Super Rugby 2013: Preview and Predictions – Round 15, Part 2

Four more Super Rugby adventures this Saturday followed by the UEFA Champions League final!

Sporting daaays, don’t let them pass you by.

Sporting days

A great day for a braai.

Sporting days

Sporting daaaaaays.

Music and lyrics by rennton.

Two quality mouth-watering, beer guzzling, smash them in their faces, SA derby games coming your way, not to mention what should be a cracker at Newlands, oh ja and the Force vs the Highlanders.

Questions that spring to mind: Can the Kings upset the rugby cart with an upset over the Cheetahs? Can the Sharks rekindle the end of season form from last year and go on a winning run to sneak into the play-offs? Can you use ‘sporting days’ to describe a day of watching sport? Let’s wade in and see what we can see. I can’t promise accurate answers here except for the last question, where the answer is: No, but it sort of rhymes with ‘glory’.

Super Rugby round 15, Saturday 25th May 2013

Force vs Highlanders

My interest level in this game is about as low as the level of rugga expected. See what I did there, you’re welcome. The Highlanders should beat the Force but they ‘should’ have beaten the Kings, Cheetahs and Hurricanes too. Ma’ dreadlocks Nonu comes back into the side for this clash and will be keen to show he still has what it takes to be in the All Black squad.

For the Force, they will know they could have won more games than they have this season and have played better than in years gone by. Their defense has been far improved and will need to be again but in front of their home fans should get the win, especially since the Landers have just travelled back from SA after a disappointing tour.

Venue: NIB Stadium, Perth

Kick-Off: Sat, 11;40am (SA time)

Force vs Highlanders Prediction: *Zzzzzz* oh sorry, I nodded off there. Force by…*Zzzzzzzz*

Super Rugby 2013: Preview and Predictions – Round 15, Part 1

TMOs. Too Much Officiating. Is it me or are these guys making shocking decisions on an weekly basis?

For officials who have replays and a calm and controlled environment to make decisions with the aid of slow-mos and different camera angles, these guys still continue to make shocking calls. Where there should be certainty, there is only “Sheesh I am not sure, this one camera angle says one thing but this one says another, I have no idea. I will just go with the decision that favours the home side, LOL”.

Recently Sir Graham Henry had a massive go at the TMOs and match officials in general, after the Blues lost to the Crusaders. He even went so far as to question whether the TMO was in fact blind. In the last month both Dave Rennie and Mark Hammett, coaches of the Chiefs and Hurricanes respectively have publicly complained about the standard of the refereeing. The Stormers opted for the ‘swear and threaten’ route to make their grievances known. So does referee boss Lyndon Bray come out and acknowledge any faults or mistakes? Are you new here? No, he defends the refs week in and week out and for good measure slaps the Stormers with a $25,000 fine.

Anyway let’s all just calm down. We’ve got to keep our composure, we can’t afford to freak out! Back to Super Rugby and the team of the week is the Crusaders, who are looking in ominous form. 7 games to call this week and all could go either way, let’s get down to it and dance this prediction dance.

Super Rugby Round 15, Friday 24th May 2013

Chiefs vs Crusaders

The Crusaders have brought back Israel Dagg into the side with Robbie Fruean dropping to the bench. Tom Taylor moves to inside centre and Ryan Crotty to outside centre. In the forwards, Codie Taylor gets a start at hooker, replacing the injured Corey Flynn. The Crusaders are back to winning ways and with Dan the man Carter and captain Read getting their grooves back, are looking very much title contenders.

Super Rugby 2013: Preview and Predictions – Round 14, Part 2

You know when you think you have ample time to get something done and then you realise that you have totally underestimated the mission it is to get sorted?

Welcome to the SHITake storm that I now find myself sailing in. Mo worries though, mate. I will of course still slam out part 2 of the predictions and my actual ‘job’ can wait, I say. Deadlines be damned and all that. Wonder if my boss reads this blog… If so, I am of course just joshing about my actual work. *nervous laughter*.

*awkward silence*

Four games ahead this Saturday, two of them crrritical derbies but all cracking match ups no mistake, let’s rock this Casbah.

Super Rugby round 14, Saturday 18th May 2013

Crusaders vs Blues

Sir John has brought back his heavies for this game, with hooker Kevin Mealamu, Culum Retallick and Luke Braid all returning after being rested last week. In the backs, Jackson Willison starts at inside centre with impressive Francis Saili dropping to the bench. The Blues struggled last week in the second half against the Rebels but got the win with the bonus point and will know that if they can play like they did in the first half, they could well cause an upset.

Kieran Read returns from injury and will start at No. 8 for the Crusaders, shifting Luke Whitelock to the bench. Not to worry Whitelock fans there are still two Whitelocks starting and two on the bench. Want to play for the Crusaders, change your name to Whitelock… easy. The Crusaders are coming off a bye but before that were very solid in defeating the Brumbies. The Blues last won in Christchuch back in 2004, so will be the underdogs for this game but I get the feeling that the Blues will be happy with that. Possible upset on the cards? Maaaybe but hard to bet against the Crusaders at home.

Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Kick-Off: Sat, 9:35am (SA time)

Crusaders vs Blues Prediction: Crusaders by less than 7

Super Rugby 2013: Preview and Predictions – Round 14, Part 1

So round 13 is done and dusted and good riddance I say.

Almost all of the games bar the Kings vs Highlanders, were littered with poor handling, sketchy decision making, school boy ball control and a large dollop of SHITake kicking for good measure. The ‘box’-kick’. Oh how I hate you. Ban it! I say. Unfortunately,  our SA teams seem to default to it after a couple of phases, regardless. Siiigh.

Too much rugby could well explain the dip in form mid-season, with coaches trying to get their sides to peak for the play-offs. It is obvious to all (except the IRB) that the rugby season is too long and in an interesting development, the NZRPA (New Zealand Rugby Players Association) has said that they may consider a player strike unless they are finally granted an integrated international season.

This would mean a later start to the season and 16 weeks off, instead of the current 8. In order to do so, they would have to do away with the break in Super Rugby for the June Internationals. Interesting times indeed.

Back to Super Rugby now and my team of the week is the Kings, who came back incredibly well after looking dead and buried in the last 3 weeks to achieve a deserved victory over the Highlanders. Three games heading your way this Friday, let’s swan dive in with a half pike twist for good measure.

Super Rugby round 14, Friday 17th April 2013

Hurricanes vs Chiefs

The Hurricanes upset the odds with a fine win over the Cheetahs last Friday and in turn shot me in the Superbru foot. They were full of running in the second half and captain Victor Vito had a sublime game. Coach Mark Hammett has kept the side unchanged this week as he looks for a vital home win that will keep them in with a shot at the play-offs.

The Chiefs have lost the impressive Sam Cane for this game with Tanerau Latimer taking his place on the side of the scrum. In other changes Charlie Ngatai comes in at centre and Pauliasi Manu gets a start at prop. The Chiefs started well last week but allowed the Force to come back into the game and their defense is not quite as solid as it was last year. Games between these two sides are generally close but interestingly, the Canes have not lost at home to the Chiefs since 2003. mmmmh, I know right, tricksy to call.

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Kick-Off: Fri, 9:35am (SA time)

Hurricanes vs Chiefs Prediction: Chiefs by the proverbial ball hair

Super Rugby 2013: Preview and Predictions, Round 13, Part 2

Let’s be honest, the scrums in rugby, especially international rugga are a bit of a lottery at the best of times. I am convinced the refs have very little idea of what is happening and my theory is that they will penalize one side in the first half (for no obvious reason) and then penalize the other side in the second half (for an even less obvious reason) in order to balance it out by the end of the game.

Last year the IRB finally conceded the ‘pause’ part of the “crouch, touch, paaaause, engage”call was unnecessary. Er… duh. It is fairly obvious that an actual pause in the instruction should have been sufficient. Either way, they duly changed it to ‘crouch, touch , engage’ with a slight improvement in scrum resets, it must be said but wait for it, next year it is changing again…

From next year the scrum call will be ‘crouch, bind, set’. What this will mean is that the props will need to bind using their outside arm until the ref says “set”. This is to counter teams either charging forward to get an early hit and ideally stop teams from holding back in order to get penalties. I guess it makes sense. I gueeeeeeeees.

Anyhootenanny, let’s leave the scrums for now and focus on the next 3 Super Rugby games this weekend.

Super Rugby round 13, Saturday 11th May 2013

Blues vs Rebels

Ahh Kurtley boozer Beale… first game back and makes a huge impact off the bench and scores a superb try. Then to top it off, he goes out drinking to celebrate and misses his appointment with his counselor (appointed to help deal with his drinking problem). Slow clap Kurtley,way to put your rugby career before beer. He has been dropped for this game. Look out for James O’ Connor, who will be doing all he can to secure the Wallaby flyhalf posish for the B& I Lions tour.

Super Rugby 2013: Preview and Predictions – Round 13, Part 1

Round 13, already! Sheesh kebabs with surprise sauce!

We are reaching crrritical times indeed as teams, coaches and rugby scribes alike all look at the various match ups, byes, scenarios and bankable wins as we all try to figure out who will and who will not make the play-offs. I started doing this and then realised it would require a spread sheet and possible use of maths and formulas and before I knew it I was watching Game of Thrones. Great show! Also is it me or is Khaleesi more sexy now that she has three dragons? Here she is as a brunette.

Back to Super Rugby now though and my team of the week is the Waratahs. The Kings were definitely poor in most aspects but Michael Cheika’s men in baby blue were very impressive none the less and could well sneak into the play-offs if they continue their try scoring ways. Let’s wonder on down to this week’s match ups, starting with three games on Friday.

Super Rugby, round 13 Friday 10th May 2013

Chiefs vs Force

The Force once again halted the Reds and are now officially their bogey side. LOL. Captain Matt Hodgson had a blinder and would have been very happy withhis team’s display. The Perth brigade targeted Will Genia and Quade Cooper and did not allow them any space. It was ugly but effective and perhaps a blue print to beating the Reds. Having said that, their record against Kiwi sides is mostly poor and they will struggle to contain the Chiefs in the same manner.

Super Rugby 2013: Preview and Predictions – Round 12, Part 2

Four more games to preview for this round with an especially very hard one to call on Sunday between the Brumbies and Crusaders but that is why I am here, to make the tough calls. Well that and answer phones, take out the trash, clean the toilets and make the coffee. Working from home sucks. Before we dive in balls deep however, let’s take a few minutes to reflect on the British & Irish Lions squad recently announced by coach Warren Gatland.

Wales flanker Sam Warburton has been named captain and the squad understandably, given their second successive 6-Nations title this year, has a  predominantly Welsh flavour. Interestingly, flyhalf Johnny Wilkinson and England captain Chris Robshaw have been left out but will be on the reserves list if there are any injuries.  The selection of New Zealand born, Sean Maitland, Saffa Matt Stevens and Fijian Mako Vunipola has raised some eyebrows but maybe it is simply an acknowledgement that players from the South dominate. Hola! The B& I Lions have not won a tour since 1997 (LOL) and as much as I enjoy watching Australia lose at sport, can you imagine the British media should the Lions win, so let’s hope their record stays as shit as is.

Super Rugby round 12, Saturday 4th May 2013

Force vs Reds

The Force were manhandled last week by the Brumbies and could not string more than a few phases together or pass, defend, scrum or kick effectively for that matter. Basically, Force rugby in a nutshell. “Rubbish!” I hear one lone supporter say, “What about us beating the Reds earlier in the season?” Good point, I guess. The Force did indeed beat the Reds early on and beat the Crusaders a few weeks ago but have sucked the big one recently.

Coach McKenzie has made a few changes to the Reds side with Dom Shipperly taking wing Rod Davies’s place in the backline and props Albert Anae and Greg Holmes both getting starts. The key to the Reds current form lies in their experienced players getting an extended run and with guys like Beau Robinson returning form injury off the bench, they are looking more and more like serious play-off contenders. This could be close ish initially due to it being played in Perth but the Reds should take this one comfortably.

Venue: NIB Stadium, Perth

Kick-Off: Sat, 11:40am

Force vs Reds Prediction: Reds by 7-15