Super XV Week 12 Preview and Live Match Thread

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

There are three rounds left until the international break, so teams will be looking to make their mark ahead of any disruption from the June Internationals. The Chiefs’ ability to pick up four-try bonus points puts them a little clear of the Bulls and Stormers in the top rank. Similarly, the Stormers’ lack of tries sees them behind the Bulls, despite only having one loss to the Cape Town men’s two. The Crusaders, Brumbies and Highlanders are the best of the rest, while the Sharks, Hurricanes, Reds, Waratahs and Cheetahs could make a run at the playoffs, but would need some big form reversals. The Force, Rebels, Blues and Lions are playing for pride now though.

Match Previews continue on the v2Journal: http://www.v2journal.com/super-xv-2012-preview-round-12.html

[nganboy]

For me
Lions by 4 over Blues
Bulls by 7 over Waratahs
Hurricanes by 15 over Highlanders
Crusaders by 25 over Rebels
Sharks by 12 over Force
Stormers by 5 over Cheetahs
Reds by 2 over Chiefs

[FerN]

Blues by 4 over Lions (I am just going with home advantage on this one)
Bulls by 10 over Waratahs (I don't see how the waratahs will beat the bulls)
Highlander by 1 over Hurricanes (Close call for me)
Crusaders by more than 15 over Rebels
Sharks by more than 15 over Force
Stormers by 3 over Cheetahs (No doubt Stormers will win, but Cheetahs won't lie down to them)
Chiefs by 2 over the Reds

[Biltong]

Blues by more than 10
Waratahs by 6
Highlanders by a few
Crusaders by 14
Sharks by 10
Stormers by 6
Reds by a few

[FerN]

Seems like it is Blues by a high margin today then

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Seems like it is Blues by a high margin today then

another wrong tip from me then.

[Biltong]

Dang, only got .5 bonus point in this match

[chewed_mintie]

Glad to see the Blues get up. Had they lost, they would not have been able to sink any lower.....good result, hopefully spark some life into them

[Biltong]

that was quite the comedy of errors, Waratahs throw in skew at the lineout, then there is obstuction (accidental) by the Waratahs, and the Bulls get blown for a knock.

[Biltong]

Man, this is like watching paint dry, very, very slowly.

[eirebilly]

James Haskell's original 1 week ban for punching Downey has now been increased to foru weeks due to priors.

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

James Haskell's original 1 week ban for punching Downey has now been increased to foru weeks due to priors.

I understood he always had a 3 week ban.

Are you sure it wasn't a 4-week ban reduced to 3 for "mitigation"?

[eirebilly]

Have i really miss-understood things that badly? I was sure it was a week. Oh well still, he got an extension for an icident from 4 years ago which i feel is a little harsh.

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Have i really miss-understood things that badly? I was sure it was a week. Oh well still, he got an extension for an icident from 4 years ago which i feel is a little harsh.

From a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/6836733/Three-week-suspension-for-Highlanders-Haskell

The regular six week suspension period for striking was reduced to three based on Haskell's early guilty plea, his previously clean record and the remorse shown.

So has he had another week added since?

[FerN]

Seems like I am going to get my first prediction wrong.

Edit: Just as I say that, the Bulls gets a try.

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Have i really miss-understood things that badly? I was sure it was a week. Oh well still, he got an extension for an icident from 4 years ago which i feel is a little harsh.

From a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/6836733/Three-week-suspension-for-Highlanders-Haskell

The regular six week suspension period for striking was reduced to three based on Haskell's early guilty plea, his previously clean record and the remorse shown.

So has he had another week added since?

Answering my own question http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby-2012/rugby/story/163910.html

England back-row James Haskell has had his three-week suspension for punching extended to four.

The usual penalty for Haskell's offence was six weeks but due to his guilty plea, his remorse and seemingly flawless record of no previous citings this period was reduced to three. However, it was brought to SANZAR duty judicial officer Mike Heron's attention that Haskell had in fact received a one-week suspension back in 2008 while playing for Wasps.

After that was brought to light, Haskell was called back in front of the disciplinary panel and Heron readdressed his decision.

[eirebilly]

Cheers KRD, i honestly thought that i had read that he had only recieved a one week ban.

[Biltong]

Damn, I thought the Bulls would lose this one.

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Damn, I thought the Bulls would lose this one.

Me too. That's pretty much the 'Tahs season blown.

A 5 pointer for the Stormers will put them back on top of the SA conference. What odds on the Stormers actually scoring 4 tries?

[fa0019]

Kiwireddevil

That is pretty amazing SANZAR would take into account a 1 wk ban he got 4 years back....what gives you a 1 wk ban these days, a knock on???

I watched the video and the Cheetahs player was crushing his private's so in my view he was fair game to do what he did. If you crush someones balls, don't expect anything bar getting knocked the f*** out. Then again some people like that sort of thing.

[fa0019]

Can't see us scoring 4 against the Cheetahs.. our backline is ok but our backrow is filled completely with replacements.... the trio of Carr, Kolisi and Elstadt are promising for the future but very very inexperienced.

We may struggle to maintain possession against a player like Brussow.

Its probably why we've struggled to score manny tries this season esp. with Burger being out since the opening game of the season.

We'll win but not by 4.

[Biltong]

The stormers first need to watch a video of how to score tries, I would suggest they go elsewhere into the archives, I doubt they have one.

[fa0019]

I think they have been following the 'ENG 1991-1997... the Carling years' DVD.

[aucklandlaurie]

I'm ecstatic that the Blues pulled off a win against a somewhat depleted Lions team,I have to be cause I cant see us beating anyone else this year.

[Knackeredknees]

Wow Glenda having a mare tonight, not letting the hurricanes compete at any breakdown and ignoring one of the most blatantly wheeled scrims ever

[doctor_grey]

Strange old match that Otago-Wellington match. Both with opportunities. Both with mistakes.

[aucklandlaurie]

Interesting comments.

I thought it was an excellant game.

[Taylorman]

Good savea try to win the match tonight. Highlanders a bit unlucky with a try that could have been and one t canes where previously in touch.

Some good hits by Ellison whos got that knack of timing them.

[aucklandlaurie]

Taylorman
I am not really qualified to be an expert on half backs,But dont you get the feeling in watching that game,that New Zealand has turned a corner in its half backs?

[yappysnap]

What's going on with the Rebels beating Crusaders at the moment?! 28-19 with 9 minutes left to go, has Beale actually been the best 10 out there in Oz all along but just never tried?

[aucklandlaurie]

Crusaders didnt turn up, Melbourne defended like men possessed,and chanced their arm and reaped the rewards, I would have praised Beale especially for the "no look " chip kick leading up to Melbournes first try,but I felt he let himself down trying to milk the penalty late in the second half,by play dead,when no one had touched him.

[Taylorman]

Yeah despite that beales one heck of a player. Equally at home at 10 as anywhere else hes played.
Agree with the 9s laurie. One of smith perenara or kerr barlow will be no. 1 by years end. Kerr barlow i think has more x factor and smith and perenara will make a lot more happen round the fringes. Havnt compared the passing of all 3 though they all look tidy.

Deans has got to be feeling a little better as well. Did Read end up ok? Smashed his back in that drop a bit.

Just a bit flat tonight from saders who looked full strength. Theyll be concerned about their work rate and accuracy... Usually their strong points.

[Biltong]

Well I am a bit shocked at the result of the Crusaders, didn't see the match so will have to watch a replay of it.

The Rebels almost did the Bulls in last weekend, so perhaps it shouldn't be all that surprising.

It does make the NZ conference a very tasty one now, especially with the hurricanes beating the Higlanders as well.

The current log in NZ excluding bye points no look like this.

Chiefs , played 10, points 40
Crusaders played 11, points 33
Higlanders played 11, points 31
Hurricanes played 11, points 30
Blues, played 11, points 12

[Full Credit]

I was a bit surprised Beale went down that road given that only a couple of weeks ago Rob Horne spear tackled him and he didn't bat an eyelid. I don't imagine he'll try that again given his own crowd didn't appreciate the theatrics. That aside, he did have a strong game and the Rebels deserved the win. I've always wondered why the Rebels were so awful but the last few weeks they look like a proper team who are starting to gel.

[Biltong]

Decent win for the sharks, they have been dissappointing so far this season.

[fa0019]

Boom!

Etzebeth takes on 3 backrow Cheetahs and comes out on top. The world take note... die bokke have a new Bakkies in town.

Stormers 16-0.

[fa0019]

Scrum is holding up well against on paper a far stronger front five. Coenie has now conceeded 2 penalties... he's not helping his bok credentials.

[Biltong]

To be fair to him the last one Harris slipped and that's why Coenie went down

[fa0019]

come on ref.... that was NO way a yellow card. Elstadt's face was looking in the opposite direction. It was no way intentional.

Elstadt is getting a reputation however.

[Biltong]

FA, your passion for the Stormers are shining throuhg mate.

That knee may be innocuous, but it was deliberate.

[Biltong]

When i watch a derby match like this I am in seventh heaven, to find rugby tougher and more uncompromising than this is rare, it reminds me of the isolation years, when the Currie Cup was the be all and end all of SA rugby

[Biltong]

#$%^ this is an excellent match, what a passage of play. Stormers looked like they were sailing home at half time, but they forgot all about these Freestaters

[fa0019]

BB.. whats you opinion on Kolisi?

His tackling is immense IMO. He is always first tackler and never shirks. Reminds me of Joe Worsley in that respect. Technically very good.

Really impressed by him tonight.

Agghhh... interception try

[Biltong]

i think he has a lot of promise, similar to Keegan Daniel. But if he wants to be a bok, he needs a bit more size

[aucklandlaurie]

I was a bit surprised Beale went down that road given that only a couple of weeks ago Rob Horne spear tackled him and he didn't bat an eyelid. I don't imagine he'll try that again given his own crowd didn't appreciate the theatrics. That aside, he did have a strong game and the Rebels deserved the win. I've always wondered why the Rebels were so awful but the last few weeks they look like a proper team who are starting to gel.

The other things is,that in 160 minutes of rugby the Crusaders have only scored one try.

[fa0019]

BB

I'm not so sure about Kolisi needing to bulk up that much. He's very young still so will naturally fill out a little but he's an athlete rather than a bruiser.

He doesn't smash people backwards but he never misses a tackle and always takes the big men down.

Won't be ready for a bok jersey for another season or 2 but on tonights performance I think he will be a very useful bok player to have around... he's a tree cutter and esp against big sides like Wal, NZ & FRA you need guys like that around.

Van Zyl had a good game, worth a shout for the tests? Hougaard looks set for the starting jersey but the replacement spot is still up for grabs. Duvenage didn't do much wrong but you don't get noticed by being dependable, you need to beat your man when it counts and I feel Van Zyl won the head off tonight.

Another Grey College bok in the waiting.... is there something in the water in that school??? Makes me think there is only one place to send my boytjie when he gets a little older!!!

[Pal Joey]

An unbelievable performance by the Reds to beat the Chiefs 43-27.

At one stage I thought Waikato would run away with it when they were up 22-11 but those Queenslanders had other ideas.

I think I should take a break from SG tipping. Two big upsets this weekend. I have no idea!

[Biltong]

Lo and behold, I picked the Reds to win.

[Pal Joey]

Well done BB.

It was one of those weekends for me. Either my pick won but my favoured team lost or my favoured team won but my pick lost.
Same as usual in other words.

I'm now officially in the "just enjoy it game by game" mode. I'm open for more surprises, thrills and spills too.

[Full Credit]

Lo and behold, I picked the Reds to win.

Good man Biltong. I haven't seen the game yet as mothers day duties called but looks like the Reds have taken a leaf out of the Crusaders book and are starting to peak at the business end of the season. If they can finish in the top 6 I think they stand a good chance of defending their title.

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