SupeRugby Round 18 Recap:

The SupeRugby madness is finally over, now we can settle down and wait for these mouth watering knock out finals to arrive. The big talk is that of the Sharks beating the Bulls at Loftus and the Stormers secured 2nd place overall and get a week off this week.

• The Blues beat the Highlanders in what was a clear season of two halves for the Highlanders. They were sitting pretty but just didnt' have the depth and mental strength to pull through. The Blues were fighting for a top 2 spot and did all they could to secure it. Luke McAlister looked good again this week. Blues winning 33-16
• The Force eventually closed this game out and beat the newbies 27-24. The first half was rather boring but four tries in 13 minutes (two tries each) kick started this battle in the 62nd minute. Willie Ripia kicking the winning penalty with two minutes to play. James Stannard at pivot for the Force looked good again.
• The Chiefs hosted the log leaders in what proved to be a good old fashioned battle. The Reds were in control but nearly let it slip. Reds winning 19-11
• The Crusader won a relatively uneventful game against the Hurricanes in Wellington. One try scored by Robbie Fruean the rest of the games points came off the boot. Crusaders winning 16-9
• The Waratahs needed a win and really needed to take five points out this game, they were facing the unpredictable but poor Brumbies. Boy, were they poor. The writing was on the wall as early as the 2nd minute when Turner went over for the 'Tahs. Five tries, five conversions and two penalties ended a forgettable season for the Canberra based side and was a fitting farewell for Kurtley Beale. Waratahs winning 41-7
• Game of the day. Not many people would have put money on the Sharks winning their first game at Loftus since 2008. The Sharks, it must be said, executed their game plan to perfection and really took it to the Bulls. The game finished two tries a piece but 'was edge of your seat stuff' for the full 80 minutes. Patrick Lambie at fullback and Frederic Michalak at 10 were the difference. Sharks winning 26-23 and qualifying for the knock out stages.
• The fans were given an eight try bonanza in Bloemfontein as both teams dished up bonus points but the Stormers eventually running out winners by 10 points. The Stormers were looking at securing the number 2 spot which will give them a week off and a bye this week. They did it with ease and even though they have been struggling with injuries the did the job. A hat trick of tries by Rayno Benjamin for the Cheetahs was a great way for him to end his season. Stormers winning 44-34   

Player of the Week: Frederic Michalak
Team of the Week: the Sharks
WTF of the Week: The Cheetahs are the second highest points scorers for the season, 1 point behind the Crusaders.