Two SA teams at the top of Super 14

14 March 2010 - 15:22
By Super Supporta

“Hello from the top of the log...the view is very good from up here...”

After another dramatic weekend of Super 14 rugby, the Vodacom Bulls were joined by their Cape counterparts, the Vodacom Stormers at the top of the log to complete round five of the competition in fine style for local teams.

The Stormers victory came a few hours after the Bulls strengthened their grip on the log by putting up a wonderful seven-try performance to beat the Highlanders 50-35 at Loftus.

When last did we have two teams at the top of the Super 14 log. Sitting at the top, both sides will undoubtedly agree – the view from here is amazing.

It’s also funny how the roles have reversed on the two sides this year. The Stormers, supposedly with a history of free-flowing rugby, have relied on their opposition’s mistakes and a water-tight defensive system to get them into second place.

The Bulls on the other hand, have put up three fifty point scores in their four matches, and just missed another fifty against the Waratahs. Tries, tries and even more tries is the order of the day at Loftus Versfeld these days, and while we enthuse about the expansive game, the Bulls like to think of it as “complete rugby.”

Either way, it is working for both sides at the moment, as the Stormers have only conceded four tries this season and the Bulls have scored no less than 24 – the most of any team in the competition.

Yet both sides still have to travel and their away trip will definitely determine their chances of getting that crucial home semi-final, and possibly home final, which, as Victor Matfield correctly points out – is vital to win the trophy.

But in a weekend where one-sided results were the norm, the Bulls certainly have questions to answer on defence, and there will be a lot of hard work ahead of them if they are to repeat their heroic victory of last year.

The Cheetahs are on a bye this week, and will have plenty of time to prepare for their clash with the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday, certainly a clash worthy of a Saturday night headline billing.

Over in the Antipodes, things don’t look so rosy for the two South African teams that are currently touring – the Sharks and the Lions.

John Plumtree’s side came close in a nail-biter against the Brumbies, but certainly their inability to spark in their backline is a massive concern for them all-season. They will definitely be better when they return home, but for now, trying to salvage something from a disastrous tour is a massive ask.

The Lions, well, finally saw their wheels come horribly off on the weekend against the Waratahs. Dick Muir loves saying “we have all the personnel we need” and sits without a defensive coach, but there is no way he could still believe that after seeing his side take a 70-pointer this past weekend.

What hope is there left for the Lions after that? Muir will be praying his side are better at Ellis Park, but again it is proof that an expansive approach, when not backed up by a solid defensive line, can go horribly wrong at this level of the sport.

Of the other sides, the Crusaders have that challenger look about them already after recovering from their shock loss a few weeks ago to the Reds, and speaking of Will Genia’s side; they are fast becoming the dark horses for a semifinal place with their demolition of the Force on Sunday morning.

Still, from the top of the log things look good, and for once, from a South African point of view, it’s nice to know the Bulls certainly aren’t alone...

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