Super Rugby 2017

[KOPITE]

NZ team winning the SR again this year, the Saders gave the Stormers a real lesson with some help form the ref. Good learning experience for the youngsters what it is to play at the top level.

 

[SlowInternet]

Stormers got schooled today.

Just a pity the commentators are clueless regarding the rules on playing the guy in the air.

Agree. Crusaders were in a class of their own

 

[Fulcrum29]

OT:

The Cherry Blossoms nearly went down to South Korea this morning. Japan managed to close out the victory by 18 points, but they had to work very hard to win the game 47 – 29. Jamie Joseph is not impressed with his side, and is concerned about his experienced players not picking up the slack.

To quote him,

http://english.kyodonews.net/news/2...-labor-to-win-over-s-korea-in-arc-opener.html

"Those two tries in five minutes put our guys to sleep and we nearly paid the price," he said.

Joseph, meanwhile, said his side had plenty to work on in the next seven days.

"We have got to make our tackles as that would have denied them many of their opportunities," he said. "But hats off to South Korea, they played with a lot more spirit than we did."

it resembles the Sunwolves, the opposition plays with a lot more spirit. It is a rugby culture issue. Jamie Joseph is still new to the Japanese coaching structure, but the JRFU made the wrong decision in succeeding Filo Tiatia to replace Mark Hammett. They should have negotiated with Robbie Deans, but Deans was insistent on central contracting which is non-existent in non-corporate Japanese rugby. The very same reason why Eddie Jones packed his bags to go to the Stormers. Keisuke Sawaki was also an option, which took Sungoliath over from Coetzee to win the Top League (2016/17).

The Cherry Blossoms has won South Korea by 85 points to 0 in 2016, coached by Ryuji Nakatake. Ryuji Nakatake, coaching Junior Japan (u/20), came in 2nd at the World Rugby Pacific Challenge this year losing only to the Fiji Warriors.

In my opinion, these foreign coaches have the wrong vision for Japanese rugby even if it is in preparation for test level. John Kirwan demolished Japanese Rugby, Eddie Jones rescued it, Mark Hammett maintained it and now it is up to Jamie Joseph to improve it. In my opinion, they are placing too much reliance on foreign support which entrenches on the Japanese spirit. The Sunwolves already looks and feels like the Western Force.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

The Force are playing really well actually. Chiefs underperforming but it's partly because of Force pressure.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Wtf is up with this ref? :wtf:

Cruden takes a quick tap directly under the ref's nose and he says the mark is incorrect... Bizarre.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

lekker dirty punch/hand in face by the Bulls there and literally in front of the AR ...... lol

 

[greg0205]

I guess Google must have the Afrikaans translation of "support runners" wrong. Whatever Nollis is coaching doesn't include a concept remotely like that... Never seen any game like this where runners break the line, only to look over their shoulders to see the rest of their team having a beer around the braai on the other side of the field.
Jesse Kriel's try might have given one or two fans reason to stick with this team but I suspect folk are turning their back en masse. Win or no, the Bulls are woeful.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

they're both awful to be honest, I watched about 25mins total of that game and it was just kark. There's your 2 teams to boot right there because as shyte as the Kings are, they actually look at least interested in playing for a win

 

[Vrotappel]

The Bulls were really poor and got lucky in the end. The okes in Pretoria need to really look at what is happening coaching wise. Are these guys actually practicing during the week? The Bulls have great players and they are currently being wasted.

 

[greg0205]

Butch should just step away from the conversation around that red card... Eish!

 

[faniebraai]

Silly

 

[greg0205]

We need a camera in the commentary booth stat! If the Sharkies lose this one, Butch and Bros are going to spontaneously combust AND flood the place with tears... at.the.same.time.

 

[FoXtroT]

Bros is a Cheetah

 

[Fulcrum29]

Butch should just step away from the conversation around that red card... Eish!

How did the Sharks receive the red?

 

[faniebraai]

How did the Sharks receive the red?

Player picked up and body slammed on his head/neck

 

[Fulcrum29]

Player picked up and body slammed on his head/neck

Ai, undisciplined adults. Butch can bitch all he wants to then. Sharks need to clean it up.

 

[FoXtroT]

Ai, undisciplined adults. Butch can bitch all he wants to then. Sharks need to clean it up.

Was a little bit of a fluke. Can't call it deliberate.

 

[greg0205]

Bros is a Cheetah

Bros started in Durban, then played for the Lions for a while 'till he figured he could get a better deal back at the Sharks... He played in black for four years before packing for Ireland. He's Sharks to the bone.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Was a little bit of a fluke. Can't call it deliberate.

I will need to see it, dropping a player on the head, also under the law scheme, would mean that it was either intentional or reckless.

 

[Fulcrum29]

That is deliberate, no matter how you rub it. Even thrown over backwards, that is pulling.