Personal Biases Aside

[Shifty]

Who do you honestly think is going to win this S14 rugby thingummy jig?

[joemac]

Barring a major earthquake, I can't see anyone getting past the crusaders. Again.

[Shifty]

Ja, on current performance you'd have to go with the Crusaders.

Unless the Hurricanes and the Sharks improve big time, I can't see either of them managing to do it. The improving Chiefs may spring a surprise or two but I guess it will all depend on how they go this weekend and they'll have to pick up a few bonus points along the way.

[Edmonsta]

The Sharks and the Bulls will fight it off in an Absa stadium nailbiter... and the Sharks will score in the final seconds to win it by 1 point...


Oh... sorry, that's in my dreams.



Unfortunately, I don't think anyone will beat the Crusaders. I'll be going for the underdog though - whoever that may be. Hopefully the Sharks, but not on current form.

The worst possible final for me would be the Crusaders versus the Blues. :smiley5:

[barto11]

i dont think the blues have a monkeys...they arent looking too hot and have a tough run-in...

i rate the crusaders are due a bad game, and i can only hope it comes in semis or final - if they do, then it'll be the sharks or canes that take it, lets be honest...the sharks are due a good game, and to be unbeaten after 8 bad games isnt bad going

[Angelshark]

Sharks all the way, but I fear not

[Patson]

hopefully blues crusaders i think blues on top form could be the only ones to beat the crusaders...I still wonder why newzealand didnt pick the crusaders coach before the auzzi guys did

[Edmonsta]

hopefully blues crusaders i think blues on top form could be the only ones to beat the crusaders...

I disagree that they're the only team, I think that on top form, the Hurricanes, Sharks or Stormers could put one past the Crusaders.

It's just a matter of getting the right form on the right day. Dammit.

[Patson]

LOL im guessin that was a dictation more then a suggestion...

[barto11]

seeing as the blues just lost to the kakatahs and severely dented their semi's chance I would be suprised if they make the semis...also their run, a bit like the sharks, isnt all that easy.

Its good to see the stormers and canes blowing hot more than cold and this wknd is make or break for them...whatever happens its going to be very blustery in cape town come saturday arvie

[Angelshark]

Steyn is such a machine on the field but a few mistakes will all be wiped out with that try........................ Go the F.................... Sharks

[Patson]

Im watchin the sharks now and im impressed with your 8th man shit hes good.... and hats off to the chiefs

[Angelshark]

The ref is again against the Sharks. I have never seen this shit before, I have been asked by the neighbors to keep the noise and the swearing down.

[Patson]

Bwuuuhahahaha good to see u havent changed ox

[Angelshark]

just invited them in for a few brewskis. They are a bunch of muppets though. All lebanese

[Patson]

thats the way invite them let them know if u cant beat them join them....

[Angelshark]

hell yeah and did you see the off side and the ref penalises the sharks

[Patson]

now fing steiyn off its 14 against 16

[dallas]

oops wrong thread sorry guys

[Angelshark]

Two yellows for not supporting their own weight, The ref shold give his mother a RED for not dumping him at birth

[Patson]

Two yellows for not supporting their own weight, The ref shold give his mother a RED for not dumping him at birth

lol i hear u or maybe he will give her a choice like he gave the 8th man

[Angelshark]

This is bullshit Three offsides and the ref turns away. what a CUNT

[Patson]

should be routin for the auzi's to help my blues but cant bring myself to support the auzi's

[Angelshark]

A classic case of "when good refs go bad" I hate kiwi, Irish and Aussi refs

[biffon]

for finalists i reckon will be Waratahs, Chiefs, Stormers & Crusaders

its anyones guess who will win though as the Saders are starting to look vulnerable, the Tahs & Cheifs are finding form suddenly and the Stormers are sliding in the back door with some Monster performances.

& since the Force threw away their chances last week ... GO STORMERS!!! :D

[Shayne]

*Cough*

Noticed noone has said anything about the BRUMBIES! Slow start to the seaon but we've taken out the Sharks, Blues... some possibility of making the top 4.

[Angelshark]

In your wildest dreams. The Sharks played like girls on Sat and the brumbies got a let off. Plus cant play 16 on 14 men. just impossible

[Shifty]

Not too sure about the Crusaders looking vulnerable Biff. I suspect that they'll go away, re-evaluate things and come back better than ever.

Personally I don't think there's any team in the S14 that could have withstood the type of onslaught that the Chiefs dished out on Friday night. They're looking very dangerous at the moment.

[biffon]

lets revisit this shall we?

Crusaders, Hurricanes, Stormers, Waratahs .. with the Chiefs & Sharks sniffing at the door/

That being said if the tahs lose against the stormers they might not be able to pick themselves up to win their last game so the Chiefs have a very real chance of taking it at the death

[Angelshark]

Biffon I see you are a force supporter, mean did they get the raw end of the reffing deal yesterday. I saw so many infrigements that should have aided them blatently ignored by the ref. That pissed me off

[Shifty]

Nothing wrong with the referee. Johnathan Kaplan is one of the best and most experienced referees in the business.

[barto11]

well now...things are looking interesting...its down to 5 after the chiefs got blown away and next week is shapping up to be a real tense affair

[joemac]

The Chiefs were blown out of the water by the L....Li....Li......Lio........? The who?

[Angelshark]

Nothing wrong with the referee. Johnathan Kaplan is one of the best and most experienced referees in the business.

Were we watching the same game. That Dumb ass couldnt ref a game of couch rugby.

[Shifty]

You're not kidding Joe. That was a shocking performance.

I had high hopes for the Chiefs but it's all going horribly wrong.
What's more, if the Chiefs don't get Sivivatu,Willis and Luaki back this week, the Sharks will punish them dearly.

[joemac]

Yeah, but at least it will be the sharks. WTF happened with the Lions?

[boards]

Good to see the Chiefs have some support here as well - lets hope they take this weekends game more seriously and take the fight to the Sharks down in the 'tank'?!

[Patson]

blues crrrrrrrrrrrrrrreamin the canes and 33333333 dis allowed tries

[Angelshark]

Go The Force. 29 unanswered points hahaha, Brumbies got shagged haha more like BUMBIES haha

[Angelshark]

And one for the SHARKS put that in your pipes ladies en rook.

[joemac]

Can someone start an account called 'the highlanders', just so that I can rep them?

[Angelshark]

Sharks Rule and Stormers Drool

[barto11]

When are the Kiwis gonna learn that taking drop goals is not their thing. Willie Ripia most be feeling like an absolute noob...miss 1, fine...miss 2, maybe there's a problem...miss 3...bye bye semi finals...all in the space of 2 minutes

[yarrumsg]

few teams left with a zim player on board... gonna have to be the BEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAST and the Sharks... i they an string a few plays like yesterday and a few more defences... they should be able to make it

[Shifty]

When are the Kiwis gonna learn that taking drop goals is not their thing. Willie Ripia most be feeling like an absolute noob...miss 1, fine...miss 2, maybe there's a problem...miss 3...bye bye semi finals...all in the space of 2 minutes

You're not kidding Barto.That was a shocker.

Willie Ripia really exposed his inexperience in that game. Jimmy Gopperth really should have been brought into replace Ripia at some point during the second half. You really can't beat experience when the pressure is on. They had at least one good opportunity to run with the ball and try to cross over the Blues line and spoiled it with pointless kicks at goal. And if you're going to do it, then at least try to get close.

Oh well, the Hurricanes misfortune is the Sharks gain. And although probably not as dangerous as the Crusaders, I suspect that the Waratahs won't exactly be easy either. Promises to be a good weekend. Let's hope that neither of us are left crying into our beers come Saturday night. A Sharks vs Hurricanes final would be awsome.

[Shayne]

Crusaders vs Waratahs in the final. Crusdaers win 28-12.

Ho hum. Normal Super 14 Crap. Hopefully next year when Deans leaves we can find a new winner for the season and stop the 40% slip in viewship (myself included) that has happened over the last year.

[barto11]

You're not kidding Barto.That was a shocker.

Willie Ripia really exposed his inexperience in that game. Jimmy Gopperth really should have been brought into replace Ripia at some point during the second half. You really can't beat experience when the pressure is on. They had at least one good opportunity to run with the ball and try to cross over the Blues line and spoiled it with pointless kicks at goal. And if you're going to do it, then at least try to get close.

Oh well, the Hurricanes misfortune is the Sharks gain. And although probably not as dangerous as the Crusaders, I suspect that the Waratahs won't exactly be easy either. Promises to be a good weekend. Let's hope that neither of us are left crying into our beers come Saturday night. A Sharks vs Hurricanes final would be awsome.

You're right about Gopperth mate, always rated him and he should have been there...a steadier head and all that crap...

On another note, has anyone seen the bok squad?


BACKS Heini Adams, Gcobani Bobo, Meyer Bosman, Tonderai Chavhanga, Jean de Villiers, Isma-eel Dollie, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Peter Grant, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Enrico Januarie, Conrad Jantjes, Zane Kirchner, Louis Ludik, Percy Montgomery, Akona Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, Wynand Olivier, Earl Rose.
FORWARDS Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Wian du Preez, Kabamba Floors, Hilton Lobberts, Victor Matfield, Gerhard Mostert, Brian Mujati, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (c), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Heinke van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden, Joe van Niekerk, Duanne Vermeulen, Luke Watson

:whistling:Honestly, I'm not entirely suprised by the, er...shade of it. But there are some shocking desicions:smiley6:

How does Dollie, Floors and Lobberts make it, without playing at the top level as much as some of the others, and in Dollie's case, at all!! Earl Rose?? The only he played most of the season for the lions is because there was no-one else to play at fullback.:smiley5:

Also, the bigger suprises are the lack of sharks players that will come in - this is supposed to be a 45 man squad but I can only count 42(maybe my maths is shit) but that leaves room for just three sharks players - when, looking at the rest of the side, most of them could be in with a shot - have a feeling that Brad Barritt could be unlucky again this year...however, based on form I wouldnt be suprised if Ruan Pienaar and JP Pietersen dont make it.

*sigh* at least he picked Smit, Butch and Percy:smiley20:

[yarrumsg]

BACKS Heini Adams, Gcobani Bobo, Meyer Bosman, Tonderai Chavhanga, Jean de Villiers, Isma-eel Dollie, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Peter Grant, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Enrico Januarie, Conrad Jantjes, Zane Kirchner, Louis Ludik, Percy Montgomery, Akona Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, Wynand Olivier, Earl Rose.
FORWARDS Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Wian du Preez, Kabamba Floors, Hilton Lobberts, Victor Matfield, Gerhard Mostert, Brian Mujati, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (c), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Heinke van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden, Joe van Niekerk, Duanne Vermeulen, Luke Watson


good squad, if they can get chevanga fighting fit, more pace than habana and a zimbo in the squad ... awesome to see spies back but i think Ryan Kankowski deserves a shot as well

and what about Rory Kockott in the sharks game he deserves a place

and Shayne..
Crusaders vs Waratahs in the final. Crusdaers win 28-12.

i think ur right... 3rd place play off...

[Edmonsta]

A Sharks vs Hurricanes final would be awsome.

:smiley32: Hear Hear! I'm in! That would be great.





Does anybody else feel that Steyn wasn't missed in the Sharks game this weekend? :smiley35:

[barto11]

didnt show the match over here but I think at the mo he needs to be given some direction and take some responsibilty over where he wants to play...i think fourie and de villiers(jean, not dickhead) are the best centre pairing both skill wise and as a patnership...steyn has got to choose between 10 and 15 and really make the most of being around percy and butch and really learn the position inside and out. At the moment he seems content just to be on the field but it could lead to him being waste, much like Brent Russell. Maybe he should take a couple of seasons out in europe, ala Monty, and hopefully he'll come back a better/more balanced player?

As for the Sharks/ Canes final - That would be a cracker, both sides with a bit of unfinished business, will make for a great game(I hope)

[Shayne]

I cant believe the Waratahs and Sharks actually got into the semis. I mean lets be honest....werent the Stormers and Chiefs / Blues better teams but just unlucky?

[Edmonsta]

I think that the Tahs deserve it. (if they don't then who does?)

I'll admit that the Sharks are very lucky to be in the semis after a very average season. That being said, they got the points when it mattered. (Cheetahs and Chiefs). I hope they're peaking at the right time and not just having a 2 game lucky streak.

The Stormers did well, but I'd say they're about right being 5th or 6th - considering they had a crap start, a very good middle and an average end. I think they were a bit moeg by the end and it showed. I think that they would have fallen in a heap by the time the semis came around. Next year is their year.

The Blues don't deserve it because they're the Blues. Sorry Patson. ;)

Hope I don't eat my words.

[Edmonsta]

Please tell me this is a late April Fools joke? :faint2:

http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/super14/news/167569.htm

Tongan torpedo back in Shark tank

Sharks coach Dick Muir is considering the surprise inclusion of Tongan torpedo Epi Taione in the side to face the Waratahs in a Super 14 semifinal in Sydney on Saturday.

[Shifty]

I think that the Tahs deserve it. (if they don't then who does?)

I'll admit that the Sharks are very lucky to be in the semis after a very average season. That being said, they got the points when it mattered. (Cheetahs and Chiefs). I hope they're peaking at the right time and not just having a 2 game lucky streak.

The Stormers did well, but I'd say they're about right being 5th or 6th - considering they had a crap start, a very good middle and an average end. I think they were a bit moeg by the end and it showed. I think that they would have fallen in a heap by the time the semis came around. Next year is their year.

The Blues don't deserve it because they're the Blues. Sorry Patson. ;)

Hope I don't eat my words.


I agree. The Waratahs have done the hard work and definitely earned their position, even if their progress through this competition hasn’t been spectacular. A few shaky games lately but they could be dangerous. I suspect that their game plan will be to hold onto the ball for as long as possible and grind out the yards. The Sharks defence will need to top-notch this Saturday. They should probably drink plenty of coffee to keep themselves awake as the Waratahs have been known to bore the opposition into submission.

The Crusaders were pretty average on Saturday weren’t they? The Highlanders performance looked good, but only because of an indifferent and half-hearted Crusaders performance. I reckon that normal transmission will be resumed this Saturday. I just hope the Hurricanes can keep up the pressure and force the mistakes.

I also hope Gopperth boots Ripia over the crossbar if he tries any of that dodgy drop goal business. :naughty:

[Shifty]

Please tell me this is a late April Fools joke? :faint2:

http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/super14/news/167569.htm

Tongan torpedo back in Shark tank

Sharks coach Dick Muir is considering the surprise inclusion of Tongan torpedo Epi Taione in the side to face the Waratahs in a Super 14 semifinal in Sydney on Saturday.


He's more like a boomerang that a torpedo. He rarely does what he's supposed to do, and just when you think he's got it right, he hits you from behind when you least expect it. :smiley36:

[Edmonsta]

Seems to me like he's got commitment issues.

Sure, I understand that a Tongan player is not going to sit at home in Tonga and play in their :smiley36:but - Newcastle, Sale, Wild Knights, Sharks, Quins....?

Sheesh, the man can't make up his mind.

[Patson]

ah

[boards]

Patson we shouting for anyone but the Sharks this weekend true?

[Patson]

goooooooo the canes

[boards]

Me thinks GO Waratahs first off, so we can put the Shark supporters out of their misery???

[Angelshark]

hahaha you guys live in such strange world, literally.

[yarrumsg]

i dunno the sharks have been up there both last year and this year, the bulls had a slow start, i did think the stormers deserved to be there, they had some great play late in the season as well... but sometimes it's better to have a season full of average games and save it for the end than win some loose some... am i right in thinking i've hear 7mill for schalk to stay and play in sa?

[Angelshark]

The Sharks do it all the time. play their hearts out in the begining then cock up mid-way then wake up too late. Shark supporter to the end.

[joemac]

7Mill what? Rand? How much is that?

[Shayne]

7 million rand is about 23 US cents.

[joemac]

Right

[biffon]

The Tahs are a more rounded team than the Sharks but their Flyhalf needs a couple of kicks in the head so they can replace him, beale is :smiley3: with his amazing chip kicks but lets face it thats all he has...
If Steyn plays fly then the Sharks might win if they can get ball out to their backs, but the Tahs are looking very composed up front right now and despite Beales lacklustre kicking and teammanship i think they'll take it away.

Canes didnt look like they had what it takes to beat a side like the Saders so im Picking Saders Tahs final with the Saders by 6 to take it out again this year.

on a side note
Stormers were far more deserving of the finals than the sharks this year.
GO THE FORCE... that was the most awesome comeback by any team this year. Giteau is a LEGEND & young Oconnor is definitely earmarked for big things!

Shayne viewing numbers may be down in NZ but they are well up in SA and not too shabby in Aus.. rugby is in good hands!

[biffon]

hmm that was extremely intelligent journalism.... NOT!
please forgive me guys! :D

[Angelshark]

Forgiven. Steyn is a primadonna (sp) and I dont think he was missed in the game on Saturday. Schalk and Steyn are cut from the same cloth and he will cause problems for the Sharks. If not Shayne will kiss Patson with tongue if not vica versa. To be honest I forgot he played for the Sharks

[Edmonsta]

7 million rand is about 23 US cents.


Oh stop talking crap man.:naughty:



It's at least 24.1... :smiley36:

[Edmonsta]

i did think the stormers deserved to be there, they had some great play late in the season as well...

My 2c - They might have had a better season, but I say they still haven't worked off their debt to society for being showpony nancyboys for the last couple of seasons. Their philosophy was - as long as they had a few boks in the side, the rest would take care of itself.

This year they've worked hard, and next year they'll be one of the teams to watch. Good on them.

Only downside for the rest of us is that all the fairweather Stormers fans have already started coming out of the woodwork. :smiley36:

[Patson]

oh u all sound like the poms for the last 4 years sa this sa that fags... cooooooommmon the canes...
P.s A.S shayne is a wonderful kisser.....

[Shayne]

WTF ????? EVery thread is filled with gay taunts / sexual innuendo!!

[Patson]

P.s have u seen your AV (photo shoot)dont deny it shayne chris told me u were a good kisser .....

[Shifty]

WTF ????? EVery thread is filled with gay taunts / sexual innuendo!!

Glad to see everythings back to normal. :rolleyes:

Who's Chris, Shayne? :smiley2:

[Patson]

try zambezilover

[Angelshark]

Patson, why you telling me, I already knew that. And I hope that there will be a lot of support for the Sharks (Personal biases aside)

[Angelshark]

So we have a bunch of hi-jackers here. neg reps for you all if this continues. Marius Jonkers is not a refs arse, he totally screwed the lion and gave the Stormers a good chance to get into the semis. The Lions did make some mistakes but if you scrutinise the game it looks like jonkers was seriously on the take. Jonkers is bonkers.

[Shifty]

:10outof10:for putting the words Jonkers and bonkers into the same sentence. It seems very appropriate.

[Angelshark]

The Waratahs deserved to win that game, the sharks played like absolute wankers, worst game I have seen from them for ages, but I must admit they did give the chiefs a good hiding, so Shayne I hope your prediction is right. I will support the Crusaders. Just cos I hate Phil Waugh

[Shifty]

F:smiley35:k! Very disappointing results. Really expected better from the Hurricanes and the Sharks.

Can't believe that I've reached the point where I'll be hoping for a Crusaders win. F:smiley35:k!

[joemac]

I hope the Crusaders win. Only 'coz I truly hate the Waratahs

[Angelshark]

Second that, I cant even blame the ref this time.

[yarrumsg]

the number 7 was a mistake for the sharks... but i can't believe there were so many handling error, fantastic save by Tikiri though u gotta give him noddy points for that save on the line

[Angelshark]

I thought Cockheads back was gonna break

[barto11]

Canes were just out played, you cant say too much else...was very impressed by Zac Guildford, gutsy effort and looks like a future AB...Leon MacDonald was awesome tho, and really the differance between the sides...

Sharks just lost confidence after a good 1st 3 mins...but Epie Taoine was terrible...and that just had a compounding impact on the rest of the side, and he just flattened the entire side...thought Brad Barritt was awesome when he come on...what was Dick Muir thinking not starting him??

[Shifty]

Ja, completely outplayed.The number of turnovers they conceded was ridiculous. They loss of Rodney So'oialo really didn't help them either. Jerry Collins converting that last try, that was interesting.

Epi Taione, well what can you say? In the little game time that he's had, he's been a liability. Fielding him with so little game time in the semis was a big mistake.

Really can't see the Waratahs winning this one.

[barto11]

To be honest I could care less now...I just wanna see Kurtly Beale's smug face ground into the er...ground by Richie "Tackles" McCaw, just for good measure

[Shayne]

Serilously, how can two teams get so well beaten during a semi final? And whats the best the final goes the same way.

[Angelshark]

When you look at it in retro, I think the Stormers would have had more of a game than the Sharks. The Tahs ran riot on them and I think the stormers would have used the line a lot more where Cockott kept going on his own and then finding himself isolated, well that happened alot with all the players, but Cockott in particular

[biffon]

always said the sharks werent going to make it, i was mistaken to think that they wouldnt make the finals but then the Stormers really did all they couldve and still didnt get there, a pity as i also think they are a better chance of beating the Saders than the Tahs.

my tip is for an upset to the tahs, just because we need some new winners for a change!

[boards]

away game to tahs will be difficult. they cant kick a barn door in - unless there is some divine intervention this weekend... those 13 extra points they missed agains t the sharks would have been a good boost?!! their second string/impact players dont have the skill their first team does... The first 15 minutes are critical to putting the Saders on the back foot.....
Ill pick Crusaders as they have more FINAL Temperament then the All Blacks even... when they hit a role and their instinct kicks in then they are unstoppable!!

[barto11]

I think its a tough call to say the Stormers would have been more competitive than the Sharks, if you think they couldn't beat them at home and they would have had to travel as well, after a nice stretch at home...the Sharks had to travel back to SA, play out of their skins for 2 games just to make the semi's and then get back on that bird back to Sydney...tough call ey??

Also, its not easy playing 16 on 14...which is what happened for about 55 mins of that semi...

[biffon]

barto i detect a certain ammount of shark blood in your veins am i right?

[barto11]

just a little...still think it was a cunning plan by the Waratahs to deploy an extra man wearing the no. 7 jersey for the sharks

[Angelshark]

Yeah that guy was f.....ng useless, every time he got the ball it was like he was paid to drop it.

[Patson]

i dont even support the sharks and i was embaressssssed....

[biffon]

He was arguably the worst player on the field for the whole Super14 season for any team.

he gets my villian of the year tag for sure!
not so closely followed by Digby Iaone and Schalk Burger :D