Super Rugby 2017

[OrbitalDawn]

Jaguares have already won the same amount of games as they did at the end of last season.

 

[faniebraai]

Poor game from both teams, especially from the Lions. Previous game was more exciting by the Stormers

And yet we still win by 23 points LOL at least we aren't struggling to beat the minnows (yet)

 

[faniebraai]

Sunwolves played well. Stormers didn't impress at all, but it's a win for them.

Yep agree... want to see if the Stormers can actually perform when they start meeting proper opposition in the NZ teams

But let's be honest, not one of the SA teams are playing well so far, not even my Lions...

 

[SlowInternet]

Yep agree... want to see if the Stormers can actually perform when they start meeting proper opposition in the NZ teams

But let's be honest, not one of the SA teams are playing well so far, not even my Lions...

Agree. South African teams are struggling. Our Lions team need to play for 80 mins and not just 40mins.

 

[faniebraai]

Agree. South African teams are struggling. Our Lions team need to play for 80 mins and not just 40mins.

Credit to the Kings though, they came out the 2nd half looking much better and put the Lions under pressure. Rohan had a terrible game, but they didn't use him as they normally do... which I think is a good thing, because I've seen other teams focus on one player too much, and when that player is targeted defensively, there is no backup plan. Harold Voster is not looking as good as he did before his injury, but there is just an overall lack of rhythm with the Lions. I still think it's because of last years Springbok mess and also some of our main players going to their overseas clubs in the off season, and only joining the team close to the start of the competition.

But it is still very early days, and hopefully they can peak at the right time.

Also, a shoutout to the ref's decision in the Lions game not seeing the problem with Kriel's leg being in the way of the ball LOL

 

[bigboy529]

I predict them relaxing the high tackle yellow card rule again after this season, simply too many yellows and I don't see the disciplen changing any time soon.
This was a poor rugby weekend for all SA teams which is quite a concern, looks like the biggest problem across the board is not playing for the full 80 minuts. Look at the Bulls, 7 all half time and then a hiding of note in the second half. In comparison, usually the NZ teams are able to switch to a even higher gear after 60 - 65 minuts and play with even higher intencity.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I predict them relaxing the high tackle yellow card rule again after this season, simply too many yellows and I don't see the disciplen changing any time soon.
This was a poor rugby weekend for all SA teams which is quite a concern, looks like the biggest problem across the board is not playing for the full 80 minuts. Look at the Bulls, 7 all half time and then a hiding of note in the second half. In comparison, usually the NZ teams are able to switch to a even higher gear after 60 - 65 minuts and play with even higher intencity.

I agree with you, but this same rule applied to the Six Nations where the players coped.

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/super-rugby-force-out-kings-to-stay-20170327

Super Rugby: Force out, Kings to stay?

Cape Town - The Western Force's time in Super Rugby is set come to an end, according to a report in Australian media on Monday.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the Force will be the Australian franchise to be cut from the competition - as part of a proposed SANZAAR move to reduce the number of teams from 18 to 15.

As a result the majority of contracted Force players, aside from senior Wallabies in Dane Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman, will be automatically moved to new franchises by the ARU, according to the report.

Where the move to cut three teams from the competition is stalling comes down to the wait for a decision by South Africa over axing two of their six sides from Super Rugby.

A key SANZAAR meeting is scheduled for April 6, and while there is a general agreement that Super Rugby must be slimmed down to 15 sides, a current stumbling block is reportedly the South African government's backing to keep the Southern Kings involved in the competition, despite low crowds and poor performances on the field.

The Eastern Cape region boasts a strong heritage of black rugby representation and the Kings’ participation of the event is seen as a necessity.

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/oupa-apologises-after-scuffle-with-reinach-20170327

Oupa says sorry for scuffle with Reinach

Cape Town - Cheetahs flank Oupa Mohoje has apologised to Sharks scrumhalf Cobus Reinach after the two were involved in an altercation during Saturday’s South African Super Rugby derby in Bloemfontein.

Mohoje slammed Reinach to the ground in a tackle after the whistle had gone, which caused a scuffle to break out between the two teams.

Mohoje, who was sent to the sin-bin for his actions, took to Twitter to apologise to Reinach:

Teboho Mohoje ✔ @OupsMo
Totally unsportsmanlike what happened earlier today, my apologies on that brother! @c_reinach may it be a blessed season to you

cobus reinach ✔ @c_reinach
Thank you @OupsMo , sorry from my side as well. What happens on the field stays on the field. See you soon champ! https://twitter.com/oupsmo/status/845718234380877825 …

+1

 

[bigboy529]

If I remember correctly and I'm possibly totally missing the pot here.
Was it our 95 team who spesifically trained and conditioned themselves for a 110 minut game in order to be the fittest team at the WC and in order not to run out of steam towards the last quarter of a normal 80 minut game? If not the Boks, I remember someone doing this for a WC, but pretty sure it was our 95 Boks.

What's wrong with our SA teams today if guys could figure this out 20 years ago, are the guys really fit as in running fit? Or do they hang out in the gym 80% of the week just to bulk up.

 

[Napalm2880]

This was a poor rugby weekend for all SA teams which is quite a concern, looks like the biggest problem across the board is not playing for the full 80 minuts. Look at the Bulls, 7 all half time and then a hiding of note in the second half. In comparison, usually the NZ teams are able to switch to a even higher gear after 60 - 65 minuts and play with even higher intencity.

Agreed.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/super-rugby-force-out-kings-to-stay-20170327

There's too much speculation around this. Every day it's different teams being named. Meh.

And what do they mean the players will be moved to "new franchises"? Do they mean the other Aus teams?

 

[Fulcrum29]

Dean Mumm and co. should leave this discussion up to the stakeholders,

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...ion-to-keep-five-australian-super-rugby-teams

Rugby Union Players Association launches petition to keep five Australian Super Rugby teams

The Rugby Union Players' Association has launched a petition to save Australian rugby's national footprint, warning of "permanent damage" to the game if a Super Rugby team is cut.

As the axe hovers over one of Australia's three smallest professional teams - the Force, Rebels or Brumbies - the players' union is trying to trigger a groundswell of public support to head off any such move.

The petition, entitled "Stronger As Five", warns that agreeing to cut an Australian team as part of a wider Super Rugby shakeup will "signal a retreat" in the competitive Australian sporting market place and also places responsibility for any decision - expected as early as next week - squarely at the feet of the Australian Rugby Union.

"Super Rugby can only change if the ARU votes for it. This is the ARU's call," the petition states.

Continued

their rugby is simply not strong enough.

 

[Fulcrum29]

There's too much speculation around this. Every day it's different teams being named. Meh.

And what do they mean the players will be moved to "new franchises"? Do they mean the other Aus teams?

Yes, too much speculation. The decision, as I understand, will only be made in May. I am disappointed in the Australians stance on the change. This when they themselves complained, not too long ago, that three teams are the extend that they can carry. I agree that the Kings are one team too much in our league, but the Aussies needs to cut two. The way the Aussies proceeded in ‘strengthening’ the Force and the Rebels was to prevent their exclusion. I don’t know why RUPA must have any sway in this matter. It is up to SANZAAR (and their stakeholders) and those owning any rights up to 2019’s Super Rugby campaign to make the decision.

It is going to be problematic to include the Force somewhere, the Waratahs and Reds have a large player base. They also made their entity publicly available… They do have a Wallaby or two which can easily move to greener pastures. The Rebels are privately own, they also have the money, and are in place with the Brumbies, but the Brumbies existence are in name only. I don’t see an easily reached agreement or assimilation between the Rebels and the Brumbies. The Aussies do have their issues.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Stormers team to face The Cheetahs

DHL Stormers: 15 SP Marais, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Siya Kolisi (captain), 6 Cobus Wiese, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth (vice captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Replacements: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Oli Kebble, 19 Chris van Zyl, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Dewaldt Duvenage, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Dan Kriel.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Dean Mumm and co. should leave this discussion up to the stakeholders,

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...ion-to-keep-five-australian-super-rugby-teams



their rugby is simply not strong enough.

Australia (if I'm correct) don't have a local competition like we have the Currie Cup and NZ has the NPC. For them, Super Rugby is it...

 

[Fulcrum29]

Australia (if I'm correct) don't have a local competition like we have the Currie Cup and NZ has the NPC. For them, Super Rugby is it...

The National Rugby Championship (NRC) has returned as their domestic rugby competition in 2014. It is also where the Warriors are trialled this year.

 

[greg0205]

Oh, thank God the weekend's rugby has kicked off... I really need a break from the s**tshow we call news today, even if it's only 80 minutes.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Yoh! 39 point hammering. No vaseline.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I know it is the Rebels, but did the Highlanders rediscover their mojo?