Highlanders

The fourth week of the Super 14 saw the Bulls stay top of the log with a game in hand!

Both the Lions and Sharks have been significant results denied their Australian opposition bonus points which will have a telling effect on the end of the season.

Meanwhile in South Africa Stormers showed they are still a semi-final prospect, while the Cheetahs helped them by beating the Hurricanes.

The Reds produced upset of the round, although the Chiefs will be very disappointed with their efforts. The Chiefs deny their good work on the streets by dropping a home game, showing once again the Crusaders may Kiwi side to lead the way. They certainly look back to another page with all Black captain Richie McCaw.

All in all a good weekend for the Bulls, the logs retain their top spot and now have a game in hand. The next race will be crucial for the Bulls sure enough, the protocol refers to the overseas trip does not require a full house to see the points and bonus points are not critical.

Chiefs (18) against the Reds (23)

The Chiefs started strongly and made 3 attempts, protocols within the first 20th They played with great width, which is a huge hole in the red-defense, and the two outer Garaus excellent. Perhaps the most critical mistake was that Stephen Donald missed all 3 conversions. None of them was easy, but he should have done better. Another penalty attempt just went too far, and when the red hit back with a try against the run of things, the difference was only 8 points.

It shows how the opportunities are. The Reds could be on its way back into the game with strong defense and their own sanctions slots.

Chief of Defense may have an impression of the return from a road trip 3 weeks. They looked more and more apathetic as the game wore on, and increases the errors. The Reds enjoyed the position she held, but their accuracy was not much better. Too bad they no longer attempt a point to deny Chiefs one bonus point. Still it was a good result for the bulls!

Brumbies (24) against the Lions (13)

Lions improved their defense dramatically, and has to contend with a unilateral judges.

Rain and wet conditions would never allow this game to free-flowing, and only did both sides many mistakes from the summer conditions, which have adapted enjoyed it.

Lions led by an early penalty but the Brumbies gradually get dominance. Has the help of infinity with ref Steve Walsh.

In the audience, he was particularly hard hit. In the second half was even worse. I'm not sure why he missed a little knock-ons, and left the Brumbies always miss and the collapse of his mouth. Whenever the Lions made a mistake, or not made a mistake in some cases, he pulled on them.

It was his attitude, his voice more than anything else, he was one-sided and obviously had suggested the Lions. I am not saying that he changed the outcome of the game, but when you have to drag a page that wrongly penalized as much, they can no dynamics. Lineout instead of a crowd or in opposition territory, you will find yourself in your area to defend their own goal line. It makes a huge difference.

Walsh punished the Lions many times on the audience, but the Brumbies down, he said he had passed him the benefit of doubt! Where is the consistency?

Lions did not help himself, however, and their kicking was poor. Matt Giteau back of his kicks with interest and the Lions had a very small area, often in less than 22m from that in the later stages of the game.

The decisive factor is denied Brumbies one bonus point. I was impressed not very satisfied with the Brumbies and I think they will fight to the semifinals. Lions have been bribed by his attitude and commitment and hope they will get better and better this year.

I thought Francis was a great flyhalf. He made mistakes, but he will get better. Wandile saw Mjekevu more on defense and made a brilliant effort to save the control in the second half.

Cobus Grobbelaar is through a mountain of work and Doppler La Grange is located close to the pressure and make big ball bearing. On a dry field, he has runners near him, and I think he needs a dynamic center outside. I still think Carlos Spencer in the middle and Doppler also can itself be the way to go.

Crusaders (33) v Blues (20)

The captain learned his lesson, as Daniel Carter won the battle of flyhalf Stephen Brett apprentices. It has a great impact on the game and dictated the goal.

The Crusaders had their lineout clinical bar than in the past. It turned out that they start their carriers, they are taken to be still dangerous, but perhaps not as complete page in its heyday.

The Blues ended the attempt, but like some other sites when you try to construct not consistent, scoring options, you will not win matches, and never had a semi-final contenders. The Crusaders also missed one bonus point, ensuring the Bulls stay top of the log ... for now!

Waratah (25) v Sharks (21)

This game was for both sides, trying not to lose than to win with a goal.

It was a scrappy game, and neither side really creating something constructive, and both sides are trying to kick deep into opposition territory. The Sharks showed late in the game, a how desperate you get rewarded for keeping the ball in his hand, running hard and straight, and show a bit of desperation!

Neither side is semi-final material, the lack of positive imagination and courage. Sharks have now definitely with the argument that it will enter this season a write-off. Begin to build for the future!

Again, it was terrible ref. I have come to the conclusion that the Aussies are just below the usual standard, and possibly more biased than incompetent. (Yes, I will at least give them when you're not sure again) ... benefits.

Stormers (33) v Highlanders (0)

The Stormers are a side that turned out, and by averaging the Highlanders are. Remains that you have removed from the sites, and the Stormers have a good job, thanks to its intensity.

Storing the Stormers developed by performing substitute Deon Fourie Tiaan Liebenberg clear. If you people can add value, you will always be strong.

The Stormers have been fantastic this year in defense. To settle in with a clean sheet and only 2 studies in 4 games are awesome. Slowly but surely beginning to build their bravery attack and play in the defensive stocks.

Dewald Duvenhage had a good game around jerk, running smoothly and protect the ball when Scrappy. Couple with good tactical kicking Stormers played sensible rugby. They are still fighting the construction of the phases in time, but always precise and penetrating.

Jaque Fourie, Juan de Jongh is dangerous when the ball without ever taking the line in its entirety to. I thought Sireli Naqelevuki was strong and had his best Super 14 games. Habana we know is always good, and he was for his efforts during the 4th Try experimenting with a bonus point only can score Habana rewarded seal.

The key for Stormers now is to maintain consistency and more polished in the attack, so that pressure points.

Cheetahs (28) v Hurricanes (12)

Finally, the Cheetahs have undercut the opposition abroad!

It looked ominous as Cheetahs conceded a soft try early on, but they came back perfect.

It shows the value of maintaining focus and intensity. Although it may not always be correct, the pressure is always to cause the opposition to make mistakes, and the Cheetahs forwards were superb in patience, which attacks and then capitalizing on mistakes Hurricanes.

It helps to be able to boot the ball miles kicker, and they could draw the Hurricanes back to the field location to ease the pressure. While the Cheetahs did not provide a lot of questions about the attack, they became more confident as the game wore and began to run from deep in its own territory. I especially liked the 2 front running tactics together to speed up in midfield. It paid off here and Juan Smith led an excellent example.

It was an important victory for the Cheetahs, but above all, Bulls and Stormers Super 14 hopes. That is what South Africa has not made life difficult for touring sides, they deny the simple registration points. At the end of the season, these games are the most to say have an impact on the protocol.