2007 Super 14

TarJak · 02-03-07, 09:44 PM

Well another Super14 Rugby season has gotten underway with 3 of the 4 Aussie sides taking the spoils. The Force narrowly missing out 8-7 to the Highlanders and the Reds, Brumbies and Tahs all comfortably winning their first round games.

Looks like being an interesting season with the Blues giving the Crusaders a touch up in their first match.

The big questions:

Can the Crusaders do it again?

Who looks like stopping them?

Konovalov · 02-04-07, 04:39 AM

I can't believe that the Wellington Hurricanes lost to Queensland. I was happy how the Tahs played over in South Africa on Saturday. NSW should be contenders again but I still feel that the Auckland Blues and the Canterbury Crusaders are the teams to beat this year.

baggygreen · 02-05-07, 08:08 AM

*cough* brumbies *cough*

Konovalov · 02-05-07, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baggygreen

*cough* brumbies *cough*

They have been an entertaining side to watch in the past. I must admit that I haven't seen them play in the last year while being over here in the UK. Do they still play the same attacking brand of rugby that they used to from a few years back?

TarJak · 02-06-07, 05:39 AM

They try to but IMHO they had trouble firing on all cylinders last season. They have a good line up although a few older campaigners might be for the bullet before this season is over.

The Waratahs have a tendency to self destruct at some time during the season although last year they did make the final only to be soundly hammered by the Crusaders.

The Reds have really struggled in the last few seasons and I don't see this year being any different.

I don't think anyone expects the Force to be much of one in their first year, but strage things happen at sea and it will be interesting to see the most isolated team in the competition try to find their feet in what looks like being an interesting season with something like 45 All Blacks being withheld by the NZRU to ensure fitness and rest for the coming world cup.

I'm not sure how the Kiwi's feel about this as it would no doubt weaken some of their sides in this comp, but also give them the opportunity to blood some new faces.

Are there any South Africans about the board who can comment on their teams?

baggygreen · 02-06-07, 06:05 AM

they're getting back into it konovalov, there were glimpses of it in the past 2 seasons but not as much as a few years ago. I actuallly know a lot of the young players they're brought through, and have been to several of their trainin sessions - laurie fisher is really pushing the running rugby idea again, its going to be very nice to watch

Konovalov · 02-06-07, 07:50 AM

Thanks guys for the news back home. I have got Sky Sports now so hopefully I should be able to view some of the Aussie Super 14 games this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarJak

Are there any South Africans about the board who can comment on their teams?

Come to think of it South Africa is one country where there doesn't appear to be many subsim members.

TarJak · 02-06-07, 06:47 PM

I gotta say I don't recall anyone from SA being around for a long while. I'm surprised none of the kiwi's are onto this thread yet. Maybe they are embarrassed

by their RU's decision to devalue the Super 14 comp this year in favour of having the All Blacks sitting around watching, getting the nails and hair done....

TarJak · 02-10-07, 07:46 PM

Well for the aussie teams the results have turned about from last round. Western Force was the only Aussie team to get a win this time around. The Brumbies were pipped at the post by the Blues and the Reds led the Crusaders during the 2nd half but were denied by some late tries.

The Waratahs were lacklustre in their first loss to the Stormers since 2001 and hopefully the loss will shake them up enough to recover for next round.

mr chris · 02-10-07, 08:03 PM

It is hard to see beond the Crusaders in my opinon. The did not play that badly last week against the Blues even though they lost. They got back to winning way this weekend even though they were behind till very late in the game. You just had that feeling that they would find the points to get the win.
But they will only get stronger when likes of Carter, Jack and McCaw return.

baggygreen · 02-11-07, 01:58 AM

See, what the Aussie and SA teams need to do is put away as many kiwi teams as often as possible before the all black players return. If the Aussie n SA teams can get enough wins under their belt before then, there will be quite a lot of congestion at the top of the board towards the business end of the season.

And as for the brumbies losing last night, well that was the most sickening display of referreeing i've seen since australia got knocked outta the soccer world cup!

baggygreen · 02-11-07, 02:01 AM

by the way tarjak, who's your AFL team?

Konovalov · 02-11-07, 03:15 AM

For the record I spport Geelong since I am a Geelong boy. Go the cats.

mr chris · 02-11-07, 08:11 AM

Ah AFL, Well my best mate who has just returned home to oz supports Carlton so when i was in for a bit a few years ago he took me to see them play the bombers wanting to wined him up i was cheering for the bombers and still to this day keep an eye out to see how they do. As for carlton i think they are driving my mate around the bend.:rotfl:

baggygreen · 02-11-07, 06:16 PM

fiddlesticks to both geelong and carlton - carlton especially though. There is a poll on afl.com.au, asking when do people think carlton have a chance again - the answer, 66% say 5 years or more!:rotfl: although i'll admit this year both teams have a better chance than they have the past few years.

/thread hijack

For the record i support Hawthorn

02-03-07, 09:44 PM	#1
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	2007 Super 14 Well another Super14 Rugby season has gotten underway with 3 of the 4 Aussie sides taking the spoils. The Force narrowly missing out 8-7 to the Highlanders and the Reds, Brumbies and Tahs all comfortably winning their first round games. Looks like being an interesting season with the Blues giving the Crusaders a touch up in their first match. The big questions: Can the Crusaders do it again? Who looks like stopping them?

02-04-07, 04:39 AM	#2
Konovalov Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: High Wycombe, Bucks, UK Posts: 2,811 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	I can't believe that the Wellington Hurricanes lost to Queensland. I was happy how the Tahs played over in South Africa on Saturday. NSW should be contenders again but I still feel that the Auckland Blues and the Canterbury Crusaders are the teams to beat this year. __________________ "In a Christian context, sexuality is traditionally seen as a consequence of the Fall, but for Muslims, it is an anticipation of paradise. So I can say, I think, that I was validly converted to Islam by a teenage French Jewish nudist." Sheikh Abdul-Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter)

02-10-07, 08:03 PM	#10
mr chris Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Herefordshire, England Posts: 3,562 Downloads: 216 Uploads: 0	It is hard to see beond the Crusaders in my opinon. The did not play that badly last week against the Blues even though they lost. They got back to winning way this weekend even though they were behind till very late in the game. You just had that feeling that they would find the points to get the win. But they will only get stronger when likes of Carter, Jack and McCaw return. __________________

02-11-07, 03:15 AM	#13
Konovalov Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: High Wycombe, Bucks, UK Posts: 2,811 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	For the record I spport Geelong since I am a Geelong boy. Go the cats. __________________ "In a Christian context, sexuality is traditionally seen as a consequence of the Fall, but for Muslims, it is an anticipation of paradise. So I can say, I think, that I was validly converted to Islam by a teenage French Jewish nudist." Sheikh Abdul-Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter)

02-11-07, 08:11 AM	#14
mr chris Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Herefordshire, England Posts: 3,562 Downloads: 216 Uploads: 0	Ah AFL, Well my best mate who has just returned home to oz supports Carlton so when i was in for a bit a few years ago he took me to see them play the bombers wanting to wined him up i was cheering for the bombers and still to this day keep an eye out to see how they do. As for carlton i think they are driving my mate around the bend.:rotfl: __________________

02-05-07, 08:08 AM	#3
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	cough brumbies cough

02-06-07, 05:39 AM	#5
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	They try to but IMHO they had trouble firing on all cylinders last season. They have a good line up although a few older campaigners might be for the bullet before this season is over. The Waratahs have a tendency to self destruct at some time during the season although last year they did make the final only to be soundly hammered by the Crusaders. The Reds have really struggled in the last few seasons and I don't see this year being any different. I don't think anyone expects the Force to be much of one in their first year, but strage things happen at sea and it will be interesting to see the most isolated team in the competition try to find their feet in what looks like being an interesting season with something like 45 All Blacks being withheld by the NZRU to ensure fitness and rest for the coming world cup. I'm not sure how the Kiwi's feel about this as it would no doubt weaken some of their sides in this comp, but also give them the opportunity to blood some new faces. Are there any South Africans about the board who can comment on their teams?

02-06-07, 06:05 AM	#6
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	they're getting back into it konovalov, there were glimpses of it in the past 2 seasons but not as much as a few years ago. I actuallly know a lot of the young players they're brought through, and have been to several of their trainin sessions - laurie fisher is really pushing the running rugby idea again, its going to be very nice to watch

02-06-07, 06:47 PM	#8
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	I gotta say I don't recall anyone from SA being around for a long while. I'm surprised none of the kiwi's are onto this thread yet. Maybe they are embarrassed by their RU's decision to devalue the Super 14 comp this year in favour of having the All Blacks sitting around watching, getting the nails and hair done....

02-10-07, 07:46 PM	#9
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	Well for the aussie teams the results have turned about from last round. Western Force was the only Aussie team to get a win this time around. The Brumbies were pipped at the post by the Blues and the Reds led the Crusaders during the 2nd half but were denied by some late tries. The Waratahs were lacklustre in their first loss to the Stormers since 2001 and hopefully the loss will shake them up enough to recover for next round.

02-11-07, 01:58 AM	#11
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	See, what the Aussie and SA teams need to do is put away as many kiwi teams as often as possible before the all black players return. If the Aussie n SA teams can get enough wins under their belt before then, there will be quite a lot of congestion at the top of the board towards the business end of the season. And as for the brumbies losing last night, well that was the most sickening display of referreeing i've seen since australia got knocked outta the soccer world cup!

02-11-07, 02:01 AM	#12
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	by the way tarjak, who's your AFL team?

02-11-07, 06:16 PM	#15
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	fiddlesticks to both geelong and carlton - carlton especially though. There is a poll on afl.com.au, asking when do people think carlton have a chance again - the answer, 66% say 5 years or more!:rotfl: although i'll admit this year both teams have a better chance than they have the past few years. /thread hijack For the record i support Hawthorn