Summer Tournament Round 9 - Pools C and D

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Pool C

Bulls vs Wasps

Bulls
Manager – Frans Ludeke

01. Morne Mellett	09. Rudy Paige
02. Adrian Strauss	10. Handre Pollard
03. Marcel van der Merwe
04. Flip van der Merwe	11. Travis Ismaiel
05. Grant Hattingh	12. Burger Odendaal
06. Arno Botha	13. JJ Engelbrecht
07. Jacques du Plessis	14. Francois Hougaard
08. Pierre Spies	15. Jesse Kriel

Subs:
16 Callie Visagie 17 Trevor Nyakane 18 Werner Kruger 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg 20 Roelof Smit 21 Bjorn Basson 22 Tiaan Schoeman 23 Jacques-Louis Potgeiter

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Wasps
Manager – CJ

01. Ben Arous	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Richardt Strauss	10.  Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Luke Charteris	11. Eli Walker
05. Grant Gilchrist	12. George Loala
06. Chris Robshaw	13. George Lowe
07. John Barclay	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne, 17. Corey Flynn, 18. James Johnston,  19.  George Skivington, 20 Sekou Macalou. , 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Finn Russell, 23. Tomas Ramos

Saints vs Bath

Northampton Saints

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Logi Mulipola
4. Michael Paterson
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. Jaques du Plessis
8. Manu Samoa
9. Joe Simpson
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Julian Savea
12. Alex Dunbar
13. Elliot Daly
14. Jordan Williams
15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Replacements

16. Ashley Johnson 17. Zander Fagerson 18. Adam Jones 19. Sam Jones 20. Sam Burgess 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Ollie Deveto 23. Manu Tuilagi

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicole's Sanchez
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Charlie Ewers	11. Lolagi Visnia
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Liam Messam	13. Francis Saili
07. Liam Gill	14. Hallan Amos
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Mikey Haywood 17. Richard Barrington 18. Scott Wilson 19. Alexandre Flanquarft 20. Toby Falateu 21. Maxime Machenaud 22. Christian Lealifano 23. George North

Chiefs vs Waratahs

Pool D

Worcester vs Brumbies

Brumbies
Manager – Stephen Larkham

01. Scott Sio	09. Nic White
02. Stephen Moore	10. Christian Lealiifano
03. Ben Alexander
04. Sam Carter	11. Henry Speight
05. Rory Arnold	12. Matt Toomua
06. Scott Fardy	13. Tevita Kuridrani
07. David Pocock	14. Joe Tomane
08. Ita Vaea	15. Jesse Mogg

Subs:
16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Allan Alaalatoa 18 Ruan Smith 19 Blake Enever 20 Jarrad Butler 21 Michael Dowsett 22  Nigel Ah Wong 23 Robbie Coleman

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Worcester
[/td]

01. Joe Moody	09. Lee Dickson
02. Codie Taylor	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Davit Kubriashvilli
04. Dean Mumm	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Devin Toner	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jacques Potgeiter	13. Huw Jones
07. Sam Warburton	14. Nehe Millner Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

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16. Ross Batty 17. Ryan Grant 18. Henry Thomas 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Jackson Wray 21. Gareth Davies 22. Jules Plisson 23. Jarrad Payne

Can I have feedback please on: starting EQ, centre partnership and impact bench.

Tactics: Look to put pressure on their lineout, balanced back row, Jones to run angles and release the back three, look for quick running rugby. Impact bench to add weight to scrum.

Harlequins vs Sharks

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Schalk Brits	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Rob Kearney

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Ben Robinson 18. John Afoa 19. Nick Easter 20. Tom Wood 21. Karl Dickson 22. Damian McKenzie 23. Teddy Thomas

Tactics

Sharks
Manager – Gary Gold

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Cobus Reinach
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Patrick Lambie
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Pieter-Steph du Toit	11. Lwazi Mvovo
05. Stephan Lewies	12. Francois Steyn
06. Marcell Coetzee	13.Waylon Murray
07. Willem Alberts	14. JP Pietersen
08. Ryan Kankowski	15. SP Marais

Subs:
16 Kyle Cooper 17 Thomas du Toit 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Marco Wentzel 20 Renaldo Bothma 21 Michael Claassens 22 Fred Zeilinga 23 Odwa Ndungane

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Hurricanes vs Leicester Tigers

Hurricanes
Manager – Chris Boyd

01. Reggie Goodes	09. TJ Perenara
02. Dane Coles	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben Franks
04. Jeremy Thrush	11. Julian Savea
05. James Broadhurst	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Brad Shields	13. Conrad Smith
07. Ardie Savea	14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
08. Victor Vito	15. James Marshall

Subs:
16 Brayden Mitchell 17 Chris Eves 18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen 19 Mark Abbott 20 Blade Thomson  21 Chris Smylie 22 Ray Lee-Lo 23 Matt Proctor

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Agustin Creevy (c)	10. Freddie Burns (K)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	14. Matt Banahan
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Mike Brown

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16. Hika Elliot 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. Dan Bowden 23. Cheslin Kolbe

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Schalk Brits	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Rob Kearney

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Ben Robinson 18. John Afoa 19. Nick Easter 20. Tom Wood 21. Karl Dickson 22. Damian McKenzie 23. Teddy Thomas

Tactics

Much appreciated Bam

[/td]

01. Joe Moody	09. Lee Dickson
02. Codie Taylor	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Davit Kubriashvilli
04. Dean Mumm	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Devin Toner	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jacques Potgeiter	13. Huw Jones
07. Sam Warburton	14. Nehe Millner Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

.
16. Ross Batty 17. Ryan Grant 18. Henry Thomas 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Jackson Wray 21. Gareth Davies 22. Jules Plisson 23. Jarrad Payne

Can I have feedback please on: starting EQ, centre partnership and impact bench.

Tactics: Look to put pressure on their lineout, balanced back row, Jones to run angles and release the back three, look for quick running rugby. Impact bench to add weight to scrum.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicole's Sanchez
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Charlie Ewers	11. Lolagi Visnia
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Liam Messam	13. Francis Saili
07. Liam Gill	14. Hallan Amos
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Mikey Haywood 17. Richard Barrington 18. Scott Wilson 19. Alexandre Flanquarft 20. Toby Falateu 21. Maxime Machenaud 22. Christian Lealifano 23. George North

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Agustin Creevy (c)	10. Freddie Burns (K)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	14. Matt Banahan
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Mike Brown

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16. Hika Elliot 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. Dan Bowden 23. Cheslin Kolbe

Wasps
Manager – CJ

01. Ben Arous	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Richardt Strauss	10.  Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Luke Charteris	11. Eli Walker
05. Grant Gilchrist	12. George Loala
06. Chris Robshaw	13. George Lowe
07. John Barclay	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne, 17. Corey Flynn, 18. James Johnston,  19.  George Skivington, 20 Sekou Macalou. , 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Finn Russell, 23. Tomas Ramos

Northampton Saints

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Logi Mulipola
4. Michael Paterson
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. Jaques du Plessis
8. Manu Samoa
9. Joe Simpson
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Julian Savea
12. Alex Dunbar
13. Elliot Daly
14. Jordan Williams
15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Replacements

16. Ashley Johnson 17. Zander Fagerson 18. Adam Jones 19. Sam Jones 20. Sam Burgess 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Ollie Deveto 23. Manu Tuilagi

(didnt see the link to this weeks match thread!).

RESULTS:

Bulls 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)
Wasps 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)

Northampton Saints 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Bath 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)

Worcester Warriors 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)
Brumbies 26 (T:2 C:2 P:4)

Harlequins 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Sharks 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)

Hurricanes 34 (T:4 C:4 P:2)
Leicester Tigers 27 (T:2 C:1 P:5)

Bulls 22-24 Wasps
Feel Wasps could get the edge in the front 5, lineout may be a bit closer. Looking at the back row the Bulls could get some joy but I feel Wasps bring more carrying options here. Half backs I’m inclined to go one a piece. Centres pretty close as well, out wide both teams can be dangerous but neither are massively world beaters with Kriel maybe causing some problems from 15. Benches are pretty even too, looking at it overall I think Wasps have just slightly enough

Bulls 30 - 28 Wasps
Very even in the scrum, think Flip gives Bulls an advantage at the lineout. Think Wasps have enough to take the breakdown, despite the power and pace of the Bulls second and back row, think Wasps have an advantage in terms of fetchers. Pollard, Kriel and Hougaard are the outstanding backs on show for me, think they have enough to score the points needed to overcome the breakdown, Bulls have enough at home.

Bulls 20-20 Wasps
Just prefer the Wasps pack and they should do ok in the scrum and line out. Little in the halfbacks with Pollard struggling for form evening it up. Not much again in the centres and similar story in the back 3. Wasps edge pack but not quite enough in the backline to get the win.

Bulls 19-22 Wasps
Wasps pack looking stronger this year and will do well if given a big emphasis on the breakdown back line needs work though and could struggle at times defensively.

Bulls 20 - 19 Wasps
Very close game, the home team have a pretty big pack and I can't see Wasps getting enough ball from them to go for a win here. A nice balance to Wasps backline and again if Lowe can stay injury free he could be a massive boost throughout the season.

Saints 25-26 Bath
Pretty even in the front row with Whitelock being the stand out in the 2nd row. Backrows are quite well matched but I feel Manoa will cause Beaumont some issues here. Two good backlines, feel Bath may have a bit more composure here. Centres again pretty even but I think that Saints could get more joy from their back 3 on show today. Two extremely powerful benches on show and both with very good impact. This is a close game to call but I think Bath will get a bit more from the set piece to just nick a win here.

Saints 33 - 26 Bath
Saints have gone with a very strong side, and i'm finding it tough to see an area that Bath clearly win. I especially think they lack carriers in the pack, have a good mix of breakdown and rangy athletes, but think they need some more brute force in there. The extra star power in the Saints backs will also make a big difference, some real quality up against some youngsters in the back 3. Saints win

Northampton 27-28 Bath
A little more form in the Bath front row and they'll get an edge in the scrum. Engine rooms pretty even and similar story in the backrows. FDP a big step at 9 and Sanchez shading Sopoaga giving Bath a good platform. Bath centres a big step up but Saints back 3 will score tries. Bath quality at 9-13 the main difference between the teams.

Saints 31 - 30 Bath
Very tight scrum battle that I actually think Bath might edge. Whitelock standout at lock but prefer the overall line out pairing for Saints. I do like the back rows though Du Plessis and Beaumont are steps down. Think Saints edge that. Safer Hbs for Bath, though there could be moments of brilliance from Saints. Big fan of Daly but prefer Bath centres overall and for balance. However, love the Saints back three, with solidity and kicking at 15, power and pace and then magic on either wing. Very tight game, but at home Saints win

Saints 28-26 Bath
Bit more carrying from the Saints backrow but elsewhere not a lot between the packs. Bath halfbacks a step up though. Unsure on the Bath back three defensively.

Worcester 33 - 29 Brumbies
Worcester side have improved beyond recognition, some real smart signings by prop. Think they have enough in the front 5 to compete and beat the Brumbies, and Warbs is one of the few who can compete with Pocock, so will do well at the breakdown too, although that will be evens for me. Behind the scrum, Worcester are stronger in the halfbacks and back 3, while I like the Brumbies centre combo as a proven international pair. Very close for me, think Worcester win

Worcester 28-25 Brumbies
Good pack from Worcester and they'll get a decent platform from both set pieces. Little in the backrow battle and they'll nullify each other slightly. One a piece in the halfbacks and similar in the centres with Wuss back 3 dangerous. Tight win for Wuss.

Brumbies 28 - 28 Worcester
Brumbies good for Aussies at the scrum and can get ahead. Power in Wuss second row gives an advantage though and the can match Brumbies for line out too. Tough battle at breakdown and could see Brumbies get ahead but sacrifice of this is carrying power and Worcrster easily ahead here. Think on balance Biggar gives Wuss an edge at HB, Brumbiues ahead with excellent centre combos, and they also have a great back 3 but more balance and spark for Wuss, who have enough to draw, just about

Worcester 28-25 Brumbies
Unsure on the Worc scrum but the ball carrying of the pack is strong and the midfield will get over the front foot as well. Bench wise wouldn't say there is a lot of impact Prop compared to other sides in the league.

Brumbies 23 - 28 Worcester
Again both packs fairly evenly matched and will be a great breakdown battle between Pocock and Warburton. Can see the away side edging the battle though and for any game that Worcester do that in they have one of the most exciting backlines to unleash. A good return to form from Roberts yesterday will work wonders for Prop as well. Very much improved side from last year. 

Quins 27-24 Sharks
Even up front with Beast causing Brookes some issues but the rest of the front row evening it out for Quins. Good pairing for Quins and think they will take this 2nd row battle. Back row will be a great contest but Hooper and Chouly will come out on top here. One a piece at half backs with Quins taking the centres. Both teams dangerous out wide but Quins will have the better ball. A good Quins bench sees out the win.

Quins 33 - 26 Sharks
Quins pack is perfectly suited to battling the big SA pack, other than the front row I think they can match them physically and in Hooper have the quality to win the breakdown. Lambie is the standout half back, but far prefer the rest of Quins backs. At home, and with plenty to unload of the bench, quins win

Harlequins 25-25 Sharks
Scrum advantage to the Sharks but line out will be closely fought with good options in the Sharks backrow. I think Chouly makes a better 6 and this just gives Sharks the edge in a good tussle. One a piece in the hb's but Sharks combo better and similar in the centres but with Quins combo better. I like Quins back 3 on show and will trouble most sides.

Quins 22- 22 Sharks
Sharks ahead of Quins at the scrum, and I think also the line out. Very tough fight at the breakdown, and Sharks take the tight battle and Quins the loose carrying. Think with a kicking game, Quins' HBs probably more useful. Think Quins centres are excellent and work well together, could be one of the best partnerships in the game, and back 3 fit well with the HBs with their ability at FB, Huget's try the other week was also class. Quins manage to draw at home despite struggling against the Sharks pack

Quins 26-26 Sharks
Quins struggle a little at the scrum and feel Sharks edge the breakdown slightly. Halfbacks one a piece but Quins stronger 11-15 man for man and will be some kick chase side.

Quins 32 - 25 Sharks
Like the balance throughout the whole Quins team, the backline particularly just clicks and with Kruis they have a great lineout presence and Hooper that breakdown and open play threat. Can see Quins being a big threat in the league this year.

Hurricanes 28-26 Tigers
Pretty close contest in the set piece with neither side really staking a claim. In the back row I can see Tigers getting some advantage on the floor with both Smith and Louw playing. Half backs one a piece and I think the Canes centres, especially with their experience, could cause the Tigers pairing some issues. Tigers are steady out wide but Canes are strong here. Bench for Tigers will bring it close but I think that the Canes back line will be too much for Tigers today.

Hurricanes 34 - 27 Tigers
Tough one to call, I'd go with this being Canes backline against Tigers forwards, but the Canes forwards have some real edge and physicality, and think they will be able to match the big Tigers pack up front, and will probably run them ragged around the field. The Tigers backs need an injection of quality IMO, or could struggle in an attacking sense through the season

Hurricanes 31-29 Tigers
Scrum advantage to Canes but I think Tigers will get on top in the line out with the Canes combo just shy of Int class. Really like Canes 6/8 but it's a good combo from Tigers that will just get on top. Canes backline is top class and a step up from 9-14 (Bast playing really well) and this just gives them an edge at home. Toughest game in the comp for Tigers.

Hurricanes 30 - 25 Tigers
Tigers match Canes at the scrum and with more nous take the line out. However, the team quality of Hurricanes means they can match the strong Tigers at the breakdown, and both sides packs contribute well in attack. Canes have the better attacking HBs and although Brown is back playing well and is the better FB on show, the better attacking wingers and centres that will outmatch the Leicester ones (36 struggling for form against 2 of the best in the world). Home win

Canes 34-30 Tigers
Tigers front rows work rate around the park top class and with Bast and the back row on show they will be a strong breakdown side but the 2nd row is an issue with both on the wane. In this one Canes backs a big step up and can't see past them at home.

Hurricanes 28 - 26 Leicester Tigers
Again another close game, but just like the Canes backline and threat that they can offer. If Burns comes back into form the whole Tigers team will change and with the platform their pack offers they are going to be very difficult to beat.