Super Rugby 2018

[Fulcrum29]

I see the Breezers have stuck Leyds in at 10 this week

Yes, I was busy posting the announced teams, but then got side-tracked by the Springbok announcements,

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/stormers-put-faith-in-leyds-at-flyhalf-20180301

Stormers put faith in Leyds at flyhalf

Cape Town - Dillyn Leyds will start at flyhalf in one of four changes to the Stormers starting line-up to face the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday (kick-off 08:35 SA time).

The versatile Leyds, who last played at flyhalf in the Stormers' victory against the Blues at Newlands last year, moves into the pivot position in place of the injured Damian Willemse.

Leyds' place on the wing is taken by Seabelo Senatla, with EW Viljoen coming in at outside centre for the injured JJ Engelbrecht in the only other backline change.

...

Teams:

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Peter Samu, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Chris King, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele

Stormers

15 SP Marais, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Dillyn Leyds, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 JC Janse van Resnburg

Substitutes: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jan de Klerk, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Kobus van Dyk, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 George Whitehead

 

[Fulcrum29]

https://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/180301/Beast_beefs_up_Sharks_pack

Beast beefs up Sharks pack

Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira has been returned to the starting team as the Cell C Sharks use their second Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Waratahs at Kings Park to address the problem area that was exposed on week one.

The Sharks had a bye last week but in round one their pack was shunted backwards by the Emirates Lions in a scene that was all too reminiscent of the Currie Cup final last October, when it was Western Province who were the tormentors of the Durban team.

Mtawarira was however absent from the starting team in both those aforementioned games but managed to make some impact as he stabilised the Sharks scrum coming off the bench in Johannesburg. Early in the game is when the tone is set for the forward battle so it makes sense that coach Robert du Preez has opted to return Mtawarira to his No 1 jersey.

...

Cell C Sharks team: 15.Lwazi Mvovo, 14.Kobus van Wyk, 13.Lukhanyo Am, 12.Andre Esterhuizen, 11.Sbu Nkosi, 10.Robert du Preez, 9.Louis Schreuder, 8.Keegan Daniel, 7.Tyler Paul, 6.Jacques Vermeulen, 5.Stephan Lewies, 4.Ruan Botha (captain), 3.Thomas du Toit, 2.Franco Marais, 1.Beast Mtawarira. Replacements: 16.Akker van der Merwe, 17.Juan Schoeman, 18.John-Hubert Meyer, 19.Hyron Andrews, 20.Tera Mtembu, 21.Cameron Wright, 22.Marius Louw, 23.Curwin Bosch.

 

[Fulcrum29]

http://www.nswwaratahs.com.au/news/...-waratahs-team-named-to-face-sharks-in-durban

NSW WARATAHS TEAM NAMED TO FACE SHARKS IN DURBAN

A new second row combination and backrow trio will take to Kings Park on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT) when the NSW Waratahs take on the Sharks in Durban in the Vodafone Super Rugby competition.

Ned Hanigan will partner Tom Staniforth at lock and Michael Wells moves from No 8 to blindside flank with Jed Holloway starting at the back of the scrum.

Three players on the bench are set to make their NSW Waratahs Super Rugby debut: front rower Kalivati Tawake, loose forward Will Miller and halfback Mitch Short.

...

NSW Waratahs team to play the Sharks:

1. Tom Robertson (28)
2. Damien Fitzpatrick (32)
3. Paddy Ryan (92)
4. Ned Hanigan (16)
5. Tom Staniforth (1)
6. Michael Wells (16)
7. Michael Hooper (81, captain)
8. Jed Holloway (24)
9. Jake Gordon (13)
10. Bernard Foley (88, vice-captain)
11. Curtis Rona (1)
12. Kurtley Beale (111)
13. Lalakai Foketi (1)
14. Andrew Kellaway (21)
15. Israel Folau (76)

Reserves:
16. Hugh Roach (31)
17. Harry Johnson-Holmes (1)
18. Kalivati Tawake (*)
19. Nick Palmer (1)
20. Will Miller (*)
21. Mitch Short (*)
22. Bryce Hegarty (14)
23. Alex Newsome (1)

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Can't find much fault with that Sharks team, really hope they've sorted the scrum because that's pretty much the only weak point

 

[mbayshark]

Can't find much fault with that Sharks team, really hope they've sorted the scrum because that's pretty much the only weak point

I would like to see Bosch start the game at fullback and not sit more than half the game on the bench. Mvovo should start on wing.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

I think Kobus and Nkosi have him beat on the wings, I actually really do prefer Mvovo at fullback. I know I'm in the minority but he owns that more than when he was on the wing

 

[Fulcrum29]

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Sup...s-unchanged-bulls-team-to-duel-lions-20180301

Mitchell names unchanged Bulls team to battle Lions

Pretoria - Bulls coach John Mitchell named an unchanged squad to face the Lions in their Super Rugby clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (17:15 kick-off).

The Bulls opened their campaign with a 21-19 win over the Hurricanes last weekend and the same 23 players will again take the field for this Jukskei derby.

...

Teams:

Bulls

15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal (co-captain), 11 Johnny Kotze, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Pierre Schoeman

Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Nic de Jager (co-captain), 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Marnitz Boshoff, 23 Duncan Matthews

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Cyle Brink, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen

Substitutes: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Madosh Tambwe

Swys wants more clean ball at the ruck against the improved Bulls.

 

[Agent_Smith]

No Warwick Galant? He injured? Now that I think about it, I don't recall seeing him against the 'Canes...

EDIT: If it's an 'unchanged side' then obviously he didn't play last week. Dumbass...

 

[faniebraai]

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Sup...s-unchanged-bulls-team-to-duel-lions-20180301





Swys wants more clean ball at the ruck against the improved Bulls.

that's because kwagga has been given compassionate leave

 

[Fulcrum29]

No Warwick Galant? He injured? Now that I think about it, I don't recall seeing him against the 'Canes...

EDIT: If it's an 'unchanged side' then obviously he didn't play last week. Dumbass...

Also, no Ulengo. Yes, the side is unchanged, but the Bulls have lekker depth in their squad this year.

 

[Fulcrum29]

that's because kwagga has been given compassionate leave

Yes, but you guys have other specialised loosies, I see Marnus Schoeman replaced Hacjivah Dayimani and Kwagga is replaced by Cyle Brink. I would have retained the locks and give the game to the Puma recruit, Willie Engelbrecht, than bringing Sous in on the loose.

EDIT:

The only motivation I can see behind the call is to have a utility to speed up the game for the Lions.

 

[mbayshark]

I think Kobus and Nkosi have him beat on the wings, I actually really do prefer Mvovo at fullback. I know I'm in the minority but he owns that more than when he was on the wing

Wasting the talents of Bosch on the bench though.

 

[faniebraai]

Yes, but you guys have other specialised loosies, I see Marnus Schoeman replaced Hacjivah Dayimani and Kwagga is replaced by Cyle Brink. I would have retained the locks and give the game to the Puma recruit, Willie Engelbrecht, than bringing Sous in on the loose.

EDIT:

The only motivation I can see behind the call is to have a utility to speed up the game for the Lions.

Possibly, or they just prefer the experience. Look, I'm no fan for playing players out of position, so hopefully this won't blow up in our face like that other bok experiment did

 

[Fulcrum29]

Possibly, or they just prefer the experience. Look, I'm no fan for playing players out of position, so hopefully this won't blow up in our face like that other bok experiment did

We only have two good utilities in SA, that is Mostert and du Toit, you need only to worry when they are moved to no.8. Flankers, they are, but more specialised at lock.

This is the thing with these two, they play like loosies. Turnover ball is their game.

 

[faniebraai]

We only have two good utilities in SA, that is Mostert and du Toit, you need only to worry when they are moved to no.8. Flankers, they are, but more specialised at lock.

This is the thing with these two, they play like loosies. Turnover ball is their game.

I wish I was as positive as you. Being a Lions supporter means your are an eternal pessimist

 

[bokka1]

That Stormers team does not look too shabby. I like Leyds and our tight five are solid.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I wish I was as positive as you. Being a Lions supporter means your are an eternal pessimist

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/r...p-lemmer-not-losing-any-sleep-over-the-bulls/

Lions forward coach Phillip Lemmer not losing any sleep over the Bulls

The sight of the Bulls tight forwards running amok against the Hurricanes last week is not something that alarms Lions forwards coach Phillip Lemmer.

In fact‚ he’d much rather they take a similar approach against the Lions when the teams clash in their crunch Super Rugby match at Loftus on Saturday.

“Our forwards also like running the ball‚” the barrel chested coach pointed out.

“They love carrying the ball. Our department is scrums and line-outs.

"The more they run the more we can attack them at set phases.”

Having quelled the forwards’ challenge of the Sharks and the Jaguares‚ the Lions are expected to absorb whatever the Bulls throw at them.

The Bulls scrum more than stood its ground last weekend and Lemmer stopped short of rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of this weekend’s challenge.

“It is always a battle‚" Lemmer said.

"You have to be switched on every scrum otherwise you go backwards.

"It’s about staying tight and composed and keeping focus.”

He didn’t quite bristle at the suggestion that the Lions’ line-out hasn’t operated at full tilt‚ but Lemmer was keen to set the record straight.

...

"The jumpers take ownership of their responsibility.”

But how ready are they for the Bulls’ jumpers?

“The Sharks had tall‚ lengthy guys at the line-out‚ the Jaguares had a lot of walk-in line-outs. The Bulls will have a different system. Lood (de Jager) is an experienced caller.

“We have a plan in place. We know what is coming.”

Part of that plan is the deployment of regular lock Franco Mostert in the number seven jersey. Why play the Bok lock out of his regular position?

“He is someone who can express himself on the field whether he is at five or seven‚” explained Lemmer.

“You will get 100 percent from him. We think it is something that can work well this weekend. He adds massive value to the team.”

Reading the article, it seems the Lions want more continuety and options at the line-outs to oppose the two monumental trees the Bulls possess. In my perspective they want more ball retention.

 

[Fulcrum29]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...t-both-picked-in-hurricanes-team-for-jaguares

Beauden and Jordie Barrett both picked in Hurricanes team for Jaguares

Both Barrett brothers will start in Buenos Aires for the Hurricanes in this weekend's Super Rugby round.

Beauden's back from bench duty to play at first five-eighth against the Jaguares while Jordie will slot in at fullback after arriving in Argentina as an injury replacement for wing Wes Goosen.

Ben Lam takes Goosen's spot on the bench, with Vince Aso dropping out of the starting XV to accommodate Matt Proctor's move from fullback to centre.

...

AT A GLANCE

Hurricanes team to meet the Jaguares: Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Gareth Evans, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields (c), Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Chris Eves. Reserves: James O'Reilly, Fraser Armstrong, Alex Fidow, Michael Fatialofa, Blade Thomson, Jamie Booth, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Vince Aso.

 

[Agent_Smith]

I've given up trying to understand this knock on rule. Last week, the Bulls were denied a try when the TMO had adjudged that the Bulls player had lost the ball forward (when it was patently obvious it had been slapped out of his hand at the ruck by a 'Canes defender). Today the Blues get called back after turning the ball over because it had been knocked out of the Chiefs player's hand in the tackle (and not lost by the Chiefs player)

 

[Fulcrum29]

I've given up trying to understand this knock on rule. Last week, the Bulls were denied a try when the TMO had adjudged that the Bulls player had lost the ball forward (when it was patently obvious it had been slapped out of his hand at the ruck by a 'Canes defender). Today the Blues get called back after turning the ball over because it had been knocked out of the Chiefs player's hand in the tackle (and not lost by the Chiefs player)

Yah, the interpretation is weird by the officials. I do have a problem with attacking players jumping into a pass, they should only penalise a defender when he tackles a jumper for a high ball from a kick.