Super12 2002 - Round Ten

Highlanders 25 defeated Brumbies 18 (Canberra)

Have the wheels completely fallen off the Brumbies' season? It doesn't look good. Against quality opposition, or more specifically against quality defence, the Brumbies have floundered.

Their forwards have been their typically dominant selves, dominating possession at the breakdown and the set pieces, but the 2002 backline hasn't got its predecessors' ability to convert territory and possession into points. Maybe it's the fact that Joe Roff and Rod Kafer aren't there. Perhaps Andrew Walker's lack of form is to blame. Maybe those blockbusting runs from Jim Williams are what's missing. Or their opponents have simply figured out that if you starve the Brumbies of room to move, the precision plays don't fire, the team becomes a bit flustered, and the points simply don't materialise, irrespective of whether or not they're clocking up 7+ phases.

The Highlanders, to their credit, played it smart and deserved the win. Byron Kelleher produced a bit of individual brilliance to score the only try of the match, and has gained the initial upper hand in his annual tussle with George Gregan.

And, of course, there are the injuries. Mortlock and Harrison (ankles) are both out, as it Atkinson (dislocated elbow). Jeremy Paul (ankle) also looks a doubtful starter against the Chiefs, as are Dan Vickerman and Julian Huxley (both ribs). Consider this - as Mortlock is injured, and Mortlock's back-up James Holbeck is injured, and Holbeck's back-up Tim Atkinson is injured, and Atkinson's back-up Julian Huxley is injured (but may still be available for the Chiefs), the Brumbies may be forced to call up their fifth-best outside centre against the Chiefs (they don't have one, so will have to go short-term recruiting).

Can the Brumbies still make the semis? It's certainly possible, but they're now in the unusual situation where their destiny is no longer in their own hands. They might win their next two matches, but they will need other teams to lose to make the semifinals. The fact that the blueprint of how to beat the 2002 Brumbies has now been resolutely laid down by the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Waratahs and Highlanders, will certainly work against the ACT. The Chiefs should prove to be a surmountable obstacle, but the Blues may well prevail in what could be a match to determine the 4th and final semifinal qualifier.

- Dan Fowell

Waratahs 19 defeated Hurricanes 13 (Sydney)

It was a case of the Tahs having a lot of guts and even more luck (arse). This was always going to be a battle of power, strength and skill which turned out to be a cracker. The Tahs will be saying their prayers tonight as I think God really wants them in the semifinals. I would love to say that they fully deserved the win, especially considering the heart, guts and energy that they put in, but really it was the Hurricanes that looked more dangerous. The Hurricanes were certainly hungry for a win, considering that it was a last roll of the dice to get into the semis. The Waratahs were VERY lucky to get away with a win.

The Hurricanes (like no other team in the Super 12 so far) were cutting the NSW defence on many occasions but just couldn't seal the deal. Chris Cullens' night summed up his whole season - it was ugly. One of the two occasions that he dropped the ball over the try line was almost unforgivable for such an experienced player (ie: has scored more tries than ANY other All Black in history) as it was school boy stuff. To be safe you should always dive to secure the try. Mind you he tried that the next time and Francis Cullimore stuffed it up for him. Besides those two SHOCKERS, I think he had one of his best games of the season (which isn't saying much for his season). Cullen will have nightmares over this game, especially that effort of trying to nonchalantly put it down one-handed. Whoops! Wasn't that fantastic!

Big Jonah also CHOKED at the crucial time where he dropped the ball with a clear run to the try line. If ever there was a guaranteed try thrown away, that was it. He also turned over the ball five times during the game. Not a happy boy.

As with all major battles, there were casualties and these wounded soldiers haven't helped the Tahs cause for the coming matches. Nathan Grey is OUT for the season (ouch) with a total knee reconstruction needed. Sam Harris will be a happy lad as surely he will be given the chance to make the inside centre position his own. The only other possibility is that Burke be brought in, stick Mark Stcherbina into outside (his favoured position) and leave Cullimore on the wing. The other injuries were Phil Waugh, Des Tuiavii and Pato Noriega.

Well done Waratahs - a win is a win and you should hold your heads up high.

- Matt Sherlock

Reds 30 defeated Sharks 29 (Durban)

Kefu out for at least four weeks. Ouch! The Reds certainly did it tough against the Sharks, in a dour match that was only salvaged by some individual brilliance by Chris Latham.

The Sharks will be absolutely stunned that they let this one get away. With six minutes to go and a nine point lead, they looked to be cruising to victory. But an indiscretion in front of the posts brought the Reds within reach.

Enter Latham. He may not have had the most spectacular of seasons, but he tends to ramp it up in the latter rounds, and he has managed to just that again this year. With only two minutes left on the clock, he created something from nothing. His pace and skill left the Sharks rubbing their eyes and wondering what the hell just happened. And the crowd were eerily, magnificently, silent. And full marks, too, to Andrew Scotney for kicking the conversion under the most difficult of circumstances.

- Dan Fowell