Bakkies Botha
As the Springboks prepare to travel to Europe for their end-of-year tour, coach Heyneke Meyerhas confirmed that Bakkies Botha will also be on stand-by for their tour along with Marco Wentzel.
Bakkies Botha has been placed on stand-by by Springbok management in case lock Eben Etzebeth loses his hearing into an alleged headbutt during South Africa’s 26-19 Rugby Championship loss to Australia, coach Heyneke Meyer said on Monday in Auckland.
Our sport is more enjoyable to watch than it was in the olden times when I was young, but there are a few things about the modern game I would rather be without. (I read this and posted it, purely because of Lee Grants obvious hatred of our boys, which he mentions on several occasions. What are your thoughts?)
The latest development in the rugby wheel is the evolution of the second row forward – the left lock or enforcer lock in particular. Traditionally a bulky, abrasive character, the enforcer lock does the donkey work in the tight-loose, bashes opposition forwards into submission and beefs up the set pieces.
Toulon are hoping to sign England veteran lock Simon Shaw as injury cover for South African Bakkies Botha in France’s Top 14.
Bloemfontein – Springbok reject Sarel Pretorius will continue his Super Rugby career in Australia. Continue reading
Blues (13) 26 / Waratahs (8) 13 (Final Score)
The Blues hosted the Waratahs at Eden Park, Auckland at 09:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
This was the first of the two play-off matches to decide who will be in the semi-finals. No 4 on the Combined Log (Blues) at home against No 5 on the Combined Log (Waratahs.
The Blues were just more clinical, more hungry and it showed on the final score. It was a good game of rugby, considering it is about knockout rugby and not silky bonus point rugby.
Well done Blues.
Herewith the Super Rugby team sheets for the 4 teams competing in the play-off round this weekend.
HALFBACK Luke Burgess has likely played his final game for the Waratahs after breaking his hand at training yesterday, further disrupting an already chaotic build-up with several other injuries already depleting the NSW side for Friday’s elimination final in Auckland.
Waratahs Captain Phil Waugh has announced that he will retire from professional Rugby at the end of 2011.
The Waratahs have named a 24-man squad for their Super Rugby Qualifier with the Blues on Friday at Eden Park in Auckland.
The Blues and Crusaders will have to win the Super Rugby title the hard way but Blues coach Pat Lam doesn’t see that as a bad thing in a World Cup year.
There are no second lives for either New Zealand side under the extended six-team playoffs system.
Waratahs (10) 41 / Brumbies (0) 7 (Final Score)
The Waratahs hosted the Brumbies at ANZ Stadium, Sydney at 11:40 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Waratahs were full value for their money as they dominated and demolished the Brumbies, getting a full haul of 5 Log points, now ahhead of both the Sharks and the Bulls, into 5th spot overall.
Waratahs (19) 33 / Highlanders (7) 7 (Final Score)
A decision by the South African officials which was later proved to be incorrect may have helped the Waratahs to a 23-17 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria but the Waratahs left Pretoria with their pride in tact.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey may be forced to turn to Sydney club rugby again to shore-up his depleted stocks as five players are in doubt for their crunch Super Rugby game with the Highlanders on Saturday.
Bulls (13) 23 / Waratahs (6) 17 (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls hosted the Waratahs at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 19:10 SA Time. This was the match Thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Waratahs made quite a game of it and worried the Bulls throughout the match but in the end the Bulls won by 23 / 17, a slender 6-point margin.
Mission accomplished, 4 points in the bag for the Bulls, pity about the one point for the Waratahs.
Sharks (13) 26 / Waratahs (11) 21 (Final Score)
The Sharks hosted the Waratahs at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban at 17:05 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Sharks left it late but ground out the necessary win, moving them to No 5 on the Combined Log.
Waratahs (29) 29 / Lions (5) 12 (Final Score)
The Waratahs hosted the MTN Lions at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney at 11:40 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
By halftime the Waratahs had done enough for a bonus point win, the only score in the second half coming via a lone converted Lions try.
Brumbies punished with icy night drill
Tony Rea’s post-match verbal attack was nothing compared to what he put his players through last night.
Waratahs out to rediscover their ‘beautiful’ game
Coach Chris Hickey believes his team can rekindle their expansive style of play as the finals approach.
Ioane becomes new focus
Wallabies fear they will lose spectacular utility back Digby Ioane
Jake White says four-year term is key
Jake negotiated another 4 year deal
Waratahs (6) 20 / Force (9) 15 (Final Score)
The Waratahs hosted the Western Force at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney at 11:40 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
In a hard game with a massive attrition rate, the Waratahs win by 5.
Waratahs (10) 28 / Rebels (6) 9 (Final Score)
The Waratahs hosted the Melbourne Rebels at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney at 11:40 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Waratahs made hard work of winning this one but eventually went some distance with the score.
Reds (16) 19 / Waratahs (9) 15 (Final Score)
The Reds hosted the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 11:40 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Reds, with superb defence held out the Waratahs under sustained attack for almost 20 minutes near their goal line.
The Waratahs welcome back 243 caps of Super Rugby experience for Saturday’s round ten clash with the Queensland Reds at Lang Park.
Captain Phil Waugh, No.8 Wycliff Palu and centre Tom Carter have all been recalled to the starting XV as the Waratahs look to continue their winning form against Australian teams this season.
Blues (31) 31 / Waratahs (7) 17 (Final Score)
The Blues hosted the Waratahs at Eden Park, Auckland at 09:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Blues started like a house on fire and within half an hour had already recorded their bonus point for tries scored.
The Warayahs desperately tried to break back into the game, but fell short of any bonus points.
Kurtley Beale has signed for the Melbourne Rebels on a two year deal, for 2012 & 2013.
Force (3) 3 / Waratahs (17) 31 (Final Score)
The Western Force hosted the Waratahs at NIB Stadium, Perth at 14:05 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Waratahs scored 4 tries and earned their bonus point in a win where the Western Force looked like a totally spent force.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey says that this year’s Super Rugby tournament will be won by defence and not by an attacking team.
Waratahs (20) 23 / Chiefs (6) 16 (Final Score)
The Waratahs hosted the Chiefs at Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney at 10:40 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
The first half belonged to the Waratahs, with most of the ball and doing most of the attacking but the second half was exactly the opposite with the Chiefs attacking hard.
Brumbies (12) 22 / Waratahs (12) 29 (Final Score)
The Brumbies hosted the Waratahs at Canberra Stadium, Canberra at 10:40 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
The match was punch and counter-punch for the first 60 odd minutes, when suddenly it came alive and with the Waratahs the hungrier side, finishing it off with a 7 point margin after still being deadlocked at 22 / 22 with time up on the clock. Waratahs winning by 29 / 22.
The Waratahs have named a 24-man squad ahead of Saturday’s round six clash with the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium which includes captain Phil Waugh.
Waugh (biceps) and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee) are both on the comeback from injury and have been named in the squad for the Tahs’ third all-Australian match of the season.
STUNG after being booed off the field, the Waratahs players yesterday held a lengthy ”truth session” at which they vowed not to let their supporters, or themselves, down again this season.
Waratahs (3) 3 / Cheetahs (6) 23 (Final Score)
A first win for the Cheetahs out of Africa. This was a game where the Waratahs was outplayed on the ground. Heinrich Brussow is back with a bang. He ruled the rucks.
The Waratahs are sweating over the availability of several of their top stars ahead of the clash with the Cheetahs on Saturday.
Skipper Phil Waugh (bicep) and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee) are facing a race against the clock to be fit, while Wallaby duo Wycliff Palu and Berrick Barnes are expected to be back in the starting line-up after recovering from injury.
Crusaders (26) 33 / Waratahs (13) 18 (Final Score)
The Crusaders hosted the Waratahs at Travalgar Park, Nelson (not in Christchurch due to the massive earthquake) at 08:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 and CSN on TV in SA.
The Crusaders won comfortably in the end but the nail in the Waratahs coffin were the 2 fast scores before halftime and the fast try just after halftime to give the Saders the buffer they needed.