Super Rugby Round 10 Review & Team of the Week

 RESULTS

Blues 11 - 23 Reds
Lions 20 - 34 Brumbies
Chiefs 33 - 14 Hurricanes
Force 3 - 17 Stormers
Cheetahs 33 - 36 Highlanders
Waratahs 33 - 37 Crusaders
Bye: Bulls, Sharks, Rebels

The Chiefs, Stormers and Brumbies continued their march to towards the top spot in their respective conferences with strong, determined displays in round 10 and never looked like losing in all honesty.

The Chiefs seem to be improving as the competition goes on; Aaron Cruden in particular looking more and more assured at pivot. They must surely have an extra spring in their step too, with the news that Wayne Smith is looking to stay with them for the forseeable future.

 The Brumbies too seem to be benefitting from the structures Jake White has put in place. Their gameplan may be simple, but it is also tough, uncompromising and difficult to stop. Talking of uncompromising...the Stormers were solid this round if not spectacular, but did enough to get yet another away win under their belt; this time against the lowly Force. They surely will be there or thereabouts at the business end of the competition.

The Crusaders and Reds also continued their recent surge in good form and are consequently knocking on the door for the playoffs. Will Genia and Robbie Fruean were the standouts from the two games. The Reds were beginning to be mocked a few weeks ago, but with Quade Cooper returning (and the Aussie Conference being the weakest), count the 2012 finalists out at your peril!

The Highlanders also look to be building, winning on the road against a dangerous Cheetahs side, with a fabulous comeback in the second half. Johan Goosen had been in imperious form for the majority of the match (scoring a try from a jinking solo run), but injury prevented him finishing the game, and with that the momentum swung in favour of the men from the South Island. Jamie Joseph is creating a pretty good thing down in Dunedin but whether they have enough to go all the way this season remains to be seen.

DUMPTACKLE TEAM OF THE WEEK

1. Arizona Taumololo (Chiefs), 2. Hika Elliott (Chiefs), 3. Coonie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), 4. Dean Mumm (Waratahs), 5. Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders), 6. Michael Hooper (Brumbies) 7. Tanerau Latimer (Chiefs), 8. Liam Messam (Chiefs), 9. Will Genia (Reds), 10. Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 12. Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), 13. Robbie Fruean (Crusaders), 11. Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 14. Andre Taylor (Hurricanes), 15. Ben Smith (Highlanders)

The Chiefs dominate the team this week as many of their starters stood out in a comprehensive victory over a young talented Hurricanes side. Two of the best players of the round were the fly halfs for the Cheetahs and Chiefs (Goosen and Cruden) and for that reason i felt that both deserved to be included some way or another. Pat McCabe was the unfortunate loser from this decision.

Owen Franks also played well for the Crusaders at tighthead prop as they dominated the Hurricanes front row...but I opted for a loosehead in Oosthuizen who scored another try for the Cheetahs (that's 3 this year). You've got to reward the fatties when they cross the line after all don't you?

PLAYER OF THE ROUND

Robbie Fruean

Robbie Fruean is a freak...no matter which way you look at it. Standing 6 foot 3 inches tall and weighing around 110 kgs...he's a huge specimen. When you add blinding acceleration and a powerful fend, you've got a pretty useful rugby player. He is also still only 23 years old.

 The former 'U19 IRB Player of the Year' had been quiet in the opening rounds of this year's comp though and seemed to be missing his partner in crime Sonny Bill Williams (who combined very well together for the Crusaders last year). Perhaps that was only natural. Robbie seems to be back to his best though now and has well and truly found his feet. Continuing on from his standout performance last week, the Mr T look-a-like scored two magical tries against the 'Tahs and set up another to help the Crusaders achieve victory in a difficult game in Sydney.

The question in New Zealand remains whether he is consistent enough to warrant a place in the All Blacks as a centre. Former All Black centre Frank Bunce interstingly gave another thought provoking idea...Fruean on the wing. We'll have to wait and see if that prospect has any credence but for now, he wins the player of the round for Round 10.



*Stay tuned for our 'report from the grandstand' between the Crusaders and the Waratahs.