Super 15 2011

[TT Boy]

Great signing that for the Waratahs. Highly surprising that Pretorius wasn't named in the Boks' provisional WC squad actually, he was certainly a stand-out from the Cheetahs' matches I was able to see this season.

Should have defo been the 4th choice scrum half in the squad (how Charl McLeod got the call I don't know) but he had little chance of being apart of the WC side. du Preez is the incumbent and when fit, was the best in the world and then the likes of Hougaard and Pienaar are not only decent replacements but complete utility backs to boot. Pretorius being a complete turnstyle probably didn't help the cause as well, believe no other player in Super Rugby missed as many tackles as Sarel.

Still would have capped him in the Tri-Nations. Stop the potential poach.

 

[Hurricane]

Cooper may be the best 1st 5 in the super competition - but he is not the "best in the world" until he can dominate in the tri nations.

Next weeks final will be near impossible to tip - too very even teams. Last time they played it was a closely fought affair. Canterbury says they are doing it for CHCH -

Perhaps I will wait for Athlai to tip first

 

[Burgey]

Cooper channelled Brett Kenny from the 81 league grand final with that try he set up down the sideline in the first half, selling multiple dummies to defenders.

Fmd that was a thing of beauty.

 

[ripper868]

So...guess who's a happy boy then!

**** me that was fantastic! Great rugby. Very happy the saders have got through...cooper v carter agin, and cooper due to bring the kicking boots this time...he misses one week he nails the next (see 7/7 v brumbies and the 5/5 v stormers)

Cooper is a freak with ball in hand...how the hell did he skirt down the line like that. Brisbane is buzzing. I am buzzing (and a bit hungover)

Davies...Lightning fast, give him half a metre of space and shut the gate, its over.

Next week will be immense...Carter to have a penalty after full time to win it...will hit the post, cooper will catch beat 10 defenders, offload to Ioane who busts through carter in cover, offloads to genia who stand sin the in-goal for the rest of the team to arriv eto secure the victory 32-26

 

[Hurricane]

Watched the replay of the Stormers Crusaders.

I didn't like the look of the Crusaders replacement scrum half - Ellis is vastly superior.

Good game though - can't believe SBW off loaded with two defenders all over him. It is like do we just commit one man because we know he is going to off load anyway and we don't want to create an overlap - do we want to triple team him to stop the off load.

 

[Somerset]

Watched the replay of the Stormers Crusaders.

I didn't like the look of the Crusaders replacement scrum half - Ellis is vastly superior.

Good game though - can't believe SBW off loaded with two defenders all over him. It is like do we just commit one man because we know he is going to off load anyway and we don't want to create an overlap - do we want to triple team him to stop the off load.

First half was particularly good; the Crusaders' performance in that opening 40 minutes was quite brilliant. The SBW offload to put Fruean into the gap as you mention was all class and right up there with Cooper's effort to set up Davies' first try in Brisbane. I have to disagree about Fotuali'i, who I thought was very good after replacing Ellis, who I actually don't rate particularly highly; I have a lack of confidence in him at the highest level much like I do in Stephen Donald.

 

[Somerset]

Week Twenty Points:
Athlai 4
BoyBrumby 4
Hurricane 4
Quaggas 4
Social 4
TT Boy 4
Ripper868 2
Somerset 2
Samuel_Vimes 0
(HeathDavisSpeed 2)

Standings after Week Twenty:
TT Boy 93
Somerset 87
BoyBrumby 86
Ripper868 86
HeathDavisSpeed 84
Hurricane 81
Athlai 80
Quaggas 79
Social 77
Samuel_Vimes 76

 

[Somerset]

Final Fixture
Reds vs Crusaders

Three points for a correct tip, although thats only important to determine who collects the silver and bronze, and who finishes at the foot of the table.

 

[ripper868]

Reds

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Crusaders

and best of luck to ripper who I hope has got his ticket already

 

[Hurricane]

I will go Crusaders on the basis that Carter is the better goal kicker and I think this will be won on penalties.

 

[howardj]

Making a big play for tickets this Wednesday morning when they go on sale.

Should be immense!

 

[Burgey]

Going to be a very big week for footy in Brisbane.

 

[Athlai]

Reds to beat Hurricane

 

[social]

Crusaders because they deserve to be champs after playing every match away from home

 

[ripper868]

Already got my 4 tickets. Going to be awesome!

I'll be the dude in red going nuts - look out for me.

@Social.

Don't think either of these teams "deserves" it more than the other tbh. But do think we have the two best teams in the final and two teams that will help ensure it is an awesome game. Cooper v Carter going to be fantastic.

 

[Somerset]

Already got my 4 tickets. Going to be awesome!

I'll be the dude in red going nuts - look out for me.

@Social.

Don't think either of these teams "deserves" it more than the other tbh. But do think we have the two best teams in the final and two teams that will help ensure it is an awesome game. Cooper v Carter going to be fantastic.

I agree - both sides have proven throughout the season that they'd be worthy winners, and whilst it'd be incredible if the Crusaders won having not played a single match in Christchurch, I certainly wouldn't begrudge the Reds if they're to take out the title. Fitting too that the best 10 for the last decade is up against the best 10 in the competition this year, it goes without saying that how those two perform will have a huge influence on which side finishes on top.

One negative comment I'll make is the appointment of the referee, Bryce Lawrence. He's a New Zealander and theres a New Zealand team in the final, plus he had an average match in charge of the Crusaders vs Sharks minor semi final two weeks ago. Joubert, Kaplan, Mark Lawrence, etc (i.e. ANY South African) surely would've been the better way to go.

 

[ripper868]

I'm not too perplexed by his appointment. Means Kiwi's can't say "we woz robbed by the wef" when the reds win

In seriousness though I do agree, it just makes sense and removes an entire argument from both sides. When NZ v Aus have an SA ref...when SA v NZ..Aussie and SA v Aus a kiwi. Just stops a whole bunch of bleating - from both sides.

that said, I'm not worried about Lawrences appointment - more worried about Carters skill then the man with the pea.

 

[howardj]

****ing Ticketek site is jammed.

**** of a thing.

 

[ripper868]

Sold out in 45 minutes...did you get through HJ?