This will be my last article about the downgraded North vs South clash we all looked forward to. At one stage i hoped that we came second in the Super14 to give us a chance of playing the Super 14 final at Newlands versus our arch-rivals the Stormers. Only time will tell whether the Bulls played a masterstroke or made the biggest cock-up this decade.
Coaches of Australian and New Zealand teams still in contention warned that the Bulls might use their unassailable position in the standings to hand a lifeline to the Stormers, who could miss the playoffs if they lose on Saturday.
The New South Wales Rugby Union, whose Waratahs must beat the Hurricanes on Friday to have any chance of making the semis, said it would complain to tournament organizers SANZAR if the Bulls named a weakened team but later withdrew that threat.
Even Australia coach Robbie Deans, who coached the Crusaders to five Super rugby titles, joined the debate, saying the Bulls were within their rights to name a weaker team but took a risk if they meddled too much with established lineups.
“They have earned the right to choose their own path,” Deans told The Australian newspaper. “When you sit that far ahead of everybody else, you are entitled to make your own selection choices as you do week-to-week. Personally, I think it’s probably not in their best interests, to be honest.”
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey, whose team could miss the playoffs if the Stormers beat the Bulls, said it was for the Bulls to decide on selection.
“That’s their issue,” Hickey said. “History will show that sometimes these things backfire on you anyhow.
“But, look, all we’re focused on is Friday. If we take care of what we need to there, we’ll be in the finals series.”
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke defended his selection which leaves top players such as Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Morne Steyn, Gurthro Steenkamp, Gary Botha, Wynand Olivier and Pierre Spies out of the starting side. Only Jacques-Louis Potgieter remains from the starting 15 which beat the Crusaders last week.
“This is not a B-team,” Ludeke said. “There are seven national players in this team and we have a lot of respect for our opponents. But we are here to run our own race and we are doing nobody favours.”
The Hurricanes have lost backrower Victor Vito to a calf injury but have regained All Blacks center Conrad Smith after an injury break. Coach Colin Cooper had no concerns that the Bulls’ selection might impinge on his team’s playoff hopes.
“It’s a tough competition. You have to do what you have to do,” he said. “Certainly there’s no need for us to worry about it or comment on that because we are just focused on the Waratahs.”
28 – Ash, Like Plum said we done your team a favour. They will be ready for battle now 😆
puma @ 29
imagine the red faces if they start selling semi tickets
and
stormers have to hop over to nz to face one of the crusaders/hurricanes there!! 😆
30 – Ash, This is the only time I don’t like the Cape. Far, far too much rain for me. We have had about 4 weeks of rain on and off here in Joburg. That is most unusual for this time of year. By this time it is just full sun and so dry the grass should have turned yellow becoming a brown colour now. With all this rain my garden looks like it is in the Tropics……hehehe. Still lush and green.
puma @ 31
yep. if they cant take it from here
then
they dont deserve a semi place anyway!!
32@ Imagine if the Stormers have to hop to nowhere… season finished….
puma @ 33
you’re complaining because your yard doest look like the sahara? 😯
jeez, julle witmense darem!!
gbs @ 35
naaaaaaaah
we’ll get there. points difference will ensure that!!
but
if we have to go to nz for a semi
then
its season finished anyway!!
Ash, Now posting this for the 2nd time. Said I am posting too quick 😯 Can only push the send button at a certain speed 😯
Your team will be in the semi. They will never ever lose to a 2nd string Bulls side that has never had a game together. Tickets should be on sale now. There will be a huge stampede to get them.
36 – Ash……..hehehehehehe. What can I say. 🙄 😆 I like the sun this time of year. It is just that lovely lazy sun. NOT HOT like the summer. BUT we have had far too much rain even for me. I like the rain but this is too much now. 😀
gbs and Ash, Stormers are on 39 points they will make the semi. If they never secured that bonus point against the Sharks then maybe they might have had to travel. They will win and win with a bonus. They should.
37 – Ash
Negative hey… 🙁
Gbs, Jeeper see I have past the 9000 posts and you never said congrats??????? Shame on you boeta…..hehehe.
Results for this weekend… not probable but there’s a chance….
Bulls B win and Stormers lose with more than 7 and not 4 tries
Waratahs lose with less than 7 and score 4 tries against the Canes who win with 4 tries
Saders beat the Brumbies and score 4 tries.
Resulting scenario:
Bulls No 1 (51 Log Points)
Canes No 2 (42 Log Points)
Saders No 3 (41 Log Points)
Waratahs No 4 (40 Log Points)
Stormers No 5 (39 Log Points)
Reds No 6 (39 Log Points)
Puma @ 39
The Stormers could’nt pick up a bonus point against the Lions…
41@ Puma – Fark, sorry…. CONGRATS!!
Blouste ek sien jy het gevra hoe was die bos, Groen maat gras GROEN. 😆
Eerste deel was briljant , oop plan toilet en stort. Weer warm en lekker, goeie sightings, geluide scarely naby, in so mate dat ek vrou en suster met kar moet vat tussen challets en hoofgeboue.
sal dit graag vir jou gaan wys, sal probeer n aand daar spandeer.
@ 42
Would’nt that be just lovely… 😆
40 – Blouste, been waiting for you. Asked so many yesterday now my mind is messed up putting my bru picks.
Who will take it. Saders/Brumbies – Tahs/Canes
Saders played two hard games here in SA had a monster travel back to Christchurch. I think they are baie moeg.
Tahs lost to the Landers but played well last week. Home advantage. Canes are playing far better now.
My brain not sure with those picks. What you say.
Yesterday I thought Tahs and Brumbies. Then I thought Canes and Brumbies. Now everyone saying Saders and Canes.
Phew!! those are hard picks.
super
Dit sal great wees.
Bly jy het dit geniet maat.
44 – Gbs, Ja you should be. Should have had it up in big bold black…hehehe. I am your biggest supporter here…hehe
Puma
Hi, my thinking is the Brumbies will take down the Saders.
Think a lot has been taken out of the Saders after the Bulls game, though some dont agree.
Also all the travelling they recently had.
Brumbies also a team finding their groove now in my opinion.
Tahs should take it I think. By virtue of a better pack of forwards. Can go either way though.
Stormers should win but I think it will be closer than most think.
And everybody seem to forget the dreaded “I” word, even for the other teams that will play hard games.
This might derail a campaign going into the semis for any team still
INJURIES !!!
42 – Gbs, Be serious now… 😀 Stormers are going to win. It is in South African rugby interest. Believe me they will win. Stormers will beat the Bulls 2nd string side. Everyone knows it. Even the Aussies and kiwis and yes, my German neighbour who knows just about nothing in rugby. He says it is a Stormer win this week.
So come again and work something else up there. Who will make it to 3rd and 4th.
Blouste ek dink ook daai ding die Saders moet nou maar gaan. Maar die Brumbies is op n roll ek sal verkies om hulle n miss te gee.
blouste @ 40
no.
i’m just reasoning that should we finish 4th, then we need to go to nz eg.
cant see the bulls lose their semi
so
its to nz and back even if we win there!!
too much travelling in a short time!!
51
Puma why do SA rugby need the Stormers up there? 😀
They are a bloody dangerous team, we would like them out of the way.
50 – Blouste, Injuries are the biggest worry now. So hope NO injuries from the Stormers. Go gentle on the Bulls 2nds…hehe. We need a firing Stormers in the semi. Just hope no injuries to any of the Stormer or Bulls player from here on. WE NEED THEM for the French test. Very important that too. So it is a good thing Bulls resting now. Could not have come at a better time. Perfect.
Once again. Thany you Sharks for beating the Stormers for allowing this to happen 😆 We done Bulls and Stormers a favour. Who says Sharks never done their bit for their brothers……hehehe.
Read John flew to Cape Town on his twitter. Not sure if it was Sunday or Monday. Wonder what he was doing there?
More skaapies
54 – Super, MONEY. Two sa semi finals brings is huge amounts of money.
How dangerous? Sharks showed you lot how to beat them!!……..hehehehe. We messed up about 4 tries. They were sitters. Watched the game again yesterday. We could have had more than 40 points there.
Morning Puma, nice and chilly morning isnt it?
54- Super, Your team going to need to up their defence against the Stormers. Keep possession. That is key.
Ash
If you finish 4th, you’ll play the Bulls in the semis…
But yes the principle stays the same, your season will be over 😉
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