Super 15 2011

[Quaggas]

Never thought about it - but NZ-London's quite a flight! Pretty much the longest you can take: approx 40,000/2/800=25hrs flying + stops? (guessing at a jets speed)

 

[TT Boy]

I'd be interested to see what sort of crowd is drawn for the match - I'm hopeful that the English rugby supporters (and indeed ex-pat New Zealanders and South Africans) really get in behind the occasion. I don't think the travel factor should be a major issue, given the Sharks play in Hamilton tomorrow and so should have at least 7 days in the UK before the match, while the Crusaders have just under a week. I also don't believe the Sharks would've been all that much against the idea TBH, given the shorter trip from London to Durban (rather than from NZ where the match would've been staged) leading up to their match against the Stormers the following week. And as BB points out, they're already in basically the same timezone at that point.

Sharks are flying back to Durban straight after the game. They are only going to fly into London for the Crusaders game on the Thursday on an evening flight to offset any jetlag which should be minimal for as Brumby already said, it’s almost the same time difference. Seems like a pretty sound way of getting around the travel issue. If they flew from NZ to London they would have to go via Bangkok or Hong Kong which is a nightmare as your body clock will be ****ed time you arrive at Heathrow.

From what I read, the Sharks were heavily in favour of the idea as if this is a success, it could turn into a regular fixture for South African sides to play an annual Super 15 game or a Currie Cup game in London. There is only 2 weeks to market this game so I don’t think it will get over 40,000 but the tickets are apparently 25 quid, which is pretty reasonable.

 

[social]

Chiefs
Reds
Crusaders
Hurricanes
Waratahs
Lions
Bulls

 

[ripper868]

Reds

Get Mike Harris in the 15 Jersey IMO WAG!

 

[TT Boy]

LOL @ the Tahs. First time the Cheetahs have won in Aus.

Chiefs Sharks game wasn't much better. So many errors, like they were playing with a bar of soap. Lucky if there was over 15,000 for both games.

 

[Somerset]

Reds

Get Mike Harris in the 15 Jersey IMO WAG!

Trust the NZ import to steal the show in the all-Australian match.

In all fairness, he actually surprised me with his impact for the Reds last night because he was more of a traditional 10/12 for North Harbour, who kicked goals well and was steady rather than an impact player from the bench. Perhaps hes been learning from Quade Cooper?

 

[Somerset]

LOL @ the Tahs. First time the Cheetahs have won in Aus.

Chiefs Sharks game wasn't much better. So many errors, like they were playing with a bar of soap. Lucky if there was over 15,000 for both games.

Conditions were pretty difficult for the match in Waikato so it was unsurprising to see a higher error rate than the other matches this weekend - wasn't a particularly flash performance from either side anyway though I don't think conditions helped.

Missed the game in Sydney tonight, 23-3 to the Cheetahs??? Would've got magnificent odds on a 13+ Cheetahs win before the match.

Impressive performances from the Crusaders and Blues, they look easily the most polished of the NZ sides and although its still early in the campaign, its hard to see either missing out on a top 6 spot. The Highlanders, for all their endeavour, were simply outclassed, particularly in their depth; while the Hurricanes still look rusty and unprepared.

 

[Hurricane]

When I read in the paper on Friday that kirkpatrick was starting I wanted to change my pick to the Blues. But couldn't be bothered. I don't rate Kirkpatrick at all. Cruden played no better in the 20 minutes he was on the field for. Down 27-17 with 10 minutes left he had the ball in his own 22 and chose to kick for position. The Blues got possession and scored a few plays later. The Cruden I know would have run that. He felt he had to be sensible. He needs more experience. Just play him until he gets good.

 

[Somerset]

When I read in the paper on Friday that kirkpatrick was starting I wanted to change my pick to the Blues. But couldn't be bothered. I don't rate Kirkpatrick at all. Cruden played no better in the 20 minutes he was on the field for. Down 27-17 with 10 minutes left he had the ball in his own 22 and chose to kick for position. The Blues got possession and scored a few plays later. The Cruden I know would have run that. He felt he had to be sensible. He needs more experience. Just play him until he gets good.

With a strong, experienced first-five I think the Hurricanes will be a much better outfit, and neither Kirkpatrick nor Cruden have provided that so far this season IMO. Kirkpatrick in particular is not of the quality required to be in the starting XV in a key position in Super Rugby in my view, while Cruden's yet to really make the Canes' 10 jersey his own despite the hype around him and the way he stands out playing for Manawatu. I too was rather surprised Cruden was dropped to the bench for tonight's match against the Blues.

 

[ripper868]

Trust the NZ import to steal the show in the all-Australian match.

In all fairness, he actually surprised me with his impact for the Reds last night because he was more of a traditional 10/12 for North Harbour, who kicked goals well and was steady rather than an impact player from the bench. Perhaps hes been learning from Quade Cooper?

He's a really top bloke to boot, have had conversations with him a couple of times at reds fan day/2nd XV matches - has his head screwed on right for sure.

Trust the Fijian/Samoan/Tongan/Vanuatuan/Tahitian etc to star for the All Blacks

Glad the Cheetahs chose this week to ambush a team, should ensure the Reds are focused for next week.

 

[TT Boy]

Had a shocker this week. Think most posters did.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

With a strong, experienced first-five I think the Hurricanes will be a much better outfit, and neither Kirkpatrick nor Cruden have provided that so far this season IMO.

Kirkpatrick should never have got a SuperRugby contract. He wasn't even getting a gig for Hawke's Bay at the end of the NPC season. Missing Piri right now. Said it before and I'll say it again, the Canes would have been better off with David Holwell rather than Cruden or Kirkpatrick.

 

[Hurricane]

Don't think I will back the Canes again unless they are playing a weak team. That is despite their 12 and 13 who both played like champs against the Blues.

 

[Somerset]

Week Five Points:
Hurricane 5
HeathDavisSpeed 4
Ripper868 4
Samuel_Vimes 4
BoyBrumby 3
Social 3
Somerset 3
Quaggas 3
TT Boy 3
Athlai 2

Standings after Week Five:
Ripper868 22
Somerset 22
TT Boy 22
BoyBrumby 21
HeathDavisSpeed 21
Samuel_Vimes 21
Hurricane 19
Social 19
Athlai 18
Quaggas 18

 

[Somerset]

Week Six Fixtures:
Rebels vs Hurricanes
Reds vs Cheetahs
Chiefs vs Blues
Brumbies vs Waratahs
Stormers vs Force
Bulls vs Lions
Crusaders vs Sharks (neutral venue)

Highlanders have the bye.

 

[Hurricane]

Week Five Points:
HeathDavisSpeed 4
Hurricane 4
Ripper868 4
Samuel_Vimes 4
BoyBrumby 3
Social 3
Somerset 3
Quaggas 3
TT Boy 3
Athlai 2

Standings after Week Five:
Ripper868 22
Somerset 22
TT Boy 22
BoyBrumby 21
HeathDavisSpeed 21
Samuel_Vimes 21
Social 19
Athlai 18
Hurricane 18
Quaggas 18

can u check the points please somerset I thought I got 5`points. Same for heef maybe...

 

[Somerset]

You're quite right, I've short changed you a point, sorry about that. Heath's tally of 4 is correct though. I've updated the error with your additional point for the week.

 

[Hurricane]

Thanks for the correction Somerset. This round appears extremely difficult to pick.

Even the rebels vs the hurricanes seems like a tough game to call to me. Hurricanes stink at the moment etc...

The cheetahs could beat the reds.

The Warratahs just lost.

Bulls are inconsistent...

and who knows who will do well in a neutral venue.

 

[Hurricane]

Week Six Fixtures:
Rebels vs Hurricanes
Reds vs Cheetahs
Chiefs vs Blues
Brumbies vs Waratahs
Stormers vs Force
Bulls vs Lions
Crusaders vs Sharks (neutral venue)

I am not very confident with my picks so I may replace some of these on Wednesday and will make another post with my revised picks if I make changes.
I struggled with the Chiefs game and the Rebels game in particular.

 

[TT Boy]

Canes
Reds
Blues
Tahs
Stormers
Bulls
Saders