Thread: Super Rugby 2012

Week 3 picks

Crusaders v Chiefs@Napier -- Crusaders
Western Force v Hurricanes@Perth -- Hurricanes
Brumbies v Cheetahs@Canberra -- Brumbies
Highlanders v Waratahs@Dunedin -- Highlanders
Reds v Rebels@Brisbane -- Reds
Sharks v Lions@Durban -- Sharks
Bulls v Blues@Pretoria -- Bulls

Bye: Stormers

Week 3 picks

Crusaders v Chiefs@Napier -- Crusaders No
Western Force v Hurricanes@Perth -- Hurricanes Yes
Brumbies v Cheetahs@Canberra -- Brumbies Yes
Highlanders v Waratahs@Dunedin -- Highlanders Yes
Reds v Rebels@Brisbane -- Reds Yes
Sharks v Lions@Durban -- Sharks Yes
Bulls v Blues@Pretoria -- Bulls No

Five correct out of seven isn't too bad.

A few thoughts --

...the Crusaders' players need to stop reading their press clippings and concentrate on playing rugby, not just being rugby superstars...

...scum who throw bottles at players on the field are, well, scum...

...the undefeated Highlanders are a joy to watch. However, I wonder how long they can keep up the intensity at which they are playing...

The Reds-Rebels match? The Reds defeating the Rebels by the margin of a couple of penalty kicks isn't too impressive...

Having been away on a coaching course last week I missed the games other than the last uninspiring minutes of the Reds and the Rebels.

To be honest I've yet to see any of the lauded brilliance Or the 'basketballesque' play that the competitions lovers or detractors waffle on about but I have seen some pretty ordinary games of rugby along with some pretty tight games of rugby.

Just like any other top class competition really.

Originally Posted by Bobcock

some pretty tight games of rugby.

All of the Chiefs, Highlanders, and Crusaders have been entertaining so far this season, but yeah, nothing 'basketballesque' as of yet.

^^ First few games, everyone is a bit rusty. Loving watching the Highlanders, a totally different team from the last few years, the NZ conference is going to be a tight one this year.

I fancy the Hurricanes a bit this year, losing big names who don't perform was a smart move.

Originally Posted by BKKBoet

Loving watching the Highlanders

Jimmy Cowan, though. What the hell was that trying to kick the ball into touch to end the game and he aims for the furthest touch line and can't get the ball out.

Jimmy Cowan is crap.....in fact, all Kiwi scrum halfs are crap......

Originally Posted by Bobcock

all Kiwi scrum halfs are crap...

I beg your pardon...I've never heard such egregious blasphemy!

Name me a good one? Ellis...????... Cownan....????..... Leonard.....????..... And for the life of me, don't say Weeeeehahahahahpoooooo?.....

I saw David Loveridge's test debut, now that is a decent Kiwi scrum half!!!!

Originally Posted by Bobcock

Ellis...????... Cowan....????..... Leonard.....????.....

Yeah, Andy Ellis is better than average. To be honest, I would like to see like his back-up Willi Heinz play more often. He did a better than satisfactory job last season when Andy Ellis and Kahn Fotuali'i went down to injury. I thought he also played very well in last year's condensed ITM Cup provincial tournament.

Cowan? I'm thinking he's past his use-by date. He does suffer from recurring brain-farts.

Leonard pulled his hamstring in the first week of the season and is out. His replacement, Tawera Kerr-Barlow has been an outstanding replacement. Leonard is a battler, but he seems to be a bit slow getting to the breakdown and making a decision on what the hell he's going to do. The way that Kerr-Barlow is playing, it will be tough for Leonard to get his job back.

Weepu? Piri isn't even playing scrum-half. He might have in the recent game against the Bulls in Pretoria, but I didn't see that game so I don't know. He's coming off the bench as a first-five from what I've seen. Piri is usually very good at reading the field and I reckon he's a very nervy sort of player. He doesn't really get rattled. The Blues' starting scrum-half is Alby Mathewson who has his days, but he needs to play more consistently.

The Hurricanes' 19 year-old scum-half TJ Perenara had a decent debut scoring three tries against the Western Force last week. Chris Smylie is out for the year with a shoulder injury, so Perenara will have plenty of opportunity to show what he's got.

So, this year you need to keep an eye on Perenara and Kerr-Barlow. I reckon they are future stars. I also think that Ellis will look a lot better when Dan Carter returns later this season.

Well....you certainly seem to agree with me reading that analysis....

Week 4 picks:

Chiefs v Brumbies@Hamilton -- Chiefs
Stormers v Blues@Cape Town -- Stormers
Hurricanes v Highlanders@Wellington -- Highlanders
Waratahs v Western Force@Sydney -- 'Tahs
Sharks v Reds@Durban -- Sharks
Rebels v Cheetahs@Melbourne -- Rebels

Bye: Crusaders

According to 54-year-old Johannes Nel, the reason he jumped the barrier was because he was concerned about Bulls winger Bjorn Basson who was injured in a dangerous tackle at the hands of Blues rival Rene Ranger.
And instead of trying to hit Mealamu with a bottle, Nel was instead trying to pass Basson his water bottle which then inadvertently hit the Blues captain.

Of course it was all a misunderstanding.
Some mothers do have 'em.

Week 4 picks:

Chiefs v Brumbies@Hamilton -- Chiefs Yes
Stormers v Blues@Cape Town -- Stormers Yes
Hurricanes v Highlanders@Wellington -- Highlanders Yes
Waratahs v Western Force@Sydney -- 'Tahs No
Sharks v Reds@Durban -- Sharks Yes
Rebels v Cheetahs@Melbourne -- Rebels No

4 correct, 2 wrong. Bloody Waratahs...

The Reds are will be up against it going into this weekend's match against the Bulls in Pretoria. The Reds have a bit of a backfield crisis with Quade Cooper out with a knee injury, Ben Lucas and Mike Harris, both out with hamstring injuries, and the possible loss of Digby Ioane who will go before the judicial review for his lifting tackle on the Sharks Marcel Cotzee in the Reds' loss to the Sharks in Durban this past weekend. The Reds' genius scrum-half, Will Genia, was forced by last weekend's events to move to first-five and take on goal-kicking duties.

At which he sucked. No money on the Reds this weekend, especially with the Bulls coming off a loss!!

All of the teams in the Australia conference are having issues. There's the aforementioned Reds backfield crisis, the Waratahs' inability to sort themselves out or play any positive rugby, the Rebels are pretty clueless (sheesh, losing to the Cheetahs...how embarrassing), and the Western Force are, erm, well just not that impressive. The Brumbies look as if they are improving. This Leali'ifano fella looked to be the goods at first-five against the Chiefs last week kicking 5 penalties and a conversion. I reckon the top-of-the-table Highlanders will have a tough go of it in Canberra this weekend.

The Blues- Hurricanes match is shaping up to be an interesting one. The Blues will play a Hurricanes team that is looking to put last year's horror show to bed. There was a lot of off-field drama with the Hurricanes cleaning house - exit Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu to the Blues, and Andrew Hore and Hosea Gear to the Highlanders. It looks like the Highlanders got the best of the Hurricanes purge as Weepu hasn't shined, and Nonu has been a no-show.

The Blues, like the Reds, are going through their own injury crisis. Out of this weekend's match with injuries are Jerome Kaino (shoulder), Anthony Boric (neck), Isaia Toeava (hip), Rudi Wulf (shoulder), George Moala (shoulder), and David Raikuna (hamstring). Also missing will be Rene Ranger who is also out suspended. The Blues also could lose Luke Braid to suspension for allegedly (cough cough) elbowing and punching Stormers' Nizam Carr.

The big thing here is the return to the Crusaders of first-five Dan Carter, who has recovered from a torn groin muscle that put paid to his Rugby World Cup campaign. This Saturday also marks the first time that the Crusaders will play in front of their home fans since way back in 2010 after last year's earthquakes forced the Crusaders into being a permanent road team. I have tickets for this so I'm stoked.

Happy viewing Super Rugby fans and go the Crusaders!

****

Week 5 picks:

Blues v Hurricanes@Auckland -- Hurricanes
Rebels v Western Force@Melbourne -- Western Force
Waratahs v Sharks@Sydney -- Sharks
Crusaders v Cheetahs@Christchurch -- Crusaders
Brumbies v Highlanders@Canberra -- Highlanders
Bulls v Reds@Pretoria -- Bulls
Lions v Stormers@Johannesburg -- Stormers

Bye: Chiefs

Originally Posted by happynz

the possible loss of Digby Ioane who will go before the judicial review for his lifting tackle on the Sharks Marcel Cotzee

Just saw that the decision has been made and Ioane will be out until round 9. Ouch, if you're a Reds supporter.

Have SA won yet?

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Have SA won yet?

The Stormers out of Cape Town have played very well. The Bulls aren't doing badly. The Sharks are all right. The Lions aren't doing so well and the Cheetahs suck, although they did notch a good win against the Rebels last weekend in Melbourne.

But you're just taking the piss, right.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

do they still play that classic English no 10, Mr Talent?

Still contracted till the end of the season when he will return back to the Big Grey.
Someone new to deal with his disciplinary indiscretions.