SUPER 15 - WEEK BY WEEK

Hurricanes
Crusaders
Sharks
Stormers

@3/1

Thanks Garrick. Tight for Waratahs

Chiefs vs Reds, could this be the draw? 0-0 half time full time lol

BB Canes +6.5

Big upset....Rebels beat Crusaders

Had free tickets to Newlands tonight......no thank you.....watching this game on tv, I'm getting so agro.....bad crowed (toothless wonders)
off the ball rubbish, Elstad almost broke the guy's neck in a earlier tackle, and eventually got sent off for a knee in the head. Juan arguing with the ref, hope Heineke reconsider the option of him being Bok captain

Hulle is 'n klomp wind-gatte en ek hoop Vrystaat klap hulle vannaand en die Bulle op Loftus moet hulle uitvat:X

very poor stormers

Go the Bulls

BLUES vs LIONS

This match graphically illustrated why both of these sides find themselves where they are – at the bottom of the log.

The Lions played totally without commitment and endeavour. Their problems seemed to stem from the base of the scrum where the clearing was mind numbingly slow and the passes lobbed ineffectually to the outside backs without ever allowing them to run onto the ball.

One way or the other – this franchise needs a major makeover or merger.

Given the ‘names’ in their lineup the Blues cannot be accused of being very much better and should prove easy pickings for some of the sides they have to meet in the weeks ahead.


BULLS vs WARATAHS

The Bulls fought back creditably to outpoint the Waratahs in this Sydney arm wrestle.

The home side have only themselves to blame for a basic error on their own goal line which gifted the Bulls the try scoring opportunity which thereafter clinched them the match in the 78th minute.


HIGHLANDERS vs HURRICANES

In a highly entertaining match the Hurricanes got up late to pip a visibly tiring Highlanders side to take the points.


REBELS vs CRUSADERS

Wow! A 1000 year storm struck and the Rebels deservedly gutsed out a win against the Crusaders in a match that will forever live in Super Rugby folklore.

One has to wonder what some rugby players do for most of a season if the standard of play and, more particularly, commitment can be lifted to such an extent.

This result is a lot more than a bump in the road to the Crusaders’ perceived march to another title. In a match where they were expected to pick up 5 points they return to NZ empty handed and now well adrift of the leader board.

I have been arguing all season that the Crusaders have been trading at a stupid price. There should be a massive correction now.


SHARKS vs WESTERN FORCE


In a weekend of quite surprising results the Western Force performed exactly as expected – ineffectively.

The Sharks will now claim that their campaign is back on track but I cannot see them as a threat as long as their overall play is so erratic and generally poor.

Nevertheless – a full house of five points is welcome wherever it comes from. The Sharks will be happy to bank theirs this weekend.


STORMERS vs CHEETAHS

Fans would be forgiven if they felt they had been taken back 50 years to the 60s. Kick. Lineout. Maul. Kick. Scrum. Repeat.

Defence aside for a moment – it is difficult to see how the Stormers can expect to win this competition without any attacking ideas whatsoever outside of the rolling maul.

This particular side makes the Bulls look creative!

Much of the Stormers attacking impotence is quite easy to cure – they recycle the ball too slowly. Everything they do is too structured and ponderous. The moment they come up against a side who can match them up front and outpace them out wide they are going to be in trouble.

They may have won but they were downright boring and embarrassing to watch as a team supposedly attempting to play rugby.


REDS vs CHIEFS

This match produced everything that is great about Super Rugby with both sides contributing to a clash that must rank up there with the very best of the season to date.

In stark contrast to the dour, unimaginative and laboured efforts of the Stormers the skill, pace, sleight of hand and attacking flair of both of these sides was a joy to witness.

Although ending up on the losing side the Chiefs nevertheless escaped with a well deserved 4 try bonus point to pull further away from their nearest NZ pursuers. The Reds on the other hand closed up on the conference leading Brumbies.

Thanks Garrick.

The Stormers are poachers. Can't believe their game plan with the quality backs they have. 1 bonus point in 10 games? If they do make the play-off's, they will choke.

The Bulls are showing character, but have a tough road ahead. Bad news with Stegmann out with a broken arm.IF they can win 1 more away, they have a chance, but the Sharks are waiting for them in Durban and that could spoil things. Can't wait for the game at Loftus against the Breezers.

The Cheetahs could spoil the party for the Stormers on the 2nd derby in Bloemfontein 7/10:D

Frodo Wrote:

---

> If you're looking for a draw, I'd consider the
> Blues / Lions game - both teams in 'losing mode'.
>
> I'm with the Bulls against the Tahs, the
> Hurricanes against the Highlanders, the Crusaders
> to hammer the Rebels, the Sharks and the Stormers
> should be too good for the Force and the Cheetahs,
> very close between the Reds and the Chiefs, but
> imo Reds are on the up and at home, Chiefs due for
> a bit of an off day, so I'll be with the Reds


Not too bad (apart from the Crusaders hitting the self-destruct button).

Picking the winners does not look any easier this coming week; Hurricanes vs Brumbies, maybe the home side by a point or 2, the Highlanders not at best right now, so I think the Bulls could keep on winning; Crusaders vs Blues - surely not another upset?; Reds to score 50 points against the Lions; I like the Cheetahs to beat the Sharks in Bloem and the Stormers to earn another 4 points against the Tahs; the Rebels to thump the Force

Frodo Wrote:

---

> Frodo Wrote:
>

---

>

---

> > If you're looking for a draw, I'd consider the
> > Blues / Lions game - both teams in 'losing
> mode'.
> >
> > I'm with the Bulls against the Tahs, the
> > Hurricanes against the Highlanders, the
> Crusaders
> > to hammer the Rebels, the Sharks and the
> Stormers
> > should be too good for the Force and the
> Cheetahs,
> > very close between the Reds and the Chiefs, but
> > imo Reds are on the up and at home, Chiefs due
> for
> > a bit of an off day, so I'll be with the Reds
>
>
> Not too bad (apart from the Crusaders hitting the
> self-destruct button).
>
> Picking the winners does not look any easier this
> coming week; Hurricanes vs Brumbies, maybe the
> home side by a point or 2, the Highlanders not at
> best right now, so I think the Bulls could keep on
> winning; Crusaders vs Blues - surely not another
> upset?; Reds to score 50 points against the Lions;
> I like the Cheetahs to beat the Sharks in Bloem
> and the Stormers to earn another 4 points against
> the Tahs; the Rebels to thump the Force

Shot Frodo.


Let us hope