by the ultra-conservative RFU

Nucifora says he's not afraid of Sharks

By MARC HINTON - RugbyHeaven | Monday, 10 March 2008

As the Blues make the long journey back to Auckland no doubt licking their Shark-inflicted wounds, coach David Nucifora has refused to endorse his side's South African bogey team as a legitimate Super 14 title threat.

The Sharks ended the Blues' unbeaten start to the year, and extended their own to four matches, when they burst out of the blocks at Absa Stadium and then hung on to score a meritorious 22-17 victory.

Not only that, but the result continued the Sharks' ownership of these otherwise buoyant Blues, the weekend's success the fourth in a row by the Durban franchise over the Aucklanders.

Last year it was the Sharks who first nudged the Blues caboose off the rails when they defeated them in Auckland to put a serious dent in their campaign, following that up with a semifinal victory over the Kiwis back in the republic.

So when his side again found the pragmatic brand of Sharks rugby a little too hot to handle on a sweaty night at Absa, you would have thought Nucifora would have been clambering to talk up his opponents.

But rather the opposite. The straight-talking Aussie denied the Sharks were a Blues bogey team, though his explanation was none too convincing and had more to do with frustrations over the refereeing of Brett Bowden than acknowledgement that the South Africans know the buttons to push to get under his men's skin.

But when asked by RugbyHeaven if the Sharks had delivered an emphatic message that they, too, are well and truly in the title race, Nucifora was begrudging, at best, in his praise. Prior to the match, much of the buzz had been about how the Blues and Crusaders were in a two-horse duel up the top of the standings.

"They play that style of game you saw really well. They're very good at it," said Nucifora.

"But it will be a challenge for them. They've got one more game over [in South Africa] before they get on the road. Like all teams on the road we'll have to wait and see how they cope with that.

"It will be a different challenge for them from last year with a few less experienced players in their group.

"I'm happy to have bagged 11 points out of it (the three-game South African trip). That's good for us and they've still got that all in front of them."

The Sharks travel to Johannesburg to meet the Lions this wekeend, where they will be favoured to extend their winning streak to five. The bye follows, then a home game against the Queensland Reds before the side leaves for five matches in Australasia.

Those with long memories will recall similar warnings from South African opponents last year about the Blues. And they proved on the money, with the Auckland franchise losing both of their matches in the republic following the home Sharks defeat to fall out of what had looked a certain home semifinal.

Nucifora certainly laboured the perceived breakdown illegalities he felt the Sharks were getting away with when he spoke to New Zealand media before leaving South Africa.

Although admitting his players had contributed to their own downfall with an off-colour first half, he wailed long and hard about the Sharks' tendency to flop bodies over the ball and effectively slow down the Blues' supply-line.

It's a scenario that both coach and captain Troy Flavell conceded lay in the hands of the referee, but one they will have to think long and hard about should they meet the Sharks again at some stage this year.

All told the Blues headed home in fairly good heart, even if they had been handed somewhat of a reality check by the Sharks. Who knows, it may even prove a valuable shakeup at a time of the season when they still have plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments.

In terms of selection this week, Nucifora said it was possible he might have a rethink once the side arrives back and settles into its work for the clash against the Western Force at Albany on Saturday (5.30pm kickoff). It will be a week, he confirmed, very much about quality rather than quantity on the training field.

"Some guys will go around again but we'll also consider looking at some other players who haven't had a lot of match time," said Nucifora.

Whether that includes a now mended Daniel Braid in the No 7 jersey remains to be seen. Now recovered after a shoulder op, Nucifora said it would be "touch and go" whether Braid was judged fit enough to warrant a start against a side as good as the Force.

Backs coach Greg Cooper wasn't pointing any fingers after his men produced their most indifferent effort of the season in Durban. There was too much dropped ball in the first half and first five Nick Evans had his worst match in his new colours.

He said the conditions (high humidity with a slippery sheen on the ball) contributed to some errors though was happier about the adjustments made after halftime.

"We got our composure back after halftime ... but it's not easy playing catch-up rugby as we were. I think we can look back on a few things we could have done better, but it does make it a lot more difficult when you don't get away to a good start."

The Blues will have to be on their mettle at Albany on Saturday. New Zealand teams often come out lethargic after the trip back from the republic and John Mitchell's men would have gained a lot of confidence out of running the Crusaders so close in Perth on Sunday.

Nucifora is not expecting his players to have any trouble getting the enthusiasm levels back up.

"We coped well with the travel over here, and we're all experienced enough to be able to cope well with the travel going home."

Two other factors had the Blues coach optimistic he would have a primed outfit ready for the Force. There were no further injuries at the weekend and the match had not been as physically draining as the one against the Cheetahs had a week earlier.

The Blues arrive back late Monday, will have a day off Tuesday, gather for team meetings Wednesday and will start a short prepatory phase with training on Thursday and Friday.

Crusaders kick clear of the pack

By MARC HINTON - RugbyHeaven | Monday, 10 March 2008

Advantage Crusaders. On a weekend when mediocrity was the standard currency and possibly only the Sharks amongst their rivals enhanced their claims, it's the same old same old up in the nosebleed section of the Super 14 standings.

That is to say the Crusaders occupy top spot and would appear to be fast digging in for a long stay there. After surviving a scare from the Mini-Me Western Force (playing just like the Crusaders, only not quite as good) and conquering their final frontier in Perth on Sunday night, they are extremely well placed for another of those wire-to-wire runs of theirs.

Among their six championship charges they've mixed a variety of winning recipes. They've come from deep, won on the road, won late, won when they've had to. But the one constant in the Red ‘n Black crusades has been that when they've been the front-runners, you can pretty much send the trophy to the engravers. (For the purposes of this evaluation, we will disregard the 2007 campaign when Graham Henry essentially nobbled all five New Zealand sides with his ill-conceived reconditioning scheme.)

All things being equal, when the Crusaders make the running, they are nigh on impossible to peg back. And now, having just won three road matches on the trot, they are about as well-placed as you could hope to be at this stage of a season. Out of a potential haul of 20 points, they have 19. As close to perfection as you'll ever see from a side just a month along the track.

Of course, it will be noses to the grindstone in Christchurch this week as Deans and his men deal with the additional demands of travel, having jetted halfway round the world over the last fortnight. Added to that, stringent analysis of the Force video will show that there were long periods when they were off their game, particularly with tackle accuracy throught he first 50 minutes and ball-security at the breakdown area.

On the plus side, this week they entertain the Cheetahs back at the ground once known as Lancaster Park, and for all their jet-lag, we all know they drop ‘em down there about as often as Richie McCaw gets outplayed by his opposite number.

What's more, if the Cheetahs couldn't knock over the Chiefs playing as badly as they did last Saturday night in Hamilton, what hope have they got in Christchurch? The TAB odds will reveal that it is a scant one.

The Crusaders certainly have their key players operating well. Up front Mose Tuiali'i has been the best New Zealand No 8 running round, with a dynamic edge to his game that must surely have him back in the national picture. McCaw has been prominent, and was adjudged player of the game in both wins in South Africa and Ali Williams has provided the aggression factor that all good packs require. The front row (whoever fronts) have been doing the job at scrum time, and the likes of Kieran Read, Brad Thorn and Corey Flynn doing the sleeves-up stuff that is an essential ingredient.

Andy Ellis has also made an impressive start in his bid to prove he's a legitimate test-level halfback, while Casey Laulala and Leon MacDonald have been extremely effective with their straight-running. Dan Carter had a poor game in Perth (his solo try apart), but previously had been operating near peak efficiency.

There was one other element that Deans was no doubt happy with out of the Subiaco victory over his old mate and squash buddy John Mitchell. Having dug themselves into somewhat of a hole, trailing 12-24 10 minutes into the second spell, the composure was ice-cool in the Perth heat and the execution levels went up dramatically. In other words, when they needed to, the Cantabs pulled out the old A game.

"I suppose you could say that we weren't at our best, but the boys dug deep to do what we needed to," McCaw reflected for media after the 29-24 victory. "And I'm proud of them for that. To win in a situation like we were in took a lot of guts and character. We'll have other days where we'll play better and get positive results, but they'll feel no more satisfying than this does."

Deans also told reporters he was always confident his side would turn things round when they had to. "We'd played into their hands a little bit in the first half by attacking down a narrow channel and they profited from our lapses. But we knew that if we could get our game going, control possession a little better and use more width, we were always capable of getting back into it."

The Crusaders will know now that it's time to consolidate. Winnable home games against the Cheetahs and Waratahs follow before they close their pre-bye segment with what shapes as an interesting visit to the sweet-n-sour Hurricanes.

In many ways this week could present the biggest challenge, with the travel factor, short turn-around and knowledge that the Cheetahs aren't the worst of outfits from over that way (they did lead the Chiefs 17-0 before inexplicably clocking off prematurely).

"It is a tight schedule. That's why we chose to get everybody back home to their families, and in their own beds, as quickly as we could," Deans told the Crusaders website. "This week will all be about recovery, in terms of getting everyone back into their home routines, and freshened up before what will be another hard match."

The Crusaders left Perth at midnight local time, were due to arrive home mid-afternoon today and will undertake light duties until close to match time (Saturday, 7.35pm).

It's a well-worn path they follow now. No one knows the way home from here like the Crusaders do.

Finishing key to Kiwi scalpings

Super 14 | March 10th, 2008

The Stormers may have rediscovered their creative spark but execution and finishing require sharpening ahead of the next two matches in New Zealand.

Few people will believe that the attacking woes evident in the Stormers’ first three games have evaporated with a four-try hammering of the Reds. Victory plus a bonus point equals a happy start, but Rassie Erasmus and company will know more is needed to beat the Chiefs and Blues in their own backyards.

The Stormers won comfortably in Brisbane, but the 34-16 scoreline could have inflated had the visitors taken their initial chances. It’s not negative to look at the opportunities they had in the first half and lament the lack of points. Luke Watson was well held up in a surge toward the line, and a promising build up came to nought on the stroke of half-time. The number of handling errors also wrecked several attacking moves.

The Stormers could have scored more tries, but against a better team they may not receive the sort of space they did against the Reds. Against a better team, they would have regretted missing these early chances. A good Super 14 side makes the most of their opportunities when they arise, as traditionally, defences are hard to breach.

To give credit where it’s due, the Stormers’ performance last Saturday was more penetrative than in previous weeks. Erasmus had regretted the fact they weren’t getting across the advantage line against the Crusaders, but there was no such problem against the Reds. The Stormers forwards provided a solid platform in this respect which allowed their backs more space to attack.

This was evident in the number of times winger Tonderai Chavhanga got in behind defenders. The backs were lacking confidence before, but this showing will have given them a massive boost. Sireli Naqelevuki still needs to up his work rate, but Chavhanga and Conrad Jantjes were industrious, creating an ideal situation for the Stormers. If the Stormers back three can receive a steady supply of ball, the results will keep going the way of the Cape franchise.

The jury is still out on the midfield and halfback combinations. Jean de Villiers and Gcobani Bobo still fail to complement each other with any telling effect. Bobo’s ball skills are a plus, but his decision-making needs attention. His trademark grubber kick is failing to bear fruit. Shelve it, and keep the ball in hand, or pass it to the elusive Chavhanga or the belligerent Naqelevuki.

The truth is Bobo is no outside centre, a fact that’s proved by De Villiers running at 13 for certain moves on attack. Bobo’s a solid distributor, but the Stormers need that extra pace and penetration of a strike runner. No 13 is where De Villiers’s talents will be maximised.

At halfback, Ricky Januarie is still off the pace placing Peter Grant under unnecessary pressure. Grant seemed far more comfortable with his provincial team-mate Bolla Conradie at No 9. Januarie’s is lauded for his ability to snipe round the fringes and gain the extra ground, which is a great bonus as long as he’s doing his primary job well. The Stormers depend on quick ball from the base, and Januarie’s service is still too slow. There is no substitute for the basics, and at this level, the scrumhalf’s speed of delivery is crucial.

Erasmus told this website after the Reds win he wasn’t going to break out the bubbly just yet. He said there was still plenty to work on and some areas of the game need sharpening. This Friday’s match against the Chiefs is a big game, but if Erasmus is serious about progress, he shouldn’t be afraid to make personnel changes for the sake of evolution.

By Jon Cardinelli | www.keo.co.za