Cats to be relegated, say Kiwis
1 Feb 2006
The Cats will finish last in the Vodacom Super 14, according to New Zealand’s No 1 betting agency TAB.
TAB are backing the Crusaders to win their sixth championship, with the Blues their second favourites. They also believe the Waratahs and Hurricanes should make the semi-finals.
The Bulls are regarded as tied fifth favourites to win the Super 14, with the Stormers at nine. The Cheetahs, Sharks and Reds are tied 13th with the Cats at the bottom.
TAB ODDS
1. $3.25 Crusaders
2. $4.00 Blues
3. $6.00 Waratahs
4. $7.50 Hurricanes
5= $13.00 Brumbies
5= $13.00 Bulls
7. $15.00 Chiefs
8. $18.00 Highlanders
9. $40.00 Stormers
10. $50.00 Force
11= $60.00 Cheetahs
11= $60.00 Sharks
11= $60.00 Reds
14. $100.00 Cats
46 Comments
1 Feb 2006, 08:53 am
let’s just hope that that will not be how the log looks like at the end of the comp.
1 Feb 2006, 08:58 am
They are smoking strong drugs.
Brumbies, Chiefs and Highlanders to finish below the Bulls and Stormers.
1 Feb 2006, 09:01 am
The bulls are 13 : 1.
That places them 5th with, tied with the Brumbies
1 Feb 2006, 09:05 am
Dont agree with alll of it but i do think that the cats may be the ones to get the drop i think they have the worst depth and some of their boks will inevitably get injured.
1 Feb 2006, 09:20 am
I have said from the start that the Cats will be dropped. I stand by that statement.
1 Feb 2006, 09:20 am
Rrrrright…. Daar gaan nog lang trane gehuil word en dit gaan nie ek wees nie…
1 Feb 2006, 09:22 am
Blueblood
And I have told you over and over that Kaplan does not have the CC trophy. The Cheethas have it because they clapped you in the finals. Let it go now, please…
1 Feb 2006, 09:26 am
Well spotted Herrie. Don’t know why TAB put the Bulls so far down the list
1 Feb 2006, 09:30 am
I still believe were looking at the Sharks being last.
1 Feb 2006, 09:40 am
Where did TAB get this information from?? because it suck! The Bulls can at least get a semi, followed by the Cats, Cheetahs, Stormers and then Sharks, thats how I think the SA teams would finish.
…..and if the cats win, I will be a rich man!
1 Feb 2006, 09:47 am
The New Zealand TAB don’t “get information” from anyone! That smacks of Hansie Cronje!
They simply offer the odds on what they THINK.
And the SA teams are nowhere in the running. The TAB figure that are pretty much all wild no-hoper rubbish!
Based on the last decade’s Super 12 form, who can possibly fault them?
ALL of the SA sides are absolutely bloody nowhere at the business-end final stages of the contest. Been like that for the past ten years!
1 Feb 2006, 09:50 am
Force to finish last.
1 Feb 2006, 09:58 am
No Bloem Leeu, that just makes you a “stupid” man. Its all good being loyal to your side, but to be honest, the Cats will be near the bottom come the end of the comp.
I for one actually think this relegation aspect may just be the spark SA sides need. I work next to a kiwi, and its a harsh check on reality – to actually see how they totally write SA sides off. And even worse when I cant back it up with any stats, beyond the rare semis appearance.
So perhaps the relegation deal may help, but I see the SA sides minus the bulls competing in the bottom half of the table, thanks squads that are already over-extended. In that respect, TAB have it spot on.
1.Bulls (possible semi/5th)
2.Sharks (they will have a surprisingly successful season)
3.Stormers
4.Cheetahs
5.Cats
1 Feb 2006, 10:07 am
Let us see….
Since 1998, the start of the S12. The Bulls have finished for 7 years in a row in the bottom 3. Last year they made the semi after a pathetic start to the S14 (who can forget the 23-O loss to the Highlanders).
At the moment, I’ll admit that they have our number (WP needs new management).
I stand corrected but I think that the Bulls finished last on the log on 3 occasions since 1998. If i were a betting man and looking at the stats and injuries at the Bulls camp, my money is on them to end at the bottom of the log!
1 Feb 2006, 10:16 am
Personally think the first two games will determine whether the Cats or Sharks get relegated.A positive start before they both venture to Australasia will be critical.
Also think that Muir is a more dynamic coach than Ludeke while I also have more faith in Monty and Tony Brown in the critical no 10 position than Snyman.
1 Feb 2006, 10:28 am
Of course the Kiwis easily write off the SA teams! After all, not a single one of them has EVER won the S12. In fact, the SA press themselves only set their sights on ONE of the four SA teams scraping their way as far as the mere SEMIS and that is somehow to be regarded then as achieving a massive accomplishment!
Jeez!
The Kiwis always aim a whole lot higher!
They actually aim to WIN the entire contest. And Eight times out of Ten they accomplish exactly that!
1 Feb 2006, 10:33 am
And, when the Crusaders win their fifth out of ten tournaments outright, the heat is put on the Blues who have disappointingly only won the entire tournament three times outright.
Or the Hurricances or the Highlanders or the Chiefs who have NEVER won it outright!
Making the SEMIS?
Who actually truly gives a damn? Does it ever matter?
No. It doesn’t. Not one iota.
Winning the Super 12/14 matters.
1 Feb 2006, 10:59 am
can’t say i disagree … the Cats have only ever performed when Andre Pretorious has been on song. They are going to battle without him and find themselves on the back foot early in the competition.
Face it, they are the only side that has not put the Spears away in the second half, in fact they lost the second half!
And it’s disappointing as they are my second side.
1 Feb 2006, 10:59 am
I am reluctantly forced to agree with the sinister and loathsome Tackler. The poor form shown by SA teams in the S12 doesn’t augur well for the S14.
1 Feb 2006, 11:09 am
Agree stormsaam, the bulls have consistently been SA’s worst side. i dont think they will end last but i also dont think they will make the semi’s. It all depends on injuries and if they can go tour having won most of thei home games, i think they should do fine… Really hard to say.
1 Feb 2006, 11:33 am
Where can I put some money on the bulls? Not bad odds for me.
1 Feb 2006, 11:38 am
wpw,
When you say “Really hard to say”, do you mean that you find it difficult to face the facts and admit that the Bulls are currently SA’s form side and the most likely SA team to make the semis?
Attempting to predict a teams chances based on stats from the S12 is an interesting pastime, but not really a lot of use. New tournament. New teams. Any team can win – even the Stormers have a chance (LOL) Weren’t the Crusaders bottom of the log in the first couple of years S12 before they got in the habit of winning?
I think that the Bulls will win the inaugral S14 trophy in a home final. I’m off to the bookies to grab my 13/1 odds
1 Feb 2006, 11:40 am
“Sinister and loathsome”???
Is that all?
I have to work at my whole act and somehow “transform” myself into something a whole lot scarier!
I’m steadily working towards being “terrifying and detestable”…
1 Feb 2006, 11:43 am
How about contemptible? That appellation fits you perfectly I believe.
1 Feb 2006, 11:50 am
Tackler you objectionable postings are also odious and antpathetic.
Put simply, you are a twat!
1 Feb 2006, 11:51 am
…should read antipathetic.
1 Feb 2006, 11:55 am
It amazes me that people are still after all this time reacting to Tacklers exact same ramblings that he has been spewing from the start.
1 Feb 2006, 12:10 pm
blouskop, now i know you are just as nuts and loony as blueblood. Are you the same person perhaps?
The Bulls will NOT win the S14, they are not consistent enough. They can hardly win away from home, what makes you think they will get a home semi… LMAO
Bulls to win the S14! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
p.s. Is it 1st April today. bwahahahahahahhaha
1 Feb 2006, 12:16 pm
unfortunately, i think this ominous prediction for the cats might be spot on, the cats have no real depth, their defense is weak and their pack is lacking a hard edge.
If their are no injuries (which is already not the case) and they acquired a strong ball carrier in the loose forwards, and something a bit more special on the other wing, maybe a different story, but its not going to happen.
1 Feb 2006, 12:21 pm
wpw,
No I’m blouskop. Are you Tackler?
What is the use of being a rugby supporter if one cannot imagine victory?
I see the Stormpies are at 40/1 – do you think they’ll make the semis? Do you dare to dream wpw? Or are you a defeatist?
Are you a loser, just like the Stormpies?
1 Feb 2006, 13:27 pm
blouskop, loser? If i remember correctly you guys were the perenial basement dwellers so dont tell me about losers… i am being realistic, until the Stormers ger a decent 10, 15 and a few more props, will they be average and maybe just maybe they will surprise a few ppl.
1 Feb 2006, 13:43 pm
wpw,
Sorry to interrupt your nostalgia, but lets revert to the present where the Bulls are the far superior to the Stormpies. 75-14 rings a bell. Remember the Crusaders also used to be basement dwellers. They transformed into winners. Just like the Bulls are doing right now.
You call yourself a realist? You are already resigned to losing (aka loser).
1 Feb 2006, 13:49 pm
blouskop
Yes lets not get nostalgic, How many trophies do the bulls have at the moments lets count um…… zero so comparing the bulls to the crusaders is a bit rich. P.S. To be a winner u actually need to win something.
1 Feb 2006, 14:02 pm
Redox – lets not forget, Canterbury didnt win the NPC either. Bulls over the last couple of years have developed a winning culture (in the S12 at home at least!) Lets just admit it – the Bulls have the best chance of reaching the play offs.
Saying that, as I’ve said before, any SA side including the bulls could get relegated this year. My money’s on the Cats.
1 Feb 2006, 14:06 pm
hate to agree with kevin w (cheetah hater), but without pretorius the cats will struggle.
1 Feb 2006, 14:06 pm
Redox,
And the Stormpies and all the other S12 franchises have how many trophies?
“To be a winner u actually need to win something”. Ummmm does 75-14 count?
I believe that the Bulls have the firepower to win the S14. I came to this conclusion after a thorough analysis. Why does this offend you Redox and wpw? Is it evidence of psychosis or simply your overwheming fear that they just might win?
1 Feb 2006, 14:41 pm
blouskop, you have got to be the thickest bulls supporter out there. To compare yourself with the Crusaders is laughable. They were never the bottom dwellers like you were, yes they might have started off losing a few games and being bottom after a few games and then going on to win the title. So when did the bulls go on to win the S12?
None of the stormers supporters i know of are saying we are the best or we will win. Unlike you we are being realistic and confident but not too over confident.
Remember where your arrogance got you in last yr’s CC Final?
P.S. Yes, you beat us 75-14 last yr but it was the 1st time you beat us in the S12, in 10 freakin yrs. Jislike but you are thick!
1 Feb 2006, 15:05 pm
wpw – first things first – I’m a sharks supporter, and don’t particularly like the Bulls or the Stormers.
But I think I should draw to your attention the post at 2.33pm on the “Cats hope to claw…” thread. Now there’s one overconfident Stormers supporter!
1 Feb 2006, 15:07 pm
wpw, You are an ignorant moron! Next time think first before you shoot your mouth off so fast. Basic research would have enlightened you:
1996 log: Canterbury 12th place
1997 log: Canterbury 6th place
Remember if you finish less than fourth then it is not possible to win the title dummy. So, before ’98 the Crusaders never had any silverware in the S12 either.
Also the Stormers only played in 9 Super 12 tournaments as they were relegated in ’97.
You really should try to make sure of your facts before you post wpw.
I thank you for reminding me of the magnificent 75-14 whipping that the Stormpies got from the Bulls, smashing the Stormers’ boast that we couldn’t beat them in the S12. I am so happy!
1 Feb 2006, 15:21 pm
1 Feb 2006, 16:08 pm
New competition, new year…stop living on the glory of reaching the semi’s last year Bulls. With Leonard gone and 3 other captains on the mend…I predict a MUCH tougher comp for the blue-boys. So all this “form-team” nonsense should stop before someone’s ego gets hurt!
2 Feb 2006, 01:34 am
gotta love the way the South Africans set themselves up to fail – teams which have 7 home matches (Stormers, Bulls, Cheetahs) have only 4 in Aus/NZ, while those with only 6 at home (Sharks, Cats) have 5 in Australasia – go figure. Cats for the drop and a forced marriage with the Bulls in 07 or 08. Does the relegated team get a crack at rejoining in 2008 by playing a promotion/relegation match against the worst SA team in 2007 (excluding the Spears) or is it 2008?
2 Feb 2006, 07:39 am
parisian,
It isn’t out of the question that the Bulls could be relegated. Sure it’s gonna be tough. That’s why we watch rugby.
2 Feb 2006, 09:26 am
1996 log: Canterbury 12th place
1997 log: Canterbury 6th place
1998 log: Canterbury 1st place
The Cantabs didn’t take out a long-term lease on the cellar like the Bulls did.
2 Feb 2006, 09:29 am
And the Bulls team that won their first EVER S12 victory over the Stormers in 2005 with an emphatic 75-14 were the same Bulls team who were absolutely thrashed 23-0 in Dunedin and comprehensively outmuscled in the tight phases by what really was a pretty piss-poor Otago Highlanders team!
2 Feb 2006, 10:43 am
Tickler. You really should check your facts before you shout your fat mouth off (you remind me so much of wpw in that respect). Your post should read:
1998 log: Canterbury 2nd place (winning finalists).
The point is that the Crusaders pulled themselves up from humble beginnings to become the most successful S12 team. This is the model that the Bulls could emulate. You are merely attempting to argue semantics.
And remember that the Bulls dismembered last years winners (I’ll help you Tickles – the Crusaders) by 35-20 and your hero McCaw was totally smashed by the Bulls’ impact.
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