Naas Botha Comments on the SuperRugby Super 14 Blog.
We’ve never seen a better start to a Super Rugby tournament than this past weekend. All 14 teams produced rugby of the highest standard, and the conditioning and general fitness of the players was top notch.
Even the switch to appointing referees based on merit and the re-introduction of the dreaded hybrid ELVs went smoothly. We had a few calls in to the SuperSport studio over the weekend claiming otherwise, but as always, it seemed to be supporters of the losing team blaming everything but their team for the loss.
Of the overseas teams I was most impressed by the Waratahs and the Blues. Taking on a star-studded Hurricanes side first up in Wellington is a tough ask and the men from Sydney made it look easy. The Blues, despite a whole number of injuries, also claimed a tough away win in Perth. Both outfits look set for good seasons.
Locally, Friday night’s match at Ellis Park was brilliant. Both sides played a quick, entertaining brand of rugby and showed outstanding skills. It is a pity that the Cheetahs have to go on tour now, but I do fancy them to upset a few sides on the road.
I thought the Stormers looked a little shocked after going down to the Sharks. They clearly did not expect to lose the opener at home. Credit must go to the Sharks for that gritty comeback.
The Bulls’ win over the Reds may have been the biggest of the weekend, but I was not overly impressed. The match was played at a much lower tempo than the rest and both teams made a lot of mistakes. Looking at the lineups, the Bulls should have won by a lot more.
Having said that, I understand that the Bulls came off three losses in the pre-season, so a win at all costs was the priority. I fully agree with that approach, but they will have to improve a lot if they want to have a say later on in the tournament.
The recipe for getting to the playoffs remains the same as always: win your home games and two on the road. I still believe all the South African sides are capable of doing that.
The only negative aspect of this weekend was the low match attendances. Except for Newlands, stands were empty from Christchurch to Pretoria. Perhaps it is the first signs of the global financial crisis hitting the sport in our parts, perhaps it is something else. All I know is that if the overall standard of rugby remains at this level the crowds will come flocking back in no time.
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We had a few calls in to the SuperSport studio over the weekend claiming otherwise, but as always, it seemed to be supporters of the losing team blaming everything but their team for the loss.
There was even some dude calling in about the hooker “mikking” at the lineout infront of the TJ and how can the TJ not see that but he can see the incident and recommend a Yellow card. 😆
Once again!!!!!!!! Moenie bel as jy dronk is nie. drol!
Go and watch the game again, before the ref can recommend or comment Craig Joubert says “this is what I saw, blah blab blah and I will go with a Yellow card”
First is was drinking and driving
then came drinking and posting
Now I think drinking and calling should be added.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
LMAO
Saw the highlights of the overseas games that were played on Friday and Saturday… and the local derbies… I think we’re in for a very unpredictable season…
Sharks and Stormers look like they can push for the Top 4.
The Lions and even the Cheetahs looked useful – let’s hope none of the RSA teams will be hit by major injuries.
Didn’t watch the Bulls game – but I’ve used them in the LMS and they are now of no use to me 😈 . Just kidding – I wish them luck against the foreign teams- but may they lose to all the local teams.
Not very in depth is ole Naas
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 4) :
🙂
The Gavin Rich one is more in depth, and he must have hated writing the bit about the Sharks. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : Lol…yea i suspect he hated it. I thought try time was a little harsh on your fella’s thought you closed the game out excellently
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 6) :
But then again that is TryTime. 😆 He will have something to bitch about even if a miracle happens and we win the thing. 😛
Whereare the Lions supporters…..I want to congratulate the Lions and Cheetahs on a very entertaining match. The game was played at a great pace and they had some fantastic backline breaks. I’m not sure if the quality of the opposition had anything to do with how good both teams looked but I was pleasantly surprised. Congrats to the Lions.
And of course to the Sharks for another ‘ugly’ win. 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 8) : How awesome was Fabien Juries’s try ❓
@molly (Comment 9) :
Did he score a try??? I thought he set up a try… 😯
@wpw (Comment 10) :
close enough. 😉
it was still excellent. 😎
@wpw (Comment 10) : ah man, he OWNED that try. J-L just had to catch it.
@molly (Comment 12) :
Do you mind if I email you quickly molls?? 😕 😯
@wpw (Comment 10) :
I saw him set it up – but you might as well call it his…
@blackshark (Comment 14) :
OK, OK. I also saw him setting it up. I just stated a fact, OK???
Wiedjy??? 🙄
@wpw (Comment 13) : am I in trouble? if yes, then: no.
@molly (Comment 16) :
He is still trying to figure out what you just said. 😆
well done sharks, a win first up in front of a packed newlands is no mean feet.
Haas’ report as always pretty good.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) : I’m still double checking it if it makes sense, does it?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) :
Jou madre se %#[email protected] 😈
@molly (Comment 19) :
yes it does, but only if you know that it is an answer to his question. 😆
it looks like an excerpt from a flow chart. 😉
@wpw (Comment 20) :
@molly (Comment 9) : Fantastic break , I think all backline players should play a season of 7’s
And on that Seven’s note… I flippin love Gio Aplon.
@molly (Comment 9) :
Fabian did nto score s try…he did set up H-L Pottie for one though… 😉
@Pokkel (Comment 22) : I thought 7’s was reserved for midgets 🙄 😆 🙄
@Hmmm (Comment 24) :
But it was great Molly…he used the space the LIONS gave him and eluded like 5/6 tackles if not mistaken…
@Hmmm (Comment 26) :
I think half the LIONS misstackles came from that move….
@Charlie (Comment 25) :
How did SA do in the 7’s though…actually did not watch at all….
@Charlie (Comment 25) :
That is why most of us think Adi should play Sevens. 😈
@Charlie (Comment 25) : Imagine if the big boys could run like that
Hah the dfeualt pick for LMS was Lions – I survived by default and got rid of them from the list – now its just the reds and cheetahs
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 31) :
I noticed that, you and a few of the other guys all made it through by default. 😎
How is the default team decided?
@molly (Comment 33) :
The First team alphabetically that you have not picked yet. So everyone’s first default pick will be the Auto & General Lions.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 34) : ah cool. thanks
The LIONS still have a lot of work to do…and I think their mental side will be the biggest challenge…
But I am sure in the next 3 local derbies they can pick up a good few log points…from about 6-10 and pick up 8in the next two matches and can end up on about 20-24 points halfway in prior to touring…
Tour could be a good one with the Reds a possible away win and a bonus point here and there against the other 3 and they could be in for 30 odd points before finishing off with 3 home games…of which all 3 will be very tough being the Saders/Tahs/Landers if the first round matches are anything to go on…
But if they broken mentally like they were 2 years ago with big defeats to the Chiefs and the Blues away…then they will be fighting to finish in the top 10…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 34) :
So make sure you MAKE your pick for round two because not making it will probably cost you a lifeline. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 37) : Yeah, I was just thinking that. This is a really difficult game, I like it.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 37) : Great advice… 😛
@molly (Comment 38) :
It is indeed – i was trying to plan my future just today…but i get stuck in a few rounds…but if I can make it to Round 7 without losing my lifeline – that would be really cool…
Of the SA sides, Sharks should make the last 4 at least, Stormers have a real chance of making the semi’s but I fear they may just miss out in 5th or 6th spot. All depends on keeping key players injury free. Lions should have a much better season and should upset one or two of the fancied teams and may end up midtable. Bulls won’t make the semi’s…they have the personnel but are poorly coached and play “dumb” rugby at times, they don’t think on their feet so will lose games they should win. Cheetahs will sadly end up right near the foot of the table!
@blackshark (Comment 40) :
What game is that?
@Villie (Comment 41) :
The Sharks are an awesome outfit…but they need to up their game else they are going to suffer a few close losses that they should have won…
I believe that had JdV stayed on the…the probability of the Sharks pulling off a win would have reduced considerably…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
The “mik” was actually the Cheetahs hooker and when the LIONS jumped…a free-kick (penalty…forgot how you get penalised for jumping early…just know the Cheetahs kicked straight into touch) was given against them for jumping early 🙄 when the LIONS queried the referee’s said they did not see it…
But agree with you…the touch judge merely agreed to Brussow diving in on Mentz with his knees and bumping is shoulder/head portion into the ground…but if there was not a blow-out I doubt that he would have received a yellow…