The highlight of the Curry Cup- Running Rugby

 The two teams who were skilled passers won today. 

  Sharkbok
There was an article in the papers recently on a request from Meyer to the franchises to try and play a more expansive gane on  Super 15 and CC levell - and it is clear that WP and the Lions have decided to comply with that request.  Matter of fact the Bulls never agreed and th Sharks under Wh ite ignred the request.
When looking at the games today it was clear that the expansive game paid dividends for the winning teams.   The Bulls obviousy thought otherwise and played the pedestrian Potgieter it flyhalf - a total misadventure since he flopped badly.   If they played Pollard at fklyhalf and opted for a more expabsive style - the result would have been much closer - but Ludeke buggered up badly with his team selection.   
There is one thing which is lclear and that wider ranged loosies made a massive difference to the Lions in particular.   I have always been a great admirer of Jaco Kriel and think he is very near to eb the best openside flank in SA.   Whiteley is no slouch either - and he is to my mind the back-up for Vermeulen at no 8.   
The Lions is developing nicely as a team and they would do better in Supeper 15 next year.   They have a top scrumaging set-up, but need a stronger lock to partner Mostert.   I like their backline and although much is said about Mnisi - there real inside center remains Stokkies Hanekom.  
In the case the player tpo really watch out is there wing Van Wyk.   He really is a player with a lot of skill and ball sense.    There center combination is not the hottest one around and I think in Super 15 next year it will be De Villiers and De Allende and they would make a vast difference to their backline -putting even more punch into it.          
 

Clevermike I heard something about Jake White refusing to be expansive, he just wanted to play Jake Ball. When he overplayed the Bok forwards the Sharks fell apart at the end of the season, and their was no plan B. It was not entertaining rugby to watch even though the Sharks lead the table for much of the tournament. 
Frans Ludeke is useless and just rode the gray train from the team that Meyer built up. How stupid can he be to waist Pollard for the outdated South Africa flyhalf style of play of Potgieter. The best backline move the Bulls did, Pollard slotted into the 10 position with Potgieter at 12. Meyer selected Pollard as the first choice flyhalf when he was not the preferred at the Bulls, and this is all about Ludeke. 
Matfield is taking over as coach of the Bulls in 2016 apparently, and he is more likely to favour a more expansive approach.