Three rounds to go, chaps and the permutations are mind-boggling. One thing’s for sure – with my Sharks hat on (as always) it would be really, really good if the Cheetahs could find some way to roll the Bulls this weekend.
Looking at form right now, you’ve got to say that the Sharks have a pretty awesome look to them. WP are also in pretty good nick, although they didn’t really face credible opposition last weekend. The Bulls and Lions are both rolling on and will be difficult to stop, while right now the Cheetahs seem to be in a bit of a slump and might be in real danger of missing out.
It’s those self-same Cheetahs that I’d fancy another crack at in the semis, if I were the Sharks. Right now, we’re looking like we’re on a collision course with Western Province in the semis and even though I think we have a better all-round team than they do, I’d rather not put that theory to the test if we don’t have to. So, sorry, Province fans, but my master plan involves you guys missing out this year. AGAIN.
The Sharks are virtually gauranteed first spot, provided they get the required bonus points against the Valke (duh) and Griquas (at home in the final round, so also duh) and then manage any sort of win over the Lions. That should see them top the log with 56 or 57 points. The most the Bulls can manage at this stage is 55 and it’s only really the Cheetahs who stand any chance of toppling them at this stage. Home games against Griquas and the hapless Valke are the only other things standing in the way of a top two finish for our favourite cretins in blue. An upset win in Bloem, though, would really knock the Bulls right back into the chasing pack and depending on how other results go, could even see them lose out on second spot altogether.
The big winners, if such a scenario were to eventuate, would be the Lions, although they would then find themselves really needing to topple the Sharks (and score a bonus point) to ensure they hang onto second spot going into the last round. Sanity would suggest that although a win might not be out of the question, a bonus point certainly does seem to be stretching the fabric of reality just a little too far. I guess the smart money at this stage is going to be on the Lions finishing third, but pushing hard and really keen to have another crack at the Bulls at Loftus.
Looking at it from that perspective, then, tomorrow’s game in Bloemfontein really comes down to deciding fourth spot. The Cheetahs are now on 32, whereas Province have 27. Province already know that they need another 15 points to end on 42 if they are to have any hope whatsoever of qualifying and although the only real stumbling-block for them at this stage is a bonus point victory against the Lions in the final round, their destiny is still very much in their hands as far as that score is concerned. So, the challenge for both the Lions and Free State then becomes securing that vital 43rd log point, to keep Province out. The Lions will go some way towards achieving that this week, with a five-point haul against Boland. That leaves them needing a single bonus point from their two games against the Sharks and Province, which really shouldn’t be too tough an ask.
No, whichever way you look at it, it’s the Cheetahs who are most vulnerable at this stage, needing 11 points from a possible 15 to get to 43 and see off Province. With two easy games to come, there real challenge is to ensure that they pick up at least a bonus point tomorrow. A win would open up all sorts of possibilities for them, as they could then realistically look at finishing third.
If I were to put money on it, though, I’d bet as follows:
Bulls to get 5 against Free State, Free State to get nothing
Sharks to get 4 against Lions, Lions to get one
Province to get 4 against Lions, Lions to get one
And five-pointers for the big teams in every other game.
That would see it end up as follows:
1 Sharks 56
2 Bulls 55
3 Lions 43
4 Cheetahs 42
5 WP 41
What do you guys think?
Perfect…especially if the Lions can maul the Bulle at Loftus…
Ah…now this feels a lot like SHARKSWORLD …
@just blackshark (Comment 1) : when did it ever not?
WATTE
Oops…somehow I think PJLD is not too excited about this…
NO, NO , NO WAY, NOT EVEN OVER MY DEAD BODY !!!
As much as I would looooove Province to make the semi’s at least, one has to realistic. Losing to the Kwasse and Valke is criminal and has probably cost them a spot in the semi’s.
But as long as there is still a chance I shall remain faithfull.
Sorry, cant bring myself to do it.
I have had enough of the Country Cousins smug self-righteousness – could never really back them.
Who wants to win by luck anyway?
@Big Fish (Norman Jordaan is a LEGEND) (Comment 8) : look – we have our own monkey to worry about anyway… like winning a semi. It’s not a foregone conclusion for us against ANYONE at this stage
Not too worry WP aren’t going to make it anyways…
(Norman Jordaan is a legend)… have you been on rugbydump Feesh?
@robdylan (Comment 9) :
Now THAT I can agree with.
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 10) :
Yep.
Incredible cleaning out by the lad – 1-2-3 => lights out boys!
@Big Fish (Norman Jordaan is a LEGEND) (Comment 11) : anyone got a link to that vid?
The Lions are also hoping for a Cheetahs win this weekend, as that might help us into 2nd place on the log. Then we just need to beat the guppies and the mountain goats to stay 2nd and get a home semi.
@robdylan (Comment 12) :
Rugbydump or Youtube will do the job.
http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2008/09/toulon-vs-stade-francais-fight-in-top.html
@PJLD (Comment 15) : merci.
I really feel one of you WP boys needs to put up a counter arguement to this article, BTW…
my goodness, but that lightie can punch. Musta learned that at Roftus
Hallo Oukies…
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 18) : Aloha!
@robdylan (Comment 17) : To hell with Roftus, he learnt that at high school
@robdylan (Comment 16) : Gona throw bricks at you with the post match recap.
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 18) : hoesit!
@PJLD (Comment 21) : you mean when the Bulls stuff them?
@robdylan (Comment 22) : Oh shitt,that too.But i was planning to smite you after tonights game.
@PJLD (Comment 23) : awesome. Are you going, boytjie?
@PJLD (Comment 20) :
Or club rugby on your side
Mhhh this article sidelines the WP folks.
Go the Valke
@Sauce (Comment 26) : come on… put on your writing shoes
Wellington and All Blacks scrumhalf Piri Weepu has become the third international No.9 this year to fall foul of the law, after he was charged with “disorderly behaviour” after an incident in the New Zealand capital, Wellington.
What is it with these short folk?
@robdylan (Comment 24) : Yezzir
@PJLD (Comment 29) : Remember to give us a wave when the tv camera goes by.
@PJLD (Comment 29) : fantastic!
@McLovin (Comment 28) : I dunno, ask Morne, he’s a scrummie isn’t he?
Jislaaik but Norman Jordaan was on a mission…
He was after anything in pink, and anyone he touched ended up on their arse.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 32) : And from what I hear he likes a drink too….
And he had no problem punching above his weight, he took out a lock and a prop before taking on the poor unsuspecting back!
@McLovin (Comment 34) : Did Rikki have a passenger in his drunk driven car….oh sorry allegedly drunk driven car.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 36) : Yes. The spietkop’s girlfriend.
@McLovin (Comment 37) : Oh, was wondering if it was Morne….
@Dancing Bear (Comment 38) : Could well have been!
@PJLD (Comment 39) : Actually sounded worse than I intended.
I never meant to imply that Morne is Rikki’s girlfriend, rather that he is a shortie, scrummie, and enjoys a drink now and again. 
Norman Jordaan must be a practitioner of Krav Maga. The martial art revolves around a single individual taking on a multitude of opponents simultaneously. Norman seems to have this perfected, a single move on each opponent and they are immediately disabled, then onto the next.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 41) : Fekk dude i watched Human Weapon when they had Krav Maga – initiation 10 opponents 40 seconds each.Not fun.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 40) : don’t think he’d disagree about any of that
@Dancing Bear (Comment 33) :
Sounds EXACTLY like PJLD at the Mother City Queer Festival.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 41) : Ill ask his boet later where he was on the night in question.
@Big Fish (Norman Jordaan is a LEGEND) (Comment 44) : Someone put something in my drink
@PJLD (Comment 42) : Each opponent fresh, and no break in between opponents. I understand there is a military track and a civilian track for Krav Maga. The Martial Art was apparently started by Jews during WWII as a way to fight back against the Nazis. None of the make nice stuff, expect to be outnumbered and do whatever is necessary to disable them all, no rules, no time to respect your opponent.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 48) : JA,this was the military okes kicking the the snot out of this dudes.
Also they train for hours in a heated room, they are already in the damned desert but they shovel about 30 – 40 folks in a room and moer mekaar, trainin is in circuits, weights ,opponents , some cardio shyte repeat.
No breaks thank you very much.
I have a habit of sidetracking a thread.
@PJLD (Comment 49) :
Sounds like the training for Collegians rugby club.
@Big Fish (Norman Jordaan is a LEGEND) (Comment 51) :
Ek bly n bul.
@VinChainSaw (Comment 53) : ja nee, dit moet sieker great wees
@PJLD (Comment 54) : you guys worry me
Nooonk
@PJLD (Comment 56) : brillig
Cozz orange is a better colour!!!
Cheetahs will take the semi against the Sharks…. (just like the LIONS did last year when they were seen as way below the Sharks form)…
LIONS to take the Bulls at Liftus again (our tight-5) will be back to speed)…
If not it will be yet another Cheetahs Bulls final….
@Hmmm (Comment 61) : you’re dreaming