It is the Semi-Final Round of Super Rugby 2015 this weekend.
There are only 2 matches in the Round, 1 in New Zealand and 1 in Australia.
1St Place on the Combined Log, the Hurricanes hosts the lowest Qualifier, the Brumbies. In the other match 2nd on the Log, the Waratahs hosts the other qualifier from last weekend, the Highlanders.
The 2 Franchises who finished in the No 1 and No 2 spots on the Combined Log, the Hurricanes and Waratahs respectively, have had wonderful rest weekends, as they sat out during the Top 6 Qualification Round last weekend.
The action is kicked off by the Hurricanes vs Brumbies who do battle in Wellington at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST, 07:35 GMT) on Saturday 27 June.
A little later, over in Sydney, Australia, the Waratahs plays the Highlanders at 11:55 SA Time (19:55 AEST, 21:55 NZ Time, 09:55 GMT).
After this Round only 2 Teams remain to contest the Final next weekend.
The Hurricanes vs Brumbies game should be an absolute cracker after the Brumbies’ massive win over the DHL Stormers last weekend, but one would have to give a nod to the most consistent team of this year’s series, the Hurricanes, who have stood out head and shoulders above all comers in 2015.
Both teams sport great backlines but I am of the opinion that the Hurricanes are punching at the weight they should always punch at in 2015, and I give the win to them, but not by a large margin.
As far as the other match is concerned, do we give home ground advantage enough weight to speculate that the Waratahs will overcome the staunch Highlanders in Sydney… even though their regular league season was not as brilliant as last season, OR do we say that the Highlander’s faerie tale will continue in 2015?
It is a difficult call to make and I’m leaning towards the Waratahs making it at home in Sydney!
Meanwhile 11Teams are already lounging around, no longer part of the race to the finish line.
Super Rugby – Semi-Final Round
All Times are in SA Time (GMT + 2)
Hurricanes |
Brumbies |
| 27 June at 09:35 SA Time | |
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Waratahs |
Brumbies |
| 27 June at 11:55 SA Time | |
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Quite interesting that some kenners suggested a few weeks ago that Cheika was unfit to coach the Tahs this year and that coaching a Super Rugby franchise and Australia is too much to handle… Look at him now 😆
Kicking duties to be handed to Ben Alexander tomorrow night?
I’ve received an Official Media Release form the Sharks, to indicate that Coenie Oosthuizen has signed with the Sharks… and it looks like they signed him as LOOSEHEAD Prop, not tighthead!
grootblousmile wrote:
The guys at the local Spur will have to keep a weary eye open….
We could have used him in CT. At loose head. Never tight head.
4 @ Stormersboy:
I am wondering how his neck injury will hold up back on Loosehead… the last I heard he would only have played Tighthead because that is supposedly better for the neck.
So, Coenie Die Boef, is the latest Staat signing for the Sharks, wonder who is next…
Staat prop stocks are now seriously low, with Maks van Dyk also moving to the Kings… and was already low when Super Rugby started this year!
Stormersboy wrote:
I believe he has already bought an extra wide stable black and white plastic lilo in anticipation to his move to Durbs.
robzim wrote:
Nice one!
grootblousmile wrote:
Is he contractually obligated to only play loosehead?
8 @ MacroPolo:
No, but you will see from the Media Release (which I will put up in a little while), that they describe him as a LOOSEHEAD PROP.
@ grootblousmile:
on SW he seems like a replacement for Jannie…
Or this is confirmation that Beast is moving along as well? Thomas du Toit would also be disappointed if Coenie is the new loosehead, who is the next sharks tighthead then?
I highly doubt Coenie will solely be used as a loosehead when the sharks now only have Adriaanse left on tighthead.
10 @ MacroPolo:
Fark Sharksworld…
THE Article I’ve put up IS the Official Sharks Media Release… and they, themselves, describe Coenie in sentence No 1 as a Loosehead Prop… so what does THAT tell you?
In addition, Thomas du Toit has been in the news in this week, saying he is specializing at Tighthead from now on. The Sharks still also have Lourens Adriaanse (tighthead), but after Beast they do seem vulnerable at Loosehead prop.
I do not think Coenie will ONLY play Loosehead prop, I think he’ll be on the bench more often than starting, and could scrum either side of the scrum, but the early indications are they bought him as a Loosehead.
But injuries happen, so I guess we’ll see how they apply him.
@ grootblousmile:
Well that is a bizarre risk then to have 4 looshead props and 1 tighthead (unless there is a monster in age group rugby 😆 / or there is another big signing coming)
Thomas played a little tighthead in the U20 WC and did mostly well, but is extremely inexperienced there.
If Adriaanse gets injured though then the Sharks will be in big trouble.
And it is a weird press release
“The Sharks took delight in announcing the signing of Springbok loosehead prop, Coenie Oosthuizen, on a 4-year deal.”
The sharks are referring to themselves in the third person?
Well anyway, a 4 year deal is pretty incredible, nice to see a springbok end his career in South Africa.
12 @ MacroPolo:
My flok Moosa, do you battle reading?
Thomas du Toit is quoted this week as saying he is developing into Tighthead from now on!
Of course I changed the 1st few words of the Media Release, to take it out of the 1st person perspective!
The Original words were the following:
“We are delighted to announce the signing of Springbok loose-head prop, Coenie Oosthuizen, on a four-year deal.”
Now I guess you can gather that THAT would not have worked in an independant article, right?
Here’s the Sport24 Article (25 June) dealing with Thomas du Toit:
Junior Springbok and Sharks front-rower Thomas du Toit says he will be focused on developing into a full-time tighthead prop.
Du Toit emerged on the South African scene as a loosehead prop – a position he excelled in at junior and senior level.
However, he recently played an extended role on the other side of the front row, featuring at tighthead for the Junior Springboks during the World Rugby Under-20 Championship campaign in Italy.
The 20-year-old said he enjoyed the challenge.
“Tighthead is definitely the position I want to play in future,” Du Toit told MyPlayers.co.za. “I enjoy the challenge and there’s plenty of potential for me to establish myself in that position for all the teams I play for.
“My time with the Junior Springboks allowed me to gain valuable experience in the No 3 jersey. I’ve already chatted to Gary Gold and John Smit at the Sharks, and they agree that I have a future at tighthead, especially with (Springbok tighthead prop) Jannie du Plessis moving on to Montpellier in France.
“However, it won’t be an immediate change. I will be eased into the process, covering loosehead and tighthead prop when necessary and making the most of every opportunity that comes my way. This will help me develop into a quality tighthead.”
Speaking about his experience with the Junior Springboks, Du Toit said he enjoyed the time on and off the field in Italy.
“The loss in the semi-finals hurt a lot. I was part of a very strong squad, and I strongly believed we could go all the way,” said Du Toit. “However, we showed in the third-place playoff what we were really capable of.
“The Junior Springboks offer a very professional environment. I also made plenty of new friendships with team-mates and managements. I left Italy with many fond memories.”
Du Toit will enjoy some off time this week before resuming training with the Sharks on Monday ahead of the Currie Cup.
“It definitely feels good to be back home after spending a few weeks in Italy. It was a great trip, but South Africa will always be home for me,” said Du Toit. “I’m enjoying some free time. My girlfriend and I will be going to the family farm back in Paarl and do a few things in Cape Town, which I’m very excited about.
“Then it’s back to training on Monday. It’s going to be an exciting time for the Sharks, who will be aiming to win the Currie Cup. I hope I can make valuable contribution to achieving that goal.”
@ grootblousmile:
Why not? You quot Gold from the article.
And you have no right to talk down to me. I Never said that Thomas does not want to play Tighthead, I was just pointing out to his inexperience in that position, if you read correctly.
@ grootblousmile:
Here is the planetrugby.com article
he Sharks have announced the signing of Cheetahs and Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen on a four-year contract.
Oosthuizen made his Springbok debut in 2012 and has since amassed 21 caps in the green and gold jersey. He is a versatile prop that is able to play on both sides of the scrum.
Commenting on his signing, the Sharks’ Director of Rugby, Gary Gold said: “I am pleased that Coenie has taken up our offer to play his rugby in Durban. He is an exceptional player who boasts surprising pace and is known for his strong runs and work rate around the park.
“His experience will prove invaluable to our team ambitions going forward.”
Oosthuizen added: “It is a great privilege for me to sign with the Sharks. This is a new chapter in my career and I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity in Durban.”
The 26-year-old will officially join the Sharks squad in November for pre-season training ahead of the 2016 Super Rugby tournament.
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Anyway it is logical to us all that Coenie got the four year deal because of his versatility, not because he WILL play at loosehead.
15 & 16 @ MacroPolo:
Whatever, Moosa… whatever…
You want me to mail the Media Release, FROM THE SHARKS, to you?
18 @ grootblousmile:
No need, I am sure he will be used in both positions, though Beast will probably remain first Choice (If he does not leave).
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