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With only six rounds left in the regular season, all three Aussie sides remain firmly entrenched in the top half of the ladder. The inability of New Zealand sides to win in Australia is beginning to show, with the Hurricanes coming close to breaking the drought in Perth. The competition is shaping up as one of the most exciting in years, and dare we say it could we see at least one Aussie side in the final? The Brumbies, Reds, Tahs and Force have shown improvement, but the next six weeks will be crucial to their finals chances. We wrap up all the Round 10 Super Rugby action.
Williams (1'), Jordan (43'), Lio-Willie (44')
Tries
Beehre (23'), Sotutu (57'), Lam (62')
Kemara (2', 44')
Conversions
Barrett (24', 58')
O'Connor (71', 81')
Penalties
Barrett (67')
It was a thriller to the final whistle between these two New Zealand heavyweights. The Blues will be the first to admit that this season hasn’t gone to plan; but they rose to the occasion at Apollo Projects Stadium. Wet weather rugby was the order of the evening as the Crusaders were able to grind out a 14-7 lead at half time, thanks to David Havili sending Will Jordan over next to the posts. Christian Lio-Willie doubled the advantage straight after the break, scoring four minutes into the second half.
The Blues sparked to life off the back of an outrageous piece of skill from Hoskins Sotutu. The No.8 bagged a scored a try of his own before pulling off a no look flick pass to send AJ Lam over to level the scores. Thanks to the conversion, Beauden Barrett created a slice of Super Rugby history. Since his debut in 2011, Barrett now has more than 1500 Super Rugby points. He joins All Blacks legend Dan Carter in elite company.
James O’Connor continues to make a compelling case for the Wallabies battle with the British and Irish Lions. Lapping up his new role under Rob Penney, O’Connor stepped up to kick the winning penalty, deep into stoppage time.
O’Connor has become the new adopted son for the Crusaders.
“It’s incredible, the home support has been awesome. I’ve loved it, the journey’s been amazing,” O’Connor said.
The Crusaders slip to second place on the Super Rugby ladder on for and against. The Blues remain four-points off the top six
Murray (22'), Loganimasi (38'), Penalty Try (81')
Tries
Gleeson (25'), Heaven (56')
Armstrong-Ravula (23')
Conversions
Creighton (26'), Edmed (57')
Armstrong-Ravula (2', 13', 50')
Penalties
Don’t let their position on the table fool you, the Drua are a different beast on home soil, as the Waratahs found out. The Drua dominated proceedings to run out winners 28-14; their eighth consecutive win on home soil.
The loss continues a horrendous run of away form for Dan McKellar’s side, who are now in serious danger of missing the finals. The Waratahs have now lost their last nine games on the road, equally an unwanted record from 1997 season.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula got the home side off to a strong start, slotting two penalties within the first 10 minutes. The home side continued to press the advantage with Motikiai Murray and Ponipate Loganimasi crossing the tryline to give the Drua a 18-7 lead at halftime.
To their credit, the Waratahs showed some resistance in the second half off the back off tries to Langi Gleeson and Julian Heaven. The visitors were their own worst enemy with dropped ball costing the Waratahs dearly. The result sealed with a yellow card Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the final moments leading to a penalty try for the home side.
The Waratahs now face the real prospect of falling out of the top six with a bye scheduled for next week.
Tries
Toole (40', 73'), Pollard (54', 66')
Conversions
Meredith (67', 74')
It was a master class from the Brumbies as they dominated from start to finish against Moana Pasifika. Steve Larkham’s side were outstanding, leaving the home side scoreless to run up a 24-0 win. Say what you like about the visitors, their brand of rugby was simple and effective.
Two tries a piece to Billy Pollard and Corey Toole capped off a bonus point win that keeps the Brumbies in touch with the ladder leaders. The highlight of the match belonged to Toole who scored a stunning effort thanks to Andy Muirhead.
It wasn’t all one way traffic, Moana Pasifika had their chances to claw their way back. Fine Inisi was denied a wonderful try by the TMO with Brumbies star Tom Hooper in the bin. Both sides struggled with the wet conditions; Moana Pasifika struggling to contain a Brumbies scrum led by Wallabies veteran James Slipper.
It’s clear that Moana Pasifika have improved dramatically under the leadership Ardie Savia this season. It’s unlikely that we will be seeing them in the finals in 2025.
Narawa (8'), Carter (42'), Boshier (49', 57'), Finau (52'), Taukei'aho (74')
Tries
Kautai (27')
McKenzie (9', 43', 50', 53', 58')
Conversions
Millar (28')
McKenzie (7', 29')
Penalties
Millar (3')
The Chiefs romped back to their brilliant best as they trounced the Highlanders 46-10 at home. The smiling assassin, Damian McKenzie returned to from with 16-points, after a poor showing against the Waratahs in Sydney.
Jamie Joseph’s side were never in the contest as they struggled to adapt to the hostile conditions at FMG Stadium. Despite a 3-point half time lead, the Highlanders were overwhelmed in the second half. The Chiefs putting scoring 33 points to return to the summit of the Super Rugby table.
Kaylum Boshier completed a second half double that saw the return of All Blacks star Anton Lienert-Brown return to the side after missing the last four games through injury.
Force vs Hurricanes
Kuenzle (14'), Grealy (38')
Tries
Fineanganofo (10', 62'), Harkin (47')
Donaldson (15', 39')
Conversions
Harkin (48')
Donaldson (78')
Penalties
Three things we can usually bank on. Death, taxes and Carlo Tizzano scoring a double in this season. It wasn’t to be for the inform Tizzano as the Force and the Hurricanes played out the first draw of the season at HBF Park. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, the Wallabies forward was outstanding with 23 tackles; leading the tackle count for the Force.
Both sides will be left feeling hollow with the result. Donaldson put the home side into extra time with a clutch 79th minute conversion. The Force flyhalf had the opportunity to win the game, missing a penalty in golden point. The home side were then able to stand a fightback from the Hurricanes. Ruben Love missed a drop goal attempt in a chance to win it for the visitors.
Force coach Simon Cron was unable to his disappointment at the result.
“We put ourselves into a position to win it, and unfortunately, we didn’t get there,” Cron said.
The Force face the Chiefs next week in New Zealand, while the Hurricanes take on Brumbies in Canberra.
