FIRSTLY, a big congratulations to the Lions for securing a 4 point bye win this week. Unfortunately they are still rooted to the bottom of the table. There are 2 top of the Conference Derbies this week and they are going to be crackers, Highlanders v Blues and Stormers v Sharks. Purely from a NZ and SA point of view they are huge but in terms of the combined conference these results will affect the top 8. Will the Brumbies start their away leg with a win and revive their season? Will the Rebels pull the wool over the Waratahs eyes? Only time will tell...
Highlanders v Blues (Dunedin)
Luke McAlister and Adam Thomson both return to the starting line up for the Blues and Highlanders respectively. There will be a lot of focus on the two fly-halves as the old war horse Tony Brown had a great game last week will be up against Stephan Brett. As all derbies should be, this is going to be a hard physical game and no team will go into the changing room at the end of the game wondering if they could have done better. I don't think the Highlanders have it in them after last week.
PreJudgement: Blues by 6
Cheetahs v Brumbies (Bloemfontein)
The Cheetahs will be looking to drive some nails into the coffin of the Brumbies by taking a win on Friday night. The Brumbies, I am sure are going to relish being out of 'pressure cooker' that is Australia after their worst start in SupeRugby history. With the appointment of Jake White onto their coaching staff for next season, maybe the Brumbies will pick it up a bit on the Bosses home soil.
PreJudgement: Brumbies by 11
Hurricanes v Reds (Wellington)
One would expect the Reds to walk all over the hapless Hurricanes, but there is a little bell inside my head warning me that they are still a dangerous team. Then I look at the injuries they have had and the loooong flight home. After all of that I realise that they are playing the mighty Reds. This is going to be a horrible return home after touring and its not going to end well for the home team. What theatrics are we going to see out of Quade Cooper this week?
PreJudgement: Reds by 9
Waratahs v Rebels (Sydney)
The Rebels are due a win or have they used up all their first season 'get out of jail' free cards? I think they have and we should settle down and watch the Waratahs dominate the new boys. The loss of Drew Mitchell is significant but he is replaced by Soseni Anesi who can produce the goods. Kurtley Beale moves to fullback and Berrick Barnes wears the number 10 jumper.
PreJudgement: Waratahs by 19
Force v Crusaders (Perth)
Richie McCaw returns as captain for the Crusaders and immediately everyone sits up and takes notice. There are no more 'rested' players on the bench as they all seem to be starting this week. Todd Blackadder will be looking to take 5 points home from this game. Willie Ripia will be starting a t 10 with the talented James O'Connor outside him. It is also great to see Matt Dunning starting again for the Force.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 15
Bulls v Chiefs (Pretoria)
The Bulls are not going to get out of their crap form this week. Not even with all the hype around what their sponsors are getting them to do, I think its shocking! The Chiefs have come off a tough game last week but the Bulls are risking Dewald Potgieter and Francois Hougaard very soon after injury.
PreJudgement: Chiefs by 7
Stormers v Sharks (Cape Town)
The Stormers captain, Schalk Burger, has been downplaying their win in the shark tank a few weeks ago in the media. The Sharks have been downplaying the revenge factor this game has....ITS ALL LIES! The Stormers and Sharks want to beat the living daylights out of each other. The Stormers want a double and the Sharks want Revenge! There is are no two ways about it. John Smit stays at hooker and captain for the Sharks, with Bismark du Plessis on the bench. Peter Grant has a late fitness test on Friday to see if he can play on Saturday. Ross Skeate returns to Cape Town where here played for SACS , UCT and the Stormers.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 9
Showing posts with label Ross Skeate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ross Skeate. Show all posts
Friday, 29 April 2011
Thursday, 21 April 2011
SupeRugby Round 10 PreJudgement:
With two top local derbies that influence a lot in the competition, Saturday is going to be a cracker. Crusaders are at home to the Highlanders which isn't looking good for the visiting team. The big one of the weekend is by far the Reds v Waratahs. If the Waratahs lose this that could be the end of their season...
Blues v Rebels (Auckland)
I feel for the Rebels here, as they always bounce back after a defeat. The Blues, however, are way too strong and have been slowly but surely growing in confidence this season. Between the strong forward pack and mesmerizing backline players the Blues will secure a bonus point win on Friday. How many points the Rebels score in reply is always tough to call...
PreJudgement: Blues by 14
Crusaders v Highlanders (Nelson)
Sonny Bill Williams has been benched for this fixture....Very Very interesting....The Crusaders have made a few changes for this game, with Sean Maitland being benched too. Is this a case of a great rotation policy or is it a silly move? Adam Thompson is noticeably missing from the Highlanders team due to injury.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 11
Reds v Waratahs (Brisbane)
Game of the weekend by far. I am particularly looking forward to the Half Back pairings going up against each other. Will Genia & Quade Cooper vs Luke Burgess & Kurtley Beale will be a colossus battle of skill kicking ability and the fight for the Aussie Jumper come the Tri Nations and RWC. There is no ways on earth you are allowed to talk about the Queensland Reds and not mention Digby Ioane, see why here. His match up against Drew Mitchell will be great too, I think Mitchell has the gas to beat him but Digby Ioane has the power to run over him.
PreJudgement: Reds by 8
Force v Bulls (Perth)
This is going to be tough to call, as the Force have been poor but managed a win last week. The Bulls....well they have been poor but have two more wins to their name. It's going to be tough in Perth but I think the South African side will take this one
PreJudgement: Bulls by 5
Sharks v Hurricanes (Durban)
This is a must win for the Sharks if they want to ease the pressure off themselves to qualify for the knockouts. The Hurricanes have been in Cape Town this week training and will be traveling to Durban in the next two days. It is a great relief for the Sharks supporters to see Patrick Lambie back in the starting line up. Ross Skeate pairs up with Sykes at Lock and John Smit starting at hooker due to an injury to Bismark du Plessis. Will the Hurricanes play to their potential or will they retreat into their shell?
PreJudgement: Sharks by 9
Lions v Chiefs (Johannesburg)
I think the Lions might be in a spot of bother here...The Chiefs will be looking to end the Easter Weekends fixtures with a bonus point win to themselves. They will be looking to get their season rejuvenated by beating the bottom of the table Lions.
PreJudgement: Chiefs by 21
The Bulls and Waratahs will be hoping that the Hurricanes do them a favour and beat the Sharks in Durban on Saturday. This will boost their chances of qualifying for the knockouts should they win this weekend. Noticeable absentees this weekend are Bismark du Plessis, Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter. Some welcome returns see Phil Waugh, Patrick Lambie and John Smit (starting at Hooker) return.
Blues v Rebels (Auckland)
I feel for the Rebels here, as they always bounce back after a defeat. The Blues, however, are way too strong and have been slowly but surely growing in confidence this season. Between the strong forward pack and mesmerizing backline players the Blues will secure a bonus point win on Friday. How many points the Rebels score in reply is always tough to call...
PreJudgement: Blues by 14
Crusaders v Highlanders (Nelson)
Sonny Bill Williams has been benched for this fixture....Very Very interesting....The Crusaders have made a few changes for this game, with Sean Maitland being benched too. Is this a case of a great rotation policy or is it a silly move? Adam Thompson is noticeably missing from the Highlanders team due to injury.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 11
Reds v Waratahs (Brisbane)
Game of the weekend by far. I am particularly looking forward to the Half Back pairings going up against each other. Will Genia & Quade Cooper vs Luke Burgess & Kurtley Beale will be a colossus battle of skill kicking ability and the fight for the Aussie Jumper come the Tri Nations and RWC. There is no ways on earth you are allowed to talk about the Queensland Reds and not mention Digby Ioane, see why here. His match up against Drew Mitchell will be great too, I think Mitchell has the gas to beat him but Digby Ioane has the power to run over him.
PreJudgement: Reds by 8
Force v Bulls (Perth)
This is going to be tough to call, as the Force have been poor but managed a win last week. The Bulls....well they have been poor but have two more wins to their name. It's going to be tough in Perth but I think the South African side will take this one
PreJudgement: Bulls by 5
Sharks v Hurricanes (Durban)
This is a must win for the Sharks if they want to ease the pressure off themselves to qualify for the knockouts. The Hurricanes have been in Cape Town this week training and will be traveling to Durban in the next two days. It is a great relief for the Sharks supporters to see Patrick Lambie back in the starting line up. Ross Skeate pairs up with Sykes at Lock and John Smit starting at hooker due to an injury to Bismark du Plessis. Will the Hurricanes play to their potential or will they retreat into their shell?
PreJudgement: Sharks by 9
Lions v Chiefs (Johannesburg)
I think the Lions might be in a spot of bother here...The Chiefs will be looking to end the Easter Weekends fixtures with a bonus point win to themselves. They will be looking to get their season rejuvenated by beating the bottom of the table Lions.
PreJudgement: Chiefs by 21
The Bulls and Waratahs will be hoping that the Hurricanes do them a favour and beat the Sharks in Durban on Saturday. This will boost their chances of qualifying for the knockouts should they win this weekend. Noticeable absentees this weekend are Bismark du Plessis, Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter. Some welcome returns see Phil Waugh, Patrick Lambie and John Smit (starting at Hooker) return.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
SupeRugby Round 8 Prejudgement:
This weeks games will define the season for many of the teams. A win for the Reds, Stormers or Crusaders will almost secure a play off place, wins for the Sharks and Highlanders puts them back into the knock out wild card qualification. A loss for the Brumbies or Hurricanes and their season would be pretty much over.
Highlanders v Cheetahs (Carisbrook, Dunedin)
The Cheetahs are hopefully going to be concentrating on the game and not coming home! It's the South Africans last touring game before they head home. SupeRugby Round 8 kicks off with the Highlanders as the favorites for this game, with the opportunity to move higher up the ladder into Wild Card Territory.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 12
Crusaders v Bulls (Fraser Park, Timaru)
Game of the weekend number 1 and with Dan Carter sitting out with a hamstring injury, Matt Berquist gets a start at flyhalf for probably the most exciting backline ever fielded. The Bulls will fancy their chances against the Crusaders with Carter not available as well as coming off a win last week. Morne Steyn didn't win too many fans with his drop kicks last week but as boring as it is to watch, it wins games and adds three points.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 9
Brumbies v Hurricanes (Canberra Stadium, Canberra)
Wow, this could go one of two ways, riddled with errors, bad kicking and poor hands or it could be the game of the season. Both teams need a win (more than oxygen right now) and with the talent they both have available to them lets hope we are in for a quality 80 minutes. I think The Hurricanes might find the trip too much to deal with as the Australian capital is a tough place to visit.
PreJudgement: Brumbies by 12
Force v Waratahs (Perth Oval, Perth)
James O'Connor has been moved to fullback for this encounter to give Willie Ripia his first start at flyhalf this season. Ex Force centre and wing Ryan Cross has hit out at his old team mates for not closing out games. I am sure this will add some extra niggle to Saturdays game.
PreJudgement: Waratahs by 7
Stormers v Reds (Newlands, Cape Town)
Game of the weekend number 2. The build up to this game has been awesome. Everyone is wondering which backline is going to come out winners come the final whistle. Quade Cooper v Peter Grant , Digby Ioane v Bryan Habana , Duane Vermeulen v Scott Higginbotham. Just looking at those match ups should excite you as a rugby supporter. Such a tough game to call.
PreJudgement: do I have to say something.... Stormers by 5
Sharks v Lions (Kings Park, Durban)
A number of changes for the Sharks this week sees John Smit and Eugene van Staden starting at prop with Gerhard Mostert replacing the injured Hargreaves. This has opened the door for Ross Skeate's return to SupeRugby after a two year stint at French side Toulon. The Lions will be looking to kick the Sharks while they are down but they have had their fair share of problems with many missed kicks. The Sharks are coming off three losses on the trot but I can assure you that they will not settle for anything less than a bonus point win.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 15
Highlanders v Cheetahs (Carisbrook, Dunedin)
The Cheetahs are hopefully going to be concentrating on the game and not coming home! It's the South Africans last touring game before they head home. SupeRugby Round 8 kicks off with the Highlanders as the favorites for this game, with the opportunity to move higher up the ladder into Wild Card Territory.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 12
Crusaders v Bulls (Fraser Park, Timaru)
Game of the weekend number 1 and with Dan Carter sitting out with a hamstring injury, Matt Berquist gets a start at flyhalf for probably the most exciting backline ever fielded. The Bulls will fancy their chances against the Crusaders with Carter not available as well as coming off a win last week. Morne Steyn didn't win too many fans with his drop kicks last week but as boring as it is to watch, it wins games and adds three points.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 9
Brumbies v Hurricanes (Canberra Stadium, Canberra)
Wow, this could go one of two ways, riddled with errors, bad kicking and poor hands or it could be the game of the season. Both teams need a win (more than oxygen right now) and with the talent they both have available to them lets hope we are in for a quality 80 minutes. I think The Hurricanes might find the trip too much to deal with as the Australian capital is a tough place to visit.
PreJudgement: Brumbies by 12
Force v Waratahs (Perth Oval, Perth)
James O'Connor has been moved to fullback for this encounter to give Willie Ripia his first start at flyhalf this season. Ex Force centre and wing Ryan Cross has hit out at his old team mates for not closing out games. I am sure this will add some extra niggle to Saturdays game.
PreJudgement: Waratahs by 7
Stormers v Reds (Newlands, Cape Town)
Game of the weekend number 2. The build up to this game has been awesome. Everyone is wondering which backline is going to come out winners come the final whistle. Quade Cooper v Peter Grant , Digby Ioane v Bryan Habana , Duane Vermeulen v Scott Higginbotham. Just looking at those match ups should excite you as a rugby supporter. Such a tough game to call.
PreJudgement: do I have to say something.... Stormers by 5
Sharks v Lions (Kings Park, Durban)
A number of changes for the Sharks this week sees John Smit and Eugene van Staden starting at prop with Gerhard Mostert replacing the injured Hargreaves. This has opened the door for Ross Skeate's return to SupeRugby after a two year stint at French side Toulon. The Lions will be looking to kick the Sharks while they are down but they have had their fair share of problems with many missed kicks. The Sharks are coming off three losses on the trot but I can assure you that they will not settle for anything less than a bonus point win.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 15
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