Okay, So I'm not sure if most of you are now overloaded with rugby but it feels like we are now having 365 days of rugby.
I think by the final test my nerves were done and I was all to happy for it to be over, not that I didn't enjoy it nor that I couldn't wait for match day.
So the biggest club comp that the SA teams would have played in will start this weekend. One could argue that NZ and to certain extent, Aus teams are better than the European teams, but we will never know which teams are the best. There are also rumours going around for a global club championship comp. Maybe the Aus/NZ teams are looking for a revenue stream now that Super Rugby has collapsed and they are struggling to keep their players.
Anyway, back to the main topic. We have 3 teams in the Heineken Cup and 2 in the Championship. I honestly don't even know if I'll tune into any of these games and would rather just catch the highlights on YouTube. But it looks like our franchises will be rolling out the big boys this weekend.
Sharks vs Harlequins
The form English team, but there is no Marcus Smith, but should be a home coming for Andre the Giant. That team has some real talent but would be interesting to see who they pick for the tour. Sharks have been more like Guppies, with all the big names but none of the clout. Will we see the likes of Etzebeth come on. I haven't seen Fassi so wonder if he is injured. Bosch had a cracker of a game last weekend at 10, maybe the Sharks have found their 10 and can claim one for the SA. Rumours have it that Kolisi is still in France and won't play until they arrive next week.
Clermont vs Stormers
Stormers travel to France, Clermont is not an easy place to get to and I believe this will be a real tough one for the boys. Frans and Orie will not play as they have been left behind, but my main question is where Damian will play. The Stormers backline looked amazing last week. I think that they now have the right centre combo with Manie pulling the strings. Blommetjies was a handful last weekend too. So I probably won't mess with the backline. Maybe Damian should just ride the pine on this one and be a super sub. But think this will be a real tough one for the boys, especially if they get carried away with all those French pastries. Too delicious
Bulls vs Lyon
Back at Fortress Loftess, I think now that Goosen is firing on all cylinders, Arendse, Kriel and Moody makes for a dangerous back 3. Vorster is a true Centre, not sure what to make of Hendrikse or Mapoe in the midfield. Would love to see Simanje being unleashed at 13. The bulls pack seem to have settled. The French are well known for not being great travellers.
Champions Cup
Lions vs Dragons (This would have been Worcester, but they have no gone into administration) So it will be another limp Welsh team instead. Not sure what to make of this, but the lions is a team on the up.
Pau vs Cheetahs, I have no clue how the cheetahs will play, but apparently they are based in Roma, but hope that they can make the most of this. This is one team I wished was still in the URC. If anything, I would have dropped one of the Welsh teams and kept the Cheetahs. Always enjoy supporting them.