Rugby 2017 Discussion

The Lions win won't go down as a classic but they won't care too much about that. Their poorest performance of the season, they looked off the pace and maybe were thinking of their flight home. As @K2K mentioned 100% on tour and they've picked up 14 championship points from an available 15. The Brumbies have an issue with close games having lost to the Sharks, Highlanders, Rebels, Blues and Lions by 7 points or less. They're still likely to top the Australian conference. Next week, the Lions host the Bulls in a game they will win with a bonus point. Brumbies have got the Kings in Port Elizabeth in a game that won't be easy.

Tomorrow, the Crusaders host the Hurricanes in Christchurch. It's a match that i think could be a pre cursor to the final which will take place on August 5. My view and hope is that it will be the best game of the regular season, so if you're looking for rugby to watch in the morning, this is a game i strongly recommend you watch. The Crusaders are 10/10 so far the Hurricanes are 8 wins from 9 games. In England, the game starts at 8:30 am, i believe Ireland is an hour behind England.

Looking forward to the Challenge Cup Final and the Champions Cup final too. Considering Will Genia plays for Stade Francais, i'd like to see them win. Not sure who i want to see win the Champions Cup Final.
 
Happy for Will Genia to be part of a Challenge Cup winning team. Stade Francais worthy winners vs Gloucester IMO. Not a great game so I hope the Champions Cup Final is an excellent game.
 
@unchanged_lineup I gave it the big build up and it probably wasn't a classic between the Crusaders and the Hurricanes. I was hopeful of a high scoring game, didn't turn out that way. Felt like both sides play it like a finals match. The Crusaders winning is not an upset, they're the only unbeaten team in the competition and my pick to win the tournament.
 
Mitchell Nicholas said:
@unchanged_lineup I gave it the big build up and it probably wasn't a classic between the Crusaders and the Hurricanes. I was hopeful of a high scoring game, didn't turn out that way. Felt like both sides play it like a finals match. The Crusaders winning is not an upset, they're the only unbeaten team in the competition and my pick to win the tournament.
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Commentators here said that they're the only team to hold Hurricanes tryless this year?

Oh well, I've watched my first Super Rugby match anyway now, onward and upward :D
 
unchanged_lineup said:
Commentators here said that they're the only team to hold Hurricanes tryless this year?

Oh well, I've watched my first Super Rugby match anyway now, onward and upward :D
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The Hurricanes usually score tries for fun but you're right in saying the Crusaders are the only team to keep them tryless this season.
 
So half time in Champions Cup Saracens 12 Clermont 7. Gotta say I think Clermont will be happy with that score, lucky not be down by more.

Ashton showing both sides of his game in this. Amazing finisher but so weak in defence. Miss tackle for Clermont try. Also even as a England fan I freaking hate the ash splash, wrong time to do that with defenders so close to him.
 
Even though Clermont got to within one point, i never felt like they were going to win. Saracens were worthy winners not just in the final but across the tournament itself. I still feel they're a good chance of winning the Aviva Premiership but it'll be far from easy.
 
Congrats to the Blitzbokke on winning the Sevens title. They've been really consistent this year. At least one South African rugby team is winning at the moment.
 
Mitchell Nicholas said:
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/axed-sa-teams-to-join-celtic-pro12

@unchanged_lineup @Rawls Thoughts on the Southern Kings and Cheetahs possibly joining the Pro12?
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I don't think 14 teams in the competition would be a good idea. As of now, sides in the Pro12 play four less games than they would in the Top 14. I imagine that such an expansion would lead to 26 games per season for each side, which IMO is too many. Of course, there have been some discussions of admitting some sort of Georgian side into the competition, as well as the German National Team. I think there have also been discussions of teams from Canada and the US entering the competition. Mind you, I don't think any of these talks actually got anywhere; they seems to be testing the water so to speak. Another unlikely possibility is that the SRU readmit a third Scottish side. Scotland having only two clubs means that both of them should be very good, considering the talent that is coming through therir system. AFAIK, I think the third side is contingent upon the financial success of the SRU.

Qualitatively, the Kings and Cheetahs probably would find it easier to win up North than down in Super Rugby. The fact that there are much more clubs in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere really dilutes the talent on show. For instance, if you broke down the 12 sides in the AP into four sides, they'd probably do really well in Super Rugby. Individually however, Saracens are the only English side that you would expect to compete in Super Rugby. Anyway, the financial side of this can't be ignored. I can't really envisage too many South Africans attending home games versus the likes of Zebre. Throw in the travelling costs and the logistics and the move becomes so much harder. A good idea qualitatively but not quite as good an idea in quantitative terms.
 
Mitchell Nicholas said:
http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/axed-sa-teams-to-join-celtic-pro12

@unchanged_lineup @Rawls Thoughts on the Southern Kings and Cheetahs possibly joining the Pro12?
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Interesting. The first question would be logistical, I'd strongly doubt my team (or the Italian teams) would be able to take trips to SA. I'd agree too with @Rawls that the Italian matches could be pretty boring for SA crowds. It would probably be good for the competition to have another strong team in it, but I think it's a massive non-runner personally. Georgia or Germany could be interesting having involved, I hadn't heard about that idea.

Pro12 is still a relatively young competition with less financial muscle compared to other similar competitions. It's gained greatly in appeal as it's grown and the quality in the top matches is decent, but it's still very rough around the edges - the Italian teams can be utterly woeful and the refereeing at times is laughable. I think addressing those issues is much more important than introducing any new teams.
 
Chiefs will be kicking themselves too by the way. Stormers take on the Blues at Newlands 6pm UK time in what should be a good game.
 
Leinster 10-21 Scarlets at half-time. Bit of a surprise really as I hadn't really considered Scarlets much of a threat based on their earlier Champions Cup form. Very efficient performance however; their first three trips into Leinster territory yielded three converted tries. That task will be harder to maintain in the second half, given that they are down to 14 men for the whole of the second half.

 
Rawls said:
Leinster 10-21 Scarlets at half-time. Bit of a surprise really as I hadn't really considered Scarlets much of a threat based on their earlier Champions Cup form. Very efficient performance however; their first three trips into Leinster territory yielded three converted tries. That task will be harder to maintain in the second half, given that they are down to 14 men for the whole of the second half.

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Leinster making hard work of it. That red card is just about fair going on the result rather than the intent, though Leinster probably would not have complained if it was just yellow.
 
Stormers 30 Blues 22 at Newlands. The quicker SANZAAR returns to neutral refs the better. Two questionable yellow cards for Blues winger Matt Duffie, Stormers inside centre Shaun Treeby could easily have been sent off for a forceful swinging arm to the neck of Blues center Piers Francis and the last try the Stormers scored should not have stood either as there wasn't just a double movement more a triple movement in the build up to the try. Tana Umaga will seek answers and rightly so.
 
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Isn't this supposed to be a red card under the newish high tackle crackdown?

 
Mitchell Nicholas said:
Stormers 30 Blues 22 at Newlands. The quicker SANZAAR returns to neutral refs the better. Two questionable yellow cards for Blues winger Matt Duffie, Stormers inside centre Shaun Treeby could easily have been sent off for a forceful swinging arm to the neck of Blues center Piers Francis and the last try the Stormers scored should not have stood either as there wasn't just a double movement more a triple movement in the build up to the try. Tana Umaga will seek answers and rightly so.
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There were three hits on Etzebeth's face but none were punished. There was nothing questionable about both those yellows, first was for an accumulation of penalties, second was for a very dangerous dive in on Cheslin Kolbe who was still on the ground and could have caused serious injury.
 
I hope the Premiership final lives up to the two semi finals. I thought Saracens were going to hang on to their 16-13 lead but a scrum penalty they conceded proved oh so decisive. Leicester, despite sacking director of rugby, Richard Cockerill and head coach, Aaron Mauger, very nearly made the final. 1st vs 2nd in next weekends final when Wasps take on Exeter, Exeter hoping to go one better after losing last year's final to Saracens.
 
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The Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series (in alphabetical order):

Forwards (18):
Lood de Jager (lock), Vodacom Bulls – 28 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (lock), DHL Stormers – 20 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Ruan Dreyer (prop), Emirates Lions – uncapped
Eben Etzebeth (lock), DHL Stormers – 54 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Steven Kitshoff (prop), Bordeaux Bègles (France) – 10 caps, 0 points
Siya Kolisi (flank), DHL Stormers – 16 caps, 0 points
Jaco Kriel (loose forward), Emirates Lions – 7 caps, 0 points
Frans Malherbe (prop), DHL Stormers – 15 caps, 0 points
Malcolm Marx (hooker), Emirates Lions – 2 caps, 0 points
Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), DHL Stormers – 5 caps; 0 points
Oupa Mohoje (loose forward), Toyota Cheetahs – 15 tests, 0 points
Franco Mostert (lock), Emirates Lions – 7 caps, 0 points
Tendai Mtawarira (prop), Cell C Sharks – 87 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Lizo Gqoboka (prop), Vodacom Bulls – uncapped
Coenie Oosthuizen (prop), Cell C Sharks – 23 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker), Cell C Sharks – 22 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Duane Vermeulen (loose forward), Toulon (France) – 37 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Warren Whiteley (captain, loose forward), Emirates Lions – 15 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

Backs (13):
Lukhanyo Am (centre), Cell C Sharks – uncapped
Andries Coetzee (fullback) Emirates Lions – uncapped
Ross Cronje (scrumhalf), Emirates Lions – uncapped
Damian de Allende (centre), DHL Stormers – 22 Caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Francois Hougaard (scrumhalf), Worcester (England) – 39 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Elton Jantjies (flyhalf), Emirates Lions – 11 caps, 78 points (12 conversions, 18 penalties)
Jesse Kriel (centre), Vodacom Bulls – 17 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Dillyn Leyds (wing/utility back), DHL Stormers – uncapped
Rudy Paige (scrumhalf), Vodacom Bulls – 7 caps, 0 points
Raymond Rhule (wing) Toyota Cheetahs – uncapped
Jan Serfontein (centre), Vodacom Bulls – 26 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Courtnall Skosan (wing), Emirates Lions – uncapped
Frans Steyn (flyhalf/centre), Montpellier (France) – 53 caps, 132 points (10 tries, 5 conversions, 21 penalties, 3 drop goals)

https://www.supersport.com/rugby/springboks/news/170523/Whiteley_named_Bok_captain_for_2017

Regardless of who they pick, i have France down as favourites to pick up a series win in South Africa.
 
Mitchell Nicholas said:
The Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series (in alphabetical order):

Forwards (18):
Lood de Jager (lock), Vodacom Bulls – 28 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (lock), DHL Stormers – 20 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Ruan Dreyer (prop), Emirates Lions – uncapped
Eben Etzebeth (lock), DHL Stormers – 54 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Steven Kitshoff (prop), Bordeaux Bègles (France) – 10 caps, 0 points
Siya Kolisi (flank), DHL Stormers – 16 caps, 0 points
Jaco Kriel (loose forward), Emirates Lions – 7 caps, 0 points
Frans Malherbe (prop), DHL Stormers – 15 caps, 0 points
Malcolm Marx (hooker), Emirates Lions – 2 caps, 0 points
Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), DHL Stormers – 5 caps; 0 points
Oupa Mohoje (loose forward), Toyota Cheetahs – 15 tests, 0 points
Franco Mostert (lock), Emirates Lions – 7 caps, 0 points
Tendai Mtawarira (prop), Cell C Sharks – 87 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Lizo Gqoboka (prop), Vodacom Bulls – uncapped
Coenie Oosthuizen (prop), Cell C Sharks – 23 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Chiliboy Ralepelle (hooker), Cell C Sharks – 22 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Duane Vermeulen (loose forward), Toulon (France) – 37 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Warren Whiteley (captain, loose forward), Emirates Lions – 15 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

Backs (13):
Lukhanyo Am (centre), Cell C Sharks – uncapped
Andries Coetzee (fullback) Emirates Lions – uncapped
Ross Cronje (scrumhalf), Emirates Lions – uncapped
Damian de Allende (centre), DHL Stormers – 22 Caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Francois Hougaard (scrumhalf), Worcester (England) – 39 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Elton Jantjies (flyhalf), Emirates Lions – 11 caps, 78 points (12 conversions, 18 penalties)
Jesse Kriel (centre), Vodacom Bulls – 17 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Dillyn Leyds (wing/utility back), DHL Stormers – uncapped
Rudy Paige (scrumhalf), Vodacom Bulls – 7 caps, 0 points
Raymond Rhule (wing) Toyota Cheetahs – uncapped
Jan Serfontein (centre), Vodacom Bulls – 26 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Courtnall Skosan (wing), Emirates Lions – uncapped
Frans Steyn (flyhalf/centre), Montpellier (France) – 53 caps, 132 points (10 tries, 5 conversions, 21 penalties, 3 drop goals)

https://www.supersport.com/rugby/springboks/news/170523/Whiteley_named_Bok_captain_for_2017

Regardless of who they pick, i have France down as favourites to pick up a series win in South Africa.
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I could be mistaken, but I think that this is Francois Steyn's first recall since 2014. TBH, I wasn't particularly impressed by his performances whenever I saw him play for Montpellier during the Champions Cup, although he may have performed better in the Top 14.
 
If Super Rugby trophies were handed out for disappointment, the Reds would be well in the hunt for some silverware after losing 40-26 to the Western Force. Such a frustrating season knowing the Reds are capable of so much better when taking personnel into account. Well done to the Force who were the better side and hopefully it's another win closer to them remaining in Super Rugby.
 
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