Rugby: Sharks emerge as favourites

Bonus points, jersey confusion and Matt Goddard were trifecta talking points in a weekend when the Sharks consolidated their lead in the Super 14 series.

The Chiefs, with their unbeaten run extended to five, have nudged up to become the best of the New Zealand sides as the chase for the playoffs gains more pressure and intrigue. Once they switched on their afterburners, the Chiefs scorched the visiting Lions and settled into second on the points table.

It is a lofty position for the Waikato men who have lost three times this season, the same number of defeats as the Brumbies, who have played a game less but wallow in eighth place.

The Chiefs' advantage is their collection of bonus points. In each of their defeats they claimed a point. The only time they missed a bonus-points victory was against the Highlanders. It has given them a small buffer as they contemplate their bye then a trip to South Africa which will go a long way towards deciding their fate in this year's competition.

Up on the high veld at Bloemfontein, there was more drama for referee Goddard as he made his return to duty after a week's remedial work on his judgment. He still needs more time on the books with several poor decisions hurting the hosts.

This was the Cheetahs' first game on home ground in the tournament and they must have wondered whom they had offended to get a red-booted Goddard as well.

Both teams wore white jerseys and could be distinguished only because the Cheetahs wore white shorts, the Brumbies were clad in black. This year in New Zealand we have seen sides change strip even when there was no clash with their originals.

They do things differently in Bloemfontein although we were promised in a halftime announcement that the Cheetahs would return in a different jersey. No dice. The Cheetahs returned in the same kit and continued to play as they have all tournament.

Down on the coast the Sharks invited the Hurricanes into their pen, struggled until the break and then eased away for another victory to keep them bubbling at the top of the series with the Cheetahs and Crusaders to come before they have a bye.

"We had great opportunities to score but we couldn't do it. It's a tough place to come and win," Hurricanes skipper Rodney So'oialo said.

That leaves the Sharks as favourites for the title which eluded them when beaten by the Bulls in 2007.

The challenge this year is coming from the Chiefs, Waratahs then Bulls at the moment, but all three are in the midst, or have yet to make, overseas forays. The defending champions, the Crusaders, lie in fifth position but have injury worries and a trip to South Africa to come. Captain Richie McCaw will return for that expedition but the series has finished for centre Casey Laulala, who broke his arm again in the tight win against the Bulls.

The Waratahs lauded wing Lachie Turner for nailing their ugly 12-6 win with two tries before defeated Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus joined in to praise the victors' style. "They actually are not as predictable as everybody thinks. It's tough to plan against them," he suggested.

The Tahs are third on points differential but their crowds are dropping as their try tallies also wither. Coach Chris Hickey pointed out the amount of chances his team created.

"But at the end you want to be paid back on the scoreboard and we're not," he lamented.