Super 14 Talk

[biffon]

these aussies are blaady useless at rugby man - theyve got a bunch of robots playing for the willibies


no flair, no style, no risks - painful to watch - i hope the western force are going to be worth watching next year


http://www.westernforce.com.au/verve/_resources/WesternForce1.jpg

[biffon]

woo sorry that was a bit big ...smileys/smiley32.gif haha!! smileys/smiley36.gifsmileys/smiley17.gif

[TiGeR]

May the force be with you!...cos it seems nobody else is doing a job for aussie rugger!

[TiGeR]

on second thoughts, i worry about the strength of aussie rugger next yr with 4 teams in the S14...do they have the player depth to be competitive? I think the Brumbies & 'Tahs will be ok, but i suspect Qld will battle after losing so many players to the Force...the force...hmm, i think theyre goin 2 get spanked next season...cant see them coming out & doing a job with some of the guys they bought (Brendan Cannon, Nathan Sharpe to name a few) .....will be fun to see...

[Shayne]

If you think Aussie Rugby is going to be spread thin, look the South Africans. They are weak enough with 4 teams now they have 5?


Super 14 is a bad idea because it dilutes the player base and supporter base. I think instead it should be moved to Super 9. Best 3 teams from each country. Less games, more competition, better rugby.

[TiGeR]

I think the SA sides will be better next yr notwithstanding the internal boardroom politics, quotas/transformation, bickering about who SHOULD be the 5th SA side etc.... for 2 reasons;


1) The new system for SA says that whoever comes last of the five teams drops out for TWO yrs to be replaced by the South Eastern Cape franchise- Border, Eastern Province & South Western Districts combined (which is a JOKE! they are ALL broke, have shit players &even MORE shit coaches...but anyway...) Can you imagine how much sponsorship money, TV rights, advertising, endorsements, gate takings you'd stand to lose!?!?!...THEN there's holding onto players...imagine if Province/ the Bullsdont make it, thenALL their Boks sit out of S14 for 2yrs...will be CHAOS on the transfer market & players & agents will be breaching contracts all over the place....


2) With the new system, apart from the Central Cheetahs (Free State,Griquas & the purple people eaters (ONLY in SA!) aka Northern FS Griffons, WP (PLONKERS!), the Sharks (LOSERS!) the Cats (UNDERACHIEVERS!) & the Bulls (UNDERPERFORMERS!) are all no longer combined with smaller provinces, so they have stronger squads & dont have to carry any of the players from the Currie cup B section teams & put up with the gobshyte from those Unions demanding their players be fielded in the tournament....


Thats my prediction, watch this space! smileys/smiley2.gif


As for S14 being too long, i reckon they should split into 2 pools the top 4 teams go to a knock out 2nd round & the bottom guys either go home & eat shit OR play a losers round robin...smileys/smiley36.gifeither way, your top team plays 6 pool games, & 3 knockout games in round 2, incl. the final 9 games total, as opposed to 13 games round robin, THEN semis & then a final total 15 games...the coaches will be chuffed at less games, the boerejkies wont have to be away from Ouma's rusks & melktaart for too long & it will be damn exciting...but the TV people are more important as they pay, so they will dictate & serve up 16 weeks of basketball disguised as rugby....smileys/smiley11.gifyuk!...it makes me MAD!smileys/smiley7.gif

[TiGeR]

sorry guv...got a bit carried away there! smileys/smiley9.gif

[Shayne]

smileys/smiley32.gifsmileys/smiley32.gifsmileys/smiley32.gifWow, you defintely put a lot of thought into that!


With the new system, apart from the Central Cheetahs (Free State,Griquas & the purple people eaters (ONLY in SA!) aka Northern FS Griffons, WP (PLONKERS!), the Sharks (LOSERS!) the Cats (UNDERACHIEVERS!) & the Bulls (UNDERPERFORMERS!) are all no longer combined with smaller provinces


This doesnt make sense to me. How can this make a team stronger if the pool of players is smaller?


As for S14 being too long, i reckon they should split into 2 pools the top 4 teams go to a knock out 2nd round & the bottom guys either go home &


This idea could work. The rugby season is nearly getting as long as the English soccer. I belive it does harm to the game.

[Shayne]

Decided to move all the talk to this new thread seeing as it didnt really relate to St Johns smileys/smiley36.gifEdited by: Shayne

[Poison]

Lets go the Brumbies....


smileys/smiley17.gif


And anyone who is playing the Blues...Edited by: Poison

[biffon]

well i personally think Aussie rugby will fare better as there isnt a competative national competition and having a team in WA is one step closer to that, can only be good for the sport





did you know that the WA state team has won theinterstate rugby championships 2 years running, but there is not one single WA player in the national team - politics - YOU BET!

[TiGeR]

Great banter boys! On the SA strength issue- the old system of S12 squads here had 2/3 provinces clustered together around a major union (tried to copy the NZ regional franchises but the quality of players & coaches from the smaller unions, the politics & the parochialism here meant squads were carrying some 'passengers'...under the new system, the Cats wont have to have Puma & Falcons players for example & the Transvaal (i HAVTE the "Golden Lions" name... happy with Tvl Lions or to be politically correct Gauteng Lions...there certainly isnt anything 'golden' about them at the moment...i should be careful what i say as i ran a lot of the skills sessions for the Lions Currie cup squad this yr!), the Stormers wont have to have Boland & SWD players etc... & then the officials (coaches, managers etc will all be the same guys...where in the past guys had USELESS backline/ fowardscoaches to accomodate officials from the smaller unions...BULLSHIT politics but there you go...


Poison i LIKE the way you think! smileys/smiley1.gif...just hope the Brumbies can overcome their injuries & player losses nxt season & get back to playing sublime footy! Biff, bear in mind the WA State team you are referring to is an amateur team- all the guys who play in the pro ranks play their club rugger in Qld/ NSW...in fact, the Canberra Vikings (club for which many of the Brumbies play for) play in the NSW club competition. You are absolutely right though, taking rugby to WA will bring balance to 'the Force' of aussierugger (pun intended!)One of the kids i coached@ St John'splayed WA U19 this yr & has been invited to trials for the Force's Academy, so we might have a babwe kid to cheer for in the S14 in yrs to come!


...shew...smileys/smiley5.gif...i did it again...sorry boys, this is a topic i could talk about till Kingdom come...& THEN some...the game they play in heaven! smileys/smiley36.gif

[Shayne]

Myself and Poison are both Brumbies supporters. They had a bad year but i have faith.


http://www.brumbies.com.au/images/framework/BrumbiesLogo.gif

[TiGeR]

I KNEW i was mates with you for a reason!smileys/smiley2.gifJa it wasnt the best way to celebrate 10 yrs of running rugby but they will be back...

[Shayne]

George Greegan must the most hated man in New Zealand. They obviously cant understand true talentwhen they see it.

[TiGeR]

Ja, the Poms & SAffers also hate him...if only he had a decent pack of forwards to give him a platform to operate from. As a passionate Southern hemisphererugby supporter & an up & coming coach (well, i like to think so anyway!) i feel compelled to wade into the current debate on Australian Rugby's crisis & throw in my five cents worth. Re: David Fitter's elevation to test status- I am glad that he has FINALLY been given a crack at test match'footy' by Eddie Moans er i mean Jones...ABOUT BLOODY time! As a player & more recently as a coach, i have been a great admirer of Australian rugby's use of intellect(or rather i should say USED to be) but it seems Eddie has turned the guys into robots in an attempt to copy Lord Bald's structured game(Sir Clive Woodie) but unlike SCW, Eddie doesnt have the grunt up front. Australia even fielding a "C" team have the most dangerous backs in world rugby, but without a tight five that can compete...well, the backs have looked dangerous & done some good things but the results speak for themselves. George Gregan has been much maligned for his recent performances, but his cause has not been helped by a pack going backwards (at SPEED against England!) That the Wallabies managed to survive the tri nations wasmore due to the forebearance of referees than oftheir props holding their own. They havebeen destroyed at the lineout- a primary source of posession from which they attack so well,but the Wallaby selectors let Justin Harrison go earlier in the year because he was seen as surplus to requirements!
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Going back to the front row crisis, there are obviously problems which have been coming for a while (remember the slanging match with the Boks about Bill Young &amp; Aussie scrumming in general?) which havent been helped by the injury to Jeremy Paul &amp; the indifferent (at best) form of Brendan Cannon, who hasnt been able to reproduce his form ofa fewseasons ago (or hold onto a ball for that matter!)since coming back from injury (perhaps Pelous was trying to do Eddie Jones &amp; Aussie rugger a favour?) THANKthe rugby gods thatBill Young was left behind on this current tour as he has got to beTHE mostoverrated loosehead prop in international rugby- Jake White has been MORE than vindicated! I find it laughable that Ewen McKenzie, a great front ranker in his playing days should come out defending the ability (or rather lack of) of his NSW front rows Al Baxter &amp; Matt Dunning. They are CLEARLY not world class &amp; something needs to be done about it YESTERDAY!Eddie Jones &amp; Australian Rugby'sobsession with the running game &amp; "athletic" forwards has bitten them firmly in the rear- a prop/ tight five's primary objective is to win ball at 1st phase- i.e. the scrum or lineout. The sky blues front row has done neither very convincingly in the gold jersey- the persistance by selectors to continue with these three has mercifiully been broken by the unfortunate injury to Dunning &amp; i think Baxter will be grateful for the break to enable him to pull his head out of his asrsecourtesy of a fantastic scrumming lesson from Mr Sheridan2 weekends ago.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>There is no doubt that change has to happen for the Wallabies to produce results more worthy of a 2 time world cup winner &amp; 2003 finalist- The loss of Harrison (which was avoidable) &amp; the string of injuries suffered by a few other frontline players- Steve Larkham, Clyde Rathbone, Jeremy Paul, Radike Samo, Matt Giteau, Daniel Vickerman &amp; Stirling Mortlock has created a crisis of both confidence&amp; performance, but there are still more than enough useful players to build with. As the injured men start coming back into fitness &amp; form, with some decentcoaching (particularly of current front rows &amp; more big game experience for David Fitter) &amp; freedom to express their wonderful skills&amp; talent(i emphasise the word freedom) i believe the Wallabies could still be a contender in France in 2007. The Southern hemisphere particularly &amp; the rugby world in general need a strong Wallaby team...it remains to be seen whether Eddie &amp; his merry men can do the necessary....</DIV>

[Shayne]

Wow, Tiger. Good thought and rugby knowledge there. I agree Aus has a lot more to offer than its showing at present but i cant believe they dont have the depth in junior sides to full the gap. What happens when star players like Greegan, Larkham and Mortlock retire?


Hah ahh ah!! Talking about forward power in the Australians.


Jones trusts his forward power
Tuesday November 22 2005
Australia coach backs his creaking scrum against Wales


Australia coach Eddie Jones has attacked the Welsh scrum, saying that the match between the Australia and Wales on Saturday is a chance for his forwards to prove their critics wrong.


The Wallaby scrum has been under attack all tour, and is widely regarded as the weakest out of all the leading nations.


http://www.rugby365.com/mediastore/images/editorial/Wales/Wales_Frpont_Row200.jpg


Read the full story at http://www.rugby365.com/COUNTRY_BY_COUNTRY/Australia/Country _News/story_47574.shtml (http://www.rugby365.com/COUNTRY_BY_COUNTRY/Australia/Country_News/story_47574.shtml)Edited by: Shayne

[TiGeR]

Theres loads of talented youngsters to take over from the likes of Gregan, Larkham &amp; Mortlock...no. 9's- Matt Henjak, Matt Giteau (!) &amp; Patrick Phibbs (ALL developed by the Brumbies!) 10s- Sam Norton Knight (another Brumby, POACHED by the FUCKERS from NSW!) Matt Giteau, Elton Flatley (IF he comes right with his headaches!) Scott Daruda, Lachlan Mckay (who can also play 15) &amp; then Mortlock is only 29 so he has some time still to go, Turinui is playing well &amp; is only 25, there is Adam Ashley-Cooper (another who can cover 15)&amp; Joel Wilson(More Brumbies!) plus Lloyd Johansson who we MIGHT see playing 10 this w/end if Eddie has balls &amp; Mat Rogers doesnt pass the fitness test... where the aussies are short of firepower is the front row...their emphasis has been on ball players at the expense of genuine 'props'..the grizzly okes who will arm wrestle you ALL day &amp; live, eat, breath &amp; shit scrums, running 10s over&amp; hitting rucks...David Fitter is one such player but is short of big match experience...but they must develop 6 or 7 fellows like that....

[Shayne]

Loads of news out there regarding super 14. Looks like its going to be an exciting year with a lot of new plyers /teams out there.




<H2>All the 'new' Sharks revealed</H2>
<DIV =storydate>Thursday October 20 2005</DIV>


Strauss, Mathie also heading for Durban


The acquisition of legendary former Wallaby wing David Campese and All Black fly-half Tony Brown is well-documented. Now the Sharks have confirmed recent reports that they have also signed Cheetahs centre Andries Strauss and Bulls scrum-half Scott Mathie for the 2006 Super 14 season.


But the signing of the All Black and former Highlanders fly-half, Brown, remains the big news.



<H2>Eight new Chiefs in 2006</H2>
<DIV =storydate>Saturday October 29 2005</DIV>


Five first-timers in Hamilton


Eight new Chiefs were named in the 2006 Super 14 squad announced in Hamilton Friday. Five of the eight new Chiefs, Liam Messam, Anthony Tahana, Nathan White, Niva Ta'auso and Lelia Masaga, earn their first Super 14-level contracts of their rugby careers.



<H2>Nine changes to Crusaders</H2>
<DIV =storydate>Friday October 28 2005</DIV>


McCaw lead the 'champions'


All Black vice-captain Richie McCaw has been re-appointed to lead the Crusaders into the new Super 14 competition next year


Seven players have been selected for the Crusaders for the first time - Kevin Senio, who has transferred to Canterbury from Bay of Plenty, Senio's Bay of Plenty team-mate Tanerau Latimer (openside flanker) and the Canterbury quintet of Wyatt Crockett (prop), Craig Clarke (lock), Andrew Ellis (halfback), Steven Yates (centre/wing) and Ben Franks (prop).



<H2>Western Force gathering power</H2>
<DIV =storydate>Tuesday October 18 2005</DIV>


Perth membership tops 19,000 fans


Western Force, Australia's new Super 14 franchise, has not played a single game yet, but already it can lay claim to being the most popular Rugby Union team in Australia, probably also Australasia - and maybe even the entire Super 14!


The Perth-based franchise said on Tuesday that the membership of the Western Force has now topped 19,000 people.


All stories at http://www.planet-rugby.com/Tournaments/Super_12/index.shtml

[biffon]

may the FORCE be with you





i think its a beaut name - there are so many cool banners you can write for them ,





FORCEful


use the FORCE luke


may the FORCE be with you


a FORCE to be reckoned with..


haha

[Poison]

The Brumbies Song
Proud to be a Brumby
(To the tune of Click go the Shears)
From the heart of mountain country, where the Brumby reigns supreme,
From the country's capital there comes a rugby team,
We keep the spirit going, as we stick it to the foe,
And crush the opposition with the final telling blow.
Chorus
Stick to your guns boys, play with pride,
Hit it up the middle then spin the ball out wide,
Standing at the coalface, taking on the best,
Proud to be Australian with a Brumby on our chest.
Chorus
We are the Brumbies, wild and free
Tough and exciting is what we try to be,
We run the ball around on our way to victory,
And they'll never ever tame us,
'Cause we are the ACT.

[biffon]

forum spammer!!!!!


hey ivy you still playing hockey?

[Poison]

Just giving you the details of a great side.. smileys/smiley2.gifsmileys/smiley17.gif


Ja I'm still playing hockey and you? Just summer hockey at the mo and we haven't lost a game yet.. smileys/smiley4.gif

[Shayne]

forum spammer!!!!!





HAH HAHAHAHA HHAAH!!!!! smileys/smiley32.gifsmileys/smiley32.gif

[biffon]

im playing winter hockey - a bit warmer here for it than where you are...





we had a top season lost in the final 2-1 but won midseason final against same team and won the league.


so 2 from 3 flags aint bad


im only playing 3rd league at the mo but its still hell competitive so we have to get seriously fit - not boozers league like back home.





go Alex!! haha

[Poison]

Ya remember those Alex days.


Half time drinks Vodka and orange or just anything with Vodka!!!!smileys/smiley36.gif


Come on ALEX!!!

[TiGeR]

Geez, is that waht you snake catchers used to do at half time? smileys/smiley36.gifInteresting to look at the squads for S14...i wonder what has happened to Tamaiti Horua (brumbies flank)? He was touted as the next George Smith &amp; a future brumbies &amp; Wallaby skipper...will also be interesting to see how the 'saders go with 9 stalwarts moving on...none so important as M &amp; M (Marshall &amp; Mehrtens)...&amp; if McCaw can last a full season without losing his head! I think the Blues will be a contender for top 4 with David Nucifora at the helm (ex Brumbies coach who got the chop AFTER winning the S12!) although i understand he is a candidate to take over from Eddie as wallabies coach if Eddie gets the sack...much as i admire the man, i dont think Ewen McKenzie is a wallaby coach, but then i am biased against him because he's a NSW poaching bastard! smileys/smiley36.gif...roll on February, i can hardly wait!

[TiGeR]

<H1>An interesting read if you have time...Polls from the season thats just ended...
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<TD><SMALL =kicker>CAPTAIN AND COACH</SMALL>
If this is it for George Gregan and Eddie Jones, how should they be remembered?


Negligent custodians who let a great team crumble - 21%
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Losers of every trophy they had to lose - 12%
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Mostly medicore, with a few great moments - 26%
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They did their best with a limited talent pool - 14%
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They came so close to winning the World Cup - 27%
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Total Votes: 2427 </TD></TR></T></TABLE><BR clear=all>
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<H3>Previous Polls
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GEORGE GREGAN : Predict George Gregan's international rugby future:
He'll retire after the November tour - 18%
He won't be selected for Australia next year - 41%
His Super 14 form will be average, but he'll be picked anyway - 24%
His irresistible Super 14 form will demand selection - 7%
He'll lead Australia to win the 2007 World Cup - 11%
Total Votes: 8326Poll date: 21/11/05

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TACKLE STORM : Ma'a Nonu's tackle on Gordon D'Arcy was:
Outrageous, Nonu should be punished - 15%
Terrible, but probably unintentional - 20%
Unfortunate, a penalty covered it - 34%
Part of a tough, well-contested game - 8%
Oh get over it Ireland, you lost - 23%
Total Votes: 8160Poll date: 14/11/05
Related: Nonu cited for 'spear tackle' on D'Arcy (http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2005/11/15/1131951126667.html)
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Struggling Wallabies : After Australia's six straight losses what should be done?
Sack Eddie Jones - 10%
Sack George Gregan - 9%
Sack Eddie, George and the 'old guard' - 30%
Sack the lot of them, selectors included - 7%
No sackings just bring back the mongrel - 15%
Give the All Blacks' pack citizenship - 30%
Total Votes: 9909Poll date: 06/11/05

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WALLABIES SQUAD : Rate the Wallabies tour squad:
Too raw - 5%
The best available, but not good enough - 31%
An interesting experiment - 20%
The right blend of youth and experience - 19%
The shape of Wallabies sides to come - 25%
Total Votes: 5139Poll date: 20/10/05

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APC : Would a new provincial competition be positive for Australian rugby?
Yes - it would expand the depth of Test players - 70%
No - it would be ignored by the public and hurt club rugby - 15%
Neutral - same players, different comp - who cares? - 15%
Total Votes: 6066Poll date: 27/09/05

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WALLABIES' DECLINE : Why have the Wallabies lost five Tests in a row?
Key players out injured - 14%
The pack's not good enough - 53%
George Gregan's past it - 6%
Over-reliance on 'robotic' multi-phase play - 22%
Cheating opponents and blind referees - 7%
Total Votes: 11529Poll date: 04/09/05

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WOEFUL WALLABIES : What's the Wallabies' main problem?
Too many oldies in the team - 21%
The coach's use by date is up - 15%
Wrong players selected - 7%
Tactically flawed, technically inept - 21%
Lost their mojo - 15%
What problem? It's just a bad run - 21%
Total Votes: 15495Poll date: 21/08/05

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BOKS DEFENCE : Rate the Springboks defence:
Consistently offside - 47%
On the edge, but mostly legal - 26%
Passionate, committed and entirely legal - 28%
Total Votes: 2859Poll date: 19/08/05

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ON THE ROAD : How many away games will the Springboks win in the Tri Nations?
Two - 18%
One - 45%
Zero - 37%
Total Votes: 6671Poll date: 12/08/05

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BLEDISLOE CUP : Pick the result of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash in Sydney:
Wallabies 13+ - 8%
Wallabies 12- - 33%
Draw - 3%
All Blacks 12- - 32%
All Blacks 13+ - 24%
Total Votes: 7016Poll date: 08/08/05
Related: Battered Blacks hit Sydney (http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2005/08/08/1123353249047.html)
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Henjak punishment : Did the ARU act appropriately over the Matt Henjak nightclub affair?
No, they were too soft - 10%
No, they were too harsh - 15%
Absolutely, they were right to send him home - 27%
Yes, but others should have been punished too - 39%
Doesn't matter they're doomed regardless - 9%
Total Votes: 7685Poll date: 28/07/05

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Highveld hoodoo : When will the Wallabies break the jinx?
In next weekend's Test - 42%
Maybe next year - 22%
Never - 17%
Only if Mandela plays for the Boks - 19%
Total Votes: 2431Poll date: 25/07/05

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Soft Boks : Rate the Springboks defence:
Impenetrable - 10%
Slightly shaky - 42%
More holes than a sieve - 32%
Don't hurt me, you brute! - 16%
Total Votes: 3810Poll date: 19/07/05

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POST-MORTEM TAKE II : What did the Lions tour prove?
Southern Hemisphere supremacy - 0%
All Blacks deserve No.1 world ranking - 0%
Temporary teams will always struggle - 0%
Woodward should be coaching football - 0%
Absolutely nothing - 0%
Total Votes: 0Poll date: 10/07/05

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LIONS POST-MORTEM : The main reason for their series loss:
Too many Englishmen - 0%
Too many support staff - 0%
Too much spin - 0%
Not enough team bonding - 0%
Not enough preparation - 0%
Not enough grunt - 0%
Just not good enough - 0%
Total Votes: 0Poll date: 03/07/05

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JONNY WILKINSON : Rate the World Cup-winner at flyhalf for the Lions:
Has the goods - 17%
Hasn't played enough - 52%
Has-been - 31%
Total Votes: 3956Poll date: 29/06/05

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Lions fallout : In response to the first Test loss, Sir Clive Woodward should:
Keep faith in his beaten team - 1%
Tinker slightly, including shifting Jonny to flyhalf - 8%
Actually select the form Six Nations players - 61%
Pretty much pick a whole new side - 4%
Fall on his sword and go home - 26%
Total Votes: 4878Poll date: 27/06/05

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LIONS SERIES : Pick the result of the All Blacks v Lions series:
All Blacks 3-0 - 57%
All Blacks 2-1 - 33%
Lions 3-0 - 2%
Lions 2-1 - 8%
Total Votes: 6832Poll date: 20/06/05

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THE BEST : Pick your top Australian Super 12 player of 2005:
Matt Giteau - 11%
Peter Hewat - 25%
Chris Latham - 9%
David Lyons - 12%
Phil Waugh - 31%
Chris Whitaker - 11%
Total Votes: 11496Poll date: 02/06/05

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Don't cry for me... : Should Argentina be added to the Six Nations?
Yes - the IRB has a responsibility to develop the game - 40%
Perhaps - if they can come up with some money - 4%
No - let them sort themselves out - 5%
What about adding Argentinian teams to the Super 12? - 50%
Total Votes: 4579Poll date: 28/05/05

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Saturday's final : Who will win the Super 12 final?
Crusaders by 1-12 points - 20%
Crusaders by more than 12 points - 40%
Draw at 80 minutes - 1%
Waratahs by 1-12 points - 35%
Waratahs by more than 12 points - 4%
Total Votes: 9200Poll date: 23/05/05

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BRAITH ANASTA : Predict Braith Anasta's future:
First-choice Wallabies five-eighth - 12%
Another discarded Waratahs pivot - 10%
Journeyman inside-centre - 12%
Bench warming utility back - 20%
Rugby league will make an offer he can't refuse - 45%
Total Votes: 8025Poll date: 13/05/05

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George's comeback : Should an injured George Gregan be able to start for the Wallabies cold?
It's only Samoa, no problem - 12%
Even half-fit you've got to play him - 12%
He's risking another injury, put him on the bench - 32%
It's time to give someone else a go - 29%
He shouldn't be there at all - 15%
Total Votes: 5792Poll date: 06/05/05

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GRUDGE MATCH : Pick the result of the Waratahs v Reds game:
Waratahs 13+ - 59%
Waratahs 12- - 20%
Draw - 1%
Reds 12- - 15%
Reds 13+ - 4%
Total Votes: 4500Poll date: 03/05/05

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ARU BOARD : Would NSW reducing its representation be good for Australian rugby?
Yes - 68%
No change - 13%
No - 19%
Total Votes: 4341Poll date: 28/04/05

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TOP FOUR : Pick your Super 12 finalists
Waratahs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Blues - 38%
Waratahs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes - 29%
Waratahs, Crusaders, Blues, Brumbies - 12%
Waratahs, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Bulls - 6%
Waratahs, Crusaders, Bulls, Brumbies - 3%
Crusaders, Highlanders, Blues, Hurricanes - 8%
Crusaders, Highlanders, Blues, Brumbies - 1%
Crusaders, Blues, Hurricanes, Brumbies - 1%
Highlanders, Blues, Hurricanes, Bulls - 0%
Highlanders, Hurricanes, Bulls, Brumbies - 1%
Total Votes: 4635Poll date: 25/04/05

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WESTERN FORCE : Rate the new Super 14 franchise's name:
A tour de force - 12%
How about Western Farce - 24%
Refreshingly different - 27%
Stick with flora or fauna - 22%
Too out there - 15%
Total Votes: 8619Poll date: 19/04/05

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LIONS TOUR : What will the scoreline be?
Lions 3-0 - 2%
Lions 2-1 - 7%
Tight series, too close to call - 7%
All Blacks 2-1 - 43%
All Blacks 3-0 - 42%
Total Votes: 6232Poll date: 15/04/05

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JONNY'S FITNESS : Will Jonny Wilkinson prove his fitness in time?
Yes. The Lions can't do it without him - 9%
He'll struggle, but guy's a world-beater, he can do it - 13%
Hopefully, but even a half-fit Jonny is worth the trip - 11%
Doubtful. After a string of injuries it's unlikely - 36%
No way - the guy's washed up, leave him at home - 30%
Total Votes: 3229Poll date: 12/04/05

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JONNY WILKINSON : Should Wilko have been left out of the Lions squad?
Yes - the guy hasn't played in ages - 46%
Probably - wouldn't have been fair to leave someone else out - 19%
Possibly - but with him an amazing comeback is on the cards - 15%
No - he's a match-winner, the Lions will need him - 20%
Total Votes: 188Poll date: 11/04/05

[Shayne]

Pretty interesting. I love this question about givingAB's citizenship.
Struggling Wallabies : After Australia's six straight losses what should be done?



Sack Eddie Jones - 10%
Sack George Gregan - 9%
Sack Eddie, George and the 'old guard' - 30%
Sack the lot of them, selectors included - 7%
No sackings just bring back the mongrel - 15%
Give the All Blacks' pack citizenship - 30%

[TiGeR]

What WILL be interesting is the wash up of the outcome of the Aussie inquest into their spring tour &amp; whether Eddie keeps his job or not....also whether John Smit gets 6 wks like Fabian Pelous did for the same elbow action....

[wayneess]

The BRumbies are Fucking shiiiiiiiiiit Hammond..... I wreck even OG's 3rd
team could give them a good run for there money these days....

Anyway im off to 3 days at Dubai rugby 7's for the best piss up ever, and
to watch even kenya run around those shit aussies boy

[TiGeR]

Well LOOK who's joined the party!...How many S12s has YOUR team won Ess? (&amp; DONT say you're a 'saders supporter cos thats a load of shyte!) Hopw are things in the desert bud? Take it easy &amp; have a few quiet ones at Exiles for me!smileys/smiley36.gif

[wayneess]

Crusaders supporter never, THE STORMERS all the way man this year they
will be up at the top for sure..........

Yeah dont worry ill have more than a few at exiles bro, with 50 000
people expected this year is going to be one monster party..
Unfortunately i have to play all our games first before i can get on the
gas..

[TiGeR]

Stormers?! What you been smokin dude? They are KUK!...no tight five, no good half backs &amp; their midfield is predictable- Dewet "bash it up" Barry, Marius "Where the F am i" Joubert &amp; wasting Jean De Villiers on the wing...Chris Rouseau @ no. 10....geez dude i'm a cripple 7 i'd add more to the stormers @ 10 than him! smileys/smiley36.gif


Whose coaching the Emirates side now that Darryl has left? I nearly applied for the job but i didnt want to do the Chief Exec. of UAE Rugby part as well...

[TiGeR]

<DIV ="storyLayout">
<H2>Some humour from the Autumn (NH)/ Spring (SH) tests...enjoy!</H2>
<H2></H2>
<H2>The gongs and goons of November</H2>
<DIV ="storydate">Wednesday November 30 2005</DIV>Awards dished out after a month of Test rugby


It's that time again when an international series is over and all can retreat to the bar for the third half, to face kangaroo courts, fines, and the general acclaim and/or derisive laughter from their team-mates.



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<DIV ="storyPicCaption">Snow Business: Fiji’s camouflage tactics didn't fool the Italians


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The ABs made a clean sweep of the IRB ceremony, but we suggest a few alternatives be handed out to those not clad in the black that has wowed us all during November.


We start by getting the serious awards out of the way first...


Try of the month:


3 - Most All Black tries. Sixteen tries in four matches, two of them scored by a forward. There has been some mesmerising running from the fabulous ABs, and we include the forwards' handling in that.


2 - Francesco Leonelli, Argentina v South Africa. From his own 22, Argentina took the ball to the Bok 22, where Felipe Contempomi delivered a grubber of sumptuous precision for Leonelli to get to the line at just the same time as the ball. Magic.


1 - Shane Williams, Wales v Australia. Also from their own 22, through the hands to Williams, a grubber, Gareth Thomas picked up and flipped the pass back to Williams despite almost having his arms pinned by Phil Waugh, and Williams hitch-stepped away from Lote Tuqiri for the benchmark try of the month.


Player of the month:


3 - Jean-Baptiste Elissalde. The French scrum-half has been superb in every game he has played, and currently possesses the fastest hands in the game. Not bad with the boot either.


2 - Dan Carter. You can't really leave him off any 'Best Player' list right now. He has done so much to spark the AB back line into life this month, and he was the creative difference for his team against England.


1 - Chris Latham. Even if collectively Australia have flagged badly over the test window, Latham has been the driving force behind the comparative closeness of the defeats. Dare we suggest he is the world's strongest three-quarter with the ball in hand? Yes.


Newcomer of the month:


3 - Chris Masoe. The New Zealand back-row man has showed himself to be a more than worthy back-up to Richie McCaw, and he offers something extra with his pace and fingertip handling.


2 - Matthew Watkins. The only one in the Welsh back-line to genuinely perform against Fiji when the chips were down, and improved steadily throughout the match against Australia. He has finally offered a pacy and strong alternative to the injured Shanklin and Henson.


1 - Yannick Nyanga. The French flanker is fast outliving the newcomer tag, but he has burst into the French first XV now where his lightning pace and deceptive physicality are sure to keep him there. In the current rugby climate where the back-row is so crucial, France have unearthed a gem.


Team of the month: New Zealand. A Grand Slam. Four tries per match away from home. 35 players used, including three new caps. Untouchable.


And now, the lighter side...


The Caveman award: Chris Latham, for his stance and screams after each try he scored. The one against Ireland was the classic example.


The Russell Crowe Gladiatorial award: Lewis Moody, not for the fight itself, but the blond sweaty hair, bleeding nose, and eyes of death at the opposition thereafter. Fit for any and every Ridley Scott movie.


The Hindenberg award: Piri Weepu, for having by some distance the biggest and most disproportionate backside in world rugby. Like two zeppelins in a pair of rugby shorts.


The Flannel award for stating the obvious in an excited manner: Jake White, whose technical review of the opening ten minutes of the match against France - "We knew they were going to counter-attack and they ended up doing that and scoring. Then we got an intercept try against us. Once that happens, you're 12-0 down." - was a lesson in talking an awful lot and saying awfully little. A career in punditry beckons.


The Alastair Campbell award for spin doctoring: Jake White again, who said that Jean de Villiers should be praised for saving Lucas Borges' life, after De Villiers had cast the Argentinian winger headfirst into a concrete ditch and then grabbed his foot just before Borges landed.


The Oops, Somebody's Watching Me award for changing your mind half-way through something naughty: Ma'a Nonu and Jean de Villiers. Nonu for dropping Gordon D'Arcy milliseconds short of spearing him into the Lansdowne Road turf, and De Villiers for the Borges incident.


The White Line Fever award for ignoring obvious overlaps: Byron Kelleher, who could have set Tana Umaga in for a try against Wales, but instead chose to run straight into Gareth Thomas before falling over backwards and letting the ball go.


The Guy Fawkes award: Whoever is responsible for the fire at Lansdowne Road before the All Blacks match. They could have averted a major disaster, but the fire was caught just in time...


The GI Joe award: Andrew Sheridan, for that haircut straight out of Guantanamo Bay


The Joseph K award: Percy Montgomery. "Somebody must have been spreading lies about Percy M, for without having done anything wrong he was sent off one evening."


The Textbook Tackle award: Fiji's Epeli Ruivadra, for picking up Matthew Watkins and plonking him forcefully and carefully right on his backside.


The Houdini award: Shane Williams. Drew Mitchell is apparently still looking for Williams in the corner nearest the railway station after Williams' jink.


The Kaiser Soze award for getting away with murder: Semo Sititi, who wasn't cited for any of the five punches he landed during the Moody-Tuilagi brawl.


The Fish Surviving Out Of Water award: Courageous Fiji, who played in the snow of Monza and are now planning to mark out a full size pitch on a Suva beach in the return Test against Italy next year.


The Performing Seal award: Johhny O'Connor, for the somersault after he scored against Romania. Apparently he regrets it now, but not as much as he would have had he not landed on his feet...


The After The 9pm Watershed, Please award: Ben Cohen, for swearing at the crowd after scoring a try, Brent Cockbain, for the most painful-sounding injury of all time - anybody care for a detached hamstring? Also Alesana Tuilagi for the gut-wrenching tackle on Mark Cueto, and Fabien Pelous for the gratuitous elbow to Brendon Cannon's chops.


The Accordion award: Al Baxter and Matt Dunning, both of whom came off from the England match considerably shorter than when they went on


The Robot Wars award for a pointless display of technology: The WRU, for leaving the roof open all week to let the rain soak the pitch but then closing it on matchday.


The Crying Baby award: Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma. Call it Latin passion, even call it rightful injustice if you like. We just call it continuous, non-stop, and painful whingeing.


The Difficult Guest award: New Zealand, who came to Cardiff and moaned about the order of events. It was Wales' party before the game...


The Braveheart award for courage: France's Jerome Thion, who led his team on the pitch - which no doubt includes a modicum of verbal cajoling - with a broken larynx for ten minutes


The Wrong Sport, Buster award for soccer styling: Aurelien Rougerie, who sang his national anthem and then greeted his opponents wearing a terribly pretty hairband to keep his fringe in place


The Identity Crisis award: Romania, who went to play in Ireland with O'Neill's stamped all over their backs.</DIV>
Edited by: TiGeR

[Shayne]

Crusaders supporter never, THE STORMERS all the way man this year they
will be up at the top for sure..........

Yeah dont worry ill have more than a few at exiles bro, with 50 000
people expected this year is going to be one monster party..
Unfortunately i have to play all our games first before i can get on the
gas..


Greegan could beat the Stormers by himself. Even if he got a red card half way through the second half!


The Alastair Campbell award for spin doctoring: Jake White again, who said that Jean de Villiers should be praised for saving Lucas Borges' life, after De Villiers had cast the Argentinian winger headfirst into a concrete ditch and then grabbed his foot just before Borges landed.


Tiger, did you see this tackle? Nice post by the way.Edited by: Shayne

[TiGeR]

Thanks Bud! Ja Wayne WTC!?...Stormers? More like the evening Breezees...smileys/smiley36.gif


I did indeed see Jean's effort on the little pumas winger (&amp; when i say little, i mean if he was 5 ft thats a lot! (ok i exaggerate a bit!)...anyway, it was the usual tussle for the ball in touch &amp; De Villiers pushed/ shoulder the oke over the barrier...&amp; suddenly must have thought "OH KUK!" &amp; grabbedthe guy LUCKILY...before he landed headfirst in a 2m concrete moat/ waterway effort around the perimeter of the stadium...

[wayneess]

Not to sure who is coaching the Arabian Gulf, they keep changing
coachers and shit. Good old Dayrryl cam here for the 7's though i saw the
man.

And Shayne you missed a monster party man, IM BACK AT WORK AFTER 3
DAYS of playing and getting hammered, Its blady shit its all ove for
another year.

Falcon college came to the 7's the boys did well in the international u19's.
they look blady sharp playing. But i think they lost in the semi's. Although
when i saw the final between a south african school and a Welsh u 19's i
could see why they lost...

Our exiles team made to the final of the Gulf cup and won. It was pretty
cool playing with 30 000 people watching you....... Anyway chat soon
boys

[TiGeR]

Ja i hear it was a jol Es...chatted to the SA 7s coach...shame they are BLEAK! Well my friend, glad you enjoyed the experience...i think maybe we have to get the okes on the forum to meet up in France for RWC 2007...

[Poison]

Eddie Jones thinks he can make champions of the Queensland Reds.


HAHAHAHAHAsmileys/smiley36.gif


http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12416-5152929,00.html

[Shayne]

Yeah, I mentioned this is the rugby thread a few days ago but Tiger doesnt think he'll be made coach.

[Greenballs]

Damn boyz... hell of a topic going here. And Tiger... quite in the know are we... good stuff chap! Some brilliant points came up throughout that discussion. I agree with Shayne to some extent on diluting the the national resources by introducing additional teams, however, I think it depends what the competition is all about? If a team wins this means that they have done so with a more diluted selection base which is quite an astonishing acomplishment. And further, even more astonishing;ifa country has more of their teams higher up in the log... a good indication toa nations actual depth!


I amnot only a Wallabies man but even more so a Brumbies man. Last yearwas unfortunatefor them with the amount of injuries they had and they still managed to field a decent squad (depth) and with all their players fit they willgive 75% of S14 teams a fucking good hiding. They'll be oneof the teams to watch for the next comp. I have faith!


As for SA... fucking politics is fucking the nations rugby potential big time. Such a pity as I would really like to seemore SA teams making it into the top 8- they have a rough time and for a player it's got to be soul destroying which is not exactly what these guys need- how can one fully focus on goals(winning) if they've got more political bullshit to worry about? I feel for them clutchies chaps!They're going to take another hiding for sure!!

[TiGeR]

The argumentre: depth is an interesting one...while sides may struggle initially in expanded competitions, the exposure of more players to a higher level of competition will ultimately increase the no.s of players who can play at a particular level &amp; provided the coaching is good, players will be taken to the next level &amp; will be better in future...look at Oz...the Brumbies were a team of 'rejects' from Qld &amp; NSW when Super 10 expanded to Super 12 &amp; look at how they developed &amp; have become Australia's leading team &amp; no. 1 producer/ provider of wallabies...BUT the mix was right..they had good coaching &amp; reasonably talented players...the same applies to the Hurricanes &amp; Chiefs in NZ...they were the expansion teams from Super 10 to 12 &amp; from perennial underachievers, they have come through &amp; become competitive &amp; the hurricanes particularly have become a force...Eddie moans to coach Qld Reds...seems our man has changed his tune...just cant see how Qld Rugby will take him on as they were most vocal about his being axed as Wallabies coach...

[Shayne]

Draw for the nextyear has been confirmed.


http://www.rugby365.com/mediastore/images/editorial/Other/s14_logo_200.bmp


SUPER 14 - DRAW FOR 2006:
(All times are local)


WEEK 1:
Friday 10 February:
Blues v Hurricanes, Auckland - 19:35(06:35 GMT)
Western Force v Brumbies, Perth- 19:05 (11:05)
Cheetahs v Bulls, Bloemfontein- 19:10(17:10)
Saturday 11 February:
Crusaders v Highlanders, Christchurch - 19:35 (06:35)
Reds v Waratahs, Brisbane - 19:40 (09:40)
Cats v Stormers, Johannesburg - 17:00(15:00)
Sharks v Chiefs, Durban - 19:10(17:10)


WEEK 2:
Friday 17 February:
Highlanders v Blues, Dunedin - 19:35 (06:35)
Cats v Chiefs, Johannesburg - 18:00 (16:00)
Bulls v Brumbies, Pretoria - 20:00 (18:00)
Saturday 18 February:
Hurricanes v Western Force, TBC - 19:35 (06:35)
Reds v Crusaders, Brisbane - 19:00 (09:00)
Sharks v Cheetahs, Durban -17:00 (15:00)
Stormers v Waratahs, Cape Town - 19:10 (17:10)


WEEK 3:
Friday 24 February:
Hurricanes v Cats, TBC - 19:35 (06:35)
Western Force v Chiefs, Perth - 19:05 (11:05)
Stormers v Brumbies, Cape Town - 19:10 (17:10)
Saturday 25 February:
Crusaders v Sharks, Timaru - 17:30 (04:30)
Reds v Blues, Brisbane - 19:35 (09:35)
Bulls v Waratahs, Pretoria - 17:00 (15:00)
Cheetahs v Highlanders, Bloemfontein - 19:10 (17:10)


WEEK 4:
Friday 3 March:
Chiefs v Reds, TBC - 19:35 (06:35)
Brumbies v Cats, Canberra - 19:40 (08:40)
Saturday 4 March:
Waratahs v Sharks, Sydney - 15:30 (04:30)
Crusaders v Blues, Christchurch - 19:35 (06:35)
Stormers v Highlanders, Cape Town - 17:00 (15:00)
Cheetahs v Hurricanes, Bloemfontein - 19:10 (17:10)
BYE: Western Force and Bulls



WEEK 5:
Friday 10 March:
Chiefs v Crusaders, TBC - 19:35 (06:35)
Waratahs v Cats, Sydney - 19:40 (08:40)
Saturday 11 March:
Brumbies v Sharks, Canberra - 19:00 (08:00)
Western Force, Brisbane - 20:05 (10:05)
Bulls v Highlanders, Pretoria - 17:00 (15:00)
Stormers v Hurricanes, Cape Town - 19:10 (17:10)
BYE: Blues and Cheetahs





WEEK 6:
Friday 17 March:
Crusaders v Cats, Christchurch - 19:35 (06:35)
Western Force v Waratahs, Perth - 19:00 (11:00)
Bulls v Hurricanes, Pretoria - 19:10 (17:10)
Saturday 18 March:
Blues v Brumbies, Auckland - 17:30 (04:30)
Highlanders v Sharks, Dunedin - 19:35 (06:35)
Stormers v Cheetahs, Cape Town - 17:00 (15:00)
BYE: Chiefs and Reds


WEEK 7:
Friday 24 March:
Hurricanes v Sharks, TBC - 19:00 (07:00)
Waratahs v Blues, Sydney - 20:05 (09:05)
Cheetahs v Reds, Bloemfontein - 19:10 (17:10)
Saturday 25 March:
Brumbies v Chiefs, Canberra - 16:30 (05:30)
Highlanders v Cats, Invercargill - 19:35 (07:35)
Western Force v Bulls, Perth - 20:05 (12:05)
BYE: Crusaders and Stormers


WEEK 8:
Friday 31 March:
Blues v Bulls, Auckland - 19:00 (076:00)
Waratahs v Cheetahs, Sydney - 20:05 (09:05)
Western Force v Stormers, Perth - 19:10 (11:10)
Saturday 1 April:
Hurricanes v Crusaders - 17:30 (05:30)
Chiefs v Highlanders - 19:35 (07:35)
Sharks v Reds - 17:00 (15:00)
BYE: Brumbies and Cats


WEEK 9:
Friday 7 April:
Crusaders v Waratahs, Christchurch - 19:35 (07:35)
Saturday 8 April:
Highlanders v Westerm Force - 14:35 (02:35)
Chiefs v Bulls, TBC - 17:30 (05:30)
Blues v Stormers - 19:35 (07:35)
Brumbies v Cheetahs, Canberra - 19:40 (09:40)
Cats v Reds, Johannesburg - 17:00 (15:00)
BYE: Hurricanes and Sharks


WEEK 10:
Friday 14 April:
Blues v Western Force, Auckland - 19:35 (07:35)
Saturday 15 April:
Crusaders v Cheetahs, Christchurch - 17:30 (05:30)
Chiefs v Stormers - 19:35 (07:35)
Reds v Bulls, Brisbane - 19:40 (09:40)
Cats v Sharks, Johannesburg - 17:00 (05:00)
Sunday 16 April:
Highlanders v Hurricanes, Dunedin - 14:35 (02:35)
Waratahs v Brumbies, Sydney - 19:40 (09:40)


WEEK 11:
Friday 21 April:
Chiefs v Cheetahs, TBC - 19:35 (07:35)
Reds v Stormers, Brisbane - 19:40 (09:40)
Western Force v Crusaders, Perth - 19:40 (11:40)
Saturday 22 April:
Brumbies v Hurricanes, Canberra - 19:40 (09:40)
Sharks v Blues, Durban - 15:00 (13:00)
Bulls v Cats, Pretoria - 17:00 (05:00)
BYE: Highlanders and Waratahs


WEEK 12:
Friday 28 April:
Highlanders v Waratahs, Dunedin - 19:35 (07:35)
Cats v Western Force, Johannesburg - 19:10 (17:10)
Saturday 29 April:
Hurricanes v Chiefs, TBC - 19:35 (06:35)
Brumbies v Reds, Canberra - 19:10 (09:40)
Cheetahs v Blues, Bloemfontein - 15:00 (13:00)
Bulls v Sharks, Pretoria - 17:00 (15:00)
Stormers v Crusaders, Cape Town - 19:10 (17:10)


WEEK 13:
Friday 5 May:
Hurricanes v Reds, TBC - 19:35 (07:35)
Bulls v Crusaders, Pretoria - 19:10 (17:10)
Saturday 6 May:
Chiefs v Waratahs, TBC - 19:35 (07:35)
Brumbies v Highlanders, Canberra - 19:40 (09:40)
Cheetahs v Western Force, Bloemfontein - 15:00 (13:00)
Sharks v Stormers, Durban - 17:00 (15:00)
Cats v Blues, Johannesburg - 19:10 (17:10)


WEEK 14:
Friday 12 May:
Crusaders v Brumbies, Christchurch - 19:35 (07:35)
Reds v Highlanders, Brisbane - 19:40 (09:40)
Sharks v Western Force, Durban - 19:10 (17:10)
Saturday 13 May:
Blues v Chiefs, Auckland - - 19:35 (07:35)
Waratahs v Hurricanes, Sydney - 19:40 (09:40)
Cheetahs v Cats, Bloemfontein - 15:00 (13:00)
Stormers v Bulls, Cape Town - 17:00 (15:00)


SEMI FINALS:
May 19/20: 1st qualifier v 4th qualifier- tbc
May 19/20: 2nd qualifier v 3rd qualifier - tbc


FINAL:
Saturday,May 27- tbc

[Adam]

I have all the faith in the Brumbies in this next super 14 season, i think they will be in the top four finisherssmileys/smiley20.gif

[TiGeR]

BRING IT ON! smileys/smiley32.gif

[Shayne]

Tiger. Which team do you support again? You earlier post indicated you were a Brumbies supporter. Truth?

[Poison]

Ya Bring it on......smileys/smiley32.gif


Lets go the BRUMBIES

[TiGeR]

Brumbies mate...the KINGS of running rugby! smileys/smiley32.gif

[Adam]

Its good to see another Brumbies supporter on this forum, Im brumbies all the way matesmileys/smiley32.gifsmileys/smiley20.gif

[wayneess]

Brumbies........
Even western Force is going to smoke those bastards this year.........

[Greenballs]

Go back in the discussions and have a look at the Brumbies '06 side chap... not sure what you've been smoking but there's no fucking way that the Force will come close to even making for an exciting game against the brumbies!! They might have a chance with the SA sides but that's about it chap... enjoy sitting in the bottom 5 on the log!!

[wayneess]

yeah maybe but i thing this year............. Stormers are going to be up in
that top 4 man... well at least give Brumbies a good spanking, like they
deserve.........

STORMERS SUPPORTER first, and anyone smashing that fucking Gregan
and his brumbies ill support to.........

Gregan is a cock........ hope the old man is forced into retirement when
schalk smashes that little Zambian poacher in half....

You going home greenballs? Myself and Bruss have got a houseboat for
new year

[Greenballs]

Won't be home this yr. Went last yr to get married and that was enough... like to use flights to see other countries as opposed to Zim every year. Besides- going baack in March for Ant Park's wedding- then they'll be coming over to thailand for their honeymoon.


Have been trying to get your number or a contact off Bruss for a while as I had a mate in Dubai who was keenon meeting up with some Zimbos... but to no avail (typical Bruss)! Hope you're well mate. Slap Bruss around the chops for me!


Not sure how people can be so quick to cuss Gregan... the oke can be a winging cock on the field and as an Aus and Brumbies supporter it can even be embarrassing at times but the man's a legend chap. He is one of rugby's greats, no matter what anyone says about him!! Even now, his supposed failing years, he's still comparable to the world's best! smileys/smiley32.gif

[Shayne]

Most people hate the Brumbies. Its a sign of a good team.


Wayne. I reckon the Stormers will probably be the best SA team this year and have a slight chance of making the top 4.


Oh and personal message your cell number to Greenballs.

[wayneess]

Old Greg's is going down though. He is actually quiet on the field these
days and not such a winging bastard.....

About the guy coming to Dubai... Not sure if it was the same guy. but
Bruss did give him my number. He phoned from Zim and chatted about
kiting and shit to me. But when he arrived did not phone me....so dont
know what happened there.......

And Hammond i know this is your SPORTS CHAT site but so dont start
Winging at us for going off the topic you cock.............

ANd Rich said when you phoned me the other night you had had about 2
beers, and you were that hammered.......... I think in Kariba me and bruss
are going to refer to getting hammered from now on as getting
HAMMONED every time we pass the 2 beer mark......

[Shayne]

Hah hahaha whatever!!! Rich can suck my knob!


And i dont care if people go off topic. See post above yours.

[Greenballs]

Taking a cussing... but 2 beers? Must be too expensive to dop in NZ? Hammy... that doesn't sound like you mate?? Usually 22 old cock!!

[spuff]

All this Brumbies hysteria is quite amusing... I have seen nothing from their performance last year (what was the score to the Blues last year shayne..?!), or from their draft pickto suggest they can do any better this year.


They will surely suffer the same debilitating disease that the Wallabies suffered from this year, brought on by lack of experienced depth, no front row, and over rated (currently anyway) has-beens way past their prime.


I would like to see a full strength team to be at lest competitive, and for that they need Stephen-porcelain limbs-Larkham. He is the only person who could give some leadership to a side surely in need of it.


My darkhorse for the final four is the chiefs. If Jono Gibbs is back to his best, and can soldify the tight five to give consistent performances, they have a back line to ignite some real excitement. Bearing in mind that Mils -my girlfriend steals from the auckland RU and gets me transfered-Muliaina is now in the fullback position, they have probably the fastest backline in the comp.


Can't look past the Blues however, as the NPC winners, and real contenders. Ivy, where has the hate for the blues come from? Surely Doug Howlett didn't stand you up as well as Shayne? Come on now boys, get over it - he gets more chicks than you, and he isn't interested. Check you member titles too, incase you were under the misguided impression that you weren't giving off the wrong signals...





hehe, food for thought. Give to me...

[wayneess]

Thats it Oaaaaaaaffff give it to the batty boy brumby supporters

[Shayne]

I can safely say i have supported the Brumbies since the competition opened and have never changed. It was Super 9 then i think.


Just friendly banter with Spuff regarding the Blues. And yes they beat us last year 17-0 i think.


This year brings an open competition with all teams chasing the Crusaders who will probably make and win the final unfortunately.


And Howlett is gay. End of story.

[Greenballs]

He's not gay... more like a transvestite!

[Shayne]

Anyone wanna guess the top four for next years semi's?

[Adam]

Brumbies, Crusaiders, Waratahs and Bulls.

[Greenballs]

Get a poll going then?

[TiGeR]

Allo fellas....some interesting banter ... my top 4 for S14?


'Saders; Brumbies; 'Canes; Bulls (IFthey can survive playing away from Loftus)OR 'Tahs (IF they can get some mongrel in their tight five)


I think the Brumbies will be awesome again next yr as their injured guys will be back &amp; their rookies got a good baptism this yr when they had to play for all the injured more experienced players...they also have the best talent coming through from the Oz jnrs (AIS Rugby academy, Brumbies Academy, Aus. U19 &amp; U21, barringDrew Mitchell) &amp; a canny coach...watch this space! smileys/smiley2.gif

[Shayne]

Blues I am afraid to say will most probably take the place of either one of the Canes or the Bulls - who outside Loftus are not "Who they can be" - at all

[Shayne]

Go Blues!!!! I love Dougie H - Sorry Spuff, I really did try to pull him that night...





HE is sexc tho no? GO DOUG!!

[TiGeR]

You did WHAT!? smileys/smiley5.gif

[spuff]

Geez - I had hoped for some honesty - good on you for coming clean bro..smileys/smiley1.gifsmileys/smiley32.gif


Its ok really, I will still be mates with you - although there will be no more showering or sleeping in the same tent...smileys/smiley36.gif

[Shayne]

Go Blues!!!! I love Dougie H - Sorry Spuff, I really did try to pull him that night...





HE is sexc tho no? GO DOUG!!





This is what happens when Spuff gets shitfaced at my house and logs onto the forum as me.


I honestly believe Spuff would consider having Doug Howlestt's kids if he had the chance.

[spuff]

Shayne - I take real offence at the insinuation that I was...


at your house.


smileys/smiley36.gifsmileys/smiley36.gif

[biffon]

my top 4 picks



brumbies, crusaders, waratahs, blues



maybe's include Hurricanes &amp; stormers and i would like to see Force there but i doubt it.

[Shayne]

Hah hah haha!! Spuff reported my post! Too hilarious. smileys/smiley36.gif






Hi,

The following report has been submitted by spuff, on The Lone Zimbo Forums who has the following issue with this post : -


<HR>




I am not happy with the flagrant disregard for my feelings... I am a happy hetrosexual (not that there is any wrong with being gay) and I am not happy with "Shayne" who continually passes the proverbial homo buck so much, his gloves must be well worn..
Please ban this user and make the forums a pressure free environment for all. He is obviously under several delusions, about the validity of his claims - as if I would ever go to his house???!!! It is not my fault he has covert emotions regarding some of his local Rugby heroes.

THANKS in advance...


<HR>




To view the post then click on the link below : -
http://zimbo.bounceme.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=209&amp; (http://zimbo.bounceme.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=209&amp;TPN=2) TPN=2


<HR>




Posted By: Shayne




Go Blues!!!! I love Dougie H - Sorry Spuff, I really did try to pull him that night...





HE is sexc tho no? GO DOUG!!





This is what happens when Spuff gets shitfaced at my house and logs onto the forum as me.


I honestly believe Spuff would consider having Doug Howlestt's kids if he had the chance.

[biffon]

wittysmileys/smiley32.gifsmileys/smiley32.gif

[TiGeR]

smileys/smiley36.gifsome good humour for the post christmas hangover rovers smileys/smiley32.gif

[Adam]

smileys/smiley32.gifsmileys/smiley32.gifsmileys/smiley32.gifDamn thing must have got bit messy that night.

[TiGeR]

Messy? I think you mean OUT OF HAND m8 smileys/smiley36.gif...whats up with the lads perving another DUDE!? smileys/smiley5.gifMust have been one wild night! smileys/smiley9.gif

[Adam]

<H1>2006 CA Brumbies Squad</H1>


Click on a player to view his full profile



<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="80%" border=1>
<T>
<TR>
<TD> Player </TD>
<TD> Position&nbs p;&nbs p; </TD>
<TD> DOB&nb sp; </TD>
<TD>Ht (cm) </TD>
<TD>Wt (kg) </TD>
<TD>S14 Caps</TD>
<TD>Test Caps</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Ashley-Cooper, Adam (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39335)</TD>
<TD>Fullback/Wing/Centre</TD>
<TD>27/03/84</TD>
<TD>182</TD>
<TD>98</TD>
<TD>3</TD>
<TD>1</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Batger, Ben (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39304)</TD>
<TD>Fullback/Wing</TD>
<TD>20/03/84</TD>
<TD>182</TD>
<TD>89</TD>
<TD>5</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Burgess, Luke (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39256)</TD>
<TD>Scrumhalf</TD>
<TD>20/08/83</TD>
<TD>179</TD>
<TD>85</TD>
<TD>2</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Campbell, Alister (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39303)</TD>
<TD>Lock</TD>
<TD>17/07/79</TD>
<TD>200</TD>
<TD>111</TD>
<TD>12</TD>
<TD>1</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Chisholm, Mark (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39258)</TD>
<TD>Lock</TD>
<TD>18/09/81</TD>
<TD>197</TD>
<TD>112</TD>
<TD>31</TD>
<TD>13</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Fairbanks, Gene (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39302)</TD>
<TD>Inside Centre</TD>
<TD>08/08/82</TD>
<TD>174</TD>
<TD>85</TD>
<TD>9</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Gerrard, Mark (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39259)</TD>
<TD>Wing/Fullback</TD>
<TD>04/09/82</TD>
<TD>192</TD>
<TD>102</TD>
<TD>33</TD>
<TD>7</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Giteau, Matt (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39260)</TD>
<TD>Inside Centre/Flyhalf</TD>
<TD>29/09/82</TD>
<TD>178</TD>
<TD>83</TD>
<TD>31</TD>
<TD>31</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Gregan, George (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39261)</TD>
<TD>Scrumhalf</TD>
<TD>19/04/73</TD>
<TD>173</TD>
<TD>76</TD>
<TD>111</TD>
<TD>118</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Heenan, Daniel (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39833)</TD>
<TD>Flanker/Lock</TD>
<TD>17/11/81</TD>
<TD>196</TD>
<TD>111</TD>
<TD>23</TD>
<TD>1</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Henderson, Nic (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/38748)</TD>
<TD>Prop</TD>
<TD>01/05/81</TD>
<TD>186</TD>
<TD>117</TD>
<TD>24</TD>
<TD>2</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Larkham, Stephen (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39263)</TD>
<TD>Flyhalf</TD>
<TD>29/05/74</TD>
<TD>189</TD>
<TD>89</TD>
<TD>98</TD>
<TD>82</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Ma'afu, Salesi (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39821)</TD>
<TD>Prop</TD>
<TD>22/03/83</TD>
<TD>184</TD>
<TD>123</TD>
<TD>0</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Mortlock, Stirling (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39264)</TD>
<TD>Outside Centre</TD>
<TD>20/05/77</TD>
<TD>191</TD>
<TD>102</TD>
<TD>80</TD>
<TD>41</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Owens, Peter (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39305)</TD>
<TD>Wing</TD>
<TD>02/02/83</TD>
<TD>180</TD>
<TD>89</TD>
<TD>1</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Palavi, David (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39265)</TD>
<TD>Hooker</TD>
<TD>19/03/79</TD>
<TD>176</TD>
<TD>101</TD>
<TD>20</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Paul, Jeremy (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39266)</TD>
<TD>Hooker</TD>
<TD>14/03/77</TD>
<TD>184</TD>
<TD>106</TD>
<TD>91</TD>
<TD>63</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Phibbs, Patrick (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39336)</TD>
<TD>Scrumhalf</TD>
<TD>16/10/81</TD>
<TD>180</TD>
<TD>85</TD>
<TD>1</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Rathbone, Clyde (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39271)</TD>
<TD>Wing/Centre</TD>
<TD>23/07/81</TD>
<TD>181</TD>
<TD>98</TD>
<TD>24</TD>
<TD>15</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Salvi, Julian (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39272)</TD>
<TD>Flanker</TD>
<TD>09/10/85</TD>
<TD>187</TD>
<TD>99</TD>
<TD>1</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Samo, Radike (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39274)</TD>
<TD>Lock</TD>
<TD>09/07/76</TD>
<TD>197</TD>
<TD>111</TD>
<TD>26</TD>
<TD>6</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Shepherdson, Guy (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39277)</TD>
<TD>Prop</TD>
<TD>17/02/82</TD>
<TD>187</TD>
<TD>119</TD>
<TD>20</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Smith, George (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39278)</TD>
<TD>Flanker</TD>
<TD>14/07/80</TD>
<TD>180</TD>
<TD>104</TD>
<TD>68</TD>
<TD>60</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Tawake, Jone (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39280)</TD>
<TD>No.8</TD>
<TD>17/04/82</TD>
<TD>187</TD>
<TD>114</TD>
<TD>19</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Wallace-Harrison, Adam (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39306)</TD>
<TD>Lock/Flanker</TD>
<TD>24/09/79</TD>
<TD>200</TD>
<TD>115</TD>
<TD>5</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>White, Ben (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39820)</TD>
<TD>Flanker</TD>
<TD>23/11/83</TD>
<TD>190</TD>
<TD>104</TD>
<TD>0</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Wilson, Joel (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39282)</TD>
<TD>Centre</TD>
<TD>03/12/76</TD>
<TD>187</TD>
<TD>95</TD>
<TD>38</TD>
<TD>0</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Young, Bill (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39283)</TD>
<TD>Prop</TD>
<TD>04/03/74</TD>
<TD>188</TD>
<TD>115</TD>
<TD>87</TD>
<TD>46</TD></TR></T></TABLE>






<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=1>
<T>
<TR>
<TD>Rookie Contracts</TD>
<TD>Position</TD>
<TD>DOB</TD>
<TD>Ht (cm)</TD>
<TD>Wt (kg)</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Curran, Tim (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39958)</TD>
<TD>Fullback</TD>
<TD>09/05/84</TD>
<TD>181</TD>
<TD>95</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Faingaa, Anthony (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39958)</TD>
<TD>Centre</TD>
<TD>02/02/87</TD>
<TD>181</TD>
<TD>93</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Faingaa, Saia (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39958)</TD>
<TD>Hooker</TD>
<TD>02/02/87</TD>
<TD>180</TD>
<TD>104</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Stanford, Richard (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39958)</TD>
<TD>Lock/Flanker</TD>
<TD>25/04/86</TD>
<TD>198</TD>
<TD>100</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Ulugia, John (http://www.brumbies.com.au/act/act.rugby/page/39958)</TD>
<TD>Prop</TD>
<TD>17/01/86</TD>
<TD>180</TD>
<TD>115</TD></TR></T></TABLE>





http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/BRUMBIES_RUGBY_RGB_tile_image_6.jpghttp://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/CA_TM_4c_CMYK_C_tile_image.jpg http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/S14_col_pos_tile_image.jpg

[Adam]

http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/S14_col_pos_page_image.jpg (http://javascript PhotoPop'39413')



IRFB Rules: All matches shall be played according to the laws set down by the International Rugby Board. An explanation of the 'Laws of the Game' can be found at www.irb.org (http://www.irb.org/).


Half Time: All matches observe a 10-minute half time break.


Points Tabulation: Points are awarded on the following basis.



Win
Draw
Loss
Bonus Point



4 points
2 points
0 points*
1 point for scoring 4 tries or more

*1 point for a loss of 7 points or less

Determining Semi Finalists, Finalists and Venues:



In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position in the competition table, such position shall be determined on the margin of points scored for and against (points differential). The team with the highest points differential being considered the leading team in the respective position.







The top four teams will play off to determine the Finalists:

Team One (Host Team) v Team Four

Team Two (Host Team) v Team Three

The final will be played at the home venue of the highest qualifying team





If scores are level at full time in the Semi Final or Final, 20 minutes extra time (10 minutes each way) will be played. If scores are still level in the Semi Final, the team who scored the most tries will be declared the winner, or if still equal, the team who finished highest on the table in the round robin competition. If scores are level in the Final after extra time, teams will be declared joint winners.

[Adam]

http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/2006_Western_Force_tile_image.jpg
http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/2006_Bulls_tile_image.jpg
http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/2006_Stormers_tile_image.jpg
http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/2006_Cats_tile_image.jpg
http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/2006_Sharks_tile_image.jpg
http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/2006_Blues_tile_image.jpg
http://www.brumbies.com.au/verve/_resources/2006_Chiefs_tile_image.jpg

[TiGeR]

Looking good...will be interesting to see how the Brumbies go with all the boys rested after all the injuries last yr...

[TiGeR]

http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/01/05/lauriemains_rugbyheaven-portrait__200x306.jpg


Laurie Mains will add to his legend this week when he rejoins the coaching staff of a South African Super 14 franchise.


The former All Blacks coach left for Johannesburg this week as he prepares to take up a mentoring role for first-time Cats coach Frans Ludeke.


"It's a massive coup for us," Cats manager Mac Hendriks told Sunday News.


"Laurie Mains is one of the greatest coaches in the history of rugby.


"His experience at the highest level and his ability to get the best out of people will be invaluable.


</ISLANDAD>


"Laurie Mains is the perfect fit for Frans and the Cats."


Mains will spend next week in the republic helping Ludeke plan for the big kick-off to the inagural Super 14 on February 25.


And he will be "on call" to the Cats coaching staff throughout the tournament.


"Frans is someone who isn't afraid to surround himself with experience," Hendriks said.


"Too many coaches think they know it all. But we know the value of Laurie is too high to ignore."


Mains' reintroduction to top flight rugby comes less than three months after a scathing attack on him in the biography of Highlanders and All Blacks hooker Anton Oliver.


Other former Highlanders took shots at Mains from his time in charge at the franchise in 2002 and 2003.


But Hendriks laughed off Oliver's attack on the man who guided the All Blacks to the World Cup final in 1995.


"Just because certain people don't know the value of Laurie Mains doesn't mean we don't," he said.


"Laurie Mains in one of the best coaches in rugby anywhere in the world.


"What has been written means nothing to us.


"His record speaks for itself.


"Rugby is a sport where people aren't always going to get along with each other.


"Anton has chosen to attack him. That's not something I can comment on other than to say his thoughts certainly aren't reflected here."


Mains booked his place in Cats folklore when he guided them to successive Super 12 semifinals in 2000 and 2001.


In 1999, before he took the reins, the Cats had finished 11th.

[Shayne]

I like the Cats. My favourite SA team purely because thats where my mom went to school.


They got the wooden spoon a few times but were actually in the semi's against Sharks a few years ago.





EDIT: Oh, it said that at the end of the article. Edited by: Shayne

[TiGeR]

Hmmm...i kinda have to support the Cats cos i coach at the Lions (Golden Lions Rugby Union owns the Cats franchise...) but i'm actually a Sharks supporter in terms of SA S10/12/14 teams...those BASTARDS owe me about 4 seasons worth of stress &amp; high blood pressure! bunch of losers! I hope to coach the Sharks currie cup/ S14 team one day so if they havent turned it around by ten, that'll be my mission!

[Dantik]

come on you people, you all in new zealand and i am sure you have seen our teams first hand. haha the aussies may have a chance but no south african team will beat the crusaders....just thought i would let you know....

[FerrariSucks]

I finally worked out why you guys watch so much rugby

[FerrariSucks]

http://www.thechiefbaboon.com/Forum/Uploads/FerrariSucks/2006-01-07_081801_image01.jpg

[TiGeR]

nice try m8! (pun intended)

[TiGeR]

ACT Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher has confirmed that Wallaby star George Gregan will spearhead the side's assault on the newly-expanded Super 14.


Speculation over Gregan's future has been rife, but Fisher believes the 32-year-old scrum-half will - yet again - wrong-foot his detractors.</DIV>


"I think George will be very motivated to prove himself the best halfback in Australia and I am sure he will do that," Fisher told the AAP.


"What we are working hard to do is have a forward pack in front of him that will allow him to play his best rugby."


The Brumbies are currently ensconced in a pre-season training camp in Manly, but rather than flaying skin on the scrummaging machine, Fisher revealed that he is exercising his troops' little grey cells.


"We are just trying to develop leadership across the whole team," he said.


"We've found last year when we lose four or five senior players through injury that it's very hard to backfill that breach.


"We want to develop skills across the whole squad so there's a seamless transition when you do lose players."


Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock, back from the calf injury that denied him a trip to Europe in November, was also in confident mood ahead of the new season.


"A lot of our guys, a year on, are so much better for the experience," he said.


"Our depth across the board has improved immeasurably."</DIV></DIV></H2>
<H2>Leicester on an Umaga hunt</H2>
<DIV =storydate>Friday January 06 2006</DIV>


Decision expected next week


The New Zealand captain Tana Umaga is expected to announce next week whether he has retired from international rugby. Naturally many top clubs are showing an interest in acquiring the great player's services.



<DIV =inlineads>Umaga, whose names are really Jonathan Falefasa Umaga, born in Wellington, is 32 years of age. He played in 74 Tests for New Zealand, 21 of them as captain, ending leading his team to winning the Tri- Nations, the Bledisloe Cup and a Grand Slam in his last year as captain.</DIV>


Umaga will play for the Hurricanes in the 2006 Super 14 competition but is expected to retire from international rugby after that, which could well be causing excitement in French and English clubs.


The most interested English clubs are thought to be Leicester Tigers and Harlequins who are expected to be back in the Premiership next year.


At Leicester Umaga would be an ideal replacement for Daryl Gibson who is expected to go home to New Zealand at the end of this season, one in which he has been troubled by injuries.

[TiGeR]

Super 14 side seek back-up


The Stormers, the Cape Town-based Super 14 franchise, are bidding for the services of Ulster and Ireland fly-half David Humphreys.


Stephen Nell of the Cape Times reports that the Stormers have been in touch with Humphreys as a back-up for their young fly-half Peter Grant. The proposal has the approval of the Stormers' board, which suggests that financing the project is not a problem.


Humphreys is 34 years of age and a seasoned veteran of 72 Tests, five as captain, and has been in good form for Ulster whose fortunes he largely controls - a calm player who always seems to have time.


Ulster have a remote chance of qualifying for the knock-out rounds of the Heineken Cup and are currently fourth on the Celtic League, a position under threat as they lost to bottom side Connacht in their last match.


The Stormers' coach, Kobus van der Merwe, said: "There is the possibility of Humphreys taking a sabbatical. Ireland are thinking of saving him for the 2007 World Cup.


"The problem is that he has a contract with Ulster, and there are one or two complications getting him out of that. I'm positive. The talks are still alive."


He added: "We're hoping for the best. I think our chances of getting him are 50-50."


But the BBC has reported that the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)is set to dispel rumours of Humphreys's pending departure.


The 34-year-old's central contract is due to expire in June and he has been offered an extension by the IRFU.


Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan is keen to keep his troops within eyeshot in the run-up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup and Humphreys would risk punctuating his Test career should be opt for a taste of Super 14 rugby.


Meanwhile, the Stormers have also been in touch with promising young (23) Naas Olivier of the Leopards.


Peter Grant, a tall 21-year-old Stellenbosch student, is the incumbent fly-half, but the departure of Chris Rossouw for France and Gaffie du Toit for the Free State have left him shorn of back-up.


Van der Merwe said of Grant: "We have lots of confident in Peter. We back him and he's our No.1, but he can't play in every game. If we play him non-stop, he'll break down before the end of the Super 14.


"It also remains to be seen how Humphreys will adapt to Super 14 rugby. The pace and the intensity are very different from what he is used to

Japan club wants to hang onto Tony Brown
Wild Knights could frustrate Sharks' plans


Tony Brown, the former New Zealand and Otago flyhalf, was due to join the Sharks this week as they prepare for the Super 14, but his Japanese club, Sanyo Wild Knights, wants him to stay on in Japan.


The Wild Knights ended third in Japan's Top League behind the winners Toshiba Brave Lupus and NEC Green Rockets. The league ended at the end of December. The teams now go into the 12-team knock-out Microsoft Cup competition playing Secom Rugguts on Saturday in the first round.


Brown has asked for a postponement of his arrival in Durban, which, according to De Jongh Borchardt of Beeld, may well not happen till the end of January. That means that he is unlikely to play for the Sharks in their warm-up matches against the Bulls in Sun City on 28 January and against the Cats in Rustenburg on 1 February.


Butch James, the Springbok flyhalf, is still not fully rehabilitated from a knee injury to be able to play in those matches.

[Shayne]

Just a few weeks till the new Super 14 starts. Wohoo.

[TiGeR]

Tana Umaga has retired from Int'l rugby...what a LEGEND player...


RESPECT!

[Shayne]

He retired after the grand slamtour but said he might change his mind. Apparently not.


He was a legend though.

[biffon]

all hail Whats-his-face Umaga

he has been among my favorite players to watch over the years.


these include Christian Cullen,Rico Gear, Dougie Howlett,Chester Williams, Jooste VDW, Andre Joubert, James "Bullet" Dalton, Chris Latham & Joe Roff


Tana, all the best for the future lad!

[TiGeR]

Interesting fact, 70% of the time that the 'saders/ Brumbies/ Blues have won the S12, they lost most of their warm up games...

[Shayne]

Brumbies / Waratahs should be an interesting one. Both the newcomers play their first S12warm up match against each other

[TiGeR]

I think the 'tahs will shade it...but that works for me...seems the Reds have changed their mind abiut Eddie Jones &amp; he is in the frame again (suspect they are battling to get who they wanted after the ARU deadline to sign a coach for the Wallabies was pushed forward...guess they havent got my application yet cos no one has contacted me yet smileys/smiley2.gif)

[TiGeR]

<H2>Well dudes (of BOTH genders &amp; all sexual persuasions) i think it is safe to say the SA S14 teams will continue to languish at the bottom of the S14 table &amp; prop up our SANZAR partners' teams..oh of coursethey will pull off the odd win (Bulls at Loftus, SA teams beating each other &amp; perhaps the odd abberation in the tournament itself like Sharks not losing to the Brumbies at home despite losing every other game)I was @ Ellis Park y/day to watch the Bulls Vs Cats game &amp; WHAT a crock of SHYTE it was...so i WONT be taking up the offer of season tickets to EP to watch the Cats this yr...</H2>
<H2>Bulls in Ellis Park whitewash</H2>
<DIV =storydate>Saturday January 14 2006</DIV>Matfield injury a major concern


The Blue Bulls recorded a two-match whitewash over their neighbours, the Cats, in pre-season Super 14 matches at Ellis Park on Saturday. The Bulls outscored the Cats by six tries to three.
<H2>Floors hat-trick shatters the Spears</H2>
<DIV =storydate>Saturday January 14 2006</DIV>


Du Randt injury a concern for Cheetahs


The Cheetahs got their Super 14 preparations off to a flying start, with a 48-0 victory over the Spears, the S14 team in waiting, in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. But coach Rassie Erasmus will be concerned over the price he had to pay, injury to veteran Springbok prop Os du Randt.
<H2>Montgomery at fly-half for Sharks</H2>
<DIV =storydate>Saturday January 14 2006</DIV>


Brown delayed; James still injured


The delayed arrival of All Black Tony Brown and the ongoing injury troubles of Springbok Butch James have forced Sharks coach Dick Muir to employ Bok fullback Percy Montgomery at No.10 as an emergency measure.

[TiGeR]

I moved the above posts into this thread to keep all the S14 stuff together so anyone who is confused...DONT BE! http://www.thechiefbaboon.com/Forum/smileys/smiley36.gif

[TiGeR]

Well, felt it would be appropriate to post my 800th post in the Sports chat forum so here goes...my FAVOURITE sport, but NOT my favourite team!


http://www.planetrugby.com/mediastore/images/country/eng_header.gif

Magnus Lund gets the nod


Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has been included in his country's 36-man training squad for the forthcoming Six Nations championship. Sale Sharks loose forward Magnus Lund also gets the nod.


http://www.planetrugby.com/mediastore/images/editorial/England/LOl200.jpg

Dallaglio: The second coming


Dallaglio has won 73 caps - only Jason Leonard, Rory Underwood and Martin Johnson have made more England appearances - and his last Test match was a 51-15 defeat against Australia some 17 months ago.


The Wasps loose forward quit the Test arena in August 2004, citing the "treadmill" nature of top-flight rugby.


Those views now appear to be behind him and he returns to theinternational stage having proved his fitness followingthe serious ankle injury that prematurely ended his Lions tour of New Zealand last year.


"I'm obviously delighted to have been given the opportunity to be part of the England set up again and I'm very much looking forward to getting together with the squad soon," said Dallaglio.


"It's up to all of us now to make sure that England go out and play as well as we can, and I'm looking forward to competing for a place in the team."


Whether or not he makes the starting line-up is unclear, given that England have considerable back row options, including the likes of a fit-again Joe Worsley, Lewis Moody (whose nine-week suspension expires later this month), in-form Pat Sandersonand Martin Corry who retains the captaincy.


"It's great to be able to include Lawrence Dallaglio," said England coach Andy Robinson.


"He has done well for Wasps and his appetite to play for England again is huge.


"However, he knows as well as anyone that the back row is a massively competitive area and like any player he will need to work hard to be selected.


"Martin Corry will be the captain for the Six Nations - he was inspirational during the autumn and we believe he is the man to lead England throughout the tournament."


Lund-whohas represented England at Under-21, 'A' level and Sevens -will also contend for a spot amongst the loose trio.


The 22-year-old, whose father is a Norweigian, has been rewarded for his part in taking the Sharks to the top of the Guinness Premiership and into the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.


"I am delighted - it was a big shock to receive the call from Andy Robinson," said Lund.

"I am really looking forward to training with the England players over the coming weeks and I realise I have a lot to learn and do.

"At the start of the season who would have thought that Sale Sharks would be top of the Guinness Premiership and Pool One of the Heineken Cup going into the biggest game in the club's history this weekend against Munster and that I'd be called up to train with England?

"A lot of the credit needs to go to Phillipe Saint Andre, Kingsley Jones and Nick Johnston, the Sharks' head of conditioning, who has put in a lot of hours with me outside of the normal training schedule, to help me become the player I am."


Elsewhere, locks Alex Brown and Simon Shaw are back after they missed the November Tests through injury and will attempt to oust Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock from the engine room.


Robinson also confirmed that Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Farrell and Andy Hazell were not considered because they are either injured or returning to full fitness.


Meanwhile, whilst the 33-year-old Dallaglio can look forward to possibly being involved in next month's tournament opener against Wales at Twickenham, there is fresh injury heartache for his fellow Rugby World Cup winner, Phil Vickery.


The Gloucester prop has been omitted from 36-man squad due to another back injury that now poses serious questions about his future career prospects.


Vickery, capped 47 times, has already undergone two back operations during an injury-ravaged career, and he is only too well aware that a similar problem ended the career of his former England and Gloucester front-row colleague Trevor Woodman.


"We will, in conjunction with Gloucester, monitor Phil's progress over the next few weeks but he will not be considered for the Wales game," said Robinson.


"I am disappointed for Phil because he is an outstanding member of the squad and we hope to see him back soon."


The squad will meet at Loughborough University late on Sunday (January 22) through to Tuesday (January 24) with a final cut to be made prior to the Wales game.


"I am excited about the players we have available to us and as coaches we are looking forward to working with them," said Robinson.


"I have selected a large squad because of the Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership games over the next two weekends which may take their toll.


"We know that people drop out through injury and it highlights the quality of players available that we have 36 who are all in contention for the game against Wales."


England training squad:


Backs: Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Mark van Gisbergen (Wasps), Mark Cueto (Sale), Tom Voyce (Wasps), Ben Cohen (Northampton), Tom Varndell (Leicester), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Stuart Abbott (Wasps), Olly Barkley (Bath), Charlie Hodgson (Sale), Andy Goode (Leicester), Matt Dawson (Wasps), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Peter Richards (Gloucester).


Forwards: Steve Thompson (Northampton), Lee Mears (Bath), George Chuter (Leicester), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Julian White (Leicester), Matt Stevens (Bath), Perry Freshwater (Perpignan), Danny Grewcock (Bath), Steve Borthwick (Bath), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Alex Brown (Gloucester), Louis Deacon (Leicester), Martin Corry (Leicester-capt), Lawrence Dallaglio (Wasps), Joe Worsley (Wasps), Chris Jones (Sale), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Pat Sanderson (Worcester), Magnus Lund (Sale), James Forrester (Gloucester).

[biffon]

tosser... i hate that guy almost as much as i hate johnny boy

[TiGeR]

Laurence "cocaine sniffer" Dallaglio MBE

[biffon]

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17901431-23217,00. html

Force show attacking intent
January 22, 2006

WESTERN Force coach John Mitchell said the rest of his squad, as well as the rest of the Super 14 competition, had been put on notice after some of his unknowns made their case in the club's historic first hit out.

Despite 19 players taking a first bow at elite level, the Force more than held its own in Saturday's trial match against an experienced Cheetahs side, outscoring the South Africans three tries to two and justifying the 17,000 Subiaco Oval attendance.


With none of Mitchell's Wallabies in the side, Mitchell said the chance for his youngsters to get a taste of life at the top was vital, and they did not disappoint.


"We achieved our objective and that was to give every single player in the squad an opportunity at this level... now everyone has experienced international rugby, and I was very impressed by all four quarters," Mitchell said


"We wanted the guys to have a go and not be inhibited. You can't win a flag playing one dimensional rugby; this team's not here to come second. The team has got self-belief and they'll give it a crack."


Despite many of the new fans, and even the stadium announcer, not knowing the identity of some of the Force's rookies, the team showed its intent to entertain as well surprise when the competition kicks off in earnest on February 10.


Particularly impressive were outside half Brock James and full back James Hilgendorf, two recruits with connections to New Zealand Provincial side Taranaki.


Mitchell said he was also delighted with how the young front row of Angus Scott, David Te Moana and Tai McIsaac handled themselves against the much heralded beef of the Cheetahs.


McIsaac, who captained the side in the absence of Nathan Sharpe and Scott Fava, echoed his coach's sentiments.


</NO>"Considering the experience we had, we did really well at the set piece. We gave it to them on their feed (into the scrum), and sometimes on ours," McIsaac said.


John Welborn, a former Wallaby and the most senior player in the team on the night, said the youngsters within the squad had shown their intent through the performance.


"We showed the way we would like to play (in the Super 14)," Welborn said .


"They've got a reputation for being a big tight five and good at scrumming but we held them well early on."


With nearly a fortnight until they kick off against the Brumbies, the Force travel to Melbourne next week and then Auckland for away trial games against the Crusaders and Blues.


And Mitchell confirmed his Wallabies, including Nathan Sharpe, Brendan Cannon, Scott Fava and Matt Henjak, will be making the trip to Victoria.
Edited by: biffon

[biffon]

Go the force!!!


boys lookout





who saw the brumbies get pummled!!! HAHAHAHA smileys/smiley36.giflooks like the seasons gonna be WIDE open this year!

[biffon]

yeah some very lobsidedresults but i think the main reason wasthat the top teams wantedto blood new players and the bottom teams wanted to try and get some wins under their belts to instill some confidence in themselves.


The force were happy to lose as long as their youngsters got valuable experience... how was the crowd man - practice match drew 17000 fans - the opener against the brumbies has already sold 30000 tickets !!

[Poison]

Those were very interesting results.. Ya what happened with the Crusaders and the Brumbies? Not to worried about the Blues.

[TiGeR]

Good to see the Zim boys representin!

ARU says no to Force's teenager

Wednesday February 01 2006
Pocock's Super 14 dream shattered
One of Australia's most promising teenage stars has had his dream of playing in the inaugural Super 14 competition shattered. The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) confirmed that the Western Force has been told they are not allowed to use their teenage prodigy David Pocock because he is too young.
http://www.planetrugby.com/mediastore/images/rugby365/Super_12/david_pocock_force_200.jpg
Too young: David Pocock


The Zimbabwe-born flanker, Pocock, is just 17 and is not allowed to play senior rugby till his 18th birthday - on April 23.
The youngster was left out of the Force's squad for their final Super 14 pre-season hit-out against the Blues in Auckland on Thursday, after the ARU ruled against his inclusion.
"We advised them he couldn't play," an ARU spokesman told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.
"It's an [International Rugby Board] regulation and is ARU board policy. There's a bit of paper that says they can't do it."
Reports from Australia say the Force are now under investigation for playing the 1.81m, 99kg flanker for 20 minutes in a trial match against South Africa's Cheetahs on February 21.
An ARU spokesman said an investigation was under way and there was a chance the Force could be fined.
Pocock, who emigrated from Zimbabwe with his family in 2002, could not see the sense in the ruling.
"I loved every minute of it," Pocock told the Daily Telegraph.
"When I was on the field I didn't feel intimidated at all. If you're good enough, you're old enough.
"[Chief executive] Peter [O'Meara] and [coach] John Mitchell made it clear it was up to me if I wanted to play, and I was keen.
"It's just disappointing I won't have the chance to push for a (Super 14) spot this year. But I'll get stuck into training and prepare myself for next season."

[Shayne]

17 from Zim playing Super 14? fuck sakes. Imagine him running on for St Johns first destroying all the other school boys....???? :sterb041:

[TiGeR]

ja the boy is a little legend!...well, hopefully not for long! :smiley32:

[Shayne]

Any idea when he left Zim?

[biffon]

the article says 2002 - so he is zim schools trained.

[biffon]

haha theyve nicknamed him "bam bam"

bam bam biggalo!! haha
geez hes 98 Kg fuck sakes man thats big for a 17 year old!

[Shayne]

He's 17 though and still a lightie. I'd tell him to fetch my slippers and to get on all fours smiling when giving them to me. Little bitch.

Oh, And slap him for playing for such a stupid team.

[Aboriginal]

The Saffas super14 prospects are looking good collectively but very ordinary per team except for the Cheetahs and Bulls (No guess's who has the most money then). Personally I support the stormers but they look like crap thats been in the sun too long (at leat there is a Zimbo playing for them who has some skills not like Kennedy S).
Never put the aussies down, there club rugby is huge in NSW, they will always have a massive pool to pick from, however the new Wallabies coach is ex Reds coach ???Huh? That sound good, not. ACT are running on old steam (and I hate them). If anything on paper the Force look good and their defeat to the Blues last week one, of if not, the most impressive back line(34-19 ) shows that determination. Money' s on the waratahs this year for OZ.

[biffon]

I reckon the blues will walk it this year...
Waratahs might be a top 4 prospect this year they have a lot of young guns looking to feature in the next WRC..
blue bulls might also feature but theyre a risky bet.
not sure about the fourth team
Crusaders?, Brumbies?, Force (hopeful), Cheetahs (long shot)? any one of these could find themselves in the final.

to be honest the only teams that dont look like featuring are the Sharks, the Stormers (i used to support them till the Force entered the fray :( ) & the Reds

[TiGeR]

What have you fellas been smoking!? :naughty:

SA S14 sides are a load of GOBSHYTE! (Here's hoping that they prove me wrong but the smartt money & certainly my eyes in terms of the warm up games i've been to watch live- Cats/ Bulls, Cats/ Sharks, Sharks/Bulls, Cheetahs/Spears (S14 team in waiting...waiting to get CARVED if their performances against Cheetahs & Stormers are anything to go by!) We'll be fighting it out for bottom 6 places along with Chiefs & the Force....the Cats are poorly coached & have very few quality players, the Stormers are a bunch of jessicas in disguise as rugger players...& are lacking in a tight five of any real substance...the Sharks have very few quality players, the Bulls are one dimensional & dont have a backline to match any ascendancy they might have up front...the Cheetahs dont have enough quality across the park & i suspect that they ambushed a few sides in the CC last yr & will be found wanting this yr (except that the Sharks & WP are SO poor that the Bulls & Cheetahs will probably contest the flag AGAIN. Now if only the Bulls had the Stormers backs....

Oz sides will be competitive- Brumbies will come right & produce the goods for a top 6 finish (they have quality & experience across the park & in their favour, all the injured guys they have back from last yr are fresh & rested going into the compo...the 'Tahs will be good, possibly a top four finisher (much to my anguish!) while i think the Reds will be the surprise of the compo, with players anxious to please the new coach for contracts in 2007 (which will give them opportunities to press for wallaby jumpers) The Force will have good games & compete well, but ultimately they lack the depth & time together as a group to really challenge the S10/12 foundation teams this yr...but watch this space as John Mitchell will make winners out of them VERY quickly!

Kiwi sides will be awesome in the main- i think this might be the yr of the 'canes as SO many of their players are now playing good, mature ball & there is no longer the fear of the 'saders & Brumbies (traditionally bogey teams for high riding 'canes teams in the past) The 'saders as always will be contenders for the flag- they have quality across the park, depth on the bench & OODLES of experience & character as well. The Highlanders have a good pack, some quality backs & a rather comfy looking schedule so they should be there & there abouts at the business end of the compo... the Blues will be good in fits & starts- i dont believe Nucifora will be able to do well without King Carlos calling the shots at 10...Lavaea is good, but the King has left the building! The Blues also are a bit thin in the tight five department, but have pretty good cover in the loosies & nice backs (watch the youngster Touaeva at 15!) As for the Chiefs..well...see comments above about the SA sides! I think they will be competitive to begin with, but as the compo gets going they will drop off the pace as per usual...they also dont have the quality/ depth of players of ANY level to be competitive in such a demanding compo...

Here endeth the lesson...:smiley36:

[Aboriginal]

There are a few foreigners playing SA Super14 this year or in the squads at least, including Samoan and NZ and even Northern hemisphere!. Trevor Leota is one of them. During the last world cup 2003 warm up months I played against someone who looked like him in Blacktown ( Im bloody sure it was! )and absolutely caned our arse everytime he got the ball. About as tall as he is wide. Quite funny to watch seven or eight subbies players trying to drag him down!! He may be a bit past his prime but his experience will add to the Saffas. I tell you watch this space. Sa rugby is only going to get better.

[Aboriginal]

Oh and I hate the Brumbies! Bunch of geriatric nobby-rats no chancers this year. The only people I rate in that team is Larkam (and he's always injured!) Giteau and Mortlock. (and Samo but he never gets a run on!) Rathbones a cats fanny! No offence Biffo

[biffon]

none taken - rathbone failed to realise the potential of the force, so screw him.
i disagree with Tiger on one point alone, the brumbies will not feature as well as he believes

Leota is a house isnt he -125 Kg of pure samoan beef!

[biffon]

im gonna try get tickets for the force vs the chiefs
i think that will be a good match to watch - plenty of running rugby in the offing

[TiGeR]

Great banter lads! Here's to an AWESOME super 14! :smiley20:

[Poison]

Ya this Super 14 Season will be good...:smiley20:

[TiGeR]

Highlanders beat Reds, Chiefs pip Hurricaneshttp://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/images/clear.gif


Thursday, February 2, 2006
The Highlanders have beaten the Queensland Reds 22-14 in a Super 14 trial match at Oamaru in New Zealand.
The Reds, in their second pre-season hit out, fought back from a 17-0 half-time deficit.
Hooker Sean Hardman and replacement Henari Veratau scored Queensland's tries.
Reds coach Jeff Miller said it was an encouraging workout for his side ahead of their Super 14 opener on Saturday week against the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium.
"We became a bit sloppy and one out in the first half but fought back really well," he said.

advertisement - story continues below

The only injury concern for the Reds was lock Mark Connors, who came off in the second half with a groin strain.
In Rotorua, the Chiefs beat the Hurricanes 27-26.
Highlanders 22 (Craig Newby, Nick Evans, Filipo Levi tries; Evans 2 conversions, penalty) bt Reds 14 (Henari Veratau, Sean Hardman tries;
Julian Huxley 2 conversions). Halftime: 17-0.
Chiefs 27 (Sitiveni Sivivatu, Kristian Ormsby, Sione Lauaki tries; Stephen Donald pen, 2 con; Loki Crichton pen, con) bt Hurricanes 26 (Tamati Ellison, penalty try, Lome Fa'atau, Ma'a Nonu tries; David Howell con, Ellison con, Jimmy Goppeth con). Halftime: 17-14.
AAP


Blues irresistable as Force falterhttp://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/images/clear.gif

Thursday, February 2, 2006
http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/02/02/bluesforce_rugbyheaven-portrait__200x261.jpg Unstoppable ... the Force's Tai McIsaac makes a despairing grab for Blues captain Keven Mealamu.
Photo: Getty Images
Western Force coach John Mitchell must find a way to lift his troops before next week's Super 14 debut after the new-boys were thrashed 43-5 by the Blues in Auckland on Thursday.
The inclusion of seven All Blacks in the Blues side proved decisive in the pre-season clash as both teams completed preparations for the revamped competition.
The Force will kick-start Super 14 rugby with a home match against the Brumbies next Friday, but the squad will have to pick itself up off the canvas after Thursday's 38-point hammering capped a win-less pre-season.
The fledgling franchise had shown some encouragement in practice match losses to the Cheetahs and Crusaders over the past fortnight, in Perth and Melbourne respectively.
But the disappointing result at Eden Park highlighted the task confronting the first-year club and its New Zealand-born head coach Mitchell.



"I certainly know a lot more about the players individually and certain aspects of the team collectively, having gone through the trial process," Mitchell said.
"Against any New Zealand side, if you cough up turnover ball, they shift it to the other end."
Mitchell included outside centre Junior Pelesasa in the starting XV, but the former Queensland Red lasted only 27 minutes, by which time Auckland led 24-0.
Mitchell replaced Pelesasa with Scott Daruda and also removed starting halfback Vitori Buatava, throwing Wallaby Matt Henjak into the fray.
They had little impact, however, as the Blues entered the break with a commanding 29-0 advantage.
The WA side got on the board with a try to Luke Doherty straight after the re-start, but it was only a temporary stay as Auckland ran out winners seven tries to one.
Blues coach and former Brumbies mentor David Nucifora wasn't reading too much into the one-sided contest.
"Unless you know how each team is preparing for the season, it's very difficult to make assumptions," he said.
"I'm sure they weren't satisfied with their effort and they have a challenge next week.
"But it's pretty hard to read too much into anyone's performance at the moment."
The Force struggled defensively and failed to capitalise on a glut of first-half possession.
A fine solo run from Isa Nacewa opened the scoring for the Blues in the third minute, Brent Ward converting the try for an early 7-0 lead.
But the next 15 minutes proved costly for the Force, who couldn't convert six straight penalties into any points.
Auckland staved off the barrage of Force possession before breaking the shackles, racing in three tries in the next 10 minutes.
It was more of the same in the second half as a side boasting All Blacks regulars Keven Mealamu, Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett proved too powerful for the Force.
The tackle bags are set for a serious work-out at Force training this week, judging by Mitchell's post-match assessment.
"I guess the area that disappointed me the most was individual tackle accuracy," Mitchell said.
"It was probably our worst aspect of play."
AAP

[Shayne]

Oh and I hate the Brumbies! Bunch of geriatric nobby-rats no chancers this year. The only people I rate in that team is Larkam (and he's always injured!) Giteau and Mortlock. (and Samo but he never gets a run on!) Rathbones a cats fanny! No offence Biffo

:smiley3:

How can anyone hate the brumbies? They are the BEST team by far.

[Aboriginal]

Mate our current Zim cricket team would probably give the geri's in ACT a run for their money! No I joke, but they are certainly not anything like their previous dominating form in the last 5 yrs, I reckon this weekends match is a precursor for the fight for super14 2006 wooden spoon of the four Aussie sides.
Anyone interested in joining a Super14 competition online? www.Superbru.com. Free no charges! Joel bloody Stransky even rated it (for whats thats worth) but let me know what you okes think. Never done one myself but sounds pretty easy.

[TiGeR]

Hey Buggers...& ladies! Check out this site: www.fantasyrugby.com (http://www.fantasyrugby.com)

I have signed up- conference name is wild boyz... looks like it could be fun.

[Shayne]

Tiger, check the Virtual Super 14 thread in this section....

http://www.thechiefbaboon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=512

[TiGeR]

The 'canes were the team of the w/end & the Blues & 'tahs were the disappointments - 'tahs JUST beating a pretty ordinary but gritty Qld reds side & Blues gettin hammered by the 'canes...the Force were given a gentle welcome by a very efficient & returning to form Brumbies side who were unlucky not to get 5 points (not a bad performance for a bunch of old geezers suffering from a stomach bug eh Dr Aboriginal?) The chiefs, bulls, cheetahs & stormers were one dimensional, the cats were a joke & the bolters were the sharks (whoohoo!) who got off to a winning start...long may it continue! The 'saders were good value for their win & the highlanders were unlucky to get away from the game empty handed...

[TiGeR]

The first round of the inaugural Super 14 produced the usual batch of surprise results, some very entertaining rugby and most of all a number of outstanding individual performances. So true to tradition our intrepid selectors sat down and produced the Team of the Week.
http://www.planetrugby.com/mediastore/images/rugby365/Super_12/chris_latham_reds_point_200.jpg
Our No.15: Chris Latham


Our first selection meeting of the year did not pass without a few differences of opinion, nor without the usual stimulants. It was, at times, as tense as the rugby.
And thus it is not surprising that we may have produced a couple of bolters ... none more so than the Sharks halfback combination of Percy Montgomery and Ruan Pienaar.
Strong arguments were put forward for Dan Carter of the Crusaders and the Bulls' Fourie du Preez. But a few rounds of debate and some strong refreshments ... or was that a few rounds of refreshments and some strong debate .. later and we opted for the Sharks duo.
As for the rest of our selections? Well, they speak for themselves.
For the record, our starting XV includes three players each from the Hurricanes, Sharks and Highlanders. The Crusaders provided two members of our team while the Waratahs, Brumbies, Western Force and Blues (with one each) make up the numbers.
Before you hurl too many brickbats in our direction, our Bubbling under XV includes four Crusaders, so they do have twice as many players in the overall squad as the Highlanders.
Here's our form XV for Week One:
15. Chris Latham (Reds):
The rest of his teammates tried to lull us (and the opposition) to sleep so they could sneak an unsuspecting win. But his class shone through and he got our vote.
Bubbling under: Werner Greeff (Stormers) JP Petersen (Sharks)
14. Wendell Sailor (Waratahs) Bryan Habana (Bulls):
We've never been fans of Sailor, since he has seldom lived up to his pre-rugby union hype or his multi-million dollar price tag. His celebrations on Saturday also did not endear him to us either. But we simply could not ignore the fact that he produced one of his best performances since transferring form league.
Bubbling under: Lome Fa'atau (Hurricanes)
13. Tana Umaga / Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes):
Yes, we are well aware he started the game on the wing, but it was once he moved into the midfield that Nonu really had an impact on the game. And what an impact that was. He is ready to take over Tana Umaga mantle ... both at the Hurricanes and All Blacks.
Bubbling under: Ronnie Cooke (Cheetahs)
12. Matt Giteau (Brumbies):
This nippy Wallaby again showed at the weekend that his creative skills are better suited to the midfield than at fly-half, where he tends to become to programmed and not as instinctive.
Bubbling under: Andries Strauss (Sharks)
11. Rico Gear (Crusaders):
He is so much more than just a great finisher. But it was how Gear swept over the line, in his own majestic manner, for the third try and the killer blow than won him our vote.
Bubbling under: Bryan Habana (Bulls)
10. Percy Montgomery (Sharks) :smiley3: He was good, but Dan Carter (Crusaders) is THE man :
It is not just the fact that he scored 25 of the Sharks 30 points which saw him edge Carter. It was his mature performance as a fly-half, a position he once played a Test in that convinced us. If Jake White is ever short of No.10 in the Green and Gold he can fall back on Montgomery with confidence.
Bubbling under: Dan Carter (Crusaders)
9. Ruan Pienaar (Sharks) Sam Cordingley (Reds) was the best no. 9 on show ALL w/end!:
We can babble on about his over game, his passing, his kicking, etc. But it was one simple sweeping move, that try which saw him step inside two All Blacks, that finally won him our vote.
Bubbling Under: Fourie du Preez (Bulls)
8. Scott Fava (Western Force):
The crowd in Perth were looking for a hero in a losing cause and in Fava they found a very brave man.
Bubbling under: Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders)
7. Richard McCaw (Crusaders):
The decision by Robbie Deans to move him to the blindside made absolutely no difference. He still found all the shortcuts.
Bubbling under: AJ Venter (Sharks)
6. Chris Masoe (Hurricanes):
The Blues' loose forwards must have spent countless hours looking over the video of the match, trying to figure out how they were so heavily outclassed. Five minutes of observing Masoe would have told them why.
Bubbling under: Kabamba Floors (Cheetahs)
5. James Ryan (Highlanders):
It takes a special player to stand out in a losing cause and Ryan is a special player. He again showed why he became an All Black last year.
Bubbling under: Hugh McMeniman (Reds)
4. Johan Ackermann (Sharks):
There are many people in South Africa who wonders why he did not play more Tests for his country and after the manner in which he - at times single-handedly - man-handled the Chiefs pack will raise those questions again. And his line-out work is not too shoddy either.
Bubbling under: Chris Jack (Crusaders)
3. Carl Hayman (Highlander):
If there is one aspect in which the Highlanders stood their ground it was the scrums, and Hayman was the cornerstone of that.
Bubbling under: Campbell Johnstone (Crusaders)
2. Anton Oliver (Highlanders):
Like good red wine he only gets better. Don't ever underestimate the value of a player like Oliver turning a team of mostly ordinary individuals into a very good unit. That is why they remained competitive for so long.
Bubbling under: Andrew Hore (Hurricanes)
1. Tony Woodcock (Blues):
Even when the Hurricanes were running rampant after the break, Woodcock made his presence felt on the park.
Bubbling under: Heinke van der Merwe (Sharks)

What do you other fellas think?

[Shayne]

This weeks bets are mighty tough. Any tips tiger?

[biffon]

too many sharks in that list before- although they did have a good game - are they really that good!!??

otherwise - Latham has my seal of approval, Giteau and Rico Gear are close behind....
I just dont like dan carter - he's a pretty boy in the mould of skinstadt & wilkinson.
Habana is always a top pick - he has the speed & agility & can tackle when he wants to too!
Wendell is soo over hyped! -Drew mitchell is ten times better than he is!

IMO

[Shayne]

The blues can lick my balls. Pathetic.

[biffon]

mine too...

[Poison]

And mine......

[Znerb]

I think the NZ team are going to run away with it again and they deserve to because they have the right blend on a World scale.. The Oz do well with what they have and SA is just upsetting(not a fan!!!). They have the talent which they seem to stuff up... Go NZ!!!!

[spuff]

There go my picks.... Forgot to vote in Virtual Rugby lads, so we'll see how it pans out... Blues are playing pretty dismally, but it will be interesting to see how far the 'Canes get this year

[TiGeR]

The 'tahs should have the measure of the Stormers later, the Chiefs & Cats confirmed last night that they are bottom feeders in this yrs tournament, i thought the Brumbies were gutsy, their strike runners sharp (Giteau, Ashley-Cooper & Rathbone) their bangers crossed the advantage line (Heenen, Mortock, Tawake) their lineout a little rickety (but who hasnt been against the Bulls?) their ball retention & fetching outstanding (George Smith take a bow!) & their scrum stood up pretty well too (DESPITE Bill Young!) I thought Larkham & Gerrard were steady, Chisolm, Wallace- Harris & Campbell plus the front rows stood up to a good Bulls pack & Gregan & Phibbs made good decisions at half back...a team on the up & up, watch this space & see the Brumbies make the play offs...
The 'saders had a tough one against the Reds- thought the final score was a bit flattering after the Reds had done so much good work, only to have a few Gobshytes behave badly & get carded by the ref...but the 'saders are a quality side & showed they'll be there or thereabouts when the finals come round...think the Reds will get better & surprise a few folk later in the tournament. The 'canes were a little disappointing in their game Vs the Force- too many penalties & posession given away- had that been a good side against them, they would have lost the game...but they have too much quality across the park to worry too much about a small slip in performance...the Force played well & showed glimpes of a team in the making, but at the end of the day just didnt have what it takes...all those Blues supporters, heck my earlier post about the fact that the Blues would battle without King Carlos...thought the Highlanders were good value for their win...will update once the Sharks, Stormers, 'tahs, Cheetahs results come through.

[biffon]

Sharks 26 - 27 Central Cheetahs (http://live.planet-rugby.com/2006/02/18/1233.shtml) Finished
Queensland Reds 21 - 47 Crusaders (http://live.planet-rugby.com/2006/02/18/1232.shtml) Finished
Stormers 26 - 32 NSW Waratahs (http://live.planet-rugby.com/2006/02/18/1234.shtml) Finished
Hurricanes 29 - 5 Western Force (http://live.planet-rugby.com/2006/02/18/1231.shtml) Finished

[biffon]

fuck me with a barge pole - I thought stormers might win.. i was wrong -
i thought sharks would win... i was wrong
i thought the chiefs would win... i was wrong
I thought the stormers would do better... i was wrong wrong wrong...

dammit my picks were shyte this week!!!

[Aboriginal]

Yah mine sucked too! Pretty hard to pick. dammit I hate the Brumbies!

[Moses]

Hi all,

My first post on here, so thought I'd start off with GO THE WARATAHS!

Are there any Stormers supporters on here? If there are then thanks for the bonus point..

[Moses]

I've been fucked by the Blues and the Chiefs two weeks in a row... damn Kiwi teams grrr

I've joined oztips.com - but have had a shocking start with only 8 from 16 so far.

[Shayne]

You should of joined the Telecom Super 14. Check the Virtual Super 14 thread in this section.

Chiefs are crap and the Blues are ewven worse.

[Moses]

I'm already in 4 tipping comps... don't know that I've time for a 5th!

[Aboriginal]

Hey go the Stormers! Damn the Tahs the bastards! Alcoholic bunch of GFN's (Wendell). Next week against the Bulls in the SA equivalent of house of pain (Loftus) Gonna be a cracker! Can't say too much against the Tahs my girl will have my balls. Hah ha

[Moses]

the Bulls will be a tough match next week, but if we can stop dropping the ball then we should smash them like in the semi final last year

[Shayne]

I'm chuffed the Brumbies have 2 good wins so far.

[Aboriginal]

Last week was not a good win!? last points in dying minutes! Lucky bloody geriatrics had obviously had their steroids at half time! I hate Rathbone:smiley35:
Stormers v Brumbies next week mate. Hmmmmm... to gamble or not to gamble!

PS why the brumbies fan? Born in Zim, living in NZ and supporting OZ. Huh?

[Shayne]

My first game i ever watched (super 9?) was the Brumbies. Supported them since. They play the best running rugby still to this day.

[biffon]

haha yeah and there are two of them!

[Aboriginal]

Fair enuff! Super 9's. damn i don't remember any of that! i would love to like the Tahs, lived in Sydney the last 6yrs. Just can't do it. used to get coached by Robbie Fleck at UCT in my rugby playing days, hence the support for western cape and now Stormers! did'nt get to watch the game though this weekend doing night shift! apparently two pretty quick new wings. Lets see how Rathbone goes this week. They hate the poor bastard everytime he plays gets booed by the saffas! totally demoralizing, he is a turncoat anyhow.

[Shayne]

It could be worse. I could support the Blues.

[Moses]

I think it was Super 10's... and didn't the Reds win it? how things change..

[biffon]

going on the way you vote - it could be thought that you do support the blues?? :D

[TiGeR]

http://www.planetrugby.com/mediastore/graphics/logos/S14_logo_60x40.gifhttp://www.planetrugby.com/mediastore/graphics/spacer.gifSuper 14
http://www.planetrugby.com/mediastore/graphics/spacer.gif

Sailor suspended, sent home by 'Tahs

Monday February 20 2006
Ban includes loss of a match fee and undisclosed fine
Waratahs wing Wendell Sailor has been suspended for one match and fined for inappropriate behaviour after being involved in a drunken altercation with a fan outside a Cape Town nightclub in the early hours of Saturday morning.
http://www.planetrugby.com/mediastore/images/rugby365/Super_12/wendell_sailor_tahs_pensive_200.jpg
Sailor: Pondering his future


Sailor appeared before the Waratahs Disciplinary Committee chaired by NSWRU Chief Executive Officer Fraser Neill, Team Manager Scott Harrison and player representatives Chris Whitaker and Adam Freier.
"After looking at the facts of the matter we arrived at a one game suspension which includes the loss of a match payment along with an undisclosed fine," said Neill.
"It's obviously disappointing to see this happen and we find it totally unacceptable behaviour, as does Wendell."
Sailor admitted he was out drinking on Friday night - and into the early hours of Saturday morning - after being ruled out of Saturday's match against the Stormers with a hamstring strain. The 'Tahs beat the Stormers 32-26 at Newlands at the weekend and the incident took place on the morning of the match.
"It's going to hurt me missing this game, it hurt me missing last week's game and I think that was half the reason I went out on Friday night," Sailor said on Monday after the hearing.
"I'm pretty disappointed with myself, obviously a very depressing day for me today as we really should have been talking about what a good win it was by the Waratahs."
Sailor also apologised to supporters, family, friends and teammates and will return home Tuesday from the tour.
"It's very disappointing because I know the rules more than anyone about over here," Sailor told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I got ruled out and was very frustrated, so it was a good opportunity to have a couple of drinks. I had some wine at dinner and then I knew that I wasn't going to be out for too long.
"Then, between the hours of 10 and one, I certainly picked up the pace a bit with the boys, and ... I'd been talking to people all night.
"Certainly the South Africans love their rugby, but I think by the end of the night I'd just had enough and I wanted to go.
"I went to call, I think it was Matt Giteau, outside, [on the phone] and a young guy came up to me sort of in my face and said something to me and I pushed him away. I couldn't really remember pushing him away, because it's not my go."
Sailor also confirmed he was intoxicated and had vomited outside the club. He was disappointed with his behaviour but believed the matter would be quickly settled without serious repercussions.
"They said it's a minor matter. It's obviously been sorted [on the spot]," he said.
"I think the guy and I shook hands. Obviously I'm disappointed in myself ... but also I couldn't really remember the incident, probably had a few too many drinks at the bar in that space of time. I knew I had to be home at one o'clock to get a decent rest in before weights and fitness.
"I saw it as a chance to release, and I certainly did that."
Fraser Neill said the Disciplinary Committee was eager to deal with the matter swiftly.
"These things must be dealt with expediently but never at the cost of due process and that's what we've followed here under NSW protocols," said Neill.
"We have also asked for clarification on the ARU's suspended sentence given to Wendell in South Africa last year to ensure we have been consistent with our approach."
The ARU is expected to issue a statement soon, in which they will reveal if they will slap the two-match ban on the wing.

:smiley35: ing useless gobshyte!... 'tahs VERY lucky that Stormers contrived to give them a game plus points in 2nd half!

[Shayne]

I gotta be honest. What exactly did he do wrong besides get pissed and get into a pushing match?

[TiGeR]

gettin pissed the nite b4 a game injured or not went against team protocol...(see my post on Scotty Fava as well) but big 'dell had been pinged in SA last yr with LT & Matt Henjack....

[Moses]

he also threw up out the front of the nightclub - hardly good publicity for a team he just joined..

[TiGeR]

Ja well, what do you expect from 'Tahs players? Look at last yrs Wallaby tour...:naughty:

[Moses]

Ja well, what do you expect from 'Tahs players? Look at last yrs Wallaby tour...:naughty:
Sailor is hardly a 'Tahs player - I still consider him a Queensland League player, and he certainly still behaves like one...

What about last years Wallaby tour?

[Aboriginal]

he also threw up out the front of the nightclub - hardly good publicity for a team he just joined..

Two years ago a group of my mates (aussies) were doing their elective term in Cape Town. Met all the Tahs players at Camps Bay local pub during that years super14. Lets say they were a little out of control on the nose candy:whistling: . Not a good rep to have.

Hey Shayne Brumbies looking thin in the scrum this week but great back line. Please tell me why they always play Gerrard. He's a lumbering idiot!

[Moses]

I don't rate Gerrard either... fortunately the rest of their backline do enough good to cover him.

Don't know about the nose candy.. isn't drug testing mandatory in the Super 14?

[Aboriginal]

Definitely nose candy. Not sure if they test for it actually, would it be classed as perfomance enhancing? It clears your system pretty quick but gets incorporated and trapped in your hair for years after. You would think they would be tested hey? then again I think a couple of rugby heads are'nt the brightest sparks just look at Wendell

[Moses]

if by nose candy you mean coke/amphetamines, then it would most definately be performance enhancing. I thought it was weed that stays in your hair for months after.

as I said earlier, Wendell isn't really a Rugby player - he's a League convert. For every Union player in the news for the wrong reasons there are 10 league players there...

[biffon]

im sure the leagueies beg to differ but i agree actually

..

[Moses]

This was almost 12 months ago... http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/28/1077677017509.html

[TiGeR]

Ah mate the league heads are REAL bad boys!...but also some of the MOST athletic sons of so & so's you'll ever see on a sports field! RESPECT!

[Shayne]

FUCKERS!!!!

Stormers and Brumbies in dour draw
Friday February 24 2006
Visitors score two tries to none

The Stormers and Brumbies played to a dour draw in their Super 14 encounter at Newlands on a balmy Friday evening. In the end it is probably a just result, mostly because both teams seemed to play not to lose rather than to win.
http://www.rugby365.com/mediastore/images/rugby365/Super_12/gus_theron_matt_giteau_200.jpeg
At least the visitors will leave knowing they have outscored the home team by two tries to none and the Brumbies will also leave South Africa not having lost - a win and a draw from their two games.
As for the Stormers. It was the second week in which they held a comfortable half-time lead and then blew it after the break. In fact their 9-3 half-time lead became a 15-3 advantage after 50 minutes - but the last half-an-hour the scoreboard only moved because of the Brumbies' efforts.
The most shocking aspect of the game was the Stormers' inability to finish off the opportunities that came their way.
On a number of occasions they came within metres of the Brumbies' line, but not once did they manage to turn it into a five-pointer. In fact one of those opportunities became a Brumbies try - after yet another Stormers mistake.
The Stormers, on attack, simply had no creativity or imagination. They simply shifted the ball wide and their wingers became easy pickings for the Brumbies' drift defence.
And the Brumbies were not their usual smoothness either, only occasionally putting together the kind of phases we've become so accustomed to.
Maybe the lack of creativity in the Stormers' backline can be put down to the absence of Bok centre Jean de Villiers - who withdrew for the second week in a row at a very late stage with a groin injury he sustained in training almost two weeks ago.
The Brumbies had problems of their own, with midfield star and captain Stirling Mortlock struggling with a knee injury throughout the game. He even had to hand the kicking duties to Mark Gerard.
And the error rate on both sides suggested that the two teams were not as focussed on the task as they should have been.

[biffon]

sounds like the force/chiefs game... i was listening to it on the radio and it was so fucking frustrating...

"force are looking good here... a kick... Hilgendorf has kicked it upfield straight to the chiefs fullback a wasted opportunity"
"force have turned over the lineout, daruda has kicked it upfield out on the full"
"force are on the attack.. out to daruda, daruda kicks it infield right to Muliaina"
"fava has the ball .. breaks a tackle ... and kicks the ball out on the full!"
"James breaks the advantage line with a steaming run upfield, passes to hilgendorf on his inside, hilgendorf grubbers the ball...straight to Sivivatu"

Fuuuuckksakes. stop kicking the damn ball!!!!!! arrrg!

[TiGeR]

Well, the Brumbies go home with 6 points which is better than a kick in the teeth when you tour SA....i would have been VERY upset to lose t the Stormers...they are KUK!...all our sides are shyte!

[biffon]

Bulls outmuscle Tahs
From correspondents in Pretoria
February 26, 2006

Northern Bulls 26 NSW Waratahs 17
SOUTH Africa's Northern Bulls got back on the winning trail with victory in a dour, bad-tempered Super 14 battle this morning (AEDT).

http://foxsports.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,5113805,00.jpg Morgan Turinui takes it up the Bulls PiIcture: Reuters
The home team dominated the game and slowly ground the opposition down with a powerful display by the forwards before unleashing its runners in the latter stages.
The win lifted the Bulls to fourth in the standings on 10 points, while the Waratahs failed to add to their nine points although they remain in fifth position.
After surging to a 26-3 lead with a quarter of-an-hour remaining, the home team relaxed and was stunned by two Waratahs tries in the space of two minutes to leave the outcome in doubt until the final seconds.
When Bulls centre JP Nel touched down in the 56th minute it was the first try conceded by the Tahs this season.
Five minutes later they conceded another. Fullback Peter Hewat failed to control a high kick and spilled the ball into the path of Bulls number eight Jacques Cronje, who hacked it forward for wing Bryan Habana to latch on for a simple try.
But in the 66th minute Waratahs flanker Rocky Elsom scored his team's first try when he dived over a mass of bodies on the Bulls line.
Two minutes later, fullback Sam Norton-Knight launched a scintillating counter-attack from inside his own 22 before flipping an outrageous pass to Hewat who ran 30m to score.
Hewat converted both tries for a personal tally of 12. points.

The Bulls deservedly held a 12-3 halftime lead thanks to the sure boot of fly half Derick Hougaard, who slotted four out of four kicks at goal in the first half and, with his two conversions, claimed 16 points.

Despite their first-half domination, the Bulls could not find a way through the resolute Waratahs defence even when the visitor was reduced to 14 men in the fourth minute.
Prop Matt Dunning was shown a yellow-card for punching although television replays suggested that he was not the only player involved in a four-man altercation.
The Bulls only managed three points while Dunning was off the pitch.
The Waratahs' first points came in the 29th minute when Hewat landed a 40m penalty. Bulls prop Jaco Engels and Elsom were seen trading punches with abandon, and it was hard to understand how the South African touch judge missed a display of which Mike Tyson would have been proud.
The Bulls, widely considered the best South Africa bet for Super 14 glory, has a bye next weekend while the Waratahs tackle another South Africa side, Coastal Sharks, in Sydney.
Details:
NORTHERN BULLS 26 (JP Nel, Bryan Habana tries; Derick Hougaard 2 cons 4 pens)
NSW WARATAHS 17 (Rocky Elsom, Peter Hewat tries; Hewat 2 cons 1 pen)
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (NZ)
Crowd: 30,000

[TiGeR]

WHat a w/end!...:smiley29: the Blues, Stormers, Bulls, Tahs (how crap is "Michelin man" Matt Dunning!?) & Reds tried to bore us all to death! :smiley11: (the Brumbies escape that accolade because of some scintillating back plays...JUST!) The 'canes were aweful as opposed to the Cats being good (although they did show that they have a few claws) & the 'saders lucky to beat the resurgent (we'll see about that!) Sharks. Hats off to the Sharks for a great effort in Timaru :smiley32: & well done to the Chiefs for getting off the mark! :smiley20: ..albeit against the Force. I thought the Highlanders were poor despite the atrocious, wet conditions (geez, they come from the Southern part of NZ's South Island for crying out loud!) & the Cheetahs were defensively good at home under the circumstances...

All i can say is i hope that the rugger gets better cos this w/end was NOT a positive reflection of Southern hemisphere talent OR the game of rugby union...

[Aboriginal]

tiger, dude I disagree with your one pt. I think the Saffa teams are doing better than ever expected. Some really close games and some new raw talent. Could prove good for the real comp Tri-Nations!

[TiGeR]

Bro, you cant use scorelines as performance indicators- look at the Bulls Vs Brumbies- bulls NEVER looked like scoring a try; look at Reds Vs 'saders- Reds were IN the game, but score says they got hammered...you have to look at the quality of performance- how did they perform at set piece? in broken play? on counter attack? On defence? the stats like lineouts & scrums won/lost, rucks & mauls generated & the efficiency at each, gainline efficiency, territory & posession, quality of posession & efficiency in posession...i could go on but i'm sure you've got the point...a rule of thumb i use as a coach in terms of evaluating a performance is:
Productivity vs Satisfaction- look to produce QUALITY performances (if we lost, at least we won all our scrums/ lineouts, caught kick offs, got over the advantage line etc) rather than just being satisfied with "close" scores & "better" performances...but thats just me!

[Aboriginal]

Oh I agree with what your saying, but don't try to overanalyse things. In the end scores count for the most important thing-Morale. The Saffas are also playing a more expansive game like NZ, playing wider and getting to breakdowns faster and wining ball. Oz at the moment are looking old and boring. Note how all the dull boring games have involved Oz teams. Thats just my observation at present.

[TiGeR]

bro i hear you, but i'm a coach, so thats what i do. the problem with 'morale' boosting performances is that they reinforce acceptance of mediocrity rather than a pursuit of excellence...

[Shayne]

Waratahs Vs Sharks should be the best game of the weekend i reckon.

[TiGeR]

No mate- 'saders Vs Blues @ Jade Stadium...:smiley20:

[biffon]

I think both will be good matches - both gonna be good running rugby...
I think thats why im still convinced The force will good in years to come, Mitchell is enforcing a great game style... typical NZ style of play, they just need experience is all... I mean they have 17 yr old zimbabweans recruited so it will take some time...

[Moses]

shame that zimbo was ruled out by IRB... heard he's pretty decent loose forward..

[biffon]

current scores

Chiefs 35 - 17 Queensland Reds (http://live.planet-rugby.com/2006/03/03/1268.shtml) Finished
ACT Brumbies 28 - 7 Cats (http://live.planet-rugby.com/2006/03/03/1269.shtml) Finished


Oh boy the reds have some work to do!!
hopefully it means the game against the force will be a bit closer than we thought!

[Shayne]

Brumbies were unlucky not to get the bonus point. It may cost them later.

[TiGeR]

shame that zimbo was ruled out by IRB... heard he's pretty decent loose forward..

He played Aussie schools last yr & has been picked for their U19 world cup side for the tournament in April-

[TiGeR]

Brumbies were unlucky not to get the bonus point. It may cost them later.

All they have to do is keep adding 4 points & stay in the hunt...they should make top 4 & THEN they will have to work hard....

[Adam]

Im pissed that the reds lost to the chiefs, had a grand on the reds to win.

[biffon]

i had a bit as well, chiefs are having a better aussie tour than their SA tour-- thats why im thinking the SA teams might not be looking great on the field but they are getting the results

[Aboriginal]

Yah! Damn those Reds! How well did Giteau and Samo/Smith play! Fast game but pretty messy. Cats look really crap.

[TiGeR]

i had a bit as well, chiefs are having a better aussie tour than their SA tour-- thats why im thinking the SA teams might not be looking great on the field but they are getting the results

THe Chiefs are a decent side- they WERE in fact the form S12 side at the end of last yrs tournament (IMHO!) They just need a few key players to help control the game & get their dangermen firing...their back 3 are AWESOME! They just cant seem to get going early enough in the tournament to have any real impact at the business end...yup, Cats are CRAP!....oh & i wasnt reappointed to coach at the Lions this yr...just found out...probably something to do with my outspokenness (you dont tell a bunch of afrikaans rugby administrators that their chosen coach is crap & expect any favours after!)

[biffon]

sorry to hear that Munya! - better things will come your way im sure!

[Aboriginal]

THe Chiefs are a decent side- they WERE in fact the form S12 side at the end of last yrs tournament (IMHO!) They just need a few key players to help control the game & get their dangermen firing...their back 3 are AWESOME! They just cant seem to get going early enough in the tournament to have any real impact at the business end...yup, Cats are CRAP!....oh & i wasnt reappointed to coach at the Lions this yr...just found out...probably something to do with my outspokenness (you dont tell a bunch of afrikaans rugby administrators that their chosen coach is crap & expect any favours after!)

Who da Lions dude? Are you solely coaching now?

[biffon]

Gauteng Lions
I beleive he is doing sports consulting

[Aboriginal]

Thats pretty cool. Just have to keep trying Mun hey.

[TiGeR]

sorry to hear that Munya! - better things will come your way im sure!

Thanks mate...all good in the hood...am just goin 2 coach club rugger & do clinics for schools...

[TiGeR]

thanks fellas, i am all over the place at the moment in terms of representative coaching (i.e. golden lions etc) so i am goin to just focus on club coaching & helping out with schools as well as doin private conditioning coaching for some of the Lions players cos their trainers are so KUK! (look at all the long term/ chronic injuries their players suffer- Jannes Labaschagne comes to mind & the way they've buggered up Ashwin Willemse...:smiley35:

My 'real' job is lecturing in sport science, but i do a lot of consultancy work in the sports industry & am in the process of setting up my own business with hopes of getting a few big name sports people training under me in the next wee while...watch this space! :smiley9:

As for the rugger.... :naughty:

Australasian rugby players and South African pubs don't mix ... or rather, they mix too well. Just weeks after the Waratahs' Wallaby wing Wendell Sailor was sent home in disgrace for misbehaving, two Hurricanes players were involved in a pub brawl.

The Dominion Post, a Wellington-based New Zealand daily, reported that the punch-up between Hurricanes flank Jerry Collins and wing Lome Fa'atau in a Bloemfontein nightclub at the weekend could lead to their being dropped for the Round Five Super 14 match against the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.
According to the Kiwi newspaper Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper would not say what happened at the Pizaz club on Saturday night, but patrons told the Bloemfontein-based Afrikaans daily Volksblad newspaper that punches were thrown.
No members of the public were involved, Cooper said, and the matter had been dealt with by the Hurricanes.
"It was very disappointing because it was an incident between two players. We're handling it ourselves,"
Cooper told the media.

The incident is another page in a chapter of indiscretions involving New Zealand and Australian rugby and cricket teams in South Africa.
New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns was involved in a nightclub fight a few years ago and the Brumbies and Wallabies have had several after-hours dramas.
Last month Waratahs and Wallabies wing Wendell Sailor was fined, sent home and banned for three weeks for a drunken altercation with a member of the public outside a Cape Town nightclub, during which he vomited in the street.
In an unrelated incident Bulls and Springbok utility forward Danie Rossouw was cleared on a charge of assault on Monday, after an incident in a pub in Brits at the weekend. The complainant had withdrawn the charges.

[Aboriginal]

Hah ha. Only the Kiwis would fight each other in a club in another country!

[TiGeR]

well, true to form, the cats are proving to be worse than kuk! (maybe its a good thing for me that they couldnt string anything together...now i might get my job at the union back! ha ha ha ha!) thought the 'tahs forwards were good, but then again, up againt a quality pack like the bulls, they battled a bit...'saders chilled for 60 & turned it on for 20mins...they really do look like a champioship side...i think the chiefs team has come of age & are showing the form that made them a real handful @ end of last yrs S12...if they can sustain it, they might be a surprise package @ the business end of the tournament....cant wait form todays games!

[biffon]

im especially looking forward to the sharks Brumbies game thats shaping up to be a battle of the back lines.... with Sir Monty, Russell, Pienaar & mates on one side and Sir Larkham, Giteau, Mortock and friends on the other..

BRING IT ON!!

[TiGeR]

I worry about the Sharks' ability at forward to win enough ball to be competitive in the backs...& Mr Russell is out with injury...

[biffon]

I thought i didnt see him in the lineup... who's replacing him? Ndugane?

[TiGeR]

Not sure- missed the game- Cedric Mkhize i would assume, but have been flat out with work this w/end past...anyway, believe the Brumbies took a while to get into gear & the Sharks forwards were good for 60...typical of SA sides cant play the full 80! We all know about the pussy Cats...

How CRAP were the Stormers not closing the game out?:smiley11: Thought the H/landers & Bulls game was good, you should have seen how upset Anton Oliver was! Thought the Reds & Force were SHOCKING...REAL bottom feeder stuff...a few interesting performances though which will have the wallaby selectors eyebrows going...

[Aboriginal]

As much as I hate to say it the Stormers are woeful. Its a fight between them and the Cats. At least the Cats games have been away from home hey!:smiley35: The Stormers are going to get caned. Really like the surprise package the Sharks. Think they play some good rugby. How good do the Crusaders look. Just clinical, did'nt lose their heads just stuck to the game plan much like the Waratahs. They played an awefull team and still managed to look classy and did'nt rest on their laurels. The score line shows it.

Apparently England are the go for the commonwealth sevens. Above NZ and OZ. Huh?

[TiGeR]

m8, the 'saders are just a cut above... the games this w/end should be fascinating too- Bulls Vs 'canes & Sharks Vs H/landers should be good, but expect cricket scores in the Cats Vs 'saders & Force Vs 'tahs games...i also suspect the Brumbies to do a job Vs the Blues especially after last yrs game when the Blues derailed the Brumbies campaign...the f:smiley35:ers! :smiley36:
Carter in doubt could ease the pain for Cats players & supporters alike...but only just!

[TiGeR]

England have the most experienced & quality squad going into the games- Oz have a few big name stars but no real gold medal hopefuls, the kiwis are in a building phase so its a young team & then they have a lot of lads playing S14 as well....

[Aboriginal]

Watched Oz demolish Sri Lanka. Tuquiri and Latham look like they are really well suited to the game. Did'nt even know the Sri Lankans could play rugby. Does anyone know if Zim ever did any thing good in this category before being banned?

[TiGeR]

We've been a top 10 contender in the 7s for a while- then fell off the bus for a bit in the early 2000s but the guys have worked REALLY hard & seem to be getting back to playing some decent ball again...finance & quality players are a problem, but we still putting out a competitive team comparatively speaking. Am actually helping the guys with setting up a training base in joburg for Zim 7s...3 of the current players (Neil Nortjie, Grant Mitchell & Tangai Nemadire) all play at the club that i coach at here (well, i'm actually in Capetown as i write this but you know what i mean!)

[Aboriginal]

My God how huge are the Fijians! They ended Scott Fava in the fight for Bronze against Oz!

P.S the cats game was a little surprising. The first half. certainly showed some weaknesses in the Canterbury armour. They don't like playing close to the rucks and mauls do they and although they make their tackles the player often gets the pass away. Lets see how the other teams interpret it.

[biffon]

The Bulls were the better team on the night i reckon! they were unlucky not to win.
Hurricanes to their credit defended like demons in the end to save their lead - well Done!!

[spuff]

Um, Adam, Shayne and co, ....

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BRUMBIES??????????

Nick and Ali Williams did

HAHAHA

[biffon]

Stormers 25 - 31 Central Cheetahs (http://live.planet-rugby.com/2006/03/18/1297.shtml)
Blues 26 - 15 ACT Brumbies (http://live.planet-rugby.com/2006/03/18/1295.shtml)
Highlanders 11 - 26 Sharks (http://live.planet-rugby.com/2006/03/18/1296.shtml)

2 from 3 surprises!!
looks like im going to make some money this week!!!!

[TiGeR]

Settle down fellas...one game doesnt make/ break a tournament... remember its a 13 game compo before anyone even gets to thinking about the flag (Bulls players & supporters NOTE! Wonderbra are trying to get a sponsorship deal with the Bulls- they reckon they have the only cups the Bulls will win this yr :smiley36: )

On a more serious note, was interesting to see how sides performed this w/end...a bit of fatigue starting to interesting to see how coaches are rotating platyers/ not etc & ho players/ coaches are changing the tactics a bit to save their runners pain eg scrumhalves kickin over the top instead of popping to runners, reform pick & drives (basically a pick & drive that doesnt make much ground but just ensures posession is retained, secured & forces the defence back) Obviously the talking points are the Sharks' win (a well constructed, gritty performance) the Stormers' inability to close out a game, the 'canes' LUCKY win & the 'saders' poor start, but at the end of the day, rugger is a funny old game...

[biffon]

it might be funny but it IS played in heaven !! :D

[biffon]

is it just me or is Henno Mentz the long lost brother of Jooste VD Westhuisen?
i just watched the sharks vs highlanders match, it was a really good game i think.
The sharks have some real talent and i was very impressed with Ndungane (what a workhorse!) & Pieterson. Pieterson has a MEAN sidestep!!

[TiGeR]

ja, the Sharks have a few young boys who can play a bit...they are shy of big names/ experienced campaigners tho'..Tony Brown, Percy, John Smit & AJ Venter are the only real guys there at the moment...

[biffon]

Force can unleash Pocock :smiley32: :smiley32: :smiley32: :smiley36: :smiley36: :smiley29:
By Tim Clarke
March 21, 2006

THE decision by the Australian Rugby Union to relax age restrictions on players has given the green light for Western Force to introduce teen star David Pocock into Super 14.

In the past, ARU rules said boys under the age of 18 could not play against men, and boys were also banned from turning out against opposition players more than two years older than them.
But the ARU today announced its senior rugby and two-year window policies would become non-mandatory, meaning players under 18 will be allowed to play in open competition if they can satisfy the ARU, parents and coaches they are physically ready.
Club officials will have to fill out a disclosure form, acknowledging physical development, skill level, playing environment and the standard of opposition have been taken into account in the selection.
Force hierarchy said following the announcement that back rower Pocock, who turns 18 in April, was likely to get a taste of Super 14 on his return from the under-19 world championship in Dubai.
"It is great for us for the future, (but) I think you have always got to be careful with these sort of things," set piece coach Ben Darwin said.
"It is incredibly rare that a 17 year old would be ready to play this standard of football, but Dave is just one of those very special players.
"There are other footballers probably going around in New South Wales schools that might be ready to play in the back line, but in terms of forwards this is quite special.
"He is a massively strong guy ... he is ready to go, and this ruling really shows that we were right."

[TiGeR]

Go you GOOD thing! :smiley20: :smiley32:

[biffon]

The Force Bulls game was UNREAL!! the bulls got away with a win that really was not justified at all.. They were outplayed in every way except the lucky breaks.
after giving away 17 points to nothing in the first half including a Lucky Intercept and a silly penalty in their own 22. The force were looking the better team. And they showed it in the second half , by pulling back 21 points to 13 they very very nearly sneaked in an upset win!
Hilgendorf played like a demon! Staniforth & Shepard looked dangerous all the time. Ioane has a beautiful running style, reminds me of Cullen in his heyday! Sharpie!! go you good thing - leading by example!.

A pity Mitchell berated his players after the match saying he was really disapointed in them... appears he believed the force should have won it, well i guess they should have.. they were the better team on the field but the points are what count i guess!

You all must think im dribbling shit :D
watch this space!

[TiGeR]

no m8 you are right on the money...bulls were lucky!as i said in an earlier post, the Force wll be competitive & will make waves in the tournament, but ultimately they dont have enough of a mixof quality & experience across the park, nor depth in their squad at the moment to pull off the big one...

[biffon]

bulls have a shaky away record anyway. Im not sure if that win would have made them any more confident though! especialy as the force or the whipping boys of s14 and that was their closest match yet!
Go the Force!!!!

[TiGeR]

next few wks will be critical in terms of points & ultimately home semis as all the big guns are starting to play each other...i can hardly wait!:smiley20:

[Shayne]

Brumbies have all the big gun games away and all the easy teams at home. Its going to cost them.

[TiGeR]

They have to get max points (i.e. WIN!) at home & at least a bonus point for losing within 7/ scoring 4 tries when they play away...if they manage that they'll be fine...

[Aboriginal]

Stormers made a meal of their game against the Force. Force had some good runs of play but tackles and inexperienced decision making cost the a handy lead. How well did Rokothoko play against the Bulls he is a machine. You could tell the bulls backs were in awe, in defence hanging back waiting for the inevitable break, which of course came cos they never went up in a line. Unusually poor defence for them and they paid fgr it. The Cheetahs also had some great running moments in an otherwise mediocre game. I like Peter Hewat, should have been playing for the Wallabies last year if only Eddie jones did'nt hate him so much.

[TiGeR]

How good was that saders canes game? The quality there was outstanding...bit of an arm wrestle as opposed to a free flowing game but those lads OOZED class out there...i think the silver fern & black jersey will be as fearsome as ever this test season...Stormers are a cunch of bunts!...Reds & SHarks starting to look competitive again...NICE! My heart broke for the force but i reread my prediction earlier in this thread & i guess we're seeing exactly that- lack of quality players across the park & inexperience in decision making...but watch out 2 seasons down the road!

[biffon]

yeah the reds v sharks game was really good, didnt get the watch the saders v canes, maybe i shouldve from what tiger is saying.

I agree the Stormers suck, they did not deserve to win. But credit to them they defended quite well at the end to break Perths heart.:smiley28: :smiley19: :smiley19: :smiley13:

[Aboriginal]

Did you go to the game biffo? Whats the feeling in Perth about the Force? Perth struck me as being mainly Gay FL's supporters like Melbourne.

[TiGeR]

Geez Sabson...all that aggression mate! :smiley36:

[Aboriginal]

Mate when you live in a coal mining town AFL is as low as it goes, league rules and union comes in a late second:smiley19: .

[TiGeR]

:smiley36: I see what you mean bro...i had an uncle who was a mining engineer & whenever we stayed with them in the holidays it was like...hmmm, Zvishavane/ Hwange...:smiley36: back to the rugger, interesting to see one of the top refs has come out & defended McCaw, George Smith, Warrick Waugh in terms of their mastery of the b/down- he reckons they are just SO quick & know the b/down rules so well that eveyone else bleats that they are cheats!

[biffon]

perth has had a history of being an AFL town but thats only because there hasnt been anything else on offer.. Western Reds (RL) team died cause of a lack of sponsorship but there are a lot of people here that are very patriotic and will stay loyal to the force even if they lose every game this year.... There is a HUGE expat community here in perth probably bigger than Brisvegas and they are ALL union bred.

There is little risk of the force dying out due to lack of support.

[TiGeR]

Thats good news...i really believe the fans in Perth will have a team WORTH cheering for in the next few yrs as the Force build up some experience & develop as a group...

[Aboriginal]

Just watched the replay Sharks Reds. Man the reds looked like a different team! They played really well and a good mix of running/forward rugby. Why they leave it for all their away games I don't know!?:smiley29:

[biffon]

i think theyll win this week just have that feeling..

[TiGeR]

tHE rEDS HAVE THE PERSONNEL- THEY'VE JUST STRUGGLED A BIT WITH COACHING- WITH EDDIE "MOANS" IN THE FOLD NEXT YR, THEY SHOULD BE BACK TO THEIR COMPETITIVE BEST IN ANOTHER SEASON OR SO...THEN UNLESS WE LEARN, THE SA TEAMS ARE GOING TO REALLY BE THE TOURNAMENTS BOTTOM FEEDERS! :smiley19:

[Aboriginal]

Reds will certainly cane the Cats if they play like last week! I hope so.

[Shayne]

Wow! the highlanders were mighty lucky to beat the force today!! Came down to that last kick and chase which could of gone either way. Sloppy game in the end really.

Cant see any team touching the crusaders this year. Especially when the final will be at home.

[TiGeR]

How AWESOME are the 'saders? THey almost stopped even trying to turn over ball &just let the'tahs run at them...it takes balls of steel & adamantine defence to keep possibly the best attacking team in the S14 & not give away penalties from the pressure to the top point scorer in S14 (Peter "Eddie Jones hates me" Hewat) out for 40mins...WHAT a game! Pre final? probably...then again, i suspect it will be a 'saders brumbies semi 1 & 'canes 'tahs semi 2 (1 plays 4 & 2 plays 3) & IF the 'canes go down to the 'tahs, i dont think the 'tahs will have enough petrol left in the tank to go to Jade Stadium & win...but what a final run in to the business end of the tournament! Looked at the calculations for the SA teams (Sharks & Bulls) to make the semis...:smiley3:...havent got a PRAYER!...but it is a funny old game so who knows...

[TiGeR]

Brumbies hammered the Cheetahs 53-20... :smiley32: OUTSTANDING 2nd half performance outlining the Brumbies championship status...Bulls & Chiefs 26 all- Chiefs a bit disappointing but overall...BORING! Blues clubbed the Stormers, who were DISGUSTING! :smiley11: Thought the H/landers were lucky to sneak past the Force- who just need to be patient...they are going to drop someone ANY day now! Reds Cats 2nite in Jozi- am contemplating goin down, but cant be bothered to waste the fuel to watch droth rugby...

My Wanderers team that i'm coaching won our first league match 101-0 last nite...wish they gave dbl bonus points for every set of 4 tries...& there i was stressed out ALL day about the game...:smiley29:

[Aboriginal]

Congrats mate on your team handing out hidings.
May get to watch the Reds/Cats game only coz I'm doing night shift don't expect it to keep me awake though. Hah ha

[TiGeR]

Thanks bro- the Cats Reds was as predicted...SHYTE! Glad for the Reds that they got a result for their endevours, but the reality of the match was that it was two shyte teams fighting it out for scraps...Cats started reasonably well & actually looked full of enterprise with Pretorius at 10...then half time & they went to pieces. Thought Berrick Barnes (Reds 10) showed some fine touches & could be a more than useful replacement for the loss of Elton Flatly in the next few seasons...IF the Reds can keep him!

[biffon]

Cameron Shepard was a shining star in an otherwise dull & predictable friday for the force, you can see why the sevens team poached him for the commgames thats for sure..
Im going into this week with no expectations at all for the force to win maybe they will surprise me but i doubt it.

Brumbies were FIRING on saturday! gregan definitely stepped it up a notch - i think he knows now what he has to do to keep his place in the willybees
-Giteau & George Smith also outstanding
-welldone to the reds for winning against the cats- if theyd lost they would have had 0 creditability left (probably less than the force to be honest)

[Aboriginal]

Wendell was the weak link in the top two teams clash. His defence was very ordinary. Basics like marking the last man cost his team two tries! He looked pretty stupido!

Can't understand why they wanted to play the crusaders game of running it wide even in the first 5 mins from theri own halves?! Major oversight not to take them on upfront. Brumbies are looking favorites now I reckon for Oz side to get to semi's. (You must be chuffed Shayne, I might have to eat humble pie about them being geriatrics and all. ha ha)

[TiGeR]

The smart money is on a top 4 finish for Brumbies & 'tahs from Oz & 'saders & 'canes from NZ...based on consistency, i'd have to say the 'tahs just shade the brumbies & the 'saders OUTWEIGH the 'canes...so i'd say the top 4 log at the end of the tournament (notwithstanding someone like the Chiefs or the Bulls TEARING up the form book) will read 1 'saders 2 'tahs 3 Brumbies 4 'canes...the semis could prove interesting..i mean..imagine the 'canes beat the 'saders? OR what if the Brumbies go in at 4 & beat the 'saders!? OR what if the 'tahs sneak into 1 & go down to the 'canes? WHOOHOO bring it ON! :smiley32:

[biffon]

its just a pity the same teams are there again... cmon SA rugby show us your quality players you seem to dredge up trinations time.

[Shayne]

I agree. I want to see two SA sides in there. I'd love the top 4 to be Cusaders, Bulls, Brumbies, Sharks or similar.

[biffon]

now that its super 14 they should have a top 6 not a top 4

because i just feel that if there are two teams right there almost in the top4 they lose out because they didnt get 4 trys in a match or similar.

why not have 3 quarter finals
best loser out of the quarter finals goes through to the semis with the three winners.

sure its one extra game in the scheme of things it really isnt that much.
but im sure theyve thought about it already so i'll shut up now

[TiGeR]

One word re: SA sides....COACHING!

[Ken 13]

Sorry, it was bound to happen, you jus bumped into an all out hurricanes supporter. I gotta say its one of the only teams worth supporting, couldn't agree more bout the ausies though. As for Western Force, the results speak for themselves... But there is a bright side, you can only get better, unless ofcourse you playin the Hurricanes

[biffon]

that insolence cannot be tolerated - cuss thread !!!

[Aboriginal]

ACT vs Tahs. Good game hopefully. The rest are looking fairly ordinary. don't know if I can watch SA vs SA games. Yawn!