Chiefs charge into play-offs
29 Jun 2012
JON CARDINELLI watched the Chiefs beat the Highlanders 27-21 in Dunedin to book their place in the Super Rugby knockout rounds.
This victory, as so many of the Chiefs’ results in 2012, was built on a robust and accurate performance at the breakdown.
Their option taking and tactical kicking wasn’t always good, but they maintained their intensity at the tackle throughout the game. This allowed them to resist the Highlanders in the first 40, and then secure the result in the second stanza.
The Highlanders had the best of both territory and possession in the first half, but were undone by the determined Chiefs defence. They enjoyed frequent surges into the Chiefs’ 22 but surrendered the ball when the visitors loaded the rucks and pressured scrumhalf Aaron Smith. The All Blacks No 9 was forced to rush his pass or drop the ball as the rabid Chiefs forwards piled into the ruck with unstoppable momentum.
The Chiefs showcased their counter-attacking threat during this period, using a breakdown turnover to create a try for wing Tim Nanai-Williams. However, they were fortunate that they didn’t concede more points in the first half. Their tactical kicking was poor, and several wayward kicks by Aaron Cruden prevented them from escaping their own territory.
The Highlanders weren’t good enough to use this territorial advantage to edge ahead on the scoreboard. In fact, a late lapse allowed the Chiefs to score eight points right before half-time, a purple patch of scoring that effectively won the game for the visitors.
Cruden extended the Chiefs lead to 21-9 right after the break, and from there the Highlanders were chasing the game. Given their impotency on attack during the early stages and the manner in which they were losing the collisions, it appeared an impossible task.
They enjoyed some good fortune when the TMO awarded a controversial try. The Chiefs had done well to contest a lineout and tip the ball back on their side, but the Highlanders reacted quickly to put the visitors under pressure.
It seemed as if Tawera Kerr-Barlow had the ball on the ground before Andrew Hore ripped it away and planted it beyond the tryline. It seemed a clear case of hands in the ruck, although between the officials it was decided that Hore’s steal was legal and that the try would stand.
Chris Noakes missed the subsequent conversion but the Highlanders were suddenly just seven points behind. The Chiefs enjoyed more territory in the period that followed, and although Cruden would miss a shot at goal, the pressure applied by his forwards created another opportunity. The three points stretched the Chiefs’ lead to 10 with only 15 minutes remaining.
The Highlanders grew more desperate and this impacted on their discipline. They infringed right in front of their own poles and Cruden banked another penalty.
Hosea Gear managed to power over from close range in the 77th minute to set up a frantic finish. But in the end it was the Chiefs defence that had the final say.
The result sees the Chiefs consolidating their position at the top of the log. Their next two matches will determine whether they host a play-off or not, but it will be a comfort to know that they’ve already booked their place in the final six.
The defeat is a blow to the Highlanders’ play-off ambitions. They have just one match remaining before a bye in the final round. Even if they win next week, they will need a few other results to go their way in order to make the final cut.
408 Comments
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29 Jun 2012, 11:59 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-243: Fair enough, although it’s the first game of the weekend, yet to see any saffa’s play to point any fingers.
For the record a headbut to the back of the head is low. Should be a red card, as should swearing at the ref.
29 Jun 2012, 12:01 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-221: it wasn’t meant as an “insult” in the 1st place…i’m just saying not everyone that plays a sport i enjoy will mirror my values or upbringing. IMO that doesn’t detract from their obvious talent because goodness knows everyone thought michael jordan was a saint & he carried himself that way until his wife found out all his dirt and took HALF!
have a look @ joost too.
if sbw was a catholic or born-again christian zealot or a f.ucking Mormon it would change a thing about how enjoy the way he plays rugby!
29 Jun 2012, 12:01 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-248:
so satellite is not more expensive in oz and pongoland?
now shutthefuckup.
29 Jun 2012, 12:02 pm
@Greenfever(Greenfever)-251: I agree with you on the swearing tbh… didnt see the game so cant really comment on the incident..
29 Jun 2012, 12:02 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-207: SBW is a supremely talented athlete and if he was South African most of us (myself inlcuded) would be singing his praises as is worthy of a Messiah like player.
I don’t think he is a ‘bad’ person, but I do think his management team have turned him into something that is not good for rugby union. NZ needed a rockstar rugby player to re-ignite the increased lack of interest in union. SBW did that in a big way.
But that manager of his, don’t think he has helped SBW’s image much.
29 Jun 2012, 12:03 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-221: you don’t know my “culture”
29 Jun 2012, 12:03 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-253: gees, looks like someone really needs another reefer, withdrawals already dope boy?
29 Jun 2012, 12:07 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-257:
calm down.
admit you were wrong.
you tried to be a smug superior little twat and it ended badly for you.
keo is a forgiving place.
29 Jun 2012, 12:07 pm
Pooper
You get “township tv” in a lot of townships.
5 by 9m screens with speakers that are on a platform,these are situated in parks and all the major sports events are shown and people go and relax,braai and watch sport.
@china
Do you ever take your wife out to dinner or visit friends?
You are always here.
29 Jun 2012, 12:07 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-245: cool
@poppa69(poppa69)-248: so presumably you turn the tv off when sa teams win?
29 Jun 2012, 12:07 pm
I know SBWs manager, know him quite well, whatever negative comments you have of him, I can confirm, the guys is well, you know what I mean…
29 Jun 2012, 12:09 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-258: so how much is “satellite” in SA gunther?
29 Jun 2012, 12:10 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-248: That’s suspiciously affordable. Is it because it’s largely made up of Neighbours reruns? And does the whole $60 come off your pocket money?
29 Jun 2012, 12:11 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-255: Quite the contrary.
Us Saffas are very quick to criticise sportsmen who are charismatic, seem overly confident. Think Herschelle Gibbs, Llewellyn Herbert, Phillip Burger, Andre Nel, etc.
We like the more traditional kind who do what we tell them to and behave on the field.
Guys like SBW and Shane Warne would not have had distinguished careers in SA.
29 Jun 2012, 12:11 pm
anyone?
how much is satellite tv in SA per month?
29 Jun 2012, 12:11 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-258:
29 Jun 2012, 12:12 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-263: so how much is it Katman?
29 Jun 2012, 12:13 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-262:
we call it satellite tv because that’s how it works apparently.
yours must work differently.
around R600 ZAR.
29 Jun 2012, 12:14 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-265:
its about 70 or 80 ozzie dollars i think.
29 Jun 2012, 12:14 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-268: ours is actually cable TV Gunther, we have the infrastructure to run fibre optics directly into homes… maybe one day you guys will too..
29 Jun 2012, 12:14 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-267: @poppa69(poppa69)-262: R655 per month for Extraview (more than one set in the house).
If you lived here, you’d probably opt for Top TV, which is about a quarter of that.
29 Jun 2012, 12:15 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-255: I really dont think there is a lack of interest in union in NZ ?
29 Jun 2012, 12:15 pm
The origin of the satelite TV cost debate was to find out how much each country actually contributes to the Super Rugby broadcast deal.
As it turns out, we easily pay as much per subscription as the Aussies and Kiwis do. Only we have twice as many viewers of Super Rugby as the Aussies and Kiwis combined.
Meaning we contribute two thirds of the pie, and yet get only a little above one third back.
Time to prepare properly for the next round of negotations, when the current TV deal expires. Then its our way or the highway.
29 Jun 2012, 12:16 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-255: i don’t know sbw’s manager and don’t care about him in the same way i don’t know james o’connor or francois steyn’s agents!
my opinion of sbw ends when he shakes hands with other players after 80 mins of rugby, what he does outside of the field is of no interest to me.
the other day i posted a quote of what Steve Tew said about how their dealings with sbw have been (meaning his manager) and i don’t know if you got the impression that they think he is a “knobber”
29 Jun 2012, 12:17 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-270:
that’s so awesome.
now explain how south africans pay less to watch the rugby
that’s the bit I want to hear.
29 Jun 2012, 12:17 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-271: so you guys pay more then us, well done.. guess the extra must be for all the tenderpreneurs salaries?
29 Jun 2012, 12:18 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-273: We actually pay around 80 Aussie dollars, which is more than they pay. But we get KykNet and Generations for the extra bucks, so definitely worth it.
29 Jun 2012, 12:19 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-271:
he’ll be able to get all his cartoons though.
29 Jun 2012, 12:20 pm
@willievz(willievz)-264: exactly, a showboat like hougaard is only tolerated at the bulls because they think he is the best the country has and he got an endorsement from fdp!
29 Jun 2012, 12:20 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-274: The only good thing about DSTV is the sport – it is world class imo the best sports channel provider in the world – the rest of it is pure S@H*I*T
29 Jun 2012, 12:20 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-276: I think he’s dividing the population into a monthly subscription and then multiplying this by the cost of a Big Mac, less the spot price of Brent Crude to the power of his pocket money.
29 Jun 2012, 12:20 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-273: of course, because its only viewers from those 3 countries who watch super rugby isnt it?
please, if you guys had any decent administrators they would bargain for a better deal, but we all know that without Aus/NZ, you guys would have to revert back to playing like you did in isolation..
the NH dont want you guys either… rather a sad state of affairs really..
29 Jun 2012, 12:20 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-277:
I see the PayTV channels say that unbundling of PayTV channels will lead to the loss of a lot of niche channels that can’t support themselves otherwise.
Bring it on, I say.
Why should I be subsidizing the HomefoodNetwork or Fashion TV or Malawi TV or whatever those strange African channels are that I always skip at speed.
Can’t wait for unbundling to happen.
29 Jun 2012, 12:21 pm
@willievz(willievz)-264:
you mean like Fleckie?
29 Jun 2012, 12:23 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-283: Swazi TV would go down, alongside Rhema TV and the Learning Channel. Fck em, I say. All I want is the sports plus the movies plus BBC plus Discovery.
29 Jun 2012, 12:24 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-270: so you are saying running cable is far more advanced than wireless?
you live in aus also, so what is this “we”?
as an aside to these questions, who gives a toss really, aussies will soon drink seawater and nz has the economy of a small dairy farm in the kzn midlands.
we will tell you how much it is.
and you will pay and say thank you sir.
or we will send you back to standing on the sidelines of a paddock in the driving rain, drinking far too much to try and keep warm.
lets see you take your kit off and pull funny faces then.
29 Jun 2012, 12:24 pm
@willievz(willievz)-264:
how can you say that and then use Hercshey as an example who did have a distinguished career?
it makes no sense.
I
29 Jun 2012, 12:24 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-282:
“There have also been reports of some great viewing numbers in the United Kingdom, with BSkyB reporting an average of 35,000 live in-home viewers per Super Rugby match”
That means UK viewers are around 3.5m cumulatively. That’s 10% of the South African viewership, and barely half of the Aussie viewership.
Our 35 million viewers still represent well over 60% of the equation.
29 Jun 2012, 12:25 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-286: No, those are their normal faces.
29 Jun 2012, 12:26 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-285:
Pretty much my view too.
29 Jun 2012, 12:27 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-283:
“Why should I be subsidizing the HomefoodNetwork or Fashion TV or Malawi TV or whatever those strange African channels are that I always skip at speed.”
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!
come now, who doesnt indulge in a nice nigerian thriller full of convoluted plot twists and amateur actors filmed on a sony vhs handicam from time to time?
29 Jun 2012, 12:27 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-288: I went to a restaurant in the Seychelles that had Supersport on. And I also caught Supersport in a bar on Zanzibar once. So you can also take those 2 off the 35 000 000.
29 Jun 2012, 12:27 pm
@stew(stew)-280: ummm, i don’t work for Multichoice so i don’t care
29 Jun 2012, 12:28 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-288: well, if you guys arenbt savvy enough to use that as a bargaining tool then you only have yourselves to blame..
SA has 10 times the population of NZ, so you should have at least 4 times the number of viewers shouldnt you?
29 Jun 2012, 12:32 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-288: is this 35 millions viewers each weekend?
29 Jun 2012, 12:33 pm
dinners ready, thanks for the entertainment guys… well done Chiefs…
29 Jun 2012, 12:36 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-295:
No, it’s the total after 100 matches up to the International break this year.
Hence average of 350k per game, over all games (including games involving Aussie sides, which probably attract only guys stuck in traction in a hospital bed and thus forced to watch whatever’s on TV and maybe the odd homeless guy standing in front of the display window of a Game or Makro store.)
29 Jun 2012, 12:36 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-287: He should still be playing test and ODI cricket.
He never lived up to his potential and, if you read between the lines, got dropped because of his attitude.
29 Jun 2012, 12:40 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-296: Don’t get food poison Poppa !!
29 Jun 2012, 12:41 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-287: I see our Capo finds himself in the Uk these days: ***-case-1.1330626#.T-2F8Ssthd8" rel="nofollow">http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/husband-guilty-in-dog-***-case-1.1330626#.T-2F8Ssthd8
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