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FORUM / RUGBY /  SA teams road to URC finals

SA teams road to URC finals

Started by kingcorn82 REPLIES6,158 VIEWS· 05 Apr 2022, 18:45
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KI
kingcornPro3,695 posts
05 Apr 2022, 18:45
#1
05 Apr 2022, 18:45#1

So the SA teams are coming into their own now in the URC and it  looks like they are peaking at the right time. With no travel for the next four weeks, the teams are in a good place to challenge for the top 8 spots. 


As far as I can tell, the top 8 teams qualify for the quarter finals, however, the Heineken Cup is a slightly different qualification. That said, would it be great if we can get all four teams in the top 8. 


So lets take a look at each teams chances. I do think that it will be very hard to unseat Leinster as the top team. They are sitting on 60 and our nearest team, the Stormers are on 43 with 4 very tough games remaining. 


There are some massive gaps in the schedule, with a 3 week break between April and May for the final game which is away for all of our teams


So  let's look at the chances of each team. 


09-Apr22-Apr30-Apr21-MayStormersBullsGlasgowLeinsterScarletsBullsStormersBenettonGlasgowOspreysSharksLionsLeinsterConnachtUlsterLionsSharksConnachtBenettonDragons

PredictionStormers, 2/4. Glasgow, Bulls and Leinster are all tough teams. Stormers can beat Glasgow and Scarlets. Bulls and Leinster are 50/50Bulls, 3/4 Seem to have the easier run with only the Stormers that can cause them problemsSharks 1/4, only see them taking the scalp of the lions but Connacht could also be another one to take. Ulster away may be a step too far for them. Lions 3/4, probably the most easiest run of the bunch, only Sharks  and Dragons may  cause a problem give that the final game is in Wales. 
Still not sure about our away games as we seem to struggle playing to the refs whistle up north. 
All and all, would be great if 2 or our teams can get all four games.  But  it would be great if we can catch up to Ulster, Glasgow and Connacht on the log. 
Looking forward to these games, pity that they are not every weekend


DB
DbDraadCaptain26,388 posts
05 Apr 2022, 19:17
#2
05 Apr 2022, 19:17#2

Bools will be critical to win for the Stormers...the top 4 teams also have some tough matches to come, but only 2 matches each.

So now the local derbies are done and dusted and our team can now get back an focus on winning all of their remaining games. We still have another 2 home games and 1 away before the knock-outs start. 

Stormers are sitting on top but have tough games against Leinster and Glasgow which are the 2 table  topping teams. 

That said, Leinster are currently playing home and away against Connacht but it is in Ireland games. So hopefully our teams will be fresher when they visit us down south. 

But it will be sharks that will be hosting Leinster first, lets just hope that the rain will stay away in Durban and get some heat back to sap the irish. 

However, the lions have a very slim mathematical chance to make the quarters. 

But I hope we can get at least 2 SA teams in the top 4. 

So we are in the final rounds of URC and the SA teams have done way better than expected. At one point I was hoping the Lions could creep into the the top 8 where we could of had all of our teams, but the Lions isn't the same team, they have potential and they did us proud at home, although they did drop a game which they could have won. 

The sharks were the other culprit and was outplayed in the wet. 

Now there is one round left, we have Leinster in the Semi final which will be played on the weekend. 

It is Munster v Leinster, then there is Ulster not to mention the Welsh only playing for pride and to finish top of their group to get European Qualifications 

PosTeamPlayedWinsDrawsLossesPoint DiffPoints1Leinster Rugby171205260622Munster Rugby171106193563Sharks171115148564Stormers171124148565Ulster Rugby171106112556Bulls171007123537Glasgow Warriors17100750508Edinburgh Rugby1791786509Ospreys171007-454410Scarlets17809-3544

My predictions is that we will have 3 Irish sides in the top half

Leinster and Munster, probably going to be an academy team from Leinster as they are certainly going to finish top. Munster to take this one, but by how much. They have a superiors points difference a win would give them 60 but a bonus point will give them 61. 

Ulster vs Sharks, so probably going to be Ulster due to home field advantage. Uls 59 or 60, Sharks if they can win either finish on 56/57 or a win could give them 60 or 61

Stormers and Bulls are playing against Welsh sides away, but they could drop a game so it is 50/50

Final table 

Leinster

Munster

Ulster

Stormers

Bulls

Sharks

Glasgow

Edinburgh


Ja, only  if the Stormers had the money of the sharks with their current coach then I think they would be quite happy to compete against Leinster.

The sharks are signing all the right players and building a formidable world class squad.  

Just looking at their team and in  key areas. Their front row is world class, Locks aren't to bad either but will be boosted with Etzebeth there. Backrow is solid, like Pepsi and great to see Tisuka joining. 

Backline is getting there, Hendrikse probably needs a few more seasons but already showing a lot of class. Bosch is my only concern at 10 as he blows hot and cold. 

Great to see Van Rensburg, but he hasn't really featured much for sale recently and has been battling to get a few games in a row, but great combo with AM. Hope they can keep him fit. 

The back 3 of the sharks I have no problem with, but Nkosi is leaving for the bulls. So will be interesting to see, 

Speaking of the Bulls, Simalane is crossing the Jukskei to join the bulls next year. But the bulls need to get rid of their geriatric players and get some you with experience in there. 

No sure if you ones watch the games this weekend?

Most disappointing was the sharks. All their young guns and some of their names completely misfired. Kolisi was no where, Hendricks knock way too many balls on, Mapimpi did his usual poor wing defence and Agassi got exposed in the tackle by being bumped off. Grant Williams did amazing and can see now why he got selected. 

The bulls ran away with the game but then let the Ospreys back in towards the end. 

Lions did well, but it was the 2nd worst team in the comp

The Stormers left it late but the scarlets played really well

Oh and Leinster completely destroyed Munster. 

But glad to see we have 2, 4 and 5 on the table. 

This also means we got 3 teams in the Heineken cup next year. 

stormers v Glasgow

Bulls V Sharks

Quarters or on 5 th June 

If the stormers win it will be either against the sharks or the bulls.

But wow, Leinster have some squad 

Kolisi was none existent until the second half against Ulster but he did step up in the 2nd half. Everyone keeps saying the star studded Sharks are going to burst into 6 gear any day now but it never quite seems to happen. Overhyped or management not getting the best out of them.?

I feel the Sharks have another 2 gears to go through, but then again I feel Ulster have 1 gear left in them as well.

I actually wouldn't say Leinster destroyed Munster, but they they where deserved winners. I'm actually positive about Munster, they are now trying to proper playing rugby and I expect its down to Graham Roundtree been given increasing influence over Munster's play style now that he's taking over from Van Graham next season. 

Just to clarify its Stormers against Edinburgh.

So last 8 are

Leinster Vs Glasgow

Stormers Vs Edinburgh

Ulster Vs Munster

Bulls Vs Sharks

I would favour Leinster and Stormers but the other two matches are very hard to call.

Alas no one will beat Leinster to title. 


I have been really impressed with the stormers this season. 

I think our teams could be further ahead if they got to grip with Nothern hemisphere referee styles sooner. It is still shit but at least we are adapting faster now. The head contact area is also concerning as it ruins games with their excessive reviews. Hand on the shoulder or a player slipping up or the tackler dipping means an immediate red car then if you lucky a yellow. Attacking players can almost target the tackler and know they would be send off. 

My other bug bear, the stop start of fixtures. We had to wait two weeks and now have to wait another week while Leinster play the finals. 

But I’m glad to see all 3 SA teams are playing at home and if the Stormers win it will be a semi which would almost guarantee an SA team in the final 

Ja, the SA teams played really well. Great to see what the coaches are doing. Sharks was missing a couple of work horses. Venter was my pick, Buthelezi keeps impressing. But Coetzee was by far the best player on the pitch and the best 6 by a country mile at the moment. Kolisi was again nowhere to be found. Had no impact on the game.

Stormers keeps impressing. They lost Rikus in min 3 but the 20 year old utility back that I've never heard before was rock solid on defence.

Mani fluffed a sitter, but the pack and back combined recall well to find space out wide.

So it is the best of SA vs Ireland.

Hope the bulls can beat Leinster and overcome the away hoodoo.

Ulster will be up for revenge after being robbed last time out.

Have to agree on the locks. Moerat is over rated and they have the worst success on their own throws. But I guess they are to meet KPIs on transformation.

I would love to have Shickeling and Botha back. Du Toit at 7.

Dyamani also been impressing me a lot 

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