Derick HooHaaaah

The Western Force are courting South African flyhalves Derick Hougaard and Peter Grant.

The Western Force will lose star flyhalf Matt Giteau next season, and are said to be in talks with both players, according to The Australian newspaper.

Hougaard, who made his Test debut for the Springboks at the Subiaco Oval in Perth in 2003, may return there next year if the Force’s bid is successful.

Hougaard has played 43 Super Rugby games for the Bulls and eight Tests for the Springboks. He currently plays for English club Leicester.

With Heyneke Meyer being touted as the possible new coach for the New South African rugby franchise The Southern Kings, don’t rule out a move there either should his Western Force move not transpire. Hougaard is known to be a favourite of Heyneke Meyer.

Grant has played mostly at flyhalf but is also a competent number 12.

Saved by a technicality

Cape Town – The disciplinary hearing against Chiefs No. 8 Sione Lauaki was on Monday dismissed on technical grounds as the citing for a dangerous tackle was not received within the prescribed 12 hour period after the match ended.

If you haven’t seen the tackle yet its amazing to think that this tackle didn’t constitute ‘exceptional circumstances’.

In exceptional circumstances, the Judicial Officer can allow citings that were made more than 12 hours after the end of the game.

The Judiciary Officer in this case, Dekker Govender, could not find exceptional circumstances to allow the hearing to continue. I find this to be a travesty of justice. This had to be one of the worst high tackles I’ve seen in a long time and warranted more than just a yellow card in my opinion.

Lauaki was cited for dangerous play after a high tackle on Bulls winger Bryan Habana in the first half of last Saturday’s Vodacom Super 14 match at Loftus Versfeld.

The Chiefs player was yellow carded by match referee Craig Joubert. The Bulls won the game 33-27.

Hennie Daniller scored with 4 minutes to go to secure a 20 – 13 victory for the Cheetahs over the Crusaders in Bloemfontein today.

The Crusaders were forced to make many more tackles than the home team as the Cheetahs put in a gutsy display against the New Zealanders.

The Cheetahs have raised their game considerably over the past few weeks. Stand out players were Naas Olivier at flyhalf, and man of the match Hennie Daniller who hardly put a foot wrong all day from fullback.

Leon MacDonald sunk a kick in the last seconds of the game to secure a bonus point for the visitors.

That would rock. First move if he took over would to actually get a decent kicker in the team one would hope. Then maybe get some decent props in. I’d first try get Daan Human back from France, apparently he is kicking some arse there.

Anyway I guess its all conjecture until it actually happens. I must admit I think Rassie Erasmus has been a let down this season. The team don’t seem to have any plan and surprisingly, cos I fucken LOVE RUGBY and I’m a Stormers supporter, I’ve actually missed a few of their games this season and NOT CARED. Before you label me a fair weather supporter, I must tell you I’ve supported this team through thick and thin, and now it’s just become a joke.

You can read the article here.