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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
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    Super Rugby 2018

    SUPER RUGBY




    Super Rugby is back - leaner with the culling of two South African sides (Cheetahs and Southern Kings) and cutting loose an Australian team (the Western Force).



    The season begins this weekend in South Africa with the Stormers hosting the Jaguares. The Cape Town side usually come out of the blocks well having won six out of their last season opening matches. However, the Stormers need to improve on defense as they leaked 61 tries whilst only scoring 64 themselves. The Argentinian side play with typical Latin flair, but they often let themselves down with silly penalties (in fact, the most penalised team in last year's tournament). The Jaguares have hired Argentinian great Mario Ledesma as coach this year and we'll see how well he does in instilling some discipline in the side.



    The second game for this opening weekend is Lions v Sharks. The Lions, runner-up finalists for the past two years, have shown they have the goods to win the South African Conference. The Sharks have an amazing first five in young Curwin Bosch, however he will not have the number 10 jersey but will be coming off the bench.



    Prediction for the opening weekend:

    Stormers v Jaguares - Jaguares upset Stormers

    Lions v Sharks - Lions win by a try and a penalty.
    pues, estamos aqui

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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  3. #3
    Thailand Expat
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  4. #4
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Can I get the wooden spoon now and save the heartache?

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Never fear mate, Big Bad Brad is in charge now and if anyone can turn it around he can.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Best thread for this ...

    Rugby Australia unveils Size for Age policy for junior players


    Credit

    Rugby Union has become the first major contact sport in Australia to bring in comprehensive weight and height
    grading for juniors.


    Key points:
    • The Size for Age' policy will apply to players in Under 10 to Under 15 grades
    • Players can be moved a maximum of two grades
    • Decisions will be final, but players can request a second assessment at a later date


    The move is designed to protect the safety of children and allow them to develop skills against players of a similar size.
    Because when it comes to rugby, size does matter, as parents increasingly embrace sports like soccer over the rugby codes
    because of at-times huge differences in physical builds of junior players.

    The Size for Age policy will this year be applied to players in the Under-10 to Under-15 grades, whereby an initial identification
    of 'outliers' based on weight and height is followed up with an assessment by an independent coach of a player's experience,
    skill level, overall fitness and maturity.

    Players can then be sent down an age group or up to a maximum of two grades.

    More here


    I wish they had that when I was learning my craft as a League Player.

    I just learnt to barge and bash as a Prop, and never developed the silky skills to complement my size.

    Would have scored more tries too
    Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago ...


  7. #7
    Thailand Expat
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    Stormers 28 20 Jaguares
    Lions 26 19 Sharks

    Two hard fought matches wit the losing sides threatening at the end.

  8. #8
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    Watched the Stormers and Jaguars.

    The Stormers always had the game in hand but the Jaguars never gave up.

    Good start to the season.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
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    New Zealand and Aussie conferences up next week.

    Yeah!

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat
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    This weekend's fixtures 23 - 24 Feb (all kickoff times Thailand)

    My picks this round...

    Friday, 23 Feb

    Highlanders v Blues (1335) -- 'landers
    Rebels v Reds (1545) -- Reds

    Saturday, 24 Feb

    Sunwolves v Brumbies (1115) -- Brumbies
    Crusaders v Chiefs (1335) -- Crusaders
    Waratahs v Stormers (1545) -- Waratahs
    Lions v Jaguares (2005) --Lions
    Bulls v Hurricanes (2205) -- Hurricanes

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by happynz
    Highlanders v Blues (1335) -- 'landers

    Crusaders v Chiefs (1335) -- Crusaders
    Gotta love these derby games!

  12. #12
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    ^ Even the ones involving the Blues have entertainment value.

    The 'saders v Chiefs clash looks interesting. The 'saders are going in with a "weakened" forward back missing Franks, Moody, and Read. I suspect that props Mike Ala'alatoa and wily veteran Wyatt Crocket will still be a force in the front row. Out the back Dagg will also be on leave. Not a problem as the backfield will have David Havili, the talented Seta Tamanivalu, and exciting young winger George Bridges. I'm really looking forward to seeing first-five Richie Mo'unga keep pushing for the All Blacks 10 jersey.

    The Chiefs have had a lot of changes over the off season. New coach, no Cruden, and yet their exciting back field of Brad Weber, Anton Leinert Brown, Charlie Ngatai, Tony Pulu, Shawn Stevenson, and the Mackenzie bros Damian and Marty make them legit contenders in this particular derby.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Mackenzie the younger shifting to 10 is going to be interesting.

    No doubting his skill but I'm still unconvinced at his potential (in any position) in Test rugby.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat
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    Damian Mackenzie is a brave lad though. Check out this tackle on Nadolo.


  15. #15
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Brave or fkn nuts??

  16. #16
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    At the start of the season I always hope the Aussie sides do well but it always seems the Kiwi sides are that much better right across the field.

    Was watching the Canterbury side play Tasman last weekend and there are so many great internationally unknown players coming through.

    As long as the aussie sides are competitive will satisfy me.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Not for nothing but:

    Perenara; B. Barrett; Savea; Laumape; Aso; Milner-Skudder (when back); and J. Barrett

    How much potential for pure, utter, unadulterated devastation does that Hurricanes backline have!!

  18. #18
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    The Hurricanes' forward pack is a good one as well. Julian Savea's brother Ardie has been awesome this past couple of seasons.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    True. Still no Coles but that Rickitelli(sp) dude seems capable and they also have that young guy whose name escapes me right now (toured with AB's last year).

    Though I read something recently that he has been dropped for conditioning issues.

    Could be a Saders v. Canes final I think.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Jeeez... how good was the Landers v. Blues game!

    If that’s a marker for the rest of the season how awesome is it going to be!

  21. #21
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    ^ Riveting 80 minutes, that.

  22. #22
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    Results

    Friday, 23 Feb

    Highlanders v Blues -- Highlanders
    Rebels v Reds -- Rebels

    Saturday, 24 Feb

    Sunwolves v Brumbies -- Brumbies
    Crusaders v Chiefs -- Crusaders
    Waratahs v Stormers -- Waratahs
    Lions v Jaguares -- Lions
    Bulls v Hurricanes -- Bulls

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Reds had their captain rec carded for a powder puff shoulder bump and someone else in the sin bin.



    Scott Higginbotham sent off; Rebels beat Reds 45-19; Brumbies

    for Ant ... https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...r-rugby-season

  24. #24
    I am in Jail

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    No doubt the South African sides are going to get stuffed by the NEZI (New Zealand and 300 islands) sides again....

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mex
    New Zealand and 300 islands

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