Super Rugby 2017

As a proud bulls supporter, I can think of a better team to win it, than the Lions. Will be supporting the lions like their my own team this weekend. Screw the crusaders
 
To be fair, the Lions winning would be just reward for how they've played the last couple of years, not only this year. They've consistently been the best SA super rugby side for a while now.
 
OrbitalDawn said:
To be fair, the Lions winning would be just reward for how they've played the last couple of years, not only this year. They've consistently been the best SA super rugby side for a while now.
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Actually the turn around has been quite remarkable considering they were in a relegation playoff with the king's not so long ago. 2013 was it?
 
DWPTA said:
Sold out signs are up.
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Super Rugby final is officially sold out
Saturday’s showpiece Super Rugby match between the Emirates Lions and the seven-time champions, the Crusaders, was sold out at just after 3.30pm on Monday as the 61 500-capacity stadium will be filled to the brim for the final of the Southern Hemisphere tournament.

The Lions will host the final after defeating the defending champions, the Hurricanes, last Saturday and finishing top of the log with the Crusaders travelling from New Zealand after winning their semifinal against the Chiefs to set up a final between the top two teams in the competition.

Fans started queueing outside the stadium straight after the game on Saturday night as ticket sales opened for the final and by Monday morning 8am 45 000 tickets were already sold with long queues still outside the stadium as fans looked to get tickets for Johan Ackermann’s final match in charge of the side.

A statement from the rugby union confirmed the sell-out with the only tickets available being a sponsors event on Thursday while there may well be a handful of tickets if season ticket holders don’t take up their quota.

“Tickets for the Vodacom Super Rugby final between the Emirates Lions and the BNZ Crusaders at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday 5 August have been sold out,” the statement from the Golden Lions said on Monday.

“The system will be checked for any errors and should there be any available it will go to the supporters that had to turn around empty handed at the ticket office on Monday.

“Season ticket holders who have not redeemed their tickets, will have until close of business on Wednesday to do so. If they do not take up their tickets it will be released back into the system.”

Those who were disappointed can still have a chance to get tickets through sponsors Vodacom, who will give away 4 000 tickets at the stadium on Thursday to their Vodacom Red clients.

“On Thursday from 12:30-13:30 the Vodacom Red Activation will take place at Emirates Airline Park on the northern side for Vodacom Red Clients where 4 000 tickets will be handed out by Emirates Lions players.

“There is still hospitality for the final available at the stadium. For more info contact Circa at 011 579-2900 or 021 556 4256 or [email protected],” the statement concluded.

The match, which is due to kick off at 4pm, will be live on SuperSport and the DSTV Now app with the build-up beginning at 3pm.

The Currie Cup matches scheduled for Saturday have also been moved, with the DHL Western Province v Steval Pumas game at Newlands beginning at 1pm and the Vodacom Blue Bulls against Xerox Golden Lions game kicking off at 7pm at Loftus Versfeld.
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Peyper gets Super nod despite 'neutral' call

South Africa's Jaco Peyper was on Tuesday named as referee for the Super Rugby final as officials shrugged off calls for a neutral whistle-blower and a yellow-card controversy in the semis.

Governing body SANZAAR said Peyper's appointment was purely "merit-based" after putting him in charge of Saturday's final between South Africa's Golden Lions and New Zealand's Canterbury Crusaders in Johannesburg.

"The selection criteria for all match official appointments for the last two years follows a clear tournament policy... that such appointments be merit-based," SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said in a statement.

He added that New Zealand's Glen Jackson refereed last year's final between the Lions and the Hurricanes in Wellington, when the home team lifted the trophy.

Some experts have questioned the wisdom of using referees from the same country as one of the teams involved, with Crusaders coach Scott Robertson among those calling for the "best neutral ref".

"I'd love a neutral referee," he told New Zealand's Radio Sport. "Look it's not my decision, but in my opinion it's more around what's best for the game.

"Let's get the best neutral ref, I just think it's fair."

Peyper was also at the centre of controversy last week when he sin-binned Hurricanes fly-half Beauden Barrett at a key stage of their semifinal against the Lions in Johannesburg.

Replays suggested the punishment was harsh but the Lions took full advantage, scoring 17 points to seize the lead while Barrett was off the field in the second half.

"It was a pretty tough decision against Beauden," former Springboks coach Nick Mallett said on SuperSport TV at the time.

On Saturday, Peyper will have fellow South African Marius van der Westhuizen and New Zealander Glen Jackson as his assistants, while South Africa's Marius Jonker is the television match official.
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