Official Super Rugby Thread 2012

[Devill]

So the season's Super Rugby kicks off on the 24th of Feb.

This link has all the fixtures for the 2012 season on it.

Fixtures (http://www.rugby15.co.za/2011/09/vodacom-super-rugby-fixtures-2012/)

Good luck to all the SA teams.

EDIT: Come join the MyBB SuperBru pool: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/398867-Official-Superbru-Pool

Also join Rugbyfifteen's Superbru pool!
Pool Code: tinsmats

[Xmailer9]

lions should do better. bulls have basically a brand new team and will not perform that well. sharks and stormers will be thereabouts. cheetahs might improve a place.

my thoughts :)

[Devill]

Lions vs Stormers
19:00
27 Jan
Newlands

I am looking forward to this. I hope that the Lions have a big enough group of players to make a good go of it in the Super Series.

[Ou grote]

Stormers FTC!!! :)

( For The Choke) :(

[Ou grote]

Lions vs Stormers
19:00
27 Jan
Newlands

I am looking forward to this. I hope that the Lions have a big enough group of players to make a good go of it in the Super Series.

Where u getting tickets from?

[Devill]

Where u getting tickets from?

I was offered Box tickets by one of our clients but I have already made plans with mates for a Friday night braai.

Are they sold out?

[Ou grote]

I was offered Box tickets by one of our clients but I have already made plans with mates for a Friday night braai.

Are they sold out?

Not on computicket.
Must be selling them at the ground then.

[Devill]

http://www.rugby15.co.za/2011/11/five-south-africans-on-ten-man-merit-panel-for-vodacom-super-rugby/


South Africans make up half of the positions on the ten-man Merit Panel of referees for the 2012 Vodacom Super Rugby competition, SANZAR announced today. Two more South Africans have been added to the Reserve Panel for the first time.

Rugby World Cup referees Craig Joubert and Jonathan Kaplan as well as Marius Jonker, Mark Lawrence, and Jaco Peyper are the five South Africans on the merit panel while Lourens van der Merwe and Stuart Berry come on to the Reserve Panel. The other newcomers are Angus Gardner and Andrew Lees of Australia and Mike Fraser of New Zealand.

“We plan to give our Merit Panel referees around 80% of the games in Super Rugby, next year, with the Reserve Panel picking up the balance,” said Lyndon Bray, SANZAR’s Game Manager.


Merit Panel:

Keith Brown (NZ), Marius Jonker (SA), Craig Joubert (SA), Jonathan Kaplan (SA), Bryce Lawrence (NZ), Mark Lawrence (SA), Jaco Peyper (SA), Chris Pollock (NZ), Steve Walsh (AUS) & Garratt Williamson (NZ).

Reserve Panel:

Stuart Berry (SA), Mike Fraser (NZ), Angus Gardner (AUS), Glen Jackson (NZ), Andrew Lees, (AUS) Ian Smith (AUS), Lourens van der Merwe (SA) & Jonathon White (NZ).

No idea what Bryce is doing on the "Merit" panel though :p

[Peon]

The Sharks will win. I know its hard and uncomfortable to admit. But the Sharks are the only team in the country guys! Come now, always keep it real. And remember, ask not what you can do for yourself, rather what can you do for the legendary Sharks rugby team!!!!

[Devill]

The Sharks will win. I know its hard and uncomfortable to admit. But the Sharks are the only team in the country guys! Come now, always keep it real. And remember, ask not what you can do for yourself, rather what can you do for the legendary Sharks rugby team!!!!

I see they are letting the "special" class post on MyBB again :p

[Devill]

I can not believe they are not broadcasting the Warm up game tonight (Stormers vs Lions).

Tomorrow's game between the Cheetahs and the Kings is also not televised :( :mad:

[Ou grote]

I can not believe they are not broadcasting the Warm up game tonight (Stormers vs Lions).

Tomorrow's game between the Cheetahs and the Kings is also not televised :( :mad:

They dont usually show them.

[Devill]

They dont usually show them.

.... I see on the Stormers website they say there will be a a highlights package sometime....

Was looking forward to having a braai tonight and watcing the rugby.

[sand_man]

.... I see on the Stormers website they say there will be a a highlights package sometime....

Was looking forward to having a braai tonight and watcing the rugby.

Don't worry bud, won't be long before we will have 7 Super 15 games and 3 Six Nations games on a particular weekend.

[Devill]

Don't worry bud, won't be long before we will have 7 Super 15 games and 3 Six Nations games on a particular weekend.

Haha, yes I can't wait! I even enjoyed seeing the stormers play their warmup last weekend :D

[Ou grote]

Haha, yes I can't wait! I even enjoyed seeing the stormers play their warmup last weekend :D

Already a Stormers fanboi...

[APoc184]

Vrystaaaaaaattt.....!!

Damn. See Juan Smith has undergone a follow-up operation and will miss the first part of the season!

[Devill]

Already a Stormers fanboi...

I will think of making We Pee my 19th favourite team if they actually manage to win something for a change :p


Vrystaaaaaaattt.....!!

Damn. See Juan Smith has undergone a follow-up operation and will miss the first part of the season!

:( I read the story... FFS I was hoping he could captain of VC the Boks.....

[Ou grote]

I will think of making We Pee my 19th favourite team if they actually manage to win something for a change :p



:( I read the story... FFS I was hoping he could captain of VC the Boks.....

Yeah its embarrassing for all of us to admit you're a fan.

Don't forget your All blacks jersey for when NZ teams play us.

[Devill]

Yeah its embarrassing for all of us to admit you're a fan.

Don't forget your All blacks jersey for when NZ teams play us.

No thank you. Of all the teams I only like the sharks less :)

And the NZ jerseys are sold out here in Cape Town.

[Ou grote]

No thank you. Of all the teams I only like the sharks less :)

And the NZ jerseys are sold out here in Cape Town.

That's the spirit.

[Arthur]

After years of skulking away and hiding in corners with embarrassment and having to buy endless rounds for others, this is The Year of the Lions! (Pleeeeze!! I just can't give up and switch to the Stormers, even though I moved from Joeys to the WCape.)

[Devill]

After years of skulking away and hiding in corners with embarrassment and having to buy endless rounds for others, this is The Year of the Lions! (Pleeeeze!! I just can't give up and switch to the Stormers, even though I moved from Joeys to the WCape.)

Haha, same here. I get a lot of grief from the locals because I support the Bulls.

[Ou grote]

After years of skulking away and hiding in corners with embarrassment and having to buy endless rounds for others, this is The Year of the Lions! (Pleeeeze!! I just can't give up and switch to the Stormers, even though I moved from Joeys to the WCape.)

Nah, you have at least one more year of that.


DHL Stormers 28(13) – Lions 6(6)
- Friday, January 27, 2012

[Devill]

This is springbok news / opinion but I thought I would post it here:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Columnists/JJHarmse/Grow-up-Stormers-fans-20120202



Roux backs 'manager' Meyer South African rugby fans, especially those who support the one team from the big five that have not won any big trophies in the last decade, will have to grow up very fast.

It was clear from comments made by those fans on blogs and forums like this (complimented by their local scribes down behind the wine curtain), after the welcome appointment of Heyneke Meyer as Springbok coach, that the style of play and not the result is still more important to them.

Grow up people. Professional sport is about one thing and one thing only - winning!

In tournament golf, you can hit the most spectacular drives and chip shots, but if they don’t add up after two rounds, you don’t play on the weekend.

In professional sport it is the result that matters most. Which is why, in rugby, Meyer was such a popular choice to replace Peter de Villiers.

The new Bok chief learned something very important in his early years as a professional coach. It is not how you play that matters, it is the result that will determine your fate.

He adapted with spectacular results.

He looked at the laws of the game at the time, adapted a game plan that suited his players and complimented the laws and what happened?

Five consecutive Currie Cup finals (won three, drew one and lost one) and to prove the durability of his game plan, three consecutive semi-finals in Super Rugby, with the last one resulting in that final that made the Bulls the first South African side to win a Super Rugby title.

The basis of that game plan was to play only in the opponents half. Meyer had in Derick Hougaard and Morné Steyn two flyhalves who could (and did) kick the ball 60 metres.

This allowed the Bulls to stay in their opponents' half, most of the time 30, 40 metres from the opposing tryline, with their opponents often having a lineout throw following a Bulls kick.

The opponents had to throw the ball into a lineout contested by Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw and/or Pedrie Wannenburg.

The pressure never ceased and from resulting penalties or turnovers, Hougaard or Steyn would convert the pressure into points.

Simple, effective. Not pretty, but winning rugby.

When the laws changed at the end of 2007, with no passing back into your 22 metre area, Meyer and his Bulls adapted their kicking patterns and again became the top team in the Southern Hemisphere in 2009 and 2010.

In both years they started to kick up-and-unders, forcing opponents, thanks to brilliant chasing lines and pressure, to commit errors and concede penalties. Again, Steyn was there to punish.

They also ran when the numbers justified it and scored more tries than any other team.

So what was the first thing Meyer had to do when introduced to media in Cape Town upon his appointment?

Defend his success with the Bulls, and was expected to promise that the Boks will not play like the Bulls!

What bull was that?

The sole reason Meyer was appointed in the first place was because his team played a winning style for a long time. Predicable at times, yes, but executed so well that they won three Super Rugby titles in five years.

Why on earth now expect Meyer to play or approach the game differently?

He has proven that he is willing and able to adapt the way his team plays. He has proven that winning breeds a culture of excellence like nothing else.

Everyone has his or her own opinion and thanks for reading mine, but to expect Meyer to change his ways to a playing style that failed to win anything for 10 years, is arrogant.

Not to talk about short-sighted, but then, how are you expected to have vision when you have your head in the sand like an ostrich?

I am not a fan of mnr Harmse and I do not agree that all (or even most) of the WP / Stormers supporters are against Meyer's appointment.

[Ou grote]

This is springbok news / opinion but I thought I would post it here:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Columnists/JJHarmse/Grow-up-Stormers-fans-20120202

Most important thing to note there is that he got his team to adapt their gameplan and they keep winning.

He should coach the Plan A Proteas.

[APoc184]

Warm up result

STORMERS 14 vs CHEETAHS 22

VRYSTAAAATTT......!!!!

Now I have to do updates of the Scotland vs England Six nations match.

[GreGorGy]

So it kicks off again. My insights:

(1) THE BULLS: my team, thick and thin. TBH, I think this might be a thin year. We have to rebuild in many key positions as stalwarts have moved on, retired, etc. I do hope that we use this time to develop. Already slumping towards the end of last year, THE BULLS will have to take it on the chin and redefine their game.

(2) THE CHEETAHS: shame, poor FS: forever being raped for players by the wealthier unions. Naka often finds himself rebuilding from season to season. This time around, they do not appear to have suffered as much. Things are shaping up for them. They'll compete for 3rd place and maybe even second in the ZA conference.

(3) THE LIONS: great finish to last year and let's hope for their sake and ZA rugby that the team keeps that momentum. After the first few rounds, if they look good still, they may just top the ZA conference. Watch this space.

(4) the stormers: utter tossers. Ok, that's just the hate talking. In reality, they face the same dilemma as the BULLS and I see these two teams fighting over the wooden spoon in ZA conference.

(5) the sharks: not as badly affected as the BULLS and stormers, they should shape their usual average selves. I expect a mediocre performance that will see them competing with the Cheetahs for 2nd in ZA.



Of course, these insights will change after the first few games when we can actually get a taste of what our various charges are capable of. Also, other conferences have suffered setbacks themselves with retirements etc so it may not all be doom and gloom. I certainly hope I am wrong on a few of my insights above.

[Chris]

Warm up result

STORMERS 14 vs CHEETAHS 22

VRYSTAAAATTT......!!!!

Now I have to do updates of the Scotland vs England Six nations match.

Let's keep some perspective here...it was basically the Stormer's 2nd-string team :p

A bit bleak Sarel is not playing for the Cheetahs this year - man, that guy is a genius.

[APoc184]

Let's keep some perspective here...it was basically the Stormer's 2nd-string team :p

A bit bleak Sarel is not playing for the Cheetahs this year - man, that guy is a genius.

Haha. Yeah. I don't read too much into the warm-up games anyway. They are only good for testing combinations and making final tweaks.

We will miss Sarel dearly and he will score and create many tries for the Waratahs this year. Luckily we have Piet van Zyl. Showed some serious skill in the final stages of the Currie Cup. Another good thing is that Sarel will be back to play Currie Cup for the Cheetahs later this year.

I'm extremely excited to see how the Golden Goose (Johan Goosen) will perform this year. Destined for big things that boy!

[Devill]

So it kicks off again. My insights:

(1) THE BULLS: my team, thick and thin. TBH, I think this might be a thin year. We have to rebuild in many key positions as stalwarts have moved on, retired, etc. I do hope that we use this time to develop. Already slumping towards the end of last year, THE BULLS will have to take it on the chin and redefine their game.

(2) THE CHEETAHS: shame, poor FS: forever being raped for players by the wealthier unions. Naka often finds himself rebuilding from season to season. This time around, they do not appear to have suffered as much. Things are shaping up for them. They'll compete for 3rd place and maybe even second in the ZA conference.

(3) THE LIONS: great finish to last year and let's hope for their sake and ZA rugby that the team keeps that momentum. After the first few rounds, if they look good still, they may just top the ZA conference. Watch this space.

(4) the stormers: utter tossers. Ok, that's just the hate talking. In reality, they face the same dilemma as the BULLS and I see these two teams fighting over the wooden spoon in ZA conference.

(5) the sharks: not as badly affected as the BULLS and stormers, they should shape their usual average selves. I expect a mediocre performance that will see them competing with the Cheetahs for 2nd in ZA.



Of course, these insights will change after the first few games when we can actually get a taste of what our various charges are capable of. Also, other conferences have suffered setbacks themselves with retirements etc so it may not all be doom and gloom. I certainly hope I am wrong on a few of my insights above.

Hope the Lions do not suffer any serious injuries as their depth has not really been tested all that much.

[Devill]

Bulls team for Saturday
Zane Kirchner , Akona Ndungane , Johann Sadie, Francois Venter, Bjorn Basson , Morne Steyn , Francois Hougaard , CJ Stander, Dewald Potgieter , Deon Stegmann , Juandre Kruger, Flip van der Merwe , Werner Kruger , Chiliboy Ralepelle (c), Dean Greyling

Replacements: Willie Wepener, Frik Kirsten, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Arno Botha, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouche, JJ Engelbrecht.

Cheetahs team for Saturday

Willie le Roux, Ryno Benjamin, Robert Ebersohn, Philip Snyman, Rocco Jansen, Johan Goosen, Piet van Zyl, Davon Raubenheimer, Ashley Johnson, Heinrich Brussow, Izak van der Westhuizen, Andries Ferreira, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane.

Replacements: Ryno Barnes, Lourens Adriaanse, Francois Uys, Philip van der Walt, Tewis de Bruyn, Sias Ebersohn, Hennie Daniller, Andries Strauss.

[Devill]

Teams:

Kings: 15 Tiger Mangweni, 14 Marcello Sampson, 13 Jaco Bekker, 12 Wayne Stevens, 11 Norman Nelson, 10 Shane Gates, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Vleis Engelbrecht, 6 Mpho Mbiyozo, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Darron Nell, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Jaco Engels.

Substitutes: 16 Bobby Dyer, 17 Zane Killian, 18 Andre Schlechter, 19 Wayne van Heerden, 20 Reynier Bernardo, 21 Boetie Britz, 22 Thembelani Bholi, 23 Dustin Jinka, 24 Earl Rose, 25 Dwayne Jenner, 26 Kieran Goss.

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Bryan Habana, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Gerhard van den Heever, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhard Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Strong Stormers team. Wonder how Habana will do.

Substitutes: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 19 Frans Malherbe, 20 Eben Etzebeth, 21 De Kock Steenkamp, 22 Nizaam Carr, 23 Nic Groom, 24 Marcel Brache, 25 Burton Francis, 26 Danie Poolman.

[APoc184]

Took these pics at yesterday's game between the Vodacom Cup squads of the Blue Bulls and Cheetahs.

Bulls won 33-29 in a highly entertaining match.

Tewis de Bruyn.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/420830_10151263122560542_430696690541_22833389_115 6365474_n.jpg

Jean Cook. Former Free State player.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/431536_10151263133260542_430696690541_22833421_177 2135712_n.jpg

Just a cool lineout shot I took.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/428759_10151263145445542_430696690541_22833480_213 0982143_n.jpg

[BobsLawnService]

Can't we just relegate the Cheetahs already? What a bunch of palookas. Just toss them and give the spears a chance - they can't do any worse.

[Devill]

Can't we just relegate the Cheetahs already? What a bunch of palookas. Just toss them and give the spears a chance - they can't do any worse.

Sorry mate but if we relegate the cheetahs, the Bulls, sharks and WP will have no one to buy players from..... :D

[GreGorGy]

Yes, but does it work...
(or rather, how does it work?)

All this discussion around EP and inclusion/relegation/whatever has me thinking. One of the arguments put forward incuded mentioning that SuperSport was this power player. The crud we were fed when the S15 was reshaped was that Aus needed a domestic tournament to grow the sport and this was part of the intention. Personally, I though the conference format was a massive failure and it simply could not live up to its promise. Maybe it did in Oz, what do I know. And on that topic (my ignorance) I'd like to know if the new format actually worked for viewer numbers. Did SS show increased viewership in the new format? Obviously, with more matches, there may have been a total increase but was there a net increase? Did more people or less people watch PER WEEK? And if it was less, did this conference system work? Apoc - you seem to be on the inside here. Any insights?

[Devill]

Yes, but does it work...
(or rather, how does it work?)

All this discussion around EP and inclusion/relegation/whatever has me thinking. One of the arguments put forward incuded mentioning that SuperSport was this power player. The crud we were fed when the S15 was reshaped was that Aus needed a domestic tournament to grow the sport and this was part of the intention. Personally, I though the conference format was a massive failure and it simply could not live up to its promise. Maybe it did in Oz, what do I know. And on that topic (my ignorance) I'd like to know if the new format actually worked for viewer numbers. Did SS show increased viewership in the new format? Obviously, with more matches, there may have been a total increase but was there a net increase? Did more people or less people watch PER WEEK? And if it was less, did this conference system work? Apoc - you seem to be on the inside here. Any insights?

I should think the TV viewer numbers decreased and the attendance increased.

[Xmailer9]

I should think the TV viewer numbers decreased and the attendance increased.

I remember years ago when EP played Northern Transvaal at the Boet Erasmus stadium, the game was not televised at all, and was only later shown around midnight.

That must be done again to ensure better attendance at stadiums. After all, ticket prices aren't that bad.

[Devill]

I remember years ago when EP played Northern Transvaal at the Boet Erasmus stadium, the game was not televised at all, and was only later shown around midnight.

That must be done again to ensure better attendance at stadiums. After all, ticket prices aren't that bad.

I would not like that as I do not want to buy the over priced beer or shltty hotdogs at crazy prices at the stadium :(

Also I prefer watching it on TV as I can see replays and MUCH better angles.

I also do not miss the people cursing and being #@!#!@# in general all that much :p:D

[Devill]

The Lions beat the Kings 88-0 in their warm up match.

http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/super-14/1711-mtn-lions-trounce-southern-kings-88-0

[Ou grote]

The Lions beat the Kings 88-0 in their warm up match.

http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/super-14/1711-mtn-lions-trounce-southern-kings-88-0

Southern Queens off to an expected start.

[Sl8er]

Southern Queens off to an expected start.

Whaaaaaaahahahahahahaha!

[GreGorGy]

Whaaaaaaahahahahahahaha!

They were without their star players, whom they are keeping in cotton wool until the start of the 2012 First Division Currie Cup.

Oh, wait, that is funny still...

[Devill]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Michalak-suspended-for-PE-clash-20120215

Sharks' Michalak suspended



Frederic Michalak (Gallo Images)
Related Links
Lions tipped for dreaded drop
Plumtree: No stand-out SA side
End to judiciary bungling?

Durban - Sharks coach John Plumtree has made a couple of late changes to the side to play the Southern Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Friday evening.

According to Sharks website editor Michael Marnewick, Charl McLeod replaces Frederic Michalak at scrumhalf which means that Cobus Reinach is elevated into the match 24 where he will play off the bench.

Michalak has been found guilty for a late and dangerous tackle on Elton Jantjies in the Currie Cup final last year.

Due to the fact that Michalak left for France immediately after the final, his hearing was delayed until the start of this season. The Judicial Officer was Dekker Govender and the Citing Commissioner Freek Burger.

The hearing took place on Tuesday evening with the suspension valid for one week which makes him available to play as of 22 February.

[Mephisto_Helix]

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417559_299754056754232_100001589208541_815801_1822 957751_n.jpg]

Best.photo.on.FB.ever!

[Spizz]

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417559_299754056754232_100001589208541_815801_1822 957751_n.jpg]

Best.photo.on.FB.ever!

Hahahaha, classic :D

[GreGorGy]

More humour received which I thought I'd share now, before the crunch. Which starts today, btw. All you sharks fans can go to hell. Anyway, got the following dunno who originally wrote it:

Blou Bul Rugby is soos ‘n Blou Movie… voorspelbaar, met geen plan “B“ net stoot en stoot!

Sharks Rugby is soos Finding Nemo… Jy cheer vir die Klein bliksem eintlik net omdat jy hom jammer kry.

Stormers Rugby is soos Robben Eiland… Jy lees nou en Dan daarvan in geskiedenis boeke.

Lions Rugby is soos Brokeback Mountain … Daar’s altyd ‘n klomp gewillige poepholle wat op die veld rondhardloop.

Cheetah Rugby is soos Eskom… Jy weet daar’s krag, maar die ligte is af.

[Mephisto_Helix]

So amped that it's starting on Friday ... it's finally here! :D

[GreGorGy]

So amped that it's starting on Friday ... it's finally here! :D

I can taste the sweet breakfast beer making its way to my ever-welcoming stomach. I think without end-of-year tours, it has been a long time since we've seen any decent rugby. 29 October was CC final and now we've started later than S14 used to, just shy of 4 months since any SA rugby has been played at this level.

[Devill]

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417559_299754056754232_100001589208541_815801_1822 957751_n.jpg]

Best.photo.on.FB.ever!

ROFL :D Brilliant.


I can taste the sweet breakfast beer making its way to my ever-welcoming stomach. I think without end-of-year tours, it has been a long time since we've seen any decent rugby. 29 October was CC final and now we've started later than S14 used to, just shy of 4 months since any SA rugby has been played at this level.

+1000.

Bring on the real rugby! I will be enjoying Friday night's beer as much as the saturday breakfast beer :D

[Devill]

Sharks beat the Kings.

http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=1250621


The Sharks beat the Southern Kings 38-13 in their final pre-season warm-up match before next week's Vodacom Super Rugby tournament-opener against the Bulls, after registering a 10-3 lead at half-time.
Tries to Odwa Ndungane and Ryan Kankowski in the first half against a penalty to the home side gave The Sharks a 10-3 lead at the break.

Handling was made difficult by the rain while the Kings put on a feisty display to suggest that they are serious about being competitive against the top sides in South Africa.

Riaan Viljoen scored a great try early in the second half, with Pat Lambie converting to extend the lead to 17-3. The Kings added a further penalty to go with one in the first half before Keegan Daniel scored The Sharks' fourth try, Lambie converting again to push the lead to 24-9 with a quarter of the game remaining.

Daniel added his second and The Sharks fifth, and with Lambie's conversion, the visitors took a 31-6 lead, only for the Kings to hit back through Boetie Britz and Earl Rose converting to bring them some relief on the scoreboard with a little over five minutes to play.

In the final play of the game, The Sharks did well to work their way upfield, earning an attacking scrum, from which Paul Jordaan scored the final try as he scythed through the defence. Lambie converted and The Sharks finished off 38-13 victors.

[Devill]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/SANZAR-firm-on-S15-expansion-20120221


Johannesburg - SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters reiterated on Tuesday that the Super Rugby competition could not be expanded to accommodate a sixth South African team until 2015.

“What we have said is that we will always talk to our partners as we should have dialogue with the joint venture partners,” Peters said.

“But we have sold our format of Super Rugby for five years, expiring in 2015, which has a conference format to it.

“If you don’t have that, you don’t have the format we sold the broadcasters and commercial partners until 2015.”

This follows the SA Rugby Union’s (SARU) decision at the end of January to include the Southern Kings in the 2013 Super Rugby season while the future of the current SA franchises was left hanging in limbo.

Earlier this month it was reported that the current five teams - the Stormers, Bulls, Lions, Cheetahs and Sharks - sent a letter to SARU threatening to boycott the 2013 season if any of the five were excluded from the competition.

SARU, however, refuted the reports, with the national rugby body’s chief executive, Jurie Roux, setting the record straight.

"No threat of a boycott was made," Roux said at the time.

"But the franchises have made it plain that the only option to them is the expansion of Vodacom Super Rugby.

"They also pledged their support for the Kings' inclusion in 2013 as well as for SARU's efforts to persuade SANZAR to include a sixth South African franchise."

Peters said any threat of a boycott by teams would be fruitless as they had agreed to the current format.

“The threat of boycott has been rebutted by Jurie Roux as the CEO of SARU," Peters said.

"The franchises are bound by terms of a joint venture contract and broadcasting contracts around the world, so the threat of a boycott is hollow."

The SANZAR boss said the option of expanding the competition had been investigated and found not to be viable.

“We have looked at the 16 team option in the past and within our current format it just doesn’t work," he said.

"It would be a big ask to move away from what we have sold to our broadcasters and commercial partners for five years.

“Remember we are only just about to start year two of that new format.

"That is the position and we have considered and had a look at various options to try and fit 16 teams in and they simply don’t work.”

It has also been reported that SARU would have the backing of South Africa’s broadcaster rights holder, SuperSport, in its negotiations for expansion which would give it some bargaining power.

Peters, however, said it was not as simple as that as there were a number of factors that would determine whether South Africa could be successful in their lobbying down the line.

“That is one of the major factors, obviously, the amount of money that the broadcasters across the three territories fund the game.

"They are key stakeholders and this is something the Kings have asked before.

“It is not just SuperSport, it is Fox Sport in Australia and Sky TV in New Zealand, and commercial partners Vodacom, FxPro and Investec who are naming rights sponsors of the competition.

“Plus the franchises, who now have built a commercial model on having eight home games every year, so obviously that needs to be factored in as well.”

Peters said the issue would again be addressed at a SANZAR meeting in Sydney in March.

I still think SARU is heading for "egg-on-faceville".

What are they going to do if the big 5 refuse to play if one of them get relegated?

[GreGorGy]

"The franchises are bound by terms of a joint venture contract and broadcasting contracts around the world, so the threat of a boycott is hollow."

Hey, I am sure that contract is a two-way street:


We, the money people, agree to pay you, the cheetahs, to play S15 up till 2015. We, the cheetahs, agree to play those games for the money.
(if you want jurisprudence, get a lawyer to rephrase it).

Such a contract would imply that the team is bound as well as the organiser (SANZAR) until 2015. This means that no matter how much SARU bangs on, any of the 5 teams has a binding contract. And I do not see a single one of them stepping down. remember the fiasco in 2007?

[Devill]

Hey, I am sure that contract is a two-way street:


(if you want jurisprudence, get a lawyer to rephrase it).

Such a contract would imply that the team is bound as well as the organiser (SANZAR) until 2015. This means that no matter how much SARU bangs on, any of the 5 teams has a binding contract. And I do not see a single one of them stepping down. remember the fiasco in 2007?

The only problem will come in if the contract was done with SARU and not with each franchise. then SARU only has to supply 5 teams.

[Ou grote]

Bulls new rugby boots

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/500/402735_3336882261717_1258417710_3364867_36382763_n .jpg

[Devill]

Bulls new rugby boots

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/500/402735_3336882261717_1258417710_3364867_36382763_n .jpg

Those are just our away boots :mad: :p

Cheers to the stormers:

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showfull.php?photo=29743

[GreGorGy]

Teams:

Sharks:
15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Louis Ludik, 13. JP Pietersen, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Frederic Michalak, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Marcell Coetzee, 6. Keegan Daniel (captain), 5. Anton Bresler, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Dale Chadwick

Substitutes: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Ross Skeate, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Paul Jordaan

Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jaques Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling

Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 JJ Engelbrecht


This is not a battle that can be called on sheer power, experience or tested ability. This thing is a thumbsuck and I believe supporters will call the game for their chosen side. It really could go either way. Based on this, and being a BULL, I am gonna give the only difference I can find between the two sides to the homeground advantage.

[Ou grote]

Those are just our away boots :mad: :p

Cheers to the stormers:

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showfull.php?photo=29743

I expect a similar sort of season for us.

[McT]

Bulls new rugby boots

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/500/402735_3336882261717_1258417710_3364867_36382763_n .jpg

Looks about right... :D


Teams:

Sharks:
15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Louis Ludik, 13. JP Pietersen, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Frederic Michalak, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Marcell Coetzee, 6. Keegan Daniel (captain), 5. Anton Bresler, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Dale Chadwick

Substitutes: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Ross Skeate, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Paul Jordaan

Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jaques Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling

Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 CJ Stander, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 JJ Engelbrecht


This is not a battle that can be called on sheer power, experience or tested ability. This thing is a thumbsuck and I believe supporters will call the game for their chosen side. It really could go either way. Based on this, and being a BULL, I am gonna give the only difference I can find between the two sides to the homeground advantage.

Freddie at 9 ... wow! :eek:

Should be an epic clash.

[GreGorGy]

Freddie at 9 ... wow! :eek:

Should be an epic clash.

I can literally taste the beer in my mouth. Probably because I started early. Picking up my tickets in an hour.

[Devill]

I expect a similar sort of season for us.

I see that you are the book makers' favourite in SA.


I can literally taste the beer in my mouth. Probably because I started early. Picking up my tickets in an hour.

Haha nice. Can not wait for today to pass.

The picks on Superbru is bloody hard for a first round.

[Devill]

Blues 18 - Crusaders 19

[Ou grote]

Eish :( I had Blues by 1.

[Devill]

Eish :( I had Blues by 1.

Lol, had blues by 3.

Well at least we still get the margin point on Superbru.

[Xmailer9]

Great game to start off the season. Right down to the last kick.

[Ou grote]

Lol, had blues by 3.

Well at least we still get the margin point on Superbru.


They have amazingly kuk kickers in NZ.

We must have the 20 best place kickers in Super rugby here in SA.

[McT]

Blues 18 - Crusaders 19

Was this the final score?

[Devill]

Was this the final score?

Yes :)

Also the Brumbies leading 19-17 vs the Force with 20 or so minutes left.

[Ou grote]

I got the Brumbies by 9

[Ou grote]

Aussies cant kick either.

[GreGorGy]

tight one for Brumbies but they managed to hold on last 20.


19-17 final score

[Devill]

I got the Brumbies by 9

Had the Brumbies by 13 iirc... O well at least i have the winning team right :p

I have the bulls with 3 for tonight, you guys?

[GreGorGy]

Had the Brumbies by 13 iirc... O well at least i have the winning team right :p

I have the bulls with 3 for tonight, you guys?

Bulls by 10 as I see the sharks getting lethargic through the evening. And I have The Gregness by 9 getting very lethargic too...

[Ou grote]

Bulls by 5
Highlanders by 2
Waratahs by 1 (Reds, got no Quade)
Stormers by 1 (would have said 25, but Habana out of position, no Fourie, etc...)
Lions by 3

[Devill]

Bulls by 10 as I see the sharks getting lethargic through the evening. And I have The Gregness by 9 getting very lethargic too...

Haha, I hope you enjoy the game tonight Greg.


Bulls by 5
Highlanders by 2
Waratahs by 1 (Reds, got no Quade)
Stormers by 1 (would have said 25, but Habana out of position, no Fourie, etc...)
Lions by 3

Alf be serious now....

[Ou grote]

Haha, I hope you enjoy the game tonight Greg.



Alf be serious now....

What u got?

[Devill]

Bulls by 3
Chiefs by 13
Reds by 12
Stormers by 14
Lions by 8

[Ou grote]

Bulls by 3
Chiefs by 13
Reds by 12
Stormers by 14
Lions by 8

And you still pretend u aint a weepee fan yet...

[Devill]

And you still pretend u aint a weepee fan yet...

Haha :D

No thanks. I watch rugby with too many of you these days.

[McT]

19-17 final score

At least I got this one right :) ... and I'll add the Sharks win to my tally later :twisted:

[Ou grote]

At least I got this one right :) ... and I'll add the Sharks win to my tally later :twisted:


Did u mean to post that one in the Sci-fi subforum ?

[Devill]

Did u mean to post that one in the Sci-fi subforum ?

And you still deny being a Bulls fan :p

[Ou grote]

And you still deny being a Bulls fan :p

Anti Schmucks..

[Devill]

Anti Schmucks..

Whahahahaha :D

Fairynuff.

[LMFAO]

Sharks by 7
Chiefs by 10
Reds by 5
Stormers by 12
Lions by 3

You the Devill in disguise :D

[Mephisto_Helix]

Sharks by 9
Chiefs by 3
Reds by 11
Hurricanes by 5
Lions by 2

[Chris]

Supersport messing up commentary again - dual English/Afrikaans commentary :mad:
:

[McT]

Die Sharks wil nie wen nie, en die Bulle kan nie een nie ... :D

[MickeyD]

Very scrappy first half...

[McT]

Plenty of rust in both teams.

[MickeyD]

Did coach Ludeke just say that the handling errors were due to it being "a bit windy"? Damn!!!!

[BobsLawnService]

Looks like neither team wants to win this one.

[greg0205]

Looks like neither team wants to win this one.

Yep, those three points might just win it for the Bulls this evening.

EDIT: Nope, Greyling making sure the Sharks stay level.

[McT]

Coaches must have kicked some tail at half time ;)

[Mephisto_Helix]

Yeah, not a pretty game at all ....... some weird combos on the Sharks team as well, and now Bosman at 10

o.O

[Mephisto_Helix]

Not to mention they are seriously missing some grunt ...... even Bis is like "meh"

[Mephisto_Helix]

Same commentator saying now "Questions will be asked about the forward pass" last year when it was the Bulls: "Ag it's one of those things in rugby, the whistle has blown"

:rolleyes:

[MickeyD]

At last The Sharks have woken up...

[Ou grote]

Same commentator saying now "Questions will be asked about the forward pass" last year when it was the Bulls: "Ag it's one of those things in rugby, the whistle has blown"

:rolleyes:


How the f can my post count be higher than yours??

You were 20000 ahead of me once.
Did the sharks thread get deleted?

[Mephisto_Helix]

The players that are finishing the game now have to be the starting players, no two ways about it

[ToxicBunny]

Totally agree.... the fire and all that at the end would have won us the match up front.

[McT]

Well done, Bulls ;)

[Zenbaas]

How the f can my post count be higher than yours??

You were 20000 ahead of me once.
Did the sharks thread get deleted?

OT but I'm also curious...what the hell happened...?

[MickeyD]

OT but I'm also curious...what the hell happened...?
The older TK threads were deleted and all posts lost.

[Zenbaas]

The older TK threads were deleted and all posts lost.

Eish...hectic :) It's safer to postwhore in the normal threads now :D

[efitol]

Nice one Bulls, I would not have accepted any other result :D

[VJB 449]

Nice one Bulls!

[APoc184]

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/429024_10151319133120542_430696690541_23019093_180 0740041_n.jpg

[APoc184]

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/405915_10151319070635542_430696690541_23018728_988 34971_n.jpg

[Pixual]

Thanks to Bismarck DoøsPlessier we gave away the points the Bulls needed to win the game. He is a massive liability to any side. I wish he would go and join the Bulls.

Too many errors in that game and to be honest, both teams lacked any kind of forethought as to how they might approach the game, apart from trying to physically destroy one another. That's a coaching issue. A lack of imagination which failed to filter down to the players on the field.

Lambie looked very rusty, as did Morne Steyn.

I was impressed with JP Pietersen at centre - that steal he made from Hougaardt was the funniest thing I have seen on the field since that moegoe from the Cape got tackled from behind just as he slowed up to dot down under the posts many years ago. What was his name again?

The new boy who came on and sparked Botes' try looked handy too.

The Bulls seemed to lack intensity and pace. Some really good tackles and counter rucks were made by the Sharks and that should be an eye-opener for the Stormers next weekend.

Charl Macloed is still *** useless. Why they took off Michelak, who was providing good service, is a complete mystery. But then again, we have a Kiwi for a coach, so intelligence deficiency is hardly surprising. If the Sharks top brass had had any intelligence themselves they would have made a bid for Jake White when he was still available. Maybe there's still some bad blood there?

[Arthur]

Can't believe Kaplan missed that forward pass.

[greg0205]

Can't believe Kaplan missed that forward pass.

Stem saam. Also, I think 13 points flatter the Sharks for last night's performance... Then again, 18 points probably makes the Bulls look better than they really were.

[McT]

Stem saam. Also, I think 13 points flatter the Sharks for last night's performance... Then again, 18 points probably makes the Bulls look better than they really were.

Neither team looked fluent last night. Hopefully they're going hit their straps very soon.

[Pixual]

Can't believe Kaplan missed that forward pass.

It's part of the game these days. We had to live with it when the Bulls stole the 2007 title from us with multiple infringements after the hooter that went unnoticed by Steve Walsh and his assistants. The Bulls supporters can never complain about poor refereeing after that one. Sorry.

[gdiza]

yo yo yo!

I'll be working at Newlands today alongside my lovely girlfriend for ER24.

STOOOORRRMMMERRS! :)

Any of you see me, come say hi! :)

[efitol]

Damn the Chiefs. Why not go for the penalty points when 4 points down with 10 minutes to go? Going for glory? Trying to purposely mess up my Superbru? :(

Sent from my Galaxy Note

[sand_man]

Yip that f's things up for a lot of bru punters!! 80% went chiefs present company included....

[sand_man]

Damn it. Had tahs by 3. Bloody hell.

[Ou grote]

Damn it. Had tahs by 3. Bloody hell.

I had them by 1.

They cocked up my weekend.

[efitol]

Phew, thought I'd be down 2 games, good last minute score by the Reds, very lucky though.

[GreGorGy]

Haha, I hope you enjoy the game tonight Greg.


It was fantastic. Of course, there was this idiot where we were sitting who had obviously been drinking all day, face painted blue and behaving in the most atrocious manner. Oh, wait, that was me. PARTY!!!!

Nervous towards the end, I will say.

[McT]

Interesting start to the tournament. Second round predictions going to be tricky.

Stormers should take this game. Need to play for the full 40 minutes though.

[efitol]

Stomers seem to have dozed off, 23 all.

Sent from my Galaxy Note

[Mephisto_Helix]

Hurricanes seem to have read the Stormers play but the Stormers have not realised it and changed game plan.

[McT]

Nice win for the Stormers. Thought there was serious decision errors by the Canes.

[sand_man]

I thought Jonker was diabolical.

[BobsLawnService]

...that moegoe from the Cape got tackled from behind just as he slowed up to dot down under the posts many years ago. What was his name again?

Chester Williams tackled Robbie Fleck.

[Pixual]

Chester Williams tackled Robbie Fleck.

That's it! Funniest thing ever on the rugby field. 2nd was one time when Kobus Weise got flipped onto his ass when he tried to tackle a Natal player from behind the shoulders. Another pearler was Helgaart Muller throwing a complete frothy on the field when a decision didn't go his way. He even ripped up the grass and stomped his feet like a petulant child. Actually, on second thought, I'm going to bump that one up to #1. :)

[Mephisto_Helix]

It wasn't Chester Williams, it was Deon Keyser from the Sharks ......

[McT]

Lions 27 - 25 Cheetahs

[sand_man]

Horrible game. Close to 30 penalties. Crap.

[McT]

Hoping Lions can play with confidence from Currie Cup last year. Hoping SA teams get the rust out asap.

[BobsLawnService]

It wasn't Chester Williams, it was Deon Keyser from the Sharks ......

I stand corrected. It was indeed. I got so much satisfaction watching that since it was a period where all the WP players fancied themselves as superstars and models.

http://www.rugbydump.com/2008/01/298/friday-funnies-deon-kayser-chases-down-robbie-fleck

[Mephisto_Helix]

I still have that on video somewhere, I should get it put onto dvd. It's one of those moments that you remember forever :D

[APoc184]

Few pics from our photographers at the game tonight.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/429034_10151321962155542_430696690541_23030938_131 935042_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/426544_10151321911770542_430696690541_23030789_313 563513_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/432316_10151321999105542_430696690541_23031241_622 493411_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/423157_10151322262590542_430696690541_23032781_207 0772171_n.jpg

[APoc184]

Cheetahs centre Andries Strauss has been suspended for two weeks!

This follows his dangerous tackle on Wikus van Heerden in last night's match. Wikus was stretchered off the field with concussion and Andries received a yellow card and then a white card (means that the referee recommends a citing and disciplinary hearing of the incident)

Edit: He pleaded guilty to the charge.

[Devill]

Cheetahs centre Andries Strauss has been suspended for two weeks!

This follows his dangerous tackle on Wikus van Heerden in last night's match. Wikus was stretchered off the field with concussion and Andries received a yellow card and then a white card (means that the referee recommends a citing and disciplinary hearing of the incident)

Edit: He pleaded guilty to the charge.

If he did not pleasd guilty it would ten to one have been four weeks. Luckely for him he did not drive Vickus into the ground.

[APoc184]

After seeing this photo from our photographer Denese Lups, I think he was lucky to get away with two weeks.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/400976_10151323897515542_430696690541_23041738_160 9922781_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/421293_10151323899230542_430696690541_23041742_198 1368507_n.jpg

[McT]

@APoc84, great photography. 2 weeks is definitely extremely lucky.

[Abe]

I have a big problem that he wasn't given a red card and wasn't given a longer sentence. For a tip tackle, the refs are supposed to start at a red card and then move down to yellow based on mitigating circumstances. There were none and it should have been red. That's what they said after the world cup semi final.

This sentence also makes a mockery of things. Either they are being strict on foul play or not.

[McT]

Had this been to a heating in NZ or Aus, the sentence would have a lot more substantial. That said, we don't know what the mitigating circumstances were.

[Devill]

Schalk Burger is out for +- 6 weeks as things stand. Jean de Villiers takes over the Captaincy.

I think if Alberts / Deysel can return for the sharks by next weekend's match I might just go Sharks on Superbru.

[Ou grote]

Schalk Burger is out for +- 6 weeks as things stand. Jean de Villiers takes over the Captaincy.

I think if Alberts / Deysel can return for the sharks by next weekend's match I might just go Sharks on Superbru.

I'm going Schmucks by 11.
I'd go 20, but Bismark will gift us at least 9.

[Devill]

I'm going Schmucks by 11.
I'd go 20, but Bismark will gift us at least 9.

Lol, any reason for this? If the Sharks play like they played agaisnt the Bulls they could lose to the Stormers cheerleaders.

[Ou grote]

Lol, any reason for this? If the Sharks play like they played agaisnt the Bulls they could lose to the Stormers cheerleaders.

It's a feeling.
Schmucks aren't a bad side, they just played crap. There forwards are unfortunately better than ours by quite some distance.

[McT]

Schalk Burger is out for +- 6 weeks as things stand. Jean de Villiers takes over the Captaincy.

I think if Alberts / Deysel can return for the sharks by next weekend's match I might just go Sharks on Superbru.

Ouch for Schalk... so Chuck definitely has one up on him? :D

Looking forward to Alberts / Deysel coming back. They will make an impact.


I'm going Schmucks by 11.
I'd go 20, but Bismark will gift us at least 9.

Don't start the Bismark thing. You'll have Pixual singing your praises. But yes, his discipline is a problem.


Lol, any reason for this? If the Sharks play like they played agaisnt the Bulls they could lose to the Stormers cheerleaders.

Never! Sharks will bounce back after Plum kicks their tails.


It's a feeling.
Schmucks aren't a bad side, they just played crap. There forwards are unfortunately better than ours by quite some distance.

Sharks backs are not too bad either, although still not sure Freddie is the right choice for Scrum.

[Devill]

Sadie out for 3 weeks :( AC joint or something in his shoulder?

[Mephisto_Helix]

Ok boys, lets have your picks for this weekend then .......


Chiefs vs Blues - Chiefs by 6
Rebels vs Waratahs - Waratahs by 11
Lions vs Hurricanes - Hurricanes by 5
Highlanders vs Crusaders - Crusaders by 9
Force vs Reds - Reds by 15
Cheetahs vs Bulls - Cheetahs by 2
Sharks vs Stormers - Sharks by 4

[Devill]

Will post em as soon as I pick them :D

[sand_man]

Chiefs vs Blues - Blues by 9
Rebels vs Waratahs - Waratahs by 13
Lions vs Hurricanes - Lions by 8
Highlanders vs Crusaders - Crusaders by 8
Force vs Reds - Reds by 15
Cheetahs vs Bulls - Bulls by 9
Sharks vs Stormers - Stormers by 8

[GreGorGy]

Chiefs vs Blues - Chiefs by 1
->They need to start their season so whoever needs that start the most will dominate this one
Rebels vs Waratahs - Waratahs by at least 20
->Rebels are the Kings of Oz rugby :)
Lions vs Hurricanes - [-]DRAW[/-] second thoughts, Lions by 1
->I just cannot call this one because Lions are shaky while 'canes may have played well for half of last week.
Highlanders vs Crusaders - Crusaders 7
Force vs Reds - Reds by 20
Cheetahs vs BULLS - BULLS by 7
->Just loyalty here - it could go either way this one
Sharks vs Stormers - DAMN! Match of the W/E. WP by 8
->stormers have left the starting gate moving while sharks remain lethargic. Home town advantage [-]will[/-] could decide this one.

[APoc184]

First week didn't go too well. Third in two of my pools.

Here goes:

Chiefs
Waratahs
Lions
Highlanders
Force - Yes, I know. Hope the gamble pays off.
Bulls
Stormers

[McT]

Third? And it didn't go too well? :eek:

Me, I think I'm grovelling at the bottom somewhere...

[APoc184]

Third? And it didn't go too well? :eek:

Me, I think I'm grovelling at the bottom somewhere...

I'm not going to say where I am in the other bigger pools. Hehe.

First few weeks are always difficult until you get a true idea of which teams are in form and which ones are going to be great contenders for the wooden spoon.

[Devill]

Blues
They are looking like a well oiled machine and I can only see them getting better from here on.

Tahs
Even though they have a lot of injuries they should still be able to beat the Rebels, yes, even with o'connor at center :p

Crusaders
Lol, my Super Bru almost picks crusaders by itself.

Reds
The reds were not even at 50% last week and I can only see them getting better. The force I can not however.

Those are my picks thus far.

Bulls vs Cheetahs
this I think will come down to the flyhalves and the frontfoot ball they receive. But if the bulls bully the Cheetahs at the line outs like they did in the warm ups it could be a 7+ victory to them.

Sharks vs WP
I am still trying to work out wh to pick as the sharks looked better than the stormers in the last 10-15 mins in the 1st weekend but then again the bulls were not great either. The Stormers however were playing against 14 men effectively 13 odd minutes and against 13 men for 3-4 minutes. Add the fact that they have lost Captain Schalk and it all makes for something to think about :p

Lions vs Hurricanes
No idea if the Lions could pull of a win. I will eventually pick the lions with a small margin I am sure :o

[APoc184]

Just remember that the Sharks also lost Kankowski. And Alberts was suppose to be back this weekend. Ruled out again.

[Devill]

Just remember that the Sharks also lost Kankowski. And Alberts was suppose to be back this weekend. Ruled out again.

Jip. In the sharks thread i said I feel they are a tad light on ball carriers. :)

[Ou grote]

Made my picks, but sure about this one.


Community predictions
Picks for Stormers 51178 (77.24%)
Picks for Sharks 14845 (22.41%)
Picks for draw 233 (0.35%)
Average Stormers pick Stormers by 7
Average Sharks pick Sharks by 6
Average overall pick Stormers by 4
Biggest Stormers pick Stormers by 999
Biggest Sharks pick Sharks by 150

Someone thinks it'll be a try fest.

[Devill]

Ok as soon as Superbru allows me I will put in my last picks.

Blues by 17
Tahs by 13
Lions by 4
Crusaders by 14
Reds by 13
Bulls by 8
Stormers by 5

[Devill]

Ok as soon as Superbru allows me I will put in my last picks.

Blues by 17
Tahs by 13
Lions by 4
Crusaders by 14
Reds by 13
Bulls by 8
Stormers by 5

[sand_man]

Too late for the Blues pick dude... Just as well though. The Chiefs are murdering them...

[Devill]

Yeah that one is in already, the Lions, bulls and Stormers pick is the ones I still have to put in.

I can not believe the Blues are being murdered like this.... :(

29-9 ... 25 mins to go

[GreGorGy]

I LEFT MY FKN DRIFTA AT HOME!!!!!!!

And here the Chiefs are really pulling one off. :cry:

[Devill]

I LEFT MY FKN DRIFTA AT HOME!!!!!!!

And here the Chiefs are really pulling one off. :cry:

Yes they are raping the blues.... ffs this is the same chiefs team that was really shilty last weekend.

Lol, I really hope that the rest of the weekend does not go this same way :(

[Devill]

Chiefs won 29-14
Tahs won 35 - 19

At least I have one with margin thus far :o

[sand_man]

Superbru site is shagged!! Every year there issues come Super Rugby time...

[Ou grote]

Superbru site is shagged!! Every year there issues come Super Rugby time...

yep, only their ads are working

[Mephisto_Helix]

Called 2 from 2 so far ..... margins wrong but hey, looking good for my Sharks :p

[Devill]

Superbru site is shagged!! Every year there issues come Super Rugby time...

On the mobile site it now has an emergency contact where you input your email address and then your picks and they match it up.

But the main site is taking a knock on a friday till about 13:15.


yep, only their ads are working

Hahahaha :D

[APoc184]

You can also use http://hectic.superbru.com/ if you urgently need to make picks.

[Mephisto_Helix]

Lions 28 - Hurricanes 30


Three from three ......

[sand_man]

Well done. 1 from 3 for me, Lions f ucked it up tonight...

[Ou grote]

Lions 28 - Hurricanes 30


Three from three ......

Buy some lotto tickets

[APoc184]

This smile says it all, doesn't it? We've got this one in the bag.

Photo by my friend and Rugby15 photographer Bruce Taylor.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/417157_10151342617935542_430696690541_23117166_780 360525_n.jpg

[McT]

Lions 28 - Hurricanes 30

I don't understand. Last year they were almost bullet-proof in the Currie Cup. This year they seem to be struggling. Why? :(

[Xmailer9]

the difference in the competitions is quite substantial. Hurricanes did everything at pace. Lions looked clueless with ball in hand.

[Mephisto_Helix]

Lol, can't believe the Highlanders snuck a win over the Crusaders :D

[sand_man]

Lol, can't believe the Highlanders snuck a win over the Crusaders :D

Did you call it?

Finding the 1st 2 rounds impossible to call this season!!!!

[APoc184]

I called the Highlanders.

Highlanders really impressed me last week. So backed them this week.

[Mephisto_Helix]

Nah, didn't call it but I'm happy to be wrong with this one ..... anytime the Crusaders get beaten is a good day :)

[sand_man]

I called the Highlanders.

Highlanders really impressed me last week. So backed them this week.

Good call, I backed the Blues last week and the Saders this week, go figure!! Getting drilled...

[APoc184]

Sjo Sjo Sjo!

I knew my team would lose, but nobody said an ass raping was included. That was embarrassing from my team.

Well done to the Bulls.

[MickeyD]

Sjo Sjo Sjo!

I knew my team would lose, but nobody said an ass raping was included. That was embarrassing from my team.

Well done to the Bulls.
Dit was 'n snotklap!

[VJB 449]

Great game by the Bulls. :love:

Cheetahs have a lot of trouble going forward.

[sand_man]

Disappointing performance from the Cheetahs. Wonder what they could do with that R10m destined for the kings?

Probably buy back some of their home grown talent, du plessies brothers, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Stegmann, Duane Liebenberg...

[GreGorGy]

What a trauma - Hougie better get his **** together that was a terrible tackle. But I'll take that win any day

[APoc184]

Both teams can feel a bit aggrieved by the refereeing today.

Dean Greyling's try was not a try.
Referee was not consistent at the breakdown. Plenty of times the Bulls went kamikaze style into rucks and was not blown. Cheetahs however was blown quite frequently for "going off their feet".

Both the Bulls cards(red and yellow) were a bit suspect. Believe Hougie was worth a yellow but not a red. And that tackle on Brussow was hardly a shoulder charge.

Nonetheless, the Bulls were amazing and very far from the one dimensional team they have been branded by some supporters and media.

[VJB 449]

The Hougaard decision was poor. Yes he lifted the Cheetah, but the Cheetah tried his utter most to twist himself head first into the ground.

[Mephisto_Helix]

This Viljoen cat is showing some nice running ....... Sharks just need to start finishing these moves and we're good.

[Xmailer9]

Sharks looking good.

[GreGorGy]

Yes - sharkies have shown a dramatic improvement since last week while stormers seem be trying their level best to lose.

[OGroteKoning]

Yes - sharkies have shown a dramatic improvement since last week while stormers seem be trying their level best to lose.

Yes. Stormers have had a bad start to the season even though they won last week. No improvement ...
Kolise looks impressive
Sent from my Galaxy S II

[Xmailer9]

i don't rate allister coetzee as a good coach. the stormers never really raise their game when he is in charge.

[Mephisto_Helix]

Bis and Skeate gifting possession like absolute clueless idiots .....

[Chris]

Stormers have been dominating these past few minutes. Yellow card should give us the advantage.

[APoc184]

Just saw this on Twitter. If you are a regular user you will understand.


Dear Cheetahs. If u get a DM which says: Someone is blogging horrible things about you, its true... not spam

[Mephisto_Helix]

Gotta love how a ref will officially warn the Stormers for repeated infringements but anyone else, yellow card ......

[GreGorGy]

Gotta love how a ref will officially warn the Stormers for repeated infringements but anyone else, yellow card ......

Ja well. Those ****es like to wrap their precious stormers in cotton wool

[Mephisto_Helix]

Deserve to lose this game, very lame showing by the Sharks. Heads need to roll over selecting idiots that keep giving away penalties over and over.

[OGroteKoning]

Ja well. Those ****es like to wrap their precious stormers in cotton wool

Typical ... you can't beat a struggling side and then resort to blaming the ref ... shame

Sent from my Galaxy S II

[Mephisto_Helix]

Just to clarify -

1) Gregory is a Bulls supporter ..... so that all the rest of rest of us can see that the Stormers get different treatment shows that they do.\
2) Struggling side? The Sharks have people mia, new people in new positions and you say it's the Stormers mstruggling? Please man .....

[GreGorGy]

Typical ... you can't beat a struggling side and then resort to blaming the ref ... shame

Sent from my Galaxy S II

You read me wrong my friend. I very much hate the sharkies. By far my least favourite team as many here will testify. I take delight in seeing Province nail them BUT I do feel that the officials treat the Stormers way better than the other SA teams.



Glad they won in the end though...

EDIT: Thanks M_H for clarifying and confirming - unfair is unfair, end of story.

[OGroteKoning]

Just to clarify -

1) Gregory is a Bulls supporter ..... so that all the rest of rest of us can see that the Stormers get different treatment shows that they do.\
2) Struggling side? The Sharks have people mia, new people in new positions and you say it's the Stormers mstruggling? Please man .....

Yes they are struggling. Last weeks performance was just as bad as today. I attribuye the win to the Sharks not performing well at all today. If they played like they did against the Bulls, ghey would have had at least a 10 point win. They made more critical errors and conceded too many penalties. But they will pick up their game next week.

Sent from my Galaxy S II

[Ou grote]

Amazing how the refs let the Schmucks get away with so much dirty play, they must be the dirtiest side ever to play Super rugby.
Not to mention the forward passes they get away with...

[APoc184]

I just saw the replays again and this was such a *** call by referee Craig Joubert. I've never seen any consistency when it comes to tip/spear tackles.

http://gallery.rugby15.co.za/images/uploads/Denese/Rugby/2012/Super%20Rugby/Toyota_Cheetahs_vs_Vodacom_Bulls/Web/wm_21.jpg

[MickeyD]

I just saw the replays again and this was such a *** call by referee Craig Joubert. I've never seen any consistency when it comes to tip/spear tackles.

It was a poor decision, just like the Greyling try.

See the laser pointer? I noticed it during the game as well.

[APoc184]

It was a poor decision, just like the Greyling try.

See the laser pointer? I noticed it during the game as well.

Yeah. Joubert was average at best. Missed plenty on both sides.

I saw the laser as well. Wish they would just catch and ban the bastards. Nice that our photographer got it in the shot.

[sand_man]

Yep, merit based selection burns your arse, does it?

Only if it's the Kings at the expense of the Lions.

[GreGorGy]

Mmm - parts of thread disappeared. So, that red card, what is the rule these days? My understanding is mandatory review and sanction UNLESS the offender admits guilt within hours of the incident, at which point sanction can be halved/scrapped.

Is that correct?

[APoc184]

Ouch. Adam Byrnes out for 10 weeks after being found guilty of eye-gouging.

http://www.rugby15.co.za/2012/03/byrnes-cop-a-10-week-ban-for-eye-gouging/


A SANZAR Judicial Hearing has found Adam Byrnes of the Rebels guilty of contravening Law 10.4 (m) Acts contrary to good sportsmanship – making contact with the eye, after he was cited during a Super Rugby match at the weekend.

Byrnes has been suspended for Ten weeks.

The incident occurred in the 27th minute of the match between Rebels and Waratahs played at AAMI Stadium on Friday 2nd March 2012.
SANZAR Judicial Officer Paul Tully chaired the SANZAR Judicial Hearing held via videoconference on Sunday 4th March 2012.

In his finding, Mr Tully ruled the following:

After consideration of extensive video footage of the incident and written testimony from Tom Carter and the Waratahs Team Doctor, Dr Luke Inman, there was sufficient evidence to support that contact had been made with the right eye and bridge of the nose of the Waratahs player Tom Carter during the course of a ruck by the player Byrnes in contravention of the laws of the game.

Medical evidence was presented that demonstrated that Mr Carter had sustained a minor scratch to the eye but was otherwise uninjured. The entry point of an offence of this nature is 12 weeks in accordance with IRB Regulation 17.

Credit was given to Mr Byrnes for his otherwise unblemished record by reducing the suspension by 2 weeks and therefore he is suspended from all forms of the game for ten weeks, up to and including the 13th May 2012.

[Devill]

Mmm - parts of thread disappeared. So, that red card, what is the rule these days? My understanding is mandatory review and sanction UNLESS the offender admits guilt within hours of the incident, at which point sanction can be halved/scrapped.

Is that correct?


I belive you are correct.

Watched the Stormers vs Sharks game last night.....

The stormers are in for some stick as they could not dominate a "thin" sharks pack.
The sharks were not much better and if the keep gifting the other teams with penalties it will be a very long year for them as they can not build momentum playing the way they did.

[APoc184]

And Hougaard get one week for red card

http://www.rugby15.co.za/2012/03/hougaard-suspended-for-one-week-after-red-card/


The SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Mike Heron has accepted a guilty plea from Francois Hougaard of the Bulls for contravening Law10.4 (j) Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player’s feet are still off the ground, after he was Red Carded during a Super Rugby Match at the Weekend.

Francois Hougaard has been suspended from all forms of the game for one week up to and including the 11th March 2012.

The incident occurred in the 62nd minute of the match between the Cheetahs and the Bulls played at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday 3rd March 2012.
SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Mike Heron assessed the case.

In his finding, Mr Heron ruled the following:

“Francois Hougaard was given a red card in the 62nd minute of the game between his team (the Bulls) and the Cheetahs on 3 March 2012. The matter came before me as Duty JO. Mr Hougaard immediately accepted the tackle was in breach of rule 10.4(j) as per the sending off of the referee. After consideration of all the relevant material, including the footage, Mr Hougaard’s good record and the rather unusual nature of the incident, I indicated a penalty of one-week suspension. Mr Hougaard, through his lawyer, accepted that and accordingly he is suspended from all forms of the game to and including Sunday 11 March 2012 (a one week, one match suspension).

In summary my reasons are:

The footage showed Hougaard lifting the opposing player into the air and dropping him on to the ground. The Cheetahs number 13 fell backwards and twisted on to his right shoulder. He was not injured and continued unaffected. A subsequent report from the Cheetahs confirmed that (as did Mr Swart for the player). Hougaard immediately acknowledged his wrong. An unusual feature was the involvement of another Cheetahs player, initially supporting the tackled player and then not continuing to do so. It was submitted, and I accept, that this appears to have inadvertently contributed to Hougaard failing to realise that the player would drop to the ground. In my view this was a brief incident of dangerous play, which resulted in a breach of rule 10.4(j), without any intent to drop the player on to the ground. Accordingly, I find the entry point low end (three weeks). The player immediately accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty. He has no disciplinary record, is of good character and this is his first card of any type I am told. The circumstances of the tackle were unusual and there was no injury or lasting impact on the tackled player. In addition, Hougaard has the embarrassment of being sent from the field and the record that comes with that. In all the circumstances therefore I reduced the penalty to one weeks suspension. I emphasise that this was an unusual case and that it should not be regarded as setting any precedent in respect of future tackles of this sort.”

[GreGorGy]

Thanks Apoc - so sanction must then be mandatory, whether guilt is admitted or not. Interesting case and I am glad the JO saw as much

[APoc184]

Thanks Apoc - so sanction must then be mandatory, whether guilt is admitted or not. Interesting case and I am glad the JO saw as much

Yes. Whenever a player receives a red card he is automatically cited and needs to appear at a disciplinary hearing.

The judge will then decide if the red card was sufficient punishment or if further sanctions are necessary.

[sand_man]

Yes. Whenever a player receives a red card he is automatically cited and needs to appear at a disciplinary hearing.

The judge will then decide if the red card was sufficient punishment or if further sanctions are necessary.

So Strauss leaves a player concussed and stretchered from the field and gets a 2 week suspension while Hougaard gets a week for what was barely a tip tackle?

[APoc184]

So Strauss leaves a player concussed and stretchered from the field and gets a 2 week suspension while Hougaard gets a week for what was barely a tip tackle?

Ja swaar!

The inconsistencies in citings and refereeing will always leave me dumb-struck. And both players pleaded guilty.

[GreGorGy]

Yes. Whenever a player receives a red card he is automatically cited and needs to appear at a disciplinary hearing.

The judge will then decide if the red card was sufficient punishment or if further sanctions are necessary.

Then sanction is not necessary? You see the subtle difference? I am aware that citing (or as we call it South Africaning) is mandatory but your suggestion is that sanction is not.

IRB laws (as recently revised) are not readily available...

[Mephisto_Helix]

Ja swaar!

The inconsistencies in citings and refereeing will always leave me dumb-struck. And both players pleaded guilty.

You know, people may see it that I only moan when the Sharks are done in by a ref coz they are my team but closer inspection would reveal that I hate it across the board. I love the game of rugby itself and watch all the games I can and bad reffing/citings/etc ruin this game, no matter who is playing. Fairness has to be in play.

[GreGorGy]

You know, people may see it that I only moan when the Sharks are done in by a ref coz they are my team but closer inspection would reveal that I hate it across the board. I love the game of rugby itself and watch all the games I can and bad reffing/citings/etc ruin this game, no matter who is playing. Fairness has to be in play.

Agreed - no matter what the team is, be it SA or the others, fair play is critical. One of the problems I find is that a ref will always be suspected of a vested interest. Very little can be done to control this.

I feel that Kaplan, for eg, is no longer the wunderkind he once was - Craig Joubert has become SA's top official. Jonker seems determined to earn the scorn of everyone. Jeez, was it him that controlled the Easter Lions/Chiefs points party last year? I seem to recall it was and what a fiasco his first half was.

[APoc184]

I put my Superbru picks in early this week.

Crusaders v Chiefs
Force v Hurricanes
Brumbies v Cheetahs
Highlanders v Waratahs
Reds v Rebels
Sharks v Lions
Bulls v Blues

[GreGorGy]

I'll go:
Crusaders fall to Chiefs - don't ask why
Force to be dominated by Hurricans
Brumbies should trounce luckless Cheetahs
Highlanders to come short against Waratahs
Red (and anyone else) over Rebels
BULLS won't fail against Blues

Those are easy.

This is the bitch:
Sharks to pip the Lions

[Ou grote]

Beat the bookie's picks


As per the handicap coupon our pick are as follows:

CRUSADERS by 6
FORCE by 1
BRUMBIES by 8
HIGHLANDERS by 2
REDS by 14
SHARKS by 9
BULLS by 7

[GreGorGy]

Should I say SPOILERS?

Chiefs are only ever so slightly taking authority on the game with a narrow 3-6 lead so far.

[GreGorGy]

Said it before and I will say it again - I like the Chiefs and always wish them well against non-ZA opposition. And today my boys are not letting me down - converted try 3-13.

[Ou grote]

Crusaders got a kuk ref

[GreGorGy]

Crusaders got a kuk ref

Ellis off-side call?

6-13

[GreGorGy]

I hope the chiefs can maintain this momentum in second half but the last 10 minutes the crusaders have started to wake up. Still, a mistake here and a whistle there and BANG! 6-16.

Gotta work now telly off streaming scores on...

[APoc184]

Well, that is a *** start to my SuperBru for the weekend.


#SuperRugby Live:

CRUSADERS 19 (6) vs CHIEFS 24 (16) Full Time

#SuperRugby #Rugby

[GreGorGy]

haha CHIEFS!

[web]

Well, that is a *** start to my SuperBru for the weekend.

ditto...

[Devill]

.... Well....

Apparently I am not very good at picking winning teams this year :(

If the rest of the weekend is going to go like this I am Sorry for the Bulls and the Sharks.

[undesign]

Bloody Crusaders...costing me again. :mad:

[Devill]

Bloody Crusaders...costing me again. :mad:

Yes I am not pleased with them. I have no idea why Todd made so many changes to the starting 15...

[Xmailer9]

Too many mistakes from the Saders, but the Chiefs deserved it.

[McT]

Too many mistakes from the Saders, but the Chiefs deserved it.

Another pick I got wrong :(

[Devill]

Hurricans bet Force 46 -19.. :(

Was in the margin till the last 10 mins :(

[McT]

Hurricans bet Force 46 -19.. :(

Was in the margin till the last 10 mins :(

At least I got the win right on this one... not that anyone would have gone with the Force.

[Xmailer9]

i did :o

[McT]

i did :o

Ouch. Sorry. :o

[undesign]

0 from 2 here...

[GreGorGy]

VRYSTAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!

[sand_man]

VRYSTAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!

They kicking brumbie butt. Awesome!!! Has Goosen missed a kick yet this super 15 season? Bloody prodigious talent. Hope he can stay injury free. He is going to be a legend.

[GreGorGy]

Has ... is going to be a legend.

And one the country needs at that...

Say, I wonder if White is lamenting his comments about a fetcher :D

[sand_man]

Damn unlucky Cheetahs.

[GreGorGy]

so close what a pity

[APoc184]

Why? Why? Why?????? Cheetahs!!! :cry:

*** start to my weekend.

What was that referee smoking? Twitter is going crazy with those ridiculous scrum penalties against the Cheetahs.

He did not blow one scrum penalty in the first half but nailed the Cheetahs in the second. And at each and every scrum the Brumbies went early, yet he penalises the Cheetahs.

Yes, I'm bitter because team lost. But the referee calls in the last 15min were suspicious.

[Ou grote]

Why? Why? Why?????? Cheetahs!!! :cry:

*** start to my weekend.

What was that referee smoking? Twitter is going crazy with those ridiculous scrum penalties against the Cheetahs.

He did not blow one scrum penalty in the first half but nailed the Cheetahs in the second. And at each and every scrum the Brumbies went early, yet he penalises the Cheetahs.

Yes, I'm bitter because team lost. But the referee calls in the last 15min were suspicious.

Don't be so negative, at least I've got 1 of the 3 games right now. :)

[APoc184]

Don't be so negative, at least I've got 1 of the 3 games right now. :)

Haha. Look I also picked the Brumbies to win so I am 2/3 for the weekend. But the Cheetahs surprised me and they did not deserve to lose like THAT!

Having said that. The Cheetahs were knocked back in the tackles and did not stop the Brumbies in their tracks. We also played behind the advantage line way to much!

Excited about that Willie le Roux. Had a great game. Scoring one try and setting up another. And to think he is actually a fly-half.

[sand_man]

Agreed.

Looks like the Brumbies had a significant weight advantage in the back line. Started to take its toll last 20.

2 x 2 point defeats in 3 games must be heart breaking for cheetah team and fans. The difference between a great start to their campaign and a disastrous start to the campaign...