Cheers to the friggin All Blacks, I'll drink to that!!

On sunday midday SA time, it was more relief than elation that i felt when the final whistle sounded to put an end to one of the best RWC tournaments I have viewed (1995, being the other). It was relief more than elation because the mighty All Blacks, who have earned the right to be called the Mighty All Blacks over the last decade or 2 because they boast arguable the best record of any international sporting team on earth, yet have failed to capture the World Cup since 1987. My relief was for the players, their management staff and their little nation of rugby mad people.

I thorougly enjoyed this tournament because of the excitement it produced to the very last minute of the very last game. It showed that with a bit of exposure even the most unlikely of teams can be competitive. The impact of professionalism can now be seen with the likes of Tonga, Samoa and Japan all showing some vast improvement this is a result of their big and lucrative domestic tournaments that attract people from all walks...players and coaches, whose knowledge gets passed onto players of lesser nations who in turn pass it on into their international setups. The 3rd and 4th play off was quite a tense affair and even though the final whistle only showed a points difference of 3, there was no doubt in anyones mind who the top team on the day was. Australia were all over them, Wales had plenty ball, but they couldnt kick their penalties nor could they find creative ways to breach the Aussie defence. I felt really bleak for QC, because he looked like he was in the mood but alas his night was cut short with a torn ACL! It was a tough old afternoon, but the deserved winners on the day prevailed. Same cant be said about the finals though. From the Haka i knew it was game on, that arrow formation followed by the bowl like engulfing of the ABs by the French had them properly rattled. Ma'a lost his nut so much so that he came up with his own version of the Haka, Piri was more animated than ever, the guys were rattled properly and credit to the French. We were lucky to get away with that game because there was a scrum about 10...15min before the end of the game where the ABs were going backwards and Hore popped up, he was penalised earlier for the same offence a few minutes earlier but by the grace of Craig and maybe the ball spilling out from the base of the scrum, we were let off the hook. In as much as the French had our number, I believe we gave it to them in many ways. Had Piri kicked his 8 points on offer, it would have been a different ball game because it would have been 13-0 or something which is very different from 5-3. The French belief grew as the game wore on and that kick pass from Piri to clear a bumbling ball, would have been genius if it had come off but it didnt and it cost the ABs 7pts and from then i was like same script different cast, but the discipline of the ABs and their composure in the dying minutes of the game carried them through. People were telling me the French would be obliterated, i was not convinced in the slightest, because they are a great side and the ability to bring their A-game at any time, it so happened was that the 23/10/2011 was that time! They didnt deserve to be there they said. The 2 games they lost were against the ABs which was always going to be and Tonga, a game they didnt have to win to qualify. They had to beat England....and they did. They had to beat Wales, and they did, it wasnt their fault that the Welsh were down to 14 players. In the finals they were the slightly better team, through tactics and psyche! And to them I say Alles Le Bleu!! The boys in Black deserved this win, not only because they won it, but because of the amount of work they put in and the learnings they took from past failures. They were smart enough to say to the world we can play durr rugby and win this yellow cup and thats all i wanted to see. Richie and GH and me as an AB supporter, can indeed now rest in peace because I was getting supper tired of hearing that choker tag and this that and the next, now there will have to be another label for them, I guess World Champs will have to do for now. The ABs deserved this because they prepared well. They had depth aplenty and players who knew the team dynamic and set up. Who would have thunk that without DC and down to their 4th choice No. 10 they would have been able to pull this off? It was a massive effort and one deserving of its reward. Congrats to the Kapa O Pango, now you can just go out there and play your game and not worry about this yellow cup for another 24 yrs :) mad respect to my French froggies too. Well done to all 20 teams that took part, now if my dear Lions will just win this Currie Cup to cap off a good year of rugby viewing for me :) Take care boys and girls

RWC2011...and then there were 2

Greetings from a rather gloomy and overcast Jozi. Wow, imagine, arguably the best and most consistent international sporting team finally has an opportunity to contest the finals of the RWC for the first time since 1995 thats quite laughable to be honest...but hey they are there and the greatest part is they are up against their RWC nemesis the French, even though i want to play the French, because no matter how crappy they seem to be, they always have that game that will sink the ABs, however I would have loved a shot at the Boks, but this draw was never billed as such unless the Boks were beaten by Wales. Anyway before I start, let me say I am getting oh so bored of hearing/reading about Bryce Lawrence. Its now bordering on sore losers! Bottom line is we all know what Pocock, Brussouw and Richie can do given the opportunity so you negate their threat. The players should have realised this and adjusted their game accordingly. In this weekends game, Pocock was hardly a threat, not because of the reffing, because he was only pinned maybe 3 times in 80 min, the rest of the time he was on his back because he was cleaned out or forced to make the tackle thus couldnt be as menacing. The Boks were great last weekend but were very woeful at sealing the deal, its not the refs fault, the boys and the fans must accept some responsibility and look forward. In 2007 the ABs lost to the French because of a forward pass, I didnt blame the ref, because they were good enough to win it but they didnt so it was their fault. In 2010, Ghana could have been the first African team to qualify for the semis of the SWC, but they didnt, not because Suarez cheated, but because we didnt convert our chance when we had it. FULL STOP!! cant change it we move on... This weekends games wow if ever there was injustice it was on saturday morning. I thought France would win, but that was before I saw the precision with which Wales took to the game in comparison to what the French brought. One has to feel for Warburton, there was no malice intended in that tackle, it was a good aggressive tackle but alas legs up, head down...rules are rules, I would have liked to see a yellow card though but alas the game was killed as a contest...rather it should have been killed as a contest, but respect to Wales they made a proper game of it till the death in spite of having to play for over 60 minutes with just 14 players. The French have a team of great players, but they are just not putting it out there on the park, their big game was against England. Wales, poor Wales, the most consistent team of the RWC2011 along with the ABs, but alas fate would deal them a cruel blow. But i guess they can walk tall! Jamie Roberts, Warburton, Phillips, Halfpenny, Williams Faletau i guess the whole bang lot can be proud of their achievements, no one would have pipped them for RWC2011 finalists and the world feels like they were somewhat robbed of a final spot, but alas those who make it are the ones who deserve to be there. France have been toilet, lost 2 games, yet on sunday we will be watching them contest a final. Oz v ABs, From the coin toss I knew it was game on, Richie is normally a nice guy but there he was very steely faced when he shook Horwill's hand, he had his game face on. Guys even though he was operating on just one foot, man that guy is one hell of a player, not sure if you guys saw when he was flung over one of the Ausies shoulders yet on the way down he still managed to steal the ball from the guy? He is everywhere, tireless in his effort, he may no longer be a force on the ground, but his game beyond that is immense. A player like i said last week and have been saying for a while who is my MVP in the All Blacks team at the moment is Jerome Kaino! How strong is that guy? the way he lifted Digby like a sack of 10kg potatoes was just something else?! he hits hard, gives the boys some go forward ball. The ABs played a very smart game. Pocock was hardly a factor in this game because the runners ran at him, which meant he was part of the tackle and not the arriving player with all rights and as such was rather ineffective, when he was trying to steal the ball however, the ABs would just flood the breakdown and render him off his feet thus not a factor. Their defensive lines frustrated the Aussie backs and they also played some dumb footie. They kept choosing to kick long and to the Blacks' back 3 who were as tough as the walls of Jericho. Instead of using shorter kicks if they had to or just keeping ball in hand and making the Blacks defend, they kept plugging away with the same exams, without knowing that the ABs had bribed the examiner for the paper beforehand! How lovely was it to see Crudes just slot into that no 10 channel like he was born there, all that traffic that was sent his way was adequately dealt with and he threw in a drop goal just for good measure! It was a good game of rugby, but in the end the Wallabies were totally owned everywhere on the park...and on the scoreboard! A lot of NZ supporters will be nervous about this coming sunday. i am not though...well not at the moment. Not because I think the boys have the wood over the French, but more because its an opportunity for these crop of ABs to put the ghost of 2007 to rest properly. That is their challenge and how they prepare and deal with it on sunday is a test of a true champion side. if they panic, go into their shell and stumble well clearly they arent meant to win this tournament. For me its sheer bliss, because my 2 favorite teams to watch will be on display. I hope the French pitch up with their A-game because if they bring that nonsense of last weekend it may well be 50+ ball game. Once again it will be the forward play that will determine the outcome of this game. For some reason i dont think it will be typical finals footy, i think in the first 20 or so the Blacks will amass the 3 pointers and then unleash the backs. The French will be up for the game, they will play french Rugby Is it sunday yet?? Have a great week all!

Exciting quarters done, now for some tense semis

Many of you might disagree, but bar 1995 and the excitement it generated for our then newly born democracy, this NZ RWC2011 has been to me by far the most exciting. It all started in the knock out stages when the minows stood up and thought they were part of SA Census 2011...they were counted!Then the quarters didn't disappoint one little bit in terms of excitement. Wales v Ireland, youth and execution prevailed over heart and experience. It was a proper ding dong battle, but the Welsh prevailed, that menacing Jamie Roberts, the wiley Mike Phillips, that youngster Rhys at 10 and the midgets Williams and Halfpenny and the very accurate forwards put paid to the passion of the Irish, ably lead by captain my captain BoD, in my mind the best centre of his generation, a superb centre combination would have been him and Tana!! The Irish tried but this games was Wales'. Farewell BoD (and Co) thanks for the years of great viewing pleasure you gave us Then the game that gave me the most joy of the weekend. My lovely erratic French team wiping that smug arrogance off Martin Johnson's and his English teams faces! I knew the French had 1 big game in them and the old foe was the right fuel to light their fire within. They played just like only the French could, many questioned the choice of Para at 10, i guess those people can hush a wee bit now. The English have been woeful the whole tournament...actually bar 2003 they have just been such a random side to watch, watching a fly flying into a closed window has given me immeasurably more pleasure. For them to make it to another world cup final would have been a proper injustice to the game...in my humble opinion of course. Then the most controversial game of the weekend. Boks v Oz, I didnt watch the game live unfortunately, rugby had been the cause of me missing Church too often and even though i woke up with all intentions of watching the game, i was called and I answered. I managed to get the last 15 min or so live and from the little I saw, the Australians were properly owned. When i got home I watched the game and those 15 minutes were in fact a reflection of the whole game, bar a 'freakish' try in the first half for the Australians, they were absolutely nowhere. Genia and Cooper...who??? SA made all the play, but unfortunately they ended up on the wrong side of the ledger, I guess you can ask Wales and Samoa how that feels. The ref was incompetent in this game,properly toilet, but to say he favoured Australia may not be entirely accurate. He was bad for both sides, BUUUUTTT SA can feel aggrieved because they had most of the ball 60% or so and all the territory almost 80% so i guess most of the calls would not have favoured the Boks, but he didnt favour one side over the other he just decided to blow the obvious and not make any potentially controversial decisions. He was properly inept during this game. BUUUUUTTTT that being said if you own the ball and own the pitch and cant win....ah then i feel forkall for you. Many people wanna give Divvy a tough time as a bad coach, man he was a proper coach. territorial advantage, al the possession, make the opposition tackle you 150 times as opposed to your mere 50 tackles...tactics were spot on, then we have forward passes, marginal, but still forward, FdP knocking on twice in good positions...who can i blame??? the first 15 pummelled the opposition properly, then along came the clean up crew, bigger and badder to finish the job. great tactics i say...but couldnt get over the line...who do I blame??the 22 that took the field of course. It shouldnt be a blame game, I know, but the boys were just not good enough. The Australians, take nothing away from them, they resembled Sylvester Stalone in Rocky 5...street fight against Tommy Gunn, beaten hard, then he stumbles to his feet when Tommy thought the fight was done and muttered "Hey Tommy, I didnt hear no bell...one more round....they defended like trojans and hats off to them. But in the end there had to be a loser and unfortunately for Bok supporters Sunday wasnt their day. Honestly hard luck Bok supporters, I will be honest when i say i did want you guys to come home, because the thought of hearing world champions Boks, only team to defend the cup win it 3 times, blaah would have grated my cheese, that being said though, I wanted this tournament for PdV so that all you one eyed supporters out there who have no good to say about the coach and certain players of colour would know exactly where to stick it. for example, Chilliboy, we will never know whether he is better than Bissie or not, because he is always going to be no 2.On Sunday i felt a little for the Boks because for a change, they did all the play yet lost, which in my mind is totally unfair, but iiwii (it is what it is). thats life they say Many have maligned John Smit and PdV, Smit recently PdV forever. Respect to JS for his work, he lead his country well both on and off the field a man that gains respect without even asking for it because of his mana...wish him and his retiring colleagues well. PdV, sorry for you guy, you tried hard and in my mind you did well in the context of SA rugby, but you were always going to struggle. People want Heineke Meyer, i wish him no ill, but lets see him coach this team and see what the results will be. How funny is it though. Fourie du Preez, has been so dog toilet this year, and last, but not a harshly negative word was uttered towards him, just a muttering of sheesh he is getting slow, he looks a little out of form, but had that been Ricky or even Bolla...hmmmm???!!! its a full time job i tell you being a "second rate" citizen!! All Blacks game, no real surprises in this game. The Pumas forward power was there, their latin passion was there, but not once during that game did i honestly feel the game was under threat. We took them lightly and it showed from the get go during the Haka, the ferocity and intensity wasnt there. Our game looked fractured most times, but when we had to turn it on in the last 60 we sure did. Piri at no 9...ayeye, how he has lost so much weight is beyond me but well done to him and to think a few years ago he was unwanted. But Jimmy Cowan, nah man, that bra must waai!! I am properly concerned about the well being of my main man Jerome Kaino, that guy is so underrated in the loose trio the amount of work he gets through and the amount of punishment he takes for the team is insane, he is my key guy in that forward pack. Captain Richie, he may not be the no 1 guy on the ground anymore, but what a game he plays, you miss a tackle and he is generally there to cover you, always there in support. Another guy who has become 'fulcrum' of the ABs backs. Colin Slade, happy birthday today bra, bummer about your injury cous, but alas man you are still a young man and there will be another world cup. Cruden, that little guy came on and said world cup quarters whaat??!! I got this. Played with much confidence as if tomorrow was not going to come and good on him. But then again if you beat cancer, what is a rugby game?? Cory Jane, might i suggest you go and get boozed again this thursday please because man did he have a game on the wing as did SBW. Even though the Blacks' depth has been properly tested, over the 4 years with DC's absence, 5 other flyhalves have had an opportunity to feature....Slade, Cruden, Donald, Delaney, McAlister so there are some reserves that can be called upon. Even though it wasnt the rotational policy that was employed in the lead up to 2007, but the 3 wise men have managed to build up stocks over the years and hopefully that will be enough to carry them through the next 2 games if its meant to be ofcourse :). Mils 100th game, pity he had to retire hurt, but what a player...what a man, mad respect!! Semis Notice that 3 out of the 4 teams in the finals are NZ coached...as are might I add, the top 2 teams in this years currie cup so far...The beauty about these last 4 teams is that currently in world rugby, if you take away Fiji and Samoa, they are by far the most exciting teams to watch in terms of what they do with the ball in hand and couple that with their ability in set plays as well (well some might argue Australia not so much but they are getting better, ask the Boks in Durban earlier this year)... Wales v France...I actually really like both these teams and before the world cup i called a France v Australia final which is still very possible and typing that my heart sank a wee bit. As much as i would dig Wales to make it because they have played pretty well thus far by far the most consistent team in the semis along with the host nation, but for some reason i have this feeling there is a movie script here which would result in the French making it to the finals. ABs v Oz, they (Oz) havent won in NZ since 2001, havent won in Eden park since 1986 havent .... all means nought! Its all down to 80 min on sunday. The Wallabies will be buoyed by their get out of jail free card on sunday. They will be buzzing. Quade and Will had a toilet game and they will be so eager to set the record straight. Robbie has won 2 out of the last 3 games against the Blacks, Tri Nations...Oz, S15...Oz, Bledisloe...Blacks. No DC. To beat this merry band of waltzing matildas, who have lots of belief we will have to monster them up front ala the Bledisloe cup earlier. Piri will have to play a territorial game and skop the ball out of the stadium! our back s will be interesting Piri, Cruden, SBW, Nonu, Smith, Kahui, Dagg/Jane. Tough game to call, but you know me I'm properly backing black. Bummed about the fact that the Blacks were denied the opportunity to play the Boks, but Australia are no 3 in the world so i guess i'll take it... Lets see what this Sunday Dishes out, how i'd love to face the French in the finals if its how its meant to be... Happy viewing all

RWC2011...play time's over

What an interesting few days ey?!! Pretty interesting pool rounds, but I guess the usual suspects made it through the pool stages, with the only 2 teams that can be really dissapointed not to make it being Samoa and Scotland. Both teams played as well as they could but i guess a tough draw in a tough pool resulted in their eventual demise or rather non-qualification. Scotland played with the ghost of William Wallace in both their last 2 games, but still managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, it was pretty tough for them, particularly the last game, because I guess I am biased and i could think of few things better than to see England and their smug bums knocked out before the knock out stages. Pool A finished as we had all predicted but the 3 minnow teams really did impress me. They may all have been well put away by the men in black, but I looked for more than that. The Japanese weren't exactly the biggest people but they played with much heart and structure and they threw everything they could have in all their games. particularly enjoyed their showing against France, sad shame about their draw against Canada, but alas i guess no one really deserved to lose that game. Canada played as well as could be expected with their bearded individuals shining their light. What let them down though was their conditioning in the last 20 or so minutes against the big guns. Tonga, by far my team of the pool stages. Their last pool match was just for me a proper David and Goliath story where David once again prevailed, but not because Goliath didnt play well, but because David played beyond themselves with lots of belief. My favourite world cup moment was the closing scrums on the Tongan line and the front row were excited about scrumming even though they were under the pump a little :). Their game against France my favourite game as well just because of the way they played. Pool B, no suprises here, some called it a group of death, which i guess it was in some way it was the closely contested of the 4, but in the end it was really a 3 horse race, with Scotland i guess not having enough in the tank to keep the other 2 teams out, so unfortunate it was for them, but alas such is life i guess. Pool C, what a ripper. Ireland v Aus maximum respect to the Irish on that performance, they had a game plan and they deployed it so effectively and I will not be supprised to see the Boks try and adopt parts thereof this weekend. Italy, USA and Russia gave a good account of themselves and you can see the improvement in those sides. What the latter 2 need is more game time without a doubt and they will be better for it. Pool D, was another group i had much interest in. I was terribly dissapointed in Fiji. I expected much from them they had a fair amount of their team that did battle in 2007 present at this tournament and also had the support base as well but what they just didnt seem to have was the structure, plan or the heart to be as competitive as they were in 2007. Namibia unfortunately were no match for anyone. They did try hard and they had moments of brilliance and some individuals who really stood out like their flyhalf and captain to name a few, but once again, the lack of game time was to be their downfall. A team that I felt sorry for was Samoa. Man that team has much game. They were a tad rough against the Boks, without a doubt, but I think there was a plan there, either the Boks to get under their skin or them under the Boks skin. I know a lot of Bok supporters are on Nigel Owens' case for how he reffed the game, but I think he got it wrong both ways. I will cite a few examples...the Boks second penalty, Scrum, Nigel Owens is right there, Jannie is binding on his opposite scrumagers arm, immediate penalty, but what happens, penalty against the Samoans because the Boks pack was mucho dominant. There were 2 occasions where the Samoans were on attack and then Daniesaurous knocks the ball on to stop the flow and later Jacques does the same thing, only a knock on was given. Then there is a stage where the Samoans are hot on attack and JP off his feet dives in and taps the Samoans arm and boom knock on no penalty try....anyway bygones, but what i am trying to indicate is Nigel Owens helped alot. I am well impressed with the Samoans, and i will go as far as saying that Kahn and Williams (sans the palm plant on Brussows face) will make the form 15 from the pool stages. they will be a formidable force and I am pleased that many new zealanders with Samoan herritage are going back to play for Samoa, because World Rugby needs more competition. Heading into the knock out stages, the only 2 teams with momentum and are looking like world beaters, in my humble opinion are Wales and Ireland, pity they have to face each other, because a semi between the 2 of them would have been absolute class. Right now for the serious stuff. I for some reason see either of those teams in the finals. England have been unconvincing as always but ey they have managed to win and we all know that nothing picks up a team more than winning when you actually shouldnt. BUttttttt, France are due their big game, and I could well be wrong, but i think this game against England could be it, the players have been riled up. Ireland v Wales...yeah man, hot hot game this. very evenly matched teams, tough one to call but I am convinced the winner of this will go all the way. I enjoy both teams, great characters they seem, great ballers they are. its insanely tough to call but for some reason I am tending towards Wales. SA v Aus, I am torn here, ASSUMING we make it past Argentina, i am not sure who i would rather face. SA brings a game we know well and not much will change, well not much has changed in the last 2/3 years, i doubt they would tinker now. Oz on the other hand would be more unpredictable and they have beaten us 2 out of the last 3 games. But its not about us this game, its about OZ and SA, both teams have injury worries, both teams have the no 1 and 2 fetchers (note not open side flankers, fetchers) in the world at the moment. SA historically has better/more brutish forwards that seem to dominate the collisions, but this has been undone of late. Oz without a shadow of a doubt has the most exciting backs in the game at the moment. We all know that games are won or lost up front. If PdV starts with Bissie and Alberts, Oz is in trouble, if its John or Spies, they can rest easy..er :) its going to be an epic battle, hard to call, but once again, for some reason I am swaying towards the Boks, but i guess if i have an idea of their squads i can make a more informed decision. I was having a conversation with a mate a week or so ago and i said that the loss of DC will be far greater than the loss of Richie. I had this feeling that DC would get injured. And boom groin no more. Feel so sorry for the man 2003, 2007...fail this was his time but alas its sport and if i was thinking this way I am well sure the 3 wise men must have had a similar thinking and should have made contingent plans. Rugby is a 22 man team sport and I believe the team is strong enough if not stronger to overcome...Earthquakes, Jock Hobbs, DC...Richies last RWC, RWC at home, can you think of anything more to galvanise a team? maybe I am an optimist, but I am pretty excited, a lot of people dont have faith in Colin, but the man has done it for the Saders time and time again in DCs absence, I believe he can step up, even though the pressure is not the same, he just has to be Colin Slade (not try to be DC) because he has mad game!! A backline that will see them through is Piri, Slade, Kahui, Nonu, Smith, Dagg, Mills....plenty experience all around him. I am sure the selectors may try start him with Ellis because they know each other, but Piri is my guy even as back up 10, he has the heart and the confidence. I am not totally dismissing Argentina. I think they will bring a serious forward game, but its out wide the Blacks might have their number. Its a pity they have lost so many of their frontline players like fernandez lobe, because they are a quality side and I am well pleased to see them in the tri-nations making it the 4 nations, I would have liked to see a 5 nations with a pacific nations side, but in good time. My call for this weekend and watch me get it all wrong because i opened my mouth....Wales, France, SA, NZ Saturday cant come soon enough for me man. Happy viewing Y

RWC week 2

How interesting is this world cup so far? The game that has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons has to be the Irish v Oz game. The Irish played such a top game and their forwards totally outmanouvered and outmuscled the Australians no end. They neutralised the threat of Genia and you can see that Quade is believing his hype, running things from his 22 when he had plenty of time to kick it clear. The main talking point about this RWC is the fact that the minow teams who can ill afford a few major injuries are the ones that have the toughest draw regarding turnaround times between games. Properly unfair, and therein lies part of the difference between the Soccer and Rugby world cups, even an average team in soccer has the ability to beat a top tier nation, based not only their player resources, but a little luck and relatively even schedule loads... The IRB should note that from the viewing evidence that i have noticed, most of the spectators have been getting the most satisfaction from seeing the minow teams perform and give the top tier nations a good run for their money. the loudest cheers come when they score tries or do something outstanding. All they need is a little exposure and regular rugby in good structures and boom they will be a formidable opponent...look at Samoa and Argentina, they have the players with ability but top flight rugby has given them more structure and refinement. Bok supporters, is PdV still a useless coach or was that win only attributable to the players...as usual? Yes it was only Fiji and a pretty unknown Fiji side, who SA should ordinarily murder, but because of the previous weeks performance, which i believe was more a result of Wales playing beyond themselves than it was SA's bad play (the boks were pretty kak, but thats because they werent allowed to play). The Boks showed what they can do with ball in hand, which is what i have always said, FdP is off his game properly and i think he and the rest of SA are resting on his past glory, but in Hougaard you have a hungry player who is tactically as sound as FdP, play him, there may be that game where introducing him 20 min at the death wont be able to save SA. But I think the Boks are in good shame, should be an interesting game against Samoa. As impressive as this Samoan team is, the Boks will have too much for them. The Samoans play an unrefined game. Like against Wales, you have a penalty infront of the post and need to score twice to win, take the 3, and start again, because that will put more pressure on the Welsh because they know one mistake and they gone, now all they knew was that worst case scenario was a draw...mcimn I see England making the finals again with that random rugby of theirs, especially with Ireland beating Oz, they only have a 6 nations tournament to contend with to advance to the finals. SA have a good chance too, but I am thinking if they 'throw' their game against Samoa, they will also have an easier ride to the finals, because then they go to Englands half of the draw as opposed to the tri-nations side of the draw. Game of this week is NZ v France, looking forward to this game, I am not too concerned about the result here, because even if we lose we win, why, because we will then end up in the 6 nations half of the draw and take a "South African" (easy) route to the finals, (sorry had throw that in there :)) France have made an interesting choice at no 10 playing Morgan Para, are they not taking this game seriously? I think this is when the ABs RWC starts, the centres will be Nonu and Smith, wings Kahui and hmm tough one, perhaps Jane for his experience or Dagg for his x factor, oh this abundance of talent is the ABs achilles heel i tell you. Best tournament i have watched so far, because there hasnt been a dull game...that i have watched at least Chat again next week, i'll have a bit more to say then :)

Opening of RWC2011

Could anyone have asked for a more entertaining and exciting start to RWC2011?!! I am not much a fan of opening and closing ceremonies and the like, I find them a tad OTT and a tad wasteful, but as far as opening ceremonies goes, this RWC in my mind has only been second to SWC2010 in SA. I liked the inclusion of indigenous Maori culture to the games. Then there was the Sipi Tau, so passionately and aggressively delivered followed by the most intense Kamate I have seen in a long while. then the games began. What i really enjoyed about the opening weekend is not that the top tier nations are crap, but that the second tier nations have narrowed the gap significantly and we can thank the development of Japanese rugby clubs, French, English and Irish clubs with deep pockets, because what it does is exposes a whole lot more people to professional rugby, not to mention New Zealand's ITM cup which caters for many Tongan, Fijian and Samoan players. The first game was alright as a hit out. The All Blacks werent all too convincing but that being said, I was impressed with the Tongan second half showing, they really played a structured game and took it to the ABs. Before the game the talk of the town was why is GH doing this that and the next. People leave GH alone, man has a problem, too many hot backs to choose from and any of them can do the job. People are saying SBW is a one trick pony yes everyone knows that but how many have stopped him, Cheetahs perhaps thats it. Personally I like Conrad Smith and Ma'a, but there was nothing wrong with SBW and Ma'a, they had to counter the hard hitting Tongans. Agains the French SB will play off the Bench, I doubt Richie will play against Japan. Richie is old and slow, do me a favour, go and watch the man play, he may not be stealing as much ball as he used to, but a better loosie at the moment I know not. Let anyone be running who is there to support, let there be a need to carry the ball up who will be there to offer a hand if Jerome isnt there, let a tackle need to be made...i can go on... Then the back 3 Iceman, Richard and Izzy, please complain to me...Yes the second half was a dud, but the Tongans brought it, The ABS had killed the game in the first, so why risk injury? Japan v France, I was too excited to watch Japanland, France is my second team cos I just love their reckless abandon with ball in hand, but i was rooting for Japan. All hail John Kirwan, the team isnt as big as the French, but they had them rattled plenty! Oh how I was wishing, hoping praying that Argentina would have enough in the tank to take out England, but unfortunately as is always the case England know how to win these tight games with their stupid thugs!! Had Contepomi and Tieste stayed on I think the english would have sweat a few more beads, but alas it wasnt to be. I quite enjoyed Haskels play from the flank as well as Ben Youngs impact from the bench, it was the difference between the teams, well and some wayward goal kicking, but alas that English AB wanna be jersey has got to go!! Namibia fought valiantly against Fiji, but those big west African looking brothers were just too fast and strong for them, but it was great to see that they didnt just roll over and die. Italy v Australia, Guys and gals, Australia are hot, yes the first half score was 6-6, but man from what I saw this is the team. Forwards were scrumming well hitting the rucks, Radike and Rocky look angry and industrious, the backs one cant say enough about them. My concern for them though is that Genia is to them what DC is to the ABs, he goes I dont think Burgess is the same kind of player. Ireland wont have enough for the Ausies I dont believe judging by the weekends game, the USA will be beaten by Aus, but it will be a workout. I was really impressed by their game against the Irish, maybe the rain added to it being competitive but alas... I think I have figured it out. I dont particularly like the average Bok supporter, consider me jaded by the comments I read on Rugby365 et al, but I really want PdV to do well so he can say in your eye to all these random wannabe supporters. Yesterday's game, I couldnt help but feel sorry fro the Welsh, in the opening stanza I was like aye-ye Springboks aye ye, that was a beautiful lead up to the try, the best start of any of the top 3 countries thus far, but that was the kerosine the Welsh needed to light up the fire in the dragons belly and man did they put it out there. they dominated every facet of play...EVERY except where it counts most...the scoreboard, sport can be such a cruel thing sometimes but alas they tried, but you know this gives the likes of Fiji and Samoa who are taken lightly at your own peril some belief. I dont like to dwell on other teams problems, i prefer to focus on my own team, but what was clearly evident was the fire provided by the timely substitutions of Alberts, Bissie and Francois. Not once in that whole game did i hear Spies' name being uttered. And Try Hard Habanna needs to take a chill pill for a few. The saddest thing now for the Boks is the conundrum they now find themselves in. Vic, injured, Jean injured, so who captains if John benches for Bissie? Schalk perhaps? Anyway this weeks games of interest will be the Bokke v Fiji and Wales v Samoa Happy viewing Y

Tri Nations over...Bring on the RWC2011

What a year for Australian Rugby...is their resurgence tribute to Reds rugby being on the ascendancy or is it a function of Robbie Deans influence in the Wallaby setup???

This Tri-Nations was a bit of a mixed bag, the only team that really gave it the full respect that it deserved was Australia. In all 4 games it fielded its best possible teams and the results were clear for all to see last saturday. The momentum is definitely there with them and the confidence is overflowing, Robbie Deans will not let them get complacent. Anyone who ever doubted the coaching credentials of this man must just look at the last 3 years or so with Australia, he has taken a group of talented backs and big forwards and given them a purpose. A few years ago a friend of mine Refiloe Ramogase and myself were speaking about it, just when Robbie took over and we were both convinced that this Aussie team was not just the dark horse of the tournament, but they were darn right favourites for the cup and their win this weekend cemented it. first win over the ABs in the tri-nations in 10 years, thats a massive drought to break. 2nd win in 3 outings. Id forget the previous 12 or so unbeaten outings that the ABs held because thats soo long gone, we want to be discussing the more recent past and the stats are 2 from 3.

I am not trying to deflect from the ABs, but the Australians are a hot side. Let me break it down for you. their pack as a scrumming force can be competitive and step up their game if needed, ask the Boks 3 weeks ago, and the ABs in the first couple of scrums. In Horwill, Vickerman and Sharpe, have 3 ogres who have plenty mongrel in the the former more than the latter. In the back we have the sulkingly angry Rocky, Pocock the thief and Anyone else out of (Higginbotham, Samo, Palu) and then there is Poloto-Nau to return still....sheet.

In the backs there is the genius of Genia, how smart was his play? all their tries they ran into the Refs channel and the ABs were very disorganised in close and he exploited it hard, we wont even mention that his pass to Digby was forward because after that first half we deserved to lose that game ;) then there is the talented yet sometimes uneccessarily silly Quade Cooper, this unknown yet talented Pat McCabe, then O'Conor, Ionae, Beale, MItchell, Ashley-Cooper, all multi-tallented and skilled and capable of playing any position in that backline. That my good people their versatility, and ability to adapt and their skill thats what sets them apart from any team out there at the moment.

The Boks, many have written off, but i am not one such person, on the one hand i would want them to win it so that i dont have to hear that hero worship of Jake White ever and also so that all the PdV haters can sit on it, but that desire is not enoug to make me endure another 4 years of hearing that choker word and also the label the world champions bandied around a talented bunch of people who together compose a rather average team devoid of any creativity. Its not a new thing, in recent times its been the Springbok way, well outside of Nick Mallets reign. Lets go back to the team. PdV selected a very capable team. We all know John isnt the best hooker in the country by a country mile, but Bismarks dissent when substituted wasnt a good advert for the team at all. That being said, you can understand the man's disappointment. I know the SA world see FdP as the messiah, but he is not quite up to it and his play in my mind is still quite archaic! Id sooner select Francois Hougaard over him, he has an excitement and mongrel about him, akin to that of Ricky Januarie, coupled with the finesse of a seasoned rugby player. I am a tad concerned with Jean De Villiers' new found love of the crashball, he used to be one of the finest inside centres in the business but, now he seems to resemble De Wet Barry!!

To be honest nothing new and exciting was shown to me during this tri-nations, it was a bit of more of the same, coupled with a little scrambled defence. BUTTTTT dont mock it, thats the kind of things that win you rugby world cups not so? One has to feel for a guy like Mvovo, but unfortunately the man could only pick 30 players and i guess its Odwa's experience that carried him through. The Boks have the game plan, as boring as it might be that will win the RWC. TIts funny how the Bok supporter is. PdV came and said we will try something new, we will get running rugby back to SA, lost a few games and the SA rugby public is down his throat about losing, its what was going to happen, you will lose if you try something new that the team isnt accustomed to. Point worth noting, the Boks only won 1 Tri-Nations game in 2007 as well, that was against Oz in Newlands.

My beloved All Blacks, I shoudl be panicking after that loss, and lets not kid anyone, I wanted us to win against the Aussies, especially after QC started getting silly with Richie for nooo reason!! But ey the boys were totally off their game in the first half, a little complacency had set in and Ausies brought a physicality that the Blacks didnt expect nor did they really know how to cope with. Dissapointing for me was the fact that they were unable to react after 5 minutes during the game when ish was tough, but i guess after loosing Kieran in the first 12 minutes and Adam injuring his arm didnt help matters much. But they started to settle a little more in the end of the game and then in the second half we saw the value of coaching. the boys came out more determined and focused...only to give away a soft try which the Aussies managed to defend. The game was a loss and so too the game before against the Boks but the manner in which we lost was heartening. Against the Boks last week it was an excited side that could have done with a few old heads ala the past weekend 27phases before scoring one try. in both games up until the dying minutes, a revival was not out of the question, yes the games were both lost, the revival never came to pass, because the defences shut the boys out and credit to them BUTTTTT....

Butt is the games have come now when the 3 wise men can still work on them. Will we give away silly penalties against SA next time we meet them more than likely not...will we be bullied upfront by Australia agan or defend soo poorly around the fringes, not too likely...if we do then we definitely deserve to lose, simple as that.

As a rugby viewer i dont really like the RWC as a tournament, because it gives dull/uninspiring teams like England and SA (no disrespect) bragging rights for 4 years, yes truth of the matter is they have to go out there and win it and the Blacks have not been able to do that so I take off my hat to them. Anyway I should be concerned after these 2 losses, but I am not at all, yes the other teams have gained some confidence and good on them, the ABs have had a proper reality check. The land of the long white cloud isnt at tranquil, the ground is trembling a wee bit and its not a Christchurch quake. There is a little uncertainty thrown in. Belief is there, pressure is there aplenty, confidence is there, complacency...that devil...she is gone, its not like being a hot guy thrown amongst a group of 30 horny women... guys know they have to work for it!!! its a beautiful thing. Hope Kieran and Adam are fully healed though, would be such a blow for them!!

The thing about this world cup though, is that there are a few teams that can win it, NZ because they are home and they are good enough , OZ, because they are just s#%t hot at the moment, France for the same reason, England and SA because they play the kind of rugby that wins these things.

But cometh the 9th September all I know is Kia Kaha Kapa O Pango

Happy viewing

SA v NZ part deux

How excited am I about this weekends rugby game? But just like I have a day and a but to wait, so too must you wait till i get to why i am excited.

Interesting Tri-Nations it has been a few mini battles being fought, Boks v Ausies(potential final); NZ v OZ (potential final too) and this weekend SA v NZ potential Semi. The first 2 were a proper gauge because they were 2 near full strength teams. Granted last weekends game was marred by the rustiness of the Boks because it was their first hit out as a team.

The first 2 games of the tri-nations was a waste of time really, because the Boks brought a team that really brought nothing. Their mindset was one of complacency and their attitude defeatist! They had lost those games way before they took the field, all the talk was about seeing what happens etc. even John after the games didnt look too phased. I think that the Bok s may have missed a trick in the last 4 years, but i guess its been spoken about. some new players should have come through at the end of last year. The away leg of the tri-nations should have included some of the old horses that were off the pace super rugby time, because they need the game time, but alas hindsight is 20/20

The Tri-nations only really began in week 3. it was no 1 v no 2, in Auckland's Eden Park which is the headquarters of RWC2011,potential RWC2011 finals if both teams make it through their obstacles leading to the finale. The game started and the Blacks played some stupid rugby, it was like men against boys, the first half i missed live but i watched it later and I was like wow!! They had a pretty decent game, couldnt really find any fault in their game. it was pleasing to see, because some of the Wallabies were talking smack earlier. Love the Wallabies, that back line of theirs has me finished man, its all class give them a sniff and they will burn you. Its up front where they need some assistance, but I think they can get it right, when Polota Nou comes back, Cliffie Palu at the back, Rocky, Pocock and Higginbottham (he is scaaaary). Its really just the grunt up front thats an issue for them, but with Vicks, Sharpe and Horwill in the locks they should be stronger. that team is hot people and i called them in the finals at least. They are a unit, they are motivated and they have the exuberance of youth on their side.
They were beaten when they met the Blacks but it will be a tougher task in Oz next weekend! I fear this Australian team as well as the French and English

Last weekends game. Proper dissapointment. Expected more from the Boks, yes it was their first game (Oz were beaten by Samoa, NZ looked toilet against Fiji) but i was most dissapointed with the game plan. and some of the elementary mistakes made. The Boks forwards were bullied by the Australians. I had to rub my eyes a few times to see if i was awake and not imagining things! Kick chase thing. It was a really toilet game on the whole. riddled with mistakes from both sides. I am not going to dwell too much on this game, because i think the Boks will be better for it. I just hope they change or alter their game plan slightly, kick and chase...NO MORE!!!!! Frans Steyn NO MORE!!! Danie Russouw...NO MORE, John Smit...STICK A FORK IN HIM...HE'S DONE!!!!

I know a lot of people are discounting the Boks, but I have this nagging feeling that they could do well this RWC, please no cos I wouldnt be able to have another 4 years of hearing abuot us choking or hearing about the world champs this and that even though they lose about 50% of their tests inbetween RWC

This weekends game. Much better Bok team. as usual i will start with the backs. FDP is a good player but off the pace man and this swaying of the arms thing he does ala Joost is soooo irritating, clear the ball damnit! I know he is the Boks no 1 but id give Francois Steyn more of a chance. Bismarck on for John, about damn time, this guy is a hot head, but man he is a machine, Lambie at 15, hope Mopheads hamstrings is ruptured and out of rugby for 12 weeks. he adds zero in my view 60m penalties and drop goals, how often do those come along id sooner have a player who can create 7pointers anytime. Bryan is another id park. Fair enough Mvovo and Basson didnt shoot the lights out playing outside Kick Steyn and No pass Meisiekind, but Mvovos work rate was insane he deserved to start and get more of a chance. I like the look of the loose trio, Brussouw, Alberts, Spies, hectic! 2 brutes and a thief. I am still not convinced about Spies. He had an Ok game, not great nowhere near as good as he could be, but everyone wants to go and blow him now, is this what Bok supporters have become? accepting mediocrity as the norm? nah man!!The Boks will be much better than last week, a first team Bok team should beat a make shift NZ team in SA, but no one is confident of this...

Hence why i laugh at anyone who wants to draw comparisons of NZ leaving 9 players at home to PdV rehabbing 21 players. Graham Henry has got it right i think. he needs to give his fringe players a chance, the old guard have been tried and tested and have shown their wares. The guys on the outside looking in have been given an opportunity to step to the plate. They arent talking we'll try and see. hell no!! they want to win. They want to show New Zealanders that there is life without Richie and DC. What has been created is competition for the jersey, the opposite is true for the Boks guys believe they own the jersey. Slade is a good player and what better opposition to test yourself against than the old foe in their back yard? Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Izzy Dagg, Richard Kahui dont know their fate yet, neither do Thomo and Messam or Hoeata. The ABs dont have much to lose, but they dont want to lose. Much to gain, they can see what depth they truly have. if the players can front up, players playing for their jerseys.

This test has the makings of a humdinger, hopefully both players will execute correctly, the boys will be serious so i think it will be the Kamate Haka. I'd love to call the Blacks for this one but its a close call. hope its a good game and Ali, Kevvy, Thomo, Colin Izzy, Hosea all come through with flying colours and give the coaches sleepless nights with their selection posers.

Happy viewing...

S15 and Tri-Nations

Long time people,

What a cracker year if you are a rugby supporter isnt it? Feel for the players though because unless you were int he Australian conference, the Super 15 was forkin tough.

Super 15
Best team won in the end without a doubt. My Blues, dissapointed once again, but I wasnt too bleak because I have had a few years of preparation! The saddest thing about that team is the fact that they talent and ability aplenty, just execution kills them. Their Semi final against the Reds was littered with silly mistakes, it may have looked like a hiding on the scoreboard but it was one or 2 silly options taken or opportunities missed that killed it as a contest. The Reds on the other hand were composed and took their chances. The other semi-final was another huge dissapointment. I really hoped and wished for more of a contest from the Stormers, but instead of producing a storming performance, it was hardly a drizzle!

My team and I am sure many people's team of the tournament was the Crusaders, if you watch rugby and know the benefits a home match on players psyche, you will appreciate how monumental their efforts were to get as far as they did. A win would have been deserved and a proper fairy tale, but the travel, requirements of coming to SA and back again would have been just one hurdle too far. but hats off to the red and blacks.

A lot of South African players really stood out for me, most of them from the Cheetahs, Ebershon (spelling) twins, Sarel, Riaan, Ashley. Lions showed patches of getting back to the top of the food chain. They have a good side. Chilliboy was the business, Bjorn Basson the leading try scorer. Keegan, Mvovo and Lambie also put their hands up. What the S15 also showed was that some people are just tired, tired in the sense that they are past it. Victor, bakkies, Pierre, John, Bryan, all pap. Duane, too predictable.

In summary I am quite over this S15 format, whats wrong with everyone playing everyone? This prolonged, ITM cup and Currie Cup is not quite working for me. The Australian conference was a bore, dont think i watched many of them. 4 points for a bye, i mean really? Wrong year to implement the extended comp, but alas it is what it is.

Tri-Nations
21 players INJURED, how stupid are we? But alas, you know the team that PdV took along with him wasnt the dumbest move ever, guys definitely need a rest, you saw the flatness the ABs displayed against the Fijians, they may have won, but it was all but convincing. The Bok team to Australasia was a team that performed in the S15, but guys and girls lets not be silly, Deon Stegman and Wynand Olivier, i mean really!!?? Are those fools Bok material? I think not! The game last saturday, showed some definite ineptness, and i have defended PdV endlessly, but yep, he and his merry bunch are clueless, properly! Kick and chase game plan, i mean thats sooo 2009, lets move on!

That being said, i think they will be more competitive against the Blacks on saturday. They would have learnt from their mistakes. Have a whole lot more urgency at the break downs and shore up their defensive system.

Ausies, all i can say is Quade Cooper! He is the new Carlos Spencer and then some! Genia as well is just on fire. They lost to Samoa and let me take a few minutes to dwel on why that should not be a suprise, or rather it should be the norm. I wish that Fiji and Samoa would be able to keep some of their top players. They have a great team at the moment, i guess because the bulk of their team has overseas experience (France, UK and NZ) but if you look at this list, some of the biggest and best All black players have Samoan ancestry (courtesy of Wikipedia), namely:
All Blacks (past & present)
John Afoa - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1062)
Sosene Anesi - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1054)
Ben Atiga - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1037)
Graeme Bachop - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 885)
Stephen Bachop former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 925)
William Birtwhistle - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 652)
Andrew Blowers - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 956)
Olo Brown - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 910)
Frank Bunce - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 915)
Eroni Clarke - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 919)
Jerry Collins - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1002)
Christian Cullen - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 952)
Ross Filipo - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1070)
Alama Ieremia former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 942)
Michael Jones - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 882)
Jerome Kaino - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1050)
Josh Kronfeld - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 943)
Pat Lam former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 928)
Casey Laulala - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1048)
Keith Lowen - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1020)
Lelia Masaga - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1092)
Chris Masoe - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1059)
Aaron Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1013)
Nathan Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1008)
Keven Mealamu - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1026)
Brad Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1024)
Dylan Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 982)
Mils Muliaina - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1033)
Ma'a Nonu - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1031)
John Schuster - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 889)
John Schwalgar - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1071)
Kevin Senio - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1058)
Dave Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 415)
Frank Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 387)
Rodney So'oialo - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1028)
Benson Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1102)
Jeremy Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 963)
Joe Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 874)
Neemia Tialata - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1060)
Filo Tiatia - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 993)
Isaia Toeava - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1064)
Ofisa Tonu'u former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 957)
Mose Tuiali'i - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1042)
Va'aiga Tuigamala - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks (All Black number 900)
Richard Turner - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 917)
Tana Umaga - rugby player & former captain for the All Blacks (All Black number 961)
Victor Vito - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1103)
Bryan Williams - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 689)
Sonny Bill Williams - rugby player for the All Blacks & former Kiwis rugby league player, boxer (All Black number 1108)
Rudi Wulf - rugby player for the All Blacks (All Black number 1077)
Some big names here ey?! Samoan rugby is on the rise, they have some really big names who opted for their roots as opposed to AB jerseys, Kahn, Paul Williams, Mapusua to name but a few, so if theu get their story together it could be a touch WC for SA and Wales. The win has made the group pretty interesting.

Anyway I am not noremally htis bullish about the Tri-nations, but I think this one is a 2 horse race, NZ/Oz, even when the 21 injured players are recovered when Oz and NZ get here, they may well struggle to get traction because they wouldnt have had much match fitness. If we (NZ) beat Oz in the first game the title is ours again. This weekends game, if last weeks is anything to go by will be won by the Blacks. I dont think it will be easy, because the Blacks arent on fire either so they will have to raise their game. The Boks were dismal and will have to get a game. Motivation to prove naysayers wrong will be there and they will need no more motivation than to pip the ABs at home in the year where they host the World Cup

I really hope that its a contest on Saturday if the Boks win it will make life very intersting, it will do the ABs some good too, because then they will have that air of invincibility pierced and more work would have to be put in or for the tounament and beyond

Later...

Super rugby almost done

Top of the morning to you all. If you are a South African rugby supporter you must be beaming from ear to ear this morning and why not. I like the Blitzbokke, and yesterdays performance, all i can say is wow!! I do think that Sithole was tackled over the dead ball area, but shhh lets not tell anyone, that fightback was definitely worthy of the win :)

The Bulls, doing what the Bulls do best and just bulldozing teams with their bully beef forwards. The beauty for me about their revival is all of a sudden no one is saying anything about Chillyboy. I said it from the begining, that boy has game, just like Hanyani had game, but you need game time to be constantly and consistently at your best!! catching splinters on the bench wont do it. The Bulls up and under game though is still such a bore...such a bore. I am absolutely loving the Cheetahs rugby they are my second SA team, first the Lions, who once again will show us what they can do...next year, but mind you this year they have done better than they have done in the last few seasons though, they have won in both Oz and NZ and its been a while since they have been able to claim such successes. The Stormers had it easy in the beginning but now they are taking a little strain due to injuries. SA teams are on a good wicket at the moment and have the potential to have 3 teams in the top 6 with the Bulls late charge. Sharks have a tricky outing this weekend against the Cheetahs, Cheetahs look insanely fit. I am most excited about the SA conference. The Bulls are doing their thing, the Stormers are playing as they should, as too the Sharks, I do hope that thug Deysel gets put away for a loong time wt f?!!! but the cheetahs, with their sidestepping props, Riaan Viljoen and Sarel Pretorius, Ashley Johnson and the Ebersohn twins...such a pleasure to watch

In Australia, the Reds are by far the best thing they have going for them. Waratahs are close but they have had a few key injuries and their depth was properly tested and they have been found wanting thus far. The resurgence of the Reds is due to the implementation of structure and the development of a somewhat competent pack and blitz backs. The pack was properly owned in the scrums on sunday but they had their man of the match Stu so it didnt matter much

NZ conference is going to get messy from here on in. There are going to be some tough scraps Blues v Chiefs is going to be a toughie, Saders v Blues etc. The Landers poked themselves by not winning last weekend and so too the Saders, looked pretty tired in the second half against the Reds and they scuffed a good few opportunities.

I dont like harping on about refs, but this weekend I saw again why my call for neutral refs holds water. Some of the calls were in my favour...Sharks v Tahs, but I want a fair contest and not for the ref to decide the outcome of a game. Stu missed a lot of things both sides in the Reds v Saders game, but a lot of the 50:50 calls went for the Reds. Its human nature. Before you are a professional, you are human of a specific country. no matter how hard you try and be impartial you will go with your instincts. The culmination of his poor refing was evident in the last penalty which awarded the penalty to the Reds for hands in the ruck?! Someone please show me where the ruck was? there was no one over the ball ball was lying there. How can it not be picked up? Anyway bygones.

I actually properly dislike this conference system with home and away local matches!

Anyway thats me out for now

Have a great week

Y

Super rugby week 10

When I first heard about the whole conference system for Super rugby, the jury was out. I thought to myself, lets give it a try and see how it goes. Now i know, i dont like this extended Air New Zealand Cup/Currie Cup/Aussie derby thing. In as much as logistically and financially it makes sense but I am now more convinced more than before that the Super Rugby needs to be whittled down to 12 teams again. Which will be a bit tough because there are some quality players sprinkled in the struggling teams. I think OZ can only realistically field a maximum of 3 competitive teams. SA struggles with 2 of its teams as well. Cheetahs have however been competitive, great spectacle of a game on saturday, bummed for them that they lost, but chuffed for the Canes that they won.

South Africa
I think the coach and the powers that be's insistance on giving national contracts to selected 'key' Springbok players wasnt the smartest idea. Players such as Victor, Pierre, Bryan and John have been average at best, actually thats very flattering, they have been pi ss poor. Victor's deficiency as a captain is clear for all to see especially when his team is behind on the score board. These players are/were great players, and there is no denying their effort, but lets be honest they are toilet at the moment and there are players playing a whole lot better than they are, Andies, Alberts(even if he isnt playing at 8), Bjorn and Bismark are in some of the best form I have seen them in. What message does it send to players that are on form and delivering?

The Bulls are as usual playing to their strengths but currently their strength is pretty weak. The bully boy up and under tactics that they have employed so well over the past few years once again has been ineffective because its easy to defend against and also for it to be effective, it has to be executed precisely and the opposition hasnt allowed them to play their game. But then again we all know that the Bulls dont travel well historically, so they can still turn their season around. We all know how hard they are to play at Loftus, but they have to develop a game plan thats more than bash bash up and under!

The Stormers learnt against the Reds that in as much as you can win games through defending, but one also needs to score tries to ensure you win games. And the Stormers can.The best centre combination in the country if not the world, enthusiastic and exciting backs in De Jongh, Aplon Duvenhage, forwards with flair and grit who lay a perfect platform for the backs to shine...there is no reason for them not to be scoring tries.

The Sharks are currently, in my view of course, SA's most balanced side. Alberts and Bissie are styling at the moment. The backs arent rockstars but they are very good at what they do and they work as a unit. the whole team works for each other and thats the best kind of team to be a part of. They have the right attitude on defence and attack.

The Lions, shame my Lions!! Depth was always going to be an issue for them, one or 2 critical injuries and its game over. I like what Mitch is doing with them though but the lack of depth and experience as well as the playing style being foreign to some of the players is hamstringing them. I do however believe that they should stick to their plan and keep at it because they can only get better and benefit from it in the next year or 2.

Cheetahs, another team i enjoy watching. Just because of their heart and their never say die attitude. Sarel Pretorius, any other country and he would be penned in for national honours. They are a great provincial side though, but i dont think they will ever challenge for the Super rugby title. But they do entertain.

Australia
Reds are definiitely the pace setters in this conference. Not just any team comes here beats the Stormers, fly back to Oz and beat the former champions. I dont want to hear any stories about travel and jetlag. Because the Reds didnt show any sign of that. I guess they are team that is just enjoying their rugby without any national expectation of success and they are playing some good football. What they have done is shored up their tight 5, they have a very large yet skillful loose forward trio. Genia and Quade are styling, they have their grove back. Good centres fast and skillfull back 3. And the big plus for them is they have built a squad that is deep. Unlike previous years, one or 2 injuries and its game over.

Warratahs
They have had some injuries which has slowed them down. They have also realised that Al Baxter is a liability come scrum time. Barnes' absence has been felt. Even though Beale has stood in well, his explosiveness from the back has been missing. The Warratahs have a good side. In my mind Australia's most balanced side with true grit which comes from the hard-nosed never say die, combative personified through their leader Waugh.

Brumbies
A perfect example of what too much player power does to a team. at the beginning of the season i thought they would be up there, but they look to have lost their way. They, dont seem to be the Brumbies team of old. And now that Adam Ash is leaving they are benching him, i mean wow, you bench one of the star performers for the Wallabies the season before? Think this season is dead for them.

Force
They have a few gems, but this season will be more of the same, bottom half of the table finish

Rebels
Also, a new side, some good experienced players, not a team to be taken lightly but their season will end in the basement half of the log as well

New Zealand
Highlanders
Perfect example of bringing together a group of able and willing people, letting them buy into a concept and then going out there and delivering on the park. Look at that side, not one single superstar. All guys that are there or thereabouts, but their results and their enthusiasm when they are playing is providing some pretty decent results. They are making themselves superstars. Adam Thomson, definitely breaking down the door to AB selection. BIg Jamie Mc is leading the team well. Jason Rutledge is shining more than his bald head. Loose trio on song. Jimmy is playing well so too his deputy...they dont have a settled flyhalf and bummed for Colin breaking his jaw again but whoever they put in 10 isnt deficient at all. They just have a solid side, a proper example of the whole being better than the sum of the parts. Everyone is waiting for their bubble to burst, but i am not too sure it will come. looking forward to their game against the Saders this weekend.

Saders
Speaking of which. They lost their first game, lost their home stadium, drew their next game, yet look at them. Table topping, playing some silly football. Class act. and all this without Captain my Captain Richie and the general DC. it must be allowing some of the die hard AB fans at least some sleep at night to know it is possible to win without DC and Richie. I mean the Saders v Bulls last week was largely the ABs v Boks and we know the result...They have superstars, but they have a system that the players adhere to. Matt Todd, Read...forwards bombastic, then the backs superstar galore Ellis, DC, SBW Robbie, Maitland, Zac, Dagg, i mean you would have to be a random team not to be winning :)

Blues
yaay my Blues are finally showing some sort of consistency which isnt consistently being inconsistent :) Its a little early to start speaking i know because things could easily regress (yes i of little faith) but i am enjoying the way they are playing. They have always had the players, but just their insistence on running everything from everywhere was killing me, because a knock on here, turnover there and game gone! but they seem to be reading the game a whole lot at the moment. I like Benson Stanley, but Matthewson, Brett, Luke and Jarred are on song, at the moment, playing some good football. Jarred Payne in my view is one of the most underrated rugby players in NZ and its a pity he is heading off to Ireland. the Iceman is firing hard. Running meters, tacklles made, kicking, tackle busts etc. He is justifying the faith the 3 wise men have placed in him.

Canes and Chiefs
I will lumpm them together because they both just bore me at the moment. So much potential, talent etc and what do they deliver? There are a few rising starts though, Vito is playing some good rugby but I am liking the look of Jack Lam of the Canes. Hosea, still has it, Andre Taylor is one for the future. Ma' a seems to be going into his shell a little which is sad because i wanted him to be on top of his game to give SBW a run for his money, btu i guess the early disciplinary issues are weighing him down some. The Chiefs, nah man, thats all i can say, there are no positives i can find for their performance, other than next year (if it comes ;)) is another year, because i dont know and its not like they dont have the players!

Upcoming games of interest
I have this feeling that the Blues might under-estimate the Rebels and they could upset them at home this weekend but i am trying not to think about that though. The 3 games of interest for me this weekend are:
1. Highlanders v Saders - This is a true test of where the Highlanders really are. I am sure the odds are stacked highly in the Saders favour, but I think it will be tougher than most people think, well i hope it is. I like where the Landers are heading with their style of play and as a team, but a big loss could break them a little, because in as much as they say they are grounded, its pretty hard not to believe the hype. It will be an evenly matched contest upfront, i would even go as far as suggesting that the landers may win the arm wrestle up front, but out back now thats where the chasm will be. 10-15 all Saders if i had to pick a fantasy team from the 2 teams. My call would be shoo i honestly dont know, head says Saders, but gut is saying nah man there is something about this Landers team, but thats the kind of game i enjoy watching.

2. Reds v Tahs - Reds want to make the statement of we are here, Tahs want to let the Reds know who is the real boss! Very interesting tie it could be, hopefully not a boring 3-3 affair. These games tend to be a bit of an arm wrestle, but i doubt it will be this year with the players on display, Genia, Cooper, Higginbottam, Ioane, Harris, Davies, Beale, Mitchell, Turner, Burgess...Hoping the exciting Reds prevail, but if Phil Waugh is back look out Reds.

3. Force v Bulls - not in so much as the spectacle it could be, but the mental resolve of the Bulls, because they are up against it now and they have to win. The Force on the other hand want to continue their winning ways...at home nogals. it will be a niggly affair. Bulls have lost to the Force before. I see more of the same from the Bulls, forwards to set up a platform for the backs to kick up and unders :)

Ok tired of writing

Take care

Y

Super rugby - week 7

What a weekend of rugby last weekend was ey....had the Hurricanes blowing themselves off the field, had the Stormers scoring tries and then the Crusaders having one of the most clinically freakish halves of rugby I have ever viewed!

Good morning all,

Let me start off with a gripe quickly. I just watched Boots and All and the way the guys are going on about that SBW attempted tackle...i shake my head! They compared that incident to Bakkies cleaning out of Duvenhage the week before. Guys please!!! cant even compare those 2 incidents. Had he been cited I would have not batted an eye lid because yes he lead with a shoulder but replays show that his left arm was around Kanko's body, but his right arm was not. The incident was made worse by the fact that DC had him low. BUT its in no way comparable to the tackle on Dewald, its a good thing that guy is fit because he was in a headlock and dropped onto the ground with Bakkies 110kg odd frame right on top of him, that my friends is career ending stuff!! But its funny how no one is saying anything about Kegan Daniels in minute 71odd drops the ball and then leads in with his elbow into Kahn Fotuali's throat? but alas, lets not split hairs here.

I wont go into all the individual games from the week before. I will just talk about the Saders game quickly. I havent been the biggest fan of this SBW hype, he is a good player and he has plenty potential. He his big, strong, fast and direct and that miracle offload sets him apart from his peers, but as i have said before his long game...eish ek weet nie!! but what he has going for him is DC on his inside and Freuan on his outside. On Sunday DC had one of his best games in any jersey. DC looks like he just plays within himself a lot but on sunday he was keen to do everything, kick, run, distribute, he helped SBW's game plenty. The Sharks came in for much stick that game especially John Smit, but people, Jannie was popped alot. the Saders 8 were better than the Sharks 8 thats that. It wasnt John's fault to be honest i think Jannie is a liability as a scrumager too. A lot of people were on Kanko and Keegans case as well, but in my mind they were the Sharks most creative players, they soldiered on valiantly the whole game and i think its largely because of their attitude the sharks were able to make a game of it. it was a very entertaining game because the ground was firm, the teams had the right attitude and the ref was anonymous (he let a lot go both ways, but it made for a good spectacle.

This weekends games
Landers v Brumbies
Looking forward to Colin's first game back. Landers have come back from a weekend off, hopefully refreshed but with the same intensity from the first few weeks. Brumbies are misfiring and need a big game. This is a good test of where both teams are...Brumbies if they are title contenders or Highlanders if they really have turned the corner or if the first few weeks were a flash in the pan. Calling the Highlanders, because they are at home and i think as a unit they are a better prospect

Tahs v Chiefs
Chiefs are due a big game. They arent playing at home. They are generally better away from home as well. Tahs have got a new flyhalf in Beale. Not the best defender as the first line of defence. So watch the loosies attack his channel. Tahs have Waugh back and he will be annoying. Both teams need this game to get their season on track. I think the Chiefs need it more desperately but will they play as such. My heart thinks the Chiefs will pitch up but my head eish she says its going to be the more of the same erratic stuff from the CHiefs

Blues v Cheetahs
Blues unless they loose their mind again like they can

Canes v Bulls
Bulls need this game, Canes even more. Canes are at home, Bulls dont travel too well. Canes should sneak in

Force v Rebels
who cares?? But i will say Force

Lions v Reds
Oh my dear Lions why have you forsaken me?? So much promise but more of the same it seems. I know they dont have the players but what i like about Mitch is unlike PdV, he is convinced the players will be able to play this expansive game he wants them to play. Doppies taking over as captain shouldnt disturb them too much, they seem to be a unit that works for and supports each other. The Reds are looking hot at the moment, but its the Highveld. they have just travelled far. They have a good coach that will keep them focused. they have a good forward pack and an explosive backline as was evidenced last weekend. heart Lions, but everything else in the universe says Reds, in Superbru, went with heart, hoping but i know the Reds will take it.

Sharks v Stormers
game of the weekend! Duane v Kanko, pity Lambie isnt playling cos i was looking forward to him v Grant. In my mind Peter Grant is currently SA's best flyhalf by a long way. he just seems so composed. He has the best kicking record of all the flyhalves (why do you need Morne) he can tackle (why do you need Morne) gets his backs moving, passes....etc!! I think the Sharks forwards wont be as poor as they were last week. but the Stormers have a great unit. so it will be a good scrap up front. Backs the Stormers are a muuuuch better unit than the Sharks, from 9-10 and 12-15 :) man for man you would pick the Stormers players over the Sharks. Stormers have the best defence of all the teams. They can def score tries, they have everything going for them. The Sharks have travelled far, come home, flown to London, come back. They are tired. but they lost 2 games and they are home they will get up for this, they will win

Happy viewing

Y

Well howdee ho people!

Good weekend of rugby, missed most of the games live but thanks to PVR and BBM Forums where i was getting regular updates of the Lions v Blues game :)

Interesting round it was. The Crusaders started off as was expected very flat and not there, but with a little help from the ref who kept them in the game through DC's boot. the Tahs were lucky in the lead up to Burgess' try because Turner picked up the ball from an offsides position but ey i guess you win some you lose some. The first 25 minutes or so was all the Tahs, Crusaders passes were going astray. I have always said SBW's long game is a little suspect but his short game...wow. As i have said before, I am not sure he deserves the hype he is getting at the moment (not that he is asking for it) potential...plenty and i would rather have him on my side than against me, but i believe Fruean is a more complete footballer at the moment as too is Treeby of the Highlanders, Luke McAlistar even Tana in his young age :). The SBW and Fruean combo in midfield will terrorise many a opposition. Matt Todd was another who impressed me, boy is fast, low and hard! Pity he has Richie in front of him because he is a talent. For the Tahs Halangahu was a joke at 10, their scrum was properly schooled. It was quite sad to see the front runners in the tournament look so ordinary.

Lions v Blues, The Lions are due a win i have been saying this for the last 2 weekends, didnt want their win to come last weekend though because you all know the French-like(unpredictable) Blues have been my side since Super Rugby began. I know a lot of you dont believe Jantjes has what it takes to be at the top level, but he did a lot of things right particularly in the first half his kicking was good too this week. He is small yes, but so too is o'Connor and look at how he turned out. I think he will get there if he believes in himself and in Carlos and Mitch he has 2 mentors that will help him with that. I like Doppies, i know many people dont like him but he had a pretty good game last weekend and Waylon is looking like the player he once was at the Sharks. Their loose forwards Whitely and Strauss in particular are pretty darn good, tackling, running and just being there all the time and well done to Bandise for moving over. I think they did enough to win that game, but there was one master stroke that swung it in the Blues favour. The use of hungry youngsters first and then the old heads in the last 20 or so minutes. A player who has really impressed me for the Blues is Jared Payne. Payno's linking with Rooster Ranger just like they do in Northland is sublime. Its also pleasing to see Isaiah and Joe playing some good footy. Welcome back Luke 10 or 12 you just keep playing like you did young man.

Wasnt it good to see the old man Tana turning back the clock. The Chiefs showed glimpses of how good they could be. Nanai Williams, Masaga and Sivivatu can you ask for a more potent back 3? I like Donald but i would prefer Delaney at the moment as well as kerr-Barlow at no 9. The Rebels will be a good side i honestly believe it. They just need more time together and get the trust going on defence, because they looked out of sorts on the weekend.

Other than what i saw on SSBlitz, i didnt catch any of the Brumbies Reds game, but how does a team score 4 tries to 1 and lose?? yes they infringed in the killzone, but i dont know so much ey?!

Sharks are looking the business. Loving their forwards but i still think Bismarck and his brother are liabilities. Dr Du Plessis telling Pocock i am going to break your neck, i mean really? but that aside, the Forces over physicality was unnecessary. I think out of all the South African teams they have the most balanced loose trio. Alberts the bruiser flanked by Kanko and Keegans flair and open play. Their tight five sets the platform up front and provides go forward ball which makes Mcloeds job so much easier and makes Lambie shine like he is. the centres are random and the back 3 able, but their game is won up front. it will be interesting to see when they come up against a pack that is equally physical and doesnt make mistakes like the Blues.

Stormers v Cheetahs - U S E L E S S game!

Then there was the biggest upset of the weekend. Well, i was having a conversation with a mate of mine before i wrote the blog saying that i wasnt too convinced that the Bulls will win, because if their pack is matched they are clueless (highlanders showed it last year) but then i thought about it, long travel, they were playing at the NG Kerk, even though the Bulls have been poor thus far, their first home game would g them up and the no name brand Highlanders would try hard but may just fall short...how wrong was i and the rest of the world!! bigup to them!! The Bulls are soo predictable! Stegman, I cant believe someone pays him money?!! he is foolish! another useless guy is meisie kind, really had he passed the ball in the last movement, they could have had a draw, not that they deserved it. For the Highlanders, Sean Treeby, Adam Thomson, Kade Poki, Jamie Mackintosh have been absolutely superb, but the whole team is just special. Everyone is waiting for the rising rollercoaster to fall, but hopefully they prove their doubters wrong and keep pulling off such great performances! Jamie Mackintosh got away with murder when he knocked the ball out of FdP's hand, but all in all i think the refs had shockers throughout the weekend. Jonathan Kaplan was poor, Pollock was random and so too Stuey!

This weekends games

Crusaders v Brumbies, looking forward the the centre matchup between SBW & Robbie against Coleman and Adam Ash, brawn v fleet footedness. DC against Gits Crusaders pack v Brumbies pack. this will be the decider. If the saders bully the Brumbies pack like they did the Tahs, its going to be a tough night out for the Brumbies. I will go with the home team for this one, but it wont be as easy as many think.

Rebels v Sharks, big games from Bismarck, Alberts, Lambie and Mvovo. Rebels will be up for this game. morts will have one of his better games. In the past he has been a player who rises to a challenge and playing against the Sharks is a bigger challenge i am sure than playing the Chiefs, no disrespect to the Chiefs but they have been perenial under-performers over the last few years. If Morts gets charged, look out for Cipriani and Shepard alongside and behind him. Once again its up front that the game will be decided and the signs show that it will be Sharks 6 Rebels 0.

Stormers v Highlanders...Stormers will up their game, they have to because they have stolen 2 wins so far and they know it. But i guess its against the Lions and the Cheetahs, 2 of South Africas weaker franchises, so i am sure it was hard for them to get up for the games. Ordinarily this would be another game they woudl take lightly but alas the Highlanders are topping the NZ conference and have taken the scalp of the much vaunted Bulls team. If you had to compare the teams man for man, i am sure 85% would favour the Stormers players. The only Highlanders players that would make it would possibly be Mackintosh, Rutledge, Thomson, Cowan and Poki. But there is very little substitute for heart and hard hard work. Its a tough call. If the Highlanders havent been caught up in the euphoria of their win last weekend and if they arent too tired, they will be very competitive. i dont see the Stormers being as poor as they have been. They have brought in Duvenhage and Gio so quick ball and fleet footedness. Its a tough call and even though the Stormers are at home i am going to go with my gut which i didnt last weekend and i will call the Highlanders

Force v Blues, please oh please Blues break this win lose win lose pattern they have developed. its a bit of a tough draw for them ey, come here play sharks, then up to the highveld and play the Lions, then off to Perth to play the Force...yikes. Man for man the Blues are a stronger side, i dont think even one Force team would make it if a comparison of the 2 teams was performed. but there is a long travel to take into consideration. There is the history of the Blues to consider. But the Blues have what it takes. Strike power out back, a near AB pack and a very competent bench. Logic says Blues by a few, but lets see

Cheetahs v Lions, hoping this is an entertaining game. both teams like to give the ball air. both teams are vying for their first win. I am calling the Lions on this based on the fact that they should have won the first 3 games they have played after being ahead in all of them in the closing stages. Lions by a few. Only derby of the weekend so plenty skop skiet and donder...lekker

Happy viewing

Super rugby week 3

Hey guys and gals

A tad late this week. Last weekend was absolutely shocking for me with my Super Bru picks. Totally got the games wrong, not by much except the Sharks v Blues game which i was way off. Once again it was only the Warratahs that managed a 4 try win. They really do look like the team to beat in their conference, only team showing some sort of consistency and ability. The others Reds, Brumbies and Rebels have been poor to say the least. In the other conferences, the most impressive team in South Africa at the moment for me is the Sharks, the brand of rugby they are playing with a bunch of no names, their desire on defence and their belief in their ability, which was very evident in the last few minutes of their game against the Stormers where they built phase upon phase, worked their way upfield but unfortunately were unable to capitalise...story of their season thus far. In NZ, the conference leaders the Highlanders are the form side without a doubt, they are exactly the same as the Lions in SA, loads of heart and execution and they play as a team. Its early days yet, but they are looking hot, their only achilles heel is their lack of depth. One or 2 more injuries and they are done. they are now importing 36 year old journeymen to plug their flyhalf berth!

Disappointments for me thus far are the Blues, Reds and the Chiefs. All three teams promise so much but yet deliver such random pot shots. I am a Blues fan, always been, but their inconsistency drives me insane. if you look at the calibre of player they have on that field, i mean the run on pack it was only Lowrey who wasnt/hasnt an All black. In the backline Stephen Brett and Jarred Payne so out of the run on 15...13 past or present All Blacks, but the inconsistency of their performances kills me. Yes they tried, but losers try...It wasnt because they were pummeled by a better team, no no, they beat themselves, handling errors, yes the weather was shoddy, but there were 2 teams playing in the same conditions so i cant understand. And then the Reds, the Quade Cooper step and flair has been nowhere, thats because Will Genia hasnt got much quality ball and thats because the forwards have been under the pump hard! We all know the game is won or lost upfront. Also whats happening now is that defences are closing down Quade, so none of that razzle dazzle stuff. The Chiefs...i say no more, just shake my head, thats all. S M H!!!

This weekends games. Big respect to the Highlanders for turning over the the Chiefs, no one gave them much of a chance but they gave themselves plenty. Jamie Makintosh seemed properly injured and he soldiered on, Adam Thompson, fell on his head, but he shook it off and soldiered on! They believe in their coach and each other and it shows. They were good value for their win.

The Brumbies, i am not in that team environment, but they seem like a bunch of prima-donnas, this is the second time they have had a big fall out with their coaching staff. Think the first was Nucifora. Anyway i am glad the Rebels got their first win. JK did help them though because that penalty was a joke at best, but so too was their missed forward pass that lead to the Brumbies last try. Hope it gives their season some momentum because the Oz conference games are sooo pap, they dont have the intensity of the SA or NZ ones. I think its a ploy from the Australians to nulify the treats posed by the Boks and All Blacks come Tri Nations and All Blacks come world cup and then all they have to do is waltz through the Northern hemisphere teams and the Pacific Islanders.

My 2 favourite games of the weekend was between the Bulls and Cheetahs and Stormers and Lions. Both my teams lost though, but alas, they were very competitive games. The Cheetahs should have closed the game down. Pity they have lost Juan Smith, but liked Ashley Johnson, always have, he is hard, fast and hardworking. He needs some refinement, but i would even go as far as saying i rate him over Pierre Spies...currently. I know he is SA's points machine, but sheesh Morne Steyn is arb! Sideshow Bob (Zane) on the other hand has been having a good season though, i like the way he joins the line, his defence and at most times his positional play. The Bulls should have been dead and burried, but i guess a sign of a champion side is their ability to find that last push when all seems lost. The Lions, the Lions the Lions, second weekend where they have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. how many points were left on the field? kicking for posts was woeful, but other than that, it was such a polished performance by them. Its only a matter of time they get a win...i really hope its not this weekend though :) but i am loving the Lions.

This weekend
We see the Saders against the Tahs, i have already seen this game and I called the Saders by a few, didnt think they would win by so much. Granted the ref helped them out with a few gimme penalties in the first 15 min. I just knew they would rally to give the people back in ChCh something to smile about

Lions v Blues
I am very worried about this game. i am loving the Lions brand of rugby and the team, i mean Carlos is their assistant coach and if you know me you know Carlos and the Blues are my guys :) but, first things first. The Blues need this win...so too the Lions. The Blues have made some big changes for this game. looking forward to seeing mr unlucky Luke McAlistar starting his first game of the season. I think he is the best understudy to DC in NZ (if he can stay injury free) well him and Colin Slade. they have given a whole name of no names a start, look out for Sherwin Stowers, if he gets good ball in space, watch out. The coaching staff is smart. The travel and altitude has meant that they have put their big guns on the bench for a little bit of impact come minute 60 or so, lets hope they dont have to come on earlier because the guys are struggling. It will be a good game. weather in Jozi is conducive for good running rugby and both teams want to run. Watch the Lions try and move the Blues around to test out their lungs. Blues by just a few

Chiefs v Rebels
In an ideal world, i would call Chiefs, no problems, but eish this Chiefs team. I see Tana is back pity not at 13 against Morts. I would have kept Delaney at 10 instead of Donald, because he had a good game. Would also have left Kerr-Barlow on at 9 as well he had a good game, kept the opposition guessing. Looking forward to Sivivatu scoring a few, cos he is in my fantasy league team :) The Rebels i dont know what to say about them. They are an efficient side, do the basics and have a good system. The kicking game seems to suit Cipriani well, but i want to see more of his passing game. Chiefs to take this one...we hope

Brumbies v Reds

Brumbies have a new coach in their defence coach. The Reds coming off a shocker last week. Both teams will be looking to put together a good spirited performance. I am just a little concerned that Quade will try and be an individual to try and get his no 10 jersey back and thus disadvantage his team. The Reds have some injuries notably Horwill and Heynes. Watch the Brumbies youngsters of Speight and Coleman. Gits is looking like his old self again in the no 10. Even though they had a bit of off field drama, i think they will get away here the Brumbies and they are at home.

Force v Sharks.

O'Connor v Lambie. I know the whole of SA loves Pat Lambie, i think he is good but i dont see him as being better than Jantjes. He has a more powerfull forward pack that gives his scrummy good ball thus he too gets good ball. His goal kicking is better than Jantjies' but a flyhalf is more than place kicks. As an overall player, O'Connor may have his number here, but i think that may be the only place the Sharks lose their pack is monstrous, too much mongrel upfront and bruisers in the loose trio. The travel may be a factor in the last 20 minutes or so, but then Plum will clear his bench and bring some Boks on and bye bye Force. It will be a close match on the scoreboard, but on the field i think the Sharks will dominate. Sharks to sneak home though.

Stormers v Cheetahs
Stormers would have gotten most of the cobwebs out of the system, and will be a better side this weekend. the Cheetahs will soldier on valiantly but in the end the princess will go home with the men in blue and white. I am looking forward to the game though. if there is no rain down in the Cape it should be another game with 2 willing parties who want to give the ball some air. The Stormers forward will however be too strong for the Cheetahs pack. Actually if you had to compare man for man, i cant think of a position where they Stormers will be worse than the Cheetahs. Stormers dont have Jacques, but as a creator i like Juan, so they havent lost too much. I know bok fans think Schalla is the bees knees, but i dont think his loss will be that greatly felt, they have Flouw, Plouw and Duane who did well for them last year! Cheetahs are without Juan, even though it didnt look like it last week, they have lost much....Stormers to blow my other SA side away... :(

Bulls v Highlanders

Could the Landers cause this weekends upset (if the Lions dont, but wait if the Lions win is it an upset? because a lot of people are saying that it is a possibility) anyway back to the Bulls. They have been pretty random till now BUUUUTTTT, they have still won both matches, away from fort Loftus nogal. Ok wait its not gonna happen for the Landers. I like the Highlanders plenty, love it when the underdog prospers, ala Ireland over England, but i think (hope not) that this will be a mountain too high. They have just made the long journey over here, playing at altitude, against a very efficient, yet boring Bulls side. This up and under story has to go really, i dont understand why they keep doing that??!! I am hoping for a Highlanders win but if i was betting id back the Bulls at fort Loftus.

How was the English win over the French last weekend? As arb as they English are they just seem to building themselves into competitive contention for the RWC 2011. I thought the French would roll them up in their rizzla and smoke them, but ey what do i know

Happy viewing people, thoughts still go out there to the people of Christchurch, hope this mornings win gives you guys all more strength!

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