2013 Super XV: Fixtures, Results & Table

by **Pal Joey** Fri 15 Feb 2013, 9:45 am

First topic message reminder :

2013 Super XV Table

Team	Played	Won	Draw	Lost	F	A	+/-	TBP	Points
Brumbies**	15	10	2	3	415	274	+141	7	59
Chiefs**	13	10	0	3	383	283	+100	8	56
Bulls**	13	10	0	3	367	263	+104	6	54
Reds**	15	9	2	4	307	284	+23	6	54
Crusaders**	13	8	0	5	338	263	+75	6	46
Cheetahs*	14	9	0	5	345	317	+28	6	46
Waratahs**	15	8	0	7	399	357	+42	4	44
Blues**	13	6	0	7	298	282	+16	11	43
Hurricanes**	13	6	0	7	303	349	-46	7	39
Sharks**	13	6	0	7	285	252	+33	6	38
Stormers**	13	6	0	7	264	264	0	6	38
Rebels**	15	4	0	11	344	478	-134	8	32
Force**	15	3	1	11	246	351	-105	5	27
Kings**	13	3	1	9	255	434	-179	2	24
Highlanders**	13	2	0	11	276	374	-98	6	22

TBP: Total Bonus Points = (4 Tries + Loss Within 7 Points) Bonus Points
* denotes Bye = 4 points
Conference Leader
Wildcard

Fixtures & Results:

Round 17:
Brumbies 39 v 17 Rebels
Force 13 v 28 Waratahs

Round 18:
Friday 28 June
Chiefs v Hurricanes, Waikato Stadium, 19:35 local, 07:35 GMT, 17:35 EST, 17:05 CST, 15:35 WST
Saturday 29 June
Highlanders v Crusaders, Forsyth Barr Stadium, 19:35 local, 07:35 GMT, 17:35 EST, 17:05 CST, 15:35 WST
Sharks v Blues, Kings Park Stadium, 15:00 local, 13:00 GMT, 23:00 EST, 22:30 CST, 21:00 WST
Bulls v Kings, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 17:05 local, 15:05 GMT, 01:05 EST +1d, 00:35 CST +1d, 23:05 WST
Stormers v Cheetahs, Newlands Stadium, 19:10 local, 17:10 GMT, 03:10 EST +1d, 02:40 CST +1d, 01:10 WST +1d

by aucklandlaurie Sat 30 Mar 2013, 8:33 am

Personally I thought that was a much better performance than we put up against the Warratahs last week, esp the second half, but letting that team play on attack all game is scorboard suicide.

Two observations on the Chiefs:
If Ben Afeaki's injury is serious then they are really going to miss him, Tameifuna was ordinary, he needs to start doing some work at the breakdown. secondly to me Sam Cane should come off the bench in these games and make a noticeable impact - he doesnt.

by **Biltong** Sat 30 Mar 2013, 8:33 am

Yep, structure is the foundation of control, withouy iy you will struggle

by aucklandlaurie Sat 30 Mar 2013, 8:39 am

Now this is going to be interesting, bulls v brumbies,

by Taylorman Sat 30 Mar 2013, 8:51 am

Bulls will be stuffed I'd have thought.

by **Biltong** Sat 30 Mar 2013, 9:10 am

Looking at this lot, the only Bulls back I want to see near a Bok jersey is Serfontein

by Taylorman Sat 30 Mar 2013, 10:06 am

Still in with a chance though.

by Taylorman Sat 30 Mar 2013, 10:19 am

kick to come to draw...puts the chiefs well on top if so thumbsup

by Taylorman Sat 30 Mar 2013, 10:20 am

oh no...penalty in front! who'd believe that.

by Taylorman Sat 30 Mar 2013, 10:21 am

oh dear...

by **Biltong** Sat 30 Mar 2013, 10:43 am

Yep, oh, dear.

by **Biltong** Sat 30 Mar 2013, 5:06 pm

Good win for the Cheetahs in rainy conditions, they managed to score 5 tries and are now leading the SA conference (ignoring bye log points)

Good on them.

Willie le Roux was asked what position he plays.

He says wing, but at the Cheetahs they are allowed to play without structure all the time, not like the Bulls and Stormers where you can't express yourself.

by Taylorman Sat 30 Mar 2013, 5:14 pm

Cmon the saders...who needs DC, Mccaw and Read anyway...yikes! Shocked

by Taylorman Sat 30 Mar 2013, 6:27 pm

What a weak sinbin offence. Guilford shouldnt have been there anyway. Sure he lifted but let him go immediately. Seen worse...

by **Biltong** Sat 30 Mar 2013, 7:24 pm

Good win for the Crusaders.

In a sense I am hoping the Bulls and Stormers have poor season, it might just teach Meyer structure isn't everything

by Taylorman Sat 30 Mar 2013, 8:39 pm

Yes interesting how the top sides are now all out attack, even in SA now. Its whether Meyer has the skills to develop something outside of a structured approach- its a huge risk and developing individual skill at the International levels isnt easy. The Bok pack will be huge this year so half the job is done already. Theyll be competitive with that alone. Man theres some monsters over there.

by kiakahaaotearoa Sun 31 Mar 2013, 9:25 am

Very surprised to see Crusaders win with so many senior players out before or during the game. Has been a happy hunting ground for them in recent times. If they can beat the sharks the junior players will get a lot of belief.

by Taylorman Sun 31 Mar 2013, 9:27 pm

Had a feeling they might get that one...The Saders have a strong resolve as a unit with their backs to the wall as evidenced by the earthquake year and missing McCaw, DC, Read and Dagg will have put pressure on the rest to perform.

The Blues simply need to add some structure to their all out approach. They've proven mistakes are costing them and were lucky to get away with just a converted try. Its ok to be excited, give them license to go for it, but theyre still people making decisions and over excitement can turn to recklessness fast, as it has many times. Its becoming hit or miss and its time they started respecting the fact that other sides are just as good as they think they are...yes, perhaps even better.

Good to see the Cheetahs winning- they now have to prove their abilities against their conference sides as they have poor records at home previous years. This side looks better than the past though.

by **Pal Joey** Mon 01 Apr 2013, 8:12 am

Table updated.

That win for the Tahs was almost unbearable to watch. I thought they might go on with it in the 2nd half but oh no... they did the usual (full credit to the Force) and almost lost it. I often wonder what they do at training... do they pass and catch the ball then or not?
Surely an extra bonus point would have helped... but like Biltong (and his view on some SA teams)... I almost want them to be put out their misery.

by **Biltong** Tue 02 Apr 2013, 8:18 pm

I think the time has come for coaches to become man managers only, have a set piece coach and a fitness coach, then let the guys go out and just play rugby.

Be the ball, pass the ball, run the ball, tackle the man with the ball.

by kiakahaaotearoa Tue 02 Apr 2013, 8:35 pm

Confucius say rugby not complicated. Pass the ball to the handsome backs and keep those props quiet with more shoving. Hug

by **Biltong** Tue 02 Apr 2013, 9:59 pm

Exactly, then we can bash those pretty faces. Whistle

by kingraf Wed 03 Apr 2013, 3:01 pm

When is the Cheetahs-Reds on? I have a feeling the world might just explode when this happens.

Cooper for me has been the best playmaker in S15. Plus he has been throwing in som tackles!

by aucklandlaurie Thu 04 Apr 2013, 8:11 am

The blues will have to find some winning form soon, or we are going to be an embarrassment to New Zealand rugby when we play France in june.

by Taylorman Thu 04 Apr 2013, 10:14 am

One team the Blues are not playing worse than at least...is France.

by kiakahaaotearoa Thu 04 Apr 2013, 11:55 am

The Blues or Les Bleus are France.

Only sometimes in RWCs when they become Les Noirs.

by aucklandlaurie Thu 04 Apr 2013, 7:42 pm

Taylorman wrote:One team the Blues are not playing worse than at least...is France.

Playing France might be easier than some of the other games The Blues will have to play this year, maybe we should treat it as a trial game?

Its been years since weve beaten an International team.

by aucklandlaurie Fri 05 Apr 2013, 9:29 am

We're back.

by **Biltong** Fri 05 Apr 2013, 2:07 pm

Nice win there AL

And the Kings just drew with the Ponies.

by **Pal Joey** Fri 05 Apr 2013, 2:32 pm

All the talk of not being complacent obviously didn't work for the Brumbies. I didn't see the match (just stumbled in after a night out) but well done the Kings.

Biltong, does the table look right to you?

This site http://www.superxv.com/table/ has the Kings on 13 points but 1 win, 1 draw, 1 bye and 1 x 4-try bonus point = 11 points, right?

(already added the 4 bye points for Bulls, Reds and Chiefs)

by **Biltong** Fri 05 Apr 2013, 3:28 pm

Yes Kings have 11. thumbsup

by **Pal Joey** Fri 05 Apr 2013, 4:38 pm

Keep us updated on the Lions too mate. I see they've already thrashed a few sides and are going to the States... then play the other SA franchises. I'd like to see them back for 2014. That was very unfair what happened to them!

by **Biltong** Fri 05 Apr 2013, 5:53 pm

Sadly their tour to the USA has been cancellled.

Regrettably, the Golden Lions Rugby Union management, following consultation with the senior coaches, have taken the decision to no longer proceed with the MTN Lions’ intended tour to the United States of America.

Release

This the unfortunate result of uncertainty regarding the quality of the opposition, accommodation and travel limitations, as well as increased cost aggravated by the weakening exchange rate.

The Union worked with an outside tour organiser to coordinate the Rugby Showdown tournament, which encompassed two matches to be played in California and Texas in mid-April.

Golden Lions Rugby Union CEO, Manie Booysen, expressed the Union’s sincerest apologies to supporters.

“We would like to apologise to all supporters and the players, staff and management who have been affected by the forced late cancellation of the American tour,” said Booysen.

“While we regret having to cancel the tour, we believe it is important to have the team’s travel and accommodation needs met.

“We were also concerned the level of competition that the MTN Lions would face abroad would not be of a strong enough standard.

Booysen, however, remains positive that new arrangements will be made for the team in the upcoming weeks.

“The GLRU management and senior coaches will endeavour to make alternate arrangements for the MTN Lions squad over the upcoming weeks,” he confirmed.

by Taylorman Fri 05 Apr 2013, 8:03 pm

Can't understand how you have another side out there playing rugby in limbo. Are they salaried in the same way as the other sxv sides? The Kings drawing with the top side away already means theyre proving their worth. Might we see the Bulls or Stormers exiting the comp if fate hits them the same way as the Lons perhaps...just odd.

Anyway, Saders narrow loss to the Sharks but with DC and Read to return theyll do their usual late run.

Try and catch Ardie Savea tonight. At only 97 kg light for a 7 but makes up for it with pace and fitness. At 19 might be premature but manmy eyes are on this one here.

by **Biltong** Fri 05 Apr 2013, 8:04 pm

From what I understand they are still getting their share of the Super rugby revenue, and SARU is funding the Kings.

by Taylorman Fri 05 Apr 2013, 8:28 pm

ok, still a bit odd. Someone will always lose with this going on. Good to see mostly attacking sides at the top of the table. Agree with John Mitchells comments- at this stage it doesnt matter how you win, its just that you win. You can't win the tournament at this point but you certainly can lose it.

by Mr Fishpaste Sat 06 Apr 2013, 9:01 am

Taylorman wrote:One team the Blues are not playing worse than at least...is France.

Hey no need to be so blue about the Blues: they're above the Crusaders on the table now...

by **Biltong** Sat 06 Apr 2013, 9:03 am

And still in contention.

by Mr Fishpaste Sat 06 Apr 2013, 10:20 am

In fact, 2nd in the NZ conference!

by kiakahaaotearoa Sat 06 Apr 2013, 10:35 am

Crucial points given away by the Saders. You keep your opposition tryless and they still win. Shouldn't happen. Todd Blackadder needs to lay down the law.

I can't wait to see Savea again in a black shirt. The Big Bus looks even hungrier for the try line and if we thought last year was special he seems to have even worked harder on his game and is reaping the rewards. I can't speak more highly of the young man and is not going down the road of Caucau and believing his natural talent will be enough. Good on you Jules. thumbsup

Give yourselves an uppercut Crusaders. thumbsdown

by bsando Sat 06 Apr 2013, 11:30 am

for f*** sake Force! Two losses against Rebels 2013. 23 - 23 only to leak a weak try straight away. Lineouts were awful, scrum fell to pieces 2nd half... There such a hit and miss team the Force, moments of genius mixed with moments blatant stupidity. Winston Stanley is looking pretty good at centre though, hope Dingo took note of that.

by **Biltong** Sat 06 Apr 2013, 11:34 am

Savea is my newest, bestest, mostest favouritist New Zealander rugby player now. notworthy

by kiakahaaotearoa Sat 06 Apr 2013, 11:42 am

Look at the pickup in his second try: http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-HIGHLIGHTS-Hurricanes-Vs-Waratahs-41-29-Super-Rugby-2013/tabid/317/articleID/293274/Default.aspx

Shocked

by kingraf Sat 06 Apr 2013, 6:19 pm

The Cheetahs. I love these underdogs

by **Biltong** Sat 06 Apr 2013, 6:28 pm

They've been great, I am truly happy for them, when you consider the one Stormer try should never have been given then all the more impressive for them to pull it back and win.

by kingraf Sat 06 Apr 2013, 6:40 pm

I still dont see them taking the title, but its fun while it lasts.

by **Biltong** Sat 06 Apr 2013, 7:50 pm

To be honest I don't see any SA team taking the title, but I love the fact that our conference is more competitive as a whole, rather than having three teams clean sweeping the other teo.

by Mr Fishpaste Sat 06 Apr 2013, 7:54 pm

The stormers are not looking too good on the table, the Bulls are yet to find momentum. the Sharks have been winning, but they don't look to have clicked yet. The Cheetahs have been winning, but they've only really been playing teams in the bottom half....

by **Biltong** Sat 06 Apr 2013, 8:03 pm

Bulls are limited, under prssure they return to kick and chase, except noone is chasing, Stormers are in deep trouble, they still have to travel, with 4 losses already they must win three away, otherwise they are out, the Sharks usually start slow, so there might be a glimmer of hope there, although they still have to travel.

The Cheetahs may have played bottom teams, but they finished their travels, they still have 5 home matches, and 5 away.

One of those away matches are the Kings, however brave the Kings, thus far the Cheetahs have had their number in the warm ups.

So if the Cheetahs can beat the Kings twice, then they are on 7 wins, get another 3 wins between the other 4 home and 4 away matches, they might just be in with a chance.

Usually the Cheetahs win 5 matches in a season, they are on five wins already with 910 to go.

by Mr Fishpaste Sat 06 Apr 2013, 8:18 pm

I wouldn't have predicted (on last year's form) that the Cheetahs would be doing so well and the stormers so badly...but hey, the Sharks, then the Cheetah's are my teams, so I'm not really complaining...(the Cheetahs are not my team when the play the Sharks of course!)

by Taylorman Sat 06 Apr 2013, 8:31 pm

Fantastic win over the Stormers Biltong. I couldnt help but think all game the Stormers would take it because thats how things are in SA. Then that beautifully struck dropped goal by Francis who was hero then villain with that terrible kick that went dead in goal with a minute left, then hero again with the winning penalty- who gets those sort of redeeming chances?

The changing of the guard is near Biltong and structures are giving way to players expressing themselves, taking chances and using space in better ways.

Yet the Cheetahs still retain a formidable pack and its that added dimension on attack which is seeing them win matches they otherwise wouldnt normally.

Good to see. Cheetahs top of the conference now by a point as theyve yet to have their bye. Who'd have picked that at this stage?

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