Sharks are victims of a flawed format
30 Jul 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day column, says Saturday’s Super Rugby final will be a farce instead of a real contest the tournament deserves.
Can the Sharks win in Hamilton and claim a first Super Rugby title?
Of course they can.
Are they good enough, individually and as a unit, to beat the home team?
Of course they are.
Will they win it?
Never.
The competition structure in Super Rugby finals has always been flawed because of the need to cram as much as possible into the year calendar, make the various administrations as much money as possible and give the broadcaster as much product as is possible.
A final should be about a contest and the definition of a contest is that the winner should not be predetermined.
Finals in which one team travels more than 19,300km and is given one training run before the season climax are finals only in name.
You play at home, you win. You play away, you lose. Occasionally a very good side wins away from home in another country in Super Rugby. In the history of the tournament, this was the exclusive right of a very talented and special Crusaders squad.
Officials argue that this is to reward consistency and the team placing top of the league gets all the play-off advantages. Cool, then why have a final? Win the league and you should be the champions.
The moment a play-off structure was introduced, which guaranteed each of the three Sanzar countries a play-off spot, it nullified any justification of rewarding league form.
Australia is the weakest conference. The Reds would have placed sixth on league strength. They won the Australian conference and got third on the overall league.
It is all a lie. From the outset, league form is not rewarded.
There should be three titles: a trophy and cash for the respective conference winner. It is a reward. It is an achievement. You, for example the Stormers, are the best South African team in the conference.
Then there’s the overall league winner and a very huge cash incentive and a big trophy. You are consistently the best team of the season, for example, the Stormers this year.
Now, your winners get a heads-up in the six-team play-offs, which is another tournament within a tournament. The heads-up is you get to host a play-off match which puts you in a position to play in the final, which is at a neutral venue and whose only purpose is revenue for the two respective teams and the competition organisers.
And there is a fortnight break between the play-off and the final. Then you have a tournament, in which there is merit, there is reward and there is logic.
Why have a climax to a tournament in which the format determines the winner? We play at home, we win. We play away, we lose. Why bother?
I have heard all the crazy arguments that if a team is that good they win anywhere. Crap.
The Crusaders’ campaign a year ago had a Hollywood script but a real ending, not that which sells to a dummy audience.
The same applies this coming Saturday. The Chiefs have to win because they are rested, at home and well prepared. The Sharks, in Brisbane a fortnight ago, in Cape Town last week and in Hamilton this weekend, have spent more time travelling than on the field.
Greed is the only motivator of the current system. There is no reward to any player, team or supporter.
Invariably the losing team in the final is lambasted by a disappointed supporter, and before there is time for proper analysis it all gets repeated in a league format at a national level.
Why no final here? The draw again influences the final standings.
The Sharks have confirmed their class in beating the Stormers. They were good enough. And they got the result. The Stormers, given the class of player, overachieved in winning the league and hosting a semi-final through consistently winning and they did not choke. A choke is when there is no way a team should lose. There was always a chance that they could lose because of the limitations within the available match 22 and the lack of try-scoring potency in the game plan.
The Chiefs, in New Zealand, were deserving winners and a Crusaders’ victory would merely have added to the illusion of the brilliance of a Crusaders team that relies on the extraordinary talents of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter and a historical dominance that has long not been a reflection of their rugby in the tournament.
The seven-times tournament champions have now lost five successive semi-finals and that is more relevant than the seven titles won by another generation.
We play at home, we win. You play at home, you win.
If it works for you, cool, but then add a bit of perspective to the illusion and see the tournament as a money spinner and not a representation of a team’s ability.
Both semi-finals were great value for New Zealand and SA respectively. Both national squads will be strong. Both will teams be extremely difficult to beat at home.
Don’t confuse national with regional and provincial. No bloke in Canterbury wants the Chiefs to beat the Sharks because the latter are South African. On the contrary. The same applies here. Unite behind the Sharks? Tell that to the Bulls and Lions supporters, as just two examples. Unite behind the Boks yes, but the Sharks are not a representation of Cape Town or Johannesburg.
National is national. Provincial is provincial. League is league. Knockout is knockout. Cash is all that motivates the administration. If it was about the contest, they wouldn’t force one team to spend 48 hours travelling across the world and then make them play 48 hours after touchdown.
The Sharks and Chiefs are bloody good sides. There is little between the two. It should be the dream final.
Instead it is a farce. It was when the Chiefs travelled to Pretoria a few years ago.
Can the Sharks win?
Of course they can.
Will they win?
They’ve won already if you are judging their rugby.
469 Comments
30 Jul 2012, 10:03 am
Thanks Keo – by saying the Sharks have no chance you have increased their chances
30 Jul 2012, 10:05 am
Don’t confuse national with regional and provincial. No bloke in Canterbury wants the Chiefs to beat the Sharks because the latter are South African. On the contrary. The same applies here. Unite behind the Sharks? Tell that to the Bulls and Lions supporters, as just two examples. Unite behind the Boks yes, but the Sharks are not a representation of Cape Town or Johannesburg.
Utter &^&*%^%^% keo. Show’s how out of touch you are with most SA fans.
30 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
I think only some Stormers fans won’t support the Sharks, because they really are that small-minded.
30 Jul 2012, 10:08 am
That dog food woman comes to mind …
30 Jul 2012, 10:15 am
… and Provvas apparently.
30 Jul 2012, 10:19 am
Lol… Lots of Propaganda whining… Now a cash prize and trophy for Conference “title” holders and League “winners”…
If these things really counted then maybe you would have seen traditionally strong Super Rugby teams like Sharks, Bulls, Reds, Saders actually try to achieve these “goals” with more effort other than trying to pace themselves for the long marathon that Super Rugby actually is….
As an analogy, does anyone actually win anything after coming “top” at Pollyshorts in the Comrades…? I dont think so… Winning the goddamn race is actually what counts…
What a farken ridiculous whining, Storming propaganda article…. (Surprising that Keo actually professes to support the Bulls with this propaganda)
All the meanwhile, the Sharks with a big proportion of the Bok side travel to Hamilton to take on the sprinkling of ABs, Tongans and Samoans in the Chiefs…
A True Clash of the Titans…. Not some bulshitting Conference Title “holding” or league “topping” pseudo Sop…
30 Jul 2012, 10:21 am
Keo , you are wrong we all, except some Strompies, support the Sharkies coming Saturday
30 Jul 2012, 10:24 am
@kaksioek-3:
If the shoe was on the other foot—— do you think HG and his little Sancho Panza would have supported the Stormers?
Or Exkreni-WP, Capebull, etc………
I think Keo is right – What some people post here on keo and what really goes on inside their minds are quite possibly not always the same so i do not always buy into this “I support your team” on saturday stories.
Just my opinion..
30 Jul 2012, 10:27 am
@Robzim-8: I can’t speak for anyone else. All I know is that I will always support a South African team against a foreign team.
30 Jul 2012, 10:28 am
@kaksioek-4: Do you support Man U if Chelsea are knocked out? Do you carry on throwing your support behind a new team everytime your fave and your next fave and your next fave get knocked out of something? That is utter kak, and you know it.
This is a club competition so to speak, not the Rugby championship.
The Sharks win it, well done.
They lose it, another choke in a final.
Apart from Bulls fans (like Capebull) who for obvious reasons NEED to latch on to anyone or anything that is winning, many people don’t care much about a result, but rather a good game when their team is out.
Nasty, NO. Make perfect sense to me.
30 Jul 2012, 10:29 am
sharks “victims”? hell no keo, they’re beneficiaries of what you refer to as a “flawed system”, the greedy administrators added 2 extra games to maximise profits and please Newscorp, the sharks finished SIXTH and should rightly be doing Currie Cup preseason but because of the greedy SANZAR suits the 6th best team in round robin is playing the final.
30 Jul 2012, 10:30 am
the Sharks proved on Saturday just how meaningless in value the “conference title” is. the Sharks are now undisputedly the best SA team of 2012. why should the Stormers be “rewarded” for crossing the half way line in first place? in 99 the Crusaders finished 4th on the log. they beat the table “topping” Reds in an away semifinal (the Reds had beatedn the Crusaders in the regular season) and the Crusaders went on to win an away final. i didn’t hear anyone whining back then that the Reds were done an injustice or deserved some form of reward?
30 Jul 2012, 10:32 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-10: Oh, it’s the dog food lady. I don’t support Man U or Chelsea or any other football team because I’m not really a big diving fan. I’m glad I see things differently to you – very glad indeed.
30 Jul 2012, 10:33 am
This competition format allowed the sharks to come in back door as no6 so I would not complain as a sharks fan we deserve all the travel mess up. As for the final I would change the format to more like a uefa champions format and the final venue decided before the league kick that way every staduim city has chance to the final no matter what team finishes top and sometimes both teams travel to final venue and two week rest needed to really have a super contest
30 Jul 2012, 10:34 am
Keo, none of us were whining about the tournament structure when the bulls topped the log and won it 3 times, pumping the Saders and Chief in various games, so we cant whinge about it now. It is what it is. No Australian team made the semis so the cream that was supposed to rise, did.
But you’re wrong about supporters though – if any SA team was in the final, I would support them over an Aus or NZ team. And I am pretty confident that would apply to our friends down south too.
30 Jul 2012, 10:34 am
@Transformation-11: *5th best team in the round robin*
30 Jul 2012, 10:35 am
First off, the format was not changed at no. 99 to the Sharks’ disadvantage. It has been this way for the last two seasons. I saw no complaints from Keo and Co before the Stormers game.
As for the following statement:
“The seven-times tournament champions have now lost five successive semi-finals and that is more relevant than the seven titles won by another generation.”
How utterly ridiculous!! It’s way less relevant. I don’t even have to justify it, it’s pretty obvious to any rugby supporter.
30 Jul 2012, 10:35 am
@kaksioek-3: I am a Stormers fan but I’ll be supporting the Sharks on Saturday, because they’re a SA team: please stop generalising !!!!!!!
I know it is one hell of a task and they will probably not be able to overcome the jetlag etc but stop blaming all the Stormers fans: some of us are in fact reasonable people !!! Are you a reasonable person or are you also “small-minded” ?
30 Jul 2012, 10:36 am
@Robzim-8: Hey sniffles… Your team not playing “finals” rugby this week like they apparently have been doing all season lon?
Guess what Sharks are playing in the Super Rugby Final this week…. You know… To compete for The REAL DEAL…
The actual objective of this Competition…
To win The Super Rugby Trophy…. To play proper Finals rugby in a proper Final…
Not some pseudo imaginary goal like league “Topping” or Conference Title “Holding”
You poor farken weazels…
POP!
30 Jul 2012, 10:40 am
@CharlesM-18: Glad to hear it. I said “some Stormers fans”.
30 Jul 2012, 10:42 am
The Sharks are on a roll of self belief and andrenalin, the can do it.
As long as the Sharks donnot deviate from the way they have been playing they will have a good chance of beating the Chiefs.
THe Sharks have the game format worked out, lets hope Plumtree gets them to rest up ebuff this week!!
30 Jul 2012, 10:42 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-10: I support the Sharks cause they play Rugby , what the Strompies did this year is not Rugby.
30 Jul 2012, 10:50 am
Transie put it well on the heavy mettle thread:
1) Beat AUS Conference winner away from home – Check
2) Beat SA Conference winner away from home – Check
3) Beat NZ Conference winner away from home ?????
Immortality awaits!
30 Jul 2012, 10:52 am
As a Stormers Supporter I would like to congratulate the Sharks on their victory.
They played like champions and deserve to win this series.
I believe they can win the final, and if they do, they will become Super Rugby legends. I will be supporting them this weekend and hope they make SA proud.
As for the Stormers, I am still proud of what they achieved this year. They gave it their all and that is all a supporter can ask for. They were beaten by a better team, no question about that.
30 Jul 2012, 10:52 am
@kaksioek-3:
I’m a Stormers fan and 100% behind the Sharks this weekend. They deserve it and deserve the support of all South Africans in what would be a historic win if they pull it off.
Go Sharks!
30 Jul 2012, 10:55 am
Last time I checked crusaders were in a final with the reds last year how they have lost 5 successive semi- finals only Keo village can tell u that.
30 Jul 2012, 10:59 am
Go to Love the way the Henry match fixing is the most popular thread today….
Wonder Why?
Is it because Stormers supporters now realise their team is not in the Final and playing “Finals” rugby…?
Or is it because Stormers supporters now realise that there is a better South African super rugby franchise than the League “Toppers” and Conference title “Holders”…
A team that beat their “Topping”, “Holding” team 2-1 in games played this season (with the 1 being only due to a ref assisted gimme 3pts to Grant in the final minutes of the 1st game)
Damn…
30 Jul 2012, 11:02 am
I am not going to get into the supporter bit – I do believe you have a point there though.
But to call the format unfair is bordering on entitlement.
The rules of the competition is the same for everyone, it is also in its second year running. Teams have the option to play themselves into favourable positions to stand the best chance.
The Stormers gave themselves the best chance to win the title, they failed.
I would concentrate more on their inability to win play-off matches than the structure of the tournament.
It is a problem in this team given the last 11 years which is as real, and as important as injuries, coaching, depth etc. It can be fixed – we have to ask why it has not?
30 Jul 2012, 11:02 am
@zambok-26:
30 Jul 2012, 11:02 am
@Heavens Game-27:
They’ll all be booking spots at the carwash for next weekend.
Fortunately I washed mine this weekend.
30 Jul 2012, 11:05 am
@Wing Commander Raymond-16: really? you are deluded
Pos Team P W D L Pts
1 Stormers 16 14 0 2 66
2 Chiefs 16 12 0 4 64
3 Reds 16 11 0 5 58
4 Crusaders 16 12 0 4 61
5 Bulls 16 10 0 6 59
6 Sharks 16 10 0 6 59
30 Jul 2012, 11:05 am
@Heavens Game-27:
Not really interested in Henry’s comments from 2007.
Watched the game on Saturday with my good Sharks supporting mate. Thought the Sharks played an awesome game, especially after all the traveling. Well done to them.
Only some very small minded Stormers supporters did not believe the Sharks could win. Just like only small minded Sharks supporters are now not celebrating their team’s achievements but rather trying to mock the achievements of the Stormers this year, which was pretty good even though they are not in the final.
Well done to the Stormers for fighting on and making it that far after a massive injury crisis. Well done to Sharks for an awesome win and well deserved place in final. When these 2 teams meet it willALWAYS be a 50/50 game – great teasm, great history.
30 Jul 2012, 11:05 am
One can also argue that they are beneficiaries of the system after ending effectively 5th in the round robin phase.
Any system where you combine a league phase with a knock out phase, has a downside to it in that the best team won’t necessarily win the competition. They may win the league phase and then lose in the knock out phase. As long as they know what they entered into at the beginning, they can’t complain.
It is what it is.
Just deal with it and try again next year.
Stop with this victim mentality already.
30 Jul 2012, 11:06 am
@capebull-22:
So: if the Boks beat the AB’s 12-7, I expect you to start supporting the AB’s, as they played rugby and scored a try.
If I see you praising the Boks after should this happen, your “I support the teams who play rugby” post will be pulled out. On that note: I suggest you stop with your ‘bragging rights’ over the Bulls conquests a few years back – as according to you, you don’t support teams who don’t play open, running rugby. (And we all know the Bulls rode to those finals on the back of a 10 man game plan…)
30 Jul 2012, 11:08 am
@kaksioek-13: Well narrow minded has never been my thing, and you seem to be stuck in a bucket full of the stuff.
30 Jul 2012, 11:08 am
@Wing Commander Raymond-16:
were you a tailgunner in the war?
30 Jul 2012, 11:12 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-35: That’s hilarious! You’re so narrow-minded that you want the Sharks to lose against the Chiefs. You’re one overly vigorous tooth-brushing accident away from being a Cape Crusader
30 Jul 2012, 11:12 am
@Transformation-31: Come now – look at the points totals.
30 Jul 2012, 11:16 am
@kaksioek-38: geepuz what do the competition rules say? a team that score four tries gets a bonus point, the team with the most win ranks higher!
30 Jul 2012, 11:17 am
@Mongril-32: “mock the achievements of the Stormers this year”….
Sorry… achievements….?
You obviously a decent oke and this question will probably wind you up the wrong way….
But, what achievements?
On that note, Sharks havent won anything yet… But they still have a chance next week, however improbable it may be… Stormers don’t and neither do all 13 teams not in the Final Proper.
See, the point of Super Rugby is to win the Trophy… Not “Top” the League or “Hold” Conference Titles… Yes, they are goals that should make winning easier but they are not the End Point.
The Trophy is…. Actually
30 Jul 2012, 11:20 am
Before this tournament format even got started people were complaining. It might be eleviated somewhat if they had a 2 week break between the semi-finals and the finals. That would be a decent compromise until this stupid conference system can be done away with.
30 Jul 2012, 11:21 am
@Transformation-39: That’s why the Bulls were ahead of the Sharks, yes. But the Reds had 58 points and should really have been in 6th spot if it weren’t for the conference bollocks.
But who cares? Not me
30 Jul 2012, 11:25 am
some good points. but funny timing… would this article have appeared if chiefs were flying to cape town now?
English Premier league (soccer) has no Playoffs…
And their rugby tournament has 2 trophies. one for topping the log. and one for winning the knockout comp at end of season. as a stormers supporter i wish there was a cup for topping the log, but we have known for some time, being the most consistent team does not mean you’ll win. the crusaders were masters at peaking at the business end of the comp, as sharks have done this year. except with the extended playoff system they’ve had to fly too much.
i’ll bet on chiefs this week. but do i bet on them winning by 12 or less, or 13 or more? i’ll be cheering for sharks regardless
30 Jul 2012, 11:27 am
I want to first of all congratulate you on the beauty of the structure of this particular article. The UEFA champions league has a very good administrative vision. Even though i highly doubt soccer is subject to home advantage as much as rugby. Good point made when answering those self-asked questions if i can put it that way. (Now speaking as a Sharks supporter)the reasons why will in fact will: form, hunger, quality players!!!
30 Jul 2012, 11:27 am
I see keo is in trouble with the muslims on twitter.
#fattyfatwa
30 Jul 2012, 11:28 am
@Heavens Game-40:
Winning 14 of 16 games during the league phase – pretty good going. No, they didn’t win the trophy – which is ultimately failure. But considering their run of form ending the league phase on top was very impressive.
The Cheetahs also did not win, but did admirably well considering they lost their 3 biggest names for bog parts / all of the season in Juan, Coennie and the talented Mr Goosen.
So, would the Sharks have acheived noting if they lose by 1 point next week? Not my view – I’d still applaud them for a remarkable second half of the season.
30 Jul 2012, 11:30 am
Still disappointed with Saturday’s loss. And what do we get from Alistair Coetzee – “no we don’t need to change anything and our coaching staff will remain unchanged for next year”. D E N I A L. And so it continues…
30 Jul 2012, 11:32 am
I’m sure that every team plans to end on top of the log in order to get the benefits that go along with it ie. a week off, a home semi and possible home final. That is their plan A.
If failing to do the above, they will revert to plan B, which is to win their conference and ensure a place in the play offs.
Plan C would be to end in the top 6 in order to get to the play offs at least. Preferably, position 4 or 5 to play at home in the 1st knock out round.
If that plan fails, they go to plan D. Just end in the top 6 (position 5 & 6) in order to go to the play offs and do your best from there on.
At one stage the Sharks were nearly out of the competition. They then realized that the rules of the competition allow the 6th place team a place in the knock out stage also. To get there, they needed to beat their last two opponents and get a four try bonus point in each game to ensure a 6th place and get to the knock out stage at least. If they get there they could then take it one game at a time and play knock out rugby.
They succeeded with their plan and now they are going to play in the finals.
The rules of the conference system benefited them. In a “normal” competition (1st four teams going to the semis) , there season would’ve ended three weeks ago already.
30 Jul 2012, 11:32 am
@Yetirat-47: Yes, I’m also disappointed with that. Impressed with what Coetzee has done with Stormers, but there needs to be a new mix of heads in the overall coaching team to ensure that they don’t continue to stagnate at contender level.
30 Jul 2012, 11:34 am
Hello everyone…
What the hell happened with that white card??
Are the peewees…i mean the keywees trying to cover this up forgetting that it was aired outside nz too???
30 Jul 2012, 11:34 am
@kaksioek-3: Dumb comment.
30 Jul 2012, 11:36 am
Keo for once you have written a good a article and you are right the home town advantage is everything even if it is an all ozzie or an all sa or all kiwi final,the stats do not lie.Provincialism is still rife in sa rugby but that is what keeps our rugby strong,during the dark days of isolation that is what kept the CC strong to win it and be the best team in sa,and it is still the same today the only difference being that we have the super rugby title to play for now as well as cc i can only speak for myself and say when the bulls were knocked out by the crusaders my 100% interest in the competition was over except to see the slaapstaders getting knocked out in their home semi which they duly did AGAIN.As a bulls fan i want the bulls to win every game they play and every competition they play in every year,and i do not think i am different from any other fan in that respect.The sharks face a nearly impossible task to beat the chiefs in a one off game in nz and all i can say is i hope they play good enough to win,but eventually the travelling will start to tell just as it did at newlands on saturday for it was only in the last 20 minutes that the 2nd raters came into the game as the sharkies were knackered and that is a fact.As a bulls fan living in cape town i can always remember in the old days there the wp fans saying if they do not win the CC they do not care who wins it as long as it is not the bulls,and it is still the same today that is why i was glad the 2nd raters got gubbed again.Go sharks.
30 Jul 2012, 11:39 am
four defeats in four finals could be a rugby world record.
30 Jul 2012, 11:41 am
@Robzim-8: How about GreatestGerber who would rather drown his own offspring than see WP win anything. There are tools of this persuasion supporting every side so the fools who think that it will be Stormers fans and only Stormers who might be sour over another teams success are displaying their own small-mindedness loud and clear. Most SA rugby fans will be solidly behind the Sharks this weekend. Who the feck doesn’t want to see the trophy in SA?
30 Jul 2012, 11:42 am
@blueboy-52:
You obviously just hang out in the wrong social circles in Cape Town – try mingling with the non tik using comunity. They can be fun too.
Amongst the supporters of all teams there are narrow minded childish ones and grown up ones who support their own teams but also appreciate and applaud the performances of others.
I am a Stromers supporter (ex CTN now in JHB), but have always been a proud South African when the bulls have done well in the S15.
30 Jul 2012, 11:42 am
@stormerforlife1-53: Nogge dumb comment.
30 Jul 2012, 11:44 am
@stormerforlife1-53:
as opposed to 3 semi final defeats poodleboy?
30 Jul 2012, 11:45 am
“Can the Sharks win in Hamilton and claim a first Super Rugby title?
Of course they can.
Are they good enough, individually and as a unit, to beat the home team?
Of course they are.
Will they win it?
Never.”
It would be nice to know what the Sharks’ record against the Chiefs in Hamilton is, before “blaming” your predicted loss for the Sharks on the traveling they have to do.
30 Jul 2012, 11:46 am
Sorry Keohane,but nobody forced the Sharks to end sixth on the log.All of the teams knew the rules at the start of the super competition….that’s why the Bulls so desperately wanted to end first on the log.
30 Jul 2012, 11:46 am
Some bad comments flying around today…
30 Jul 2012, 11:47 am
@kaksioek-37: Once my 2 teams are out of the tournie, it becomes irrelevant who wins. Chiefs – great. Sharks – great. Doesn’t really bother me. I will watch the game and the rugby for what it is, with no emotional involvement. So you get emotional about every Saffa team you say? And support EACH AND EVERY Saffa team that makes any playoffs by default?
Well then the Currie Cup must be quite a turbulent time for you.
All that cap and jersey changing…..At least you are always a winner by default as well I suppose. Hardenup and stop talking kak about supporting all SA teams – your nose is growing puppet boy P.
30 Jul 2012, 11:53 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-61: So you have two teams, do you? Is your other team the Crusaders?
So you’re one of those!
30 Jul 2012, 11:54 am
I will support the team that plays the best and most expansive rugby and according to Capebull’s reasoning that team is the Chiefs.
30 Jul 2012, 12:00 pm
In the interest of harmony and peace on this blog a Chiefs victory is a must.
30 Jul 2012, 12:00 pm
This is a pointless article. Of course home game is an advantage. It Is rightly awarded to the teams who finish highest. Of course travel is a factor, but what are you going to do about it. Wait for continental drift to bring all three countries closer? Any team could have found themselves with the travel schedule of the Sharkd if the league stage had finished that way. Believe me, if the Stormers had won on Saturday we’dl all be hearing how well the format worked. It’s the way it set up. Every team has the same format to deal with. Good luck Sharks. There is no reason why you can’t do it.
30 Jul 2012, 12:01 pm
@stormerforlife1-63: ****.butter.
30 Jul 2012, 12:02 pm
@kaksioek-62: Nope. I support the Stormers 100%, and I am a huge fan of Auckland rugby in general. In the S15, that means the Blues. Stormers over Blues when it matters though. Blues over everyone else.
That’s it.
Unlike you, who has emotional ties to every team in the Currie Cup and Currie Cup 1st Division. You’re in a win win relationship. When you speak of the Bulls/Cheetahs/Lions/Griquas/Pumas/EP, do you say “we won”.
Sounds a bit like playing poker with yourself IMHO….
30 Jul 2012, 12:05 pm
#55 Mongerel good name just like your team,i had good friends in cape town all wp fans and decent guys but when it came to the bulls they bloody hated them,and it is still the same today.If you are honest with yourself say on this website now who is the team you like to see getting beat most of all,and as a wp fan if you do not say it is the bulls you are just writing absolute SHITE.
30 Jul 2012, 12:06 pm
@stormerforlife1-63: Capebull is choking on the piddled wet denim of his jean pant at the moment.
By his own affirmations, he should support (in the following order):
The Chiefs,
The Hurricanes,
The Rebels, (they too be playing rugby in the Capebull style)
New Zealand,
Samoa,
Fiji,
France
The USA,
Russia,
The Solomon Islands
The Boks – who won a WC defending
The Bulls – who won 3 Super titles playing 10 man rugga.
30 Jul 2012, 12:09 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-67: My mistake, the Blues – same difference. Have you already lost your two front teeth? Did you enjoy all those losses? Ah well, good practice for what happened on Saturday at least.
Of course in the CC I only support the Sharks.
And I never say “we” when talking about a victory I played no part in. I leave that to you, dog food lady. Woof woof.
30 Jul 2012, 12:11 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-69: I understand Japan plays a mean game of rugga also.
30 Jul 2012, 12:13 pm
@blueboy-68: No, not true. Which teams do I like beating most of the other SA teams? Bulls and Sharks of course, because they are quality sides. Just like I enjoy a win over the Crusaders the most of all.
But trust me, when the bulls play and overseas team in a crunch game I get behind them 100%
30 Jul 2012, 12:19 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-69:
what are you talking about?
did you watch the chiefs bulls final?
10 man rugger indeed.
and in 2011 the bulls scored more tires than anybody else in the comp.
no my angel sort yourself out.
30 Jul 2012, 12:20 pm
@stormerforlife1-59: Home ground advantage is overrated – don’t you think? Ask the dik bek Stormers they will tell you.
The only thing that needs to change is an extra week of rest between the semi and finals.
30 Jul 2012, 12:21 pm
@goyougoodthing2-66:
poodle?
30 Jul 2012, 12:25 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-75: almost, Feijoa Butter… it’s a goodthing from New Zealand… but it leaves an odd taste in the mouth
30 Jul 2012, 12:27 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-73: I think the Bulls get labelled a kicking team unfairly sometimes but I mut be honest I think either the coaching staff insist that Morne plays the way he does or he is personally geared to only play that way but whatever the reason I don’t think it’s good for the Bulls. I reckon a more balanced no 10 would flourish at the Bulls.
30 Jul 2012, 12:28 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-73:
Gunther, did they score the majority of the tries in 2011 because they played nice running rugby or because of a very successful kick and chase strategy?
30 Jul 2012, 12:31 pm
@kaksioek-5: Get real and stop talking k@k!!
If the stormers won on Sat you would not be supporting them agaisnt the Chiefs at Newlands.. you would have found some excues as to why you need to back the Chiefs… You might be on this blog sucking up to some bloggers on the whole: “Lets go sa teasm mantra to stroke your own ego” But deep inside you would jump for joy the moment SBW scored against the hopeless JDJ..
So I am 100% with Keo.. there is no SA in Superrugby… it comes back to the argument that I need to support the bulls if they play the chiefs even if it menas that should the chiefs win it helps my teams chances in the conference.. grow up!!
30 Jul 2012, 12:32 pm
@Robzim-78:
well it is said the stormers employ a very successful kick and chase strategy.
how many tries did they score this year?
30 Jul 2012, 12:33 pm
@Keo. Shaddap your face if that’s the best you can do. For starters, you’ve written an entire piece based on how impossible it is for a team to travel 19,300km and win, after the Sharks have done just that 2 weeks running. Sure the odds are stacked against them with every additional week of travel stress, but the fact is they just traveled back from a hard game against the Reds and beat the top-ranked side in the competition in their own home ground. I wouldn’t bet my house on them beating the Chiefs this weekend, but I’d definitely put a beer on the game, and if they do pull off the improbable, they will have written another great chapter into the history of incredible achievements that sports give us from time to time. I also think that the vast majority of SA rugby fans will be watching the final this weekend and shouting for the Sharks. As a Sharks fan, I know I’ve been 100% and loudly behind the Bulls every time they’ve played in a final except for 2007! It doesn’t matter what colours they’re wearing – most of us would get behind any 15 South Africans against any 15 Kiwis.
30 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
@Skeppie-77: They should have started Louis Fouche, Morne has been off song the whole year.
30 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
@sonofgun-81: Well said!
30 Jul 2012, 12:37 pm
@Heavens Game-19: You do realise ther eis a CC game in two weeks from now? Sharks vs WP at Newlands??
So When you have won f@kkol this saturday you will need to travel to Newlands again to play at Newlands for the grudge match… cant wait!!
30 Jul 2012, 12:39 pm
Great disappointment on Saturday…..but the Bulls still got Morne Steyn…
30 Jul 2012, 12:40 pm
@Robzim-78:
I’m trying to get PedigreeScrum to tell me about the D’urban Ville wine route.
But she’s ignoring me.
Any pointers?
Which car wash are you using next weekend?
30 Jul 2012, 12:42 pm
@Provvas-84: The Boks won’t be playing ,so it’s going to be a rather damp squib.
30 Jul 2012, 12:46 pm
@stormerforlife1-87: Well the Wp team will be loaded with the same team, as Hm reckon they are not good enough… this is the thing, it will be our pisspoor useless team against their so called B team… lets see how that goes!!
I personally think it is time Ac win the CC as this surely should be the best preparation for knock out rugby??
30 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
@Provvas-84: Considering the Sharks will have 11-12 people out, it’s hardly worth the crowing about a game in 2 weeks… dont be so sour…
30 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
@stormer in a teacup-65: Travel will not be the clincher here, but the team they face…
In both their knock out games the sharks were far ahead with 20 minutes to go and needed only to survive… lets see when SBW and Cruden and company put a good 15 points on them if they have real fighting spirit to come from behind?
30 Jul 2012, 12:50 pm
It takes a great side to win an away Super 15 final – are this side a great side ?
30 Jul 2012, 12:51 pm
@goyougoodthing2-89: Well I do not want to hear the excuses already!! We lost Schalk, Duane, Koster, Carr, etc etc and were not allowed to use that as an excuse.. so bring YOUR B team and harden the f@ck up!!
The sharks is the sharks and you play what is in front of you!!
30 Jul 2012, 12:53 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-86: Not much to tell, really. It starts at the Checkers in Tygervalley and ends at the Spur in Voortrekker Road, and covers classics like JC Le Roux, Cinzano Spumante, Chateau Libertas and Autumn Harvest Crackling. Well worth it.
30 Jul 2012, 12:53 pm
@Provvas-79: Yes I would Provvas – in spite of you
30 Jul 2012, 12:54 pm
@nama1-58: cant see it even the Sader side of last year could nt do it , you could see they were physically exhausted in the last twenty …… Will be backing the Sharks though need it for superbru
30 Jul 2012, 12:55 pm
@Provvas-92: and you wonder why people think WP supporters are blow hards… not.worth.the.effort.
pfffffffffft.
yawn
30 Jul 2012, 12:56 pm
@>^..^< katman-93:
I believe the Belleville Spur is code for teazers.
Snaaks those northern suberbs players.
30 Jul 2012, 12:57 pm
@Provvas-90: SBW and Cruden will be all over them like a bad rash.
30 Jul 2012, 12:58 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-86: What do you want to know about wine tasting (downing) the Pampoenkraal way?
30 Jul 2012, 13:01 pm
@>^..^< katman-93:
Don’t talk utter papsak. There is an award winning stable of wine farms on my doorstep. Bellville Spur indeed.
30 Jul 2012, 13:02 pm
@stew-91: The Chiefs,with not many All Blacks in their team,will be worthy winners.Just loved it how they showed the proverbial middle finger at the so-called Gods of super rugby on Saturday past.
30 Jul 2012, 13:05 pm
@Heavens Game-27: You haven’t won anything yet.
30 Jul 2012, 13:08 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-86:
I suggest you go to D’Aria. They make a very good Shiraz but the bonus for you is that the Blue Bull fan club (western cape chapter) operates from the farm. Their club house is a old Opel Monza with a huge blue bull stickers – the leader is a bloke called Denvor- If you can convince him that you support the bulls he can arrange a good deal – they “bottle” their own wine in the back of the Monza specially for Bull fans – it’s called Bull de sweet harvest- not sure whether it is legit but apparently very popular amongst the elite Cape Bulls.
30 Jul 2012, 13:18 pm
I was cheering for the Sharks on Saturday. Well played. Sorry for the Stormers. Hard luck. As for the finals. CHIEEEEEEEEEFFFFFFFFFS!
30 Jul 2012, 13:18 pm
@Robzim-103: “elite Cape Bulls” ?
30 Jul 2012, 13:18 pm
Well done Sharkies, you beat us and deserve your spot in the final. I have this Shark supporter at work who can’t take the grin off her face, it’s a sad reminder of
the painfull experience we had to endure on sat. my take, after first diabolical scrum, we never showed any authority and probably the reason we took the 3 points in front of the posts instead of pushing for the try. After a momentum shifting tackle from Estebeth, Dewald, oh Dewald, kicked it out on the full and we spent another 15 minutes in our half. but the main reason we came up short for me was the selfishness of the back line players, who do not play to offload and contine the movement, but are all glory seekers looking to enhance their own reputations. They never look to run into space with the intention of creating an opportunity for another player running off them. they all go to ground to easily and waste 99% of our attacking possession. I heard AC say this morning on the radio that they might have to look at playing a more attacking style next season, for this to happen he needs the players to put the team first I am afraid…rant over! go Saaaaarks!
30 Jul 2012, 13:20 pm
Finals memory steels Chiefs
Bitter memories of the 61-17 loss suffered at the hands of the Bulls in their only other final appearance in 2009 will steel the Chiefs as they prepare to host the Sharks in Hamilton in the Investec Super Rugby 2012 final on Saturday.
That was immediately obvious in the aftermath of the 20-17 win over the Crusaders on Friday as celebrations were subdued.
Flanker Liam Messam said the memory of the disappointments associated with that hiding by the Bulls was behind their subdued approach.
“We probably celebrated a bit too much when we made the final [in 2009], enjoyed the occasion too much,” he said.
It was now a case of making sure they had a bit of steel about themselves as they prepared this time, he said.
“This group of men are willing to do whatever it takes for each other,” he said.
“We know the job’s not done. There’s still a little bit of steel and edge to the boys which is good. We know we’ve got a big week ahead of us.”
Messam said the semi-final had been exhausting, an 80-minute effort. But that was something the Chiefs had expected.
“It was pleasing to finish the way we did. They had the ball in our 22m [area] and we pushed them back into their own half,” he said.
Putting the pressure on the Crusaders from the outset by getting into them defensively was the only way to beat them, he said.
“You’ve got to get stuck into them – it starts at the kick-off. The boys flew in from there and it just snow balled effect into the last minute. It’s important to set the tone from the start and have strong body language.”
Messam was able to put his running game into stunning effect, several times charging through the defences on effective angles in powerful surges.
“The whole week we broke down their game and saw opportunities where we could get our attack going and that’s down to Dave Rennie and Aaron Cruden having a great plan to attack the Crusaders and as you know that plan worked,” he said.
It was now a case of getting back to work on Monday, going through the preparation and being ready for the Sharks on Saturday.
The combination of new blood in the team and older hands building the team culture had made him proud as the longest-serving member of the side.
They had also been under additional pressure as a result of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic winning the ANZ Championship. Captain Casey Williams spoke to the team ahead of the Crusaders game and reinforced that the Chiefs needed to believe in themselves
30 Jul 2012, 13:21 pm
@blueboy-68:
I think hate is a bad word. There were Bulls supporters at Newlands over the weekend and the bantering and camaraderie among them and the Sharks and Stormers supporters were great to see. We were all having beers under the stands before the game and I never saw anyone hate any other person because of the teams they support.
I know it is similar in Durban where we regularly have drinking sessions in the parking lot with the Sharks supporters and the ‘Soweto Toilets’ flow in earnest at the Point boat club when the Sharks and Stormers play and I am the only WP supporter.
There will always be a fierce rivalry in SA rugby and I think its a great thing and barring some overzealous inbreds who have no social life, the majority of us just enjoy watching a good game of rugby with some booze and BS thrown in for fun.
30 Jul 2012, 13:22 pm
@BuckT-106: As a sharks supporter I am left scratching my head as to why the Stormers have not been better on attack, their defence is admirable but with the personel at hand the Stormers should have one of the best attacks in the Comp. Grant plays nice and flat, JDV and JDJ have great attacking abilities, Habana and Aplon on the mix etc..
30 Jul 2012, 13:22 pm
@Robzim-103: don’t forget there is the Muskabul late late harvest and the old brown cherry, for the reminiscing parties
30 Jul 2012, 13:23 pm
Poll of the day ought to have more options.
30 Jul 2012, 13:27 pm
@Robzim-103: Surely Gunther has heard of Altydgedacht, D’aria and the sort?
Poplars restaurant might ring a few more bells for the man?
My fave Shiraz however is produced by the good people of Durbanville Hills.
30 Jul 2012, 13:28 pm
@Skeppie-109:
Many of us noted on Saturday that Grant was playing at half pace. He was slowing everything down and he was taking an eternity to make up his mind.
Duvenage was just poor..I lost count of the number of times he made the wrong decision with his entire backline waiting for the ball and on more than one occasion we had a three or four man overlap only for him or Grant to kick the ball away.
Between Grant and Duvenage the ball and the Stormers season died a painful death.
30 Jul 2012, 13:28 pm
@rossoneri-111: Only really needed the top option.
30 Jul 2012, 13:30 pm
@Skeppie-109: the decision making is poor. when they finally try a ‘move’ it’s normally in the wrong field position, the opportunity has past, it’s almost as if they call a move irrespective of what happens in front of them. after the first c.ockup they try and ‘force’ the play, it’s as if they can’t read the game in front of them and rather cut inside without support when there is an overlap on the outside. it’s as though they can’t grasp the fact that the indiviual with the ball needs to set up the next player, who by then should have some idea what the guy is going to do….where’s willievz, he can explain it better
30 Jul 2012, 13:31 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-112: you don’t think the Meerendal Shiraz is better?
30 Jul 2012, 13:35 pm
@Golden Boy-113: I suppose you can put it down to a bad day at the office but the Stormers really do have the quality to be an attacking force. For me as well the Stormers pack has been excellent this year at all the basics, first phase, in the tight collisions etc but I do think they lack the same attacking ability as other packs (the Sharks have Daniel, Bissie, Beast, Coetzee and Alberts who are all offer a lot on attack). It’s not to say they can’t but I am not sure their pack is offering enough on attack either.
30 Jul 2012, 13:37 pm
@Skeppie-109: For me it all comes down to coaching.. Hell I never played any provincial rugby in my day but even my school coach would slap me as a centre when we ran like crabs! You either “maak reguit en pass” or you were forced to do another lap!!
these days everyone drifts in the stormer team and kills any space on the outside.. Players never put other players in a better position like Naas like to say… they kill all the space and then just offloads to get rid of the ball…or they go to ground..
30 Jul 2012, 13:39 pm
@Golden Boy-108: it’s only those individuals who harbour some sort of resentment towards a team, their supporters etc that normally feel the need to vent their hatred on an anonymous blog and within close-knit groups where the women are usually in the kitchen. often stems from some insecurity and you will hardly ever hear them mention this in public.
30 Jul 2012, 13:40 pm
Chiefs vs Sharks over the years. Home team first.
2012 Sharks 12 - 18 Chiefs
2011 Chiefs 15 - 9 Sharks
2010 Sharks 18 - 19 Chiefs
2009 Chiefs 15 - 22 Sharks
2008 Sharks 47 - 25 Chiefs
2007 Chiefs 35 - 27 Sharks
2006 Sharks 30 - 21 Chiefs
2005 Chiefs 40 - 5 Sharks
2004 Sharks 27 - 34 Chiefs
2003 Chiefs 25 - 31 Sharks
2002 Sharks 21 - 18 Chiefs
2001 Waikato Chiefs 8 - 24 Sharks
2000 Sharks 31 - 44 Chiefs
1999 Chiefs 32 - 19 Sharks
1998 Coastal Sharks 52 - 18 Chiefs
1997 Chiefs 15 - 33 Natal
1996 Natal 63 - 25 Waikato
Played : 17
Chiefs: 8
Sharks: 9
In the last 6 games they’ve played in NZ (since 2001), the Chiefs have won 3 and the Sharks 3. The Chiefs however, boast 3 consecutive victories over the sharks since 2010.
This final will be epic.
30 Jul 2012, 13:44 pm
@nama1-120: Chiefs by 20!
they will not get cuaght out by Plum playing a different team than the one he anounces..
They have by far the better backline.
They have enough grunt upfront.
They are at home….
Number 2 plays number 6… luck only takes you that far!!
30 Jul 2012, 13:45 pm
@Skeppie-117:
I think our pack was the one bright light for the Stormers considering that they were missing the 3 starting loosies for the season and that many of them are still under 23. I am not only talking about this game but throughout the season they have performed well above expectations and with the additions of a decent TH I think they will be OK next season.
My biggest concern is the 9/10 axis where the Stormers lack serious quality. Of all the backline players in the Stormers team it is only Duvenage and Grant who have not played for the Boks (I could be wrong. They may have had a cameo here and there).
Duvenage has always had question marks over his game and Grant has never been a quality FH. Until they fix those areas, the Stormers will always struggle against the better teams. We probably have the weakest 9/10 in the country. And I am including the Lions here.
AND FFS KEO FIX THIS SHITTTTT SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
30 Jul 2012, 13:50 pm
@BuckT-119:
Yeah I agree. I sometimes wonder how some bloggers on here make it in real life. But then again on an anonymous blog you can show your true colors without fear or prejudice. But then again most of the posts on here are tongue in cheek, but fark me there are some left field bloggers on here.
30 Jul 2012, 13:50 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-112:
D’urbanville Hills?
Isn’t that the wine that’s always in The Budget section at ethnic restaurants?
30 Jul 2012, 13:51 pm
@BuckT-116: Meerendal’s hospitality is better
(Then again wine is like perfume….tastes differ something manic!)
The other region’s wines I enjoy – The Swartland. Some lovely boutique cellars and some special wines.
I wonder what bloody wine routes and dongas Gunther hits if he has no knowledge of these… (the older, more traditional ones possibly)
30 Jul 2012, 13:52 pm
@Golden Boy-122: Phew I don’t think Grant is that bad, hence my earlier comment. Michalak for EG gets a lot of ball with momentum due to the sharks pack’s ability to offload and ply into space, whereas Grant is usually confronted with a set defensive line….the Stormers pack is genuine quality but I do think they need a bit of an attacking mindset added to their game.
30 Jul 2012, 13:57 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-124: Nah, wrong plonk. You’re talking about the cheap kak I only pull out when darkness and gloom threaten. (I sadly had none in my hand bag at Newlands at approx 18:45 Saturday evening). I found some beyond the stadium city limits though.
Nothing wrong with Durbanville Hill’s wines – they have a few good uns.
30 Jul 2012, 13:58 pm
some very good estates in durbanville area… and great thing is they’re close and easy to get to too…
but gunther knows all this… he just be yankin’ da chain
try klein roosboom for a small quality estate… a k or two beyond durbanville hills…
30 Jul 2012, 14:00 pm
@Provvas-121:
I have the Chiefs by 11 on bru.
Thinking the Sharks may stay within 6 till late in the game before the Chiefs score the clincher in the corner near the end.
@Golden Boy-122:
The thing is that Schreuder has always done well whenever he came on. He even outperformed DD on occasions, Saturday being a case in point. However, that kick to the touchline in the 78minute, with Stormers needing to play with ball in hand in order to score a converted try to even things up, convinced me that he is not the answer either.
30 Jul 2012, 14:01 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-10: exactly … you want a good game of rugger … that’s about it. This politically correct **** about all unite all the time when it is not at a national level is laughable. When I say few Bulls, Stormers etc fans will be donning their Sharks strip it is not a case of them willing the Chiefs to victory but rather being indifferent. When Man U get knocked out of Champions League but Man C go through you won’t find those supporters wearing Man C strip out of support for the club being based in England. National is National. Club is Club. We were all once tribles. This is just a sophisticated tribal dance and when your tribe gets rolled you don’t just roll into the next tribe.
And a person who isn’t singing the praises of whoever from the rooftops isn’t unpatriotic. It is like when you get to another country and someone says ‘hey I have a South African friend. You are from South Africa so you two will get along.’ Why make the assumption.
Now let’s all unite behind Pirates cos Chiefs are out? ****. Let’s all unite behind Bafana YES. Boks YES. Proteas. YES.
30 Jul 2012, 14:03 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-125: I tend to agree with Gunther here, I kind of put Durbanville Hills in the Roberston wine category, probably unfairly as they have improved in recent years, but it will take a while to shake my perception of them. I might even put Diemersdal, Nitida and Hillcrest above them on the pecking order….oh and there’s that thing where they like to entertain the Aussie rugby team when they tour here
30 Jul 2012, 14:04 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-125:
Indeed.
I have being exploring wines from the Swartland region recently.
Top marks to the wines the Badenhorsts and Sadies are making.
The Columella in particular was superb.
Santa Cecilia chenin blanc was also superb, particularly with food.
The Lammershoek Roulette also very good as was the Sir Henry Charles Darling from Darling Cellars.
30 Jul 2012, 14:04 pm
@No.5-15: @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-10: exactly … you want a good game of rugger … that’s about it. This politically correct **** about all unite all the time when it is not at a national level is laughable. When I say few Bulls, Stormers etc fans will be donning their Sharks strip it is not a case of them willing the Chiefs to victory but rather being indifferent. When Man U get knocked out of Champions League but Man C go through you won’t find those supporters wearing Man C strip out of support for the club being based in England. National is National. Club is Club. We were all once tribles. This is just a sophisticated tribal dance and when your tribe gets rolled you don’t just roll into the next tribe.
And a person who isn’t singing the praises of whoever from the rooftops isn’t unpatriotic. It is like when you get to another country and someone says ‘hey I have a South African friend. You are from South Africa so you two will get along.’ Why make the assumption.
Now let’s all unite behind Pirates cos Chiefs are out? ****. Let’s all unite behind Bafana YES. Boks YES. Proteas. YES.
30 Jul 2012, 14:05 pm
@ufo-128: De Grendal and diemersdal 2 of those great estates, BTW thats for the cingrats boet, and comiserations!!! you actually did call a Sharks victory because of their form,
30 Jul 2012, 14:08 pm
@keo-130: yes, but Man City are made up of how many England Internationals? At least if we support another South African side, like the Sharks for example, there is the patriotic aspect of the game to enjoy. The rivalry that exists between SA and NZ is far greater than Barcelona and Man City.
30 Jul 2012, 14:08 pm
@No.5-15: It is not a whinge but an observation that when two teams contest a final you pay for something not predetermined in result – and Sup Rug finals are you play at home against a team from another country you win as they have to travel in the same week and play 3 days after getting off a plane.
The Chiefs had no price when having to fly to Loftus on a Tues 2 take a pumping, as an example.
You want the final to be a contest and give both teams a crack at it. If not then don’t have a play-off structure. Just a league system and team that ends top wins and you reward consistency. Knockout rugby very different.,
30 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm
@Skeppie-126:
I agree, they definitely need an attacking mindset, but Grant for me is really just poor. I was watching the game with CharlesM and some others and Grant was literally standing still at first receiver which meant that every backline player had to step back in order to receive the ball thereby losing all momentum.
He has never been someone to dominate a game. The frog brings with him his unpredictability and a great read of the game. Grant is slow and he thinks slowly and the little show of the ball he does before gunning for the half gap is so predictable and ineffective and yet he keeps on doing it.
Honestly, for a franchise who has one of the biggest support basis in the country (the world) we really should be attracting the best FH and SH around. For many people, Grant ranks behind Elton Jantjies, Pat Lambie, Steyn and even the young kid from the Lions who has not even played a full season of Super Rugby. For me having the 5th best FH in the country is simply not good enough if you have any serious ambitions and ditto for SH where Duvenage may battle to make it in to the Lions squad but yet, season after season he is good enough for the Stormers. The mind boggles.
30 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm
@sharks_lover-134:
you’re welcome bud… and thanks…
now let’s hope the guys take it all the way… gonna be hard but is doable…
will be a shark for two hours on saturday…
(but don’t let anyone know….!)
De Grendal is also excellent… but hardly a small boutique estate… has great view of cape town and great for a novelty photo with your glass or bottle ‘on’ table mountain… but need a good camera with plenty depth of field…
30 Jul 2012, 14:12 pm
@sharks_lover-134:
We have already complimented De Grendel.
Pay attention
30 Jul 2012, 14:14 pm
@nama1-129:
How is your bru looking Nams?
30 Jul 2012, 14:15 pm
Once again,correct Keohane!Some of the plonkers like Buckt simply don’t understand the concept.
30 Jul 2012, 14:16 pm
@keo-130: Huh but Pirates and Chiefs do not play in an international tournament? If Stormers or Bulls supporters don’t support the Sharks this weekend that’s their choice but for me personally I 100% disagree with you, I reckon when it’s a saffa team vs. an overseas team we should always back the saffa team regardless.
30 Jul 2012, 14:16 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-139:
my bad 
30 Jul 2012, 14:17 pm
@munkiboi-43: Yes it would have because you want a contest for a final … that is the point of the article. I have written all season Stormers would not win the tournament as their approach was one of no risk based on squad player limitations and I had the Sharks to beat them on Saturday in any case.
This isn’t an anti-Chiefs, pro-Sharks piece.
The Chiefs were in similar position a few years back, played some sensational rugger to come from behind and reach final but then had to travel 2 Pta 4 a final. They arrived on Tues and took 60 on Sat. They had nothing left in last 40.
When I watch a final I want to believe one of two teams has a chance; not one is just there to ensure the game can start. Then give the title to the most consistent team or have a finals play-off structure that gives any team that has to travel abroad a decent crack at it.
30 Jul 2012, 14:18 pm
@stormerforlife1-141: Or once again incorrect Keohane!
30 Jul 2012, 14:19 pm
@keo-133: Exactly it! By not shouting well done to the sharks in a blog does not mean I think they did not play well. They deserved the win as they made plans to beat a stormers side that had none on the day. Nowhere did Ac try and attack Michalak or put presure on him, nowhere did they expose Mvovo for always shooting up in defense… they just hoped that the gameplan would pan out on Saturday… here in lies the problem. Nothing done in the week of the build up to say wait: How can we beat the Sharks… no they just relied on the kick chase to go their way and Grant to kick 7 penalties for enough points
Lastly:when you look at the stormers scorelines this season… they usually score between 17 – 23 points.. and still win… which was not good enough on saturday..
30 Jul 2012, 14:20 pm
@Golden Boy-137: Fair enough, I don’t think he is as bad as you say but I do agree that he is not one of the countries top 10′s, definitely behind Lambie and Goosen. I am glad we both agree that the sharks have the biggest support base in the comp (you were talking about the sharks weren’t you?) but It is a fair comment that the Stormers should have more in the cupboard at 9 and 10.
30 Jul 2012, 14:21 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-132: Oh my hoed! You are obviously (courtesy of the free dictionary) a : A person with expert knowledge or training, especially in the fine arts. 2. A person of informed and discriminating taste: a connoisseur of fine wines.
@BuckT-131:
Their wine has grown on me over the last few years, it honestly has. My hound enjoys Ntida….(and they have a half decent chardonnay)
Hillcrest, I prefer the olives to the wine
We actually don’t have a bad setup this part of the world do we?
30 Jul 2012, 14:21 pm
@Skeppie-142: Get real Skepie.Go check on all rugby and media forums how the Stormers team are being mocked for the defeat on Saturday by Sharks supporters.Only an extremely naive Stormers supporter will support the Sharks on Saturday.Keohane is absolute right on this one.
30 Jul 2012, 14:23 pm
@Mongril-49: What has Coetzee done with Stormers. There has been an absolute regression from side that played in final 3 seasons ago. They play no risk league rugby and in last 2 years have had the most impotent attack in the competition and in succese home semi-s were comprehensively beaten by two teams that flew across the world in the same week.
Can you enlighten me as to what Coetzee has done with team that so impresses you?
30 Jul 2012, 14:24 pm
@Skeppie-145:
30 Jul 2012, 14:24 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-140:
Not good.
I’ve sneaked into the top 60% at least after spending most of the season in the top 90%, or rather bottom 10%.
I am a WP/Stormer supporter, remember? In our case there is always NEXT YEAR to do better.
30 Jul 2012, 14:26 pm
@stormerforlife1-53: Clermont had 10 in 10 finals before finally winning Top 14. Some distance to go for Sharkies.
30 Jul 2012, 14:26 pm
@keo-150:
SLOW DOWN. YOU ARE POSTING TO FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
30 Jul 2012, 14:27 pm
@keo-150: I believe AC should be given ultimatum: You either Win the CC or you are out!! Lets see if he then sticks to this gameplan?
Should playing in the CC semi and final not be the best preparation for Superrugby knock out affairs?
30 Jul 2012, 14:27 pm
@stormerforlife1-149: I think you are paranoid, of course there are some sharks supporters who are bad winners but the vast majority will all say bad luck and move on. And I can tell you the vast majority would support the Stormers if the shoe was on the other foot. Keo is 100% wrong here.
30 Jul 2012, 14:29 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-148:
It’s ok my angel.
30 Jul 2012, 14:30 pm
@keo-150: Spot on.
30 Jul 2012, 14:30 pm
@stormerforlife1-151: I am not naive enough to think that my circumstance or opinion is an exact reflection on how things are but let me put it like this, myself and around 5 mates always watch rugby together, we all played the game (at different but not particularly stellar levels) and are rugby mad. All five of us are loyal Sharks supporters but every single one of us will back a saffa side playing another international team and if the Stormers had won on the weekend we would still be busting out the braai and floeking whoever played against the Stormers.
30 Jul 2012, 14:31 pm
@Golden Boy-154: NOU TIK ****** STADIGER!!…….. (LOL)
30 Jul 2012, 14:32 pm
@Skeppie-147:
HEHEHEHE..no I was talking about the team I love to hate, my very own Stormershits
They are the team I hate the most right now, but come next season I will be shouting from the roof tops that they are the best team in the country.
Besides, the Sharks already have a very good 9 and one of the best 10/12/15 in Lambie so you really do not need any more
Once thing I have to give the Sharks though and I mentioned it before the game on Saturday. You have some of the sexiest female supporters in the country by a long way!!!! That’s what I love the most about visiting Durban
30 Jul 2012, 14:32 pm
Actually, it’s not all that surprising that most – with a few exceptions – of the Stormers fans are so one-eyed. It rather fits with their general attitude as displayed on this website. It does make them rather unpalatable though. And the wailing and gnashing of teeth is wonderful to behold – only to be surpassed if the Sharks beat the Chiefs
Even then, we will probably still have to endure multiple threads about “Coetzee gearing up for the Currie Cup” though.
30 Jul 2012, 14:33 pm
@keo-150:
Took them from no. 2 on the overall log to no. 1.
That’s progress, isn’t it.
30 Jul 2012, 14:34 pm
@keo-153: Thanks for the info.So,only seven more for the Sharks to break the record then?
30 Jul 2012, 14:34 pm
@Skeppie-142: Ok, take the Champions League for example. If you are Man U, do you support Liverpool if they are in the final and you have been knocked out? Purely because the other team in the final is a German one?
Not a fecking chance. (For some reason people in this country seem to attach national value to support or lack of support for a South African team or individual – it’s very WW2 actually.)
Nothing against the Sharks or the Chiefs, but an emotional and ‘fan’ level I really couldn’t care who wins it. I will enjoy the game though, as a rugby lover, not as a fan
(Huge difference)
30 Jul 2012, 14:36 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-160:
Hey, it’s not my fault that I have a quality education
. Are we allowed to credit the previous government for that or is it not pc?
30 Jul 2012, 14:37 pm
@Golden Boy-166: Bloody agent!!!!!
30 Jul 2012, 14:37 pm
Bastad!!!!!
30 Jul 2012, 14:39 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-165: Don’t be too harsh on Skeppie.He seems to be a nice oke ,but unfortunately lives in a bubble of his own.
30 Jul 2012, 14:39 pm
another great Keo
30 Jul 2012, 14:40 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-165: The comparison is still quite different, soccers set-up is far more club orientated than country orientated and the teams are far more multi cultural. In the rugby instance why would Stormers or Bulls supporters not want to see the Sharks smash the Chiefs? There are 21 South Africans in the sharks team some of whom will don a bok jersey in the upcoming RC, surely as a bok supporter you want them to do well and come away with a moral boosting win? Or as a bok supporter would you prefer they get a hiding and carry that through to when we have to play NZ in NZ in the RC?
30 Jul 2012, 14:40 pm
@stormerforlife1-169: But I am making the circle bigger!
30 Jul 2012, 14:42 pm
@Skeppie-172: But f art once and the circle vanishes…….aint that a *****!
30 Jul 2012, 14:44 pm
@Skeppie-171: When they don the Bok jersey i will support them.It’s the BOK COACH’S job to see that they are motivated and ready to win a game.Surely you are not this naive Skeppie?
30 Jul 2012, 14:45 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-165:
I want the Sharks to win simply to hear the whinging and beetching from New Zealand. For me that will more than make up for the Stormers not making it to the finals.
And TBH, this really is a New Zealand/SA rivalry judging by the number of Boks and AB’s (future and current) in the respective teams.
30 Jul 2012, 14:46 pm
@stormerforlife1-174: It’s not naivity it’s called wanting the best for the Boks. It’s a simple question what is best for the boks, the Sharks winning or losing? Look at what S14 success did for our 2007 WC campaign it had a positive effect, why would any saffa supporter not want the same thing?
30 Jul 2012, 14:49 pm
The Bulls got humiliated by the Crusaders.So,half of the Bok team will be demotivated?……or are you already making excuses for Heyneke if they lose against the KIwis?
30 Jul 2012, 14:51 pm
@kaksioek-162: You do the reputation of Shsrks fans no favours yourself.
30 Jul 2012, 14:52 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-165:
That’s rubbish. The majority of English supporters would support the English team in the Champions League final. Not as rabidly perhaps as the teams own supporters, but still hoping for them to win.
30 Jul 2012, 14:53 pm
@Skeppie-176: I’m with you on this one Skeppie.
30 Jul 2012, 14:53 pm
@stormerforlife1-177:
It’s not an excuse but a fact of life. If you keep losing, eventually you will become demotivated and your performances will suffer as a result. It’s really not rocket science. But then again I’m sure you already know this.
30 Jul 2012, 14:55 pm
Of course it is aflawed tournament but until you keo can bring the continents together you wasting your breath. Finals…thats what people want to watch as well!
People want to see that their team has a chance…how many more people are going watch this weekend…heaps more due to the sharks doing the unthinkable!
People will lose interest in just a league format if there is a clear winner early on…play offs also give teams bmt.
Yes you may think aus may be the weakest conference due to it being diluted but this is not easy points within the conference. Many say it is the weakest due to the top team getting a leg up from easy wins within its own conference.
Do a comparison of the top two teams in each conference and how many points they got from playing their own bottom two….i am talking top two at the end of the league stage! Be enlightened!
I think a big flaw that needs to be rectified is the third place play off should be given home advantage based on ladder finishing not by some saffa concoction! Reds did not deserve a home play off.
30 Jul 2012, 14:56 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-157: Look, I enjoy wine, some of it good, some of it not so good….but I am obviously not in your league
(I know this, because a few of the wines you have mentioned I have disliked at 1st taste…and I’m pretty certain your opinion is coming from a far more experienced palate than mine)
@Skeppie-176: Our S14 success in 2010 had a negative effect on the Boks – so while I ‘get’ where you are coming from, it’s no sale. (S15 success last year didn’t help the Wobblies either.)
Nah, I am happy if key Bok players are in form as individuals in the S15. I have zero interest in whether their team wins a final or not.
30 Jul 2012, 14:57 pm
of course i’m not gonna paint my face black and white and buy an inflatable shark or get as geed up as i would for a stormers game… but suggesting it’s silly to support another south african team is being… well… silly…
support who the hell you like… if people want to support the chiefs… good for them… if people want to support the sharks… good for them too…
but what is silly is suggesting who people should support and believing they are worse than you for not making the same choice as you…
but i’d always rather a south african team won it than an kiwi or aussie team…
30 Jul 2012, 14:58 pm
@Skeppie-176: There is no world cup in 2012.The BOKS won their tri-nations titles when the wc was not played.You’ve got no argument and are clutching at straws here now,mate.I will support the CHIEFS because i believe they play the better brand of attacking running rugby.Now that my team is out that’s my choice,so live with it.
30 Jul 2012, 14:59 pm
@David-179: Maybe you are right. But I don’t buy that a club’s fans suddenly support another team in a club/provincial competition, egging them on for a win and announcing their support all over social media.
And I don’t see why those who aren’t raising their voices in some Sharks praise singing for Saturday, because they couldn’t care either way what happens, are suddenly unpatriotic.
30 Jul 2012, 15:00 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-183:
Which ones?
30 Jul 2012, 15:01 pm
“Unite behind the Sharks? Tell that to the Bulls and Lions supporters, as just two examples. Unite behind the Boks yes, but the Sharks are not a representation of Cape Town or Johannesburg.”
just two examples. ??? i mean there are only four examples. Why are Cheetahs and Stormers different?
99% of all SA’can rugby fans are going to cheer for the Sharks. And you don’t believe it? Actually – that statement has a definite non positive factor.
30 Jul 2012, 15:02 pm
Got to laugh at some of the sentiment here where some strangely vocal supporters of a Sat knockout losing team are now stating that the winning team (A Saffa team nogal) will categorically NOT have their support against the Sheepshagging Chiefs Team in the Final…
It is funny because many of these same supporters of Saturday’s losing team were very vocal and supportive of the same Victors when said team – the Sharks, derailed the Bulls in a 4 try BP victory just 3 weeks ago…
From happy Schadenfreude to Sourgrapes in just 3 games…
I call it simply:
POP!
30 Jul 2012, 15:02 pm
The format like any other of its options has some flaws, but then it designed to cut cost of traveling and accomodations substantially, in hard economic times it’s understandable
What is wrong is the scrapping of the Neutral Referee concept, it played into the hands of SARU to be in control of the teams they prefer for play-offs spots, the Sharks got the short end, while the Bulls with all the assistance they received just flopped,,,
30 Jul 2012, 15:03 pm
Keo you are only saying what we all know,as long as the bulls are in with a chance of winning the super15 i will shout for the otherSA teams to get beaten,but once the bulls are out my interest fades, and the reason is i cannot support another team over the bulls it is as simple as that especially the slaapstaders as they are our bitterest rivals,so for me it is the bulls or nothing.If the sharks win on saturday fine i will congratulate the sharks fans but that is as far as i will go.Another thing i laugh at is all this patriotism when a SA team reaches a final,do you think for one moment the sharks fans want to share the glory of winning the super15 with the rest of SA rugby,no they do not,the glory belongs to the sharks team and management and the fans,it does NOT belong to SA rugby,they come second in the glory stakes.When the bulls won their 3 titles the glory belonged to the team and management and their fans and the rest of SA rugby second that is just the way it is.
30 Jul 2012, 15:04 pm
The truth is that most saffa fans would prefer a south African team to win.
Even if they won’t admit it here.
Psychotic malcontents like Stormerforawife are in the minority.
Like UFO said we’re not going to start shopping at Mr Price and splashing out on the Brut….
But we’d like the Sharks to win.
30 Jul 2012, 15:04 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-183: Oh dear… the backtracking is palpable… It seems Grunter has exposed some Vineyard Vintner bullshitting by “Ms” Multinic
30 Jul 2012, 15:06 pm
Keo – So no chance of the Sharks winning this final ?
30 Jul 2012, 15:08 pm
Heavens Game consider yourself moderated
30 Jul 2012, 15:08 pm
@nama1-152:
The Home town referees is what did the Stormers in by handing out easy victories which they didn’t earn
When it comes to the crunch, well, you know what happened, they lost to a team which was on its last legs
30 Jul 2012, 15:11 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-192: You could say Keo was at a lowpoint at the stage he wrote this article.
He was standing behind his desk.
30 Jul 2012, 15:12 pm
@Heavens Game-189: Yes! because it was al about advancing your NO 1 teams chances you chop!!
I do not want the Sharks to win.. simple because then I will have to listen to chops like you that only 2 Sa teams have ever won the comp.. so No!… Go Chiefs… dont know too many Chiefs that will rant about their win…
After Saturday when the Chiefs have won, you will need to realise that you reached exactly the same place as the Bulls, the Stormers, the Cheetahs.. and that is nothing to show for the whole season!!
better luck next year!!
30 Jul 2012, 15:12 pm
Seriously, who are the ijits who “couldn’t care either way” who wins the final? You want to tell me a team featuring 22 Kiwis up against a team featuring about 10 Boks is much of a muchness? Or are you just trying to sound cool and disaffected? If so, it’s not working. You just sound gwumpy and sulky.
30 Jul 2012, 15:13 pm
“Johannesburg – Overcrowded living space in some areas of KwaZulu-Natal is forcing people to have s.ex in the veld or on staircases of buildings, it was reported on Monday.
Residents of Mariannridge outside Pinetown claimed their council-owned flats were so overcrowded that when they felt the urge they headed out into the veld, the Sowetan reported.
Some had even brought mattresses to avoid being pinched or nicked by spiky shrubs.” (news24)
Lots of things happening in Shark country, it seems.
30 Jul 2012, 15:14 pm
@shooter-195: Oh dear. Schadenfreude to Sourgrapes, not in 3 games, but just three posts now
Schweet!
30 Jul 2012, 15:16 pm
@Hondo-196: stormers lost to Saders with NZ ref.. They lost to Sharks with Peyper.. So no they were never handed any victories!!
I am one to really look at refs crucially.. as I believe most refs to have a “fav: team.. Craig Joubert creams his pants at the thought of the Sharks.
Jonker is just a plain Bulls out and out!
The stormers have won 6-8 games with walsh.. ok make that 6-9 after Saturday.. But never did anybody favour the Stormers this year, just as Walsh did not score the two soft tries on Saturday.. that was all sharks baby!!
30 Jul 2012, 15:18 pm
@Provvas-198: Boo Hoo… sniff… snort… choke
Hey punk, I opened a couple cans of something for you right here and right now…
1st Can… Some whoopass (TM Tacitus)
2nd Can… Some STFU (TM Dangerman)
Howzat taste?
30 Jul 2012, 15:19 pm
Enter stage left.
Dusky (dressed in Black and White) spoiling for a fight.
The original kung fu panda.
30 Jul 2012, 15:19 pm
@Heavens Game-201: hohoho. sour grapes here are not mine jockster.
my team have 3 of those you hope win.
30 Jul 2012, 15:20 pm
@David-179: Wrong.Tottenham supporters were totally pissed-off when Chelsea won.Don’t let me start on how Arsenal supporters felt about the blues winning the CL trophy.City supporters hate United with a great passion.The Trafford scum had no choice but to remove that City banner when City won the FA cup.
Football in England is absolutely tribalism at it’s worst buddy.
30 Jul 2012, 15:21 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-186:
I agree about this unpatriotic BS. As for expecting other supporters to adopt the same hysterical support for the Sharks, that’s just a reflection of the egocentric attitude of a few of their more adolescent supporters.
30 Jul 2012, 15:23 pm
@ufo-184: Correct. Stopping people from actively supporting the Sharks is stupid, as is trying to force people to support them for ‘patriotic reasons’. Unto each their own.
30 Jul 2012, 15:23 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-192:
30 Jul 2012, 15:24 pm
@Hondo-196: you’re losing your touch hondo, with jpp, beast & mvovo starting shouldn’t it be ADVANTAGE chiefs? surely in your mind those three are far more a liabilty to the sharks chances than anything “aussie” steve can cook up
you must’ve been choking on your own kotsch these past weeks as jp has beem RED HOT tl tl tl
30 Jul 2012, 15:24 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-183: Well fair enough, each to his own I suppose. The thing is though a lot of Stormers supporters seem to be suffering from a bit of paranoia…..I think a lot more Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Cheetah’s fans would support them if they made the final than they think. This whole I am indifferent is indicative of an insular attitude and I personally reserve the right to back any saffa team regardless of whether it is my first choice team or not.
30 Jul 2012, 15:27 pm
@shooter-205: 3 wins… That makes you a Blues or Bulls supporter… Pity I can’t say “see you in the final” THIS year….
And if Sharks just happen to freakishly win, it will undoubtedly be THE best win in the History of Super Rugby…
Damn… Life’s tough this week
30 Jul 2012, 15:29 pm
@Skeppie-211: Good for you Skeppie…..so respect my right to support the Chiefs who i consider as the best attacking team still left in the competition.
30 Jul 2012, 15:29 pm
@nama1-200:
I’ve seen it happening in the Gilluly Park, Bedfordview some 25 years ago already,
30 Jul 2012, 15:30 pm
@Heavens Game-212: like I said. I hope you win it.
here’s an idea to help on your quest for a virgin achievement –
Virgin Galactic Reveals Privately Funded Satellite Launcher and Confirms SpaceShipTwo Poised for Powered Flight.
Airline offering suborbital spaceflights with a new version of SpaceShipOne. Provides description of flights, the vehicle and offers bookings starting 2005.
30 Jul 2012, 15:30 pm
@stormerforlife1-185: Dude you have broken my heart….really I do not care who you support, you have all the rights to support who you want. It’s just sad how some people feel the need to support another countries team because they have sour grapes…sad really.
30 Jul 2012, 15:31 pm
@Transformation-210:
He has not said anything about Beast manhandling Brock either.
30 Jul 2012, 15:31 pm
@shooter-215: Lol
30 Jul 2012, 15:32 pm
@Heavens Game-212: Well done on your teams win.
30 Jul 2012, 15:33 pm
@Heavens Game-212: Are you questioning their ability to win now?Come on,don’t be a coward now!Don’t come with this ‘just happen to freakishly win’ bullshite!
30 Jul 2012, 15:34 pm
@Heavens Game-212: Although your prediction of the Stormers popping was a bit off by a few months.
I am still deciding if I am supporting your team on saturday, will decide by friday.
30 Jul 2012, 15:34 pm
@>^..^< katman-199: Well put….this is exactly the point!
30 Jul 2012, 15:35 pm
@nama1-217:
His world is falling apart right now.
Next thing somebody is going to let slip that Knight Rider was dubbed.
And that contrary to popular opinion the Die Hof is not in fact Afrikaans.
30 Jul 2012, 15:36 pm
@stormerforlife1-213: Did you see the one banner in the stands/ crowd on Saturday –
‘what da hell is a Stormer anyway?’
still funnier if you think about it.
30 Jul 2012, 15:36 pm
@Sasuke-221:
Is he offering money?
30 Jul 2012, 15:38 pm
@Hondo-214:
You just saw it…you did not take part in it???
.
.
.
.
.
.
Just joking.
30 Jul 2012, 15:39 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-223: sy favourite was altyd “Wolwedans in die Skeerroom”
30 Jul 2012, 15:39 pm
@Skeppie-216: No sour grapes buddy,but just supporting the team who will be deserved winners due to the style of rugby they have played all season.As a team without many internationals the Chiefs have really exceeded expectations.In terms of experience they are really not favourites here.
30 Jul 2012, 15:39 pm
@nama1-217: Manhandle is a bit mediocre….hy het hom opgedonner.
30 Jul 2012, 15:40 pm
The Sharks can do it! If they can beat the Stormers they can beat anyone.
30 Jul 2012, 15:41 pm
@Sasuke-219: Good man… Not “fully” my doing though even though I fight the good fight …
More down to Plum, Keegan and the belief all the Sharks players have right now…
Much to the dismay of some fairweather Sharks supporters, their FB petitions and calls for firing Plum… and replacing him with none other than Pumas (Not Argies) “Legendary” Coach… Jimmy Stonehouse….
Yup, these young-dumb-and-fullof… Sharks reckon they can win this whole thing… Crazy…
But they’ve done the impossible two weeks in a row… One more week? It shouldn’t happen, but don’t bet your house against them…
30 Jul 2012, 15:41 pm
@David-225: lol
30 Jul 2012, 15:42 pm
@nama1-200: We dont want to stop people from having ***. In fact, we should encourage it.
If I was in the KZN government, I would build some ‘*** rooms’ for couples.
30 Jul 2012, 15:42 pm
@stormerforlife1-206: Again it’s a bad example, those teams have mainly international players and not much bearing on a sport whose focus is club before country….maybe that’s one of our problems, too many people with inter provincial hang-ups as opposed to backing their country
30 Jul 2012, 15:43 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-223:
30 Jul 2012, 15:43 pm
@Heavens Game-231: They have the belief to win, as well as the forward pack to trouble the chiefs.
30 Jul 2012, 15:44 pm
Nouja die tafeldwerg het sy sê gesê. Hoop net die bloggers hier kan vrede maak daarmee.
cheers vir eers >>
30 Jul 2012, 15:44 pm
@stormerforlife1-228: I fear it will be a case of around the world in 18 days for the Sharkies and the legs will feel it come second half this weekend.
Sterling effort by the them and I really feel for them having surpassed all expectation but this weekend might be one step to far.
Will support them though and hoping for their sake.
30 Jul 2012, 15:44 pm
@nama1-226:
Used to be an expensive, Posh area then, it became a no go area now
30 Jul 2012, 15:45 pm
@Sasuke-236: they will have a chance, for sure >
30 Jul 2012, 15:46 pm
@stormerforlife1-220: No question of the ABILITY of the Sharks to win… Just one or two natural laws of physiology and jet lag that have to be defied for them to do it…
But if any team can do it – it is MY team…
And I am happy they are in the Finals Proper, playing proper “finals” rugby in order to attempt to do so… Not stuck here in SA with no game to play…
30 Jul 2012, 15:47 pm
@stormerforlife1-213: I do…..enjoy the game and support whoever you want to support. I am not calling you unpatriotic or any other name…I dont agree and personally cannot understand the mindset but I will respect it.
30 Jul 2012, 15:49 pm
@shooter-227:
“As die nagvuil roep”
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-229:
Iemand moet gereeld vir Beast kwaad maak in die kleedkamer voordat hulle opdraf. Partykeer is hy soos ‘n teddiebeer op die veld en lyk dit of hy bang is om nie die opponent kwaad te maak nie.
Ek wonder watter Beast gaan Saterdag opdraf: Die teddiebeer of die Beasssst.
30 Jul 2012, 15:49 pm
@shooter-227:
Die Man van Staal.
30 Jul 2012, 15:50 pm
@nama1-217: geez, i didn’t like Beast shoving & vloeking Brok afterwards, it was uncalled for!
against which team did the stormers start “yoo hoo-ing & air punching”?
30 Jul 2012, 15:50 pm
@stormerforlife1-228: Ok all good…just one question…if playing style is high up in your judging of a team did you find it difficult in supporting the Stormers this year due to their engative playing style?
30 Jul 2012, 15:52 pm
@Transformation-245: Bob actually got it wrong in his commentary….when Estbeth flattened Bissie he said all the Stormers players were concerned for Bissie and came up to check if he was ok and that is was great sportsmanship, while this is partly true (JDV again showing his class) old Brokkie was laughing/having a go at Bissie while we was layed out. While I also don’t like Beast’s histironics I think Brok got what he deserved.
30 Jul 2012, 15:53 pm
if you watch ESPN you’l see that the NFL has a fortnight break between the semi finals and finals, i know its not popular to reference American Football (and i dont find it particularly entertaining) but give credit where its due, they allow for this break to ensure both teams 100% for the final, which is at a neutral venue. though i dont mind giving the final to the highest placed league team so much. but no team should have to travel the amount the sharks have in such a short space of time. a nuetral venue final would be cool though, as it would ensure revenue sharing an would most likely sell out anywhere, it could be rotated to a different SA, NZ, Aus stadium and city every year
30 Jul 2012, 15:54 pm
@Transformation-245:
Brok is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
He deserves to get abused.
I thought Beast was going to castrate him and use his ballsack as a change purse.
30 Jul 2012, 15:56 pm
@Hondo-239:
OK! But you know how these things work.
Rich people doing it in the veld, it is fun/kinky etc.
Poor people doing it in the veld, they have no morals.
Rich people drinks whiskey, they love to relax and have a good time.
Poor guy drinks papsak, he’s an alcoholic.
30 Jul 2012, 15:56 pm
@Skeppie-247: Etzebeth gave Bissie a nice glance too when he walked past him!
30 Jul 2012, 15:58 pm
@Skeppie-247: i didn’t see Broken Harris laughing Bissy, i myself was still shocked at watching bissy FLAT on his backside
30 Jul 2012, 15:58 pm
@nama1-250: I agree – poor people should be encouraged to have s e x – not discouraged. Come on KZN – fix this ! It’s unconstitutional !!!!
30 Jul 2012, 15:59 pm
@Sasuke-251: Etsebeth will still get his chance. Everyone falls hard once or comes off second best once in a while.
30 Jul 2012, 16:00 pm
How do I post without getting that feckin message &(^%(&^%&*(%^)*&^)(
@Skeppie-216: I’m not supporting the Chiefs. I’m just not actively rah rahing for the Sharks either. The game will not be won or lost by the number of Saffas who actively go out and screech for the Sharks.
For me this isn’t about SA and NZ, it’s about 2 provincial franchises that just happen to be in NZ and SA. Backing the Sharks like one of their hysterical groupies will have no effect on the Boks/AB games coming up.
The Sharks will either win or lose, but a win won’t have the effect most seem to be hoping it will have on the Boks. 2010 kills that theory.
The AB’s already know JPP is in some smoking form, the Sharks don’t suddenly need fanatical support and Super rugby title to drive that message home……
I trust that whoever wins will deserve to on the day, that’s all. If it’s the Sharks – cool. If it’s the Chiefs – cool.
30 Jul 2012, 16:00 pm
@nama1-250: so where does keo boning ladies of the night fit in nama?
30 Jul 2012, 16:01 pm
My team is in the Final and that is all that matters.
30 Jul 2012, 16:01 pm
@numba4lock-248: Think that should be the way we go from here on. Top 2 on the log can rest while the rest play in the play-offs. Then after the semi another weeks break. That way it will be more fair to both teams. Especially if there is a huge amount of travel for one team.
I like the idea of the team that tops the log to hold all of the play-offs, semi and final. Whether they drop out in the semi or not. At least they bring some cash in to their union for ending top of the log, by holding those games at their stadium in their city. Also far, far less travel for all teams. So the top of the log team gets rewarded to hold the whole bang shoot at the end. Anyhow something has to be done as this can’t happen again with the mind boggling travel. Some may say it was up to the team to end in a semi. But there will always be 4 teams in the play offs. So time to think about changing this system.
30 Jul 2012, 16:02 pm
@Transformation-252:
Reading your comments lately I could swear that you’re developing a soft spot for the Sharks!
30 Jul 2012, 16:02 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-255: Pfoooweee….its going to take the Stormers fans some time to get over this…..sour….sour grapes….sourest vinegar in the land coming out of Stormers fans at the moment. Poor things.
I hear the team had a good old cry session in the changeroom afterwards. I got great satisfaction from reading that.
30 Jul 2012, 16:03 pm
@pokkel-259: He is undergoing ‘transformation’ or, he might have forgotten for a second which name he logged in with. He has about 3 or 4 nics on this blog – did you know that ?
30 Jul 2012, 16:03 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-244:
Man van Intersek
@numba4lock-248:
Did not ZANZAR copy the conference system from the Americans? So, you comment is very appropriate.
Why did the fools at SANZAR not introduce the two week break also then?
Although your point about a neutral venue to reduce travel, I can’t agree with. A neutral venue would be one in Aus, right? How much help would that have been for the Sharks?
30 Jul 2012, 16:04 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-255: No problem there, back who you want to back, be ambivalent if you wish, my only point in all of this is that in my mind I don’t understand it but that’s not to say my mind is correct….each to his own. Some guys blogging here though as so anti the Sharks this weekend it clearly comes across as sour grapes.
30 Jul 2012, 16:04 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-255: the chiefs will be no match for the BOK-laden Sharks, so rest easy that starting from about 10 o’clock saturday morning, you have to live with the guppys rubbing their title in your face every time FRANCHISE achievements are raised – now i don’t know who you feel about cheering for them
30 Jul 2012, 16:06 pm
@pokkel-259:
:devil:
30 Jul 2012, 16:06 pm
@Transformation-264:
Transie….is that you?
How’s your Dad by the way? Tough Saturday for him?
30 Jul 2012, 16:07 pm
@pokkel-259: Ok course he is…..he is only human
30 Jul 2012, 16:09 pm
As Final’s day gets nearer see how the number of Stormerchiefs increases. Note also that they are definitely not the same as Capecrusaders/chiefs/canes.
30 Jul 2012, 16:09 pm
@Skeppie-267:
hehehehehe…..he was just waiting for a SA team to start off-loading and now he’s hooked.
30 Jul 2012, 16:12 pm
@Transformation-256:
He’s not doing it in the veld, is he?
Probably rent a room. So, he is absolved.
@Dusky-261:
What are the other nics that Transie blogs under?
30 Jul 2012, 16:14 pm
@Dusky-260: Well you certainly had more than one escape clause ready, didn’t you BamBam? “If the Sharks don’t win, the Stormers deserve it, as I really like Jean de Villiers blah blah blah” and now you are celebrating his pain with as much glee as you would usually reserve for an unexpected hand job from a Hungarian car guard…..
All class, all in.
@Skeppie-263: In the same way that many Sharks fans would be supporting anyone but the Stormers if the Stormers made it to the final (and they would be pretty vocal about it as well
I just have no emotionally vested interest in the game, whatever way I think about it. I just don’t favour either team either way.
@Transformation-264: If they win it, it would be huge, and deserved. If they lose – they will have choked in their 5th final.
30 Jul 2012, 16:15 pm
@nama1-270: One is Rosso Nero or whatever. The other is nama1.
30 Jul 2012, 16:16 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-271: Jean was the only one I felt for. The rest, including all those doing free advertising for DHL in the stands – all deserved it. 100 times over.
30 Jul 2012, 16:17 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-271: Suurgat jong….
30 Jul 2012, 16:17 pm
@Dusky-273:
And perhaps Aplon.
30 Jul 2012, 16:18 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-271: That’s ok, no need to justify it…..we can’t all be the same. I however think you guys under the mountain have an inferiority complex, a lot more people from other provinces would support you than you think.
30 Jul 2012, 16:20 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-255:
I find this feigned insouciance highly suspicious.
It’s the kind of vibe hot chicks pull when I’m throwing out my moves.
I’m not buying it.
30 Jul 2012, 16:20 pm
@pokkel-275: It’s weird, there is no-one indivually in that Stormers team that I dislike…Brok is not on my christmas list but there is no-one there that I think deserves his nose rubbed in it.
30 Jul 2012, 16:27 pm
This Keo Monday is noted for the absence of those big Stormerbrekers who favoured “defensive rugby is Finals rugby” except once again they never make those Finals and those who made 10s appearances.
Do not forget those who argue long and hard now the exact opposite side of the coin after the event.
Siestog!
The Stormer split personality is a thing to behold and marvel at.
30 Jul 2012, 16:27 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-277: Are you presuming that Mad Eye isn’t smoking?
30 Jul 2012, 16:28 pm
@pokkel-266: @pokkel-266: yes this is me, don’t mind the resident backyard breker Dusky…
i tried to prep my old man HOURS before the game started by introducing facts about bonus points, the 2 losses the stormers suffered and how they seem not to be able to chase games successfully.
all of that prepping didn’t help when the horror of losing came crashing though.
30 Jul 2012, 16:29 pm
@Dusky-274: Your croc got stuck as you back peddled there….
@the artist formerly known as gunther-277: Time for your Crying Game moment
I see the anarchist wine makers made a huge impression…
30 Jul 2012, 16:36 pm
@pokkel-275: Ja – I like Gio. Actually I must be honest. There aren’t many players in the Stormers side that I neccessarily dislike. Brok Harris and his low class scum buddy Tiaan Liebenberg deserve whatever pain life brings them. The rest I dont mind.
I also think Habana is a money chasing rugby *****.
30 Jul 2012, 16:37 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-282: The only thing that back peddled was the Stormers scrum.
30 Jul 2012, 16:38 pm
@pokkel-266: Transie is Transie….he just has 3 other nics on here as well.
30 Jul 2012, 16:39 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-277:
HG has the key to that. He is now too gracious and far too much jelly-baby. Now I suffer briefs spells of honesty. What can I do but?
He said above I was “backtracking” when really I was just being snobbish sometimes and ‘gerbilling’ like most Stormmers up my/our own backsides or “channel tunnels”.
30 Jul 2012, 16:44 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions-286: Gaylord – Are you honestly on here whining about being treated badly by Sharks fans ? You of all people ?
Did the 48 kg IT nerd give you hell ? I hope so.
30 Jul 2012, 16:46 pm
@Dusky-285: hahaha now that you’ve realised that your keyboard warrior act doesn’t work with me – prolly because i will f.cuk you up
you’ve resorted to propaganda – a tactic many have tried and failed at…knock yourself out my faux-Nordic friend 
30 Jul 2012, 16:47 pm
Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it.
Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion.
Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare.
Impossible is potential.
Impossible is temporary.
Impossible is nothing.
30 Jul 2012, 16:49 pm
@Transformation-288:
prolly because i will f.cuk you up
This must suggest it is working, Dummy.
30 Jul 2012, 16:50 pm
@Sasuke-251: And that’s some glare…that kid is a flippin beastman
30 Jul 2012, 16:51 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions-290: Mad Eye, if Dusky is calling you a Gaylord does that make you a Lesbian?
30 Jul 2012, 16:53 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions-290: have you forgotten that you’ve stolen someone’s nic Dusky? HAHAHAHAHA
not to clever our Dusky, the Norwegians have been duped, well better for us as our IQ ratio goes up and theirs drops significantly with Dusky getting permant residence.
30 Jul 2012, 16:58 pm
Dusky, you’ve just outed yourself as a nic stealer!
how daft.
30 Jul 2012, 17:01 pm
@Transformation-288: You’re delusional kleinboy.
30 Jul 2012, 17:05 pm
@Dusky-295: nic stealer,
30 Jul 2012, 17:07 pm
anyway…gym calls
how dom is this Dusky…Roy is looking into your shenanigans
30 Jul 2012, 17:08 pm
Rule of thumb.
If someone says something reasonably intelligent it’s legit.
If not then its Capo or Dusky in mufti.
30 Jul 2012, 17:09 pm
“The seven-times tournament champions have now lost five successive semi-finals and that is more relevant than the seven titles won by another generation.”
I could have sworn it was Stormers who were whipped last year.
Otherwise, I agree, too much travelling, too much games.
30 Jul 2012, 17:12 pm
@Transformation-293:
The reason he’s only a 47kg IT nerd is because he’s still a skinny teenager with delusions that his postings make him an adult.
30 Jul 2012, 17:13 pm
@Nils-299: will toddy resign?
30 Jul 2012, 17:18 pm
before i go, for all the dejected stormers fans out there…this is worth a read…
the 1st sentence of the last paragraph is really haunting…
Stubborn Stormers pay for lack of progress
4 Jul 2011
JON CARDINELLI says the Stormers will never win a trophy unless they address their attacking shortcomings and piss-poor excuse for a kicking game.
You almost had to feel sorry for the Stormers’ class of 2010. They were forced to play the Super 14 final in one of the most hostile of sporting cauldrons, and asked to beat one of the best provincial outfits in history.
The loss to the Bulls highlighted a few perennial problems, but in many ways the 2010 season was a relative success for a franchise that hadn’t qualified for the play-offs since 2004. The coaching staff said all the right things after that defeat, and given the quality of that Bok-laden Bulls side, the Cape side had good reason to hold their heads high.
That was until Western Province were hammered in the 2010 Currie Cup final. Eight months later, the Stormers were comprehensively beaten in the Super Rugby semi-final. There should be no talk of lessons learned, because it’s obvious the Stormers are not learning from the same old mistakes.
The layman as well as the more educated member of the rugby community has bemoaned the game plan of the Stormers. The strategy has centred around a dominant defensive system and a powerful pack of forwards, and even though they’ve struggled to score tries and record the necessary bonus points, the management has always used the motivation of winning as an excuse for a limited approach. When there has been criticism, they have pointed to the Stormers’ position on the Super Rugby log and claimed it was a sure sign that the Cape side were on the right track.
But there have been clear signs that the Stormers would battle to win in a play-off situation. They were beaten by the Reds in the league stage when the Queenslanders stood up to their pack and then played a smarter tactical game through halfbacks Quade Cooper and Will Genia. The Crusaders’ forwards fronted on 7 May and the Stormers had no response to a superior kicking display. They were overwhelmed by the Bulls in the penultimate league game and again it was the opposing halfbacks that won the battle of the boot.
In last Saturday’s semi-final, the Crusaders employed the same tactics. Their scrum dominated and their forwards also bossed the point of contact. Halfbacks Andy Ellis and Dan Carter then used that platform to kick for territory, and when they had the field position, they unleashed the dangerous Crusaders back division. As was the case in the Cape side’s two final appearances in 2010, the game was over before half-time because the Stormers had no means of response.
I wrote earlier in the season that the Stormers would do enough to win the South African conference, but that the shortcomings in their kicking game and their overly defensive approach wouldn’t allow them to win the Super Rugby trophy itself. I expected the Stormers to thrive off the energy at a sold-out Newlands and progress to the final, but expected the Reds to overpower and then outplay them in the decider just as they had done in the league stage.
I underestimated the effect the loss of Duane Vermeulen and Dewaldt Duvenage would have on the Stormers’ game. Vermeulen has been at the heart of their physical effort in 2011 and his absence compromised the balance of the back row and the pack as a whole. Without Duvenage, the Stormers were missing their chief tactical kicker.
I’m not sure why Peter Grant was touted as a potential Springbok flyhalf earlier in the season. His goal-kicking has improved, but statistics will confirm that he’s not as defensively sound as he was last year, and niggling injuries have prevented him from regaining his attacking edge. Most significantly, he’s failed to improve his kicking out of hand, which has long been considered the weak part of his game. His failure to improve has meant that the Stormers’ kicking game as a whole has failed to progress to the point where they can compete with the Reds, Bulls and Crusaders.
The Currie Cup is currently viewed as the springboard to the Super Rugby tournament, and you would expect the Stormers and WP to use this competition to address these shortcomings. The Cape side needs to add something to their game, or else they will continue to stumble at the business end of the tournament that matters most.
How they plan to develop their kicking game when their first-choice flyhalf will be playing rugby in Japan is anybody’s guess. The decision to allow Grant to play in a substandard competition like the Japanese Top League cost them momentum early in the 2011 campaign, as Grant arrived home late and short on rugby at the highest level. With Grant signed for another stint with the Kobelco Steelers and unavailable for the 2011 Currie Cup, the Stormers will be in a similar position come 2012.
The Stormers’ management needs to face up to the reality that their current game plan is limited, and while it should be good enough to earn them another play-off place in 2012, it won’t be good enough to win the competition.
One wonders how many botched play-offs it’s going to take for the Cape coaches to realise that their approach needs to change, because for all of their improvements the trophy cabinet remains as barren (the consolation prize of a conference trophy aside) as it was during the dark days of Kobus van der Merwe.
30 Jul 2012, 17:57 pm
@Transformation-293,294:
If no sane person can reasonably conclude that 285 or 287 is the same person of 290 then how can you?
Are you insane?
30 Jul 2012, 18:06 pm
@oogle-303: Transformation is mental. He has bipolar disorder coupled with delusional behavior. He also has a plethora of nics on this blog – and sometimes they actually converse with each other.
That is confirmed psychosis. I hear some bloggers here have been having lube saturated pajama parties at his house. I would be careful if I were them.
30 Jul 2012, 18:07 pm
@David-300: 48kg fagpuff…not 47.
30 Jul 2012, 19:11 pm
@Transformation-293:
i tip my hat to you sir…!!
with your persistence you have outted dusky-the-nic-stealer…!!
may all those who fling accusations around take note…
sheesh… how dof of dusky to forget he had changed his nic…
30 Jul 2012, 19:20 pm
Pity my team lost. Congrats Sharks!
Was very impressed with JPP.
30 Jul 2012, 19:21 pm
@ufo-306: Ja – how doff….
30 Jul 2012, 19:23 pm
@Dofsky-308:
30 Jul 2012, 19:25 pm
@ufo-306: I might be a nic stealer, I might even have multiple nics on this blog myself, but that is all a topic changing ploy to help Transvestation to skirt the fact that he has multiple nics on here, some female.
But hey – stick with him…..shows something about your mentality too.
30 Jul 2012, 19:26 pm
@ufo-309: Chokersky…….
30 Jul 2012, 19:26 pm
@ufo-309: Transie – is that you as well ? Is that 5 different nics now ?
30 Jul 2012, 19:29 pm
Dusky.
The climate is affecting you.
You gone mad.
30 Jul 2012, 19:30 pm
Stormers can oogle and google a caboodle this any which way they wanna.. FACT remains these dumb fck coaches are outright CLUELESS as to how to unlock defenses and HOW to get max results from a limited scenario.. they CAPITULATE through FEAR of busting out of their chickenshit conservative fear ridden cocoon of predetermined presupposed self preserving position.. and hence their outright FEAR of LOSING prevents them from ever WINNING when it actually comes down to the nuts and bolts of busting the fear ridden fear induced CHOKESHIT mold.
30 Jul 2012, 19:31 pm
@Dawn-313: You reckon ? Or it might be the Vodka…..transvestation does have a whole list of persona’s on here by the way. Did you know that ?
30 Jul 2012, 19:31 pm
@Dofsky-310:
what’s this ‘stick with him’ childish nonsense…? maybe david was right…!
i have no allegiance to you or even to TranSport… but by all evidence on keo he is a stand-up guy… even if he and i have butted heads on more than one occasion..
anyway good of you to finally admit it…!!
if you think Transformation is a multinicker… tell us which names he uses (some female
) and then prove it…
30 Jul 2012, 19:32 pm
@fitz1ella-314: Jissus….are you still crying ?….it’s over dude – move on with life.
30 Jul 2012, 19:34 pm
@ufo-316: I dont have to prove anything to you chokersky. Go about things exactly as you want, I could care less.
Transvestation is a stand up guy, until you realize how he manipulates things to suit his agendas and all the different personas he uses to do that. What his goal is – who knows….I am just saying…..
30 Jul 2012, 19:35 pm
@Dofsky-311:
@Dofsky-312:
i’m ufo and have been since 1996 on CNN worldsport rugby chat boards as they were called back then… i have no need of or use for multinics…
but don’t let reality get in the way of your delusions…
it’s fun to watch…
30 Jul 2012, 19:35 pm
@ufo-316: Are you also transvestation ?
30 Jul 2012, 19:36 pm
@ufo-319: hmmmmm…..you sound like transvestation to me. But ok – I will take your word for it that you aren’t.
30 Jul 2012, 19:38 pm
@ufo-319: What you doing this coming weekend ? You watching rugby ? Perhaps one of the Stormers could have you over to watch the final with them ?
30 Jul 2012, 19:38 pm
@Dusky-317: who’s crying fuckwit.. I’m putting the boot in to these pathetic hopeless useless fuckup Stormers coaching fraternity who do NOT know HOW to coach a decent S15 rugby team.. they learned their hopeless trade under the auspices of that other hopeless defense wins games protagonist who taught these lackeys how to LOSE when push comes to shove..
so you the nic stealer round here.. wouldn’t put it past a sharkshit to go underhand the world pretending to be all hunky dory goody two shoes kosher meanwhile he’s as slime ball black as they come.
30 Jul 2012, 19:39 pm
@Dofsky-318:
you are obviously the Mad-Eye character too…
he/you accuse TranSport of being Ryan and me of being the GrandWizzard Keo… you really do have an active imagination…
you couldn’t wait to leave south africa… and not only could you not stay away… but you have to come back to keo using multiple personalities… (some female
)
hilarious…!!
30 Jul 2012, 19:40 pm
@Dusky-322: Dusky, relax mate, UFO is one of the most unbiased and decent Stormer supporters on this blog boet,i know some of the Stormer okes tend to get under our skins, BUt UFO is good bloke, Skoppie you can give hell thats fine
30 Jul 2012, 19:42 pm
@fitz1ella-323: Dude, I dont act hunky dory goody two shoes….I am already a slime ball – why would I steal a nic to prove that ? Anyway – think about it – who’s nic did I steal ?
Transvestation got something he thinks is a lever now to try and direct attention away from the fact that he has a handful of different personas on here and on other internet blogs. He has actually been caught out before.
Me on the other hand – if you think I stole a nic – so be it.
I know you are hating on the Stormers at the moment. Rage is an early stage of the mourning process. It will pass.
30 Jul 2012, 19:43 pm
@Dusky-315:
As a self professed “IT Nerd”, please explain how you know that Transie has numerous nics. Have you traced the IP addresses, or are you just guessing?
30 Jul 2012, 19:43 pm
@ufo-324: What you talking about – I couldn’t stay away ? You are delusional fuckwad. My work takes me all over the world, including the corruption, scum infested South Africa – unfortunately.
30 Jul 2012, 19:44 pm
@Dofsky-322:
hahaha…
you’ll have to put way better lures in the water…
will watch the sharks play the chiefs in a chillaxed laid back manner…! then off to a super wine farm near paarl…
yes… life in cape town sucks big time…!!
anyway… off to dinner now…
thanks for the entertainment…!!
30 Jul 2012, 19:45 pm
@David-327: I am using the pRAM to boot up the qROM and from there I transfer the XID to the ssMID which gives me the SSNP. If you take the SSNP and compare it to the regionalised IPP – you get the IP.
30 Jul 2012, 19:45 pm
@ufo-329: If you’re a rugby supporter….it does kind of suck. Enjoy suiping your woes away.
30 Jul 2012, 19:46 pm
@Dusky-330: Eish, that sounds greek to me
30 Jul 2012, 19:47 pm
@sharks_lover-325:
sheesh.. thanks bud… much appreciated…
feel bad for teasing Dusky now…
Dusky… no hard feelings…!!
now must get going…
30 Jul 2012, 19:47 pm
@sharks_lover-332:
No – its just language only us skinny IT nerds can understand.
30 Jul 2012, 19:49 pm
@Dusky-334:
30 Jul 2012, 19:49 pm
@sharks_lover-325: To be honest I dont take any of this seriously. This is after all a blog – not so ?
I should probably not be such a chop though.
30 Jul 2012, 19:50 pm
@Dusky-330:
In other words, you’re a bullsh*t artist.
30 Jul 2012, 19:50 pm
@Dusky-336: lol its all cool bro
interesting though re Transie??
Wish i could see that lol
30 Jul 2012, 19:51 pm
Obsessed
30 Jul 2012, 19:52 pm
30 Jul 2012, 19:54 pm
@David-337: If that’s the way you want to label it – then yes. No problem
If I were you Stormers fans that are actually still here (after your team got a new ******* ripped for them by the Sharks) – I would band around Skop. He is having a hard time, and even though its been two days now he is still not over it.
Ignore me and give your fellow Stormers man some support.
30 Jul 2012, 19:54 pm
@Dusky-336: Comfort urself with this Dusky, it’s lekker to be a Shark right now
30 Jul 2012, 19:56 pm
@sharks_lover-342: Indeed. I have a facebook buddy that is ignoring me completely after the weekend. Flippin sore loser, because I have always congratulated his side when they have won. Typical.
30 Jul 2012, 20:00 pm
I’m an out and out Chiefs supporter come Saturday.. call me whatever you like.. I don’t bullshit the world I love the Sharks when back at the ranch I definitely don’t.!!
Two face kaleidoscopic supporters here in this country.. pretending its a national obligation to support a rival franchise just because they occupy some territory up the coast… mercenaries up shitcreek and whats worse is they actually think they the best razzmatazz saffa contingent of rugby resurgence on the planet… meanwhile they BUY all their rugby resurgence on the stock market
hope Sonny Bill and Co. smack these overrated guppieyuppies for six.. out the park.. home run back to bananarama country…
30 Jul 2012, 20:01 pm
@Dusky-343: lol yup
30 Jul 2012, 20:03 pm
@fitz1ella-344: Want more tissues?? like we give a flying rats @ss who you and a few other clowns support?? trust me we wouldnt want it any other way,
WE DO NOT NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!!
30 Jul 2012, 20:04 pm
@fitz1ella-344: Good for you !
As we are being honest, I actually support the Sharks and ANYONE playing against the Stormers. So – we are completely on the same page
30 Jul 2012, 20:05 pm
@sharks_lover-346: Its going to take years for Skop to sweeten up. Its such sour grapes in the Cape at the moment – its understandable they feel this way. I hated the Bulls for a season or two after the 2007 fiasco as well. I eventually got over it.
30 Jul 2012, 20:06 pm
@sharks_lover-346: You ain’t GOT my support and you NEVER will have it neither…
I’m a fully fledged Chiefs supporter come Saturday.. its their time to shine .. by Jove I reckon they’ve earned it.. don’t you think?
30 Jul 2012, 20:08 pm
@fitz1ella-349: Good luck. You will certainly be supporting the favorites two weekends in a row ! I would probably have supported the Chiefs in the final too if the Sharks hadn’t taught the Stormers a rugby lesson in front of their home crowd on Saturday.
30 Jul 2012, 20:09 pm
@Dusky-347: yup two slime balls recognizing whats honest and whats goody two shoes bullshit baffles brain dead moron delinquency pretentiousness…
Isn’t it FAR more refreshing in life to ACTUALLY be honest..?? with oneself as well as with these goody two shoes bullshit artists all over the place…
30 Jul 2012, 20:11 pm
@fitz1ella-349:
what dont you get dude?? please suport them, we dont need your support, you have our blessing to fully support the Chiefs 
30 Jul 2012, 20:16 pm
Skop…skop…waar is jy ou suur gwar ?
30 Jul 2012, 20:17 pm
@Skeppie-291: now we know why heyneke rates him so highly! I have to say as a south african I am supporting the sharks this weekend. They knocked out my beloved stormers but we need to support them
30 Jul 2012, 20:17 pm
I’d love the Sharks to win on saturday. It’s just some of their fans I’d like to see disappointed and humbled.
Anyway, I’m out of here.
30 Jul 2012, 20:18 pm
@fitz1ella-351: Yes – it is indeed.
I personally 100% support being honest. If you want to support the Chiefs on Saturday, that is your right and its also your right to be honest about it.
There is too much ‘false correctness’ in society today. Its time people start being real, and giving their real opinions on things.
30 Jul 2012, 20:20 pm
@David-355: david, i have not even bragged, its just when you read a few of you stormers mates have said then of cause we will retaliate
30 Jul 2012, 20:21 pm
@Dusky-350: when I sat down to watch Stormers vs Sharks at Newlands on Saturday I summed up the situation.. looked at the body language and the fear ridden psyche gripping Stormers players as they traipsed out the tunnel and I resignedly said to my Stormer supporting buddy and to myself it don’t look like Stormers got what it takes to take this thing by the scruff of the neck and shake the overrated Sharks by their over inflated ball hairs into submission..
Stormers are their own worst enemies.. they do NOT know how to overcome their own fear ridden psyched out expectations .. and basically speaking their Coaching fraternity are basically a bunch of chicken arsed babies in the real world of rugby coaching relevancy…bottom line they are a fragile frenetic bunch of goddamn CHOKERS.. and until they rid themselves of that self imposed angst and anxiety.. they will NEVER amount to anything resembling champion status…
Now EXACTLY the same can happen to Chiefs on Saturday.. their OWN over hyped expectations at home in front of their exuberant expectant crowd can actually blackball their own ambitions and ability… it comes down to the psyche and the sheer courage to WIN when faced with all the heeby jeeby gremlins gnawing away at all the doubts and self imposed fear factors that can derail a team or a cause for glory..
So just like as happened at Newlands on saturday.. Sharks have the best seat in the house.. they got pretty much NOTHING to lose.. and EVERYTHING to gain.. whereas Stormers had EVERYTHING to lose last weekend as do Chiefs on Saturday when they run onto their home field representing the ‘favourite’ tag..
30 Jul 2012, 20:24 pm
@sharks_lover-357: A bit worried that Lambie and Jordaans injury. Read that Greenaway said Sharks took with them two injured players in Lambie and Jordaan, but hoping they will be okay come Saturday. Now think we had no choice as we have to take players that were signed in April. BUT could we not have had a case here to apply to get Fransie? Surely we could have now that Jordaan is injured and so is Timmy?
30 Jul 2012, 20:27 pm
@Puma-359: NAH boet they are fine, trust me Plum would not have taken them with if they were still injured, Also its easy to send info to the press to get people to believe other then whats happening
They knew of Whiteheadds injury during the match when he left the field with his hand swollen, if there was risk of Jordaan and lambie being injured they would have called for backup
30 Jul 2012, 20:28 pm
351 – Hey poepol, you talk a big talk but I know that when Mtwarira bursts through the middle with little Cruden hanging off him like something he just stepped in, you’ll be the first to fill the halls of your Sun Valley Shady Pines complex with a mighty BEAST! before remembering your stupid statement here and turning bright red, muttering some vile obscenity at the scowling nursing sister.
30 Jul 2012, 20:29 pm
@Puma-359:
The Sharks have taken more medical staff too, to ease the travel problem through dehydration processers etc
30 Jul 2012, 20:29 pm
@fitz1ella-358: I must actually agree again. Hey this is a record. I too like to look at body language. In the Sharks changeroom were a lot of smiles, high fives, high energy. When they switched to the Stormers, I also got the feeling the Stormers were in for a long game.
It will take a special occasion, and a special group of players to break that choke. Trust me, as a Sharks fan I know that. I think the Sharks 2008 Currie Cup title took a big chunk out of that chokers barrier for the Sharks and they have been whittling away at it ever since.
Stormers are a good team. It is indeed time for them to get their heads straight. You guys needed more Jeans there on Saturday. If Schalk was on the field perhaps he could have snapped the guys minds right. There was a 10 minute purple patch for the Stormers where the best rugby was played on the night – but unfortunately it did only last 10 minutes.
Lets see what happens on Saturday. If the Sharks win this – it will be history but the Chiefs will play their hearts out. They dont want a second SA team to break all kinds of records against them in a Super rugby final.
30 Jul 2012, 20:30 pm
@>^..^< katman-361:
oh hell Kat he will be here to tell us he “TOLD US SO” HE PREDICTED IT 
30 Jul 2012, 20:34 pm
@sharks_lover-352: I don’t need your blessing same as I don’t need your expectancy.. I don’t support Sharks.. like I don’t support Bulls .. hardly ever.. there might come a time few and far between where the lesser of the two evils results in me supporting one or the other but as a general rule I will hardly ever support either Sharks or Bulls in any game of rugby.. against perhaps anyone..
If it were Cheetahs or Lions maybe a different scenario.. but Sharks and Bulls.. the two most outright mercenary encroaching big brash bravado laden bunch of bullshit artists under the sun.. I don’t support such a bunch of balderdash braggart bullshitters hardly ever…
and come Saturday I reckon Chiefs deserve to smack these big brash bravado bullshitters into the never ending story one more time around the rosemary bush.. that’s if they got the balls and the inherent psychological strength to do what Stormers couldn’t..
30 Jul 2012, 20:34 pm
@sharks_lover-360: Hope so otherwise we don’t have any back up there. Greenaway said they were still injured and Plum was hoping Lambie and Jordaan were okay by the end of the week. Jeez I would have applied again to get Fransie to be honest. Anyhow it is press so who knows.
@sharks_lover-362: Yes I have read they have taken more medical staff with them. All good that really.
30 Jul 2012, 20:35 pm
@Puma-366: Centers will be Meyer Bosman (unfortunately) and JP Pietersen.
30 Jul 2012, 20:36 pm
@Puma-366: watch SR on channel !!! dstv
Ashwyn wearing a Sharks jersey
30 Jul 2012, 20:38 pm
@fitz1ella-365: BLAH BLAH BLAH, we dont care dude, get over it
30 Jul 2012, 20:40 pm
@Transformation-293:
That Transie, is a CLASSIC Keo moment.
It’s up their with Black Panty thinking a try can be awarded if the ball touches the top of the pole protector padding.
30 Jul 2012, 20:40 pm
@Dusky-367: Well Bosman was actually very good against the Reds in the 2nd half. I know he tripped over his own feet, but really that was all that he done wrong. Though Fransie would have been the best bet if we are having injures. Damn stupid rule that we can’t bring in a player when we now have two centres that are injured.
@sharks_lover-368: haha. Never saw. But he was supporting Stormers on the weekend and so was Mallett. Now I think they just getting behind the last Saffa team still standing. Good for them. Sharks all the way………………
30 Jul 2012, 20:41 pm
@Dusky-367: NOt so sure boet, but if it is the case?? Bosman has been a lot better of late, forget the falling over his own feet against the reds. in the last 2 matches he has not missed a tackle, he also did very well on attack
30 Jul 2012, 20:42 pm
@>^..^< katman-361: what little fuckwit fucknuts like you need is a good lesson in simple etiquette .. what you know about what anyone thinks is absolutely FUCKALL…
so no Beast is no hero of mine.. not when he’s wearing Sharkshit black.. I hope that Chiefs TH prop shoves him so hard up his Sharkshit backside that Beasty Boy realizes he ain’t nearly such a f’ng king kong load of dynamite that he actually thought he was..
Just like you you little pathetic overgrown fucknut fuckwit.. who thinks he’s so f’ng clever.. little fucknut fuckwits like you who THINK they clever are absolutely and decidedly STUPID.. you f’ing dumb emaciated MORON..!!!
30 Jul 2012, 20:42 pm
@Puma-371:
30 Jul 2012, 20:44 pm
Oh Hell Skoppie has fallen over the edge again
expect 100 posts of ranting hell 
30 Jul 2012, 20:47 pm
@Puma-371: Puma mate come saturday?? i am nervous as hell, This is a very good Chiefs team, of course the legs are gonna be worn out from all the travel, but we gotta just keep hoping ans supporting,
even if we only have a 5% chance?? it’s a chance
30 Jul 2012, 20:47 pm
@sharks_lover-374: I really hope the team just rests this week. No training needed now. More rest will do them good.
30 Jul 2012, 20:49 pm
@Puma-377: Boet they have to train lol, specially working at moves to break the Chiefs lines and forwards etc
30 Jul 2012, 20:50 pm
@sharks_lover-376: I am nervous already. Though to be honest if we don’t win I will still be really proud of our boys. They done what none of us thought they would ever do especially after losing to the Lions. Thought that was us gone. Then jeepers they came back like a cracker jack against Bulls and have never looked back. Now the legs will be getting tired for sure. They have my full support win or lose. Very proud of our Sharks.
30 Jul 2012, 20:52 pm
@sharks_lover-378: I know but I tell you rest will be more important now. We have done all the training that is needed. Very light training and not much else now. Need to go in as fresh as we can for Saturdays final. Think they have spoken about the moves and looked at the game the Chiefs played the Saders. That will tell them more.
30 Jul 2012, 20:52 pm
@Puma-379: Fort ssure boet, very prouod of them, they already gone way beyond expectations.
30 Jul 2012, 20:56 pm
@sharks_lover-378: Remember Chiefs played one less game than us and they played their semi last Friday that too was a day before ours. They will be rested and we still had to fly all the way back over the Indian Ocean. Eish! Our Travelling Sharks….lol.
I have done that travel to Oz (not Nz) many times and feel really tired and I have not played rugby in between the weeks. They will be tired for sure. Need rest and more rest this week.
30 Jul 2012, 20:59 pm
@Puma-382: for sure boet, may try argue that its nothing, but they have not done this travel etc
30 Jul 2012, 21:00 pm
@sharks_lover-381: So if Greenaway never mentioned Alberts then I take it he is over that injury (think it was his groin) on Saturday. We sure as heck need him. We do have Deysel as well. That I tell you is a good feeling knowing we have back up like that.
Damn wish we could have taken Fransie with…..hahaha. Fransie and SBW. What a clash up that would have been? We will see it though this RC as SBW is going to play for ABs in the RC. Well from what I have read.
30 Jul 2012, 21:03 pm
Skop, for an octogenarian you sound an awful lot like a sulky teenager. Won’t support this team, won’t support that guy. There’s nothing rational about anything you’re saying. You’ve still got a fair bit of growing up to do.
30 Jul 2012, 21:04 pm
@sharks_lover-383: Cheers bro.
Out of here now.
Go Sharks…
only 80min of this S15 left. They need to look at it that way and just go for it.
30 Jul 2012, 21:05 pm
@>^..^< katman-385: eish Kat dont expect that to happen any time soon
30 Jul 2012, 21:06 pm
@Puma-386: Take care bro have a good one
30 Jul 2012, 21:12 pm
Time for Gordon Ramsay
30 Jul 2012, 21:17 pm
a lot of people have said the Sharks are an “inconsistent” team. they are perhaps right in some respects. but the Sharks are consistent in one regard. they make the final pretty much like clock work every 5 years. 1996, 2001, 2007 and 2012. they have made the final 4 times in 17 years, they have featured in almost a quarter of ALL Super finals! the Bulls have played in 3 in 17 years and the stormers have played in a measly 1. i think it’s time the Sharks finally win one!
30 Jul 2012, 21:22 pm
2 things to note,
The day of the Final its Bismarks 100th SR match for the Sharks and it is also Mcleods birthday.
30 Jul 2012, 21:23 pm
Is he a weight lifter, Dawn?
30 Jul 2012, 21:26 pm
This weight lifting is incredible. The suspense and drama cannot be scripted better.
30 Jul 2012, 21:26 pm
@Wing Commander Raymond-390: i hope those milestones don’t overshadow or detract from the focus. they often do I’m afraid.
30 Jul 2012, 21:27 pm
394 was directed to 391.
30 Jul 2012, 21:40 pm
@fitz1ella-358:
Hey Skop. The truth is, I thought the Stormers actually played above themselves, to hold the Sharks at bay for part of that game.
Fact is, the Stormers didn’t lose because of some psychological issue, or lack of BMT or whatever. Nope. The Sharks just have better players than them.
Hence the 7 or 8 Sharks in the Bok starting line up compared to the Stormers 3.
I didn’t take a rocket scientist to predict this outcome.
I see even Gavin Stormers supporter Rich has admitted to exactly this in his latest Supersport column. Pity he was too blind to admit it PRIOR to the game.
30 Jul 2012, 21:46 pm
@Wing Commander Raymond-394: sont think it will mate
Le Clos comes 2nd in semi final heat, was a new SA record
30 Jul 2012, 21:48 pm
@Tacitus-396:
you shouldnt say this to Skoppie Tac, He will come back ranting more then ever about how lucky the Sharks were,
30 Jul 2012, 21:49 pm
@Tacitus-396: Going to be interesting as to what team Plum chooses for the final, with Whitehad injured, JOrdaan and lmabie back?? interesting indeed
30 Jul 2012, 21:55 pm
Luvving Keo at the moment…
Angst from last week turns to Sulky anger this week… (For Brokeback fans)
Happiness from last week, still happiness this week… (For Dynamite fans)
Such a mix of emotions….
Luvverly really….
30 Jul 2012, 21:56 pm
wtf the brits not showing the weightlifting, a proper gdam sport, instead im having to watch this swem kak..agenee
30 Jul 2012, 21:58 pm
@fitz1ella-314: these are sort of my sentiments as well…
The only good thing though is that this approach will eventually fill all the coffers at Newlands, as the crowds keep coming, and they keep getting play-off gate earnings. See it as an investment into getting in a position to buy 2-3 game breakers, or then the A-team of coaching…
Will be worth it if they use the funds generated wisely….and this is where I lack confidence…
30 Jul 2012, 22:00 pm
@sharks_lover-399:
Would normally go Lambie at inside centre for minimum disruption, but the problem is SBW. Don’t think Lambie can close him down. That said, there’s no one really big enough to do that other than Frans Steyn.
Need that Jordaan chap back, but I thought Rian Viljoen was a bad pick. He is a loose cannon, who plays in fits and starts. The Sharks got lucky with him this week, but that’s no guarantee that he will perform next week.
I’d drop him, put Ludick at fullback, Jordaan at wing, Lambie at centre, and just hope they close down the midfield somehow.
Not ideal, without Frans Steyn.
I’ll be honest. I’d make the Chiefs favourites for this game, but only because of all the travelling. Would be good if the Sharks win it though.
I’m having a laugh at how all the Supersport commentators were talking about how the Sharks have disproved the myth of the travel disadvantage.
They didn’t disprove it. The disadvantage was very real. It’s just that without the travel, they would have won by 20 points, and with it, they could only win by 7.
They are in a different class to this sorry bunch of Stormers, whose luck finally ran out.
30 Jul 2012, 22:01 pm
It could actually be a blessing in disguise that Whitehead is injured… He did take a bit of strain against JdV which was fixed up when Bosman came on…
I reckon it wont be a bad plan to have Bosman and JPP at centre in the following backline:
McLeod
Fred
Mvovo
Bossie
JPP
Ludik
Lambie
Jordaan on the bench covering centre and wing.
30 Jul 2012, 22:01 pm
So the chiefs have Keo and Fuckadilly in their corner,
Not sure that’s ideal for them to be honest.
Not unless the Fishoek Savant has fixed his Ouija board.
30 Jul 2012, 22:02 pm
Personally I would bring SlapTjips back to Newlands, in place of Fleck, and offer Eddie a 3 year contract. I would also make Goosen an offer he can’t refuse.
They have the $ now [and if not why not], and everyone has a price.
Get to work WP. Stop being happy with 2nd place.
30 Jul 2012, 22:04 pm
@Tacitus-403: “They are in a different class to this sorry bunch of Stormers, whose luck finally ran out” you make a valid point, but due to your one-dimensional viewpoints, you have lost credibility, so the statement has lost the impact it could have had..
30 Jul 2012, 22:05 pm
Can Jordaan play at 12? Because then I’d keep JPP at 13, Ludik at 14 and Lambie at 15 with Viljoen on the bench.
30 Jul 2012, 22:07 pm
Stormers cleaned up allcomers other than sharks, who were cleaned up by other teams every 2nd week – the true champs are out, a sad sad day – its like seeing muhammad ali beaten – just not right.
30 Jul 2012, 22:08 pm
@Johannes Expatinus-407:
Hmm. I will think on what you have said.
This puts everthing in new light for me.
Thanks, man.
30 Jul 2012, 22:09 pm
@Heavens Game-404: Nah, Jordaan was the reason the Sharks looked so dangerous against the Reds. We need him on the field. And Lambie is smart enough to do a job on SBW. You don’t need to be big – as Robert Ebersohn has shown against him – you just need to target the ball.
McLeod
Michalak
Mvovo
Lambie
Jordaan
Pietersen
Ludik
30 Jul 2012, 22:09 pm
@Tacitus-410: ha, but you have a good sense of humor! Just stirring. Have gained some technical insights from your posts from afar..
30 Jul 2012, 22:12 pm
@Tacitus-410: Johannes Expatinus nic thief.
30 Jul 2012, 22:13 pm
My biggest take away from the game is that the Stormers 9-10-12 seemed incredibly predictable, especially 10-12. No real threat w ball in hand.
30 Jul 2012, 22:14 pm
@kaksioek-413: – nope is me. Just have not posted much in past 2 years. Been here since first year. bloody work gets in the way.
30 Jul 2012, 22:15 pm
@>^..^< katman-408: Boet, Jordaan is actually a 12/10,, that is where he played at school level, since then they use him 13/14
30 Jul 2012, 22:15 pm
@Johannes Expatinus-412:
No worries.
Fact is, the Stormers did much better than they had any reason to, given the personnel at their disposal, so well done to their coaching team and their team spirit.
But you just don’t win a Super Rugby title without about 4 world class players in your team.
The Sharks have:
Beast
Bismark
Alberts
Marcell Coetzee
JP Pietersen
With Michalak producing the goods in flashes every now and then.
If they had Frans Steyn back for the final, they would pretty much have everything you need to win a trophy.
30 Jul 2012, 22:16 pm
@Johannes Expatinus-415: What I mean, pal, is that I don’t think Tac wrote post 410 – I think it was you.
30 Jul 2012, 22:19 pm
@cab-409:
> “…sharks, who were cleaned up by other teams every 2nd week”
the Sharks have won 9 of their last 11 games.
the Stormers have won 8 of their last 11 games.
do you wish to revise your silly statement?
30 Jul 2012, 22:21 pm
@Wing Commander Raymond-419: I am not sure thats the real cabby, the real cabby was never a Stormer supporter, Nic thieves have been a plenty in here of late
30 Jul 2012, 22:22 pm
unless Cabby has also suddenly become a sharks hater, was never the case before
30 Jul 2012, 22:22 pm
15 year old Lithuanian girl wins gold in 100m breast stroke. So many tears on the podium. Awesome.
30 Jul 2012, 22:23 pm
@kaksioek-418:
No, it was me. I was being sarcastic.
30 Jul 2012, 22:23 pm
@>^..^< katman-422: Yup what a brilliant swim by the kid, made her country very proud
30 Jul 2012, 22:25 pm
@kaksioek-411: Not sure about Lambie at 12… Prefer JPP at 13 for this game as strike runner from midfield… (I would however feel most confident if Frans was able to play). Ludik fine at 14 and agree with Tacitus about Viljoen at the back…
Happy that Lambie is back to take his position at 15… We will need him there because Cruden not too shabby with the boot.
Instead of the 10/12 channel… the Sharks will probably play it slightly wider right at 12 or 12/13…. send the big guys at Sunni, keep him occupied, and some options with JPP.
The best start possible will be if the Sharks can blitz them in the first 20 mins with a couple of tries while the Chiefs are getting used to nerves and living with the expectation of being overwhelming favourites….
Go wide early, then tighten up, bomb and feed off any mistakes if the Sharks are so fortunate for the Chiefs to be chasing the game… The bench players will be crucial here with the lighty tighthead, Sykes and Deysel with huge parts to play in the 2nd half.
Then KZN may be Super Rugby country on Saturday a la Currie Cup country in 1990.
Dreams are good, hey.
30 Jul 2012, 22:25 pm
@Tacitus-423: Taccy, I am worried about lambie at 15 too, he needs to be closer to the action, as far as i am concerned he should be the Bok 10
30 Jul 2012, 22:28 pm
@Heavens Game-425: With Lambies bad ankle it might not be a good idea to play him 15, the up and undies might just have him reinjuring that ankle
30 Jul 2012, 22:29 pm
@Tacitus-417: makes plenty sense…
Was watching USA v Italy on a plane Thursday night, and same there, US just does not have enough heavies at that level, to compete w an Italy, outside of Todd Clever….again for that level.
I think 10-12 is where Stormers are lacking most, or do you think its the service from 9 that keeps costing them that 1 second?
For same reason I think Hougaardt [who might be the most gifted footballer today] is wasted at 9, where his service [contribution] is much less dangerous than outside….agree?
30 Jul 2012, 22:29 pm
@Tacitus-423: Fair enough. I felt bad as I was posting my comment, so apologies to Johannes Expatinus if he is innocent – though there really is no way of knowing. I wish Keo and co would fix this site.
30 Jul 2012, 22:31 pm
SL – that’s Penny Heyns’s old gold medal, isn’t it?
30 Jul 2012, 22:32 pm
@>^..^< katman-430: Yup, Breast stroke was the Heyns speciallity
30 Jul 2012, 22:33 pm
@sharks_lover-427: It will then be sure as nuts madness to play him at 12 if that’s the case.
If he’s not right then least disruption would be the same backs from Sat, with Bossie coming in at 12…
Otherwise Lambie should take Viljoens place at the back.
30 Jul 2012, 22:33 pm
Morne Steyn, Hougaard, Spies, Flip – they all need to get the boot. They are seriously out of form, or out of position, in the case of Hougaard.
Don’t know how many times I have to say it, Hougaard ain’t no scrumhalf. His reading of the play and feel for the game is just not there.
He is a good strike runner, stepper and defender, and strong in the tackle. And that’s about it.
He needs to be an impact player, and probably at wing.
Vermaak is a better scrumhalf than him.
30 Jul 2012, 22:33 pm
@Heavens Game-425: JPP was very good at 13 against the Stormers, but I worry about him on defence because the Chiefs will pose much more of an attacking threat.
I also think we need Jordaan for his attacking abilities – though I like the sound of the rest of what you said.
30 Jul 2012, 22:35 pm
@Tacitus-433: Come on – this can’t be Tac.
30 Jul 2012, 22:36 pm
@kaksioek-435: It is Tac, he has been saying what he just said for a few months, even during the English tests
30 Jul 2012, 22:37 pm
“Hougaard ain’t no scrumhalf. His reading of the play and feel for the game is just not there” – yep. At wing, it comes natural to him, at 9 not..
30 Jul 2012, 22:37 pm
@Heavens Game-432: Lets see boet, time will tell, lol
30 Jul 2012, 22:39 pm
@kaksioek-429:
No worries. Issue is they allow folks to post under fields other than the uniqeu user ID. E.g. I should not be allowed to post under my nic, I should only be allowed to use my username – hanneslom. If they can’t figure it out [very basic table key design to ensure uniqeu records], then maybe everyone rather posts under their usernames…
30 Jul 2012, 22:40 pm
oi – unique
30 Jul 2012, 22:41 pm
@kaksioek-435:
It’s me, allright.
I still back Spies – if he gets to top form. But in his current form I think there are now options ahead of him. As long as its not plodder Vermeulen or some other Stormers dinosaur, like Burger at 8 or something.
But at the moment, I’d pick Kankowski ahead of Spies. Maybe that will fire Spies up to get back to his best, which is where we all want him to be.
30 Jul 2012, 22:44 pm
@kaksioek-434: Jordaan vs JPP for attacking abilities? I take JPP. I also like JPP slightly closer infield especially to strike with the Sharks offloading game (Imagine: Coetzee takes it up… Bang Sunni… offload to Alberts/Kanko… Bang… offload to JPP steaming on an angle, with his opposing 13 all involved)
I worry about Jordaan’s ability to last the full game at the moment. I am also happy with Ludik at 14/15… But if Lambie is available then he plays 15 or 10… and he sure as he.ll not going to start at 10 with Freddies form at the moment…
I reckon he definitely shouldn’t be the sacrificial lamb at 12 against Sunni Bull… Let Bossie play that role.
30 Jul 2012, 22:45 pm
@Tacitus-441: Exactly, like Carter needed a Cruden to come along and force him to reinvent / re-energize…watch Carter rip it up in upcoming series..
30 Jul 2012, 22:46 pm
@Tacitus-441: Well, the scales have certainly fallen from your eyes – good for you. I guess this is your reaction to the Bulls loss to the Crusaders – quite different to Skop’s reaction to the Stormers loss to the Sharks.
30 Jul 2012, 22:48 pm
spies and kankowski, aggenee, u might as well short the Bokkie in one leg with that handicap – i think the argies will be licking their lips, test rugby completely different animal – i always thought spies was going to be a sensation and we waited and waited and waited…and nothing … tomas waldeom met die beerboep was 10* better no 8 and he’s training regime consisted of pie&gravy not USN&energade.
30 Jul 2012, 22:48 pm
@Heavens Game-442: On the same token I would not be unhappy if Jordaan is at 13 and JPP back to wing… But if Lambie is 100% then he should be at 15 with Ludik being unlucky and on the bench.
30 Jul 2012, 22:50 pm
@kaksioek-444:
No, it’s my reaction to the Bulls loss to the Stormers at Loftus, which already settled it for me. After that, I expected the loss to the Sharks, but the magnitude of that Sharks victory confirmed it for me yet again.
After that, I expected us to disappoint against the Crusaders, hence my lack of disappointment when it occurred.
But Heyneke’s choice of so many Sharks – when I hardly knew who Marcell Coetzee even was at the time – just shows me how good a rugby brain he actually has.
The Sharks dominate the Bok team for good reason.
Hence I always expected the Sharks to win on Saturday, and to do so convincingly against what I STILL believe is a very mediocre Stormers line up.
30 Jul 2012, 22:50 pm
@kaksioek-444: eish boet you can compare Tacci to Skop?
30 Jul 2012, 22:51 pm
@Heavens Game-442: I don’t think you have to choose between JPP and Jordaan – you take them both. And JPP doesn’t have to stay on the wing all the time – he can come in and attack as you described.
Didn’t you think the Sharks looked at their best in the first half against the Reds?
And if Jordaan goes off injured then that’s when you bring JPP into 13.
Lambie has never struggled on defence – he can handle SBW.
30 Jul 2012, 22:55 pm
@Tacitus-447: Fair enough. I’ll take Hougaard at 9 over Spies at 8 any day though. I think Hougaard could be a great scrumhalf if they stopped trying to make him play like FdP. He isn’t FdP and even FdP would be ineffective playing like FdP at the moment. Let Hougaard be Hougaard (which is not unlike Joost).
30 Jul 2012, 22:57 pm
@kaksioek-450:
It is not FdP’s kicking game that he is most missing. It is Du Preez’s natural feel for when to pass, who to pass to, whether to go left or right, whether to kick or whether to go for the break.
Hougaard makes the wrong call most of the time, or else he doesn’t know which call to make so just does something that even his team mates aren’t expecting and ends up running into his own man or something.
He is not a scrumhalf.
30 Jul 2012, 22:59 pm
@Tacitus-451: I think it’s because he is not being allowed to do what comes instinctively – he is being told to kick when he would rather pass or run.
30 Jul 2012, 22:59 pm
@kaksioek-449: Yes… as in my post 446. The Sharks were good for the Reds game for a longer period… But they were also excellent in the 3rd quarter against the Stormers… 10 points scored (1 Freddy Drop poke and a JPP knife through butter try). I actually think Bossie was on at that point… May be wrong though.
Look, if Whitehead and Jordaan were both fit then they would start… Other than if Frans was available, that is. But without Whitehead that same centre synergy not there for Jordaan.
30 Jul 2012, 23:01 pm
@kaksioek-452:
But he doesn’t know how to pass or how to read the play to set someone up through the gap.
All he knows is how to run.
And in South Africa where we let our scrumhalves run our backlines as opposed to the Kiwis and Aussies who let their flyhalves do that, we need more than just a good runner with the ball at scrumhalf. We need a general.
30 Jul 2012, 23:06 pm
@Tacitus-454: I think you’re being too hard on him. I think he would flourish in a different team – say the Sharks, for example. But let’s agree to disagree about him. I still admire your honesty about the other players you mentioned. Morne Steyn, for example, is woefully out of form and I will be very unhappy if he starts for the Boks.
30 Jul 2012, 23:09 pm
@kaksioek-455:
Don’t get me wrong. I still like all of these players. I just think they need to get their heads right.
Maybe a case of overplaying or something.
But if their recent performances for the Bulls are anything to go by, they certainly are in the type of form to start for the Boks.
That said, if Heyneke picks them, and his belief translates into great performances by them in the Green jersey, then all is well.
30 Jul 2012, 23:10 pm
@Tacitus-456:
Are not in the type of form to start for the Boks.
30 Jul 2012, 23:11 pm
@kaksioek-455:
Hougaard right now is like a bull being asked to sit still in a china shop.
He is being asked to play a type of 9 that is very different to 9′s in other countries. FDP could, for the same reason that FDP will also be able to play 10. Hougaard could never be a 10. But SA wants their 9′s to be a pseudo 10.
30 Jul 2012, 23:11 pm
@Tacitus-456: I would hope Morne is benched, at the very least.
30 Jul 2012, 23:14 pm
@Johannes Expatinus-458: True, but FdP would have been a very one-dimensional flyhalf. By the time he departed stage left I was sick of the sight of him. And then there was talk of him returning to captain the Boks … good grief. I still wonder who we have to thank for avoiding that disaster.
30 Jul 2012, 23:16 pm
Now I wonder – who would have made the better 10, leaving goal kicking out of the picture…
FDP, or Steyn…mmm
30 Jul 2012, 23:21 pm
Cheers people …
31 Jul 2012, 02:32 am
Shark is on the menu at two Hamilton restaurants this week – and Chiefs supporters will be hoping it stays that way come Saturday night’s Super rugby final against the Sharks.
John Lawrenson, who owns both restaurants, said 7kg of shark had already been ordered for his Keystone and The Abbey restaurants for Thursday night and he was expecting the dish to be a hit with diners not backing the South African team.
31 Jul 2012, 07:43 am
I can’t see the Sharks winning, I’ve just returned fm SE Asia and it has taken a few days to feel mildly ok, besides the time zone adjustmnet – the recycled air in the aircraft makes one sic and weak.
31 Jul 2012, 07:44 am
I agree with the points in this article Keo but it is very badly written and your points aren’t coherrent.
31 Jul 2012, 08:57 am
Ahem.
Pot.
Kettle .
Brains.
Trust.
31 Jul 2012, 11:47 am
My opinion is, expand the tournament to 16 teams. Play 2 groups of 8. The top 2 teams in each group play each other in a semi-final and the winners play each other in a final. The only alternative is to reduce the format back to 10 or 12 teams. The bottom 5 teams were rubbish anyway and not worth spending money on to watch.
1 Aug 2012, 09:13 am
@Robzim-8:
You are damn right there Bob Mugabe. I will NEVER support the stormers. I always say ”If not the Bulls anyone but the tailgunners from Slaapstad”.
So I will support the Sharks on Sat. If the Stormers had any BMT and they were playing the Chiefs, I would not support any team. But I will damn well shout my lungs out for a Stormer loss. Why? Because of the fans they have. Little know it all prima donnas who hates it when other teams win but pretend to support them for the greater good of SA rugby. Bunch of 2 faced bi t ches you are……
Hell, I even find it difficult to support the Boks when they have stormers in the team. I have to force myself.
2 Aug 2012, 10:34 am
Xkreni, that post right there just shows what a complete and utter **** end u are. The Stormers and boks don’t need your support, I suppose u like spies as well?? Dooooos!
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