Super XV Wrap: Final pool round next weekend!

First topic message reminder :

There is one week's pool round matches to go, and although the final 6 qualifyers aren't set in stone the mathematcis of it all is pretty simple.

If the Bulls and Sharks win their last matches with a 4 try bonus point against the Lions and Cheetahs respectively then they are both in.
If they win without bonus point the Reds need to beat the Waratahs with a bonus point to get into the top six.

If the Reds do manage to best the Waratahs with a 4 try bonus point and either of the Bulls or sharks don't, then the reds are secured of qualifying by virtue of one more win in the pool rounds.

If it is between the Bulls and Sharks then the Bulls should go through due to better points difference.

The Conferences for SA and NZ has been decided and the Stormers and Chiefs can no longer be overtaken.

The Reds can still win the Australian conference, but it seems unlikely as they would need to score a 4 try bonus point win over the Waratahs and the Brumbies will need to lose by more than 7 points against the hapless Blues.

Full Log without bye log points.

Spoiler:

Conference Logs.

Spoiler:

By my reckoning the Brumbies will host the Sharks in the play offs and the Crusaders will host the Bulls in the other play off.

With the winner of the Brumbies vs Sharks to mplay the semi final against the Stormers at Newlands and the other winner between the Bulls and Crusaders to face the Chiefs in the second semi final.

doctor_grey wrote:Morning/evening all,
Just to show what a global formum we have, I just got home from overnight coverage at the hospital. Still not even 4:00am here! So pardon me if I am incoherent.

Not surprised Brumbies lost. I think they are a very mediocre group managed very well by Jake White. With the Reds suffering injuries earlier, I think they are better now than earlier and would be a better representative for the Aussie conference.

I see the comments here and there about reducing the number of teams in the English Premiership and in Super Rugby. Since this is about exposure and money for the broadcasters and the sport, the chances of turning the clock back to fewer teams is not going to happen until everyone start losing money. Whether it would provide a better kind of Rugby it not the point. Expanding in to new markets, especially in Australia is important. In SA, they have their internal issue to sort. I do admit it is a shame about the top 4 NZ teams as they just about as good as any team in the comp.

The Brumbies seem to play a very Jacke-White-style game, which against weaker teams can be very effective, but against any team that is going to keep the ball, batter them at the breakdown and put pressure on in defense, the wheels just seem to come off the wagon? Shame cos they are my fave Oz team with their ex-Exeter players in Kimlin and Murphy

Once a , always a

aucklandlaurie wrote:
I really like the guy, hes got such a good feel for the game, that I bet the morons that write write the laws of the game ever envisaged would ever occur.

Morons writing the laws? You mean our geniuses? Jackson will be a top referee before we know it. Clearly fast-tracked, and for good reason. Its, terrific we have a very good former forst five as a referee.

y the way, I liked the commentators statments about the lad who just scored for the Force.

By the way,where's my gin? Do I have to get up and pour it myself?

Doc. I identify with that, Ive got a daughter, who has worked mostly in Emergency but is now working in intensive care, whilst she is is doing a past grad degree, and that girl has seen more life and death than in I have at twice her age. but I know more about rugby injuries like cruciate ligaments than she'll ever know.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Dr G, I feel sure there's a moral in that story somewhere?

Wrap that rascal.
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&rlz=1G1TSNA_ENUS373&biw=1024&bih=596&tbm=isch&tbnid=fdyRKntt2YlPEM:&imgrefurl=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/24/1067344/-Uterus-police&docid=TvDgnmUP0_wZnM&imgurl=http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3445/3258627143_88c52b1829.jpg&w=433&h=500&ei=nzIBUNrqBOHH6wHAts3QBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=272&vpy=84&dur=2641&hovh=241&hovw=209&tx=115&ty=119&sig=115543860301050705995&page=1&tbnh=128&tbnw=110&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:98

doctor_grey wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:
I really like the guy, hes got such a good feel for the game, that I bet the morons that write write the laws of the game ever envisaged would ever occur.

Morons writing the laws? You mean our geniuses? Jackson will be a top referee before we know it. Clearly fast-tracked, and for good reason. Its, terrific we have a very good former forst five as a referee.

y the way, I liked the commentators statments about the lad who just scored for the Force.

By the way,where's my gin? Do I have to get up and pour it myself?

doctor_grey wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Dr G, I feel sure there's a moral in that story somewhere?

Wrap that rascal.
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&rlz=1G1TSNA_ENUS373&biw=1024&bih=596&tbm=isch&tbnid=fdyRKntt2YlPEM:&imgrefurl=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/24/1067344/-Uterus-police&docid=TvDgnmUP0_wZnM&imgurl=http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3445/3258627143_88c52b1829.jpg&w=433&h=500&ei=nzIBUNrqBOHH6wHAts3QBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=272&vpy=84&dur=2641&hovh=241&hovw=209&tx=115&ty=119&sig=115543860301050705995&page=1&tbnh=128&tbnw=110&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:98

I was going to go with don't back chat the nurse that's trying to fix your broken arm!

sorry about yor drink, Ive got the blue Bombay stuff and Absolute... actually stuff it just help yourself.

Asbo

Do you want a drink as well? no wuckin furries, your a true gent but its over in the other room , not where the PC is.just dive in.

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Asbo

Do you want a drink as well? no wuckin furries, your a true gent but its over in the other room , not where the PC is.just dive in.

Laurie, I confess that I'm suffering a wee dose of Pinot Noir-envy there, bud A shade early in the morning even for me to be cracking open a bottle of the good stuff!

Jeez Doc
I just had a look at that guys scrum cap, he must have a lot of brains to require that amount of safety protection.

aucklandlaurie wrote: actually stuff it just help yourself.

The story of my life..........
Crap - I just checked my liquor cabinet, the gin is gone!!!!! My wife must have killed it and not replaced it. The cabinet is full of those girly flavoured vodkas in plastic bottles. At least I still have the makings of a good caiparinha. So I just made a couple. Drinking now. Ahhhhh.

Which guy's scrum cap. I was in the kitchen.

Good Morning, Evening all.

On the subject of Doctors & Nurses... this one delivered me. Amazing career he had too - he must have seen it all!
I like how he has that 'Walt Disney' look about him with the white moustache... He lived to 93.
(great line from Ken Arthurson!)

http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/sea-eagles-doctor-delivered-for-all-20120710-21tq2.html

Glad the Force have managed to score a few points. Full marks to those young kids playing against the Crusaders... even though they are obviously outclassed they are playing with their heads up still and show no fear.

Dont worry mate about the time, in a couple of hours time you'll be saying "where did the day go? I knew I should of had a drink with Laurie"
And you would have had the jump on half of Scotland..

doctor_grey wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote: actually stuff it just help yourself.

The story of my life..........
Crap - I just checked my liquor cabinet, the gin is gone!!!!! My wife must have killed it and not replaced it. The cabinet is full of those girly flavoured vodkas in plastic bottles. At least I still have the makings of a good caiparinha. So I just made a couple. Drinking now. Ahhhhh.

Dont look at me Ive havent been near your likker cabinet.. Hehe. but have a drink Cheers.

Linebreaker wrote:Good Morning, Evening all.

On the subject of Doctors & Nurses... this one delivered me. Amazing career he had too - he must have seen it all!
I like how he has that 'Walt Disney' look about him with the white moustache... He lived to 93.
(great line from Ken Arthurson!)

http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/sea-eagles-doctor-delivered-for-all-20120710-21tq2.html

Glad the Force have managed to score a few points. Full marks to those young kids playing against the Crusaders... even though they are obviously outclassed they are playing with their heads up still and show no fear.

Linebreaker

You are a wise Aussie, How does Phil Blake get to be the coach of the Western Force?

Linebreaker wrote:Good Morning, Evening all.

On the subject of Doctors & Nurses... this one delivered me. Amazing career he had too - he must have seen it all!
I like how he has that 'Walt Disney' look about him with the white moustache... He lived to 93.
(great line from Ken Arthurson!)

http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/sea-eagles-doctor-delivered-for-all-20120710-21tq2.html

I love this line from the article:
It is said that in 1971, Jean Hay, now Manly's mayor, phoned her brother, then Sea Eagles boss Ken Arthurson, to say she had met a doctor who had an interest in the Sea Eagles.
''He's a gynaecologist," she said. "No problems," Arthurson reportedly replied. "He should be right at home - we're playing like a team of sheilas."

Evening gents. Nice one doc. Never a dull moment in the emergency room ay?

Saders getting the run but a bit too loose for a finals side with those soft tries.

Canes could do with the reds dropping a match tonight from what I can tell.

Great to see Sharpe get to his last match in full flight. Great player and has done Australia proud with his very distinguished career. Always gives his best and a tough campaigner if I ever saw one.

Poor finish from the saders...

One of my wifes friends thought she a lump in her breast, I told her" I'llhave a look at it, but I'm not a gaenecologist"

Taylor, the Emergency Room has more stories. Gives breath to the old line about "if the walls could talk".

How does it work for the Hurricanes to get through? They still have a shot? I think they will be very difficult to beat if they get to the playoffs.

Agree, happy for Sharpe to go out with a nice performance. There was no way the Force could win, but the second half was a nice ending for him.

doctor_grey wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:Good Morning, Evening all.

On the subject of Doctors & Nurses... this one delivered me. Amazing career he had too - he must have seen it all!
I like how he has that 'Walt Disney' look about him with the white moustache... He lived to 93.
(great line from Ken Arthurson!)

http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/sea-eagles-doctor-delivered-for-all-20120710-21tq2.html

I love this line from the article:
It is said that in 1971, Jean Hay, now Manly's mayor, phoned her brother, then Sea Eagles boss Ken Arthurson, to say she had met a doctor who had an interest in the Sea Eagles.
''He's a gynaecologist," she said. "No problems," Arthurson reportedly replied. "He should be right at home - we're playing like a team of sheilas."

It's a beauty isn't it, Doc?
My Mum brought over the newspaper clipping yesterday... it actually hit me as if I'd lost a close relative. Apparently when my brother was born he called him "Pal Joey" (name pun) after the Sinatra film which was a big hit at the time.

Crusaders got the result any injuries ,just recorded it have`ntreplayed it yet.Blues finishing on a high note.

Linebreaker, seems like quite a life. Wars, sports, babies galore, and...you!
Must be a little special knowing a guy like that was involved with you at the very beginning.

No injuries emack. That's the Blues everyone fears but hardly ever turned up this year. Brumbies looked flat and disinterested... like the Waratahs usually are.

doctor_grey wrote:Linebreaker, seems like quite a life. Wars, sports, babies galore, and...you!
Must be a little special knowing a guy like that was involved with you at the very beginning.

That's what I was coming to grips with yesterday, Doc. The sporting career itself, then the Regiment and Service in Korea - geez, we need dashers like him on our current Olympic team!

He was involved in so many sports and then reached the top of his profession. Yes, I feel very proud to have an association with such a extraordinary person.

Wow, that was quick.

3 tries to go...

Crashing for a bit. Chat later............

Fast open game.

What happened to Luke Burgess, didn't he play for Waratahs?

See ya later Doc! Have a well earned rest.

biltongbek wrote:What happened to Luke Burgess, didn't he play for Waratahs?

He's in France - Stade Toulousain.

Thanks LB

Nice try from the tahs there, not much in this one.... as usual.

It'll be a travesty if Queensland arent the top Australian side.

I'm worried at the moment the Reds are more focused on 4 tries than they are on winning the match.

emack2 wrote:Crusaders got the result any injuries ,just recorded it have`ntreplayed it yet.Blues finishing on a high note.

Yes, the NZ officials made sure of that. The decision making of referees has too often decided the outcome of games in the SH this season.

If Heyneke Meyer ever put that Bulls front row near a Springbok jersey he is a Blue blooded idiot.

biltongbek wrote:If Heyneke Meyer ever put that Bulls front row near a Springbok jersey he is a Blue blooded idiot.

You think he would? The Sharks front row was brutally dominant last weekend.

Doc, he has Werner Kruger as his back up tighthead, and he must be one of the weakest tight heads in the comp.

Don't worry. You will be fine playing England.

By the way, the Bulls didn't seem overpowering against the Lions, did they? The Lions, according to the stats, missed a huge amount of tackles. And for a while, it seemed the Lions were making some people very nervous.

Doc the Bulls fromtrow isn't great, the Lions for some reason are poor everywhere but in local derbies, they get under the skin of the other teams and really give them a hard time.

Considering most of the Lions are in their first season of Super rugby they aren't winning, but they are always trying.

Their backrow of course is brilliant against a very average bulls loose trio.

The only Bulls forward that really deserves to be in the Bok squad is Juandre Kruger

Josh Strauss seems to know where the try line is.. he seems to score a fair bit being a number 8 playing for a weak team.

I saw Kruger fairly regularly when he played at Saints. Always thought he was terrific, and was glad to see him playing for the Boks.

Based upon the last few week's games, I absolutely agree about the Bulls forwards. A few years has made a real difference. Having Matfield and Botha in the engine room made a real difference.

Just shows you when you lose Danie Rossouw, Gary Botha, Vicki and Bakkies what a difference it makes.

I thought Rossouw was hugely underrated as a player. He had a superb world cup.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Josh Strauss seems to know where the try line is.. he seems to score a fair bit being a number 8 playing for a weak team.

Yes he shows promise, he was part of Meyer's wider Springbok training squad, hopefully he gets an opportunity.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I thought Rossouw was hugely underrated as a player. He had a superb world cup.

Danie was one of those unlucky ones, he decided to stay at the Bulls and missed out on a starting position both for the Boks and Bulls many times, his versatility was his greatest asset, he could play lock, flanker or eighthman equally well.

The 2007 springbok back row was phenomenal with Smith, Burger and Rossouw. A huge factor in their world cup win.

Yep, and now one has retired and the other two are injured, sad.