Ruan Pienaar - Picture from http://bit.ly/eQT0SM
Cardiff Blues 15 - 16 Munster
Munster started this match like a runaway try, and after James Coughlan scored a try following Keith Earls searing break, it looked like the flood gates were going to open. See what happens when you play like Leinster. But the floodgates stayed shut, a couple of good opportunities went begging, Cardiff stuck in there, and suddenly it was a one point game and Munster were hanging on for dear life. But Wales is a hard place to to go to and win, Cardiff even without a few players were a good team, and a win is a win. There was a bit of dust up resulting in two yellow cards, nothing in it really, I’ve seen better punch ups in the queue for the ladies at a nightclub. Come on lads, put a bit of effort into it!
Glasgow 19 - 22 Ruan Pienaar
Ruan Pienaar is really going to have to lose some weight. He’s making a habit of carrying 14 frankly ugly lumps every week. There’s 15 man rugby, 10’s, 7’s and now 1’s, the power of One. On a pitch better suited to beach volleyball than rugby, there was plenty of thud and blunder from both sides. It was a fairly workmanlike Glasgow team, and Ulster found it all to easy to match their standard. If Ruaridh Jackson had bought his kicking boots, it could all have different, as he blew several kickable penalties. Ulster started the second half with a 6 point lead, which they frittered away, and then finally woke up in the last 10 minutes – or a certain Mr Pienaar did anyway, scoring a try, converting it, and nailing the obligatory last minute long range penalty to sneak a win. He’s pulling the team up by it’s bootstraps, the rest of the team needs to stand up and convince him they’re worth hanging around for.
Aironi finally broke their duck in the Magners with a win against Connacht, who let a real opportunity to progress up the league slip their fingers. It was left to Leinster to restore Irish pride against the Dragons at Rodney Parade. What a stadium! That must be the finest building site Leinster have ever played on. I didn’t see the whole match, but it didn’t seem to be a high quality encounter – Messrs Thud and Blunder had a busy weekend by the looks of it. When Leinster threw on their reserves, the quality told and they pulled away from the Dragons. Leinster’s penalty try was in due recognition of their vastly improved srummaging, with hooker Richardt Strauss going from strength to strength. That’s Irish teams in 1,2 and 3 in the Magners now.
Exiles
It was the Armitage show at the Madejski Stadium as they easily overcame Exeter 39-17. That takes them up to 5th in the table, and hopefully marks a turning point in their season.
Shark Bite
It was the Sharks who got bitten on Sunday as the Crusaders silky handling skills blew them away with four tries and a bonus point in the first half. Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams were the ringmasters as the Crusaders backline ran riot. The Sharks were always going to be suspect in defense with first choice outhalf Lambie injured. The Sharks, to their credit never gave up, and scored four tries of their own. What impressed me about the match, apart from the obvious entertainment value, was the lack of aimless kicking. Possession was something to be guarded preciously and used wisely. I’m just glad that the match was a good representation of what the Super 15 is all about.
Aviva Premisrship
Sunday , March 27
Northampton 39 - 3 Wasps
Saracens 24 - 9 Newcastle
Saturday , March 26
Harlequins 53 - 15 Gloucester
London Irish 39 - 17 Exeter
Bath 6 - 37 Leicester
Friday , March 25
Sale 15 - 12 Leeds Carnegie
The Magners League
Sunday , March 27
Newport-Gwent D'gons 16 - 26 Leinster
Scarlets 22 - 16 Benetton Treviso
Saturday , March 26
Aironi Rugby 25 - 13 Connacht
Edinburgh 23 - 16 Ospreys
Friday , March 25
Cardiff Blues 15 - 16 Munster
Glasgow 19 - 22 Ulster
Super Rugby
Sunday , March 27
Crusaders 44 - 28 Sharks
Saturday , March 26
Reds 41 - 8 Cheetahs
Chiefs 13 - 16 Blues
Brumbies 22 - 29 Waratahs
Bulls 30 - 23 Lions
Stormers 51 - 16 Western Force
Friday , March 25
Melbourne Rebels 42 - 25 Hurricanes
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