SUPER 15 - WEEK BY WEEK

Frodo Wrote:

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> Mine not that different - except for the Lions of
> course (tu)
>
> Chiefs by 7
> Canes by 11
> Highlanders by 13
> Brumbies by 4
> Lions by 5
> Tahs by 4
> Stormers by 2

I also went with the Lions. (my heart)

MPL

Canes
Highlanders
Reds
Lions
Tahs
Stormers

@ 66/1

Waratahs got to be the bet of the weekend in my books. 15/10.
The reds must be worth an even money bet but I am a bit wary of the brumbies side that sank the Canes that were firing. The Reds yet to show themselves as reigning champions in my books and I am not into 'gister se vis'.
If they both go south I will go with the stormers and take my pak for the weekend, or be relieved.
As you can see I am allergic to sub even money betting.

Stormers will NOT win S15. They are poachers......steel alles, intercepts, forward pass, etc.....Hoop die Bulle trap hulle

Sharks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Craig Eudey Wrote:

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> Sharks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


They back in the running......but the Pienkies are still coming yo visit.......you watching GPrix tmo?

Have been a bit out of touch are the Bulls still in the running Ou? (tu)

CHIEFS vs BULLS

This was, as expected, a game of test match intensity in which the Chiefs narrowly edged out a grimly determined Bulls side.

Once again it was the regrettable lack of variety which eventually cost the Bulls where it mattered most – on the scoreboard.

Two other issues emerged from the contest which other sides will note with interest :

Firstly – The Bulls front row is nowhere near as fearsome in set scrums as their PR department would have you believe. I saw many instances of them buckling under pressure in the contest.

Secondly – It will be of concern to the Springbok coach that his first choice scrumhalf (Hougaard) is definitely not up to standard insofar as his clearing from the base of the scrum is concerned. Happily this is a skill that can be refined but it definitely needs work urgently as he is far too slow in clearing at present.

The Bulls, although obviously disappointed, can console themselves with the fact that they managed a bonus point from the match as it keeps their hopes alive for the Loftus match against the Stormers next week.

On the other hand the All Blacks’ selectors would have been dismayed by the non-performance of the Chiefs’ lineout for most of the match. The much vaunted newcomer Brodie Retallick was unable to secure much ball for the home side. Future lineout malfunctions against sides such as South Africa could prove fatal in the upcoming Sanzar series.


HURRICANES vs REBELS

This high scoring encounter produced just one question : How on earth did this Rebels side manage to beat the Crusaders two weeks ago? Moving on........

The Hurricanes starred in a Super Rugby match reminiscent of the type we used to see every weekend a couple of seasons back before defences became dominant. They banked their five points and the competition moves on.


BLUES vs HIGHLANDERS

You have to love the Highlanders. This is a side not exactly blessed with an abundance of talented players. They are rough and tough. But every week they turn out and give 100% no matter whom they are playing.

This match ended up as quite a blood and thunder event although for long periods the eventual result did not seem to be in doubt. But late in the game the Blues made a number of substitutions and a seemingly revitalised Nonu appeared to provide some edge to the hitherto toothless attack of the hosts.
In the end the Highlanders looked tapped out and were happy to see out the match with a full house of points and a seven point cushion.


BRUMBIES vs REDS

A dour struggle ended with the narrowest of wins for the Reds. Not attractive to watch but the Reds kept their hopes alive and the Brumbies managed a valuable point as losers.


WESTERN FORCE vs LIONS

If you backed the Lions you must be feeling like banging your head against a wall. Rather just settle and move on because this is a team that is absolutely clueless at this level.

The Lions started like a house on fire and looked as if they would quickly open up a commanding lead over their opponents. Unfortunately this start proved to be merely a carbon copy of the manner in which they usually finish their matches. After the first 15 – 20 minutes they contributed little that could be labelled genuinely creative; their option taking was awful and they regularly spilled the ball at crucial moments.

They also incurred an enormous number of penalties at the breakdown for which flanker Minnie was eventually but very belatedly sin binned. Judged on his serial transgressions he has little, if any, understanding of the rules.

Cellar dwellers – you back them at your peril.


CHEETAHS vs WARATAHS

This match was nothing if not entertaining. Both sides made numerous tactical errors, slipped uncounted tackles and generally performed like teams for whom the season no longer had much relevance.

But in between all of that they scored some excellent tries.

Perhaps it was only fitting that the Cheetahs reversed recent trends and ran out narrow winners. In doing so they achieved their best ever log position since their participation in Super Rugby began.


SHARKS vs STORMERS

The Stormers were easily overpowered by the Sharks and must view their trip to Loftus next week with some trepidation; particularly if they continue to display a complete lack of innovation and creativity with their backline.

Admittedly the visitors were somewhat weakened by injuries but that does not excuse the poor option taking and failure to control their own ball – particularly in the scrums and to a lesser degree in the lineouts.

Stormers fans will point to the second half comeback although Aplon’s two tries should be seen in the following context – the first was a direct consequence of a poor pass which went astray whilst the second was a blatant forward pass which was missed by the officials. Neither was the result of a legitimate ‘move’ from the Stormers’ backline – which continues to take the ball flat footed or crabs across the field.

In each instance where the Stormers brought their ‘same old same old’ party tricks to the game they were well matched and , in most cases, neutralised by the home side.

I see nothing in either of these two sides which suggests they are capable of winning the championship. As mentioned in last week’s review – with the season rapidly drawing to a climax the Bulls have little to fear from their competitors in the South African conference.

Ou Ryperd Wrote:

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> Stormers will NOT win S15. They are
> poachers......steel alles, intercepts, forward
> pass, etc.....Hoop die Bulle trap hulle

One gaan hulle nog vlek ou bru .... Soos n ongeskukte snoek...

@ Garrick, meaning the Bulls will remain the only SA S15 champions, not meaning they will win it this year, yes/no


I see nothing in either of these two sides which suggests they are capable of winning the championship. As mentioned in last week’s review – with the season rapidly drawing to a climax the Bulls have little to fear from their competitors in the South African conference.

avanza Wrote:

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> Ou Ryperd Wrote:
>

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>

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> > Stormers will NOT win S15. They are
> > poachers......steel alles, intercepts, forward
> > pass, etc.....Hoop die Bulle trap hulle
>
> One gaan hulle nog vlek ou bru .... Soos n
> ongeskukte snoek...

Met ekstra appelkooskonfyt vir die gesegde.......so 'n bek verdien jam:D

Ou Ryperd Wrote:

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> avanza Wrote:
>

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>

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> > Ou Ryperd Wrote:
> >
>

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>
> >

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> > > Stormers will NOT win S15. They are
> > > poachers......steel alles, intercepts,
> forward
> > > pass, etc.....Hoop die Bulle trap hulle
> >
> > One gaan hulle nog vlek ou bru .... Soos n
> > ongeskukte snoek...
>
> Met ekstra appelkooskonfyt vir die
> gesegde.......so 'n bek verdien jam:D

Googled 'gesegde'. Google translate... No show.. and my Afrikaans usually up there... please explain OR...
Let's remember not to go out like a snoek by instinctively biting on the home team bet. Must make profit.
Bulls impressive. Crayfish and white wine and snoring made me miss second half of stormers. But my gut is saying sharks are also rans, they can maar go surf.... Stormers got the bully beef but looks like the injuries and altitude going to druk them vas.. Bulls looking like the act