Super12 - Round Five

Waratahs 42 defeated Sharks 8 (Sydney)

The Waratah juggernaut keeps rolling onwards, but now enters that phase of the draw where it will be tested against much sterner opposition. The Sharks, finalists last year, were ill-equipped to match the pace and variety of the NSW attack, and only breached the home side's defensive line once.

The South Africans were outplayed all over the park, and while the game was a spectacle, it wasn't much of a contest. In fact, the Sharks looked down and out after a Waratah point-scoring blitz in the opening quarter, a combination of hits which left them groggy and ineffectual for the rest of the match. For all that - to stretch an analogy to its breaking point - the Waratahs struggled to land the knockout blow until the final ten minutes of the second half.

For about 40 minutes of the match, the Waratahs played rugby right off the top shelf, resembling the Brumbies in full swing - high praise indeed. For another 20 minutes they were competent and organised, without being spectacular. And then there was the twenty minutes in the second half - between the 50th minute and the 70th minute - where they were pretty ordinary. Still, it would be harsh to suggest that they were anything other than impressive on the night. The challenge for the Waratahs, of course, is to take the momentum and confidence they have derived from these opening rounds, and convert it to victories over the top teams in the latter part of the draw.

While Nathan Grey and Matt Burke for solid, it was their fellow backs who really shone. Stcherbina, Staniforth and Rogers are forming a formidable combination, based on adventurous play, sizzling pace, and excellent understanding and communication. Likewise the halves, Whitaker and McRae, who are in outstanding form. Put them all together, and you have a backline the equal of any in the competition.

For the forwards, David Lyons had another massive game. He's definitely a player who has stepped up a gear since last year. I'd put Jono West and Rod Moore in that same category. Meanwhile, Van Humphries continues to impress at lock, and Des Tuiavii justified his promotion back to the starting XV with a good all-round performance. An aside: Phil Waugh is, without question, an amazing player, but he is a little less conspicuous than last year. I feel that George Smith probably has the jump on him for the Wallaby No 7 jersey at this stage.

- Dan Fowell

Brumbies 36 defeated Stormers 15 (Cape Town)

With a disappointing performance against the Bulls a week ago fresh in the minds of the Brumbies, a vintage performance was going to be necessary against the Stormers, a team that has played well this year despite numerous injuries to key players, and a team which, but for a drop goal or two, would have been four from four going into this match.

The Stormers competed well with Brumbies in a fairly torrid first half, but the Brumbies - as they so often do - pulled away after the break, with two tries very early in the second half. After that, it was shut the gate, game over.

Mortlock was extremely impressive at outside centre. He has an uncanny ability to time his run so that he hits the ball at pace. He looks awkward, but he is extremely effective. Gregan and Larkham both played well, and George Smith and Owen Finegan both had big games. Bill Young confirmed yet again why he is the premier loosehead prop in the country, and why he is destined to regain the Wallaby No 1 jersey that would have been his last year if not for a serious injury at the end of the Super12.

- Dan Fowell