Super Rugby preview: Round 3
4 Mar 2011
JON CARDINELLI and RYAN VREDE analyse the key match-ups and pick the winners at the weekend.
We’ve heard that 1.5% of Super Bru punters backed the Rebels to upset the Brumbies, and that many more are expecting the men from Melbourne to down the Chiefs in Hamilton. While this game may influence the Fantasy Leagues, it should have little bearing on the respective logs. The games to watch in this respect are in Nelson, Canberra and Perth, as all three promise to be tight contests.
The Bulls, Sharks and Stormers should continue their unbeaten runs, while the Lions have a great opportunity to break their 16-match losing streak. While it won’t be a clash of two Super Rugby heavyweights in Johannesburg, it will be significant for the Lions’ revival.
KEO.CO.ZA SUCCESS RATE
VREDE: 9/13 (69%)
JC: 9/13 (69%)
Round 2
VREDE: 4/6
JC: 4/6
Round 1
VREDE: 5/7
JC: 5/7
CRUSADERS vs WARATAHS, NELSON, FRIDAY 08:35
VREDE’S CALL: Calling the Crusaders to lose at home would ordinarily be ill-advised, but Nelson isn’t home in the strictest sense. They haven’t played in a fortnight after looking decidedly ordinary in their opener, and they’re up against the form team of the tournament. I don’t believe the emotion of the occasion will be decisive for the Crusaders. Emotion alone has never won a rugby match, it has always been accompanied by sound tactics, defensive solidity and precision on attack. The Waratahs have exhibited those traits in bags, and will take four points. Sonny Bill Williams hasn’t played for months, and while he’ll be a handful he won’t be unstoppable. Without Richie McCaw the Crusaders lack the ability to slow the recycle sufficiently enough to nullify the Tahs’ outside backs, and this combined with their solidity at the set phases will ensure plenty of opportunities for the Sydney-siders’ potent back three. The Waratahs’ tryline is yet to be breached, and that defensive excellence will be the platform on which they build this victory. Tahs by 7
JC’S CALL: The Waratahs have some powerful ball-carriers and excellent finishers, but I don’t think you can underestimate the Crusaders in these departments. The set-piece honours will be shared, but it is at the collisions that the seven-time champs will prevail. Their are doubts whether Tahs captain Phil Waugh is fully fit after the injury scare earlier in the week when he was initially sidelined for three months. There are also doubts over Daniel Halangahu, in for the injured Berrick Barnes, and his ability to unleash the Tahs’ backline. The Crusaders will be better for the break and will have worked on their accuracy. The emotion of the occasion will be a factor, and Sonny Bill Williams’ impact in midfield can’t be discounted. It was an area of weakness in the Crusaders’ first game against the Blues, but I expect Williams and Robbie Fruean will provide plenty of go-forward on this occasion. Crusaders by 7
Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Adam Whitelock, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett .
Subs: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Tom Marshall.
Waratahs -15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Subs: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Pat McCutcheon, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Afa Pakalani.
LIONS vs BLUES, JOHANNESBURG, FRIDAY 19:10
VREDE’S CALL: The Blues were dreadfully impotent against the Sharks, but that’s because they were afforded precious few opportunities, particularly from broken field. I’m not sure the Lions can, or indeed want to, employ a similarly pragmatic approach, but they have to if they hope to win. If they can stay focused on rumbling through phases, ensuring that their tactical kicks are accurate, and remain defensively solid they’ll register their first victory. They’ll be pushed hard in the closing stages because the Blues have a vastly superior bench, which means that the platform must be laid in the first 60 minutes. Here’s hoping Mitchell’s mongrels finally put together a complete performance. I think they will. Lions by 5
JC’S CALL: A lack of composure cost the Lions a win over the Stormers. They had several chances to build on their lead in the first half, but the wayward kicking of Elton Jantjies saw those opportunities go begging. This Saturday, they’ll have another opportunity, as Blues coach Pat Lam has opted to bench his All Blacks starts. They must take it. Lam will expect the Blues to fire in the second half and expose the Lions’ brittle composure, and in that sense, the decision to save Keven Mealamu, Daniel Braid, Stephen Brett and Rene Ranger for the last 40 minutes has some value. The Lions need to inflict as much damage as possible in the first half and then keep the pressure on the Blues in the second. I have my doubts that they can keep the free-running Aucklanders contained for long, and I also think that this Blues outfit has sufficient quality to force the Lions, and Jantjies in particular, to make costly errors. Blues by 7
Lions - 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Josh Strauss, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe (c), 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patrick Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Dries van Schalkwyk, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Burton Francis, 22 James Kamana.
Blues – 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino (c), 5 Ali Williams, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Rene Ranger.
CHIEFS vs REBELS, HAMILTON, SATURDAY 08:35
VREDE’S CALL: The Chiefs’ regression in the last two years has been startling. From making the 2009 final to an awful display in 2010, they are currently rooted to the foot of the 2011 table after two defeats. They’re nearly impossible to predict, but I think they’ll expose the Rebels’ defensive failings (they’ve conceded 11 tries in two matches) to bank the win. Don’t expect this to be a classic. It’ll be marked by tactical naivety, fundamental errors and poor skills, but the Chiefs’ cavalier style should ensure it is mildly entertaining. The Rebels profited from a forward pass for Stirling Mortlock’s late try against the Brumbies last week, then were gifted the penalty that secured them victory. They won’t enjoy such luck again, and while they’ll achieve parity in the set phases, they won’t have the patience through the phases and punch at the breakdown to stifle the Chiefs. P.S: Watch out for the riveting sub-plot – Mortlock v Umaga for the ‘Holding back the Years Trophy’. Chiefs by 7
JC’S CALL:Tough one to pick. Will it be a burgeoning outfit or the one in decline? I agree with Ryan in that it won’t be a classic, and after last week’s shocker against the Highlanders you’d expect the Chiefs to be less adventurous. Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald and Tana Umaga are back, and while the counterattack is always a reality with the Chiefs, we should expect better ball control amongst their forwards. The Rebels will be competitive but I’m giving it to the Chiefs at home. Chiefs by 10
Chiefs – 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Dwayne Sweeney, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard; 8 Liam Messam, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Scott Waldrom, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Ben May.
Subs: 16 Sona Taumalolo, 17 Hila Elliot, 18 Romana Graham, 19 Steven Setephano, 20 Taniela Moa, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Rebels – 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Julian Huxley, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Kevin O’Neill, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessman, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Alister Campbell, 19 Tom Chamberlin, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 22 Peter Betham.
BRUMBIES vs REDS, CANBERRA, SATURDAY 10:40
VREDE’S CALL: The Brumbies undermined their own cause against the Rebels by squandering a string of scoring opportunities, then fell away badly on defence in the closing stages. Coach Andy Friend paid for the defeat with his job after what reports suggest was a player revolt, and those players will now have heaped the pressure on themselves to prove that the show of force was the right course of action. Their phase-based game (no team has set up more rucks) will trouble the Reds, who have never been comfortable against sides that allow them minimal turnover opportunities. The Brumbies will surely target Quade Cooper’s channel (the Reds have inadvertently conceded that he is a weak defender by deploying Peter Hynes there at times), and in so doing generate the momentum they need to get their back division rolling. They’ll be competitive enough at ruck time to force the Reds to either persist with their preferred expansive attack or change their approach. Brumbies by 5
JC’S CALL: The Brumbies are missing the calming influence of Rocky Elsom and Stirling Mortlock, and Matt Giteau is yet to prove his worth as a captain. All the pressure is on the Canberra boys in this fixture, and while the Reds are yet to click, they will enjoy the tag of underdogs. Beau Robinson will add another dimension to their back row, which includes big ground-gainers in Scott Higginbotham and Leroy Houston. Robinson’s ability to stifle the Brumbies at ruck time will be important, as it will stunt the hosts’ momentum. On the flipside, the Reds will need to be more accurate and less frantic on attack, and will need to exhibit a tougher attitude at the collisions. Both sides haven’t been great, but I think the Reds are in a better space. If they can upset the Brumbies at the breakdown, they have the backline to capitalise. Reds by 7
Brumbies – 15 Pat McCabe, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Robbie Coleman, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau (c), 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Colby Faingaa, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Subs: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Salesi Ma’afu, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Christian Lealiifano.
Reds – 15 Ben Lucas, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Will Chambers, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (c), 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1Ben Daley.
Subs: 16 James Hanson, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Ed Quirk, 20 Liam Gill, 21 Mike Harris, 22 Luke Morahan.
FORCE vs SHARKS, PERTH, SATURDAY 13:05
VREDE’S CALL: This is a tough one to call. The Sharks haven’t been tested yet, winning comfortably against the Cheetahs and negotiating a lame Blues side. The Force’s performance against the Reds in the opening round was very impressive. They look a better attacking force with James O’Connor at flyhalf. His tussle with Pat Lambie will be interesting to watch and decisive to the outcome. Their influence, and indeed those outside of them, will be determined by the work of the heavies, and it’s here that the Sharks have an edge. The forwards will be tasked with making fetcher David Pocock a non-factor. If they manage this their attacking task becomes much easier. From there they’ve shown the tactical adaptability to hurt the Force in a number of ways. A crucial win on the road methinks. Sharks by 5
JC’S CALL: In a match where two fine defensive sides go head-to-head, the best attacking team will prosper. The Force are a well coached unit and their forwards outplayed the Reds two weeks ago, but they’ll battle to replicate that effort against the Sharks. The Durban outfit are spoiled for quality and experience, and the pack’s controlled aggression should be the key to a gritty win. Pocock will try to stifle the Sharks’ momentum and he has some dangerous accomplices in Matt Hodgson and Richard Brown, but I don’t think the Force will be able to live with the Sharks at the collisions, and providing Pat Lambie and Charl McLeod continue to make the right decisions, the Force backline will be under pressure. Sharks by 7
Force – 15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 David Smith, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Ben McCalman, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ben Whittaker, 1 Pek Cowan.
Subs: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Sam Wykes, 19 Tevita Metuisela, 20 James Stannard, 21 Alfie Mafi, 22 Rory Sidey.
Sharks – 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Stefan Terblanche (c), 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Craig Burden, 17 John Smit, 18 Anton Bresler, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Conrad Hoffmann, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Lwazi Mvovo.
STORMERS vs CHEETAHS, CAPE TOWN, SATURDAY 17:05
VREDE’S CALL: The Stormers were ordinary in their opener, but then which team, other than the Tahs, wasn’t? They’ll improve this week, especially with Peter Grant reinstated at flyhalf. Grant’s influence in the final quarter against the Lions was patent, and his backline will reap the benefits of his penchant for taking on the gain line. I say this based on the belief that his forwards will be superior in all facets of play, with Francois Louw leading the breakdown assault and ensuring the Cheetahs attacks will be laboured and consistently fronted by a set defensive line. The Stormers will banish the memory of an indifferent first hit out by bagging five points at Newlands. Stormers by 12
JC’S CALL: The Cheetahs struggle to beat the big teams at the best of times, but are infinitely less intimidating without Juan Smith in tow. Naka Drotske has been forced to select a quicker but smaller loose trio which will struggle in a tighter contest. The Stormers need to control possession and show more accuracy than they did on attack last week. It was a workmanlike performance that finally earned them their first try (in the 75th minute against the Lions) and they need more of those good basics against the Cheetahs. They have the personnel to beat the Cheetahs comfortably, and the question of how much will be down to their discipline and accuracy, particularly at the breakdown. Once they’ve established a platform, men like Grant and Jean de Villiers will come into play, while Juan de Jongh should thrive against a Cheetahs defensive line on the back foot. Stormers by 10
Stormers – 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Pieter Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 CJ van der Linde.
Subs: 16 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nick Koster, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Paul Bosch.
Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Philip Snyman, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Naas Olivier (c), 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Francois Uys, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Waltie Vermeulen, 3 WP Nel, 2 Rayno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Skipper Badenhorst, 17 Kobus Calldo, 18 Martin Muller, 19 Philip van der Walt, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Riaan Viljoen.
BULLS vs HIGHLANDERS, PRETORIA, SATURDAY, 19:10
VREDE’S CALL: This game will serve as the Highlanders’ reality check. The Bulls haven’t lost at Loftus since April 2008 and that record won’t be threatened by a team who are inferior across all facets of play. The Bulls haven’t started well, with narrow victories against the Lions and Cheetahs, but they will kick into second gear and likely shift through five on Saturday. The Highlanders’ forwards will struggle to impose themselves on attack, significantly diluting the backline threat. Expect the Bulls to be fairly pragmatic early on – pounding up through their forwards and launching high kicks – then opening up in the final quarter and securing a bonus point. Bulls by 15
JC’S CALL: The Highlanders’ fire and bluster will last all of 20 minutes before they are outclassed by the more decorated and experienced pack. If the Bulls can make the most of their early opportunities, they could inflict a world of hurt on the visiting Kiwis. They have the set-piece and the breakdown bullies to lay the platform, and the decision-makers at 9 and 10 to maximise this advantage, so anything less than a bonus-point win would be a surprise. Bulls by 20
Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Subs: 16 Derick Kuün, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Juandre Kruger, 20 Ruan Snyman, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Siale Piutau, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Robbie Robinson, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Subs: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 John Hardie, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Tony Brown, 22 Telusa Veainu.
57 Comments
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3 Mar 2011, 15:06 pm
Go Sharks!!
3 Mar 2011, 15:11 pm
Yeah pretty much, but I reckon the Brumbies will win, so too the Blues.
3 Mar 2011, 15:11 pm
Good luck Sharks.
3 Mar 2011, 15:12 pm
Tahs
Lions
Chiefs
Brumbies
Sharks
Stormers
Bulls
3 Mar 2011, 15:14 pm
Go Lions!!
3 Mar 2011, 15:17 pm
@MTN RedLion Roars…(RL)-5: I’m backing the Lions to win but just hope Elton steps up on the kicking
3 Mar 2011, 15:17 pm
Vrede read my mind, his winners are exactly the same as mine … you know what they great minds think alike
3 Mar 2011, 15:20 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-6: great you are a wise punter.
3 Mar 2011, 15:30 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-4: What I am going for on bru, but will have Saders instead of Tahs.
Think Saders gonna play for their people. They will be very tough to beat.
3 Mar 2011, 15:30 pm
Okay out of here now.
Cheers everyone.
GO SHARKS GO GO GO.
3 Mar 2011, 15:36 pm
@Puma(Puma)-10: Ja Saders vs Tahs was a tough one to call, but I thought Saders might be distracted by what’s going on at home and the Tahs are looking strong. I’m looking forward to the Sharks tour, hopefully we can bag 4 wins, Go Sharks!!!! Cheers buddy.
3 Mar 2011, 16:01 pm
@Puma(Puma)-9: I think the saders will be off. The last thing on their mind is to play rugby. they are too worried about their family and friends and their destroyed city.
3 Mar 2011, 16:02 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-11: snap! I didnt see your post.
3 Mar 2011, 16:56 pm
I reckon:
Crusaders by 2
Blues by 2
Chiefs by 10
Brumbies by 9
Sharks by 2
Stormers by 10
Bulls by 15
3 Mar 2011, 18:24 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-12: I know, I have thought about that, but my feeling is they will want to do this for their people, to have something to feel good about in this sad time.
I have Saders by 5.
3 Mar 2011, 18:25 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-12: I also know none of the people from Chch will be thinking of rugby right now. But the rugby will be played tomorrow.
Good luck Saders.
3 Mar 2011, 18:32 pm
Waratahs
Blues
Rebels
Reds
Force
Stormers
Highlanders
3 Mar 2011, 19:04 pm
My Superbru predictions is somewhat similar to Keo’s old BONES, that is it’s been real “******” to say the least. Anyhow, I’ve rolled ‘em – and the ancestors says the following;
1. Tahs
2. Blues
3. Chiefs
4. Reds
5. Sharks
6. Stormers
7. Bulls
3 Mar 2011, 19:07 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-17:
Bulls being overturned at Loftus? After losing to the Highlanders last year?
Better team, revenge motive, Victor Hatfield and the crew back at their beloved Loftus? Calling the Highlanders is not at all educated call…
Bulls with a bonus point.
Saders
Lions
Chiefs
Reds
Sharks
Stormers
Bulls
3 Mar 2011, 19:11 pm
@SexyTime(SexyTime)-19: Have to agree with you re the Bulls…
3 Mar 2011, 19:19 pm
This is a duplication of the posting from the morning
Lions Vs Blues:
Under Jonathan Kaplan the Lions better watch their scrumming, specifically Maku’s binding, otherwise they have a fair chance.
Lions by 5
Force Vs Sharks
Under Keith Brown the Beast and Bismarck will be penalised often, flying EAST means a 5 days jet lag.
Force by 8
Cheetahs vs Stormers:
Pro Legote is the referee, Jason Jaftha his line man, will develop into a great circus in motion soon
Stormers by 24
Bulls vs Highlanders
Dickinson is a strict and fair referee, Chiliboi to see yellow, once he is subbed the Bulls have no weaknesses
Bulls by 16
3 Mar 2011, 19:23 pm
L I O N S
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOARRRRRRR
L is for Losing – what the Auckland manne will do
I is for Improved – Elton Jantjies will put his hands up and show he is the best young player in the world.
O is for Ooooooh – The cries of Jerome Kano when Josh Strauss smashes him in a tackles.
N is for Nice Waylon – The heart throb of every women in SA Waylon Murray.
S is for Solution – The solution to our problems is this weekend.
3 Mar 2011, 19:58 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-21:
Maku’s Bind?
WHAHAHAHAHAHa
3 Mar 2011, 20:07 pm
Waratahs: Crusaders wont be up to it; SBW major weak link;
Blues: They will win just because they are playing the Lions, All this big talk the past few months have resulted in losses – Nothing new!
Rebels: They have the momentum
Reds: Brumbies just not the team since King Larkham retired as player
Force: The guppies will be taught a lesson by Pocock. Nothing that mr Overated Lambie and Plod can do!
Stormers: With Kaka and Naas steering this pisspoor headless team – Freestate in for a hiding – By 40
Highlanders: Came close few years ago! Will do it this weekend
3 Mar 2011, 21:03 pm
@Mighty Horua(Mighty Horua)-24:
Waratahs: SBW major weakness? Why? PLEASE explain. Are you saying he wont be match fit? You saying if Adam Whitelock plays they will be more stable? PLEASE explain?
Rebels: Momentum? From where? 2 games as a team? 1 narrow win of a forward pass? How does your physics work? Chiefs to win.
Reds: I back reds as well but not the same since 2007? Reds 2007 14th, 2008 12th, 2009 13th. Brumbies 2007 5th, 2008 9th, 2009 7th. It makes no sense that call. That call as is mine, is a gut call.
Force: Nothing the Sharks can do? Pocock will single handedly sort out arguably SuperRugbys second best pack in 2011? HERE momentum comes into play, not at the rebels. The Sharks come off a Currie Cup dominant win and 2 comfortable wins in the first 2 rounds. Only jetlag and the Force being at home will make this a close one. But still a Sharks win.
Stormers: 40 point win in a SA derby. HIGHLY unlikely.
HIghlanders: This is absurd. You reckon the Landers will come beat the Bulls at their own game, at Loftus, in front of 50000 Bulls supporters. AND be the first team to do it since April 2008. STUPID really.
3 Mar 2011, 21:07 pm
not of > off
3 Mar 2011, 21:30 pm
We’ll see about the Cheetahs vs Stormers!
Cheetahs lost Juan, Strauss, Jongi and Brussouw not back till next week.
Stormers without Schalk, Liebenberg, Fourie and Aplon, but with Grant back.
Cheetahs need to improve their scrums and aimless kicking to have a chance. Barnes also need to play like he did againt the B&I Lions for the Royal 15. The Cheetahs will be very competitive in the lineouts and three very mobile loosies, but the Duane and Louws will probably comes out tops . Scrutinity on Stormers’ scrum is back, with CJ not being able to bind and keeing his shoulders up and Fourie feeling his size.
Stormers backline to swing the game to them, especially if Naas kicks ball away and Jantjes counter. But Strauss and Eberson will be up for anything that Jean and De Jongh has to offer … unless Jean intercepts….
So Cheetahs are the underdog … never estimate the underdog…
3 Mar 2011, 21:38 pm
@scar(scar)-27:
The Stormers and WP don’t underestimate anybody.
Well, not for the last 10 years anyway.
You only properly enjoy your beer after the game.
3 Mar 2011, 23:59 pm
The people down in Chch, in fact the whole of NZ’ eyes, will be on Nelson for this game. You can say rugby matches wasn’t won on emotion alone all u want but the Crusaders always has structure and almost never lose their shape. That, and the emotion of the occation and the fact that they see it as a chance of lifting their people…Look for the Waratahs to come crashing down to earth.
4 Mar 2011, 00:03 am
@SexyTime(SexyTime)-25: I agree mate. Not even the Reds game is a given, even tho the chaos in the Brumbie camp might see to it.
4 Mar 2011, 00:13 am
I’m picking the saders simply because its supposed to be very wet. Tahs wont like the sloppy conditions and it will play into the saders hands. On a dry night i’d pick the tahs by 20. The big saders centres and pack will love the wet weather stuff. – tahs wont be used to it.
Saders by 10
4 Mar 2011, 00:55 am
Saders guys. Lets support them. I will support them far past the red and black armbands. Saders by 9. Except when they play the Bulls.
4 Mar 2011, 04:42 am
JC & Verde haven’t been paying much attention to the highlanders,they’d have the best loosies running around at the moment and i think they’ll pinch this one.
4 Mar 2011, 05:12 am
@BokiNZ(BokiNZ)-29:
Bok I actually think the Waratahs will win, not because of any emotion or lack of or anything else but for the fact they are a better team this year…at least for the first half of the season as usual…
4 Mar 2011, 05:21 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-34: they’ve played the rabbles and an out of sorts reds,see how they go against a real team.
4 Mar 2011, 05:41 am
@dermie(dermie)-35:
without McCaw they are not a real team
More they way they went about detroying those teams than the opposition itself…but yes, lets wait and see.
4 Mar 2011, 05:54 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-36: read’s not a bad replacement for captain plus no barnes for the tahs.
4 Mar 2011, 06:16 am
@dermie(dermie)-37:
But Read is not McCaw!
Jokes aside, Tahs are always hot at the start of the season and this one they seem to be ever hotter. Having said that the Crusaders are their bogie side so it will be interesting.
4 Mar 2011, 06:43 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-34: ahhh,do i sense a change of mind?
4 Mar 2011, 06:44 am
@dermie(dermie)-39:
Nope, the tips are tipped and can’t be changed. I still go with the Worrytahs…
4 Mar 2011, 06:46 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-40: i’ve put 30 on the saders by 13+
4 Mar 2011, 06:48 am
@dermie(dermie)-41:
Hahaha I assume you got good odds?
4 Mar 2011, 06:50 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-42: $3.30,was hoping for more.
4 Mar 2011, 06:54 am
@dermie(dermie)-43:
I expected much more too, what they paying for a straight win then?
4 Mar 2011, 06:58 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-44: $1.53 to $2.50 odds on ‘saders.
4 Mar 2011, 07:18 am
Go Saders do it for the people !!!!!
4 Mar 2011, 07:30 am
Centre combination of Freuen & Sonny Bill is going to be so exciting – WC combination for the ABs
4 Mar 2011, 07:45 am
@Hondo(Hondo)-21: Issues with men of colour again Hondo (@ 21), nothing’s changed there
4 Mar 2011, 07:45 am
What deep wounds ever closed without a scar?
4 Mar 2011, 08:46 am
@scar(scar)-27: Agreed Scar, most SA teams make the fundamental error of regarding the Cheetahs team as a walkover based on the team sheet. They play above themselves, and combine well as a team, whereas, the WP rely on their stars to pull them through. That is probably why they haven’t won a single tournament in more than 10 years.
That in itself is an indictement against a team with so much hype, bluster and money!!
Maybe in their knowledgeable opinion, Nka is kaka, but Naka has some CC trophies, and has coached his team to more CC semi finals and finals than the Wee Pee primma donna’s
This match is going to be no different, they ran a very good Bulls team very close last week, and this Stormers team without Schalck and Fourie, is nowhere close to that of the Bulls. In addition, rarely does a Cheetahs bench look more experienced than that of WP..
Cheetahs to shock the Stormtroopers!!
Go Cheetahs
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