It’s been interesting to note the response from rugby supporters following Heyneke Meyer’s appointment on 27 January. Most agree that the move is the right one, while others base their reservations on what is perceived to be a conservative mindset, or as some have articulated: ’10-man rugby’.

While every man and his dog is entitled to an opinion, there is no substance to the argument that Meyer is bound to a conservative strategy. Indeed, it’s just plain ignorant to assume that a powerful pack of forwards, a strong tactical kicking game and an advanced defensive system are the pillars of a conservative approach. It’s not that these aspects are synonymous with a conservative game plan, but rather that they are vital to a winning strategy under the current law set.

One has only to look at the Super Rugby competition over the past few years for evidence. The team that has won the title has been the team that has best adapted to the laws.

The Bulls won in 2009 by adapting to a law set that favoured the defending team, and in 2010 when the best attacking side enjoyed the upper hand. The 2011 competition was won by one of the better defending teams, the Reds, although it shouldn’t have surprised to see the Crusaders, Stormers and Waratahs in the top six. All four of these teams possessed a strong defensive record, a desire to dominate territory and some of the best heavies in the southern hemisphere.

It’s a trend that has also been apparent at the highest levels. The All Blacks won the 2010 Tri-Nations, and there were those that hailed New Zealand’s ‘attacking brand’ as something the Bok dinosaurs would do well to replicate. A more statistical review of that tournament would reveal that of the three Sanzar nations, the All Blacks kicked more than any other team. Their territorial approach wasn’t highlighted as much as their try-scoring feats, and this has perhaps fueled the perception that the All Blacks aren’t a side that plays according to the prescribed law set.

The Wallabies won the 2011 Tri Nations by building on what worked for the Reds in Super Rugby. Yes there were some memorable tries that highlighted the attacking talent, but the Wallabies stuck to a plan based on the tenet that territory is everything in the modern game. The All Blacks subsequently won the World Cup even though their chief tactician, Dan Carter, was absent, but their defence and forward pack played massive roles in achieving territorial dominance.

Will Graham Henry be remembered as a conservative coach for these tactics, or will he be remembered as a title-winning coach? Surely it’s the latter. Surely men like Ewen Mckenzie will go down in the history books as a Super Rugby-winning coach, just as Jake White will go down in the annals as a World Cup winner.

In professional sport, top teams are expected to win big games and titles. How can tradition dictate a team’s style of play when a sport like rugby is ever-changing? When there are jobs and large amounts of money on the line, as well as the glory that comes with a big trophy, surely a coach should formulate a game plan that’s going to give his team the best chance of success.

This is what Meyer should do in his term with the Boks. If supporters believe the Boks are too forward-oriented, that they place too much emphasis on kicking for territory and maintaining a strong defence, then they should acquaint themselves with a lawbook and study the recent trends. There is room for improvement at the Boks, particularly with regards to attacking play inside the opponents’ half, but there are also existing strengths that need to be honed and maintained.

Meyer is not the only coach to be unfairly boxed. Rassie Erasmus built the Stormers up over a four year period, paying special attention to forward development as well as defence. As a result, the Stormers qualified for the play-offs in 2010 and 2011. They were dubbed too conservative, when in reality they were just moving with the times.

There is a sector of the community, even a sector within the Stormers administration itself, that has suggested that no Super Rugby trophies equates to zero progress, and that a push for the more free-running approach similar to that of the 1980s would be more prudent. Again, it’s a view that doesn’t take the current laws into account. The Stormers have not got their balance completely right over the past two years, and that is why they have struggled to take the next step. That doesn’t mean that they are headed in the wrong direction.

If supporters are frustrated with the number of kicks in a match or with the way the modern game is played, they should channel their anger into a strongly worded letter to the IRB lawmakers. Coaches are only formulating game plans according to what they perceive to work in the current rugby environment. If rugby fans are unhappy, they shouldn’t hate the coach but rather the game in its modern guise.

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The Stormers’ best No 13 option, Juan de Jongh, has still not fully recovered from a jaw injury sustained in the pre-season match against the Lions. Coach Allister Coetzee has decided to trial Habana in the position this week against the Kings, believing that the Bok winger is good enough to handle the responsibility.

It was at outside centre where Habana first attracted attention. He played there for the Lions before he moved to the Bulls and shifted to the wing.

In 2006, then-Bok coach Jake White tried to move Habana back to No 13 for a Test against Ireland in Dublin. The move proved disastrous as Jean de Villiers and Habana failed to gel as a combination, and as an individual Habana was guilty of several errors.

However, Coetzee, who was the Bok backline coach during White’s tenure, said Habana had grown as a defensive player. He also denied that the 2007 IRB Player of the Year has lost pace, and that this is the primary reason for considering Habana as a centre option.

‘No 13 is a very important position for us, and Bryan has a great appreciation for what’s required from a defensive point of view,’ said Coetzee. ‘He will cover that position for us [in Super Rugby]. It’s not that he’s slow [and therefore has to move away from the wing]. He’s the fastest player in our squad.

‘Jaque Fourie set some very high standards in that position [when he was with the Stormers in 2010 and 2011]. He’s very good in terms of organisational ability and his communication, and I believe Bryan also has these strengths.

‘We are not expecting miracles from Bryan in the first game, but it is something we are looking at in the long-term. Jean and Juan are still my first-choice centre combination for the year, but it will help having a player of Bryan’s quality in reserve.’

Coetzee confirmed that the squad selected to play against the Kings is his best available, and that a similar starting XV will front the Hurricanes on 25 February.

Andries Bekker and Duane Vermeulen will make their respective returns to rugby this week after not featuring since the 2011 Super Rugby competition. Coetzee said that he hopes both players will get through 30 minutes.

Dewaldt Duvenage has not been included in the squad because his injury rehabilitation is incomplete. This would suggest that Louis Schreuder will partner Gary van Aswegen in the halfbacks for that first game against the Hurricanes.

In the absence of regular skipper Schalk Burger, who has been rested for this match, De Villiers will lead the side against the Kings.

Meanwhile, Coetzee is yet to confirm his squad of 30 for the Super Rugby competition. However, keo.co.za has it on good authority that the 26 named below will be included, as will Burger, De Jongh, Duvenage and Wicus Blaauw. Peter Grant will only join the side after the competition has kicked off due to club commitments in Japan.

Stormers – 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Bryan Habana, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Gio Aplon, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
16 Deon Fourie, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 19 Frans Malherbe, 20 Eben Etzebeth, 21 De Kock Steenkamp, 22 Nizaam Carr, 23 Nic Groom, 24 Burton Francis, 25 Marcel Brache, 26 Danie Poolman.

By Jon Cardinelli

Coach Naka Drotske has made five changes to the side that beat the Stormers in Cape Town last week. Johnson comes in for Phillip van der Walt, while Trevor Nyakane is picked at loosehead.

In the backline, wing Philip Snyman is shifted to No 12 while Ryno Benjamin starts on the wing. Willie le Roux replaces Hennie Daniller at fullback.

Cheetahs – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Philip Snyman, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Pieter van Zyl, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Subs: TBC

The pair picked up serious injuries in last week’s warm-up match against the Crusaders in Greymouth. Lynn sustained a neck fracture while Poki strained a medial ligament in his knee. Both are likely to miss the first game against the Chiefs but Lynn could be sidelined for as much as two months.

The Highlanders are already without flyhalf Colin Slade, who is recovering from a hernia operation, while lock Jarrad Hoeata will miss the first six rounds because of a torn pectoral muscle.

Prop Jamie Mackintosh and lock Josh Bekhuis are also on the comeback trail following operations in the off-season. But coach Jamie Joseph’s biggest problems could be in the backline, as aside from Lynn, Poki and Slade, Shaun Treeby and Siale Piutau are injured. Tamati Ellison is playing rugby in Japan and will only join the team once his club commitments are completed.

Waratahs captain Rocky Elsom is still battling with a hamstring injury and won’t be back for several weeks yet. Barnes will lead the team in Friday’s game in Tamworth and in all likelihood during the early rounds of Super Rugby.

The Waratahs will field their strongest line-up in the first half, including former Cheetahs scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius. In the second stanza, reserve flyhalf Daniel Halangahu will captain the side. The game will be played in four chukkas of 30 minutes each.

Apart from Elsom, Drew Mitchell (ankle), No 8 Wycliff Palu (hamstring), prop Benn Robinson (knee), winger Atieli Pakalani (knee) and Dan Vickerman (knee) won’t feature because of injuries. Utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper will only begin his stint with the Waratahs when they play Tonga next week, while lock Sitaleki Timani will join the team once his club commitments in Japan are fulfilled.

Waratahs first-half team – Brackin Karauria-Henry, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Tom Kingston, Berrick Barnes (c), Sarel Pretorius, Pat McCutcheon, Chris Alcock, Dave Dennis Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Paddy Ryan, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu.

Waratahs second-half team – Toby Browne, Nathan Trist, Michael Hodge, Bernard Foley, Peter Betham, Daniel Halangahu (c), Brendan McKibbin, Lopeti Timani, Seilala Lam, Tevita Metuisela, Greg Peterson, Richard Stanford, John Ulugia, Damien Fitzpatrick, Jeremy Tilse.

Subs: Lotu Taukeiaho, Liam Winton, Jono Jenkins, Grayson Hart, Jesse Leota, Tom Hill.

While coach Loffie Eloff has favoured the experienced Ricardo Croy at flyhalf, the midfield combination of Siviwe Magaba and Jacquin Jansen will be tested. The Sharks are also using these pre-season hit-outs to experiment, and may deploy Bok winger JP Pietersen at outside centre.

The Sharks will name their team later this week.

Boland – 15 Jonathan Francke, 14 Senan van der Merwe, 13 Jacquin Jansen, 12 Siviwe Magaba, 11 Brendon April, 10 Ricardo Croy, 9 Neil Papier, 8 Junior Bester, 7 Thor Halvorsen, 6 Franzel September (c), 5 Nolan Clark, 4 Jerry Sefoko, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Chris Buckle, 1 Charl du Plessis.
Subs: 16 Martin Nel, 17 BJ Julies, 18 Jaco du Toit, 19 PJ van Zyl, 20 Juwell Samuels, 21 Jeremy Plaatjies, 22 Cola Williams, 23 Milroy Isaacs, 24 Adam Barlow, 25 Peet Vorster, 26 Adriaan Claasen.

The manner of last week’s defeat to the Cheetahs was all too familiar. While the Stormers have boasted a proud defensive record in recent times, they have usually struggled against opponents that match them upfront.

In 2011 the Stormers battled against teams like the Crusaders (twice) and Reds because they lost the collisions as well as the battle for territory. They failed to produce the tactical kicking display so necessary to winning field position, and were duly punished.

It may have been a pre-season hit-out at Newlands last week, but the Cheetahs produced a fine tactical performance to not only win the match but highlight a weakness in the Cape team’s game. It’s true that a number of first-choice players were missing from that Stormers team, but as the head coach himself admitted later, the collective drive for territory and the individual game management of the various Stormers flyhalves hasn’t been nearly good enough over the past three weeks.

‘It was disconcerting to see us playing so much rugby in our own half against the Cheetahs,’ Allister Coetzee said. ‘Ideally you want to be playing your rugby in the opposition’s half, you want to be putting them under pressure.

‘I think that overall our flyhalves aren’t where they should be at this stage of the season. The decision-making hasn’t been great. We want players to assess the situation. If you are under pressure in your own 22, you shouldn’t be shovelling the ball on. In those situations we should be looking to kick for space. It’s about trying to get that balance right.’

Four flyhalves have been used by the Stormers in the pre-season, but their first-choice No 10 is currently playing his rugby in Japan for the Kobe Steelers. Peter Grant is a strong defender and is known for his gainline-threatening advances with ball in hand, but has never been celebrated for his tactical kicking.

It’s limitations like these that have let the Stormers down in recent years, and if the pre-season is anything to go by, the other flyhalf options are also struggling to hone what is an essential skill in the modern game.

Burton Francis, Kurt Coleman and Demetri Catrakilis have produced underwhelming pre-season efforts. Gary van Aswegen remains the favourite in the absence of Grant, but while he didn’t fare badly against the Lions, he is also yet to show real authority in the position.

What could help Van Aswegen when he plays against the Kings this week, and possibly in the early rounds of the Super Rugby tournament itself, is a strong tactical presence at No 9. Dewaldt Duvenage has long been the Stormers’ go-to man in the past couple of seasons given Grant’s limitations with the boot. It will also help Van Aswegen to know that there’s another strong tactical kicker, namely fullback Joe Pietersen, capable of sharing the burden.

While Coetzee agrees that Duvenage’s return will help the Stormers in their drive for territorial ascendancy, he still maintains that the Cape side has some quality alternatives in the scrumhalf position.

Louis Schreuder has struggled with the basics and has shown little sign of developing into a player that can fill the Duvenage void. Coetzee, however, still has faith that the young No 9 will deliver when it matters.

‘Louis definitely fits that tactical mould. You have to remember that a lot of the guys have been playing for positions in the Super Rugby squad. When that happens, players tend to force things in order to impress rather than settle into the system.’

By Jon Cardinelli

The Lions confirmed the news on Tuesday via Twitter. Following surgery this week, Maku will miss a large portion of the Super Rugby season.

The powerful ball-carrier enjoyed a great Currie Cup competition last year, and news of his injury will come as a blow. Lions coach John Mitchell may look to hooker Martin Bezuidenhout, who also had a solid Currie Cup, to fill the void. Former Maties No 2 Callie Visagie will also receive more game time because of Maku’s injury.

Following last week’s loss to England, the 33-year-old Parks has decided that he can put off his retirement no longer. He had originally intended to retire after the 2011 World Cup, but the prospect of facing England in one final Six Nations clash proved too tempting. In the end, it turned out to be a bad decision as England scored an important try after Charlie Hodgson charged down a Parks kick.

‘I was thinking about it [retirement] but the first game of the Six Nations was against England, the auld enemy, Jacko [Ruardirh Jackson] was injured and being able to play against England was huge for me as there was a sense of unfinished business,’ said Parks.

‘On reflection after the game, after talking it over with my family, girlfriend and close friends, I’ve come to the decision that now is the right time to retire from the international game.’

With Parks unavailable for selection, Greig Laidlaw is likely to start at flyhalf in this week’s clash with Wales. Coach Andy Robinson is also likely to use flyhalf Duncan Weir in the 22.

‘There are some really talented guys coming through – Jacko, Greig and Duncan – and although I’m sad to be finishing my international career I have some fantastic memories of playing for Scotland and what that has meant to me,’ said Parks.

‘I’ve no regrets at what has been an amazing career for me. I’ve got my favourite moments for Scotland – uppermost being the 2007 World Cup.

‘Other memorable moments have been the two wins against England at home [in 2006 and 2008], the win against South Africa here at Murrayfield [in November 2010], the two wins in Argentina in 2010 and one in 2008 and the Ireland game in 2010 which was a great occasion.’

Parks played 67 Tests for Scotland and amassed 266 points.

Burger has played in the last two warm-up matches against the Lions and Cheetahs, and coach Allister Coetzee is satisfied that the Bok flanker has obtained sufficient game time ahead of the Super Rugby competition.

‘I said from the start that I wanted to make sure that everybody in the extended squad got 120 minutes. Schalk has played two matches so will have a rest this week.

‘He’s also been away on personal business. He should be back on Tuesday night and then back in training on Wednesday, but he won’t be considered for this match.’

Aside from Burger and flyhalf Peter Grant, who will only be back from club commitments in Japan next month, the Stormers will field their strongest possible 22 against the Kings. Coetzee said this should give the starting combination an opportunity to gel just two weeks out from the opening match against the Hurricanes.

The Stormers welcomed back lock Rynhardt Elstadt last week, and will be boosted by the return of three more regulars for the Kings clash. Duane Vermeulen and Andries Bekker are set to play their first matches since the 2011 Super Rugby tournament, while Dewaldt Duvenage will also be back after injuring himself in last year’s Currie Cup.

Coetzee will name his starting side for the Kings match as well as his 30-man Super Rugby squad on Wednesday.

By Jon Cardinelli

It’s at this time of the year that coaches talk about ‘putting structures in place’, ‘shaking off the rust’, as well as ‘assessing the quality of performance’. While Coetzee has used these phrases liberally in the build up to the 2012 tournament, he’s also employed a selection policy aimed at handing a squad in excess of 40 players game time to ensure the Stormers won’t be lacking for depth in a competition that starts in February and ends in August.

Nevertheless, there have been several areas of concern. The decision not to seek a replacement for specialist openside flank Francois Louw in the off-season seems flawed, although Coetzee maintains the current defensive systems are geared towards a collective ‘fetching’ effort rather than that of an individual.

And yet, the Stormers have struggled in this department thus far. They may have won comfortably against the Lions but both the Stormers coach and captain admitted afterwards that their defensive breakdown work was sub-standard.

Last Saturday, they came second to the Cheetahs who do possess a specialist fetcher in Heinrich Brüssow, but this still wasn’t enough to force Coetzee to reassess his stance on the matter.

‘I saw a big improvement at the breakdown,’ said Coetzee. ‘We conceded fewer penalties and our discipline was far better if you consider that we conceded three yellow cards in that Lions match.

‘As for the Cheetahs’ performance [and their perceived victory at the breakdown], I’m not too worried. It has nothing to do with having a [specialist] opensider. They were lucky to get away with murder in some instances, and I’m not criticising the referee [Craig Joubert] but referees will be much harsher in the Super Rugby competition.

‘There was a lot of spoiling, a lot of things like players joining from the side and plenty of cynical play. I know refs will be more lenient on that in the pre-season because there is a bit of coaching that goes on, but it won’t be like that once the competition kicks off. Craig did penalise the Cheetahs for some infringements, but perhaps where it was cynical there needed to be a harsher punishment.

‘The Cheetahs also came to Cape Town with the aim to win, and that was evident in the way they played with their kicking game. For me, I’m never happy to lose at home, but I’m satisfied with the answers I received from this match.’

The Stormers have now played three warm-up matches and will play their final pre-season game against the Kings this Saturday. Coetzee is set to make the final squad cut in the next two days, and he reiterated that the clash with the Cheetahs had shown him why some players are ready for Super Rugby while others require more time to develop.

‘It’s clear to me that some players require one-on-one technical work, and they won’t be in the final squad.

‘That’s not to say they won’t be used later in the season. It’s a long competition and you need to lean on your greater squad. What that means is that we need to work with the guys that don’t make it now to ensure they are ready to make the step up later.’

By Jon Cardinelli

Since the Cheetahs split from the Lions to form their own franchise in 2006, they have not finished higher than 10th on the Super Rugby log. Former coach Rassie Erasmus and current mentor Drotske have often lamented the Cheetahs’ poor composure in the final minutes of close games, and how the loss of five or six tight matches over the course of a season has contributed to their low finish on the table.

Not much stock can be placed in pre-season results, but Drotske admitted to being more than just a little excited following last Saturday’s win against the Stormers at Newlands. The Cheetahs dominated for large parts of the contest and, almost uncharacteristically, stuck to their game plan and showed the necessary composure to win.

‘Tactically, we played very well,’ Drotske said. ‘Last year, we lost a number of matches by tight margins, the fact that we couldn’t finish cost us dearly. But that performance [on Saturday against the Stormers] shows we are starting to get things right.’

The Cheetahs impressed on attack in 2011 but the good work was largely undone by poor defence. Drotske said they aimed to employ a more balanced approach in 2012, and that the structures have been put in place in the pre-season.

The Cheetahs competed well at the breakdown and dominated at the lineout, but the highlight of the performance was the decision making at No 9 and 10 as well as the tactical kicking. The defence was also much improved, as the intensity of the forwards and rush of the line defence combined well to stifle and frustrate the Stormers’ attack.

Wing Rocco Jansen showed good pace to finish his try which was created by a brilliant Piet van Zyl inside pass. Johan Goosen also starred with 14 points although it was more than a flawless goal-kicking display that marked his fine performance. He threatened the gain-line consistently, but only once he and the other Cheetahs’ kickers had booted their team into good field positions.

‘We knew that we shouldn’t play too much rugby in our own half, but the execution of the tactical kicking was very good,’ said Drotske. ‘Johan is a talented kid, and we are fortunate to have two great 10s in Johan and Sias Ebersohn as well as a [utility] player like Willie le Roux.

‘It was a blow to lose Sarel Pretorius [to the Waratahs] and Riaan Viljoen [to the Sharks]. They played a big role in our attack. But it’s been great to see the youngsters coming through. Rocco has added something extra from the wing and Johan has brought a new dimension to the backline in the flyhalf position.’

The Cheetahs will need to maintain this kind of form throughout the season if they hope to challenge for a play-off place. More importantly, they will have to win consistently to guarantee their continued involvement in Super Rugby.

The only South African franchise that is guaranteed a place in next year’s tournament is the Southern Kings, as Saru and Sanzar are yet to decide on the format or if six SA franchises can indeed be accommodated.

It could be that the worst-placed team in 2012 is relegated, and Drotske said this possibility places every team in the country under pressure.

‘Nobody except the Kings are guaranteed a place, so everybody will be feeling the pressure,’ he said. ‘We don’t know the criteria at this point, but it will be an important season for everybody.’

The Cheetahs open their campaign with a South African derby against the Lions on 25 February. It will be a massive match in the context of the 2013 format, as while both the Cheetahs and Lions have struggled as separate entities, a win for either side in the Round 1 ‘catfight’ could strengthen their case for continued involvement in the competition.

By Jon Cardinelli

The Chiefs loose forward injured himself in the match against the Melbourne Rebels in Geelong, and is doubtful for the next two pre-season matches. Reports from New Zealand also suggest that he could miss the Round 1 match against the Highlanders because of the ailment.

The Chiefs will play their second pre-season match against the Highlanders in Queenstown on Saturday.

Coleman, who fractured his sternum at the end of last season, has injured his chest again. Word from Canberra is that he could miss the Round 1 Super Rugby match against the Force if the specialist decides that the injury requires surgery.

While Coleman made his mark as a No 12 in 2011, new coach Jake White is hoping to move the promising talent to fullback in the coming season.

The visitors dominated much of the contest, with a superior performance at the lineout complementing their smart territorial approach. When they received an opportunity, they took it via Goosen’s boot. The young flyhalf finished the game with a flawless goal-kicking record.

While the Stormers turned in an improved scrumming showing, they were erratic at the lineout and battled at the collisions. Their lack of go-forward was exacerbated by poor decisions with ball-in-hand, and the high error-rate allowed the Cheetahs off the hook on more than one occasion.

Results don’t matter in the pre-season, with coaches preferring to focus on the quality of performance. Nevertheless, Stormers coach Allister Coetzee will consider this a failure on both counts, as the Cape side lost the match by playing poor rugby.

Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis struggled behind a losing pack. His goal-kicking was equally mediocre, as the Stormers missed out on nine possible points because of his wayward attempts.

When presented with a penalty five metres from the Cheetahs’ tryline in the 60th minute, the Stormers opted to kick for the touchline. The move backfired as the Cheetahs secured the lineout and duly cleared their lines.

As the clock wound down, the Cheetahs continued to control proceedings while the Stormers grew more desperate. Replacement flyhalf Sias Ebersohn nailed a late penalty to put the match beyond doubt.

Flyhalf Louis Fouche opened the scoring for the visitors with a drop goal, and tries from Jean Cook and Sampie Mastriet allowed the Bulls to build a commanding 13-0 lead.

The Kings may have sensed an opportunity when Cook was sin-binned toward the end of the first half, and hit back with a try of their own. However, the Bulls still managed to add another three points and finish the first stanza with a 16-7 advantage.

The Kings scored the only points of the second half but failed to eclipse the Bulls’ score.

Jake White’s side scored two early tries through lock Ben Hand and inside centre Christian Lealiifano, while flyhalf Zack Holmes nailed three penalties to establish a formidable first-half lead.

The wet and windy conditions affected the handling on both sides, but the Brumbies’ defence also impressed by keeping the Force at bay.

Utility forward Peter Kimlin was yellow carded in the second half, but the Brumbies maintained a high defensive standard to deny the Force any reward. Nic White kicked two penalties to complete the convincing win.

South Africa trailed 5-0 at the break, but took the lead when Mark Richards scored a try early in the second half. Branco du Preez then beat three defenders to give his side a nine-point cushion.

England scored their second try in the final minute of the match, but the Blitzboks secured the kick-off, won a penalty and booted the ball into touch.

Earlier in the day, Cornal Hendricks scored a brace in South Africa’s 43-0 hammering of the Cook Islands in Wellington.

Paul Treu’s charges shot to a 19-0 half-time lead thanks to tries by Hendricks, Steven Hunt and Boom Prinsloo. Frankie Horne scored soon after the restart while Hendricks added his second two minutes in. Cecil Afrika and Paul Delport added further tries to complete the rout.

The Blitzboks also recorded a 21-0 win over the United States of America. Afrika scored a brace while Hunt also got his name on the scoresheet.

South Africa will play Fiji in the Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

For all the results, click here.

The game was over as a contest by the end of the first half with the Crusaders racing to a 35-0 lead. Crotty scored three tries in 26 minutes as the Highlanders’ defence battled to cope with Crusaders’ attack.

Highlanders assistant coach Simon Culhane agreed that the hit-out had revealed some defensive weaknesses.

‘We were sorry second in the first half – we didn’t get a lot of ball and they got pretty easy gainline and capitalised from it,’ Culhane said. ‘Our personnel changes in the second half helped. The guys needed to have a game.’

The Stormers’ recent struggles at the scrum prompted coach Allister Coetzee to bring in referee Jonathan Kaplan as a consultant for a live scrumming session on Tuesday. The Stormers believe they are coming to terms with the change to the engagement law, but are hoping that more questions will be answered when they face the Cheetahs this Saturday.

Captain Schalk Burger admitted that the results of these warm-up matches are inconsequential and that it’s the quality of performance that’s important. The Stormers aren’t happy with their recent scrum showing against the Lions nor their display at the defensive breakdowns. While they aim to lift their efforts this Saturday, they will also be looking to Joubert for some practical guidance.

It is, as Burger suggests, important for both teams that they obtain a good understanding of what’s required before the real competition kicks off on 24 February.

‘It’s a warm-up match, it’s not on TV, so you will get the opportunity to have a chat with the ref,’ said Burger. ‘Because it’s played over four chukkas I will have a chance to ask him a few questions during the water breaks.

‘It’s not like Craig is being assessed for this match, so I’m sure I will be able to ask him some questions.’

The Stormers skipper added that he was pleased with last week’s performance on attack, particularly at the breakdown. In Burger’s opinion, the refs are going to be very strict on the breakdown area this season so it’s important that teams shake off the rust and adapt in the warm-up matches.

The Cheetahs have selected Heinrich Brüssow in their starting line-up and he is sure to test the Stormers at the breakdown. Burger highlighted this threat but also suggested that the breakdown competition won’t be a one-on-one contest.

‘The Lions were very good last week, even in the midfield they have some strong players on the ground like Doppies la Grange. We have to make sure that our attacking breakdowns are good once again, and improve our defence. It’s not just about one player doing the job, it’s a team thing.’

WHAT SUPER RUGBY REFS WILL BE LOOKING FOR IN 2012:
Scrum
· Alignment – front rows must be in a position to interlock on engagement; there must be no touching of heads.
· Early engagement – both teams must start the engagement process simultaneously on the referee’s call.
· Engagement angles – front rows must push straight and parallel to the touchlines; loosehead props must not ‘walk’ the scrum around the tighthead.
· Binding – front rankers must bind on their opponent in the appropriate manner; no hands on the ground for support.
· Post-engagement infringements – illegal wheeling on purpose, so-called ‘whip wheeling’ and not pushing straight and parallel to the touchline are all actions to be penalised.

Tackle
· The tackler must release and clear away after the tackle.
· The tackler-assist must release in a clear and obvious manner before going for the ball.
· Arriving players must not go past the ball into an offside position and try to obstruct the opposition going for the ball.
· Players must respect the offside lines at the ruck and maul (the hindmost foot of their player in the ruck or maul).
· Arriving players not attempting to clean-out the opposition must demonstrate positive actions to stay on their feet.
· A player who uses correct technique but ends up off his feet after removing a threat is not penalised.

Assistant referees at Super Rugby level will also be called on to take a more involved approach to the game without becoming an interference or hindrance to the referee. This will involve greater monitoring of offside lines at the ruck and maul and infringements close to the touchline where the referee may be unsighted.

By Jon Cardinelli