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#36
24-02-2008, 01:58
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Week two complete and The Crusaders and The Blues look to be head and shoulders above the rest.
They both seem to have adapted to the new experimental laws and play them to their advantage. As might be expected, the SA teams are battling with the new laws as they do not suit the sort of rugby, kick and chase. That we tend to play here. Personally I think that any laws that open the game up and make it more accessible to the public are good. 
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#37
24-02-2008, 12:23
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Agree...certainly looks like a Saders Blues final. But it's still early..injuries and crook refs decisions will come into play.
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#38
25-02-2008, 05:50
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Think one SA team...probably Sharks by the look.....and perhaps one Aus team......possibly the 'Tah's will make up the balance for the semi's
Blues looked unbeatable last year as well for first two thirds of the season before the wheels came off.....so there's still plenty of rugby to play I think the new laws are starting to filter thru the minds of the players refs + fans now and games should only get better with time
__________________
 ....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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#39
29-02-2008, 12:20
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Going to The Stormers, Crusaders game tonight at Newlands Rugby Ground CT.
Should be one way traffic, but as my second team is the Saders I wont be too unhappy. Anyway as I see it, it is an opportunity to watch some of the current greats of rugby in the likes of Carter and McCaw. So as a rugby fanatic, I support my team but always take pleasure in the game itself and am able to appreciate good play by the opposition.
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#40
02-03-2008, 11:59
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End of week three and the Blues and Crusaders are full steam ahead..
They certainly look like the two teams that have adapted to the new laws the best and use them to their advantage. Last years champs, the Bulls are looking less and less like they will be defending their crown at the death. Two home defeats and a pattern of play that relies on an outdated pattern of play.
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#41
02-03-2008, 19:30
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Hurricanes finally did some catch and pass practice during the week, and its paid dividends. I think they will be in the finals mix. Dunno whats happened to Reds (my local team)....they really need some better loose forwards, a halfback, and some sting in thier tackles.
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#42
03-03-2008, 01:10
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I had pretty much picked the Canes as a potential semi-finalist before the competition had started as I rated them to take advantage of the new laws.. they were not up to scratch the first two weeks, but looked a lot better against the Chiefs. I still think that they can improve...
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#43
09-03-2008, 00:17
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Well played Stormers ya beauties..........carry on like that and they should climb the table fast.........lotsa talent
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#44
09-03-2008, 02:01
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Nice one Sharks,not pretty at times but a win is a win
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#45
09-03-2008, 10:47
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Good to get the first win, they had a tough first three games against three of the four semi finalists from last season. Hopefully they can build on the Reds win..
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#46
09-03-2008, 18:52
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Problem is Reds are woeful, hard to measure your progress with that as a yardstick..,,Crusaders played well for their win, despite a great effort from Western Force
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#47
10-03-2008, 05:36
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was a great match Force vs Crusaders with great vopen rugby being played and the lead swapping from team to team...try to try
a great advertisement for Super14 Rugby
__________________
....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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#48
10-03-2008, 10:49
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It was a great game and as you say a great advertisment for the S14. But I think that it was a good example of the new laws being used to their fullest, and creating good open running rugby. It is all about making the correct decisions, and both teams did, most of the time...
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#49
10-03-2008, 10:58
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Agreed on the Reds, but a win is a win and it should help restore some confidence in the Stormers team. The Chiefs game sould give a beter indication. And the Crusaders came back well.....
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#50
06-04-2008, 20:26
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Having watched both Heineken Cup and Super 14 this weekend (I know, too much time in front of the telly, but saving hard for my next trip) I do think that the Super 14 is a level above.
The new laws (ELV's) do make it hard to make a comparison and the fact that the fields played on tend to be faster and more suited for an open running game in the SH. But a team like the Crusaders would hardly raise a sweat against Saracens for instance. Their quick recycle from ruck and maul and their ability to counter attack from turnover is far above anything that I have seen from the North. And I think that any one of the top six or seven in the S14 would be more than a match for their Northern counterparts. I would love to see a playoff between the winers of the respective competitions but the season is already too full and I doubt it would happen. I hope that I have not offended any of th NH guys, it is just my opinion and I would like to see your take on the issue.
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#51
07-04-2008, 06:38
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sharks got out of gaol in Wellington this weekend....looked like a try for all money on the siren....the crowd was silent in disbelief.....glad I was in a box as it was absolutely bucketing down
Waratah's looked like a new team against the blues after sacking Ewen McKenzie (crazy move he was building them up nicely) and looks like I won't be too far wrong with my tips way back at the start.....see above....being roughly right at half way point (everyone has now played each other)......Crusaders to win again with Shark's, Blues + Waratah's to make up the semi finalists....
__________________
....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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#52
07-04-2008, 11:42
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The Blues seem to be on a bit of a donward curve at the moment, with a lucky win against the Bulls and a thrashing from the Waratah's. I would agree on Crusaders, Sharks and Waratah's, but think that the fourth spot will be between Chiefs, Canes and Stormers (Got to punt my own team the Stormers there)
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#53
15-04-2008, 08:30
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well stormers do have a good run into the end at home so I wouldn't discount them Pete but if the "Canes play like they did last week they'll take a lot of holding...at home or anywhere else
Blues look like they are having their mini crisis at the same time as they did last year too.......so once again its all open apart fro tye top two and boy oh boy the Sharks have sure given a lesson in winning ugly the last 2 weks against the "canes + Highlanders....very lucky to come away with wins in both especially against the 'Canes where they were outplayed and had some real help from the ref
__________________
....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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#54
15-04-2008, 11:44
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The Canes looked good against the Bulls. But the Bulls have imploded like no other team before. Last year champs and now second last on the log.
They looked like they were not at all interested against the Canes and dropped off tackles in an embarrassing way. The Stormers, Canes game at Newlands should be great, I will be there. With regards to the Sharks, they have had a large slice of luck this season and have yet to impress, yet they are second on the log. Not too shabby I would say. Positions two to four are up for grabs in a tight race, the next few weeks should be interesting to say the least.
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#55
15-04-2008, 11:48
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BTW. No love lost down here for the Bulls. There has always been a strong rivalry between WP (Stormers) and The Bulls (Formally Northern Transvaal) that boarder’s on hatred.
I should be hoping that they assist us by taking out some of our opponents for a top four position, but I still enjoy seeing them loose...
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#56
21-04-2008, 01:41
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Week ten complete. The Saders and The Sharks have both lost their unbeaten records.
This must be the closest S14 /12 in the history of the competition with positions one to nine still in the hunt for a spot in the semi's. The unfortunate thing is this will also go down as one with some of the worst refereeing decisions yet. And a number of games have been won or lost on bad calls. The new laws being trialled were supposed to simplify and speed up the game, speed up they have but not so sure about the simplify part. The refs seem even more confused at ruck and maul time. And lest it be said that I am complaining because my team are on the receiving end. The Stormers have been quite fortunate in all both their first game as far as refs go.
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#57
21-04-2008, 08:23
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geeze thought your lot had given up in the second half Pete but they won ugly....a few penaltiy options taken as kicks earlier in the game and the Canes were a real chance....two tries each and a split points decison by me on form there
yeah lots of teams beating teams above them on the table....at least half of the games on memory....and good to see both undefeated teams coming back into the fold Crusader/Blues and Waratah's/Sharks will be big matches for seeing the teams for the semi's this weekend
__________________
....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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#58
21-04-2008, 11:48
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Yes we do tend to sit back and defend our lead in the second half. We did that in the previous game against the Cheetahs too. But the guys seem to have confidence in each other in defense and the Canes thru everything at them in the last 20. A great game to be at as it was only in the last three or four minutes that I felt comfortable that we would win.
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#59
04-05-2008, 20:05
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With two weeks remaining of the S14 before we reach the Semi-Final stage the competition is wide open.
The Crusaders are home and dry and will get a home semi, but from position two down to nine are all in with a chance for the other three spots. mt team the Stormers went from seventh to fourth this past weekend, but could still end up as low as ninth. This one is going to be hard to call. Next week should see a few teams eliminated, but the last round will decide the semi spots. Great stuff.
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#60
05-05-2008, 06:28
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your tips are looking pretty good there Pete...firming as the tight end of the season approaches
where you at the match this wekend....still scratching my head about that penalty try.....brain explosion by the ref....but Stormers were te beter team I saw Huricanes play on te weekend and thvery impressive....but they neded to repaeat that at against top quality sides and so far they haven't... disappointed in the 'Tah's effort agaonst Buls but very difficult to win there .....the Chief's vs Force was a cracker right down to the wire!
__________________
....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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