Super Rugby: Week 3 Review

Monday 12 March 2012

Reds 11 Rebels 6

The Reds continue their winning start to the season after grinding out a close win against the Rebels. The defending champions came from behind to claim their third victory, despite failing to fire against the winless, but much-improved, Rebels. Winger Dominic Shipperley's try in the 54th minute proved the decisive moment of the match and the Rebels had the chance to win it in the last few minutes of the game but failed to capitalise.

Highlanders 18 Waratahs 17

The Highlanders managed to overcome the Waratahs in Dunedin. The home side outscored their opposition scoring two tries to one from John Hardie and Aaron Smith. It still wasn't a convincing victory after missing 11 points from the boot to make the victory more secure so had to endure a nervy last couple of minutes. The Waratahs, who welcomed back Berrick Barnes from injury, did cross through Pat McCutcheon but they didn't have enough to get the victory.

Brumbies 24 Cheetahs 23

In a week where there was much speculation about their coach leaving them, it was the Brumbies who managed to win a thrilling game against the Cheetahs. Christian Lealiifano held his nerve to kick a last-gasp penalty to seal the win for them. Many feel it was unlucky for the Cheetahs to lose after leading throughout the majority of the game. They thought they had won the game through tries from Willie Le Roux and Tewis de Bruyn but it proved not to be.

Blues 29 Bulls 23

The Blues pulled off a shock victory against the Bulls to secure their first win of the season. Gareth Anscombe almost single-handedly led the Blues to the win after scoring all of his sides 29 points, through two converted tries and 5 penalties. The Bulls did outscore the Blues three tries to two, Pierre Spies and Bjorn Basson (two) the men to cross, but it was not enough for the 2009 and 2010 champion to get the win.

Sharks 32 Lions 20

Two tries either side of half time saw the Sharks to a 32-20 bonus-point win over South African rivals the Lions in Saturday's clash in Durban. Fullback Riaan Viljoen, wing Lwazi Mvovo and replacements Meyer Bosman and Jacques Botes got those tries which secured the Sharks first win of the season. The Lions rallied after half time with tries from Taute and Dreyer but the Sharks managed to see them off.

Chiefs 24 Crusaders 19

The Chiefs managed to secure a nail biting win against the Crusaders in Napier. Tries from Liam Messam and Sona Taumalolo and 10 points from fly-half Aaron Cruden pushed the Chiefs to the top of the New Zealand Conference and condemning the Crusaders to two straight defeats. It was ill-discipline which cost the Crusaders after having a mini comeback in the game with Kieran Reid barging through the defence and scoring but it was too little too late.

Western Force 19 Hurricanes 46

The Hurricanes stormed to a victory on Friday with a six tries to one victory against the Western Force. Scrum-half TJ Perenara stole the show with a hat-trick of tries on his debut. Andre Taylor, Jason Eaton and Charlie Ngatai also crossed for the home side as the Force just couldn't cope with the attacking force of the Hurricanes. A try from No.8 Matt Hodgson and the kicking exploits of James Stannard kept the Force in the contest at the break but they had little answer to the Hurricanes' onslaught who hammered home their dominance after half time.

Crusaders have lost seven out of their eight matches in the ongoing Super Rugby season

Super Rugby: Week 3 Review

Crusaders chief executive backs coach Rob Penney despite losing streak

Match Centre: Super Rugby Pacific: Blues 46-7 Brumbies

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Reds duo Tate McDermott and Fraser McReight handed three-week bans

Match Centre: Champions Cup: Northampton Saints 59-22 Bulls

Match Centre: Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes 36-23 Chiefs

Match Centre: Super Rugby Pacific: Moana Pasifika 17-14 Reds

Match Centre: Super Rugby Pacific: Blues 50-3 Force