Super XV 2014 General Discussion Thread

DDC1990

Awful injury for Gio Aplon!

Dislocated elbow.

Kiwi_knock

That is such as unfortunate injury, so unlucky.

Swiwi.

DDC1990 wrote: »

Awful injury for Gio Aplon!

Dislocated elbow.

Elbow injuries like that will require pretty specialised surgery IMO. Hopefully not career ending.

DDC1990

Jesus, hardy bastard walking off waving.

stefan idiot jones

CCCCCOOOOOOMMMMMMMEEEEEEE OOOOOOONNNNNNN.

stefan idiot jones

......and relax.

stefan idiot jones

It's good to see that the Reds can tough it out with a SA pack in greasy conditions. It has been bucketing down here all week (apart from today which was in the low thirties) and not ideal for the 'drought generation' to play their usual attacking, entertaining, headless chickens game.

After three defeats for the Stormers I expected them to control this game, but hats off to the Reds for grinding it out.

The Stormers will be seriously disappointed in themselves.

Kiwi_knock

Lovely try for the Chiefs. Makes for an interesting last 10 mins, 31-22 to the Bulls.

Swiwi.

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Lovely try for the Chiefs. Makes for an interesting last 10 mins, 31-22 to the Bulls.

I've had a mare this week with my predictions: defeats for the Crusaders, and a bad loss for the Highlanders (or rather a great display from the Blues) and Chiefs facing defeat here.

Swiwi.

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Lovely try for the Chiefs. Makes for an interesting last 10 mins, 31-22 to the Bulls.

Oh, Chiefs have a chance here. 2 to 3 minutes to score another try.

Swiwi.

Kick from the sideline for the draw...can they do it...

And he does it!!!

What a comeback, shame he missed the previous conversion. That was some conversion!

Kiwi_knock

What a try, massive kick coming up.

Kiwi_knock

What a ending, Anscombe should have converted the previous try though. Chiefs should really be celebrating a win, but getting a draw from that position is a massive result.

Swiwi.

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

What a ending, Anscombe should have converted the previous try though. Chiefs should really be celebrating a win, but getting a draw from that position is a massive result.

Hope the Tahs beat the Sharks now...no Folau though. Try and squeeze in a bit of this before I head off to the Aviva!

Swiwi.

daphil wrote: »

On hols in New Zealand and just back from Crusaders game. I know a game can be totally different on TV, but here are my thoughts on the match. A bit of a disappointment to be honest. Was supporting Crusaders as my daughter lives in Christchurch. From where I sat, the game was more Rabo Direct than Heinekin Cup and it seemed to me that it was more a social occasion than a rugby match. The biggest cheer early on was for the horses charging round the pitch. The home team spent the whole of the first half flinging the ball wide, with no pick and go or even a kick to break it up, (sound familiar?). The Chiefs just held their line and tackled and kicked well. While Robbie Fruean may be a powerful runner, the missed tackles, that close to the touch line were, criminal.
The standard of place kicking from Bleyendall was laughable. The first time Crusaders did not give the ball to the backs, they scored from a line out, although the defence was again very poor.
The Crusaders took over in the second half, but again rarely looked very dangerous.They did get a maul going late in the game, but couldn't finish. Numerous knock-ons, when in good positions, also cost them.
Taylor also missed a couple of shots at goal,although I was surprised McCaw did not go down the line from one of them.
I have to say, that with all the talk about how brilliant the Super 15 is, I think with the possession and field positions the Crusaders had in the second half, a team like Munster, would have won handily.
One real maul in a game, it may be rugby Jim, but not as we know it.

Well just back from Leinster v Munster at the Aviva, and I don't think there was one attacking maul all game! The first half was pretty poor: 3 kicks into touch on the full, Munster player ran into his own man, Leinster couldn't protect their ruck ball for love nor money, and Munster couldn't make possession and territory pay. The 2nd half from Leinster in particular was better, but still only 1 try between the 2 teams. I don't like comparing comps too much, but the attack I saw on display from the Super Rugby today was definitely a cut above. In fairness, I think both teams probably holding back a bit for the HEC 1/4s. Also, Leinster without Sexton and Munster without ROG are a bit like the Crusaders sans Carter.

Morf

Swiwi. wrote: »

Well just back from Leinster v Munster at the Aviva, and I don't think there was one attacking maul all game! The first half was pretty poor: 3 kicks into touch on the full, Munster player ran into his own man, Leinster couldn't protect their ruck ball for love nor money, and Munster couldn't make possession and territory pay. The 2nd half from Leinster in particular was better, but still only 1 try between the 2 teams. I don't like comparing comps too much, but the attack I saw on display from the Super Rugby today was definitely a cut above. In fairness, I think both teams probably holding back a bit for the HEC 1/4s. Also, Leinster without Sexton and Munster without ROG are a bit like the Crusaders sans Carter.

Underlined the important bit. Why would they use their maul when (under Plumtree guidance) it could be a great weapon? I'd imagine a gentleman's agreement was there for both not to bother much with it. Usually both would maul a heck of a lot in this fixture.

Swiwi.

I know during his week of HEC quarters that bumping the SXV thread is like pushing shìt uphill (or pissing in the wind if your prefer), and the thread is more likely to gather cobwebs than an Ethiopian's arse, but there are some good games nonetheless. The pick is probably Brumbies v Blues, the Brumbies coming off a shock loss to the Rebels, and the Blues comprehensively wiping Eden Park with the lads of Scottish heritage - if the Blues can beat the Brumbies at home (and I don't think they will) then they will have to be considered as potential title contenders. From my POV, if the Crusaders don't win at least one of the SA away games, then it's almost curtains on the 2014 season.

Jacovs

Gert Smal has been made director of rugby at WP/Stormers. Alistair Coetzee still head coach, but not too sure on Robbie Fleck and Matt Proudfoot's futures with the franchise.
Hopefully the changes bring along good fortune like it did at the Sharks. maybe not this year, but maybe the Currie Cup and next year's SXV.

matthew8

Brumbies should win that match, Blues have poor away form and they're better in most areas. It's meant to rain heavily which should favour the Brumbies.

hahashake

matthew8 wrote: »

Brumbies should win that match, Blues have poor away form and they're better in most areas. It's meant to rain heavily which should favour the Brumbies.

Remember Nonu and Kaino are starting their second game this season and they can be game changers. If the tight 5 plays well then the Blues will be extremely dangerous, they probably have the best 11-15 in super rugby.

matthew8

hahashake wrote: »

Remember Nonu and Kaino are starting their second game this season and they can be game changers. If the tight 5 plays well then the Blues will be extremely dangerous, they probably have the best 11-15 in super rugby.

Waratahs easily have a better 11-15. Betham, Beale, AAC, Horne and Folau and I prefer the Brumbies back 5 to the Blues' as well (at this level anyway, if Nonu brought his NZ form to club rugby it might be a different story). An abundance of stars hasn't stopped the Blues in years past, and the second row is a serious weakness this weak without Donnelly. If the Blues can win tomorrow I'll give them plenty of respect but so far they have blown 2 of their best shots at away wins, and I don't see how they'll win this one.

hahashake

matthew8 wrote: »

Waratahs easily have a better 11-15. Betham, Beale, AAC, Horne and Folau and I prefer the Brumbies back 5 to the Blues' as well (at this level anyway, if Nonu brought his NZ form to club rugby it might be a different story). An abundance of stars hasn't stopped the Blues in years past, and the second row is a serious weakness this weak without Donnelly. If the Blues can win tomorrow I'll give them plenty of respect but so far they have blown 2 of their best shots at away wins, and I don't see how they'll win this one.

I beg to differ. Nonu, Piutau, Halai are all ABs and Moala and Li are ABs in waiting. Admittedly Nonu isn't always the best at super level but when he is he dominates.
The only real weakness in the Blues now is at lock but when Tuipolotu is back it shouldn't be an issue. Without Folau last week the Tahs backline was very average.

Swiwi.

Not sure about moala and especially Li. Li's defence is suspect.

hahashake

Li just turned 19. It's a double-edged sword, obviously he is extremely talented to make a super rugby side while still in highschool but it means he is a lot rawer than the average player. Still plenty of time to improve. Moala is pretty solid IMO.

Swiwi.

hahashake wrote: »

Li just turned 19. It's a double-edged sword, obviously he is extremely talented to make a super rugby side while still in highschool but it means he is a lot rawer than the average player. Still plenty of time to improve. Moala is pretty solid IMO.

Didn't realise he was so young. Will cut some slack so. Moala has promise but don't think AB material just yet.

sydthebeat

Come on highlanders.... big score here please! !

Yeah_Right

Saw the first half but then had to go to work. Score?

sydthebeat

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Saw the first half but then had to go to work. Score?

33 - 23 Highlanders

12 mins left

sydthebeat

Woodward try... 33 - 28 conversion to come.

sydthebeat

And it's good.

sydthebeat

Highlanders by three

LuckyGent88

Way too much kicking in this brumbies blues game.
Can't see the blues back 3 being able to out tactic kick the brumbies. Really need to try something different.

Swiwi.

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Way too much kicking in this brumbies blues game.
Can't see the blues back 3 being able to out tactic kick the brumbies. Really need to try something different.

As I expected easy win for brumbies. Flatter to deceive do the Blues. That NZ 2nd spot still very much up for grabs.

Swiwi.

The canes are absolutely on fire so far! Unbe-f*ckin-believable. Defence is immense, and a bootiful try.

LuckyGent88

Swiwi. wrote: »

The canes are absolutely on fire so far! Unbe-f*ckin-believable. Defence is immense, and a bootiful try.

Nice to see the hurricanes follow up there form from last week.
No doubt they have the squad to really go far in the comp.
Hopefully they push on in the second half and get the win.

Swiwi.

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Nice to see the hurricanes follow up there form from last week.
No doubt they have the squad to really go far in the comp.
Hopefully they push on in the second half and get the win.

Bulls flattered by the HT scoreline. But Bulls have started the 2nd 40 better. Nice to see Andre Taylor back in form.

LuckyGent88

Swiwi. wrote: »

Bulls flattered by the HT scoreline. But Bulls have started the 2nd 40 better. Nice to see Andre Taylor back in form.

Nice to see the hurricanes get the win.
It was the type if game they would normally throw away but they might be finally getting there act together.
The NZ conference is really up for grabs. Chiefs are the favourites but the hurricanes will really challenge them.

stefan idiot jones

The Honey Badger warming up ready for a crushing defeat (hopefully) at the Suncorp.

stefan idiot jones

Swiwi. wrote: »

Nice to see Andre Taylor back in form.

The man optimises all that is great about rugby. Head up and attack. Class act.

sydthebeat

18 year old make debut for reds.

sydthebeat

sydthebeat wrote: »

18 year old make debut for reds.

And he's off injured..

May wait until another day to impress.

Kiwi_knock

Force might just have stolen the win. 3 points ahead with less than a minute remaining.

stefan idiot jones

Fcuk.

sydthebeat

Great game. Reds have away to many ridiculous penalties and the force could have won it by a lot more.

Kiwi_knock

4 wins in a row for the Force, what a season so far from them.

LuckyGent88

What a shock that was.
Fair play to the force. Really going well this year.
I really just wish the Western Australia crowd would get behind them.

Swiwi.

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

4 wins in a row for the Force, what a season so far from them.

I can only dream of such a run from my team

stefan idiot jones

The Force's defence was very quick off the mark and the Reds just threw away a few try scoring chances, they just didn't click tonight.

Anyway, Happy 26th Birthday to Quade, and what the fcuk was he doing dropping that goal in stoppage time? Go for the win.

Morf

Swiwi. wrote: »

Bulls flattered by the HT scoreline. But Bulls have started the 2nd 40 better. Nice to see Andre Taylor back in form.

I'd like to think I predicted this return to form . . .

Kiwi_knock

Another last minute draw for the Chiefs, did great to comeback but would have been aiming for the win before the match.