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#1
22-12-2007, 00:16
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Rugby 2008
Here's a thread for the new season for any rugby related issues:
Early predictions: 1)Springboks will win the Tri-Nations 2)Sharks will win the Super 14 
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#2
22-12-2007, 00:58
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Good work - it's past time for a new thread.
I think the ABs will take the Tri-Nations - they've got a point to prove. Won't call the Super 14 yet, but I'd like to see the Crusaders take it under Robbie Deans (I can't see any of the Australian sides managing it).
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Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege (and become Hashers).
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#3
22-12-2007, 03:15
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Hey Thin White Duke. Sharks. Shown your true colours.
A Durban boy by any chance???? As a Stormers and Western Province man and season ticket holder for many years I would love to say that the Stormers were in with a shout. But that would be silly I will go with my second team, The Crusaders. I have always loved watching them play. They play the most complete brand of rugby of all the S14 franchises. As for the Try Nations, I have a feeling that the luck that has followed the Bok's must start to turn. So I would put a small amount, but only a very small amount on the All Blacks to take it. BTW. I will go to the first couple of Stormers hame games at Newlands in Feb. They then go on tour and so do I. I hope to watch quite a bit of S14 in Patong whilst I am there in March Usualy go down to the Aussie Bar. But if there are any other rugger fans who are there abouts between the 4th and 23rd of March let me know and we can take in a game or two..
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#4
23-12-2007, 04:35
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Interesting to read in the papers over here that the IRB have been asked to help Argentina find a tournament.
Personally, I would like to see them in the 6 nations with a 2nd tier tournament for the likes of Rumania and Georgia. You could then relegate the bottom team of the 6 nations and promote the top team of the other tournament, very unlikely to happen but it would give Argentina and their European based players a meaningful game inbetween world cups. Early talk is the expansion of the Super 14 to a 16 team tournament with the setting up of a new franchise in Melbourne, to accommodate South American and Pacific Island players, with a view to both countries ultimately entering an expanded tri-nations. There is also talk of changing the tri-nations format in the wake of another ABs world cup disappointment, which makes a bit of sense I guess.
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#5
23-12-2007, 04:42
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On the domestic front, I watched the Bristol v Wasps game today and have to say that Wasps will be htere or therabouts again when the season shakes out; they just never know when they are beaten.
My team Sale Sharks are at home to Leicester tomorrow, which should tell us a bit about where things are heading domestically. I think the playoffs will be Sale, Leicester, Wasps and probably Gloucester, any of them could win it. I also think that the Heineken cup will come back to England again this year, I'm wondering if Gloucester can make a big impact there.
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#6
23-12-2007, 11:49
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Steve.. How would you rate the Heineken Cup against the Super 14?
We have had most of the Live games on pay TV here and I must say that I have been impressed. The attitude here used to be that European Club rugby was of low standard and was seen as a place where over the hill SH payers went to earn a bit of money. But I think that attitude has changed of late. and that a number of the European Clubs could give a good account of themselves in the S14. Pity that the seasons are already so overcrowded and we can't have play off between the to two from each competition, that would be interesting.....
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#7
23-12-2007, 13:01
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Having been born in Cheltenham,I'll be rooting for Gloucester
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#8
23-12-2007, 17:54
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I've not seen a lot of S14, but what I have seen has been outstanding rugby. Some of the Heineken cup games are pretty special though, almost test match quality on occasion. A world club playoff between the winners of the two comps would be great, and I do think that the likes of Tolouse, Munster and Leicester would hold their own in any company.
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#9
24-12-2007, 05:06
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Came on here expecting decent posts and its all about Yawnion, kick and clap brigade all drinking their G & T during the huge amount of time the ball is out of play.
 Ah well, at least me mate Steve will have something to smile about with Sale winning today. Hey Steve think about me, freezing me nads off on Boxing Day, we play Leigh. If you read this b4 chrimbo, have a goodun fella, THE HOOF Last edited by HOOF HEARTED : 24-12-2007 at 05:09.
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#10
24-12-2007, 06:22
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Another great win for Sale today, I thank you  . Can't get too involved because I'm currently 'alcoholically challenged', happy daysss...
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#11
24-12-2007, 12:33
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Luke McAlister seems to be doing an impresive job at Sale..
He has all the skills to make him one of the great's, but I sometimes think that the pressure in NZ got to him and we did not always see him at his best. G & T? Down here it is brandy and coke mate...
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#12
25-12-2007, 17:13
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many more holes in the northern club competition Rete....and LM just loves to have a run at them.....plus he had to change position all the time in NZ to accommodate others...so a good long run at inside centre/2nd 5 will have him full of confidence...he's still a puppy don't forget BTW.....Crusaders/AB's...AB's to be beaten only once and that's in SA....you can send me the cheque now
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 ....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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#13
26-12-2007, 00:57
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AB's only to loose once, and that is To the Bok's in SA sounds about right.
They have continuity in coaching and will be hungry to show that they are a better team than the WC performance showed them to be. Robbie Deans will only just have started working with Australia and with out a front row of international standard he will battle to get results in his first season. We need to see just who is going to coach the Bok's before we can pass judgment. But they will be under enormous pressure.
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#14
07-01-2008, 01:11
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There is a lot of talk at the moment about South African involvement in Sarecens.
The first rumor was that SA multimillionaire, Anton Rupert was in talks to buy in to Sarecens. Now it seems that it is Sail, headed by Morne de Plessis is looking to buy in and create a strong South African interest in the club. As well as a home club for the many South African's living and working in London. Current Sarecens captain Niel De Kok is an ex Springbok and coach to be, Eddie Jones spent time with the Bok's in the build up to, and as part of the World Cup winning SA squad.
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#15
09-01-2008, 19:48
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The final piece in the International coaching puzzle is in place.
Pieter de Villiers has been named as the new Springbok coach. He is also the first coach of colour to be appointed to the top position in South Africa. He has been a successful coach at Under 19 and Under 21 levels for S.A. But will face a lot of opposition from a lot of supporters as he has not coached at Super 14 level.
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#16
09-01-2008, 22:57
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So who gets first crack at the new World Champions? I've not seen their schedule yet. It's almost Six Nations time again over here and I'm looking forward to it this time, wonder which Ireland side will turn up
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#17
10-01-2008, 00:52
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So who gets first crack at the new World Champions? I've not seen their schedule yet.
Wales. Two tests in June, followed by Italy.. Then it is off to NZ in July for the start of the Tri-Nations....
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#18
10-01-2008, 02:00
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SA have already been to Cardiff in November. Good question on Ireland poor World cup, Good 6N 2007, Poor 6N 2006 or was that 2005 anyway if they have a good start I think they will build on it. I am not looking forward to Wales visiting Twickers in Feb, The Welsh players dont seem to be turning it on in the Magners league, EDS or the Heineken cup since the World cup, I think Gatland has a bit of work to do, If we win a couple and perform well in the others I will be happy.
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 Played 5 Won 5 Grand Slam 2008
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#19
10-01-2008, 18:25
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saw this announcement last night and then the SARFU spokesman went on to say it was an appointment that wasn't based on Rugby form alone and will help in "transformation" of the sport in SA... so was this code for "we have apppointed a black man as coach to appease the govt even though there are twenty better coaches available"
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....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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#20
10-01-2008, 21:39
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Don’t seem to be able to “Quote’
But to answer Nesloneone regarding….. so was this code for "we have apppointed a black man as coach to appease the govt even though there are twenty better coaches available" Nothing in South Africa is that simple. Pieter de Villiers has come a long route as a coach. He worked with Nick Mallet when Mallet was the Springbok coach. He has been the national coach at Under 19 and Under 21 levels and has won a WC with the Under 21’s in 2005 He was supposed to coach the ill fated Spears franchise in the Super 12. But he has never been given the opportunity to coach one of the top provinces at either Super 12 / 14 or Currie Cup level. Heyneke Meyer has had two stints at coaching the Bulls. In his first stint they managed to be the only team to end a Super 12 without recording one win. In his second they became the only SA team to win the Super 14… And there lies part of the problem, up to now the top Provinces have not chosen a non-white coach. There has been a glass ceiling as it were where they would rather choose an ex player and entrust him with the coaching job then give the position to a non-white coach. Pieter de Villiers should have been a Super 12 / 14 coach years ago and then we would have been able to judge him against the likes of Meyer. So now we just have to wait and see…….
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#21
10-01-2008, 22:39
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@ Nels
Agree with Retepg Heyneke Meyer was the player's choice of coach.Having said that,DeVillier's will probably be better for the younger guys coming thru' although the existing squad is not that old either.DeVilliers is on record saying that he doesn't see race only Rugby players.He is credited for bringing Pierre Spies thru' the ranks...................so hopefully it's a good choice. The problems arise when the Politician's start interfering and I guess they want someone who is easier to handle than Jake White was. So that will be the big test......but overall it could have been a lot worse
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#22
13-01-2008, 15:29
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I have no issue with appointments based on performance and the best available of the applicants wins.....no matter what colour.....as I've said before I would love to see a black or coured coach appointed if he is the best applicant...THAT would be good for the game....
but what I see happening here is that you piss off another 10 or so candidates who all should have gotten the job ahead of him so they will look offshore...plenty of good paying spots in the Northen Hemisphere...and where does that leave SA Rugby??? I truly hope it has a real positive efect on SA Rugby and that loads of talented young blcak players come through because the door has openned/the glass ceiling shatterd.....but I just have doubts about politics being good in sports....haven't sen too many positive examples happen before
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....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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#23
13-01-2008, 15:59
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Well the whole country is in a state of transformation in all sphere's and with that there has to be bumps and mistakes along the way.The challenge is to manage this in a responsible manner without allowing standards to slip. The reality is that SA is on the African continent and the days of denying that are gone..........us whitey's have to live with that and adapt. If this particular appointment doesn't work out it'll just be part of a larger learning curve. Agree politics shouldn't be in sport but in our case it's basically unavoidable at this stage in the country's development/downfall depending on your viewpoint.
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#24
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