The Crusaders demolish the Reds, and the Brumbies scrape home.

The Super Rugby semis got underway with the Crusaders stomping all over the Reds. They lifted them up, shook them in their teeth and threw them aside. It was about as emphatic a win as you can get, and they have ‘form team’ written all over them. Next up they are going to take on the Chiefs, who they demolished the last time they played. If they win that, they’ll still be on the road to the Bulls or the Brumbies, and it’s only travel that’s probably going to beat them now.

The other Semi was way more entertaining. It was an open match, end to end stuff, with great tries and a kick to draw the game in the final minute. With better kicking either team could have won it easily. I don’t think that the Brumbies were lucky to win the match, they have structure and discipline, but I do feel that the Cheetahs were unlucky to lose. The Brumbies, while streets ahead of where they were, are nowhere near the heights of the Gregan/Larkham flowing rugby era. The Cheetahs meanwhile, have it all really, they just need more experience, a better kicker and a bit of luck and they’ll be right up there. The Brumbies now travel to Pretoria to take on the Bulls – hard to see them winning that, but if they do, boy are they going to battered and bruised by the time they get home!

Super Rugby
Sunday , July 21
Brumbies 15 - 13 Cheetahs 
Saturday , July 20
Crusaders 38 - 9 Reds
Super Rugby
Saturday , July 27
Chiefs vs Crusaders 19:35
Bulls vs Brumbies 17:05