2013 Super XV: Fixtures, Results & Table

The refereeing is also helping quite a bit here.

Malherbe hit in the tackle by two players, he bunces off, the Pollock ingonres the shoulder hit in the tackle.

Deon Fourie is being given Shyte by Pollock from the first minute, anything he is going to do is going to be wrong.

It will be better if Coetzee subs Fourie now.

when Pollock call the two captains he only looks at de Villiers when he issues the warning.

This is a stand by referees over something that happened last weekend when some stomers abused an AR, and now the stand is made, a line is drawn in thesand, and the Stormers will pay for it.

How's about some neutrality?

But then I suppose nobody will agree with me as it sounds like a wum.

doctor_grey wrote:Mornin' and evening boys.
Good match so far? I saw the replay of the Crawford try. No real doubt that was legit, right?

Perfectly legit. Ball went backwards off Folau into Crawford's hands.

Wouldn't call it a "wet night"... it hasn't rained here for weeks. So bloody dry here. Maybe a bit of dew though, Kafe.

11-9 to the Tahs now.

FFS! Missed a field goal 30m out right in front as well as the conversion. Can't kick for peanuts.

Biltong wrote:The refereeing is also helping quite a bit here.

Malherbe hit in the tackle by two players, he bunces off, the Pollock ingonres the shoulder hit in the tackle.

Deon Fourie is being given Shyte by Pollock from the first minute, anything he is going to do is going to be wrong.

It will be better if Coetzee subs Fourie now.

when Pollock call the two captains he only looks at de Villiers when he issues the warning.

This is a stand by referees over something that happened last weekend when some stomers abused an AR, and now the stand is made, a line is drawn in thesand, and the Stormers will pay for it.

How's about some neutrality?

But then I suppose nobody will agree with me as it sounds like a wum.

You've stopped complaining now I see...

Did that go forward? Oh yeah... just a wee bit.

Nice one Issy.

Half time? Hardly Greg!

Good win in the end there. Only one team was enterprising; the other was fairly predictable and took all their kicks.

Great defence from both sides.

Kings 34 Highlanders 27, 6 mins left. Big turn around from last week.

Been watching the FA Cup but the scoreline has narrowed considerably.

Katrakinis misses a fg attempt.

So the first of the Oz back stars has gone down and is unlikely(JOC). Last year the same thing happened and they didnt replace him. This year might not be so bad, Folau looking more and more likely to step up.

The Reds ties were brilliant particulary Rod Davies with most of the likely Oz backline contributing. Thats the sort of play the Lions will be up against.

Good to see our Reunion guys crediting 'Biltong' for Barretts form whenever he plays in the republic!

And why not!

Stormers have been fined $25k over the verbals at the touch judge
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8677506/Stormers-fined-for-Super-Rugby-ref-abuse

On a more positive note, some good work for charity put in by Sir JK and "Sir" Ritchie http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8677777/Richie-McCaw-down-to-earth-and-raring-to-go

I am watching the Rebels-Stormers match. Fairly interesting, if a bit sloppy. Score could be much higher if not for the errors. However, my comment is not about the match per se. Rather it is about the Rebels. It seems half the team have identical Danny Care/Rain Man haircuts. Is this considered style in some parts (like prisons)? Makes 'em all look like escapees from a looney bin.

Penalty try for holding back the player. Phipps held back trying to chase one through to the line.

27-21 Rebels, 5 mins or so to go.

2-point penalty goal?

Shouldn't that be 30-21?

The death of South African rugby is imminent.

Decision making, idiocy, and ill discipline has become rife.

The lack of intelligence of some of the south African players is actually astounding, I knew we weren't bright, but Geez, stupid doesn't begin to describe them

Biltong, don't see it like that. It's a one off.

The Stormers will probably give them a hiding next time. It's just that the Rebels are on some sort of 'high'. Don't ask me why... missing players usually doesn't result in a turnaround like this (even though they have still lost a lot games by close margins.... except for the Sharks) but I do like their attitude of late.

I know how you feel.... cheer up Big Fella!

(go kick the stuffed dog again)

One off, Have you not watched South African sides this season?

It has been like this the whole Friggin year.

Glad to hear you're going overboard on your criticisms BB and keeping things in perspective.

Good technique by the ref in the Canes Chiefs going low to the ground to make his tackle: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8687970/Streetwise-Chiefs-outsmart-the-Hurricanes

Yes I have watched some of the games (mostly replayed the next day... too late here) and there has been some good performances especially at home. Mostly from that team you don't like, I know and the Cheetahs.

I still think it's a stretch to say what you said. As an Aussie, I'm more worried about losing to SA in the 4N than the Lions. SA will lift - for sure. Like Oz, you hate losing and I bet teams won't know what hits them when they face up in the coming months. I'd hate to be Samoa, Scotland or Italy - they will bear the brunt and your blokes will be primed us, NZ and Argentina in August.

Biltong wrote:One off, Have you not watched South African sides this season?

It has been like this the whole Friggin year.

Sorry mate, but I have to agree. Seems for some reason the SA teams are certainly off. Not quality in (most of) the teams. Mental errors. Today's early match (early for me anyway), the Rebels-Stormers match was mental error after mental error. At least in the immediate post match interview Jean De Villiers called the match embarrassing. He did all he could to avoid saying there were clueless.

And one more thing. Doesn't Pat Lambie look like a snotty prep school kid.
You know the type - the kid who complains if his mum drives him to school in the Ford instead of the BMW.

doctor_grey wrote:And one more thing. Doesn't Pat Lambie look like a snotty prep school kid.
You know the type - the kid who complains if his mum drives him to school in the Ford instead of the BMW.

excellent.

Table updated before Saturday's matches.

Going out to the game at ANZ tonight.

Looking forward to seeing the battle of the forwards with several Wallabies starting front row candidates. Also Mogg, Speight, Kuridrani's speed across the ground... and AAC, Crawford & Izzy of course. Some good match-ups in this one but I don't think it will be a repeat of the Canberra match in March.

It always looks so much better live at the ground. You get a real sense of space and the skill the players need to create gaps and exploit positional deficiencies. I hope there's a decent crowd out there... 25-30,000 would be OK but the ANZ would look only 1/3 full.
There should be much more considering the Lions tour is just around the corner and there's only one NRL game in Penrith tonight, the other in Wollongong. The Swans are playing Freo at the SCG at the same time though.

I don't know how or why I'm up so early after Atletico's win last night in their enemy's stadium but pleasantly surprised to see the Crusaders are leading the Blues in the second half.

Making them pay for Retallick in the bin and who says rolling mauls don't work down in this part of the world.

Blues looked unlucky not to get that Halai try awarded. Benefit of the doubt to the attacking team?

Agree that was a try for all money.

Bugger!

I think the AB selectors at the match tonight would've been happy with that performance by the Crusaders. A lot of ABs stood up and performed. I thought Romano and Whitelock were immense and Whitelock in particular looked angry the whole match. I'm not sure if Ali Williams said something to him in the Blues win at Eden Park but it sure looked that way and he was motivated to remind Williams about it!! If ever there was a reason to abandon the Save the Ali Fund by Hansen et al tonight was definitive proof that his time has come and he needs to step aside. As a captain he's a joke. His sullen face and manner with the ref reminds me of Borthwick for England. The young players in the Blues need a better role model than this. Look at the influence Read had on the game and his captaincy and compare that to Ali and there's night and day.

Thing is Kia we havent got anyone else, Kevvy's always got a sore leg and Luke Braid has the attention span of a moth...When the lights turned out.

Blues just can't play against this suffocation style of the Saders. From half time the writing was on the wall. When youre forced to having to make things happen in this weather against a Saders side intent on shutting everything down its not usually going to happen. Saders pack was awesome tonight. Reads influence showed. At least he made sure Ali wont be getting anywhere near the AB captaincy. Ali was terrible as usual tonight.

Classic laurie.

What about Piri? Even Rene Ranger. He has enough experience. I just think you've got this young raw talent and they need someone with a bit more influence on the game than Ali.

The Blues in space I agree Tman are a real handful. Good gameplan to have quick line speed and take out the space factor of the likes of Halai and Ranger. Dagg may be dropped for lack of form but it doesn't matter what form of rugby Read plays, he always has a big imapct on the game. He's like Brad Thorn in terms of consistency. Those types of players are rare gems.

Piri?: the extent of Piris leadership in a rugby setting ends at the Haka, And Ranger has leadership qualities that would be more of a prerequsite in the Mongrel Mob.

Watching Noakes and Piri tonight our ball to the mid field was just too slow , and what Canterbury did well was they just kept pushing that weakness with Todd and dan carter, not only did it neutralise Aucklands outside backs but it became a source of turnover ball for the red and blacks.

I tell you I'm dreading the trip to the republic.

You're right, leadership is thin on the ground in this young squad.

You're dead right as well. This is the worst time to tour the republic. The young guns need a bit of confidence before embarking on a SA mini tour. The Crusaders gave them the text book game plan to neutralise the attacking brilliance of the Blues and so the Blues have to regather and find improvements in their pack because that's going to be the key to giving them space out wide. They were schooled tonight and people starting with the captain have to acknowledge that and rectify it otherwise it's going to be a miserable tour and the play offs will slip away from them.

It's funny how a few games can change the order of things. The Crusaders must build on this momentum they've gained and their senior players look to be in good shape. The pack is the Crusaders platform and they looked ruthless out there tonight. For once their break came at the right time and now they must continue those winning ways. A win for the Blues will not only keep them still in the running but also give them a much needed confidence boost. They can't allow losing to become a pattern.

Hmm, that try. Very controversial decision there. Will wait for what Naas says.

I think that TMO has decided to get one back for the Bulls.

So many injuries at the game last night.

First poor Kane Douglas with concussion, TPN with a fractured arm, Lealiifano with a corked thigh, Horne... something in his eye?, McCabe then picked up a leg injury and George Smith an ACL injury which will probably put an end to his Lion's chances.

The first half was controlled by the Brumbies. McKibbin kicking the restarts out on the full on two occasions didn't help. Mowen mowed through some poor line defence to score the first try. Too easy! A super run by Mogg who eventually got cut down by some scrambling defence. The Brumbies backs looked dangerous out wide but some solid defence from the Tahs. A visionless kick from Mitchell was charged down and gifted Kuridrani a try late in the half which flattered the scoreline in the Brumbies favour somewhat.

In the second half, NSW looked more expansive with the ball in hand. Barnes had an immediate impact sending Hooper down the blind side for a well deserved try. Steve Walsh was fairly consistent... maybe both sides were guilty of lying over the ball in rucks on occasion or too slow to get out. Sometimes a penalty was awarded; at other times not. George Smith was offside for most of the night and struggled after picking up his injury.

A few penalties traded midway through the half but then the Brumbies opened up a 6 point lead before Barnes slipped through and got the ball down over the line. Finally, a deft cut-out pass to Betham, from Barnes again, sealed the win.

Quite a few relieved Tahs fans there but I'd say this year will be seen as a 'work in progress'. Too many near misses and not enough bonus points but there have been some promising signs in the last few rounds.

Who did you pick here LB, I picked the Tahs.

Tahs by 6.

Mate, I've been behind the eight-ball from round 1... playing catch up ever since. I've been forced to take quite a few risks and more often than not have only crashed further downwards. That game was another risk really (regardless of their recent form) so it was just one of those 'double bonus' tips where you get win/win.

Did OK in Heineken Cup - picked Toulon. I have absolutely no affiliation with them just that I prefer red & black to blue & yellow.
They are both huge spenders so I don't buy that argument. (also Toulon is on the coast and I just happen to like marinas and seagulls...)

Doing well in AFL (1st in one, 5th in another) but my NRL is sort of middle of the back... just dropped a few places this afternoon.

Are you going in any of these? (pool/code)

June Internationals:
Dylan's June Internationals/haletier, Micko's Mates/cragtyre, Olympic Sized/yamsgone, Frankie's Rebels/eirebray, Venters/twigrill

Pacific Nations Cup:
Dylan's Invitational/copybali, Micko's Mates/swagyens, Olympic Sized/cramlynx, Venters/saneriot, Frankie's Rebels/duskjolt

Junior World Championships 2013:
Micko's Mates/styxbrag

Champions Trophy (cricket):
Venters/codspore, Frankie's Rebels/echomind

Well I haven't been doing to well in the HC or SR, midtable on both.

The one I have no idea about I am winning, Rabo, I have never seen one Rabo game and yet are doing well.

It just proves you don't need to be a rocket scientist to win this, just luck.

I will do the rugby and cricket stuff only, the other sport I have no clue or no interest.

Video refs are great huh... Especially if you're a Saffa. cheetahs and bulls both should be signing some big cheque shortly to these chaps. Probably wouldn't have changed the overall result but still 1 extra point may be all the difference.

Van zyl.... What does this guy have to do to get noticed??? Meyer will still choose the bulls 2nd choice scrum half over this chap though. Jobs for the boys.

I know BB and I have been calling for his inclusion since mid way through last season.

fa0019 wrote:Video refs are great huh... Especially if you're a Saffa. cheetahs and bulls both should be signing some big cheque shortly to these chaps. Probably wouldn't have changed the overall result but still 1 extra point may be all the difference.

Van zyl.... What does this guy have to do to get noticed??? Meyer will still choose the bulls 2nd choice scrum half over this chap though. Jobs for the boys.

I know BB and I have been calling for his inclusion since mid way through last season.

I am South African and I think both the TV refs were really bad. Maybe the Bulls call was correct, with the top hand passing back etc, but I think the bottom hand clearly was the reason that the ball went forward and therefore it should have been a forward pass.

The first Reds try that was denied was a really bad call - the tv ref said obstruction and knock. I didn't see a knock, he grounded it clearly. I do think that it was a blatant obstruction, but Strauss wasn't going to get to him in any case - should he be penalised for this?

Is there an actual favorite this year? I think any team in the top ten (except the Cheetahs) could fashion a tourney win.

With Read back the Saders have transformed back to their intelligent, all suffocating, non forgiving persona. Rumours are that McCaw might appear in a couple so they have to be respected. The Chiefs on top still keep winning so the two are our best chances. I picked the Bulls earlier but they flatlined a little but are now easily SA's best hopes, the Cheetahs next, the other 3 likely out of it as realistic winners. Those in 8,9,10 really need a 5-6 match winning streak, mostly away to make the final at this stage.

Brumbies and Reds both possible winners the tahs probably leaving their run too late.

My Blues need a huge SA tour and I think will appreciate the hard grounds and chance to move the ball. However, theyre lacking a few smarts at the moment.

I fancy the Waratahs to make a strong final push for the KO stages. The only game they should lose on paper is the Crusaders match.

yeah theyve got a couple of away home games plus the Reds at home as well so by no means easy. Plus with the Lions between it all they have a long haul back. If youre not top 6 already now every game from here is virtually a must win...with guaranteed travel at the end...tough ask.

I fear it will be a Bridge Too Far.

Cheika said something about a month ago... pretty much gave up hopes of them making the play-offs. Said it was probably a year too early. If they had managed to snatch that win against the Cheetahs and there had been a proper ref in the Bulls match (crooked line out throw my arse!) - well, they may have been in contention this year.

I'm just going to hop down the road to the Reds match and enjoy the game. Win or lose, it will be another cracking game (hopefully) in the lead up/aftermath of the Lions Test... and S.O.O. 1, WCQ (v Iraq), NRL matches. Some very big clashes coming up!