We have 6 games to look forward to this weekend, namely:
| 19 | Blues | v | Brumbies | Auckland | 08:35 |
| 19 | Vodacom Bulls | v | Hurricanes | Loftus Versfeld | 19:10 |
| 20 | Crusaders | v | Auto & General Lions | Christchurch | 06:30 |
| 20 | Highlanders | v | The Sharks | Dunedin | 08:35 |
| 20 | Western Force | v | Waratahs | Perth | 13:10 |
| 20 | Vodacom Stormers | v | Vodacom Cheetahs | Newlands Rugby Stadium | 17:05 |
Blues vs Brumbies:
The Blues host the Brumbies in Auckland on Friday morning, 08:35 SA Time.
The Blues are in the No 10 spot on the Log, having played 4 and won 2 and having conceded 14 points more than they have scored, also having scored 10 tries as opposed to conceding 8 tries.
This star-studded team is one of the disapointments of the season so far, they have the personnel and will field a plethera of All Blacks again…
Toeava, Rokocoko, Ranger, Stanley, Wulf, Brett and Matheson makes up their backline… these are all big names in their own right, but it goes further than that, they are assisted by players like Kaino, Afoa, Mealamu and Woodcock in the forwards. Clearly with a team like this you have to do better than the results have indicated!
Against them are the Brumbies, which I have touted all season as possible semi-finalists.
This balanced team is without Mortlock this week but they still have awesome depth and game breakers who will run you silly… Giteau, Christian Lealiifano, Valentine, Hoiles, George Smith, Elsom… to name a few.
Apart from losing to the Bulls, they are on a roll in 5th place on the Log, with 4 wins from 5 games, having scored 12 tries and conceding 8.
This is a difficult call to make, but having touted the Brumbies pre-season, I would have to still go with them as my pick….. Brumbies by 7.
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Bulls vs Hurricanes:
The Bulls host the Hurricanes at Loftus on Friday night at 19:10 SA Time.
This is the game where I become careful and hesitant, do I go for the high-riding Bulls with the shoddy defense or do I choose the struggling tourists?
The Bulls have won 4 from 4 and are sitting comfortably at the top of the Log, maybe too comfortably! In every game they have played they have shown what they can do on attack and have racked up an average of 50 points every game. They have an impressive 60 points, points difference, scoring 24 (yes, that is correct) tries but conceding 15 in the process.
As indicated, defense is a problem and the mindset will have to change about this crucial aspect of the game. I do not think complacency will be an issue, the Bulls have indicated that one can NEVER be complacent when facing the Canes. I believe that they have worked hard on defense this week too because one could sense that the players and coaching staff were all unhappy about their defense.
The Bulls play a very complete game of rugby and can punish you from anywhere and on top of that you just do not want to concede penalties within Morné Steyn’s range, he will punish you.
Fourie du Preez and Morné Steyn are game breakers par excellance but there are so many stars in this team, it’s frightening!
The Hurricanes started the season well but then came on tour to SA, where they have lost against both the Cheetahs and the Stormers and are lying in an uncomfortable 8th position on the Log. We all know that they are better than their 8th position indicates.
The Canes have lost Cory Jane after a bus (Naqelevuki) smacked him last Saturday at Newlands but their potency still lies in their abrasive and destructive centre-pairing of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith. Their forwards are a powerful bunch, with the exception perhaps of loosehead John Schwalger who was shown up tremendously in the last 2 games.
Not wanting to underestimate the Canes, I still have to pick the Bulls for a win here…. Bulls by 9.
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Crusaders vs Lions:
In this 1st Saturday game of this week, the Crusaders host the happless Lions at the ungodly hour of 06:30 on Saturday, SA Time.
The Crusaders have pulled their season right after once again starting at a bit of a stutter, one feels, but for this game they are resting quite a few key players, so low do they rate the Lions. In the place of Dan Carter they have chosen Colin Slade, and in the starting lineup there are inexperienced players like Jonathan Poff.
One still senses that this is a potent combination though and some of the youngsters or second stringers will feel they have a point to prove.
On the other hand we have the struggling and bumbling Lions who only have a few players who would be able to step into any other Super 14 team… guys like Doppies Le Grange, Walter Venter, Todd Clever and Cobus Grobbelaar.
The Lions are at Log position 13 and have already conceeded 107 points more than they have scored themselves, allowing 29 tries against them in the process and only scoring 15 tries.
The heads must be hanging on the knees by now and the plane trip home must be something they are all looking forward to.
Considering that I do not think that the Crusaders 2nd stringers will be complacent I do not hesitate to call a win for the Crusaders…. Saders by 30 PLUS.
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Highlanders vs Sharks:
The Highlanders host the Sharks in Dunedin at 08:35 SA Time on Saturday.
The Highlanders have returned from SA with a mixed bag, 1 win, 1 bad loss and another loss to the Bulls but a game where they easily achieved their bonus point for tries scored.
In Israel Dagg and Michael Hobbs they have real game breakers and prolific try hunters and they have a very well-balanced troup of forwards.
They are not a team to be underestimated.
On the other hand we have the star-studded underperformers of the series so far, the embattled Sharks, who are in No 12 position on the Log and who are still winless after 5 outings.
Dicipline and a general impotency on attack are their biggest failings and this proud team is smarting big time!
In addition strange team choices might cost them this week, with John Smit on the bench, the out of form Johann Muller as captain and with the Sharks still persisting to play the wrong loossie combination in my opinion. At the back flyhalf is a problem and Stefan Terblanche has been moved to cover wing after an injury ruled Odwa Ndungane out. This means that a talented but vastly inexperienced Patrick Lambie will have to play in the last vestage.
One feels though that the Sharks could pull this one out of the fire and they will believe that they can do it after 2 narrow losses overseas… I predict the 1st Sharks win of the season…. Sharks by 8.
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Western Force vs Waratahs:
The Force host the Waratahs in Perth at 13:10 SA Time, on Saturday.
What does one say about the No 14 position Force? Were they the big losers in the off season with players joining elsewhere or are they just plain crap?
Well, with players like Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, James O’Connor and Nathan Sharpe they cannot possibly be all bad, but then again, like the Lions, the rest of their players are a bunch of average club players.
They sit on a round ZERO on the Log after 4 matches and must be gunning for the wooden spoon with all their worth!
The Waratahs have just come off a brilliant demolision performance over the Lions, which in itself does not say much….. but they scored 11 tries in the process, some of those tries beautifully crafted.
The Waratahs are in the No 7 Log position, having scored 20 tries and conceding 16. As said, 11 of the tries came in the last match though.
Defense does not seem to be their strongest attribute but players of class they definately have.
I’m going to confidently predict a very good win for the Waratahs….. Tahs by 25 PLUS.
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Stormers vs Cheetahs:
The Stormers host the Cheetahs at Newlands, Cape Town, in the last Super 14 match of the weekend, at 17:05 SA Time on Saturday.
The Stormers are probably the most improved team in this year’s Super 14 and have clearly shown that they are the best defensive unit out there at present.
They are 4 wins from 5 starts and sit in the No 2 position on the Log, having scored 15 tries and only conceding 4 tries. That is very impressive, but for one thing, they might have limited themselves somewhat on attack, preferring to play conservative yet constructive rugby.
There has been faultless consistency in selection and apart from 1 newcomer, Tim Whitehead at inside centre (forced due to the injury of Juan de Jongh), this team bubbles with experience, poise and potency.
Stand-out players for the Stormers have been Joe Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Dewaldt Duvenage, Schalk Burger, Andries Bekker and Tiaan Liebenberg. Singling out players however does injustice to the rest of the hard-working players, who have all contributed well in all the games they have played.
Against the Stormers are the Cheetahs, who have shown so far that they might just take the step up to the big time and we all know that when the Cheetahs get going, they are like a steam engine going down hill…. very damn difficult to stop or to counter.
Their wings are exciting speed merchants, their scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius, is nippy and makes good decisions, their forwards are a hard-working bunch of mielievreters!
One player who will sorely be missed though is Heinrich Brussow, who incurred a season-ending injury in their last game before the rest week. He is ably replaced by Hendro Scholtz though, a mean and hard as nails loosie in the true mould of loosies.
OK, let me place my proverbial chop on the block here… who will win and by how far? I predict a Stormers win, there is just too much class in their outfit…. Stormers by 12.
Waar werk Ashley?
Elke dag klokslag vyf uur die middag klok hy uit.
Cheers Ash!
All I can say is come on the Sharks 🙂
For the Shark – Landers game…
Do you pick with your heart or with your brain?
The Landers came back very well against the Bulls, and they are at their home turf.
Sharks ever improving, should have had at least two if not three wins…
You must pip the Landers, but it is time the Sharks come good.
I just came back from seeing the Rugby cups on display by SARU. Man, that WC is a beauty, no wonder that the NZ’ders have nightmares about that cup.
Boys, i am proud to be a South African.
Going to a function tonight with Pieter Muller and Andre Snyman as the quest speakers. Should be a good night.
34@ Stinkvis – Hello, hoopie jy het met jou visvingers aan daai koppies gevat nie!
Anyway, hoe gaan dinge by jou?
To answer Scrumdown on an earlier question:
The first decision the Lions have to make is do they throw in the towel or not. The answer is they have to regroup once back in Joburg.
I believe that the Lions were a better team under the Jake White’s winning ways than the Dick Muir’s run at all cost. They had to build from there.
Jake White always believe dominate up front. The current pack of forwards do not came close, including the loose forwards.
My loose trio for the Lions are: Wikus at no 8, Franco vd Merwe at 7 and Cobus at 6. I do not no what the long term future of Todd Clever is, so he is a bench player. This loose trio will compensate more for the short comings of the locks than the current one.
Blues
Bulls
Crusaders
Highlanders
Waratahs
Stormers
Possible upsets
Brumbies
Sharks
35@ Stinkvis – Jy moet dit geniet… ek hoor Andre Snyman het so ‘n General Handyman besigheid, maar sekerlik maak hulle darem ook ‘n pondjie of 2 uit spreker-funksies…
GBS – Nee, punt in die wind.
Daai koppies is toe in glaskaste, en die manne staan goed gewapen en loer vir ons. Sal laaik om die goue koppie huis toe te vat.
Ek het jare terug teen Andre rugby gespeel, hy was al op skool ‘n bleddie goeie senter. En daai laaitjie kon tekkel. Hy is so 2 jaar jonger as ek, maar hy het al vroeg vir Dundee se eerstes gespeel.
Nou maar lekker kuier, ek is uit.
42@ Snoek – Cheers Stinkie, gooi mielie!
Do not forget to make your SuperBru and SportsPool picks sometime tonight still.
Another Preview
While the Stormers and the Bulls will be under scrutiny after their respective surges to the first two places on the Super 14 log, this weekend has the added bonus of a derby at Newlands where the resurgent Cheetahs will try to halt the Stormers’ climb on Saturday.
Coming back from a disastrous tour to Australasia last year, the Cheetahs did a few things right and fared better at home – and then reached the final of the Currie Cup.
This year, they have already clocked two Super 14 wins – and they will be keen to continue their run with an away win as well as a victory against the Reds next week before they leave on their four-match overseas tour the following week.
But can they? The Cheetahs deservedly beat the Hurricanes at home two weeks ago before their bye last weekend. The very impressive Stormers smashed the self-same Hurricanes last weekend. And in that difference, one would suggest, the outcome of Saturday’s match is locked up.
But as the Stormers had promised to deceive earlier this year, so they can do again. And equally, so can the Cheetahs lift themselves.
The Stormers should win. Their defence has been immaculate; their play at the breakdown impressive as were their lineouts; their backs have come to the party with the quicker service of Dewalt Duvenage at scrumhalf and all that remains is a scrum that is constantly solid.
A few weeks ago, one would have said the scrum is the Cheetahs’ strength, but the Hurricanes exposed them to some extent in this facet a fortnight ago. And ultimately it will be these imponderables that will decide the outcome.
** The Bulls have been vulnerable in defence, and if they show the same lack of application in this facet on Friday night against a Hurricanes side which must be hurting after two defeats from two in their South African outings, the Bulls’ unbeaten 14-match run at Loftus will be gone.
However, they have also shown the world that the perception that they are simply a dour kicking side is devoid of truth.
Playing the new rules to their own benefit, scrumming much better than last year and with confidence abounding, they are the team to beat. But they must beware the confidence does not become over-confidence or even arrogance.
From an enjoyment point of view, one can only hope for another try from Gerhard van den Heever like last weekend; good support and interplay between forwards and backs and a backline which continues to take the right options as they have done virtually throughout.
The match could be the true gauge of how their scrum is going after some let-downs last year – and this could be the facet which will give an indication of just how difficult they will be to beat further on.
** The Sharks and the Lions will again not find it easy when they play Crusaders and the Highlanders respectively on Saturday.
The Lions want to show some resolve and pride, coach Dick Muir promised.
Whether this will be enough against the best team in the competition over the years and who are again playing for a semi-final berth, only Saturday will tell.
The Lions, even at their very best, remain vulnerable in so many areas.
Until the team squad is bolstered by top-class players, this will remain a problem for any coach, whoever he might be.
The fact is that they have been competitive in all four of their matches before last week’s 73-12 drubbing by the Waratahs. If the Lions can improve their defence, they will have gone a long way to rectifying the unfair perception that they are simply cannon fodder – and if they can also finish their opportunities which have cost them at least six tries so far, they will be a handful even if they don’t win.
The Sharks defy belief. They are good enough, but not good enough to win.
The senior players have to set the standard or example, and until this happens, they will remain in the struggling category – even if they win, which they should do on Saturday.
The Highlanders are lucky to be fourth from the bottom, and will be tired after their flight back from South Africa. A first win should go the Sharks and with it a move up on the log.
** The Blues are at home to the Brumbies on Friday and the Western Force host the Waratahs in Perth on Saturday.
The Blues, languishing near the bottom, cannot afford a third loss in five matches. Should they not grasp this opportunity at home, their season could be gone if a place in the semi-final had been their aim.
The Brumbies, on present form, should win this match and do so comfortably against a team which hasn’t really put two good halves together despite their obvious potential.
Even at home, the Western Force’s performances to date indicate that they will go down again against a Waratahs side which looked very good against the Lions – and four from six will put the New South Wales side in a strong position and right up there with the leaders.
Flok, the Ozzie commentators they’ve just shown on Boots & All are a funny lot of farktup dudes…. totally negating the Bulls and Stormers performances and touting the Brumbies as title contenders… just for that I will shout for the Blues tomorrow morning…. bury the Brumbies…. eishhhhhh
GBS ek run nou daai Regcure program op Dalien se komper , 132 problems found, moet ek net bly continue click?
47@ SuperBul – Yip, laat hy al die Registry problems fix
47@ SuperBul – daai spesifieke error, 0x000000F4 met die res wat daarna staan het ek deeglik nagevors… en dit dui of op Ram wat nie lekker is nie of op Registry errors…. so as die blue screen aanhou, moet daar Ram uitgeswop word.
Vergeet wat ander ouens sê oor moonlike hard drive issues ect…. dis bes moontlik die Registry.
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