The new face of Super Rugby
20 Dec 2010
Find out everything you need to know about the expanded competition in the bumper 156-page issue of SA Rugby magazine.
We kick off our Super Rugby preview section with an idiot’s guide to the new format (if you still don’t know how it works after reading this, we can’t help you). That’s followed by three pages on each South African team (how they are shaping up, player signings/losses, fixtures, previous log finishes, numbers that matter etc) and one page on each of the Kiwi and Aussie sides.
Also in the new issue:
– The Springboks failed to make any progress on their end-of-year tour
– Is Victor Matfield too conservative to be Bok captain?
– The All Blacks capped off an outstanding 2010 with their third Grand Slam in five years
– The Wallabies were frustratingly inconsistent on their end-of-year tour
– If England are to seriously challenge for the World Cup, they will have to stand up to the big beasts of the game
– Behind the swagger lies a secret diary that is driving England wing Chris Ashton to new heights
– Why the Barbarians are still relevant in the professional era
– Yet again the World Cup schedule helps the big nations and hinders the smaller ones. Why can’t the IRB make rugby’s showpiece event fair to all?
– Plus: Why Stuart Abbott is back in SA, Tim Noakes on the Boks ‘doping’ controversy, Heinrich Brussow’s injury battle, SA players in Europe
Click here to subscribe to print edition
Click here to subscribe to digital edition
2,264 Comments
Pages: « 1 … 31 32 33 34 35 [36] 37 38 39 40 41 … 46 » Show All
4 Jan 2011, 19:30 pm
@gunther :
Mr G. I have missed your sane cricketting comments since you went off celebrate the festive season at that traditional fishermen’s village.
@grant10 :
I know about your good times that is why I plead on behalf of your liver.
I am again off now for a longer time guys.
4 Jan 2011, 19:34 pm
@TheTackler :
Oh! The fourth best team in the rankings is Australia at the moment and to be honest Harris would walk into that team as their bowlers at the moment are pretty average and they have gone through about four spinners in about ten test matches.
Spinner who are way better than Harris at present:
Singh
Muri
Swann
Vettori
Rafique – all of Bangladeshi spinners are better than Harris
Tahir = the list goes on and on.
4 Jan 2011, 19:40 pm
Pity Smith lost his wicket right in the end there. What a huge pity, cause that might cost us this test and the series. Commentators said Kallis would come into bat, so that is a postive. If Kallis can’t bat cause of that injury we are in deep trouble, can’t see us win this test or even draw it without him batting.
I really don’t agree with a night watchman ever, they invariably go out pronto. So why the heck waste a wicket? Batsmen should just come in to bat in their regular place. Amla should have come in and we would only be one wicket down at close. Gonna be a big struggle for us tomorrow.
4 Jan 2011, 19:43 pm
The official ICC rankings are the best measure.
So Harris is #15 — not only of spinners but ALL bowlers.
Officially.
Argument ends.
4 Jan 2011, 19:51 pm
@Bill Reyts : Harris has already taken over 100 test wickets. So he can tick that box.
4 Jan 2011, 19:51 pm
@Bill Reyts : 1752 – Bill, I wish the selectors had the guts to just select Tahir, he is our best at the moment. He takes wickets and that is what we need in test cricket.
I am a huge, huge Boucher fan, but think maybe it is time for him to be replaced. I was never keen on AB keeping cause he is a batsman first, also wicket keeping is tough ont he body, crouching down most of the day and knees taking strain in that position, but thinking of Gilcrest he was superb at batting and keeping. So now thinking why can’t AB not be? Let him keep and bring in another all rounder. McLaren or JP would do well. That way we get a bowler and a batsman in one. Then with Tahir there we have a genuine spinner. We could be so much better if we just select right. JP was just brilliant in the series in Oz. Would love to see him back to that form.
4 Jan 2011, 19:54 pm
@TheTackler : 1754 – Tackler,
Once Tahir starts playing tests think that will all change. He is by far better than Harris. Stats or no stats.
4 Jan 2011, 19:56 pm
@E.T. : 1751 – Cheers ET,
Hope you enjoying the cricket.
4 Jan 2011, 20:02 pm
@TheTackler :
I’m glad you mentioned spinners!!!
Do you honestly think he is a spinner or is he a slow flight bowler. I can honestly say that I have rarely seen him spin a cricket ball.
I enjoyed the banner on Monday which read:
Harris you have shown us your straight ball, now show us some variety. I think that is the view of most knowledgeable cricket lovers.
4 Jan 2011, 20:06 pm
@Puma :
Howzit Puma! Yes I also think Boucher has reached his sell by date and time for a change of guard. The only real contender that comes to mind is Van Wyk, just because he can hold a bat as well. There is Kuhn but I don’t think he is good enough as a batter to make the grade.
Tahir is a great SPINNER of the ball and is proving to be a match winner for the Dolphins. That is what is needed of a spin bowler to come into the game from day three, four and five.
4 Jan 2011, 20:10 pm
@E.T. :
Saw an interesting stat on the TV transmission. After 145 tests played, Kallis Tendulkar and Ponting. 50′s scored, 100′s scored and batting averages.
Guess who came out on top.
Yip, in that order.
And how many wickets has Tendulkar taken.
Tendulkar remains a fantasic batsmen but should’ve been out in the first over of the day. Technology or no-technology. But that’s cricket.
And Carless is a cut above the rest – new hair style and all.
4 Jan 2011, 20:13 pm
Will there be a poster of the 2011 Rugby Fixtures in the next issue for easy reference?
The new face of Super Rugby isn’t very pretty.
4 Jan 2011, 20:13 pm
@Bill Reyts : 1760 – Van Wyk would do fine too, but think AB would be our best bet there. With a geniune spinner in Tahir and another all rounder we would be far better than we are.
How good was Steyn? Another 5 wickets. he is just brilliant. Our best ever fast bowler.
4 Jan 2011, 20:16 pm
@Puma :
AB doesn’t want the gloves in tests. It stuffs up his back.
Kuhn will replace Boucher.
Anyone ever watch ESPN Classic, with the 1998 test matches against England? Boucher looks about 12, and Kallis still had his own hair.
4 Jan 2011, 20:21 pm
@TheTackler :
#1754
If you believe that the official ICC rankings are the best measurement than I assume you also believe that Sangakkara is a better bastman than Tendulkar and Jonothan Trott is a better batsman then Jacques Kallis.
According to the latest ICC rankings that is how it is. Oficially.
4 Jan 2011, 20:22 pm
@Kietzphat : 1764 – Kietsphat, I know he does not want it, but maybe he might have to do it. I did say keeping is very tough on the body and the knees too. Then to have to come in to bat at 4 would be really tough, that is why have never been one for AB to do both, but thought about it during this series and thought about Gilcrest he done both superb. Why can’t AB? Unless he has a back problem, then it is out of the question.
4 Jan 2011, 20:29 pm
@Robzim : 1765 – Howzit Rob, How you doing? Did you go to the cricket with Grant? See the weather in Cape Town is now looking awesome. Newlands cricket ground must be one of the most picturesque grounds in the world.
4 Jan 2011, 20:42 pm
@Puma :
#1767
Hi Puma, I am fine, thanks. How are you doing?
No, I did not go- went to the beach instead, weather is just too hot for cricket-watching imo – a bit of a heatwave in fact, glad I was not a fielder today.
Interesting test, I think India has probably a bit of an advantage – I fully agree on your view re our lack of a decent wicket taking spinner.
4 Jan 2011, 20:42 pm
@Robzim : Of course Sangakkara and Trott are better than Tendulkar and Kallis respectively. It goes without saying.
The numbers prove it. And rankings, remember, aren’t based around one-off lucky flukes but are built instead from the cumulative record.
Looks at the scoreboard.
Trust the rankings.
4 Jan 2011, 20:42 pm
@Puma :
In an earlier post, I said that at present AB is batting at 5.
The best batting position for a keeper is at 6, 7 or 8. They must however contribute with the bat.
But AB wants to be recognised as the best batsmen in the world – which is a great goal to aim for. And he wants Kallis’s no. 4 spot eventually.
Gilchrist was phenomenal – batting at 7 or 8. Boucher’s batting average won’t compare there.
Leave AB at 5 and bring in another ‘keeper if we have to is the way to go. He must be able to match or better Boucher in the keeping skills and be a better batsmen.
For the sake of SA cricket, a successor must be identified sooner rather than later.
4 Jan 2011, 20:52 pm
@I am a stormer : 1770 – Sorry meant to say AB at 5 not 4.
Well that would be fine someone else keeping, but he has to bat well too, but then we wont get the all rounder which we really do need. So if AB could keep we get the all rounder in, if he just bats then we will only have a keeper that can bat. Have to weigh it up and see what is best.
Look I have in the past always said I never wanted AB to keep cause a top batsmen needs to look after the body, batting all day and keeping is far too much. Then Gilchrist (sorry see I spelt his name wrong above) would bat like a true batsmen he would come in sometimes and stay in for a very long time. Yes he came in after around 7 I think sometimes earlier. Never at 5 like AB. We missing another all rounder I think and a proper spinner.
4 Jan 2011, 20:53 pm
@TheTackler :
Lol, I see AB de Villiers is also a better batsman than Ricky Ponting, in fact much better.
In fact, Ricky is so low down in the list (cumalative as you said) I wonder how he ever managed to play test cricet
4 Jan 2011, 20:57 pm
@Robzim : 1768 – Rob, I am well thanks.
Agree going to the cricket is very hot to sit in that weather all day. Was so hot here on Sunday thought if the cricket was here we would have frizzled. Was like a furnace outside. Yesterday and today a whole lot cooler. Humidity has set in well and true now.
Agree it must be tough for the fielders in that weather. Think right now India have the upper hand. Had Smith not got out right in the end think we would have been going into tomorrow a whole lot more positive. Now we lost Harris too for no reason at all. Always just send in the batsmen and not the night watchman. They always go out quick and it is a waste of a batsmen, now we are two down instead of one.
4 Jan 2011, 20:58 pm
@Bill Reyts : No, that’s the opinion of most IGNORANT cricket lovers. Here’s Sidharth Monga, a professional cricket critic for Wisden-ESPN-Cricinfo: “The crowd often ribs Paul Harris for the lack of turn when he bowls spin, but today his fingers were on fire. One delivery turned and kicked from outside off to follow Gambhir’s attempt at leaving it and hit the handle of the bat. It was too tough a chance for Mark Boucher, but that delivery was enough to create doubt in the mind of the man batting on 93. Gambhir played the next ball for turn, and ended up with an outside edge. How one delivery can change perceptions formed over years of hard work.”
Now THAT is how you use guile. Spin-bowling is about guile more than out-and-out spin — always been that way. But dummies just don’t catch on.
Sidharth Monga, on the other hand, DOES get it.
4 Jan 2011, 21:00 pm
Now boys, proper cricket weather is the end of April in England when the first matches are played in thermal underwear….
Don’t know what you are complaining about!!
4 Jan 2011, 21:00 pm
Cheers Rob and I am a Stormer, out of here now.
Catch up tomorrow.
4 Jan 2011, 21:01 pm
@Robzim : Punter’s numbers are now so low he deserves to be dropped.
4 Jan 2011, 21:04 pm
@carol : 1775 – Carol, How you doing? Hope well.
Carol we here in the SH should play cricket in shorts and vests………hahahahahahaha. It is really very hot this time of year. Rain today and wont complain after the heat of Sunday. Was a real hot one.
Okay just a quick hi and bye from me Carol, keep well.
Catch up tomorrow.
4 Jan 2011, 21:08 pm
@TheTackler :
It landed in Dale Steyn’s footmarks – it wasn’t turn.
He was bowling his straight one.
4 Jan 2011, 21:08 pm
@carol :
Only in thermal underwear? I thought they would at least cover it with normal cricket clothes?
38 in the shade here.
@Puma :
Cheers Puma.
4 Jan 2011, 21:09 pm
@Puma : Hot lazy days watching cricket seem a long way off in the middle of winter here!
Catch you soon
4 Jan 2011, 21:10 pm
@Robzim : The art is in layering my friend!! Hence our umpires wear many more players sweaters here than they ever do with you!!
I’m off training, see you.
4 Jan 2011, 21:11 pm
@I am a stormer :
I think he was trying to turn it the opposite way that it went.
4 Jan 2011, 21:13 pm
@carol :
#1782
Keep it up Carol Armstrong.
4 Jan 2011, 21:25 pm
@I am a stormer : Spinners aim for the footmarks in order to get turn. Harris was right on the mark.
4 Jan 2011, 21:27 pm
Talking of Boucher. Here’s a funny story.
Was at a breakfast a few years ago with Fanie and Symcox as the joint MC’s. The 2 naughty okes.
It was Boucher’s first tour with the Proteas on the the sub-continent. He was Richardson’s stand-in. Symcox and Fanie advised him – don’t dive on these fields. There are thorns there that will rip your arms to threads.
Nevertheless, Boucher ripped his arm open one fielding practice – requiring stitches.
Sycox accompanied him to hospital whereupon Boucher refused the local anaesthetic.
A week later.
Symcox takes him to the clinic to have the stitches removed. He offers Boucher a tablet which Boucher gulps down.
Boucher: What was that?
Symcox: Viagra.
Boucher: But I’m only 23. I don’t need Viagra.
Symcox: When they remove the stitches, you’ll need something to hold on to.
4 Jan 2011, 21:28 pm
Harris has two stock balls – the one that goes straight and the one that holds its line. The way he mixes them up is mind boggling.
4 Jan 2011, 21:42 pm
@I am a stormer :
Lol, good one. Pat could certainly talk a good game with the likes of Brian MacMillon and Fanie Div etc… not many characters left these days.
@>^..^< katman :
hahaha- he is no spinner – a very slow medium pacer at best.
btw. The Springsteen/Morello clip is amazing, thks for the link. There is another great one of Morello when he performed recently with Fistful of Mercy (Ben Harper etc.)but sadly I noticed that the you tube clip has been removed since this morning.- a truely innovative guitarist.
4 Jan 2011, 21:48 pm
@TheTackler :
@1785.
But can he do it 6 balls in a row, I ask. Because, that’s what top bowlers do.
4 Jan 2011, 21:53 pm
@>^..^< katman :
Variation is his strong point – that’s why he’s there.
And my turn to go to the beer tent.
4 Jan 2011, 22:03 pm
@I am a stormer : Johan Botha also makes good use of variation. Sometimes he bowls and sometimes he chucks. And you NEVER know what you’re going to get.
4 Jan 2011, 22:09 pm
@Robzim : Someone else appears to have posted it again. Is this the one you saw?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS2If58El6c
Pretty cool.
4 Jan 2011, 22:13 pm
@>^..^< katman :
Sitting in Castle Corner, I also got bamboozled by that unfair dooasra until the ICC thankfully outlawed it.
It tripped me up, one or twice – ok more, than twice.
By that I mean, Castle Corner.
4 Jan 2011, 22:20 pm
@I am a stormer : I’m still bamboozled. Only the Capies could find a corner in an oval.
4 Jan 2011, 22:22 pm
still hanna hannering on about this grandiose poefta pastime they like to pass off as some kinda sport, nothing of the sort, sport se voet, this dandy man’s halfarsed attempt to pretend they doing anything remotely athletic is the biggest sham shackled balderdash bullsh’t baffling ball of codswallop you ever going to come across as a feeble foil of doosra dandy daydream delinquency on the planet.
4 Jan 2011, 22:30 pm
@>^..^< katman :
#1792
Thats it, thanks, could not find it this morning, I blame the heat.
4 Jan 2011, 22:31 pm
@skopiskoobidoo :
Skop,what do you think is reasonable lead for the Proteas to defend?
I’m hoping for 430.
What say you?
4 Jan 2011, 22:40 pm
@skopiskoobidoo : Pray tell, what is your opinion on sports such as shooting, lawn bowls, archery, golf and playing in the stormers tight 5?
4 Jan 2011, 22:42 pm
@>^..^< katman : @1794
And put an umbrella to mark the spot. A Castle umbrella.
4 Jan 2011, 22:44 pm
430 meaning 380 to get in one day hoping the Indian spin doctors don’t carve you up, if Kallis or De Villiers don’t fire could even be measly 200 or less, then the cats amongst the pigeons. Get 400 and its a draw cause won’t bowl India out in under 100 overs, get 200 or less and could be a loss.
Either way no skin off my nose, India or SA win or lose means diddly squat in my world.
Skittle sticks carries about as much sporting endeavor as croquet, lawn bowls, or archery, in fact at least those others produce a winner at the end of the exercise, with skittle sticks you ain’t even assured of that much when you set out on your 5 day excursion to nowhere.
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