The Hurricanes and the Lions go head to head early Saturday morning (SA Time) at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand. The Hurricanes have won against the Blues and the Force, probably 2 of the “Not-so-good” teams in the competition this season whereas the Lions have lost their 2 encounters against the Stormers and the Chiefs.
The Hurricanes are always a potent team, one never underestimates them, if you do so it is pure folly! They have a well balanced side with a lot of big-name players like Nonu, Conrad Smith, Weepu, So’oialo, Tialata, Hore and Schwalger. Their potency probably lie mostly in the attacking prowess of Nonu and Smith in the centres.
On the other hand we have possible wooden-spoon contenders, the Lions, who have shown a clear frailty in midfield, having already conceded 12 tries in 2 games. The Lions are a fit bunch of misfits and nobodies, average Club Players, whose coach believes in all out attack mode and one cannot see that they would have patched their defensive lines in one solitary week.
I believe the Hurricanes will win handsomely, scoring a bonus point for tries in the match… Canes by 25 PLUS.
Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Hurricanes won 38-32 (Johannesburg)
2008: Hurricanes won 38-32 (Wellington)
2007: Lions won 30-7 (Johannesburg)
2006: Hurricanes won 29-16 (Wellington)
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Paterson, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Nick Crosswell, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Andre Taylor
Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derrick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 George Earle, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Michael Killian.
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Matthew Stanish (New Zealand)
TMO: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Cannot even remotely see the Lions winning this one!
gbs
with you on that one!!
like lions … ag i mean lambs … to the slaughter!!
If the Lions do not sort out their defence we are going to some more records fly. No altitude and travel penalties for the opposition to help them in the last 20 minutes.
The Canes were mean in their first two games. Expect lion hides for sale for a dime a dozen after this weekend.
Lions have a tough road ahead…
They play the following teams till 26 March:
Week 3: Hurricanes in NZ – 27 Feb – Lions will lose
Week 4: Brumbies in Ozzie – 5 March – Lions will lose
Week 5: Waratahs in Ozzie – 12 March – Lions will lose
Week 6: Crusaders in NZ – 20 March – Lions will lose
Week 7: Highlanders in NZ – 26 March – I think Lions will lose
Then they have a bye
Then they still have the Reds, Sharks, Bulls, Force, Blues, Cheetahs left
Oi…..
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