Butch James has joined the Lions but will only be available in May. He arrived at Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg to a rather disappointing group of about 9 supporters, two of which were the owners of the Lions. Never the less it is good to have him back home.
Click on link below
http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/super14/news/2688841.htm
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Mortlock - A Rebel with a cause
Sterling Mortlock want's to do Melbourne proud with his new team, the Melbourne Rebels.
Click link below.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/mortlock-promises-rebels-will-do-melbourne-proud-20110202-1addu.html
Click link below.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/mortlock-promises-rebels-will-do-melbourne-proud-20110202-1addu.html
Ballroom Dancer Gavin Henson heading for Toulon
Fulltime dancer and part time rugby player Gavin Henson has requested an early release from his contract with Saracens. Sound familiar?
Click on link below .
Making Super Rugby Super again.
Keiran Smith discusses the upcoming Super Rugby Competition on www.scrum.com
Click on link for article
http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby-2011/rugby/story/133431.html
New Zealand Super Rugby Preview
Hurricanes (Backline show)
The Hurricanes posses one of the most dangerous backlines in 2011. Starting at 9 with Piri Weepu, followed by Aaron Cruden, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, and Hosea Gear. Full of skill and pace this backline has the potential to shred most defences. Add to that Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Jason Eaton and Rodney So'oialo and the Hurricanes' potential for this season becomes self evident. Mark Hammett will take over the coaching reigns and is hoping to bring a harder edge to their game.
Highlanders (They don't have Christopher Lambert)
The Highlanders will be hoping for an improvement on last years campaign. That's actually an understatement. They will be looking to make an improvement on their 8 previous seasons. Not quite as atrocious as the pre-John Mitchell Lions, the Hurricanes will have their work cut out for them if they want an improved showing in 2011. Jimmy Cowan will still be having nightmares of Bakkies Botha, and has some stiff competition from the other no 9's a few months out from the World Cup. If he can gel with Colin Slade the Highlanders may score a few tries.
Crusaders (7 Times Champions … 7 TIMES)
The Crusaders are always going to be a threat. Boasting talent across the whole park, and with new additions including Sonny Bill (Muhammed Ali) Williams and Israel Dagg there is little doubt that they will be around for the play-offs. Richie McCaw leads from the front and Dan Carter controls from the back and with them in the side opposition teams will know what awaits. There will certainly be more pressure on players this year with the World Cup a few months out, and who can forget Dan Carter's “deer in the headlights” look after being kicked out of the last World Cup by France. I am hoping we get to see that look again.
Chiefs (includes a Time Fighter)
The Chiefs announced one of the biggest surprises for 2011, by including Time Fighter, Tana Umaga at the age of 37. I can't see him playing every game, but his experience will certainly count in the expanded Super Rugby competition. He is surrounded by a wealth of talent which includes Aled de Malmanche, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Mills Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Liam Messam, and Sitiveni Sivivatu. A decent squad that looks very good on paper, but they will have to back that up with results.
Blues (is it that time again?)
The Blues have not performed very well over the last few seasons and are hoping that Ali Williams (returning from injury), Daniel Braid, and Brad Mika will bolster their chances after joining the Blues. A few of their players are ageing a wee bit and it will be interesting to see how they get along. The squad looks strong with Kevin Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Jerome Kaino, Rene Ranger, Joe Rokocoko, and Isaia Toeava.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Australia Super Rugby Preview
Waratahs (Lacking BMT)
The Waratahs need to perform well this season after being knocked out in the semi's in 2010. They have depth and possess game breakers in Kurtly Beale, Berrick Barnes, and David Pocock. Now they need to overcome their own psychological hurdle if they hope to win the inaugural expanded Super Rugby tournament. With World Cup places on the line this year expect Beale to take the step up and become a rugby super star. How he performs is going to to be crucial to their campaign in 2011. They will deem their campaign a failure if they do not reach the play-offs.
Reds (The Quade Cooper Show)
Since 2004 the Reds have not finished higher than 10th position on the log. Enter Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Digby Ione, and a few others and suddenly they finish 5th on the log in 2010. Their expansive attacking play was a pleasure to watch all season and there is no denying the attacking potency of Cooper. His defensive frailties are well known, but after few sterns words from Robbie Deans seems to have motivated him to tackle more. The Reds will be hoping for a stronger finish in 2011. The Reds first choice team can beat any team on their day but their depth will be tested in this years tournament.
Rebels (New team on the block)
Take the most successful Australian coach ever and let him select a team of discards, young faces,old faces, familiar faces and see what you get is the Rebels. The team boasts some older legends of the game such as Sterling Mortlock and Greg Somerville. Much of the attention will be cast on their English flyhalf, Danny Cipriani. After being hailed by the English media as the best thing since sliced bread and Johnny Wilkinson, he was dropped from the English team and dissapeared for a while before resurfacing in Melbourne. It is hard to predict how the Rebels will fair as their warm up games were against understrength teams such as Fiji and Tonga who they beat comfortably.
Western Force ( New coach, New Season)
Despite having a relatively strong squad for the past few seasons the Force have never been able to make their mark in the competition. Matt Giteau never really got going for the Force and has since left for greener pastures. John Mitchell has left for the South African based Lions, and has been replaced by Richard Graham. He was head coach of Saracens and assistant coach for the Wallabies. His new squad lacks depth this season but he still has James O'Connor and strong loose trio. Whether that will be enough only time will tell. Things are not looking good for the Force this season.
Brumbies (Not Milk men)
Stephen Larkham joins the Brumbies this season as backline coach. It will be up to the former Wallabies legend to get the best of out of a backline containing Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper. Captain Rocky Elsom will be in good company in the forwards that include, Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander. The Brumbies have lost some big names coming in to this season and their younger players will have much to prove. They seem to be a certainty for the middle of the table.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Super Rugby South Africa Preview
Super Rugby Preview 2011
Sharks (Still just the Sharks)
The Sharks have been close to the grand prize in the past few seasons but a slow start in the 2010 Super 14 cost them towards the end of that tournament. After losing their first 5 games on the trot they launched a comeback but in the end it was to little to late. The team possesses a number of up and coming stars such as Pat Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo and Willem Alberts. The usual customers are back including Bismark 'The greatest name in world rugby' Du Plessis, The Beast, John Smit, Jean Deysel, JP Peterson, Jannie Du Plessis etc. The Sharks have also gained the services of Andre Pretorius, Jacques Louis Potgieter, Meyer Bosman, and Ross Skeate.
The Sharks have the depth to sustain their effort in the expanded Super 15 format and will be strong contenders for the play off's.
Lions (No longer the 'Xerox Auto and General Coca-cola Lions)
The Lions have made improvements on a quite a few fronts. Firstly they recruited player/coach Carlos Spencer. Next they got former All Blacks and Western Force coach John Mitchell to join the ranks as head coach, and lastly the team was bought by IT billionaire Robert Gumede. Gumede has publicly stated that he wants to return the Lions to their early 90's glory days and he does not mind opening his cheque for that purpose. After losing much talent to other teams the lions have gone fishing for talent and came home with Lionel Mapoe, Bandise Maku, Pat Cilliers, and Michael Rhodes to name a few. The new coach has brought a new playing style and a new energy to Lions. Watch out for a fit Elton Jantjies. Earl “Tiger Woods 2” Rose has joined Griquas and might feature in the mix. Shame
Only time will tell how the Lions will fare in 2011 and it is expected of them to improve on their last few seasons. They can only go up from here.
Stormers (From show ponies to real contenders)
Alistair Coetzee has helped transform the Stormers from being perennial underachievers to a team worthy of the S15 crown. Some intelligent purchases have bolstered the Stormers' depth and they possess a good blend of youth and experience. Coetzee will be desperate for 2007 player of the year, Bryan Habana to regain his form this season after a shocking (by his own standards) 2010 campaign. Peter Grant is back from his Japanese adventure and adds a more attack centred approach compared the Willem “wtf” de Waal. Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Jean De Villiers, Jacque Fourie, Andries Bekker and Flouw will remain the backbone of the team. Juan De Jong gets the chance to prove his is no one season wonder. Ronald McDonald Januarie is there to.
Cheetahs (or Heindrich Brussow and Juan Smith)
The Cheetahs have done well against local opposition in derby games but they have an over reliance on Juan Smith and Heindrich Brussow. Without these two players, especially Smith they have struggled against Australian and Kiwi teams. They have lost players, but have gained Andries Straus, Ryno Benjamin, Phillip Burger, and Wilhelm Steenkamp. The Cheetahs lack depth and will struggle to make a lasting impact in the extended format of the S15.
Bulls (The Champions)
The Bulls have dominated the S14 for a few years and it does not look likely to end in the S15. Many of their big name players will retire after this year's Rugby World Cup and will want to make their final Super Rugby experience one to remember. The only area of concern for the Bulls is their depth at 10. With Jacques Louis Potgieter moving to the Sharks Morne Steyn has been left slighly exposed with no real cover in that position if he were to get injured. Fourie Du Preez will make a welcome return after a long injury lay off. The Bulls are sure to be there come the play offs and other teams will have to learn how to beat them at home if they want to change that.
Sharks (Still just the Sharks)
The Sharks have been close to the grand prize in the past few seasons but a slow start in the 2010 Super 14 cost them towards the end of that tournament. After losing their first 5 games on the trot they launched a comeback but in the end it was to little to late. The team possesses a number of up and coming stars such as Pat Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo and Willem Alberts. The usual customers are back including Bismark 'The greatest name in world rugby' Du Plessis, The Beast, John Smit, Jean Deysel, JP Peterson, Jannie Du Plessis etc. The Sharks have also gained the services of Andre Pretorius, Jacques Louis Potgieter, Meyer Bosman, and Ross Skeate.
The Sharks have the depth to sustain their effort in the expanded Super 15 format and will be strong contenders for the play off's.
Lions (No longer the 'Xerox Auto and General Coca-cola Lions)
The Lions have made improvements on a quite a few fronts. Firstly they recruited player/coach Carlos Spencer. Next they got former All Blacks and Western Force coach John Mitchell to join the ranks as head coach, and lastly the team was bought by IT billionaire Robert Gumede. Gumede has publicly stated that he wants to return the Lions to their early 90's glory days and he does not mind opening his cheque for that purpose. After losing much talent to other teams the lions have gone fishing for talent and came home with Lionel Mapoe, Bandise Maku, Pat Cilliers, and Michael Rhodes to name a few. The new coach has brought a new playing style and a new energy to Lions. Watch out for a fit Elton Jantjies. Earl “Tiger Woods 2” Rose has joined Griquas and might feature in the mix. Shame
Only time will tell how the Lions will fare in 2011 and it is expected of them to improve on their last few seasons. They can only go up from here.
Stormers (From show ponies to real contenders)
Alistair Coetzee has helped transform the Stormers from being perennial underachievers to a team worthy of the S15 crown. Some intelligent purchases have bolstered the Stormers' depth and they possess a good blend of youth and experience. Coetzee will be desperate for 2007 player of the year, Bryan Habana to regain his form this season after a shocking (by his own standards) 2010 campaign. Peter Grant is back from his Japanese adventure and adds a more attack centred approach compared the Willem “wtf” de Waal. Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Jean De Villiers, Jacque Fourie, Andries Bekker and Flouw will remain the backbone of the team. Juan De Jong gets the chance to prove his is no one season wonder. Ronald McDonald Januarie is there to.
Cheetahs (or Heindrich Brussow and Juan Smith)
The Cheetahs have done well against local opposition in derby games but they have an over reliance on Juan Smith and Heindrich Brussow. Without these two players, especially Smith they have struggled against Australian and Kiwi teams. They have lost players, but have gained Andries Straus, Ryno Benjamin, Phillip Burger, and Wilhelm Steenkamp. The Cheetahs lack depth and will struggle to make a lasting impact in the extended format of the S15.
Bulls (The Champions)
The Bulls have dominated the S14 for a few years and it does not look likely to end in the S15. Many of their big name players will retire after this year's Rugby World Cup and will want to make their final Super Rugby experience one to remember. The only area of concern for the Bulls is their depth at 10. With Jacques Louis Potgieter moving to the Sharks Morne Steyn has been left slighly exposed with no real cover in that position if he were to get injured. Fourie Du Preez will make a welcome return after a long injury lay off. The Bulls are sure to be there come the play offs and other teams will have to learn how to beat them at home if they want to change that.
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