17 Jul 2013, 10:42#1
Hi all - here's hoping the weekend's rugby isn't tarnished by incompetent or lop sided reffing.
REDs v Cruds - have to say Reds in a tight one going down to the wire...
Brumbies v Cheetahs - Got a feeling the orange guys are going to sneak away with this.
Obviously Im backing against the home teams in both and feel that IF things go this way then both will struggle in the following weeks to go on to the S15 championship - 2013 Reds haven't really blitzed all year with excpetion of Chiefs,Sharks & BILs game - so chances are there due... Genia and Horwill both confirmed starters as is "Return of McCheat" - doesn't play all year and then shows up for the finals... once again the kiwis gaming the system.... whats to stop all the teams loading their rosters up with players for finals.....????? shaking my head...................
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
17 Jul 2013, 11:34#3
Redsman
It is apparently all media talk - but I do not think legally McCaw will be able to play in the remainder of Super 15. I think the rule is that the teams must submit squad sheets by 1 April 2013 who will be their squads for the remainder of the period. They can only bring in replacements with permission from Sanzar - and then only to cater for injuries and the injury list of the Crusaders is virtually zero. He may be on their squad list - but I doubt very much if he is. Remember Francois Steyn could not play last year in the play-offs and later games - because the Sharks only signed him up in May 2012.
As to the Brumbies - Cheetahs game I am in two minds about the outcome. The results in games in Round Robin does not give a clear indication as to what will happen. The Brumbies put up a very poor performance last week and if that is repeated then they can have problems. The Cheetahs this year was very good travellers and they beat all the Aussie teams - the Waratahs and Force away from home and the Reads and Rebels very easily at home. However, White would have worked out counter-plans already and he is a wily character - so the game to my mind is up in the air. I would say 55-45 in facour of the Cheetahs - with a small margin win in this case.
In the case of the Reds game I tend to favour the Crusaders at home - but they will have to put up a much better show than they did last week. The problem they have is with their props and forwards. Other than Read and Sam Whitelock - they do not have much to write home about. in the backline Carter is a major factor and Tom Marshall will also be problematic for the Reds. Dagg can be a problem too - but this year he was a yo-yo player - good in some matches and vey average in others. The Crusaders in general is not as good a team as they were in the past and they lacked consistency this year. On the other hand the Reds did not travel well this year and lost key matches in the process. They also do not have the best center combination out - but I like their wings. All in all - a win by the Crusaders is likely.
Are you sure Horwill and Genia will play? I am also interested to know whether Rod Davies will play as well - especially in view of his injury last week..
CLclevermike
Coach57,555 posts
CLclevermikeCoach57,555 posts
17 Jul 2013, 15:52#8
Sasue
McCaw's name was not on the list of either the Test Rugby or Foxsport squads last week - but I noticed that he was added this week - at very inflated prices in my opinion. Even if he is selected I m unlikely to buy him in any event for the first game after coming back. I assume he will be on the bench though - and even in the starting line-up he will not match the recent performances of Todd - so definitely not on my have to buy list for this weekend. I do not like the norm of playing players on reputation - they have to show their real worth on the field of play..
Now something else I hope you are correct in your forecast of the two play-off games - since it would result in the Chiefs playing the Crusaders and the Bulls the Brumbies. I do not think the Chiefs can beat the Crusaders and the Brumbies this year was not all that consistent.
The Bulls problems this year was with their tight 5. Other than Moore the Brumbies tight 5 is not really the strongest around - neither is the Crusaders and Chiefs - so that would level the playing field between the Bulls and potential opponents.
18 Jul 2013, 07:50#13
keep talking you cocky cheating kiwis... Reds won 4/4 against your byatches this season INCLUDING the chiefs @ home suscker...
Teams have been named and I think on paper Reds backline not as good as could be but I like the forwards and look forward to replay of 2011 when the Reds OWNED the cruds continuously.
% would say home teams to get through... but got a feeling Qld sport is in for a good week.............................
18 Jul 2013, 11:13#15
hahaha........ nah not too obsessed with kiwis only in rugby as I think its time Aussies stepped up and regained the bledisloe truth be told if we were on here with Poms discussing Ashes I would be equally if not more hostile as Im a compeitior....
On that note - got the Ashes to watch tonight, origin last nite and Reds on Sat.... so lots to be 'obsessed' with... and if last Ashes test anything to go by will be rivoting watching................
Go Reds by 2 - QC to kick winner on siren like Suncorp when Queen Richie was penalised for incorrect entry by that only true and fair ref Stu Dickenson....
