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Sensational 13-try Lions maul Sunwolves to keep pressure on Crusaders
The Lions moved within two points of top spot in the overall Super Rugby standings with a 94-7 demolition of Sunwolves, while Cheslin Kolbe scored a hat-trick in Stormers’ thrilling victory over Cheetahs.
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With top place guaranteeing home advantage throughout the play-offs, the Lions were at full strength against a sorry Sunwolves to make it 13 straight home wins with a 13-try demolition.
Ross Cronje and Jaco Kriel had each touched down by the time Kwagga Smith added a brace, while Elton Jantjies scored Lions’ fifth shortly before the break.
Ruan Combrinck claimed a second-half hat-trick, while there was a second score for Kriel and tries for Akker van der Merwe, Courtnall Skosan, Faf de Klerk, Sylvian Mahuza and Ruan Ackermann in a second-half drubbing.
The hammering leaves the Lions as runaway leaders in South Africa Conference Two, while Crusaders are ahead of them by just two points in the overall standings.
In Bloemfontein, there were nine tries, two red cards and three yellows as South Africa Conference One leaders Stormers quelled a brilliant Cheetahs fightback in a 40-34 victory, with Kolbe the hat-trick hero.
Kolbe, who finished with 24 points thanks to four successful conversions, scored twice in the first half, Damian Willemse and Seabelo Senatla also crossing to help Stormers to a 26-17 lead at the break.
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Pieter-Steph du Toit and Frans Malherbe did the hard work for Kolbe to complete his treble after the break, but when Du Doit was sin-binned for a high tackle on Francois Venter, the match turned on its head.
Clinton Swart dotted down before a great run from Venter gave Raymond Rhule the simple converted try and left Cheetahs in front by one, but Sikhumbuzo Notshe’s late score restored a lead that Cheetahs did not relinquish.
There was more drama late on as Rynhardt Elstadt and Venter were sent off for a fracas off the ball.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments