Super 14: Round 4 Fixtures
March 7th 2008 03:07
It's International Women's Day today!...although why have only one day to celebrate our magnificence when there's 365 days (leap year...) left?
Sorry the first 2 matches are not in chronological order. I'm sure you'll understand why. If not, please read the Fuschia Mission Statement.
*********************
Friday March 7th
NSW WARATAHS v THE (Mighty) BRUMBIES
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
LIVE at 7:30pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Brumbies 36-10 in Canberra, April 8, 2007
This is a HUGE match. The proverbial Clash of The Titans.
Unfortunately, this match...it's looking more like the Clash of The Light-'uns.
The baby back-lines give new meaning to dummy passes!
The average age of the Tahs backline is just 23. The average age for the Brumbies backline is 24 years. Sure, this may mean a new exciting era but in Rugby, it feels like junior club Rugby.
Thank God for the Forwards.
The Brumbies were back with a vengeance last week (thanks to Stephen Larkham. No this isn't a gratuitous mention. refer this post). It was their best performance this season, Forwards and Backs in Super grunt form.
...but The Brumbies have been rocked with more bad news (refer this post: Julian Huxley) and now the question is...how will The Brumbies respond to Huxley's loss emotionally?
Nature is culling the mighty Brumbies...Huxley's indefinite spell out of the game makes him the 6th Brumbies Back on the sidelines, as they endure not only the loss of the legendary Larkham and Gregan but also a horrible run of injuries, in only the 4th week of the Super 14 season.
The Tahs too are battling injuries, suffering a blow wth the withdrawal of Winger Timana Tahu with a hamstringproblem, but Fullback Lachlan Turner's shoulder has been okayed to get damaged another day.
....and they did the seemingly impossible last week v The Highlanders, winning a close hard fought match. They're currently sitting 4th on the ladder.
...but as was shown last week, The Mighty Brumbies never say die. I only hope the rookies have absorbed this creed because this is the Tahs Annual Blood Drive. Did I mention they're on home ground?
BRUMBIES:
Forwards:
1. Nic Henderson; 2. Saia Faingaa; 3. Silesi Ma'afu; 4. Adam Wallace-Harrison; 5. Mark Chisholm; 6. Mitchell Chapman; 7. George Smith; 8. Stephen Hoiles
Backs:
10. Patrick Phibbs; 10. Christian Lealiifano; 11. Francis Fainifo; 12. Tyrone Smith; 13. Sanualio Afeaki; 14. Peter Playford; 15. Mark Gerrard
Reserves:
16 Huia Edmonds; 17 Ben Alexander; 18 Peter Kimlin; 19 Julian Salvi; 20 Josh Holmes; 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau; 22 Tim Wright
WARATAHS:
Forwards:
1. Sekope Kepu; 2. Adam Freier; 3. Matt Dunning; 4. Will Caldwell; 5. Daniel Vickerman;
6. Rocky Elsom; 7. Phil Waugh; 8. Wycliff Palu
Backs:
9. Brett Sheehan; 10. Kurtley Beale 11. Lote Tuqiri; 12. Tom Carter; 13. Ben Jacobs;
14. Alfi Mafi; 15. Lachlan Turner
Reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau; 17. Al Baxter 18. Dean Mumm; 19. Beau Robinson; 20. Luke Burgess; 21. Sam Harris; 21. Sam Horne; 22. Tim Wright
Can't predict this and not only because I was wrong last week. This match could go either way and I'm not being coy.
Keep in mind the 2 vital factors;
1. the home ground advantage for the Tahs
2. how the Brumbies will respond to Huxley's loss
I hope Stephen Larkham is there tonight.
_____________________________ __________
HIGHLANDERS (NZ) v HURRICANES (NZ)
at Carisbrook, Dunedin
LIVE at 5:30pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Hurricanes 22-21 in Wellington, April 27, 2007
The Hurricanes have been hit with injury woes and the Highlanders have yet to win a match, albeit because they too are missing a lot of key players.
The Hurricanes are gathering strength. The Highlanders are trying to build up but it won't be enough. Again.
Hurricanes will win.
********************
Saturday March 8th
BULLS (SA) v LIONS (SA)
at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
LIVE at 4:00am AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Bulls 31-7 in Johannesburg, April 21, 2007
The Bulls are finding it harder to maintain Champion status and are currently sitting 10th on the ladder....but v The Lions? No contest. The Bulls are King of this jungle
Bulls will gore the Lions.
_____________________________ _________
CHIEFS (NZ) v CHEETAHS (SA)
at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
LIVE at 5:30pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: 22-22 in Bloemfontein, March 2, 2007
Both teams lost their matches last week but the Chiefs still have more grunt. The Cheetahs are fast but need to sharpen their attack claws.
Chiefs will eat Cheetah meat.
_____________________________ __________
QUEENSLAND REDS v STORMERS (SA)
at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
LIVE at 7:30pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Stormers 37-24 in Cape Town, April 28, 2007
Well...the angry koala got thumped last week v The (understrength) Brumbies and I'm sure they can't bear the humiliation. Particularly because they've been doing so well.
The Reds season depends on this match. They cannot afford to lose this and although it looks like easy picking against the winless Stormers, the Stormers didn't lose too badly v The Crusaders last week. It wasn't the trouncing I had expected.
The Stormers merely lost 22-0, instead of Gazillion-nil.
Please note that they last time these 2 played, the Stormers won but...you're only as good as your last match. Cripes. They're both in trouble.
Reds to withstand the storm.
********************
Sunday March 9th
SHARKS (SA) v BLUES (NZ)
at Absa Stadium, Durban,
LIVE at 4:00am AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Sharks 34-18 in Durban, semi-final, May 12, 2007
The match of the round. Both sides remain unbeaten...but that will change with this match! Someone's got to lose.
Blues are currently at the top of the ladder because traitorous ex Brumbies Coach David Nucifora is spilling Brumbies trade secrets. Okay that's not true but I like the sound of my keyboard tapping.
...but...the Blues haven't won in Durban since '04 and the Sharks have beaten the Blues 6 times out of 10 matches. Heavee stats people. The Sharks chomped the Bulls last week but maybe they'll get the Blues this week?
Blues to bruise.
_____________________________ __
CRUSADERS (NZ) v WESTERN FORCE
at Subiaco Oval, Perth,
LIVE at 7:00pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Crusaders 53-0 in Christchurch, April 7, 2007
3 interesting facts;
1) with every Crusaders win...Australian fans are feeling happier and happier. How can this be you ask? Well, Deans is the new Australian Coach...and his success bodes well for us right?
I don't agree. Robbie is stealing precious Australian time.
2) Force Coach John Mitchell faces his former All Black coaching partner Deans. Will they say "G'day mate" to each other or "fush and chups"?
3) Matt Giteau comes up against Dan Carter in what is (could be if Gits becomes the Wallabies #10) the beginning of a long rivalry at Super 14 and Test level.
What will Deans make of it? Will he be watching Gits? He says not. Dumbass liar.
Will he tell Giteau Carter's secrets? Will he sabotage us or salvage us? Will he stop saying fush and chups?
Crusaders are on a mission and they're not missing a trick, although they could be missing brilliant captain Richie McCaw and should be missing Dan Carter who should have better things to do like try on new lipstick or something...God I'm bad...
The Force haven't been doing too badly but against the Crusaders, that's like saying the molehill doesn't look too small against the mountain.
I really don't know what to say.
Common sense and knowledge says the Crusaders will win.
Uncommon sense of absurdity and a healthy dose of crazy says...the Force may stand a chance.
******************************
Please Note:
Although I have reopened the Comments Section, I cannot guarantee that I will respond quickly/as soon as possible/ever to any comment/s left.
I very much appreciate your participation and comment/s but I do not have the luxury of blogging interaction time. Please don't think me rude. I'm realistic.
I will endeavour (ooh big word) to answer any questions/respond asap. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for clicking this;
Sorry the first 2 matches are not in chronological order. I'm sure you'll understand why. If not, please read the Fuschia Mission Statement.
*********************
Friday March 7th
NSW WARATAHS v THE (Mighty) BRUMBIES
Aussie Stadium, Sydney
LIVE at 7:30pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Brumbies 36-10 in Canberra, April 8, 2007
This is a HUGE match. The proverbial Clash of The Titans.
Unfortunately, this match...it's looking more like the Clash of The Light-'uns.
The average age of the Tahs backline is just 23. The average age for the Brumbies backline is 24 years. Sure, this may mean a new exciting era but in Rugby, it feels like junior club Rugby.
Thank God for the Forwards.
The Brumbies were back with a vengeance last week (thanks to Stephen Larkham. No this isn't a gratuitous mention. refer this post). It was their best performance this season, Forwards and Backs in Super grunt form.
...but The Brumbies have been rocked with more bad news (refer this post: Julian Huxley) and now the question is...how will The Brumbies respond to Huxley's loss emotionally?
Nature is culling the mighty Brumbies...Huxley's indefinite spell out of the game makes him the 6th Brumbies Back on the sidelines, as they endure not only the loss of the legendary Larkham and Gregan but also a horrible run of injuries, in only the 4th week of the Super 14 season.
The Tahs too are battling injuries, suffering a blow wth the withdrawal of Winger Timana Tahu with a hamstringproblem, but Fullback Lachlan Turner's shoulder has been okayed to get damaged another day.
....and they did the seemingly impossible last week v The Highlanders, winning a close hard fought match. They're currently sitting 4th on the ladder.
...but as was shown last week, The Mighty Brumbies never say die. I only hope the rookies have absorbed this creed because this is the Tahs Annual Blood Drive. Did I mention they're on home ground?
BRUMBIES:
Forwards:
1. Nic Henderson; 2. Saia Faingaa; 3. Silesi Ma'afu; 4. Adam Wallace-Harrison; 5. Mark Chisholm; 6. Mitchell Chapman; 7. George Smith; 8. Stephen Hoiles
Backs:
10. Patrick Phibbs; 10. Christian Lealiifano; 11. Francis Fainifo; 12. Tyrone Smith; 13. Sanualio Afeaki; 14. Peter Playford; 15. Mark Gerrard
Reserves:
16 Huia Edmonds; 17 Ben Alexander; 18 Peter Kimlin; 19 Julian Salvi; 20 Josh Holmes; 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau; 22 Tim Wright
WARATAHS:
Forwards:
1. Sekope Kepu; 2. Adam Freier; 3. Matt Dunning; 4. Will Caldwell; 5. Daniel Vickerman;
6. Rocky Elsom; 7. Phil Waugh; 8. Wycliff Palu
Backs:
9. Brett Sheehan; 10. Kurtley Beale 11. Lote Tuqiri; 12. Tom Carter; 13. Ben Jacobs;
14. Alfi Mafi; 15. Lachlan Turner
Reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau; 17. Al Baxter 18. Dean Mumm; 19. Beau Robinson; 20. Luke Burgess; 21. Sam Harris; 21. Sam Horne; 22. Tim Wright
Can't predict this and not only because I was wrong last week. This match could go either way and I'm not being coy.
Keep in mind the 2 vital factors;
1. the home ground advantage for the Tahs
2. how the Brumbies will respond to Huxley's loss
I hope Stephen Larkham is there tonight.
_____________________________ __________
HIGHLANDERS (NZ) v HURRICANES (NZ)
at Carisbrook, Dunedin
LIVE at 5:30pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Hurricanes 22-21 in Wellington, April 27, 2007
The Hurricanes have been hit with injury woes and the Highlanders have yet to win a match, albeit because they too are missing a lot of key players.
The Hurricanes are gathering strength. The Highlanders are trying to build up but it won't be enough. Again.
Hurricanes will win.
********************
Saturday March 8th
BULLS (SA) v LIONS (SA)
at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
LIVE at 4:00am AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Bulls 31-7 in Johannesburg, April 21, 2007
The Bulls are finding it harder to maintain Champion status and are currently sitting 10th on the ladder....but v The Lions? No contest. The Bulls are King of this jungle
Bulls will gore the Lions.
_____________________________ _________
CHIEFS (NZ) v CHEETAHS (SA)
at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
LIVE at 5:30pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: 22-22 in Bloemfontein, March 2, 2007
Both teams lost their matches last week but the Chiefs still have more grunt. The Cheetahs are fast but need to sharpen their attack claws.
Chiefs will eat Cheetah meat.
_____________________________ __________
QUEENSLAND REDS v STORMERS (SA)
at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
LIVE at 7:30pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Stormers 37-24 in Cape Town, April 28, 2007
Well...the angry koala got thumped last week v The (understrength) Brumbies and I'm sure they can't bear the humiliation. Particularly because they've been doing so well.
The Reds season depends on this match. They cannot afford to lose this and although it looks like easy picking against the winless Stormers, the Stormers didn't lose too badly v The Crusaders last week. It wasn't the trouncing I had expected.
The Stormers merely lost 22-0, instead of Gazillion-nil.
Please note that they last time these 2 played, the Stormers won but...you're only as good as your last match. Cripes. They're both in trouble.
Reds to withstand the storm.
********************
Sunday March 9th
SHARKS (SA) v BLUES (NZ)
at Absa Stadium, Durban,
LIVE at 4:00am AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Sharks 34-18 in Durban, semi-final, May 12, 2007
The match of the round. Both sides remain unbeaten...but that will change with this match! Someone's got to lose.
Blues are currently at the top of the ladder because traitorous ex Brumbies Coach David Nucifora is spilling Brumbies trade secrets. Okay that's not true but I like the sound of my keyboard tapping.
...but...the Blues haven't won in Durban since '04 and the Sharks have beaten the Blues 6 times out of 10 matches. Heavee stats people. The Sharks chomped the Bulls last week but maybe they'll get the Blues this week?
Blues to bruise.
_____________________________ __
CRUSADERS (NZ) v WESTERN FORCE
at Subiaco Oval, Perth,
LIVE at 7:00pm AEST Fox Sports 2
Last meeting: Crusaders 53-0 in Christchurch, April 7, 2007
3 interesting facts;
1) with every Crusaders win...Australian fans are feeling happier and happier. How can this be you ask? Well, Deans is the new Australian Coach...and his success bodes well for us right?
I don't agree. Robbie is stealing precious Australian time.
2) Force Coach John Mitchell faces his former All Black coaching partner Deans. Will they say "G'day mate" to each other or "fush and chups"?
3) Matt Giteau comes up against Dan Carter in what is (could be if Gits becomes the Wallabies #10) the beginning of a long rivalry at Super 14 and Test level.
What will Deans make of it? Will he be watching Gits? He says not. Dumbass liar.
Will he tell Giteau Carter's secrets? Will he sabotage us or salvage us? Will he stop saying fush and chups?
Crusaders are on a mission and they're not missing a trick, although they could be missing brilliant captain Richie McCaw and should be missing Dan Carter who should have better things to do like try on new lipstick or something...God I'm bad...
The Force haven't been doing too badly but against the Crusaders, that's like saying the molehill doesn't look too small against the mountain.
I really don't know what to say.
Common sense and knowledge says the Crusaders will win.
Uncommon sense of absurdity and a healthy dose of crazy says...the Force may stand a chance.
******************************
Please Note:
Although I have reopened the Comments Section, I cannot guarantee that I will respond quickly/as soon as possible/ever to any comment/s left.
I very much appreciate your participation and comment/s but I do not have the luxury of blogging interaction time. Please don't think me rude. I'm realistic.
I will endeavour (ooh big word) to answer any questions/respond asap. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for clicking this;
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