CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
19 Oct 2014, 18:15#2
Beeno
Don't gloat - the Sharks had a bad game against the LIons - but so did the Cheetahs and quite a few other teams this year. The Sharks had problems in their Tight 5 and the Lions loosies were all over them.
I would be very worried if I was you. The final is going to be problematic for WP and even though they have home ground advantage - they have nothing more than a 50:50 chance of beating the lions. Fact is my money iis on the Lions in that game.
One other thing - do you really think that White's kick and chase game would have had better reults for the Sharks - I frankly do not think so.
BEBeeno1
Captain40,032 posts
BEBeeno1Captain40,032 posts
19 Oct 2014, 18:29#3
Ou Maaaikie Jake would have made a plan. Slowed the game down etc. Sharks should have kept it tighter as they had the stronger pack apart from scrumming. They played completely into the Lions hands tactically.
Whoever is coaching the scrumming at the Lions needs a huge hand of applause. It's not a big pack and neither are the props monsters but they have done really well even at Super 15 level.
Based on the two performances the Lions have to be favourites but WP can still win it and wont get cained like the Sharks. I wonder if Kebble will start as he looks stronger than Vermaak.
Also remember WP have their own runners. I am hoping Taute can play. Conditions also a bit different. No altitude to deal with.
It should be a cracker.
Howeve ou maaaikie is it wise to believe it was only a bad day?
Lions skills level surpass any other SA side. Only criticism is they are a fraction too frentic. But eventually their fast flowing style of game produces something.
I do note the blowhards rooitwit and sharkie 54 are as quiet as mouses!
Kbbs also dont comment much about the revolution taking palce in SA rugby as we return more to our roots.A more balanced game.
AJArthur John
Pro1,748 posts
AJArthur JohnPro1,748 posts
20 Oct 2014, 17:22#4
It absolutely amazes me a Union with so much cash and talent makes such a poor call with both team selections and management.
Not one of the players wearing #10 for the Sharks made an impression this season.
John Smit was an excellent captain but has he got what it takes to make the Sharks the team that they should be?
Mac is a great guy but I have no faith in him as a coach.
It was an extremely poor show against the Lions and after this display players have to be dropped and contracts cancelled or not resigned.
New blood and new coaches are what is needed to get the Sharks back on top.
Not taking anything away for the Lions....they were absolutely on form.
Beware Stormers.......
DBDbDraad
Captain26,388 posts
DBDbDraadCaptain26,388 posts
20 Oct 2014, 17:43#5
Beenz, wasn't JW the bok coach that lost 49-zip against the wallies? Worst day in Bok history, even worse than the mess at Twickers when Krige went bonkers. JW is not the hero you make him out to be. Good rugby brain, but nothing special.
JWJust_win
Captain18,570 posts
JWJust_winCaptain18,570 posts
20 Oct 2014, 18:22#6
Beeno: kiwi supporters note events in SA rugby with great interest.
All this "15 man rugby" being preached by those who have been in awe of NZ rugby should stop, Bok players will be so confused. Soon the players will be scoring "own goals" - with appropriate assistance from fair-minded refs of course
SHSharky54
Club Pro247 posts
SHSharky54Club Pro247 posts
20 Oct 2014, 20:14#7
I dont know what you are on about Beeno - this is precisely the final I called. The Lions and WP have been playing better rugby by some margin than anyone else this year, and so although I didn't expect 50 to be scored against the Sharks, the margin in the two matches was hardly a surprise.
The Sharks did take a thumping. It would be pointless denying that. Congrats Lions, and I must say a lot of promising talent coming out of that Lions team.
The only surprising part of the weekend to me was that if ever I expected a team to score 50 against their respective opponents this weekend it was WP over the Bulls, but what transpired was a game just slightly on the sweeter end of a one converted try difference. That was surprising - but the Bulls did look like they were interested whereas the Sharks never really did.
Final. I called a WP win before the weekend but now its moved a bit more into the grey for me. The Lions looked formidable - best rugby I have seen from a South African side in some time. If they bring that to the final - could be a tough day at the office for WP.
With that said, I am going to stick with my predictions of a WP win. I think they will up their game for the final and the Lions might have one or two pivotal injuries. I will say WP takes the silverware this year.
SHSharky54
Club Pro247 posts
SHSharky54Club Pro247 posts
20 Oct 2014, 20:32#8
And ummm...Beeno...as far as choking is concerned, the pressure is squarely on WP. WP/Stormers have had a 'choke a year' in home ground playoffs since 2011.
Didn't want to cause you pain, but you mentioned the word choke so here is a reminder.
2011 - 'Mighty Stormers' end second on the overall log, of course winning the South African conference but get their backsides handed to them at Newlands in the semi-final by 19 points - by the team that goes on to lose the final.
2012 - 'Mighty Stormers' end FIRST on the overall log, win the South African conference but get pipped at Newlands in the Super rugby semi-final by the team that ended 6th and had just traveled back from a brutal 'quarter final' against the Reds in Brisbane. Again by the team that go on to lose the final.
2013 - 'Overwhelming favorites, WP' lose the Currie Cup final at Newlands by a decent margin. Decent enough that 8 minutes before the final whistle, the 'Newlands faithful' started leaving the stadium.
So when it comes to Newlands playoffs, it seems its been a choke a year since 2011. You guys didn't choke this weekend (almost but not quite) - so perhaps you are leaving it for the final ?
Not saying it will happen, but sjoe...if it does, it looks like choke disease has well and truly settled in Cape Town. Shark chokers are already out - so over to you...
BEBeeno1
Captain40,032 posts
BEBeeno1Captain40,032 posts
20 Oct 2014, 22:44#9
Lets not dwell in the past sharkie. The current CHOKE is what is so funny! Its left rooitwit gobstopped.
BEBeeno1
Captain40,032 posts
BEBeeno1Captain40,032 posts
20 Oct 2014, 22:53#10
Nee man, what a load of twaddle Sharkie. How many times have the sharks lost finals and semi finals. Fancy tring to pin the chokers tag on the Mighty Stormers/WP. Too many fatty USA hamburgers have effected brain function!
Draad, Jake is a good coach and has proved that. Whoever was responsible for letting Jake go has blundered. Sharks would not have lost like that with Jake at the helm.
I think there were circumstances re that OZ loss but forget the details now. Dr Moz would remem ber the details.
BEBeeno1
Captain40,032 posts
BEBeeno1Captain40,032 posts
20 Oct 2014, 23:02#12
JW ya halfwit we are returning to our roots after taking a wrong turn due to the bulle influence.You should know JW we have had backlines that have ripped the wee abs apart.
However we will never be netballers JW. It's a balance between running rugby and forward power. A balance only the Boks can achieve.
Please note the above JW as wise up
