Official Super Rugby 2016 Thread

[DanDango]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/whiteley-to-feature-before-end-of-season-20160711

When Warren Whiteley was ruled out for six weeks after the final Test between the Springboks and Ireland in Port Elizabeth, it appeared his season was over.

But now, with two of those weeks over, the Lions skipper is back on the training field.

He is not ready to take any contact yet, but the Lions confirmed in their injury report on Monday that Whiteley would start running this week.

They could not confirm when he was expected to be fit, but with the Lions set to have home-ground advantage throughout the playoffs there appears to be a slight chance that Whiteley could play some part in the season yet.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Rugby columnist Paul Culley responded to Australia’s Super Rugby weekend from hell by choosing the following “Team of the week”

Said Cully: “Customarily, this column also selects a team of the week from the best performances in the Australian conference, but that won't be happening this week.

After the worst weekend in Australian Super Rugby history, what players could honestly say they deserve to be on the same sheet as Michael Hooper, who was outstanding against the Hurricanes and has now outplayed two All Blacks No 7s in the past three Super games.

The legion of non-performers could take a long, hard look at Hooper and ask themselves are they putting in as much? The Wallaby forward's game is built on work rate, guts, and determination as well as skill and natural ability. He wrings every last ounce of effort from his frame, every week. How many others can honestly make that claim, either on the paddock or at training working on their skills?”

 

[DanDango]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/cheetahs-lay-complaint-against-berry-20160712

The Cheetahs have laid official complaints to SANZAAR and SA Rugby against referee Stuart Berry, who handled their Super Rugby clash against the Sharks in Durban at the weekend.

The Cheetahs are upset that Berry did not award them a penalty try after several dominant scrums which the Sharks collapsed.

The visitors were leading 7-3 in the 24th minute when they put severe pressure on the Sharks scrum. The Cheetahs looked set to score, but the buckling Sharks scrum kept collapsing.

Despite protests from Cheetahs captain Francois Venter, Berry decided a penalty try was not warranted.

The Sharks emerged from that particular passage of play unscathed and went on to win 26-10.

The men from Bloemfontein were also upset as they felt Sharks captain Tendai Mtawarira was allowed back on to the field too soon after being yellow-carded, while Berry’s application of advantage was also questioned.

The Cheetahs on Monday confirmed via their official Facebook page that they had laid a complaint against Berry.

The statement reads: “Since Saturday’s match we have been inundated with reaction from fans over the handling of the match by referee, Stuart Berry. We share the frustration. The necessary procedures have been followed and the coaches and management have made their grievances felt at SANZAAR and SARU. It is now in their hands to take the matter further. There are measures taken against referees if there is sufficient cause and reason for action."

Stuart Berry is a horrible referee, Berry has to be axed from the referee panel.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Lions team announced for Jaguares clash. A whole raft of changes made

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: SCRUMHALF ROSS CRONJE WILL LEAD A NEW-LOOK LIONS TEAM FOR THEIR CLASH AGAINST THE JAGUARES IN BUENOS AIRES ON SATURDAY.

The team departs for Argentina on Wednesday, July 13.

"This is a great opportunity for our whole group to experience and express themselves at Super Rugby level and to make sure everybody is prepared at the highest level. The 15 players that stay behind will have time to work hard physically for the next round of important Super Rugby matches that lie ahead. It also gives us the chance to do some medical rehabilitation with some of them. With the long travelling hours to Argentina one loses a lot of time that could have been spent working with these players.

"That being said, we have a lot of faith in the players that we send to Argentina. They have been part of our extended squad for the whole year and must be ready to play in a play-off game should we need them and we regard this as vital preparation," said Johan Ackermann, coach of the Lions.

Lions: 15 Sylvian Mahuza, 14 Koch Marx, 13 Stokkies Hanekom, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Ross Cronjé (captain), 8 Cyle Brink, 7 Robert Kruger, 6 Stef de Witt, 5 Lourens Erasmus, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Jacques van Rooyen, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Corné Fourie.
Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Clinton Theron, 18 Pieter Scholtz, 19 Fabian Booysen, 20 Ruaan Lerm, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Jacques Nel, 23 Shaun Reynolds, 24 Bobby de Wee, 25 Ashlon Davids.

 

[DanDango]

Lions team announced for Jaguares clash. A whole raft of changes made

Still a good team, Mahuza starting +1. Pieter Scholtz not a bad tighthead.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/cheetahs-lay-complaint-against-berry-20160712



Stuart Berry is a horrible referee, Berry has to be axed from the referee panel.

Lols

 

[modern10]

15 changes... Wow. Johan Ackerman is definitely risking a home final here. I see the logic in resting the guys but yoh it is brave

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Yep, I was thinking a couple changes only so they could ensure the home ground advantage but obviously not.

 

[faniebraai]

Yep, I was thinking a couple changes only so they could ensure the home ground advantage but obviously not.

I was thinking the same. There were some people I would've rested if I was the couch.

Faf - Had a terrible game, just looked tired
Mapoe - Just hung around, wasnt his normal self
Jantjies - Just for the sake of him not getting an injury

I also would've swapped the bench front row a lot sooner, maybe like at half time already.

Risking the home final is a bit of a gamble in my opinion... but hey, if you want to be the best you gotta beat the best, anywhere, I guess.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

I was thinking the same. There were some people I would've rested if I was the couch.

Faf - Had a terrible game, just looked tired
Mapoe - Just hung around, wasnt his normal self
Jantjies - Just for the sake of him not getting an injury

I also would've swapped the bench front row a lot sooner, maybe like at half time already.

Risking the home final is a bit of a gamble in my opinion... but hey, if you want to be the best you gotta beat the best, anywhere, I guess.

you nervous for the game? Could be a tight one that has all you guys putting back tons of nervous biltong

 

[faniebraai]

you nervous for the game? Could be a tight one that has all you guys putting back tons of nervous biltong

nervous? no. we will lose this game.

 

[Stevi]

nervous? no. we will lose this game.

Time to change my Superbru pick

 

[modern10]

What makes this even more peculiar is, except for the Springboks, most of the Lions have only played twice in 6 weeks.

 

[Cray]

+1 for SA teams playing against NZ sides. -1 for more local derbies.

All my upvotes, keep the derbies for the Currie Cup.

 

[samrai.jck]

As it stands now:

Will the playoffs be as follows:

Lions vs Sharks,
Chiefs vs Canes,
Stormers vs Highlanders,
Brumbies vs Crusaders

What do you guys think?

 

[GreGorGy]

As it stands now:

Will the playoffs be as follows:

Lions vs Sharks,
Chiefs vs Canes,
Stormers vs Highlanders,
Brumbies vs Crusaders

What do you guys think?

That would be my guess. Some teams are just better in playoffs than others.

 

[samrai.jck]

That would be my guess. Some teams are just better in playoffs than others.

So you agree with the way its laid out? Does the Stormers then get a Home quarter final?

 

[Agent_Smith]

As it stands now:

Will the playoffs be as follows:

Lions vs Sharks,
Chiefs vs Canes,
Stormers vs Highlanders,
Brumbies vs Crusaders

What do you guys think?

This I think is now no means a certainty. Since the Lions team was announced (effectively a 'B' team), it's dampened most pundits expectation of a Lions win. I still think they can do it (and have backed them in the MyBB comp) but it's going to be tough. The Jaguares will want to finish on a high and will now see this as an ideal opportunity to do so. If they lose, they'll play the 'Canes in JHB, a far tougher prospect.

 

[GreGorGy]

So you agree with the way its laid out? Does the Stormers then get a Home quarter final?

My understanding is based on the same confusing set of rules that yours is:

Lions (AF2)
.Chiefs (NZC1)
..Stormers (AF1)
...Brumbies (AC 1)
...Crusaders (WC)
..Highlanders (WC)
.Hurricanes (WC)
Sharks (WC)

and by that I also guess yes, home quarter for each conference (ie, AF2/NZ1/AF1/AC1) against the four wild cards, in reverse order.

 

[samrai.jck]

This I think is now no means a certainty. Since the Lions team was announced (effectively a 'B' team), it's dampened most pundits expectation of a Lions win. I still think they can do it (and have backed them in the MyBB comp) but it's going to be tough. The Jaguares will want to finish on a high and will now see this as an ideal opportunity to do so. If they lose, they'll play the 'Canes in JHB, a far tougher prospect.

Good that I used that first sentence: as it stands now. Just want to get a clearer picture of how its suppose to happen.

So as it stands now, If the Lions do play the sharks and beat them, then they will most probably face the brumbies/crusaders?