The Blues host the Crusaders in Auckland today, to kick off the much anticipated 2012 Super Rugby season, and what a match we have first up. Both teams will be hoping to kick off the season with at least four points, a fixture that could go a long way in deciding who finishes top of the NZ conference log, even at this early stage in the season.
The Blues have named a team that closely resembles their first choice starting lineup. Keven Mealamu will captain the side that is filled to the brim with All Blacks. The backline especially is filled with explosive runners in Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger and Isaia Toeava.
The Crusaders are without their two most influential players, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, but have still managed to name a team that can go out and win any fixture. The loose trio of Whitelock, Todd and Read look especially menacing, with the young Tyler Bleyendaal taking his opportunity in Carter’s absence. Again, the outside backs will look to run with ball in hand, making the contest between the backlines particularly interesting.
The Crusaders will overcome their slow-starter tag and will outplay a strong Blues outfit.
Blues: 15. Isaia Toeava, 14. David Raikuna, 13. Rene Ranger, 12. Benson Stanley, 11. Rudi Wulf, 10. Michael Hobbs, 9. Alby Mathewson, 8. Jerome Kaino, 7. Daniel Braid, 6. Chris Lowrey, 5. Ali Williams, 4. Anthony Boric, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 2. Keven Mealamu (Captain), 1. Tom McCartney
Replacements: 16. Pauliasi Manu, 17. Tevita Mailau, 18. Brad Mika, 19. Luke Braid, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Hadleigh Parkes, 22. Sherwin Lee Stowers
Crusaders: 15. Tom Marshall, 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Robert Fruean, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. Israel Dagg, 10. Tyler Bleyendaal, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Kieran Read (Captain), 7. Matt Todd, 6. George Whitelock, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Tom Donnelly, 3. Ben Franks, 2. Quentin MacDonald, 1. Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Owen Franks, 18. Luke Romano, 19. Luke Whitelock, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Patrick Osborne, 22. Adam Whitelock
Tweet
yeah baby here we go.
Let the games begin…..
@Franshark (Comment 2) : you’re up early!
Welcome to Super Rugby 2012 everybody 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 3) : heheeeee!!! Haven’t slept you mean….
The rugby drought is about to end. Happy Days!
@robdylan (Comment 3) : Hey “I” was up early. I was up until after 1 am doing my final FL tweaks 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 6) : taking it seriously, are we? 🙂
60minutes!!!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 6) :
Now now . better star making peach . i will be too awesome and your Trophy section will continue to look like provinces trophy cabinet 😛
(man i missed sledging in the off season !! )
@robdylan (Comment 7) : No 😛 😛 🙄
I was just making sure everyone had made it to the team bus and nobody was left behind doing their hair, or MIA after a barfight and also ensuring that my abundance of looseforwards were all there. 🙂
@Zibbie (Comment 9) :
This post makes as much sense as your union’s financial statements. 😈
What exactly are you trying to say?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) :
or somebody almost lost their arm chewing it off at a wedding ..
Finally..
@Zibbie (Comment 9) : So excited you’re even leaving letters out? 😛 😆 😈
@Zibbie (Comment 12) :
@Big Fish (Comment 11) :
im like Mike Tyson . nothing say make sense but i can hit hard hahah
no im saying he should save him self the sleep deprivation as i will win FL again 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 16) :
I sooo did not get that message. 😆
@Zibbie (Comment 16) : no im saying he should save him self the sleep deprivation as i will win FL again
The thinking you are gonna win bit I SORTA got but I didn’t pick up on the sleep bit at all. I thought you were telling me I was gonna be a star and eating peaches.
@robdylan (Comment 3) :
Thanks and GOOD LUCK TO ALL
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) :
i should re read my post before i make them … 😕
Picks for this round
DHL Stormers 54
MTN Lions 29
Chiefs 15
Brumbies 15
The Sharks 13
Vodacom Bulls 5
Crusaders 4
Toyota Cheetahs 3
St George Reds 3
Emirates Western Force 1
HSBC Waratahs 1
BYE 18
Non-pickers 14 🙁
@Zibbie (Comment 20) : 😀
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) :
why join lms if they don’t pick is what i can’t get
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) :
14 gone already
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 24) : well it makes me feel a bit beter 14 less to worry about, but after today i might just have to eat my words up 😆
Been looking forward to this day since November!
To quote The Rock ” FINALLY Rugby HAS COME BACK to my living room !”
Here we go. Jusr a pity it’s a bit early foir a beer
OSN S14 Promo on and their slogan is, “Are you ready to welcome back Superugby” and then they show, John Smit, Cheaty McCaw, Dan Carda, and Quade Cooper all players are aren’t playing this week. 🙂
Some trivia. the 1st match of the season is at the same venue as the last match of last season.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 28) :
Couldn’t have gotten it more wrong if they tried..
Is Ryan Crotty hiding from someone??????? That looks like a partyshop moustache. 🙂
I love how superbru is handling the increased traffic. 😥 Don’t they learn? it happens every year.
GAME ON!!!!!!!! Blues kicked off.
Man this is goinna be a cracker
Pack weight
Blues 876
Saders 871
Both sides full of running initially before a kick or two and now running again.
Game has been in both halves already
fast and furious
Pk to the Blues against George Whitelock for an early break off at the scrum 8m inside Blues territory
At last…. SUPER RUGBY IS HERE!!!!!!!!
Chris Lowry TRY (Blues)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After a charge down
The blues are looking dangerous
Rob, any chance of getting a live commentary on Sharksworld? Even by using something from another site? So that we at work can rather focus on Sharkswold all day long instead of hanging around supersport website 😛
Conversion Over
Blues 7 – 0 Saders
5min
@Uli (Comment 41) : All you have to do is follow my comments.
Saders chip through (Fruean) and Blues carry it back to dot it down for a 5m attacking scrum for the Saders.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 42) :
Who is tacking the kicking duties for the Blues ?
@Uli (Comment 41) :
Is KSA Shark’s comments not good enough for you?
PK Saders, Ranger offside.
Blyendal slots it.
Blues 7 – 3 Saders
8min
Oh my word
Raikuna scores the 2nd try for the Blues after a great run by Ranger
@Zibbie (Comment 45) :
Michael Hobbs with a very poor conversion from the righthand touchline
Raikuna still had a 2 man overlap when he scored the try.
Blues 12 – 3 Saders
11min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 43) : ok ok will do 🙂
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 46) : lol
Man, I so nearly added lowery to my FL squad 🙁
Missed tackles
Saders 3
Blues 0
Glad Ranger is in my team. He’s already looking dangerous
@robdylan (Comment 54) : Didn’t even CONSIDER him.
PK Saders for tackler not rolling away.
25m out. Blyendaal going at goal.
@slammerboy (Comment 56) : Same here.
Its here!!! Its really here!!! Start of SUPER RUGBY YEAH!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 58) :
Over
Blues 12 – 6 Saders
14min
Hobba kicks off straight into touch.
Saders choose scrum.
Both teams still running everything, great game.
I must say the guys are hungry for rugby. Good game so far.
Lovely weighted little kick off the base of the scrum by the saders to have a LO on the Blues 22
@KSA Shark © (Comment 64) : And like 4 kicks and 5 runs later there is another LO inside the Blues 22 this time.
frenetic pace
Ranger spils it in the tackle and the Saders have it on attack on the Blues 22
Robbie Freuan TRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! after 9 phases
in my starting XV
and it starts raining
@KSA Shark © (Comment 66) : LOVE the avatar 😆
@Viking (Comment 68) : 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 67) : He is in mine too!!
Converseion over by Blyendaal
Blues 12 – 13 Saders
20min
really RAINING now.
@Uli (Comment 41) : can you explain what you mean? We generally get whoever’s watching the game (ksa, frans, richard or someone else) to do commentary via the comments section… What are you after?
PK Blues, Todd not rolling away
5m inside Saders territory and because they haven’t got a longrange kicker (Weepu still on the bench) they go for the LO.
LO on Saders 22
@robdylan (Comment 72) : I don’t think he was aware of that 🙂
Lovely ball for the Blues deep inside the Saders 22 and there is nobody at the back of the ruck to take it as it clears and the Saders just take it and clear.
I got robbie too 🙂
Saders steal the Blues LO on the 10m line
kick it deep
Blues kick it back and Saders LO just inside the Blues half
Blues #3 at flyhalf knocks on 10m outside his 22.
Saders scrum in prime territory
Read goes blind off the scrum
Blyendaal grubbers.
LO 5m from the Blues line and Blues take it and Saders penalised for going over at the collapsed LO
Saders steal the LO again
HIGH tackle by Hobbs on Crotty ref playing advantage.
comes back for the PK
Blyendaal goes at goal from 38m out right infront.
Over
Blues 12 – 16 Saders
30min
Morning All,
KSA true to form I forgot to select my Capt for FL … 🙄
Luckily got the lms in .. Aaaai
Crotty launches one from loose play and Raikuna fumbles it backwards into his 22.
regathers and goes forward into a red wall and can’t recycle from the maul
Saders scrum 25m out
Territory
Saders 62%
Blues 38%
@csb (Comment 82) : 😆
@csb (Comment 82) : I believe my Captain is a very unlikely decision. Johan Goosen.
@csb (Comment 82) :
Almost forgot mine as well .. quickly did it before going to sleep
@KSA Shark © (Comment 81) : You sound just like Hugh Bladen there 😆
45m run by Ranger before ball goes into touch
@Greg (Comment 87) : I don’t drink Whiskey. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 85) :
That is a strange call indeed..
@KSA Shark © (Comment 89) : 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 88) : unlucky bounce for the Blues casued that to go into touch after Ranger flung it wide to a clear tryline with two Blues looming
@robdylan (Comment 76) : me three 😉
Mathewson breaks off a 5m attacking scrum but knocks on 1m from the line.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 85) :
Not a bad choice pity he won’t be scoring many points though … 😛
@Zibbie (Comment 86) :
That was my mistake getting it done after midnight and not thinking straight …And its helluva squad Iv got :banging head against the wall smiley: 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 94) : Try saving tackle from Kieran read to casue the knock
@csb (Comment 95) : They will be kicking ANYTHING inside 60m tomorrow.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 85) : future springbok cpatain
Blues finally take an attacking LO and are mauling 10m from the Saders line
PK Blues as Donnely goes offside. And Blues go for the LO. 😯 brave considering the stats.
@csb (Comment 95) : I was doing mine last night just after 11pm so I am not sure I made the best picks either.
@robdylan (Comment 98) : In June 2012 if you believe everything you read. 🙂
@lostfish (Comment 100) : finished mine just after midnight RSA time as well.
What?? I just saw I eeny meeny miny mo-ed the Blues!?!? Damn! Go BLUES!!
HALF TIME
Blues 12 – 16 Crusaders
They should have taken the 3 on offer!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 102) : so that is 3am or something like that KSA time?? I am too lazy to google the time there.
@Ice (Comment 103) : Nooo go Saders!
@lostfish (Comment 106) : 1am.
After having attended a Mardi Gras party. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 97) :
So will Taute …
Blues by 2 😕
@Ice (Comment 103) : eeny meeny miny mo 😯 You didn’t use that during your lady rugga audition did you? 😛
@csb (Comment 109) : Yeah but taute isn’t the super springbok that Goosen is. 😉
Stats
Blues
Territory 52%
Possession 54%
Handling Errors 5
Tackles made 49
@KSA Shark © (Comment 112) :
😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 108) : lol. I went to bed early and woke up realising I had done NOTHING in the way of rugby stuff for LMS, fantasy league or Superbru. It was quite a scramble to get it all done before I fell asleep again.
@JarsonX (Comment 110) :
I’ll raise you 1 ..Blues by 3.
Crusaders
Territory 48%
Possession 46%
Time in opposition 22 5min
Lineouts won against the throw 3
@lostfish (Comment 115) : 😆
@lostfish (Comment 115) : Not the 1st and CERTAINLY not the last person to have done that.
And then let’s not forget the password resets or new user registrations AFTER the round closed this morning. 😉
In short you were by NO MEANS the last person to make or attempt to make changes. 🙂
25sec into the 2nd half and the Blues are 10m from the Saders line
PK Blues 8m out just to the right of the poles
Hobbs slots the PK
Blues 15 – 16 Saders
41min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 119) : I am sure of it although I could’ve just slept and left it and done it when I was up from 2 – 4am. The little beast is teething.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 111) : 😆
Blues down the touchline looking dangerous again
Come on Blues!
@lostfish (Comment 123) : Little beast. 😆 Some biltong does the trick for a teething baby in my house. Just cut the gooey bits off every now and then. 🙂
BRING IT BLUES !!!!
All Blues in the 2nd half and they win another PK on their 10m line.
Set up LO on the Saders 22
Much lower scoring game than I expected
Suddenly the Saders are at it and Fruean grubbers it through to set up the LO inside the blues 22
Saders give away a PK for taking the Blues in the air at the LO.
Toeava now sets up a LO inside the Saders 22 with a chip over the top.
@Zibbie (Comment 128) :
Dude ..y you got Cheetahs on superbru ..?
PK Blues for Sam Whitelock going to ground at the ruck
1m behind the Saders’ 10m line and Hobbs going at goal.
@csb (Comment 133) : 😯 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 134) : Missed off to the right
Crotty off and Whitelock #3 comes on
Braid’s change places
@csb (Comment 133) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 135) :
Because . in the currie cup last year . i picked the Lions to win twice . in the Bulls game we lost and the WP game we also lost . So i always pick against the Lions
They win to spite me 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 127) : I stocked up on it when we were in SA. I have about 50 stokkies of the baby biltong for her. It was a god send on the plane.
PK Blues 35m out and Pollock asks read to talk to his guys about falling on the wrong side at the rucks.
Hobbs going at goal 13 in from touch 35m out
Weepu comes on
@lostfish (Comment 138) : 😎
Hobbs slotted it
Blues 18 – 16 Saders
56min
Weepu not on yet
Chuncky Weepu on for Benson Stanley
Scrum on the blues 10m line and the Saders win a PK for the Blues Loosehead dropping.
Saders going at goal 39m out right in front
And he has the direction.
But not the distance. 😉
Blues 18 – 16 Saders
59min
Ellis tackled into touch 5m from the Blues line.
@Zibbie (Comment 137) :
Gotcha …keep up the good work 😀
Blues lose another LO but Mealamu gathers it again as the Saders can’t secure it at the back
And my internet connection got lost for a minute 🙁
Mealamu subbed off after he issued a forearm to the side of the head of one of the Saders on the ground. Not seen by anyone but the camera man so will be interesting to see if anything happens.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 145) : Come on Saders!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 145) : Game over after 60mins right? 😈
@Zibbie (Comment 137) :
Did you watch the Lions4Life programme last night ?
Toeava safes a certain try.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 146) : Hey Oubaas. I’ve got some catching up to do. How does this white card thing work?
Saders almost through but Freuan stopped after Dagg put him on his way after beating Weepu
PK Saders 15m out right in front
Over
Blues 18 – 19 Saders
65min
@csb (Comment 151) :
No sadly not . was a bit tired so i went to bed early .
Why is the Blues’ prop taking the kick-off?
Oh no WAIT 😯 😛
PK Saders 45m out going at goal
@csb (Comment 151) : nou watse @@@ vraag is dit in di middel van ‘n game?? 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 157) : Weepu catches it on the 5m line as it goes WELL short
Blyendaal beats 3 and the Saders are 8m out
@KSA Shark © (Comment 156) : 😆
Crusaders knock on
7 handling Errors a piece
Scrum Blues 10m from their own line
Territory
Blues 41
Saders 59
Possesion
Blues 57
Saders43
Time in opp 22
Blues 10
Saders 8
Saders PK inside the blues half but they don’t have the distance and go for touch
Go Saders!
@Zibbie (Comment 155) :
There’s a repeat was pretty funny.
@Ice (Comment 158) :
Sorrie Tannie 😛
Fruean stopped 10m short and then give away a PK after stealing the ball back from the Blue who stole it well in the tackle.
Then they chirp and the ref marches them 10m
Fruean give Weepu a lovely “The Bus is full” and Weepu travels a good 2m through the air before landing on his arse.
Not many centers can give Props a hand-off like that.
73min
Blues 18 – 19 Saders
@KSA Shark © (Comment 168) :
What a hand off that was …Weepu on his fat ass.
Come Blues !
Scrum Saders 15m inside their half
@csb (Comment 170) : At least it was a soft landing. 🙂
@csb (Comment 166) :
Some off us pretend to have a day job 😛
75min
Toeava takes a mark in his 22.
Can’t be long to go now?
I could really use a saders converted try right now!
@Zibbie (Comment 173) : why bother pretending.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 174) : Thanks, just beat me to it? 😳
Come on BLUES!!!
77min
Blues scrum on their 10m
Blues have gotten worse as the match continues …
Saders are class they know how to close a game out.
With Carter and Richie still to return they are looking good.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 179) : reset
Blues take it and can’t get accross the 10m line
78min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 176) :
i have to pay my rent some how … then again if the Lions loose im moving in with ice so then ill just sit at home all day
PK Blues 2m inside their half 10m from touch and go for LO 5m inside the Saders 22
79min gone and the LO still has to be set.
DISCIPLINE now please Saders.
@Zibbie (Comment 173) :
😆 I made sure I got all my work finished yesterday cause I knew that today would be a busy day doing nothing but watching some ruggers.
How the Sharks fans nerves ?
Blues take the LO and Maul before picking and driving
Hooter has gone
Blues moving towards the poles.
Weepu back for the DG.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 185) :
KOM NOU BLOUES !!!!
Bugger missed drop kick ..
Saders take it !
@csb (Comment 184) : I am neglecting my child due to watching rugby 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 186) : And misses!
and he sends it over but it is deflected and it goes wide. 😛
FULL TIME
Blues 18 – 19 Crusaders
Margin Point victory for me on SB 😎
Starting XV BP still on target.
Missed the margin, but I will take the win point!
@Zibbie (Comment 182) :
😆 Ice you got place for 2 homeless Lions fans ..
@Greg (Comment 190) : Thank goodness. I didn’t want my first superbru pick to be wrong.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 191) : 18 – 19 ?
Good start on Superbru! 😮
@Zibbie (Comment 187) : Nee Ou, dis ‘n rooi en swart naweek. Niks van die blouegheid nie. 😛
Go Force!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 192) :
No need to be smug about it pops 😉
I went against my gut in a moment of stupidity, going for the Blues..
I don’t miss this feeling..
@lostfish (Comment 196) : Ja that’s what I said 😉 😛
@csb (Comment 200) : I tend to make hay while the sun shines, it shines so seldom. 🙂
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 201) : I miss this feeling. 🙂
Great start, first pick was wrong 🙁
@csb (Comment 194) :
i can play banjo !!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 203) :
I have entered into anoter competition, a predict the score thing amongst about 40 people, wher you buy in..
My score – 19 – 15 to the Saders
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 206) : 😎
I like the lack of try BP for either team.