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.”
What can the Stormers gain on Saturday… one thing only.. entry into the semi’s with home advantage.
Nothing else…
If they win big…. they were expected to…
If they win small…. a psycological blow against them and a boost to the Bulls… if our B-team can run them close, imagine what the A-Team WILL DO!
If the Stormers lose… a massive blow to them and possible exit from semi’s depending on Waratahs result. In addition they will have to travel overseas for a semi.
bdb, nee ons kies nie julle span vi julle nie – dit moet julle dam self kan doen.
88
Dont worry the Lions cope well, they really have great support. A lot of strong leaders who keep the supporters believing in their team. Just hoped the Team had more like that.
That post comes from them. I like it , great. We show it on our faces week in and week out there at Loftus, blue painted die hard supporters galore.
Stormers se motiverings gedig vir die naweek.
“In die kak” deur AG Visser….
#91 Like I say smokkel-free…
90 – Blue Bird, Thanks for that. England should be saying “Thank you South Africa for giving us KP” …..hehehehe.
Serious though we are always rubbish at the cup comps. So good luck to England.
Alistaire Coetzee:
“We are not going to pitch up at Newlands and watch the so-called Bulls B team put us under pressure. We are not under any more pressure than usual. There is always in pressure in life. This is not about pressure, this is about excitement as there is a big prize at stake and a lot to achieve through winning this match.”
Wat is daardie liedjie se naam ? “Under pressure” ? Gaan hom seker speel voor die wedstryd saterdag.
Blouste, I didn’t realise a tuff Bull like you was into poetry. Help me out here, was the following poem also AG Visser and the from which bundel?
“O Heer
U is vir my die stil wit strand
waarteen die branders van my onrus
breek
en uitspoel op die rand”
As die ballerinas van die kaap hul beste opvoering gee, behoort hul te wen. Maar die BBS (Bakkies Boelie span) gaan dit nie vir hul maklik maak nie.
I don’t want to say much, if the Stormers play to their potential, not a team in the competition can come close. Same goes for the Bulls. If everything works out right for the Bulls and the Stormers and they meet in the final, and both teams play according to their huge potential…what will we have? The kakkest game ever.
I don’t know what to expect from this weekend. But I hope for an all SA/NZ playoff!
SuperBul @93 must be tough as a Lions player playing at Coke Park with empty terraces, but Puma tells me it is a tough area to visit as a supporter so the sofa or bar is a prefered option!!
Puma – Mr. Pietersen is wery welcome in England…..!! After all you lot don’t want him over there now!! 😉
I need some advice btw…hold on a mo!
OK Chaps…Saders v Brumbies a few thoughts please? I’m a bit undecided.
I will leave that with you…..
Is it my perfume?
Back later.
Hi Bluebird, Saders are not going to lose at home, no matter their tough tour here or the flight home.
Blue Bird
My money is on the Saders, they will be really pissed after their SA tour, the Brumbies never looked like a championship team this year, so, can’t see them beating a team consisting of Carter and McCAw
Seems all the poets have left the building….
106 – Okay my picks are in. Saders are toooooo moeg. Brumbies I think will take that one.
102 – I know…hehehe But his parents still live in Durbs.
Brumbie and Tahs. Had to think a lot about those picks. By just a bit.
Okay I am back and no-one home here?
Ya, I am here
Die oorwinnings behoort aan die tuisspanne te gaan:
Tahs
Saders
Stormers
Semi’s:
Bulle vs Saders
Stormers vs Tahs
Sal interessant wees as dit die twee semi’s is, want dit lyk my Stormers sukkel meer teen aussie spanne en Bulle sukkel meer teen AB spanne.
Hopelik ‘n finaal tussen Bulle vs Stormers.
Iewers gerugte gehoor Mapoe is oppad na Bulle toe, weet iemand meer ?
fendertjie
Sorry kan jou nie help nie… maar hier is nog ‘n uittreksel spesiaal vir jou…
“Jou vabond, wag, ek sal jou kry,
Van jou sal net ‘n bloedkol bly
Hier op my kamermure.
Deur jou vervloekte gonsery,
Deur jou gebyt en plagery
Kon ek nie slaap vir ure.”
😆
bdb
Jy kan daai nuus kry op http://www.strontpraat24.com
Dis net om die fokus te “shift” 😉
Gaan kyk bietjie daar op rugbyheaven, daai aussies baklei meer onder mekaar as wat ons ou klompie doen. Aan die een kant lyk dit asof die Tahs ‘n klag gaan lê by sanzar oor die Bulle hul tweede span stuur, en aan die anderkant is Greg Growden (geniet sy droeë humor) wat meen die Tahs is ‘n klomp cry babies.
Interessant dat die ‘poll’ daar op rugby heaven 65 vs 35 persent is dat die Bulle die regte ding doen !
115: aangesien daar niks is om oor te bekommer die naweek nie, kan ons solank oor anner dinge gesels ! 😉
Absoluut !!!
All to gain and NOTHING to lose… 🙂
Sedert 2000 het slegs die Tahs die Crusaders op hulle tuis veld verslaan. Dit ook weer in 2004.
#114 Dankie Bloustetjietjie.
Ma daais AD Keet se Muskietejag. Moes dit op skool leer…
So as jy da teen my gemik het dan apply hierie line:
“Pardoef, dis mis – daar gaan hy weer!”
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