KEY POINTS:
A referee putting himself centre stage? Never ... but it was taken to fresh heights by Mark Lawrence during the Crusaders-Force match. Ten minutes after halftime, Force lock Rudi Vedelago flipped up a pass in the direction of his halfback Chris O'Young. Lawrence, in one of those instinctive moments he'll wish hadn't happened, stuck out a hand and gave the ball a help on its way to O'Young.
Sharks hungry for more
As if the Sharks' clash with the Blues at North Harbour this Saturday needed any extra bite, their 59-16 pounding of the hopeless Reds was their biggest win and highest score in Super rugby. Their nine tries were also a record for a South African outfit on the road.
Face to face
And how about this for a tasty matchup when the Sharks play the Blues: Waylon Murray against Isaia Toeava. Two strong, fast, young centres in prime form. For those who like their squareoffs a shade more the red-blooded, in-your-face variety, how about AJ Venter and Troy Flavell?
So clean it squeaks
Wondering just how sanitised rugby is becoming? Take the handbags dustup between JP Pietersen and Quade Cooper in the Sharks-Reds match. Even though neither looked as though he'd knock the skin off a rice pudding, New Zealand referee Chris Pollock saw fit to hand out a lecture and warning to Pietersen. Puhleeese ...
Wingers take flight
It was a winger's feast in the 10-try jamboree at Queenstown. Highlanders Vili Waqaseduadua and Lucky Mulipola both bagged tries, as did Matt Saunders, lining up at centre but a former longtime wing for Otago and the Highlanders. Right wing Lelia Masaga got two of the Chiefs' five as did All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, who just happened to be at fullback on Saturday for the first time.
