As you guys may have noticed, my generally sparkling commentary has been absent for the last couple of weeks.
My home internet is still down as we're switching providers and I I use the DSTV smart TV app to watch games...so have bot been able to watch games.
Would be great if the guys that watched games could give a brother a summary of what occurred this weekend.
Unlike Dawie, I'm not content with simply watching highlights.
Plum the problem in Round 3 of the European Cup the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers played against very strong teams and especialy the Stormers sent vey substandrad team to face Harlequins - t here were even 4 players wh o never played a single Stormers match before,
The problem this week si that analysis of performances this week wa different totally. In playing Clermont and Pau - there is not much one can elarn from the wo matches, Bpth Clubs are the weakest competitors from France playing in the torunament,
In the case of the Stormers he situation was different, I thin that Dobonn knew that for teh Stormers going through to the Round of 16 rry have to win at least one of the two teams they faced in rounds 3 and 4, The only team that the S tormers had to win was yesterday in Cape Town seems to being the target.
Under hesde circumsatnces it is ather dificult to over-assess the Bulls and Sharks performances - both their performances were good - but not really on par with the Stronger teams .and performances can be over-assessed,
I though here are sill aome wealnesses arond he enter siation in the S Stormers set-up - but there loosies - Roos and De Villiers - as wellas Sacha played major role in winning yesterday. I also think th ebst try yesterday sccored by any SA team was scored by Schickerling carryin g he ball 35 meters and ran all the way and scored after stepping and pretending to pass the ball in open play and scored a try.any of the backline and loosies would have envied.
. . . ,
Sharks did well, they look a lot better than previously. There's structure and discipline. Clermont started to fade in the second half though, my guess is the heat got to them. A competitive first 40 followed by a blowout in the second. POIs - JJ did some good things especially with his try at the end, Fassi also looked good, Phepsi came from the bench like a house on fire, Tsituka also looked good. Malan at 13 also had a few good touches and Sobahle, the Nkosi lookalike on the wing also shows some promise.
Stormers and Tigers had a very good game, like a chess match but with plenty of excitement. Sacha was decent, not perfect, but had some pure Sacha moments in between his fairly solid game management. The Stormers loosies are running hot, Stormers scrummed well, AH Venter was lively, Schickerling scored a nice try for a lock. The unfamiliar center pairing had some troubles with defensive organization at times but Roche looks like a promising talent at 12. Wings didn't see much action. Simelane was a step up from Gelant at fullback even tough he did have a Gelant moment with a wayward pass.
Cheers Paks.
Nice to see JJ doing something. Despite us giving Dawie trouble, we are all routing for the guy. I see he played at 12 yesterday.
I was disappointed in the Stormers given they faced a Leicester B side - they should have thumped them
Paul de Villiers at 6 has Bok written all over him. Great over the ball and in general play
AH Venter, Ruben v Heerden, Schickerling, BJ Dixon and Roos were good in the forwards
In the backs Roche was handy at 12, Sacha had some moments and Kahn the replacement 9 looks a good prospect. Similane is not a fullback
For the Bulls, Pollard had a better game but still not commanding. Jooste was great on the wing. Ruan Vermaak at lock and Gumede at flank were good
For the Sharks it was a mixed bag but at least they won. Standouts were Fassi, JJ, Jenkins, Rahl, Manu Tsituka and Pepsi when he came on
Manu Tsituka needs to be capped by Rassie