Super Rugby preview: Round 13
12 May 2011
JON CARDINELLI and RYAN VREDE analyse the key match-ups and pick the winners at the weekend.
The Bulls are back this week and should pick up a full compliment of log points against the Rebels, while down the road in Bloemfontein the Cheetahs’ mini-revival will be upset by a Crusaders’ side that has welcomed back Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.
The Stormers and Lions are Down Under this weekend, and while the Stormers will begin their four-match tour on a positive note, the Lions’ losing streak will be extended.
KEO.CO.ZA SUCCESS RATE
VREDE: 54/80 (68%)
JC: 59/80 (74%)
Round 12
VREDE: 5/7
JC: 5/7
Round 11
VREDE: 4/7
JC: 3/7
Round 10
VREDE: 5/6
JC: 4/6
Round 9
VREDE: 4/7
JC: 6/7
Round 8
VREDE: 5/6
JC: 5/6
Round 7
VREDE: 6/7
JC: 6/7
Round 6
VREDE: 6/7
JC: 6/7
Round 5
VREDE: 3/7
JC: 4/7
Round 4
VREDE: 4/6
JC: 5/6
Round 3
VREDE: 3/7
JC: 6/7
Round 2
VREDE: 4/6
JC: 4/6
Round 1
VREDE: 5/7
JC: 5/7
HIGHLANDERS vs HURRICANES, INVERCARGILL, FRI 09:35
VREDE’S CALL: The Highlanders let themselves down against a limited Chiefs side last week, but the Hurricanes don’t possess the attacking punch to turn them over in Dunedin. The Canes were rudderless for large parts of their match against the Blues last week, showing a lack of appreciation for building an attacking platform. Notably, they haven’t exhibited the ability to play any differently, and that will be terminal against the Landers. Defensively they’ll struggle to repel the purposeful hosts, whose multi-phase approach will open up holes in their defensive line. The key for the Landers is to stifle their opponents at the breakdown and kick well to limit their counter-attacking opportunities from broken field. They should achieve both those objectives. Highlanders by 7
JC’S CALL: I’m not making this call with any great confidence, as the Highlanders have been mauled by injury in recent weeks while the Canes are an unpredictable lot. The pace of the game should determine the outcome, and in this respect the Highlanders will need to produce one of their characteristically inhibiting displays at the breakdown. It’s a big ask, as the Canes have been excellent at the tackle point in recent weeks, and they can be devastating from turnover ball. The Highlanders are missing Adam Thomson, a key component in this area, and Jarrad Hoeata has a lot to live up to. The battle between the halfbacks is also important, as Aaron Cruden will have taken a lot of confidence following the recent offerings against the Reds and Blues. Highlanders flyhalf Lima Sopoaga has shown some neat touches on attack, but a more measured and territorial approach, in conjunction with halfback partner Jimmy Cowan, could be what brings the hosts success. I’m giving it to the Highlanders on the basis that they are playing at home against a Canes side that despite scalping the Reds is still yet to gel. Highlanders by 5
Highlanders - 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Matt Saunders, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 Chris King, 2 Mo Schwalger, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Subs: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 John Hardie, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Ben Atiga, 22 Robbie Robinson/Tony Brown.
Hurricanes – 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Jayden Hayward, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Chris Eaton, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 John Schwalger.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Julian Savea, 22 Beauden Barrett.
REDS vs BLUES, BRISBANE, FRI 11:40
VREDE’S CALL: This is the match of the weekend. The Blues have shown why they can’t be called a cavalier unit any longer, with measured, patient attacks a feature of their recent performances. They’ve also shown plenty of ticker under pressure, something not usually associated with them. Still, I think the Reds are just slightly more refined across all facets of play and this will be decisive in the outcome. Their halfback pair of Quade Cooper and Will Genia will look to control field position through an ever-improving tactical kicking game, and the team will then seek to force the Blues into errors in their 22m through strong defence. I’m not sure the Blues will have the mettle to resist them for the entire match, and the Reds have the capacity to draw out their ugly alter ego. Provided the Reds don’t crumble at scrum time and are effective at ruck time – which they should be with the under-rated Beau Robinson in operation – they should take four valuable points from this one. Reds by 7
JC’S CALL: I agree wholeheartedly, this is going to be a cracker. The Blues will miss Jerome Kaino from a ball-carrying and defensive perspective. If the Reds rediscover their tenacity at the breakdown, that dangerous backline will be unleashed. The Blues’ defence has been (surprisingly) solid to date, but if they don’t limit the ball supplied to that Wallabies halfback pairing, they will succumb to the pressure. The hosts will be looking for a more complete showing by Cooper, but it is the forwards that will need to be more accurate and aggressive. The Reds’ set-piece has been shaky in recent weeks, and it’s an area the Blues will target. I think the Reds will improve enough to hold the Blues at the scrum and lineout, and with Beau Robinson leading the breakdown charge, they will deny the Blues attacking momentum. Reds by 5
Reds – 15 Ben Lucas, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Subs: 16 James Hanson, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Will Chambers, 22 Dom Shipperley.
Blues – 15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tevita Mailau.
Subs: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 James King, 19 Sean Polwart, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers.
CHIEFS vs STORMERS, HAMILTON, SAT 09:35
VREDE’S CALL: The Chiefs simply don’t have the muscle and tactical intelligence to break down the tournament’s best defensive side. Certainly they have plenty of ammunition in the wide channels, but potency of those players will be undermined by their pack’s inability to dominate. The Stormers will feed off their errors, but will also craft scoring opportunities through structured play by depleting their frail defence through numerous phases. A comfortable victory to ease the pain of defeat to the Crusaders. Stormers by 12
JC’S CALL:When you talk about a trip to Hamilton, you aren’t going to be using the word comfortable a heck of a lot, if at all. The recent fixtures in Hickville have been insipid scraps with the more bloody-minded forward pack getting the upper hand and thus setting up victory. While the Chiefs have a flyhalf (Stephen Donald) who is horribly out of form from both a distribution and goal-kicking perspective, they have a forward unit that can hassle and niggle at the Stormers. Much will depend on who adapts to the referee’s interpretations quickest, and who maintains their discipline. If the Stormers don’t bring the necessary grit and mongrel, they will lose. They also need to ensure they take all of the opportunities on offer, and so Peter Grant’s goal-kicking is going to be crucial. Ricky Januarie will also be determined to show his worth, and while he’s a distant second to first-choice scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage, the slow pace and aggressive nature of this particular game could suit him well. Stormers by 5
Chiefs - 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Dwayne Sweeney, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard: 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Liam Messam, 6 Taiasina Tuifua, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Toby Smith.
Subs: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21 Tim Nanai-Williams, 22 Jackson Willison.
Stormers – 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean De Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw
Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Anton Van Zyl, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Lionel Cronje, 22 Juan De Jongh.
BRUMBIES vs LIONS, CANBERRA, SAT 11:40
VREDE’S CALL: John Mitchell’s Travelling Circus will seek to entertain in Canberra, but punters will leave feeling cheated after realising there is no substance to the showmen. The Brumbies have been anything but impressive to date, but they simply can’t botch this one. I suspect they’ll make another feeble attempt at something resembling a multi-phase game. Even if they get it half right, they will be in business. Provided they stay tight on attack and defence, starving the Lions of possession in good positions, they’ll bank five points. Brumbies by 10
JC’S CALL: Ryan, you make it sound like the Canberra locals will be buying tickets just to watch the Lions. Most Lions fans don’t pay to watch the Lions, and why should they? They’re a team that’s struggled for continuity and even their own coach has had a go at them publicly. The selection of Elton Jantjies at flyhalf is another step backward, and I’m sure the Brumbies will run down his channel all night. It won’t be a convincing showing by the hosts, who have battled for synergy all season and have lost their composure at key moments (take a bow the poor leadership), but they will be good enough to beat this Lions side by a comfortable margin. Brumbies by 12
Brumbies – 15 Pat McCabe, 14 Andrew Smith, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Colby Faingaa, 6 Mitch Chapman, 5 Ben Hand, 4 Peter Kimlin, 3 Jono Owen, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Subs: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Salesi Ma’afu, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Henry Speight.
Lions – 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Dylan des Fountain, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Josh Strauss (c), 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg
Subs: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Warren Whiteley, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Butch James.
BULLS vs REBELS, PRETORIA, SAT 17:05
VREDE’S CALL: The Bulls have spoken this week about striking wider than they usually do. They’ll achieve this by completely dominating the collisions and drawing in defenders, leaving their outside backs with mismatches in the aformentioned channels. The Rebels will present no significant challenge in any facet of play. This will be just the confidence lift they’ll need ahead of a trip to Durban next week. Bulls by 20
JC’S CALL: It’s an important clash in the context of the Bulls’ strive for a play-off place, and also in their quest to build some momentum. A five-point win here will give them some confidence as they head into clashes with the Sharks, and the Stormers at a later date, and a win in either of those clashes could see a surprise in the final conference standings. The Rebels can’t be taken lightly, as they are competitive at the breakdown and have some impressive ball-carriers in Hugh Pyle and Gareth Delve. The Bulls must avoid an overly attacking approach, as a loose game will suit the outgunned visitors. If the Bulls maintain possession and apply the pressure, the Rebels’ defence will crack. The Rebels can produce some defiant showings, but as their debut season has shown, they can lose focus as the game wears on. Bulls by 12
Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez (c), 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Dean Greyling.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Victor Matfield, 20 Derick Kuün, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Francois Brummer.
Rebels – 15 Richard Kingi, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Luke Rooney, 10 Julian Huxley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Hoani Macdonald, 5 Alastair Campbell, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Heath Tessmann, 1 Nic Henderson.
Subs: 16 Laurie Weeks, 17 Ged Robinson, 18 Kevin O’Neill, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Tim Davidson, 21 Peter Betham, 22 Cooper Vuna.
CHEETAHS vs CRUSADERS, BLOEMFONTEIN, SAT 19:10
VREDE’S CALL: The Crusaders will be buoyed by their victory over the Stormers despite picking up a lot of injuries, and will be too good for the Cheetahs, especially with the return of Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw. They showed last week that their fringe players can hold their own against the best in the tournament, so that won’t be an issue against a side who are determined but not dangerous. The Saders’ forwards will have the upper hand throughout the contest and with that platform established, Carter and Sonny Bill Williams will orchestrate a hammering. The Cheetahs will want to show enterprise on attack, but won’t boss the gain line and will be blunted on the deck by McCaw, making for a poor base from which to launch. They’ll go down by some distance. Crusaders by 12
JC’S CALL: It will be interesting to see how the Crusaders go about this game. The Cheetahs have built up some momentum, while the injury-hit Crusaders will field a different unit that is short on synergy. The under-done Richie McCaw will come up against a fiery Heinrich Brussow at the breakdown, while the Franks brothers will be looking to prove a point against the likes of WP Nel and Coenie Oosthuizen at scrum time. If the Cheetahs score early on it could make for an interesting contest, but if the Crusaders find their feet in the initial stages and dictate the flow of the game, the result should pan out as expected. Crusaders by 10
Cheetahs – 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Riaan Smit, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corne Uys, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius; 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Walti Vermeulen, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Hennie Daniller.
Crusaders - 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Robbie Fruean, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Willi Heinz; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Subs: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Joe Wheeler, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Brent Ward.
88 Comments
12 May 2011, 13:04 pm
Sharks guaranteed 4 points!
12 May 2011, 13:17 pm
Tough week for Superbru. Couple of these could go either way.
12 May 2011, 13:20 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-2: very true! had to either go with the home team where i was unsure or flip a coin. need a good weekend coz i have been muck lately. i should’ve learned to make my selections are reading keo’s selections and going against his
would probably have been top of the log!
12 May 2011, 13:27 pm
Hurricanes
Reds
Chiefs
Brumbies
Bulls
Crusaders
12 May 2011, 13:30 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-4: your first two selections were ones i had to flip a coin on. the coin said highlanders and blues but i’m not convinced
12 May 2011, 13:30 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-2: Agreed. Will have to consult my Almanac,
12 May 2011, 13:36 pm
Going for…..
Hurricanes
Blues
Stormers
Brumbies
Bulls
Crusaders
12 May 2011, 13:37 pm
Highlanders
Blues
Stormers
Brumbies
Bulls
Crusaders
12 May 2011, 13:39 pm
Blues to beat Reds… Reds have only played one Kiwi side (Canes) and came unstuck…
12 May 2011, 13:40 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-8: this is exactly my superbru picks
12 May 2011, 13:40 pm
Landers
Reds
Stormers
Brumbies
Bulls
Saders
12 May 2011, 13:42 pm
Canes.
Reds. (very close).
Stormers.
Bumbies.
Bulls.
Cheats. (big call i know, but you gotta have faith).
12 May 2011, 13:45 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-8: your reason for Blues over Reds?
12 May 2011, 13:46 pm
My picks
Highlanders
Blues
Stormers
Lions
Bulls
Cheetahs
12 May 2011, 13:48 pm
@cane(cane)-12: you hoping more than anything with the Cheetahs game right? why would you go against one of your own teams?
12 May 2011, 14:35 pm
Canes
Blues
Chiefs
Lions
Bulls
Crusaders
12 May 2011, 14:39 pm
@coma(coma)-16: Lions?
12 May 2011, 14:39 pm
Mirrag!
Wow, how goes it tweeps, twits, tarts?
12 May 2011, 14:41 pm
Sjoe mense, I see people are liking the Bulls these days on the net, hey?
Even the evergreen Fourie du Preez is getting it. Not one nice thing to say about any of the Bulls. Ag shame. The Stormers are doing marvelously there at the top, but that doesn’t make every Bull a loser sommer so.
12 May 2011, 14:44 pm
O jissie jong, Keohane, you experiencing one of your quiet days here on your blog again.
Eish boet, and that after you quit posting your tweets. It’s the Thursday lull.
And after Easter, so-called, too. Moenie worry nie.
12 May 2011, 14:47 pm
Tough choice. I would like Blues to win, but in the meantime Crusaders to top the conference while Reds, too, are attractive team. Alright, may the best of them win they all three will be in the playoffs anyway.
And go Highlanders!
12 May 2011, 14:47 pm
@fantasticbarnsmell(fantasticbarnsmell)-10:
Well I am first in 3 of the pools I play in, 8th in the Stormers official pool and 21st globally with 100% record for two weeks running now!
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-13:
Their forwards are stronger, Blues are also very effective in closing space down quickly.
Blues also have the stronger midfield imo with Luke back and back three with Ranger and Rock tells me they can match any magic the Reds might want to try and conjure up!
It is the one call I made which can easily go the other way.
12 May 2011, 14:52 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-22: Ok, understandable, i picked home ground as the deciding factor, plus Ranger can be a liability as much as he is an asset in the game, should be a cracker though, too bad i wont get to see it.
12 May 2011, 14:55 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-23: oh wait its tomorrow morning, awesome, i get to sit back at work and watch lol
12 May 2011, 14:56 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-23:
I think it will be close, I think my margin is 4 points in this game.
12 May 2011, 14:58 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-22: Hey M, did you get my email?
12 May 2011, 15:02 pm
@At least Os will still wear green (but no gold)(stormersboy)-26:
Bliksem you okes change your names on here so often I am not sure who you are at the moment!
If it was the one on yellow cards then yes, got it
12 May 2011, 15:03 pm
Sorry for not replying, this week I was kak busy sorting out some awesome gear for another competition
12 May 2011, 15:04 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-25: i have the Reds by 11, i still think they have quite a bit more to show us before this season ends, are you not on SuperBru?
12 May 2011, 15:06 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-29:
I am, pools: Ruggaworld, Sharksworld, Transvaal (or something, Lions supporters), Official Stormers pool, & Tank Lanning’s pool – I cannot join any more!
12 May 2011, 15:07 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-27: No worries, yes it’s me. I’ve just been having a bit of fun with recent headlines and my nick.
Gear? Top Gear?
12 May 2011, 15:09 pm
@At least Os will still wear green (but no gold)(stormersboy)-31:
Hehe, no, some stuff to be given away as prizes, Oakley gear.
12 May 2011, 15:12 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-30: ahhhh ok, thats the problem i had too, i got a second profile for the added extras, was pretty close to winning the Keo CC pool last year.
12 May 2011, 15:13 pm
I see Verde is running on 68% and JC on 74%……
Our own JustRugby is in 3rd place on the Keo pool,with 75%
Robzim 5th on 73.75%
Me in 8th spot on 72.50%
Perhaps we should ask JustRugby and Robzim which way they are going this week, actually the predictions are fairly obvious it is the margins that count!!
12 May 2011, 15:13 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-32: where do i sign up for the gear?
12 May 2011, 15:15 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-32:
Great, I need some more Oakley sunglasses !!
What do I have to do?
12 May 2011, 15:18 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-35: @carol(carol)-36:
Check out RW, gotto run quickly
12 May 2011, 15:21 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-37: RW?
12 May 2011, 15:22 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-38:
Humm…It is PissAnts other home, have no idea how to find it tho!!
12 May 2011, 15:25 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-38: ruggaworld.co.zar
12 May 2011, 15:26 pm
Ha ha Vrede! Cheetahs are determined but not dangerous! Funny all the opposition caoches seem to be wary of them. What a chop!!
12 May 2011, 15:27 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-32: I’ll email you my sizes.
You’re a mensch. Thanks bro.
12 May 2011, 15:28 pm
@carol(carol)-36: Hey Sista, I saw it first! Stand in line!
12 May 2011, 15:29 pm
@carol(carol)-39: i see
12 May 2011, 15:34 pm
I still don’t understand why Ricky Januarie is playing. If you want to rest or experiment Flo, Bekker and Vermeulen are the candidates. I suspect that Elstadt might play flank for a while, with Anton van Zyl and De Kock Steenkamp on the bench.
Highlanders
Blues
Stormers
Brumbies
Crusaders
Bulls
12 May 2011, 15:35 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-44:
Howzit Toogie! Long time mate. You well?
12 May 2011, 15:35 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-22: thats very good news indeed…
12 May 2011, 15:36 pm
Very worried about my Stormers. I just hope they are going to travel well. The Sharkies get 4 points this weekend and will be right there.
12 May 2011, 15:40 pm
@At least Os will still wear green (but no gold)(stormersboy)-43:
Looks like a great competition PissAnt has going there…Sunglasses affiliated to your favourite Saffa Rugby Team
I know that people have won prizes on Keo and they never arrive!!
12 May 2011, 15:42 pm
Stormersboy I find these new nics VERY confusing…..Had to get Robzim to explain Gunthers new nic to me, made no sense to me as an English person!!
12 May 2011, 15:47 pm
I do not believe that the crusader and stormers results are as clearcut as many believe
12 May 2011, 15:49 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-51: I believe that the Stormers were far better than the score suggests
12 May 2011, 16:04 pm
@Caper(frmeyer94)-45: does Dewaldt really need a rest? AC should really start with his best team for the first game on tour to get the ball rolling.
12 May 2011, 16:06 pm
@carol(carol)-50: Yeah I can imagine. just messing about really. Keeps me sane on this site!
PS put my picks in on RW for the comp.
Oakleys here I come.
Allthough I’m generally more a Ray Ban guy.
12 May 2011, 16:07 pm
@JL1(JL1)-52: really? I thought they looked out of sorts and made a number of handling and tactical errors (not having a go buddy but compared to the composure they showed against my team the week-end before they seemed to lose it a bit against the Saders). Having said that it was a pity that Duvenhage’s try was disallowed in contravention of the rules, could have been a diferent game altogether.
12 May 2011, 16:08 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-51: That’s true, every time people have taken a Stormers win as a fait accompli it’s been a disaster for us.
12 May 2011, 16:40 pm
@At least Os will still wear green (but no gold)(stormersboy)-54:
Well we will not compete for the Oakleys as Bulls fans get a jersey!!
I have submitted my picks, bit more tricky than doing superbru!!
12 May 2011, 16:57 pm
Sheeeeesh is BEN ATIGA still alive? i see he is on the Highlanders bench….
Was an All Black at 2003 WC at 19 i think…..
What the hell happened?
12 May 2011, 17:00 pm
Stormers vs Chiefs…
One word:
Warthog!
12 May 2011, 17:01 pm
@carol(carol)-57: Yeah something about Bulls being too rugged and tough to wear shades.
12 May 2011, 17:21 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-59:
Januarie has a secret weapon…he uses his boep to knock defenders off him. I guess that’s a talent.
12 May 2011, 17:26 pm
@Shark attack(Dawnpre)-61: His Boep… and what about his backside? A one man rolling maul…
12 May 2011, 17:30 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-62: In a way, Ricky Warthog is the Jonah Lomu of the Stormers… an unequalled combination of physical attributes for his position… Go Boy!
12 May 2011, 17:31 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-63: Unstoppable…
12 May 2011, 17:33 pm
I sense an endorsement coming Ricky’s way from Walt Disney…
Poombah does rugby…
I want my cut.
12 May 2011, 17:35 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-65: Cue Ricky singing “Can you feel the love tonight…” to sell another Stormer replica jersey…
12 May 2011, 17:40 pm
Fatty and Poombah… Stormers 8/9 combo… Wider and heavier than most front rows…
Yeah, the Chiefs are nervous…
12 May 2011, 17:43 pm
Stormers at Chiefs
A mystery what day the Stormers flown East, if later than Sunday Morning they will be jetlagged, add the combined might of Aplon, Jantjes, Habana and Januarie and round it up with Dickinson the referee, what would you get then?
Chiefs by 5 to 9
Lions at the Brumbies
Not sure when the Lions won in Oz last time?
Winning there under a Kiwi Ref and his Linemen may not be easy as it was under **** Muir
Maku and Elton Jantjies to the rescue
Brumbies by 12-15
The Rebels vs the Bulls
The Bulls will have to work harder playing under a neutral referee, but it’s Loftus, it’s altitude and chilibooi is on the bench for now
Bulls by 14 to 20
Crusaders at the Cheetahs
Naka can’t be serious, can he?
Fielding Raubenheimer and Johnson against McCaw and Read, Kababa Floors off the bench, a game not to miss,,,,
Crusaders by 10 points
12 May 2011, 17:48 pm
I have the answer… SBW is indeed playing for the Stormers on Sat…
Sonny Bill Warthog
12 May 2011, 18:01 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-68:
Is there such a thing as Nazibru????
12 May 2011, 18:09 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-68: You’re so subtle?
12 May 2011, 18:11 pm
Ricky’s new sponsor:
http://www.manuelccorreia.com/index.php?gallery=2D&img=pumba
12 May 2011, 20:49 pm
@JockBok(JockBok)-70:
So you must have figured out the altitude difference between JHB and Bloem?!
Well done, your IQ must have received a well needed boost?
12 May 2011, 22:37 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-73:
Keep up lad. I figured it about about 5 minutes after I posted. I got JHB and Pretoria mixed up, which still made a nonsense of your observation that the altitude in Bloem is not so high
13 May 2011, 04:30 am
Go Cheetahs… please god I hope they get a decent ref. Ash at 7?
The Stormers might bounce back. They through the kitchen sink at the Sharks and its was clear in the Saders game. Just give the ******* ball to Gio and show how to be play game breaking rugby.
GO REDS!!!!!!!!!!
Going fishing so I wont know the score till Monday. Dam!!!
13 May 2011, 04:30 am
Great reading from AU http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/super-rugby/fixtures#week-13
13 May 2011, 07:50 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-58: In 2007 he decided to quit rugby to start a business. But,then in April 2010 it was announced that he would rejoin the Auckland Rugby Union and the Auckland Blues.
Gotta love Wikipedia.
13 May 2011, 07:55 am
Corné Uys out for the Cheetahs, Barry Geel facing Sonny Bill Williams … hopefully he won’t be yellow!
13 May 2011, 07:55 am
Interesting weekend of rugger ahead, good luck to all the Saffa sides !!!
13 May 2011, 07:56 am
Latimer out of Chiefs team….hurt ankle in Thursday practice.
13 May 2011, 07:57 am
Sorry to hear about Joost, hope he can recover !!
13 May 2011, 07:57 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-79: cant wait for the Sharks…Bulls clash at Loftus….EPIC!
13 May 2011, 07:58 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-81: terrible news…
13 May 2011, 08:04 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-81: Agreed. Sounds really bad though. One of our greatest ever players, he’s gonna need all the fight he has to overcome this latest obstacle.
13 May 2011, 08:10 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-84: legend.
13 May 2011, 08:29 am
Commiserations to Joost.
13 May 2011, 08:37 am
@scar(scar)-78: Big blow. How is Geels defence? He is a better attacker than Corne but not so sure about his defence.
13 May 2011, 11:07 am
@Hondo(Hondo)-68: Well Hondo, who would you have him playJuan Smith, Frans Viljoen, Phillip vd Walt all injured. The cuboard is bare.
All that is left is Johnson, Brussow, Raubenheimer, Floors, and Karemaker!!
Who would you play then? Daniller at 8??
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