Official Super Rugby Thread 2013

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First off, a big thanks to Chris for convincing me to go Cheetahs. This weekend is gonna be a cracker. The beerfest at the DSJ ends around 7 but then Sharks vs Bulls. I doubt I will be able to enjoy this match entirely, given the afternoon's proceedings.

It is always my favourite match of the year - and it happens no less than 4 times (2xS15 , 2xCC). Among my closest friends, we find only sharks fans, a few lions and one lone BULL (besides myself). So it is prime for the ribbing. To be honest, this game should by all accounts be a walkover for the BULLS if form (and form alone) is to be considered. I will go BULLS on SB but I wouldn't bet a cent on this game. Searching previous threads, when this game comes up, I say the same thing - wouldn't bet a cent.

It is all very exciting. Other posers include Chiefs vs Crusaders , Blues v Brumbies and maybe (but I doubt) Stormers v Reds. I am just so tired of picking the stormers and watching them lose. I need to think very carefully about this coming weekend, that's for sure.
 
I am convinced the source of the Stormers' source of poor performance are my Superbru picks. Only got 2 correct the whole season when I picked the Stormers. So I am going to pick REDS this week and the Stormers will win in real life, costing me SB points but what the hell... :p
 
Chris said:
I am convinced the source of the Stormers' source of poor performance are my Superbru picks. Only got 2 correct the whole season when I picked the Stormers. So I am going to pick REDS this week and the Stormers will win in real life, costing me SB points but what the hell... :p
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ditto :D
 
GreGorGy said:
First off, a big thanks to Chris for convincing me to go Cheetahs. This weekend is gonna be a cracker. The beerfest at the DSJ ends around 7 but then Sharks vs Bulls. I doubt I will be able to enjoy this match entirely, given the afternoon's proceedings.

It is always my favourite match of the year - and it happens no less than 4 times (2xS15 , 2xCC). Among my closest friends, we find only sharks fans, a few lions and one lone BULL (besides myself). So it is prime for the ribbing. To be honest, this game should by all accounts be a walkover for the BULLS if form (and form alone) is to be considered. I will go BULLS on SB but I wouldn't bet a cent on this game. Searching previous threads, when this game comes up, I say the same thing - wouldn't bet a cent.

It is all very exciting. Other posers include Chiefs vs Crusaders , Blues v Brumbies and maybe (but I doubt) Stormers v Reds. I am just so tired of picking the stormers and watching them lose. I need to think very carefully about this coming weekend, that's for sure.
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Bulls are in way too much of a good place regarding form and depth to lose to the Sharks ........ strange things do happen and I hope the Boelies do go down but I'm not confident. Reds are not good travellers but the Breezers are so shyte at the moment, who can call that one.
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Bulls are in way too much of a good place regarding form and depth to lose to the Sharks ........ strange things do happen and I hope the Boelies do go down but I'm not confident. Reds are not good travellers but the Breezers are so shyte at the moment, who can call that one.
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Stormers got another half a team out for this weekend. Really not looking good for them and Allistar. But Stormers all the way. But if I was a betting man, I would go for the Reds
 
Springbok training squad for Durban camp named
May 22, 2013
A group of 38 players, featuring eight players who were not part of the first camp, will assemble in Durban for the second Springbok training camp before the final squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series is named early next month.
The players who were not part of the first training camp in Cape Town in April are: Gio Aplon (DHL Stormers, wing/fullback), the Toyota Cheetahs’ trio of Trevor Nyakane (prop), Lappies Labuschagne (loose forward) and Willie le Roux (fullback/wing), Vodacom Bulls duo of JJ Engelbrecht (centre/wing) and Lionel Mapoe (wing/centre), Wiehahn Herbst (The Sharks, prop) and Demetri Catrakilis (Southern Kings, flyhalf).

Seven injured players, who were part of Springbok squads in 2012, were not considered for selection as they will not be fit to play in June. They are JP Pietersen, Jaco Taute, Frans Steyn, Johan Goosen, Duane Vermeulen, Pat Cilliers and Frans Malherbe. Furthermore Andries Bekker, who is not available due to club commitments later this season in Japan, wasn’t considered for selection.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said he was impressed with the form of a number of the country’s top players, despite concerns about the high number of injuries to key players.

“It looks like most of the guys are improving weekly and a few new players have put up their hands, which is good to see with the first Test only a few weeks away,” said Meyer.

“We’ve also been very impressed with the form shown by a number of players since we were together in April. This camp will provide us with a great opportunity to work with these players before the squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series is finalised.

“Overseas-based players were not considered for this camp as some of them are still playing in their respective finals this coming weekend. They are at the end of their seasons and need a well-deserved break before the start of the Castle Lager Series.”

The training squad will assemble in Durban on Sunday, a day after the highly anticipated Vodacom Super Rugby derby between The Sharks and the Vodacom Bulls at Kings Park. All five South African franchises are in action on Saturday, 25 May – the Southern Kings host the Toyota Cheetahs in Port Elizabeth and the DHL Stormers take on the Reds in Cape Town.

Players invited to the second Springbok training camp of 2013:

Forwards (19): Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Coenie Oosthuizen, Wiehahn Herbst, Adriaan Strauss, Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Eben Etzebeth, Flip van der Merwe, Juandré Kruger, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Marcell Coetzee, Willem Alberts, Arno Botha, Lappies Labuschagne, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski.

Backs (19): Jano Vermaak, Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Morné Steyn, Elton Jantjies, Demetri Catrakilis, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, Jan Serfontein, Robert Ebersohn, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Lwazi Mvovo, Raymond Rhule, Lionel Mapoe, Bjorn Basson, Gio Aplon, Zane Kirchner, Willie le Roux.
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Glad he chose the likes of Willie and Gio.
 
Chris said:
I am convinced the source of the Stormers' source of poor performance are my Superbru picks. Only got 2 correct the whole season when I picked the Stormers. So I am going to pick REDS this week and the Stormers will win in real life, costing me SB points but what the hell... :p
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I think you will see your SB fortunes improving :D
 
Chris said:
Agreed. I remember at the beginning of the season, you said: "Dont worry about my high ranking, I am a Cheetahs supporter."

Now look where you are now! :p
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Well I haven't gone against them, they do cost me a lot of margin points though :p
 
This weekend will be a series of IFs for me and my ilk.

The BULLS, by the time they march on to the field, will know what is expected of them to go top of the log. It will also form the basis of my picks:

IF #1: CRUSADERS over Chiefs. TBH, I don't see this happening easily. Chiefs are top of the log for a reason. Crusaders have been laggy this whole season. BUT they know what is expected of them in this business end. Pundits feel that this team has started to build some momentum and therefore should be able to topple the defending champions. For me, this match could even be a draw. But, for the sake of my team, I am going Crusaders.
(=Chiefs no more than 50pts; Crusaders no more than 47)

I'm gonna go against popular opinion on the next match though and go REBELS over Waratahs. Their last meeting was a 50/50 affair, going the way of the home team. I expect the same, this time the homeboys being REBELS. 'Tahs are due a stumble and Rebels feel good about last week.

IF #2: BLUES host Brumbies (to an ass-kicking). Blues haven't really been bad at all this season. As surprisingly good as the Cheetahs. At home, they should be able to deny these visitors, especially when they consider what's at stake.
(=Brumbies no more than 48pts; Blues no more than 46)

In the Force/Highlanders dead rubber, we all know that this game has only been included to kill and chance of a GSP or whatever the hell it is called. I'll give the home team the advantage - FORCE.

IF #3: CHEETAHS destroy Kings (and we all know that is the most probable outcome). Cheetahs know the importance of a bonus point win so expect them to go hunting for one.
(=Cheetahs on 45)

IF #4: (aka worst case scenario) Stormers embarrass the country to the REDS. I wish it was not on my list of expected outcomes, but I am afraid the mountain is too high.
(=Reds at most 49).

The BULLS have 46 and a simple win puts them on 50, tied at most with the Chiefs assuming everything above happens, with all bonus points for losers etc). That would leave us at 2nd as the Chiefs, who would then have 10BP, would trump our 6. We would need a bonus point win in this scenario - and no other. So, the BULLS will know what to do. If the Chiefs lose but with 2 bonus points, we'll need a 4-try victory over the Sharks. If not, a straight win should do it. And at this time, it will be critical - and therefore my SB call - for BULLS over sharks.

The only thing that could go wrong with this plan is the Basar at the DSJ: it means I will be drinking beer from 11 and therefore not able to lend my full attention and support to the team - but I doubt that they need it.
 
Chiefs - I threw a dice.
Waratahs
Blues
Highlanders - because even a blind squirrel gets a nut some time. (Ask the Sharks)
Cheetahs
Reds
Bulls
 
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