Two weeks of wondering about who is in the top six. Two weeks for the fringe teams to secure their position and Two weeks for the Sharks and the Bulls to ensure that their are three SA teams in the play-offs. So, this is how its going down. Bulls to win, Sharks to win, both with 5 points. Reds lose and Crusaders v Blues is a boring 0-0 draw. Now the odds I would get on that would be ridiculous. Round 17 PreJudgement to follow...
Chiefs v Hurricanes (Hamilton)
These two teams are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon in the NZ conference this year. Both are coming off a win last week but looking at their opposition you would feel that the Chiefs had the better win. Will this prove in their favour or not? The Hurricanes backline have slowly been finding their feet over the past few weeks and more importantly Corey Jane. Looking forward to his battle up against Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina.
PreJudgement: Chiefs by 9
Brumbies v Rebels (Canberra)
These are two of the bottom teams playing each other. There isn't much to be said about the Brumbies that hasn't been said already. They have simply been poor this season. The Rebels have, as expected, finished on the bottom of the Australian conference but have dished out a few surprises this season. Controversially Danny Cipriani makes a return to the starting line up. I won't lie, I am looking forward to this game and I think it will be a good one.
PreJudgement: Rebels by 4
Crusaders v Blues (Timaru)
Big game of the weekend as these two are playing for top spot and automatic qualification in the NZ conference. Both teams are fielding their best and this game will be played as a knock-out game, quite tight I would think. The Crusaders need the win and this should open the door for some backline magic.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 5
Waratahs v Highlanders (Sydney)
The last make or break game for these teams. the great thing is it is not a derby game and I am looking forward to watching this clash. Both teams have finished this 2011 campaign poorly and are rapidly running out of opportunity to make the play-offs. Tony Brown running on at number 10, he may be a pensioner but could be the man to take it on for the Highlanders.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 9
Force v Reds (Perth)
If the Reds drop this game, which I don't see, it opens the door for the Stormers to top the 2011 log at the end of the weekend. You can't see the Reds losing but the opportunity is there. They have had the greatest ever run in SupeRugby and one wonders if and when they will slip up or buckle under the pressure. The Force have not been impressive this season and will try and topple the table toppers but you just don't see this game in their favour.
PreJudgement: Reds by 8
Lions v Sharks (Johannesburg)
There are many factors influencing this game, the one that stands out for me is seeing Butch James line up against his old team. The Lions have had an inconsistent season but the momentum is with them at the moment. The Sharks will not underestimate this Lions outfit and will be looking to knock them out early on. John Smit moves to hooker and the Beast makes a start....NICE!
PreJudgement: Sharks by 10
Stormers v Bulls (Cape Town)
This game has to be the talk of the SupeRugby world this week. Both teams need the win for different reasons. The Stormers could go top, but if they lose, could lose the top spot in SA conference next week. The Bulls are playing for a play-off spot . This game is so difficult to call as both teams are on fire and both teams have the trophy in mind, with the experience and ability to do so. The talk of the week is the loss of Bakkies Botha and Fourie du Preez for the Bulls and the stormers rookie Fly-Half Kurt Coleman. Game on!
PreJudgement: Stormers by 5 (Home ground call)
Finally I would like to wish the SA under 20's good luck in the IRB Junior World Championship/Trophy. Bring it home boys.
Showing posts with label Kurt Coleman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kurt Coleman. Show all posts
Friday, 10 June 2011
Thursday, 2 June 2011
SupeRugby Round 16 PreJudgement:
The Crusaders are the only team on a bye this weekend and therefore secure a valuable 4 points in their quest to make play-offs. The Sharks, Bulls, Highlanders and 'Tahs are facing not their first and definitely not their last season defining game this weekend. Lets dig in...
Highlanders v Force (Dunedin)
This is going to be a cracker but The Highlanders will be looking to bag 5 points here. The Force are without James O'Connor for the second week running but do have a very exciting half back pairing in Swanepoel and Stannard. The Force away from home and on the end of a poor season, I just can't see them taking it. unless of course the Highlanders completely butcher it.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 5
Rebels v Stormers (Melbourne)
Can you hear that? Its a storm warning in Melbourne...wow, that looks so much worse written than in my head, but it stays. As inspirational as this season has been for the new franchise, breaking the Stormers defense needs a little more than inspiration. Great midfield match up but that little battle will end in the Springbok pairing dominating. Kurt Coleman you beauty, this kid has put his hand up when the Stormers were quite simply, in poo! Yes, he has being playing with a quality outfit, but he has done well. Keep it up. As for his replacement....BLEH!
PreJudgement: Stormers by 21
Bulls v Waratahs (Pretoria)
This is going to be a hard and physically draining game for both teams. The 'Tahs are talking up a big game this week and saying they won't slip like they did last year at the same venue. Could it be? I doubt it. Danie Rossouw gets a well deserved start and will be tearing the Aussie team apart with his physical play, oh yes, then there's G.Botha, B.Botha, Matfield, Stegmann and Spies you have to keep an eye on too. I just can't see them out-muscling, out-running or out-thinking the Bulls.
PreJudgement: Bulls by 9
Hurricanes v Lions (Wellington)
Beware the wounded Lion. The Lions come off a great win last week and will be looking to build on it, the Hurricanes too. You look at the teams on paper and surely you would back the 'Canes, then again, you would have backed the Highlanders last week. Grobelaar comes back into the set up and I am not sure he will be up to the games pace but lets see.
PreJudgement: "Canes by 6
Blues v Chiefs (Auckland)
This is going to be a proper battle. Looking at the Blues backline its pretty dangerous and so is he Chiefs one. The Blues have opted to bench Kevin Mealamu but I do see him making a massive difference when he runs on to the park. Tana Umaga starts at 12 after returning from injury with Richard Kahui outside him. A Cracker of a game awaits us.
PreJudgement: Blues by 4
Reds v Brumbies (Brisbane)
You can't see the Brumbies taking this one, the only thing they have in their favour is that the Reds have come off a massive battle against the Crusaders and they might underestimate them.....aaaah NOPE! Reds Coach Ewen McKenzie will not allow that. The Brumbies have been taking beating after beating this season and the last thing they want is to get smashed in a derby game.
PreJudgement: Reds by 11
Cheetahs v Sharks (Bloemfontein)
Mmmmm, crunch time for the Sharks. This game is making me a little nervous as the Cheetahs are looking good and are at home against the banana boys (now, that goes back some time). Plumtree has opted for Smit to start at prop and the Beast off the bench. I am a big John Smit fan but i do believe he is a hooker but lets wait and see because if you are going to get tested....Bloem is the place to go. Frederic Michalak returns for the Sharks and they will soon be welcoming Marius Joubert and Ruan Pienaar. Things are looking better for the backline now. Sias Ebersohn scares me as he is on fire.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 7
Another SupeRugby weekend to look forward too and some movement on the table.
Highlanders v Force (Dunedin)
This is going to be a cracker but The Highlanders will be looking to bag 5 points here. The Force are without James O'Connor for the second week running but do have a very exciting half back pairing in Swanepoel and Stannard. The Force away from home and on the end of a poor season, I just can't see them taking it. unless of course the Highlanders completely butcher it.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 5
Rebels v Stormers (Melbourne)
Can you hear that? Its a storm warning in Melbourne...wow, that looks so much worse written than in my head, but it stays. As inspirational as this season has been for the new franchise, breaking the Stormers defense needs a little more than inspiration. Great midfield match up but that little battle will end in the Springbok pairing dominating. Kurt Coleman you beauty, this kid has put his hand up when the Stormers were quite simply, in poo! Yes, he has being playing with a quality outfit, but he has done well. Keep it up. As for his replacement....BLEH!
PreJudgement: Stormers by 21
Bulls v Waratahs (Pretoria)
This is going to be a hard and physically draining game for both teams. The 'Tahs are talking up a big game this week and saying they won't slip like they did last year at the same venue. Could it be? I doubt it. Danie Rossouw gets a well deserved start and will be tearing the Aussie team apart with his physical play, oh yes, then there's G.Botha, B.Botha, Matfield, Stegmann and Spies you have to keep an eye on too. I just can't see them out-muscling, out-running or out-thinking the Bulls.
PreJudgement: Bulls by 9
Hurricanes v Lions (Wellington)
Beware the wounded Lion. The Lions come off a great win last week and will be looking to build on it, the Hurricanes too. You look at the teams on paper and surely you would back the 'Canes, then again, you would have backed the Highlanders last week. Grobelaar comes back into the set up and I am not sure he will be up to the games pace but lets see.
PreJudgement: "Canes by 6
Blues v Chiefs (Auckland)
This is going to be a proper battle. Looking at the Blues backline its pretty dangerous and so is he Chiefs one. The Blues have opted to bench Kevin Mealamu but I do see him making a massive difference when he runs on to the park. Tana Umaga starts at 12 after returning from injury with Richard Kahui outside him. A Cracker of a game awaits us.
PreJudgement: Blues by 4
Reds v Brumbies (Brisbane)
You can't see the Brumbies taking this one, the only thing they have in their favour is that the Reds have come off a massive battle against the Crusaders and they might underestimate them.....aaaah NOPE! Reds Coach Ewen McKenzie will not allow that. The Brumbies have been taking beating after beating this season and the last thing they want is to get smashed in a derby game.
PreJudgement: Reds by 11
Cheetahs v Sharks (Bloemfontein)
Mmmmm, crunch time for the Sharks. This game is making me a little nervous as the Cheetahs are looking good and are at home against the banana boys (now, that goes back some time). Plumtree has opted for Smit to start at prop and the Beast off the bench. I am a big John Smit fan but i do believe he is a hooker but lets wait and see because if you are going to get tested....Bloem is the place to go. Frederic Michalak returns for the Sharks and they will soon be welcoming Marius Joubert and Ruan Pienaar. Things are looking better for the backline now. Sias Ebersohn scares me as he is on fire.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 7
Another SupeRugby weekend to look forward too and some movement on the table.
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