Super XV Round 14 Preview and Live Match thread

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

With two thirds of the matches in the 2012 Super XV played there are nine teams left who can realistically hope to have a chance at making the playoffs. And there are two rounds left to play before the June international break. The Brumbies look to have the Australian conference largely sewn up, barring a late surge from the Reds. In the South African conference the scrap between the Stormers and Bulls could go right to the wire, while the Sharks are also circling. And in New Zealand the conference is the Chiefs’ to lose, though they do still have to host the Crusaders.

Week 14 matches preview continues here: http://www.v2journal.com/super-xv-2012-preview-round-14.html

[Biltong]

I pretty much agree with your predictions, I doubt the Bulls can beat the chiefs away from home this year, will be watching the game with interest.

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Hmmm, Mark Lawrence isn't a fan of the Bulls' pink away strip - "Hands out Blue"

30 meter driving maul from the Bulls before they truckk & trailered, impressive

[Biltong]

Very pathetic mistake by Ndungane to gift the Chiefs that try.

I see Kirchner and Olivier still have not learnt how to pass a ball.

[FerN]

Close game there. Don't know how I want this game to end, being a stormers supporter. Ahh, should probably be patriotic, go Bulls.

And Chiefs gets a try. Best outcome for me if this is a drawn match... Morne to drop 2.

[Pal Joey]

Great tackle there... that made my day.

[FerN]

28 - 22 to the Chiefs. Almost the worst result for me, luckily the Chiefs didn't get a 4 try bonus point.

[Biltong]

One thing that really irks the hell out of me, and the Bulls proved it again today, South African teams, bar the Cheetahs has idea how to string more than 2 passes together.

They play the most predictable direct running rugby, the only time the ball goes down to the wing is the traditional 10, 12, 13, 14, no interplay or attmept to catch the defensive lines out.

It is so frustrating I can shyte myself.

The Bulls simply didn't deserve to win this match.

The simple fact is when you have defensive lapses like they had today, there is no way in hell you will win a match when firstly your wing can't even catch a ball with little pressure on him, falling asleep when a quick line out is taken means you need to score more tries, and SA team just aren't doing it with this predictable deirect approach from them

We still rely on physicality to break the line, the only time we score a try is when a tackle is missed, but we never flummox the defence as we are to deirect and predictable.

F@#$$%n pathetic.

Then add to that players don't ever want to pass the bal, they must have the peripheral vision of a tank. no F#$$%n idea what is next to them, only what is infront of them.

Perhaps that is where the cliche "We will play what is in front of us" comes from.

[Taylorman]

Have to agree biltong. Sat and watched the whole predictable thing and this hang off the mauls barge barge all night by the bulls was lame. Morne steyn continues to impress the right people yet reconfirms his value...or lack of it...elsewhere.

Kicking...does...not...win...games.

All good though. Bring him here and we'll get the warm pullovers out for those players with numbers > 10 on their back.

[Biltong]

Have to agree biltong. Sat and watched the whole predictable thing and this hang off the mauls barge barge all night by the bulls was lame. Morne steyn continues to impress the right people yet reconfirms his value...or lack of it...elsewhere.

Kicking...does...not...win...games.

All good though. Bring him here and we'll get the warm pullovers out for those players with numbers > 10 on their back.

Taylorman, sadly that is not entirely true, if it was even PDV would have copped on to it and selected a running flyhalf, as long as we keep winning matches with a kicker the powers that be won't change a thing.

[FerN]

Have to agree biltong. Sat and watched the whole predictable thing and this hang off the mauls barge barge all night by the bulls was lame. Morne steyn continues to impress the right people yet reconfirms his value...or lack of it...elsewhere.

Kicking...does...not...win...games.

All good though. Bring him here and we'll get the warm pullovers out for those players with numbers > 10 on their back.

Taylorman, sadly that is not entirely true, if it was even PDV would have copped on to it and selected a running flyhalf, as long as we keep winning matches with a kicker the powers that be won't change a thing.

Well PDV wanted Ruan Piennaar as his flyhalf, but Morne's record was just too good to overlook and the Bulls supporters demanded Morne to be in the team.

[Taylorman]

Thats the irony of 'we'll play him for just this next test' Steyn. Theyll use him to pick up the rubbish but how many tests has he won against top 3 last two years? Not...many. And thats the only reason hes there. To win tests from the boot.

Hope he does play this year because he's the first theyll target. Kicking 10s generally do poorly against NZ teams a la OGara, stephen jones. Its the Cooper types who are more effective because they keep us guessing. Theres zero need for guessing with steyn so who would bring that into a test?

Bring him on Meyer. We'll look after him and send him packing...again. Perhaps try him at fullback again. Janes probably going to miss the date this time.

[Taylorman]

The thing about the last two minutes is with six behind and 45 meters out, only a try would do. With zero attacking ability in the backs and steyns boot negated the bulls had no chance of running a back attack to the line. This is the situation SA sides face when they adopt this method. Against the reds saders canes brumbies etc a 45 meter try is on and does happen. Often. Its this rely on opposition mistakes rather than create our own opportunities approach which lets SA rugby down and will continue to if steyn gets picked.

The selection of that one player says to the world an emphatic "We do not want to run the ball" - an approach that has confrmed by SAs 3N and Wcup performances since 2010. Whatever the reasons the results still mostly start with an 'L' And the only common ingredient across them all... Is the gameplan.

The uproar about refs etc compared to the lack of outrage about an inept gameplan still suggests its clueless at the top- that is, if meyer sticks with steyn.

[Biltong]

Peter de Villiers prior to the RWC had a meeting with the Parliamentary sports committee and openly admitted that the J Smit, V Matfirld, J d Villers and Fourie du Preez generation has a fear of failure and hence an aversion to play attacking rugby.

This fear has been symtomatic and evident for the whole of PDV's reign.

Remember he wanted to change the Bok's style.

In 2008 we had a bad tour in the Trinations, but then came home and clobbered the Ozzie's by 50 points.

Immediately after the style was reverted to kick and chase.

In that was PDV's biggest failure, not to sack the "old guard"

There for we today sit with a situation whereby there is no ability to run the ball with any creative nous

[Pal Joey]

Yeah we understand, BB.

Like you've said... the Bulls are a microcosm of your national side and it was a lacklustre performance from them again yesterday. Potential and past achievements aside; currently, they seem to lack really creative playmakers in scintillating form who put the opposition in 2 minds. It must be terribly frustrating to see this or know there are players who could do a better job but aren't given a chance.

This is the only thing Oz and NZ fear (and what a thing it is!) - to see when SA releases it's full potential. We keep kicking ourselves in delight every time this doesn't happen because we (speaking as an Australian, at least) know it's another case of "a great escape against the odds". By the same token, I'm equally as surprised when the Wallabies punch above their weight - as has been the case on many occasions - and manage to pull off a big win.

Whilst individually... across most positions in the Boks side... the credentials of very accomplished players are there and look good on paper and have stood you in good stead on occasion in the past - they just don't seem to do be doing justice on the scoreboard of late - apart from the odd thrashing as you mentioned above.

But give me a ball runner v a metronomic kicker any day. I don't watch rugby for the 'safe options' or 'who can kick the most often for least affect'... and as I know... neither do you.

[Pal Joey]

Lots of points in this game. Canes on fire but now an intercept try for Vuna.
31-17 before HT.

[Guest]

Matu'u, wow!! Two massive but legal tackles and two rebels feeling very groggy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFsXflfeVkc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Over 60 points now for the Hurricanes, and Beale off injured

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Someone burgled SBW's house during the Chiefs match yesterday http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6993688/Sonny-Bill-Williams-house-burgled

[Biltong]

If I was the Blues I'll be very upset and disappointed with that loss.

They had no luck, all the fifty fifty calls went agaist them, and that line out was just daft.

[Biltong]

The game is only 24 minutes old and Walsh is already the star of the show in the Brumbies vs Reds match.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

How good was that first try for the Hurricanes? I like this TJ Perenara. Savea's hat-trick could see him start against Ireland though Gear's double and decision not to go to Japan might see him enter the frame where previously it didn't look good.

Always like to see the Hurricanes when they're on fire. Losing 5 out of 6 of their home games means the fans who turned up were repaid and then some for doing so.

[aucklandlaurie]

WhaT a battle that Reds Brumbies game was, we have not seen any other game this year in Suoer xv with both packs committing so many to every beakdown, it was a war oh and a wallaby trial.

Biltong, i dont think walsh had much choice,each team was going to take anything out of anyone anywhere and that included the Referee.

[Biltong]

And the Lions, fail once more.

[Taylorman]

Yes Kia the 9 role just looks better every week. Some fears put to rest there.

The Canes were fantastic but have been a little inconsistent lately and will fight with the SA sharks and stormers to get the 3rd team in ahead of a second Oz side. And the Blues will probably ruin the party for them next week. We dont want them winning any further local derbys.

[Biltong]

I had a rather successful sportsguru weekend, moved up to 15th.

Will probably get it all wrong next weekend

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