S14 - semi-finals - Stats
It was different this year - both semi-finals in South Africa as the prelude to an all-South African final. The victory margins were similar - 16 points in Durban, 15 in Pretoria.
Here we give some statistics from each of the matches.
Soundsure have been a huge help with much of the statistics, as they always are.
"Stoppages" is the total of penalties, free kicks, line-outs, scrums and their infernal resets, and drop-outs.
Sanctionary Cards
Richie McCaw was the only player sin-binned in the semi-finals. This was his second yellow card in the 2007 Super 14.
Recipients:
Troy Flavell (Blues) - stamping
Clark Dermody (Highlanders) - punching
Jono Gibbes (Chiefs) - high tackle
Marty Holah (Chiefs) - tackle law infringement
George Smith (Brumbies) - tackle law infringement
Jaque Fourie (Lions) - spear tackle
James Horwill (Reds) - tackle law infringement
Mitch Chapman (Reds) - tackle law infringement)
Schalk Burger (Stormers) - late tackle
David Pocock (Western Force - tackle law infringement
Lucky Mulipola (Highlanders) - air tackle
Alistair Campbell (Brumbies) - tackle law infringement
Schalk Burger (Stormers) - tackle law infringement
George Smith (Brumbies) - fighting
David Croft (Reds) - fighting
Lloyd Johansson (Reds) - dangerous tackle
Anton Leonard (Bulls) - dangerous tackle
Junior Pelesasa (Western Force) - dangerous tackle
Toby Lynn (Chiefs) - stamping
Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes) - foul play
David Croft (Reds) - tackle law infringement
Dwayne Sweeney (Chiefs) - dangerous tackle
Jaco van der Westhuysen (Bulls) - tackle law infringement
David Croft (Reds) - tackle law infringement
Justin Melck (Stormers) - tackle law infringement
Luke Andrews (Hurricanes) - man without the ball
Peter Hynes (Reds) - deliberate knock-on
Peter Hynes (Reds) - dangerous tackle
Jacques Cronje (Lions) - maul infringement
Tana Umaga (Hurricanes) - man without the ball - or something
Beast Mtawarira (Sharks) - high tackle
Will Caldwell (Waratahs) - air tackle and high tackle
Ezra Taylor (Highlanders) - high tackle and swinging arm got one for a high tackle to go with his "swinging arm" .
Liam Messam (Chiefs) - high tackle
Jason Eaton (Hurricanes) - maul infringement
Victor Matfield (Bulls) - tackle law infringement
Warren Britz (Sharks) - tackle law infringement
Rory Kockott (Sharks) - deliberate knock-on
Francois van Schouwenburg (Bulls) - punch
Wian du Preez (Cheetahs) - late tackle
Rodney So'oialo (Hurricanes) - tackle law infringement
Sam Tuitupou (Blues) - punching
Tama Tuirirangi (Reds) - dissent
Ti'i Paulo (Crusaders) - tackle law infringement
Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes) - dangerous tackle
Nathan Sharpe (Force) - tackle law infringement
Ryan Cross (Force) - tackle law infringement
Rickie Januarie (Lions) - foul play
Troy Flavell (Blues)
Schalk Ferreira (Stormers) - tackle law infringement
Tana Umaga (Hurricanes) - tackle law infringement
Richie McCaw (Crusaders) - deliberate knock-on
Duane Vermeulen (Cheetahs) - tackle law infringement
Wylie Human (Lions) - tackle law infringement
Jacques Cronje (Lions) - tackle law infringement
David Te Moana (Reds) - collapsing a maul
Anton Oliver (Highlanders) - tackle law infringement
James Horwell (Reds) - tackle late and armless
Richie McCaw (Crusaders) - collapsing maul
Cited and Suspended
Lloyd Johansson (Reds)
JP Nel (Bulls)
Bevin Fortuin (Cheetahs)
Danie Rossouw (Bulls)
(I) Sharks vs Blues
Penalties conceded
Sharks: 7 (3 off-side, 3 tackle, 1 high)
Blues: 10 (4 off-side, 4 tackles, 1 tackle without ball, 1 high)
The Sharks goaled four penalties, the Blues two. The Blues missed a penalty attempt, the Sharks none.
Line-outs
The first line-out in the match came after 30 minutes.
Sharks: 17 (1 lost, 1 free kick)
Blues: 14 (2 lost, 2 quick, 1 skew)
Scrums
Sharks: 9
Blues: 9 (6 reset, 2 free kicks, 1 lost, 3 collapsed)
Free kicks
Sharks: 2 (1 mark, 1 line-out)
Blues: 2 (scrums)
Drop-outs
Sharks: 3
Blues: 1
Stoppages: 80
Kicks
Sharks: 30
Blues: 30
Tackle/ruck/maul: 172
Advantage:
Played: 17
Effected: 8
Tries:
Sharks: 3
Blues: 2
(ii) Bulls vs Crusaders
Penalties conceded
Bulls: 10 (3 off-side, 5 tackle, 1 late, 1 scrum)
Crusaders: 13 (6 off-side, 5 tackle, 1 early, 1 collapsed maul)
The Bulls kicked eight penalty goals, the Crusaders 4. The Crusaders missed one penalty attempt, the Bulls none.
Line-outs
Bulls: 15 (1 lost)
Crusaders: 20 (3 lost, 1 skew, 1 quick)
Scrums
Bulls: 8
Crusaders: 7 (5 reset, 1 penalty, 1 free kick, 4 collapsed)
Free kicks
Bulls: 0
Crusaders: 2 (1 scrum, 1 mark)
Drop-outs
Bulls: 2
Crusaders: 0
Stoppages: 82
Kicks
Bulls:
Crusaders:
Tackles/rucks/mauls:
Advantage :
Played: 15
Effected: 6
Tries:
Bulls: 0
Crusaders: 0