John Plumtree , head coach of the Sharks have joined the pshycological battle. And rightly so has tipped the Bulls as favoutites, shifting all pressure back to the Bulls. But true champions will absorb this and still perform. Being a local derby a hard fought match will still be the trademark of this game Continue reading
| 18:30-22:30 | SS2 | Sri Lanka v New Zealand |
SANZAR have released the match officials for Round 12 of the Super 14. Bryce Lawrence will blow his whistle on Friday for the start of this week’s Super14 action at Invercargill when the Highlanders host the Waratahs. Continue reading
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in the consumer electronics industry, today announced the signing of a sponsorship agreement with the Vodacom Bulls. The agreement, signed in Johannesburg, will position Samsung as the Official Electronics Sponsor to the Vodacom Bulls for the next three years.
The Bulls have announced a strong team to face the Sharks at Loftus on Saturday, but it also includes a surprise or two.
The Cheetahs have announced their team to face the Blues on Saturday at 15:00.
Here’s an extract of the official Media Release received.
The Stormers Brains-Trust has opted for continuity in selection, as they have done all season, for the important match at Newlands on Friday evening.
Here is the official Media Lelease…
This Article brings you the Teams as they are announced and will be updated from time to time.
Matt Giteau has escaped a match ban after going after Steve Walsh for the manner in wich he officiated the Brumbies/Waratahs match. Continue reading
Akona Ndungane who has just returned from injury after breaking his leg in the Currie Cup last year is looking set to go through more of the same again. Continue reading
Here are the rankings after round 11. A team like the Reds are continuing their weekly climb. Continue reading
Western Province and the Stormers franchise might be dealt a cruel blow as one of their current superstars is said to have signed with French Club Bayonne. Continue reading
Sydney – SANZAR referees boss Lyndon Bray says he pulled Steve Walsh from Saturday’s Brumbies-Reds Super 14 clash in Canberra in the best interests of the game, and not because of the pressure caused by Matt Giteau’s comments.
The Australian Rugby Union were great proponents of law changes in the interests of making the game more entertainment to help them in their battle for support against Australian Rules, Rugby League and Soccer. It is ironical that the two least entertaining teams in the Super 14 are Australian teams – the Brumbies and the Waratahs.
Article from SA Referees website
The Reds have been the surprise package of the 2010 Super 14 as it rushes to the knock-out stages. We give some statistics from the round with some totals. If you wonder if the match in Canberra between the Brumbies and the Waratahs really was boring, look at the scrum stats and you will know that it was unacceptable.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is not the least bit surprised about the startling rise of the Queensland Reds and believes three Australian sides could yet make the Super 14 rugby semifinals.
The Bulls once again take the lead in this years S14 race, but that’s not the only area they lead in according to some. Continue reading
It seems that the Stormers are negotiating with Ulster for the services of BJ Botha for the remaining 5 weeks of Super Rugby.
The Sharks just cant get away from injuries to play a full strength team against the high flying Blue Bulls, One wonders if an experiment of Kankowski at 13 is not worth a try? Continue reading
I guess that the banter will be fierce but that all of us will be wary to make bold predictions for this Saturday’s match between the Bulls and The Sharks at Loftus. The Bulls are top of the Log and can assure a semi’final spot if they win this game, whereas The Sharks seemed to have turned this season around, now with 5 wins on the trot…. but can they keep the Bulls from a 17th consecutive Super 14 win at Fortress Loftus?
Hell, with all the tension in the air this week, it might just be fitting to host another “Fight Club” Thread this week, to sooth some frayed nerves!
Earlier in the week, there was a question regarding referee criticism, well someone is in hot ware it seems!
Thanks to our friends and allies at Rugbyweek, here is the news:
You’ve got to love the positivity of New Zealanders, even though it might be a little arrogant and misplaced.
This was sent to me by Manly, it is an Article on www.stuff.co.nz
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee says the key to beating the Crusaders in Friday’s big Super 14 clash at Newlands is to be “selfish when we have ball-in-hand”. Continue reading
Having watched the Crusaders lose to the Western Force in the early hours of Saturday, the anti-Crusade brigade have pulled up their favourite bean bags to prepare to watch the seven-times champions’ Super 14 title chances shrivel up on the tip of the African continent.
The miserly Stormers’ defence will be a challenge for the Crusaders this week.
Despite their 16-13 defeat to the Queensland Reds in Brisbane last weekend, the Stormers, leaked an average of just 12.7 points per match
On average a game of 80 minutes of Super 14 rugby, has just 34 minutes of playing time.
The rest of the 46 minutes is directly attributable to the referee and how he blows the game.
The commentators in the Waratahs vs Brumbies game had difficulty to understand Steve Walsh last Saturday. Something was seriously wrong there. With my limited knowledge of scrums i could see he is grasping in the air.
Having watched the Bulls vs Lions match again from a PVR Recording and after calming down from the elation during and following the battle at Loftus here are some thoughts on a most enthrawling game.
The Bulls won this local derby by a handsome 51 / 11, scoring 6 second half tries most other teams in the world would be envious of.
[cincopa 10588849]
Chennai Super Kings 168/5(20 ov)
Mumbai Indians 146/9 (20 ov)
Chennai Super Kings won by 22 runs
Final 
Standing
The Sharks season is turning into a season of “If Only” as they wrapped up their 5th consecutive victory over a Blues team that had only one plan and that was to spread the ball from anywhere and everywhere.
This was the weekend of shock results. On the Super 14 Log there are 10 teams still able to make the play-offs. Sharks, Chiefs and Blues have a small mathematical chance for the title, but is really clutching at straws, which might finally break next weekend.
Vodacom Cup Semi Finals venues not confirmed yet but it will be the Bulls vs Sharks XV and the Boland vs Cheetahs on the 1st of May.
Five South African teams to pick from. The Cheetahs played to a surprise 25 all draw against the Chiefs. The Stormers wheels came of against, guess who? The Reds. Bulls won as expected against the Lions and the Sharks gave the Blues a major setback. Pick your players who You feel was this weeks best performers.
TEAM Picked by Rugby-Talk Bloggers
Sharks 23 / Blues 10 (Final Score)
The Sharks hosted the Blues at The ABSA Stadium, Durban at 17:05 SA Time. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA. The Sharks were just too good for the Blues, in fact the Blues had one of those Off-Days, they’re so renowned for. Sharks won by 23 / 10.
Bulls (12) 51 / Lions (8) 11 (Final Score)
The Bulls hosted the Lions at Loftus in Pretoria at 15:00 SA Time. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA. The3 Bulls won 51 / 11.
For the Bulls it is mission accomplished with 6 tries and a full 5 Log Points, placing them back alone on the top of the Super 14 Log now with 39 Points.
The Lions initially, in the 1st 15 minutes, came on strong. After that it was the Bulls with a battle of attrition against the Lions till they totally gave way eventually.
Waratahs (9) 19 / Brumbies (9) 12(Final Score)
The Waratahs hosted the Brumbies in Sydney at 11:40 SA Time. This is the match Thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA. The Waratahs won by 19 / 12, without earning a bonus point for tries scored.