Eastern Province Kings rugby discussion thread

[bwana]

Harsh treatment from the Waratahs. Although I think Naas made a good point. Everyone was sort of expecting this to happen at some point. So hopefully it's out of their system now, and they can go back to playing like they did in those first games.

It was brutal - unfortunately it made easy work for me.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

It was brutal - unfortunately it made easy work for me.

Get some good shots?

 

[cr@zydude]

Really glad that the EP Kings won. The less said about the SK the better. Have the fans dried up too, it seemed like 10 or 12 000 on Saturday. I hope that I'm not the only guy in the stadium this week.

Hopefully the Southern Kings can pick themselves up for this week.

 

[cr@zydude]

The EP Kings lost their semi-final 13-39 to the Pumas, but the Southern Kings beat the Highlanders 34-27, and got a 4 try bonus point. The Southern Kings have a bye this week.

 

[bwana]

The EP Kings lost their semi-final 13-39 to the Pumas, but the Southern Kings beat the Highlanders 34-27, and got a 4 try bonus point. The Southern Kings have a bye this week.

The EP King's loss was a bit of a disappointment but the Southern Kings victory…

 

[cr@zydude]

The EP King's loss was a bit of a disappointment but the Southern Kings victory…

The Vodacom Cup team will see a lot of action in the Currie Cup. I think that the Super Rugby players won't be available until round 7.

 

[bwana]

The Vodacom Cup team will see a lot of action in the Currie Cup. I think that the Super Rugby players won't be available until round 7.

The Kings really need to break out of the first division this year.

 

[MickeyD]

The Kings really need to break out of the first division this year.

... even if just to shut up the naysayers!

 

[bwana]

A dilemma to say the least…

Cape Town - The Kings' struggle to stay in Super Rugby could make Eastern Province's passage into the Curie Cup Premier Division a bit harder.

Despite the Kings surprising friend and foe in Super Rugby this year, they remain favourites to finish last in the South African Conference.

The last placed South African Super Rugby team will face the Lions in a two-legged promotion-relegation tie, on July 26 and August 3.

The Kings are currently last in the SA Conference, nine points behind the Sharks, so staying at the bottom remains likely.

And that's where the problem lies for the EP Kings, who are still languishing in the Currie Cup First Division, after failing to win their promotion-relegation tie against Free State last year.

The Currie Cup First Division overlaps with Super Rugby, which means EP will be forced to start the season without their Super Rugby players. Their first game is at home against the Pumas on June 28.

The Kings play their last Super Rugby game on July 13, and should they face the Lions in the promotion/relegation playoffs, the players could only be available for Currie Cup duty on August 10.

By that time EP would have played six games, which would obviously have a negative impact on the team's hopes of defending their First Division crown, and earning the right to fight for a spot in the Currie Cup top flight.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

How does those relegation matches work? If they lose, are they definitely losing their Super Rugby place next year? What if both teams win 1 match? :wtf:

 

[bwana]

How does those relegation matches work? If they lose, are they definitely losing their Super Rugby place next year? What if both teams win 1 match? :wtf:

If it's like the promotion/relegation system used in the currie cup then it's done by the total number of points from both matches.

And yeah, if the Kings lose they're out - thanks to the crappy hand SARU dealt them.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

If it's like the promotion/relegation system used in the currie cup then it's done by the total number of points from both matches.

And yeah, if the Kings lose they're out - thanks to the crappy hand SARU dealt them.

Ah okay, thanks.

That's a bit nuts. Giving them one year before being possibly thrown out. I'd say at least 2/3 years would have been reasonable. That way they can sign some bigger name players who won't be afraid of losing out on Super Rugby by signing now.

 

[APoc184]

If it's like the promotion/relegation system used in the currie cup then it's done by the total number of points from both matches.

And yeah, if the Kings lose they're out - thanks to the crappy hand SARU dealt them.

Don't take my word for it but I have heard a strong rumour that the promotion relegation matches won't mean anything anyway.

As I understand it, the final word on who plays in 2014 still lies with the SARU General Council and they will vote again at the end of the year.

So even if the Lions win both matches they still might not play because the council might vote the Kings to play.

Makes sense. Because that is how the Kings got in the first place.

Kings have surprised me and I hope they stay. (Sorry to my Lions friends)

 

[cr@zydude]

If it's like the promotion/relegation system used in the currie cup then it's done by the total number of points from both matches.

And yeah, if the Kings lose they're out - thanks to the crappy hand SARU dealt them.

As in the Currie Cup, it's log points (4 for a win, 2 for a draw and bonus points) which determine who says up, with points difference a later tie breaker.

While the Southern Kings lost to the Stormers, the EP Kings beat the Griffons 37-21. After losing 13-19 to the Pumas last week, EP are 4th from 8 on the log.

 

[luxe]

And this talk of merging the Lions and Kings?

Klingons anyone?

 

[Fulcrum29]

And this talk of merging the Lions and Kings?

Klingons anyone?

Qapla!

 

[bwana]

Message from Cheeky:

President's message - Southern Kings vs MTN Lions
25 July 2013 at 08:58
There is no question about the importance of tomorrow's and next week’s promotion relegation matches between the Southern Kings and the MTN Lions. It all comes down to 160 minutes of rugby, where the outcome on the field will determine who gets to play in Super Rugby next year.

While ending bottom of the overall log in their debut season, there can be no doubt that the players have risen to the challenge and have played outstanding rugby against much stronger opponents.

So many obstacles have had to be overcome to bring Super Rugby to the Eastern Cape, and after one season we’re already seeing the fruits of the hard work and dedication in securing a franchise for this region.

Most notably, we are seeing young, talented players from our region opting to join the Kings Academy, rather than signing with other provinces, with the aspiration of one day, perhaps, being able to play Super Rugby at home.

This is what all of this effort is about, it is about providing opportunities for our talented sports stars of today, and talented players of tomorrow, to excel at what they do best, without having to go elsewhere to do so. It’s about bringing them home and keeping them home.

We know what the Southern Kings have accomplished. They are the best performing franchise to join the competition and have done so with just three months of preparation before the season started. They have played with courage, character and commitment. They have put their bodies on the line, ripped muscle and broken bone, for the right to play Super Rugby in the Eastern Cape.

We have also shown the world that the Eastern Cape is hungry for top flight rugby. Over 250,000 people have passed through the gates of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium over the last eight home games.

It has been noticed.

The players know what is on the line.

We don’t have to ask them about their commitment; we don’t have to ask them if they’re ready to go out and do battle for us once more; to go out and earn the right to play in this competition.

They’ve already earned that right, over and over again, on the field, between the white lines and we have faith that they will do so once more.

All we need to do now is raise our voices in support. To stand behind these men who have shown the world it can be done.

To stand behind these men who fight for our right to be recognised as the powerhouse of rugby that we once were.

To stand behind the Southern Kings and be proud of our region, of our talent, and our legacy.

Thank you for your support this year and, God willing, we look forward to welcoming you all back to Nelson Mandela Bay next year for Super Rugby in 2014.

Thank you.

Cheeky Watson
President

 

[luxe]

Wow, the DRAMA Cheeky.

 

[bwana]

Wow, the DRAMA Cheeky.

Tomorrow is the big day, at least as far as the PE leg of this fiasco goes. Cheeky's just trying to drum up support.

 

[SlowInternet]

Wow, the DRAMA Cheeky.

+100