The more things change …

The more things change …

31 Jan 2006

Super 12 may have become the glitzier and extended Super 14, but the fixture that started it all will again launch the southern hemisphere’s revamped regional showpiece.

10 years ago, in 1996, the Hurricanes took on the Blues in game one of the competition. On the 10th February, the same teams will again meet in the opening encounter of this year’s campaign.

The blast of Kiwi ref Bryce Lawrence will signal the start of hostilities.

The increase in games from 69 matches to 94 means the travel implications for referees are monstrous. As an example, South African Mark Lawrence will be in Bloemfontein, Brisbane, Perth and back in Bloemfontein in the first four weeks of the tournament.

Aussie Scott Young will officiate in the Sharks home match against the Chiefs in Durban on 11 February while all the other matches in Round One will involve “home� referees.


22 Comments

  • 1.hobo: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 15:55 pm

    94 that is a hell off a lot?

  • 2.lazeybonez: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 16:02 pm

    go Spears!

  • 3.bigg: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 16:06 pm

    GO STORMERS – WE WILL MAKE HISTORY IN 2006 BY BEING THE FIRST TEAM EVER TO WIN THE SUPER 14…

    SHARKS WILL BE THE FIRST TEAM EVER TO BE RELEGATED LOL LOL LOL

  • 4.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 16:10 pm

    Eish you use the BIGG letters.

  • 5.mohawkius: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 16:12 pm

    Has anyone heard of rugby 2006 by ea sports? Are they makin one?

  • 6.Grrrr....I'm a Lion!: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 16:20 pm

    Mohawkus

    It’s being release next month.

  • 7.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 16:27 pm

    damn lawrence not kaplan is reffing the cheetahs bulls game

  • 8.BrumbyIV: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 16:27 pm

    The rugby will probably be the same just a change of logo and two extra teams.

  • 9.JUSM: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 16:47 pm

    no chance for the cheetahs then

  • 10.parisian: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 16:56 pm

    There’s another 2006 version made by Ubisoft coming out, but its only got the northern hemisphere teams…could be quite good though. dunno about the EA Sports one.

  • 11.CoffeeshopBok;-): Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 17:10 pm

    The ubisoft one is not that lekker to play, the EA Sports 2006 one is due in the next month or so, I really hope they have sorted out the game-play options on it and the few niggles the 2005 had.

  • 12.parisian: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 17:13 pm

    Coffee,

    thanx man – you reckon waiting for the EA sports is better then? Have come close to getting the Ubisoft one a few times, but I guess waiting for “the real thing” is worth it. Thanx.

  • 13.Sharkinthethames: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 17:17 pm

    Ea sports rugby 2006 is coming out in April. Its been developed in Surrey.

    Cant wait!!!

  • 14.Cycloid: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 17:27 pm

    Actually, Province (WP) was the first team to be relegated! 97 Super 12. If the “Six Nations” is contested for over 100 years then I am sure Super 12 records should count in Super 14 as well! Do you not think?

  • 15.CoffeeshopBok;-): Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 17:51 pm

    Hey Paris , I reckon it’s best waiting for the EA version and they also say the 2006 version has a few surprises!

  • 16.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 17:54 pm

    Damn right Cycloid – lets not forget WP aka the Stormers were the first to be relegated when they had to sit out for the Cheetahs. What do you think about that Bigg?

    If anyone is going to get relegated it will be the Cats. Sharks to finish higher than the Stormers with the Cheetahs pulling off a few surprises on the way.

  • 17.parisian: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 18:08 pm

    Surprises? sounds like fun…guess a few months couldn’t do any harm. I can focus on the S14 then!

  • 18.CoffeeshopBok;-): Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 18:19 pm

    parisian here’s a link to give you a taster -
    http://rugby06.easports.co.uk/

  • 19.sthvh: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 20:52 pm

    Hobo:

    It is only 13 games per side. What the problem is is do we want these same guys to play 12 internationals and CC games aswell?

    It seems that the way the seasons are now set up even if they only play in S14 and internationals, the games go from February to November. When you add in the warm ups, it starts early January. All the training time that is intensive makes this almost year round contact at a pretty intesive level. THat has to change.

  • 20.RickyRocket: Reply to this comment
    31 Jan 2006, 22:59 pm

    BIGG…..YOU SMOKING ROCKS BUDDY!!!

  • 21.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    1 Feb 2006, 06:31 am

    The only way in which any pathetic sob-story Japie rugby team could EVER genuinely triumph over any NZ team would have to be in an entirely “make believe” computer game…

    The actual real world is way less relentless!

  • 22.snoop: Reply to this comment
    1 Feb 2006, 07:47 am

    Tackler is a homeless sad sack o ****.

    He left SA during the famous CHICKEN RUN.

    feeling empty?

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