Super Rugby 2018

thestaggy said:
The Lions' recent trend of falling behind early in the game does not bode well for the final. Its hard enough playing the 'Saders but if you give them two or three easy tries early on you'll be in for a long day at the office.
Click to expand...
The only chance they have is a strong start.
 
This weekend can kill alot of players' bok ambitions.
A guy like Combrinck can stake a serious claim with both Nkosi and Gelant out injured.
 
Lions taking huge travel gamble ahead of Super Rugby final as they seek 'miracle'

Lions coach Swys de Bruin is taking a big gamble with the South African side's travel to Christchurch as they chase a "miracle" in Saturday night's Super Rugby final.

The Lions are massive underdogs for the competition's decider and SuperSport report they're travelling later than usual by departing from South Africa on Monday evening, meaning an arrival in New Zealand on Wednesday (NZ time).

Super Rugby sides beginning an arduous travel schedule normally depart on the first available flight after their game at the weekend, but the Lions have adopted a different approach by finalising preparations in Johannesburg and adjusting their sleeping patterns accordingly.
Click to expand...
 
https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/r78m-per-year-wps-budget-the-biggest-in-sa-20180730

The Western Province Rugby Union (WPRU) has the biggest player budget of the all the South African rugby franchises, a report indicates.

Afrikaans publication Netwerk24 on Sunday revealed that the Cape franchise had spent R78 million on 128 contracted players (average R609 375) last year.

The Bulls (R68 million for 151 players - average R450 331), Lions (R66 million for 117 players - average R564 103), Sharks (R65 million for 111 players - average R585 586) followed.

The country’s two PRO14 franchises - the Cheetahs (R41 million for 92 players - average R445 652) and Southern Kings (R12 million for 68 players - average R176 471) spent considerably less.

On average, a South African Super Rugby player earned R1 055 440 last season, with the figures excluding win-bonuses.

The highest paid player was Sharks prop Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira who earned R3 744 796 through his Super Rugby contract.

Meanwhile, Bulls coach John Mitchell is reported to be unhappy with his player budget and has requested R90 million from the Bulls board to help turn the franchise into a dominant force in Super Rugby again.
Click to expand...

:erm:
 
Whiteley's emotional 'goodbye' to Jaco Kriel

[video=youtube_share;VUt7QM8GTx4]https://youtu.be/VUt7QM8GTx4[/video]
 
Teams for Saturday...

Crusaders: 15. David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.

Replacements: 16 Sam Anderson-Heather, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrink, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques Van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 23 Howard Mnisi.
Click to expand...
 
They need to do it today. Sadly I think it's their last opportunity for a while, rebuild starts next year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X