Super Rugby 2018

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...seph-for-remainder-of-super-rugby-season.html

Rugby: Brown to replace Joseph for remainder of Super Rugby season

Sunwolves head coach Jamie Joseph will miss the last three games of the season as he recovers from lower back pain and will be replaced by assistant coach Tony Brown, the Super Rugby team said Tuesday.

According to the Sunwolves, Joseph -- coach of both the Sunwolves and the Japanese national team this season -- will return to New Zealand to undergo treatment for two months in order to be fit for the November tests and next year's Rugby World Cup.

"Though it was a very tough decision for me not to accompany the Sunwolves for the last three matches of the season, I had to think of what was best for the greater goal of Japanese rugby," Joseph said in a statement.

"The team will be in the very capable hands of Tony Brown and our support staff and I will look forward to continue to monitor their progress till the end of the Super Rugby season for 2018."
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The Sunwolves will be playing 2nd string and have their assistant coach as head coach… At least Tony Brown is head coach material, but I don't see them add any more wins with the limited depth.
 
Bulls team to face the Sunwolves

The Vodacom Bulls team to face the Sunwolves (with Vodacom Super Rugby caps and points) is: Warrick Gelant (31, 60), Jamba Ulengo (20, 35), Jesse Kriel (58, 55), Johnny Kotze (32, 35), Divan Rossouw (11, 15), Handre Pollard (c; 44, 402), Embrose Papier (6, 0), Hanro Liebenberg (25, 15), Jannes Kirsten 915, 10), Marco van Staden (13, 5), RG Snyman (36, 10), Jason Jenkins (39, 35), Conraad van Vuuren (14, 0), Jaco Visagie (33, 5), Pierre Schoeman (32, 15).

Replacements: Edgar Marutlulle (30, 20), Simphiwe Matanzima, Morne Smith (0, 0), Thembelani Bholi (27, 5), Nic de Jager (26, 20), Andre Warner (12, 15), Manie Libbok (8, 6), Dries Swanepoel (9, 10),
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The Vodacom Bulls team to face the Sunwolves (with Vodacom Super Rugby caps and points) is: Warrick Gelant (31, 60), Jamba Ulengo (20, 35), Jesse Kriel (58, 55), Johnny Kotze (32, 35), Divan Rossouw (11, 15), Handre Pollard (c; 44, 402), Embrose Papier (6, 0), Hanro Liebenberg (25, 15), Jannes Kirsten 915, 10), Marco van Staden (13, 5), RG Snyman (36, 10), Jason Jenkins (39, 35), Conraad van Vuuren (14, 0), Jaco Visagie (33, 5), Pierre Schoeman (32, 15).

Replacements: Edgar Marutlulle (30, 20), Simphiwe Matanzima, Morne Smith (0, 0), Thembelani Bholi (27, 5), Nic de Jager (26, 20), Andre Warner (12, 15), Manie Libbok (8, 6), Dries Swanepoel (9, 10),
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Proof Blue bulls can't count.
 
Teams:

Sharks

15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Phillip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Beast Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Lwazi Mvovo

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith

Substitutes: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19, Lourens Erasmus, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Marnus Schoeman, 22 Nic Groom, 23 Courtnall Skosan
 
DanDango said:
Teams:

Sharks

15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Phillip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Beast Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Lwazi Mvovo

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith

Substitutes: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19, Lourens Erasmus, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Marnus Schoeman, 22 Nic Groom, 23 Courtnall Skosan
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Oh yeah. I like 9 through 15 and I *really* like the 2 and 8. Pleased Dylan's starting too.
 
From what the Sunwolves have available they probably picked their strongest 23, more so in the backline. Still short on depth, the reserves will have to pick it up. To add,

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/...a-part-in-sunwolves-bulls-super-rugby-fixture

Rugby: Heat and humidity will play a part in Sunwolves-Bulls Super Rugby fixture

Before the Sunwolves arrived in Singapore on Wednesday (June 27), fly half Hayden Parker had never been to nor heard much about the Lion City, except that it is "really hot".

The Sunwolves face the Bulls in a Super Rugby fixture this Saturday, and like Parker, Bulls' utility back Jesse Kriel believes the Singapore heat and humidity will be a factor - in the lead-up to and including the match at the National Stadium.

"This is probably the hottest (conditions) I've ever trained in - I've lost 5kgs," exclaimed Kriel, speaking at the sidelines of a training session at the CCAB Stadium in Bukit Timah.

"But it has been really good. It's important now for us to go back to the hotel to get some good recovery and good rest."

Saturday's match will kick off after the sun goes down, at 7.55pm under the iconic dome of Singapore Sports Hub's crown jewel, and with the stadium's comfort cooling technology turned on. That will go some way in battling the heat and humidity of the Singapore climate.

Even though those conditions kick in at the world class facilities of the Sports Hub, Kriel believes the conditions will have an impact on the game.

"There is obviously a lot of humidity, and I think the conditions will be difficult to keep ball in hand," said the South African.

"The team that limits handling errors and makes the least mistakes in their half will be the team that comes out on top."
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http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/vermeulen-signs-kubota-spears/

Vermeulen signs with Kubota Spears

Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen has joined Japanese Top League club the Kubota Spears ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Vermeulen’s contract with Toulon came to an end at the conclusion of the European season and while it was initially believed that a return to Western Province and the Stormers was on the cards, Kubota confirmed on Thursday that he will be playing for them.

‘I am honoured to be a member of the Kubota family,’ Vermeulen said. ‘I’m grateful to Kubota for giving me the opportunity and am looking forward to my time at the club.’

Vermeulen will link up with compatriots Ruan Botha, Jean Droste, Lappies Labuschagne, Burger Odendaal and Gerhard van den Heever at Kubota, where Frans Ludeke is the head coach.
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Apparently, Allister Coetzee and Jake White have more ‘local’ names on their shortlist.
 
Sl8er said:
Oh cock! (-_-)
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I don’t believe it is long term. The Top League is heavily watered down next year, shortened competition. Foreigners galore as the rules have been relaxed to allow the Japanese eligble player base to rest as they may have World Cup duty. Also, we have limited experience in Japan, it is a place where the weather changes day in and day out. Humidity in Asia is a big issue when it comes to sports, and it would do us better to expose some ‘Springboks’ to those circumstances in preparation.

Kubota Spears aren’t the best side, they are now 11th in the premier league, but Frans Ludeke may improve them.

I had to laugh when I read one article with comments, people stating the Top League to be a children’s league… yah, right.
 
greg0205 said:
Oh yeah. I like 9 through 15 and I *really* like the 2 and 8. Pleased Dylan's starting too.
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Only change I will make is move Ruan Combrinck to 15 and bring in Courtnall Skosan @14. Drop Andries Coetzee and bring in Shaun Reynolds on the bench.
 
DanDango said:
Only change I will make is move Ruan Combrinck to 15 and bring in Courtnall Skosan @14. Drop Andries Coetzee and bring in Shaun Reynolds on the bench.
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For some cover at 10? Yeah, I get that.
 
Two yellows for the Reds against the Blues (no one can say Super Rugby isn't colourful :whistle: )

Reds trying early to lose this it seems...
 
OrbitalDawn said:
Blues also got 2 yellows later. :D

Glad they got the win for Kaino's last game at Eden Park.
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Yeah. I believe that he took a conversion at the end. Not sure if it was successful or not. Nice touch from the Blues. Good luck to Kaino in France!
 
Damn, thought the Rebels had done enough with 10 minutes to go. Definitely looks worth catching the highlights later.
 
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