Summer Tournament Round 5 - Pools A & B

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Pool A


Reds vs. London Irish

Queensland Reds
Manager – Richard Graham

01. James Slipper	09. Will Genia
02. James Hansen	10. Quade Cooper
03. Greg Holmes
04. Rob Simmons	11. Lachie Turner
05. James Horwill	12. Samu Kerivi
06. Adam Thomson	13. Karmeichel Hunt
07. Liam Gill	14. Chris Kuridrani
08. Jake Schatz	15. James O'Connor

Subs:
16 Saia Fainga'a 17 Pettowa Paraka 18 Sam Talakai 19 Eddie O'Donoghue 20 Hendrik Tui 21 Beau Robinson 22 Nick Frisby 23 Ben Tapuai

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London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                  

01. Joe Marler	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden
03. David Wilson
04. Matt Symons (c)	11. Bryan Habana
05. Alun-Wyn Jones	12. Brad Barritt
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Henry Speight
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Anthony Watson

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Frans Malherbe 19. James Broadhurst 20. Jerome Kaino 21. Ben Youngs 22. Henry Slade 23. Tim Nanai-Williams


Saracens vs. Stormers

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Rory Best	10. Morne Steyn
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. James Horwill	12. Tom Taylor
06. Brad Shields	13. Henry Trinder
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. James Lowe

:-
16. Jack Walker 17. Nick Auterac 18. Tom Francis 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Sam Harrison 22. Pat Lambie 23. Miles Benjamin

Tactics:

- Huge pack to dominate collisions and big carrying options to get over gainline
- Breakdown options in Best, Cole, Dusatoir and Hughes (most turnovers in AP)
- Kicking and running options in backs, look to use forwards to set platform and get opp defence on back foot then unleash running threats

Can I get feedback on combo's please

Stormers
Manager – Allister Coetzee

01. Steven Kitshoff	09. Nic Groom
02. Scarra Ntubeni	10. Demetri Catrakilis
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Seabelo Senatla
05. Manuel Carizza	12. Damien de Allende
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Schalk Burger	14. Cheslin Kolbe
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

Subs:
16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Oli Kebble 18 Vincent Koch 19 Ruan Botha 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Louis Schreuder 22 Kurt Coleman 23 Kobus van Wyk

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Crusaders vs. Newcastle Falcons

Crusaders
Manager – Todd Blackadder

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Andrew Ellis
02. Codie Taylor	10. Dan Carter
03. Owen Franks
04. Luke Romano	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Robbie Fruean
07. Richie McCaw	14. Johnny McNicholl
08. Kieran Read	15. Israel Dagg

Subs:
16 Ben Funnell 17 Joe Moody 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Dominic Bird 20 Matt Todd  21 Mitchell Drummond 22 Colin Slade 23 Nafi Tuitavake

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Dane Coles	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Charlie Faumuina
04. Ed Slater (c)	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Callum Clark	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. David Ewers	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Jamie George 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Luc Ducalcon 19. Yohan Maestri 20. Rhys Ruddock 21.Nick Phipps 22. Ian Madigan 23.Charlie Sharples

Tactics

Grind them down with the big pack, carrying tight and challenging them to make tackles. Once we are on top and going forwards, spin out to the backs, with Smith helping Farrell by offering an alternate option at first receiver. Phipps to snipe whenever it looks on

Use the kicking game as an option for territory, but primarily look to keep ball in hand and get some continuity going


Pool B


Lions vs. Exeter Chiefs

Lions
Manager – Johan Ackermann

01. Schalk van der Merwe	09. Francois de Klerk
02. Armand van der Merwe	10. Elton Jantjes
03. Julian Redelinghuys
04. Martin Muller	11. Courtnall Skosan
05. Franco Mostert	12. Alwyn Hollenbach
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Harold Vorster
07. Warwick Tecklenburg	14. Ruan Combrinck
08. Warren Whiteley	15. Andries Coetzee

Subs:
16 Malcolm Marx 17 Corne Fourie 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 Robert Kruger 20 Kwagga Smith 21 Dillon Smit 22 Marnitz Boshoff 23 Howard Mnisi

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Cian Healy	09. Connor Murray
02. Rob Webber	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Jake Ball	11. Hosea Gear
05. Paul O'Connell	12. Ma'a Nonu (c)
06. James Haskell	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Maxime Medard
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Ben Franks 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Kane Douglas 20. Sam Skinner 21. Chris Cook 22. Otere Black 23. James O'Connor


Highlanders vs. Sale Sharks

Highlanders
Manager – Jamie Joseph

01. Brendon Edmonds	09. Aaron Smith
02. Liam Coltman	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Josh Hohneck
04. Alex Ainley	11. Patrick Osborne
05. Mark Reddish	12. Richard Buckman
06. Elliot Dixon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Dan Pryor	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Nasi Manu	15. Ben Smith

Subs:
16 As Dixon 17 Dan Lienert-Brown 18 Ross Geldenhuys 19 Joe Wheeler 20 Gareth Evans  21 James Lentjes 22 Fumiaki Tanaka 23 Trent Renata

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Jonathan Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Jack McGrath 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

Gloucester vs. Rebels

Gloucester

1. Beast
2. LCD
3 Antonio
4 Taofufina
5 Etzbeth
6 Alberts
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 TJ Perenara
10 Dan Carter
11 Johny May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Wood
17 Strauss
18 Mas
19 Robson
20 Croft
21 Will Genia
22 Cips
23 Dagg


Melbourne Rebels
Manager – Tony McGahan

01. Toby Smith	09. Nic Stirzaker
02. Pat Leafa	10. Jack Debreczeni
03. Paul Alo-Emile
04. Luke Jones	11. Cam Crawford
05. Lopeti Timani	12. Micth Inman
06. Sean McMahon	13. Tamati Ellison
07. Scott Fuglistaller	14. Sefanaia Naivalu
08. Scott Higginbottom	15. Mike Harris

Subs:
16 Tom Sexton 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Tim Metcher 19 Sam Jeffries 20 Colby Fainga'a 21 Jordy Reid 22 Ben Meehan 23 Jonah Placid

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Lads I am just about to fly to Norway with work can I have same team as last week ? Get back late Friday so will not have chance to post team

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Rory Best	10. Morne Steyn
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. James Horwill	12. Tom Taylor
06. Brad Shields	13. Henry Trinder
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. James Lowe

:-
16. Jack Walker 17. Nick Auterac 18. Tom Francis 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Sam Harrison 22. Pat Lambie 23. Miles Benjamin

Tactics:

- Huge pack to dominate collisions and big carrying options to get over gainline
- Breakdown options in Best, Cole, Dusatoir and Hughes (most turnovers in AP)
- Kicking and running options in backs, look to use forwards to set platform and get opp defence on back foot then unleash running threats

Can I get feedback on combo's please

anonmattyt wrote:Lads I am just about to fly to Norway with work can I have same team as last week ? Get back late Friday so will not have chance to post team

No worries Matt will stick it up later

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Dane Coles	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Charlie Faumuina
04. Ed Slater (c)	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Callum Clark	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. David Ewers	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Jamie George 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Luc Ducalcon 19. Yohan Maestri 20. Rhys Ruddock 21.Nick Phipps 22. Ian Madigan 23.Charlie Sharples

Tactics

Grind them down with the big pack, carrying tight and challenging them to make tackles. Once we are on top and going forwards, spin out to the backs, with Smith helping Farrell by offering an alternate option at first receiver. Phipps to snipe whenever it looks on

Use the kicking game as an option for territory, but primarily look to keep ball in hand and get some continuity going

Waiting on a Chiefs side. Pms to me this week please folks

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Cian Healy	09. Connor Murray
02. Rob Webber	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Jake Ball	11. Hosea Gear
05. Paul O'Connell	12. Ma'a Nonu (c)
06. James Haskell	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Maxime Medard
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Ben Franks 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Kane Douglas 20. Sam Skinner 21. Chris Cook 22. Otere Black 23. James O'Connor

Apologies!

Sorry SJE struggled to get on and predict this week

RESULTS:

Reds 20 (T:2 C:2 P:2)
London Irish 34 (T:4 C:4 P:2)

Saracens 27 (T:3 C:3 P:2)
Stormers 24 (T:3 P:3)

Crusaders 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Newcastle Falcons 24 (T:3 P:3)

Lions 20 (T:2 C:2 P:2)
Exeter Chiefs 35 (T:4 C:3 P:3)

Highlanders 25 (T:3 C:2 P:2)
Sale Sharks 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)

Gloucester 37 (T:5 C:3 P:2)
Rebels 18 (T:2 C:1 P:2)

Reds 22 - 30 Irish

Actually fancy Reds to get parity at scrum time, but other than that I think their pack will be blitzed by the physicality and breakdown ability of Irish. Behind the scrum it isn't particularly close, especially given the form of the likes of Smith and Kriel. Kriel at 13 might just be the missing piece in Ozzy's jigsaw, not so good news for the rest of us! Easy win for Irish on the road, fancy the backs to really shine here

Reds 20 - 30 London Irish

Like the balance of the side. Back row looks very physical and and mobile. Kicking options in the backs perhaps a little worrying. A lot on Cruden who isn't in the Steyn/Farrell/Ford class of tactical kickers. Exciting backs provided Barritt is missed out. Strong looking set piece. Small point but is Symons a better leader than AWJ/BDP?

Reds 18-25 Irish

See Irish getting on top in the scrum but Reds will do same in the line out with no leader for Irish. I'd possibly swap the flanks around but good Irish combo. Irish big step up in both halfback positions with a decent centre combo although not top class,  Kriel could be a real asset with more game time. Irish take back 3 easily.

Reds 23 - 33 London Irish
There probably isn't one player in the Reds team that I'd pick ahead of their LI counterparts. It is a very strong Irish team, Barritt could be very important in terms of holding the defence together but if Slade gets some game time for England at no12 it could be a big boost in terms of the Irish attack and great option from the bench. 

Reds 15-35 Irish
Irish can get at the scrum a small bit but its the break down were they really get on top in the pack and can see them really dominating the ruck area. More carriers throughout the pack as well and can see the halfbacks having a field day in this one. 

Reds 23-30 Irish
Much more for Irish in the front 5 and feel they will set a better platform. Little closer at flank but not enough and Vermulen will have alot of go forward ball. Bit more for Irish at half backs and their centres should work pretty well giving the outside backs better ball and can see them working well on hard surface with that back 3. Good bench pulls them away.

Saracens 23-27 Stormers

Stormers pack is absolute top quality, and matches up well against any of the sides in our league. Fancy them to make Sarries life difficult, with the set piece being very close, then the power of the back row Stormers put out will trouble any side. Behind the scrum, Sarries stronger at halfback, but the rest of their backs look like they lack a bit of physical running, and think they might struggle against the SA side. De Allende will do damage, and I think the Stormers have enough here for a decent win. Sarries - like the back row balance, not too keen on the centres at all, too lightweight for me

Saracens 25 - 23 Stormers

Lineout options for Saracens? Limited at best and lots of pressure on Best's throwing which can be astray. There isn't a whole lot of creativity in the backs and I haven't seen loads of James Lowe at full back. Half backs offer a lot of control and an excellent kicking game. I'd see those centres as a weakness in the AP. Back row has a nice balance to it. Second row offers discipline issues around the park and will concede pens.

Saracens 23 - 21 Stormers
Close game as Stormers backrow is capable of dominating the breakdown battle, but overall quality of Saracens and lack of form from Stormers sees them through. Parra/Steyn for me limits attacking options and will see a game based around a kick-chase, which Ashton and Imhoff can deliver. Would look to bring in a powerful centre to give Steyn a ball carrying option to mix it up. Big issue would be lineout for me, but will dominate territory battle. 

Saracens 25-22 Stormers
Hard to separate the packs with Stormers capable of competing with any pack in the league. Neither set of halfbacks offer a top attacking game but the Sarries pair more then capable of pinning the opposition back. Stormers a big step up in midfield and have some electric back three runners. Really hard to split but see Sarries playing in the right areas of the pitch more often. 

Sarries 27-28 Stormers
Not alot between the front rows and Ezebeth the stand out in the 2nd rows however a better combo for Sarries helps them here. Like the balance of the Sarries backrow but feel Stormers are a match for them here. Prefer the Sarries half backs and the centre combo will work when Trinder comes back back feel Stormers have much more here. Outwide Sarries can be dangerous but again depends on the form of their wingers. A good bench which will bring it closer for Sarries, a tough one to call but think, with the backrow and the centres, Stormers could just nick this one.

Saracens 22-18 Stormers
Two big, strong, powerful packs, who will effectively negate each other in this one.  Difference between the sides is in the half backs, where Saracens will manage the game a lot better.   With neither side getting great ball courtesy of the evenness of the packs, that game management is key for the win.

Crusaders 25 - 24 Newcastle

Upfront Newcastle aren't as strong as Crusaders and I think that Falcons front row could be vulnerable in the AP. Prefer the balance of this Falcons back row to those seen in previous weeks. Backs look decent in terms of both attack and control. Crusaders a stronger side though.

Crusaders 26-23 Newcastle

Crusaders take the pack and set piece with halfbacks pretty level. Falcons better in the backline but not enough to do this away from home.

Crusaders 25 - 25 Newcastle Falcons
Really good game, at home Falcons would win this by a score. Can see the home side having a bit more joy at the set piece (espc lineout) but a great halfback combination that could become one of the best in the league. Subs bench very impressive and a lot of impact from that with good ball carriers. Falcons have improved a lot. 

Crusaders 19-14 Falcons
Saders back row with more quality about it and feel their 2nd row has a touch more about it. Halfbacks one a piece but Falcons looking stronger from 11-15. Form issues in midfield though. Hard to see the Falcons backs getting the platform needed.

Crusaders 29-25 Falcons
A very strong pack for Crusaders, think the Falcons will struggle here as they have come up against a strong squad, normally Falcons would do ok and will hold their own in our league. Good battle at halfbacks and I'll give it 1 a piece with Webb out performing Ellis. Centres to Falcons and I think out wide they will cause more damage with 3 strong players compared to Crusaders relying on Nadolo. Benches fairly even. Don't think Falcons will get the go forward ball they need for their tactics but their backs will keep it close.

Crusaders 25-23 Falcons
An international standard packmfor the Crusaders, against a few guys that are a bit below that level, means it's difficult for the Falcons to get any sort of hold on the game, even with the quality in their back line.  Tight Crusaders win courtesy of their pack.

Lions 20 - 34 Exeter

Exeter have gone close to full strength, and their front 5 has too much quality for me, even though no SA front 5 will be a pushover. Back row battle is close, couple of quality players in Kriel and Whitely will match up well to Exeter. In the backs its not much of a contest, that centre partnership is going to cause a lot of problems this year with their defensive ability and physical play, and think they'll get a couple of scores here. Back 3s closer, but far too much off the bench from Exeter, and they'll pull clear

Lions 15 - 25 Chiefs

Exeter looking strong. Good physical back row and experienced backs. Good set piece options and carriers. A very tough opposition with far too much for the Lions.

Exeter 32-22 Lions

Exeter better 1-15 and take this at a canter. Lions a decent outfit but not great on paper, routine win for Exeter.

Lions 19 - 32 Exeter Chiefs
Another team that has improved a lot with some great signings and big improvements in terms of EQ. Haley could be one of the AP players to shine this season. Some great ball carriers in the backrow and Armitage benefits from two big backrowers - Nonu gives them great go forward from the midfield and AAC just bolsters the defence there. Only area I'd improve is impact from the bench as starting XV rivals most other teams. 

Lions 18-32 Exeter 
Can see Chiefs getting an edge at scrum and lineout time but breakdown battle is very interesting. Chiefs pack though has some serious carrying options. Chiefs halfbacks work well together and have great options to hit up. Chiefs with just too much quality on show. 

Lions 25-30 Chiefs
Front 5 go to Chiefs and they'll get a good dominance here. Think it'll be a bit closer in the back row with Lions having some good form players. Chiefs better at half backs and have a very experienced centre pairing who will cause big problems for the Lions and release their back 3 to cause damage. A good bench with great front 5 impact will see the Chiefs home to a good win.

Lions 22-36 Exeter Chiefs
Just more quality throughout for Exeter.  A little bit of a mismatch this one, with them marginally aheadnin every facet of thr game.

Highlanders 27 - 29 Sale

Very tough to call. Highlanders pack lacks the star names, but has been an excellent unit all year long. Sale have the power scrummagers to get them on the back foot though, and the rest of the forwards pack a real punch around the park. Think the key will be the breakdown supremacy of POM and Cane, and don't see Highlanders having the poachers to counter them. Behind the scrum, both sides quality. Don't know if Fekitoa can play for both sides though! Other than that, its very even, just gone for Sale on the basis of the bench impact

Highlanders 24 - 27 Sale

Good Sale side with a good balance and no obvious weaknesses. Couple of form issues but nothing major to worry about. Plenty enough to be Highlanders.

Highlanders 21-28 Sale

Sale pack very strong and can bully highlanders with extra quality. Big improvement in Sale backline, looks transformed from last season and could be really tough to beat

Highlanders 22 - 28 Sale Sharks
Definite title contenders again, Sharks have improved with some very good signings. Can see them getting a great away win here, aside from Sexton there is a slight lack of kicking game in the backs but when you have Sexton he can deal with that, Le Roux and Care will hit form again this year so that will be a huge boost too. One of the best starting lineups around and just threat after threat in the backline. 

Highlanders 25-27 Sale
Front 5 to Sale and could cause big problems for the Highlanders, think that Sharks will get better ball from the back row as well but the Highlanders won't make it easier. Good half back battle-1 a piece. Centres strong here (I'm guessing players can play against their own clubs?) for Sale and will release a good back 3 making it difficult for the Highlanders back 3 to have as much impact as they normally do. Steady bench for Sale, steady win.

Highlanders 25-22 Sale Sharks
I've predicted on the basis that Fekitoa can't play for both teams and belongs to the Highlanders in this one, so Steyn comes in at 13 for Sale.  Tough game to call.  No stars in the Highlanders pack, but we know they function great as a unit, against some world class stars for Sale.  I have it about even up front, and the backlines are pretty even as well,  so home advantage swings it in this one.

Gloucester 33 - 14 Rebels

Glos at full strength have way too much for this Rebels side. Power and pace throughout the pack, might struggle a bit against better sides in the set piece, but other than that the pack is very strong. Much of the same behind the scrum, and will be an easy victory. Tough to say much more given the lack of quality in the Rebels side!

Gloucester 34 - 17 Rebels

Very physical Gloucester side. Good on the front foot and in terms of carrying with real pace in the side. Easily beat the Rebels. Rainy weather makes the backs look more vulnerable.

Gloucester 35 - 23 Rebels 
Great backline for the home team, one of the best midfield combinations around and can see this being a very good year for Walker at Quins. Only area that is possibly an issue is LCD as starting hooker against some of the more WC opponents but against Rebels it won't be an issue at all. Can see both developing into v good EQ options. Strong impact bench and good BP win. 

Gloucester 38-17 Rebels
Not an awful lot to say about this one. Rebels a very work man like side haven't really the quality to compete with Glaws in this one. 

Glos 34-25 Rebels
Pretty much dominance all over the pack for Glos with only McMahon challenging his opposite number. Half backs to Glos as well and basically all over the back line. Really not alot to put as I feel Glos will be too strong all over for them. Good bench for Glos too and a big win.

Gloucester 36-12 Rebels
Routine win for Gloucester.  Not sure what else to say.  Rebels not good enough to compete at this level. 

Sorry could not predict. Have spent 4 hours broken down on m4 with zero reception.

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Top work Pete