Blues in front despite lay-up

By CHRIS RATTUE

The Blues held on to their Super 12 lead without even lacing a boot this weekend, and one of their main chasers - the Highlanders - face the loss of key strike weapon Aisea Tuilevu.

Wing Tuilevu is to appear before a judicial committee in Durban today after a crazy knee-first charge on Friedrich Lombard that forced the Cats wing from the field with blood pouring from a wound over an eye.

On a bad weekend for wings, Springbok Breyton Paulse has been ruled out of action for at least three months after a knee injury against the Brumbies in Canberra.

The 40-test wing has torn ligaments, but will not need an operation.

Tuilevu was sinbinned for the second time this season (and again by referee Stuart Dickinson) for the 16th-minute incident.

He was later penalised for scragging then dragging Lombard by the collar, and also produced a shoulder charge on halfback Ricky Januarie.

Cats coach Tim Lane put the incidents before the match commissioner, who ordered Tuilevu to appear on the kneeing charge.

Tuilevu, who has scored four tries this season, looks certain to be suspended, meaning he will at least miss the Highlanders' next match against the wobbly Sharks in Durban.

Tuilevu had collected a kick and was charging the ball upfield when he raised a knee and lunged towards Lombard, who was lowering himself for the tackle.

The Highlanders said from Johannesburg last night that they would defend Tuilevu, but were unsure of their case yet as the citing was reported late on match night.

The Blues, who had a bye this round, were among the big winners at the weekend because they stayed at the top of the table.

The second-placed Waratahs were erratic in downing the stout but limited Bulls.

There was still much to admire about the Waratahs, considering the illness they had dealt with during the week.

But it was not an imposing performance at Aussie Stadium, where they wasted a succession of opportunities.

The Highlanders failed to take an opportunity to head the table, stumbling on Johannesburg's high ground.

The Crusaders were only average in putting away the Chiefs at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. And the Brumbies, the 2002 beaten finalists, were hardly in top gear in victory over the Stormers.

A big plus for New Zealand rugby was the good form of Christian Cullen in the Hurricanes' victory over the Sharks in Durban.

It's not quite the Cullen of old, but he is showing promising signs.

The Sharks, though, are not a great yardstick, for Cullen or anyone else. Injury-hit and erratic within each game, they look like confirmed cellar dwellers.

So do the Stormers, who were touted as South Africa's best title challenger.

With Chris Rossouw injured, they are plagued by horrible goalkicking which always puts them behind the eight-ball.

Gaffie du Toit has landed just seven from 16 attempts this season, compared with the Bulls' sharpshooter Louis Koen, who has nailed 22 out of 25.

The rest of the rugby might not have been quite as bad as the Stormers' goalkicking.

It was hardly a scintillating weekend of football, though.

Some of the best moments were provided by the Cats, who appear to have woken from their slumber.

There are calls in South Africa for national coach Rudolf Straeuli to limit his game plan for the World Cup and rely on the traditional Springboks' method of powerful forwards, a dominating first five-eighths, and ace goalkicking.

Players like Cats centre Gcobani Bobo may give Straeuli, who was innovative in his time as the Sharks' coach, other ideas.

Still, the basis of the South African game still seems safest in the hands of a giant pack.

Whatever the Springboks' selection outcome, the departure of the leaden-footed Cats of old would be a significant boost for the Super 12.