Rugby Civil War Declared in the City of Roses

The battle for Africa takes place in the City of Roses at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, when the Bulls play the Cheetahs this weekend.
Rugby Civil War Declared in the City of Roses
Jano Vermaak scores during the Super Rugby match between Vodacom Bulls and Toyota Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on April 13, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Lee Warren/Gallo Images).
5/31/2013
Updated:
5/31/2013

The battle for Africa takes place in the City of Roses at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, when the Bulls play the Cheetahs this weekend.

Both teams come off impressive victories—and this Saturday’s (June 1) winner will claim top spot in the South African conference. With so much at stake, this will be an all-in battle.

A win this weekend to either side will open the door to the finals series—a loss, will send them back into the pack contesting a finals place.

Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyne kicked all the Bulls points when they beat the Sharks 18-16 in Durban.

“He’s been brilliant this season,” said Bulls coach Frans Ludeke. “He’s definitely a game breaker, which is what you need.”

Steyn calmly slotted the final kick five minutes from time, sealing the hard-fought victory.

The Cheetahs beat the Southern Kings 34-22, away at Port Elizabeth.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske praised his players for patiently resisting the Kings, before finishing strongly.

“We spoke at half-time and said there is no way the Kings can defend like that for 80 minutes,” he said. “But all credit to the Kings who played very well.”

The Cheetahs are fourth overall, their highest placing since joining the competition in 2006. The Bulls are second. They hold the top two places in the African conference.

Chiefs, Crusaders, Waratahs and Rebels

In New Zealand, the current champions, the Chiefs, beat the Crusaders 29-19, retaining top spot on the table.

With 20 minutes to go, the Crusaders were in front and were attacking the Chiefs line. But the Crusaders tired as the Chiefs turned defence into attack to seal the game.

The Chiefs dominated many aspects of play. Significantly, All Black understudy flyhalf Aaron Cruden outplayed star All Black Dan Carter.

On Friday night (May 31) the Crusaders are at home in Christchurch to the Waratahs, who played poorly to lose to the Melbourne Rebels 24-22.

After winning three hard games, the Waratahs played poorly against the struggling Rebels.

An increasingly angry coach, Michael Cheika, fumed that “a winning attitude doesn’t have a weekend off”.

He said the Waratahs would surprise the “complacent Crusaders” on Friday night, because they would imagine that the Waratahs were easy-beats—“They’ve always thought the Waratahs game was a banker for them ... ”

The Crusaders have had a disrupted preparation for the match. Eight of the side have been in a 3-day All Black training camp.

“It is probably not the most ideal preparation,” coach Todd Blackadder said, “but we think it is the best for this group at this time of the season.”

He said his players were motivated, not complacent.

“The disappointment after the Chiefs game was real,” he said, “because they had an opportunity to win. Their heads are definitely in this competition.”

Not all his stars are shining. International fullback Israel Dagg has been dropped to the bench for poor form this season, as has big centre Robby Fruen. On the other hand, if those two find form, they will be hard to contain.

The troubled Rebels star Kurtley Beale returns to rugby this week after a self-imposed lay-off following alcohol fuelled incidents. He won’t turn out for the Rebels though. He will play in the Sydney club competition for Randwick.

Cooper Controversy Continues

Controversy continues in Australia over the non-selection of Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper in the national side to play the Lions in June.

Last year, he said the atmosphere in the Wallaby camp was “toxic” and that coach Robbie Deans’ approach was stifling creative play.

Deans, who has a reputation for touchiness, says Cooper’s non-selection had nothing to do with the toxic-controversy.

As Cooper is widely accepted to be the leading flyhalf in Australia, this claim is being questioned.