Official Super Rugby 2016 Thread

[Beavis]

Hope the Lions pull it off...

That makes two of us, can we read anything in the performance they had against Jaguares... will the saders try the same.

Either ways, I am rooting for all the sa teams!

 

[Agent_Smith]

That makes two of us, can we read anything in the performance they had against Jaguares... will the saders try the same.

Either ways, I am rooting for all the sa teams!

Nah I wouldn't read too much into it. Full strength side back, at home, against a depleted and jetlagged team (although still dangerous!) and in front of what will hopefully be a vociferously partisan crowd.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Crusaders

15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 David Havili, 11 Jone Macilai, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Jimmy Tupou, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Kieron Fonotia

Potent team, but they might miss Nadolo, who was quite destructive in their last encounter. And playing at altitude, late arrival etc. will all count against them.

 

[Cray]

Potent team, but they might miss Nadolo, who was quite destructive in their last encounter. And playing at altitude, late arrival etc. will all count against them.

Interesting point on acclimitisation...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans

Full hematological adaptation to high altitude is achieved when the increase of red blood cells reaches a plateau and stops. The length of full hematological adaptation can be approximated by multiplying the altitude in kilometers by 11.

With JHB at 1753 metres, it would take 18 days for full acclimitisation with sea level as a starting point.

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/du-preez-returns-for-stormers-20160721

Stormers

15 Jaco Taute, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Schalk Burger (co-captain), 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Ezebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Alistair Vermaak.

Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Rynhardt Elstadt, 21 Nizaam Carr, 22 Louis Schreuder, 23 Brandon Thomson

I am glad that Schalk is continuing with the captaincy. But, damn the Stormers are a bit weak at ten. Yes, Robert du Preez is the 1st choice, but it has been some time since he had played and he has not really experienced the Kiwi onslaught (or pressure) and Thomson is also still very green. They will miss Kolbe… Taute is not bad at all, but Kolbe is a natural playmaker which should be playing at nine next years. Huw Jones, he is actually Springbok material, the Scots can be glad to have him.

Overall, not a bad team, but they lack the experience that they should had gained by playing against the Kiwi sides.

 

[DWPTA]

The Lions team to face the Crusaders: 1 Dylon Smith, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 4 Andries Ferreira, 5 Franco Mostert, 6 Jaco Kriel, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 8 Warren Whiteley ©, 9 Faf De Klerk , 10 Elton Jantjies, 11 Courtnal Skosan, 12 Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 15 Andries Coetzee

Replacements: 16 Armand Van Der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jacques Van Rooyen, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Jaco Van Der Walt/Sylvian Mahuza

Warren has passed the fitness test!!!!

 

[Agent_Smith]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/du-preez-returns-for-stormers-20160721



I am glad that Schalk is continuing with the captaincy. But, damn the Stormers are a bit weak at ten. Yes, Robert du Preez is the 1st choice, but it has been some time since he had played and he has not really experienced the Kiwi onslaught (or pressure) and Thomson is also still very green. They will miss Kolbe… Taute is not bad at all, but Kolbe is a natural playmaker which should be playing at nine next years. Huw Jones, he is actually Springbok material, the Scots can be glad to have him.

Overall, not a bad team, but they lack the experience that they should had gained by playing against the Kiwi sides.

Definitely think the likes of McKenzie and Cruden are going to run at him a few times. He's going to have to be ready for this. Schalla and Kolisi are going to have to be ready to break off the scrum and assist him if necessary in any possible set piece play.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Interesting point on acclimitisation...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans



With JHB at 1753 metres, it would take 18 days for full acclimitisation with sea level as a starting point.

No wonder it's so difficult for any team to play there... :erm:

 

[DanDango]

The Lions team to face the Crusaders: 1 Dylon Smith, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 4 Andries Ferreira, 5 Franco Mostert, 6 Jaco Kriel, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 8 Warren Whiteley ©, 9 Faf De Klerk , 10 Elton Jantjies, 11 Courtnal Skosan, 12 Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 15 Andries Coetzee

Replacements: 16 Armand Van Der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jacques Van Rooyen, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Jaco Van Der Walt/Sylvian Mahuza

Warren has passed the fitness test!!!!

 

[MickeyD]

Let's hear your theory?

Was selected to play a Super Rugby game.

Squad flew to other city for the weekend's game.

On the Friday he was suddenly "unavailable" and a replacement had to be rushed in.

Has not played since.

Is not injured.

http://www.bdlive.co.za/sport/rugby...g-while-ntando-kebe-denies-doping-allegations

At the same time, Business Day has learnt that Southern Kings scrumhalf Ntando Kebe has also tested positive and faces a similar ban.

South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) CEO Khalid Galant would not confirm whether Kebe, who has represented SA A, had tested positive, but confirmed Hadebe had been handed a four-year ban for taking steroids.

Kebe denied that he tested positive for a banned substance. But Business Day understands from a source close to the Kings franchise that Kebe was released from the Port Elizabeth-based team the week he was named in the team to play the Lions in Johannesburg. Kebe was suddenly withdrawn from the match 23.

"It’s not me," Kebe told Business Day. "I’ve been home for the last three weeks because I’ve had family problems."

 

[Fulcrum29]

Definitely think the likes of McKenzie and Cruden are going to run at him a few times. He's going to have to be ready for this. Schalla and Kolisi are going to have to be ready to break off the scrum and assist him if necessary in any possible set piece play.

Say du Preez has the positive mind set on match day to soak up the pressure then we will be able to utilise our backline to its potential.

De Allende has also realised that you can pass a ball than repeatedly run it into the opposition. I always thought that De Allende and Kriel was a good combination, but Jones has streamlined an optimum centre pair.

Since the Springbok A game, Groom has picked up with speed on the delivery. We have a good scrum, when they do scrum, and our wingers has matured with the team.

I am sure that Fleck is glad to have his starters back. The 4 players which Fleck will miss are Kolbe, Vermaak, Coleman and/or de Plessis, de Plessis whom had surprised the union at Super Rugby level. In my opinion I believe that Coleman is a better player than du Preez, but de Plessis has earned the #10 going into the 2017 season. I do not see de Jongh as a better player than de Allende or Jones, but the man is the captain.

Next year we will may see Senatla return, and it is sad that the Stormers never had the opportunity to play Hendricks. 2017 may be an Stormers year, though I do think that we can do with a better coach or at least provide more specialised assistants to Fleck.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

“We are saddened to hear the news about Monde Hadebe. Monde is a man of integrity and a leader in his own right, who, over the years, has been a great ambassador for The Sharks,” the outgoing CEO writes.
“Due to a reoccurring injury that hampered his rugby progress he took the decision to retire from rugby at the beginning of the year, prior to SAIDS findings, and has successfully started a corporate career. Monde had acknowledged his mistake in not being more careful and is most remorseful, and had co-operated with SAIDS from the outset, whilst they carried out their investigation. The Sharks support and acknowledge the great work that the Anti-Doping Council carries out, and we will continue to educate and provide guidance to our players on the importance of making informed decisions and to know exactly what they take into their bodies and whether or not that is permissible.”

An up to 2 year old sample nogal ......... Shame I had no clue about his injury being that bad either.

 

[Fulcrum29]

No wonder it's so difficult for any team to play there... :erm:

Just shows you how bad the Lions was in their previous years

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Just shows you how bad the Lions was in their previous years

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/insider/news/160721/Ackermanns_fear_of_expectation

Ackermann's fear of expectation

Emirates Lions coach Johan Ackermann may have conquered so much with his team throughout the 2016 season, but as the team embark on their first playoff in Vodacom Super Rugby, one fear still nags at him – the fear of expectation.

It would be an understatement to say that Ackermann and his coaching team have taken this team far in the past few years, but the uncertainty of the playoff rounds, and the weight of expectation across the country from both Lions fans and those who admire the style of play the Lions have employed is a big weight to bear.

So much so that Lions supporters are understandably very bullish at the moment, and struggle to take any sort of criticism of the team in their stride.

The hope has changed into expectation and with that the Lions now know they are no longer just any other team in the competition. There is a real expectation they need to win every game they now play.

And for a coach who has walked such a long road with a team, this is the one part of the equation that invokes a bit of fear – the fear of not living up to the expectation of the fans.

Ackermann has admitted to supersport.com that this remains his fear heading into the playoffs.

Ahem... article continued in the link.

I must say though, though Elton has improved immensely under the Lions supervision he is historically known to give in to pressure.

 

[KOPITE]

I hope the Lions don't choke when it comes to the playoffs, as they will be crusified. Hopefully the Stormers can sneak the win as there is no pressure on them and rather on the lions team to expect to beat the Saders.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Is Hohneck going for the penalty record today...? :erm:

 

[faniebraai]

I hope the Lions don't choke when it comes to the playoffs, as they will be crusified. Hopefully the Stormers can sneak the win as there is no pressure on them and rather on the lions team to expect to beat the Saders.

I don't think its going to be about choking. I just the NZ sides are much better. But yeh, knowing the SA public, they'll call it choking.

 

[Beavis]

I don't think its going to be about choking. I just the NZ sides are much better. But yeh, knowing the SA public, they'll call it choking.

I doubt that "choking" has the same relevance as in lets say cricket, just to many variables involved in preparation to call it choking in a rugby match imo...

Saders will be tough for sure, but the lions can do it, I doubt they will mess around with their current style of rugby, and that style if executed correctly will bring them the win.

Just not sure how any of the other two sa sides can do it, their oppositions are fierce and in good form. Will def be against the odds for one of them pull it of, and I don't mind being wrong in my predictions if they do... hehe

 

[Cray]

I don't think its going to be about choking. I just the NZ sides are much better. But yeh, knowing the SA public, they'll call it choking.

Yup, New Zealand teams are just better than the South African teams. As long as they play the same way there will be no disgrace if they lose.