~~~The OFFICIAL 2009 SUPER 14 RUGBY THREAD ~~~

[King of the Misc]

Not long now till the 2009 SANZAR Super14 kicks off so figured we better start a thread for it.

Here is the schedule:

WEEK 1
Friday 13 February Highlanders v Brumbies Dunedin 19:35
Friday 13 February W Force v Blues Perth 19:45
Friday 13 February Lions v Cheetahs Johannesburg 19:10
Saturday 14 February Crusaders v Chiefs Christchurch 17:30
Saturday 14 February Hurricanes v Waratahs Wellington 19:35
Saturday 14 February Stormers v Sharks Cape Town 17:00
Saturday 14 February Bulls v Reds Pretoria 19:10

WEEK 2
Friday 20 February Hurricanes v Highlanders Wellington 19:35
Friday 20 February Waratahs v Chiefs Sydney 19:40
Friday 20 February W Force v Cheetahs Perth 19:45
Friday 20 February Stormers v Reds Cape Town 19:10
Saturday 21 February Brumbies v Crusaders Canberra 19:40
Saturday 21 February Bulls v Blues Pretoria 17:00
Saturday 21 February Sharks v Lions Durban 19:10

WEEK 3
Friday 27 February Crusaders v Hurricanes Christchurch 19:35
Friday 27 February Waratahs v Highlanders Sydney 19:40
Saturday 28 February Chiefs v Sharks Hamilton 19:35
Saturday 28 February Brumbies v W Force Canberra 19:40
Saturday 28 February Lions v Bulls Johannesburg 17:00
Saturday 28 February Stormers v Blues Cape Town 19:10
Sunday 01 March Reds v Cheetahs Brisbane 16:00

WEEK 4
Friday 06 March Chiefs v W Force Hamilton 19:35
Friday 06 March Waratahs v Reds Sydney 19:40
Saturday 07 March Hurricanes v Cheetahs New Plymouth 14:30
Saturday 07 March Blues v Sharks Auckland 17:30
Saturday 07 March Highlanders v Crusaders Dunedin 19:35
Saturday 07 March Bulls v Stormers Pretoria 17:00
Brumbies/Lions Bye

WEEK 5
Friday 13 March Blues v Cheetahs North Harbour 19:35
Friday 13 March Brumbies v Waratahs Canberra 19:40
Saturday 14 March Crusaders v W Force Christchurch 17:30
Saturday 14 March Highlanders v Chiefs Invercargill 19:35
Saturday 14 March Reds v Sharks Brisbane 19:05
Saturday 14 March Stormers v Lions Cape Town 17:00
Hurricanes/Bulls Bye

WEEK 6
Friday 20 March Hurricanes v Bulls Wellington 19:35
Saturday 21 March Highlanders v Cheetahs Dunedin 17:30
Saturday 21 March Chiefs v Blues Hamilton 19:35
Saturday 21 March Waratahs v Crusaders Sydney 19:40
Saturday 21 March W Force v Sharks Perth 19:45
Saturday 21 March Lions v Brumbies Johannesburg 17:00
Reds/Stormers Bye

WEEK 7
Friday 27 March Blues v Waratahs Auckland 19:35
Saturday 28 March Highlanders v Bulls Palmerston North 17:30
Saturday 28 March Crusaders v Stormers Christchurch 19:35
Saturday 28 March Reds v Chiefs Brisbane 19:05
Saturday 28 March Sharks v Brumbies Durban 17:00
Saturday 28 March Lions v Hurricanes Johannesburg 19:10
Cheetahs/W Force Bye

WEEK 8
Friday 03 April Crusaders v Bulls Christchurch 19:35
Friday 03 April W Force v Reds Perth 19:05
Friday 03 April Sharks v Hurricanes Durban 19:10
Saturday 04 April Chiefs v Lions Hamilton 19:35
Saturday 04 April Waratahs v Stormers Sydney 19:40
Saturday 04 April Cheetahs v Brumbies Bloemfontein 15:00
Blues/Highlanders Bye

WEEK 9
Friday 10 April Blues v Lions Auckland 19:35
Friday 10 April W Force v Hurricanes Perth 17:40
Saturday 11 April Highlanders v Reds Invercargill 17:30
Saturday 11 April Brumbies v Stormers Canberra 17:35
Saturday 11 April Waratahs v Bulls Sydney 19:40
Saturday 11 April Cheetahs v Sharks Bloemfontein 15:00
Chiefs/Crusaders Bye

WEEK 10
Friday 17 April Blues v Highlanders Auckland 19:35
Friday 17 April Brumbies v Bulls Canberra 19:40
Saturday 18 April Hurricanes v Stormers Wellington 17:30
Saturday 18 April Reds v Lions Brisbane 17:35
Saturday 18 April Waratahs v W Force Sydney 19:40
Saturday 18 April Cheetahs v Chiefs Kimberley 15:00
Saturday 18 April Sharks v Crusaders Durban 17:05

WEEK 11
Friday 24 April Highlanders v Stormers Dunedin 19:35
Friday 24 April W Force v Lions Perth 19:05
Saturday 25 April Blues v Reds North Harbour 17:30
Saturday 25 April Hurricanes v Brumbies Wellington 19:35
Saturday 25 April Cheetahs v Crusaders Bloemfontein 15:00
Saturday 25 April Bulls v Chiefs Pretoria 17:05
Waratahs/Sharks Bye

WEEK 12
Friday 01 May Hurricanes v Blues Wellington 19:35
Friday 01 May Lions v Crusaders Johannesburg 15:00
Friday 01 May Cheetahs v Waratahs Bloemfontein 17:05
Saturday 02 May Reds v Brumbies Brisbane 19:40
Saturday 02 May Sharks v Highlanders Durban 15:00
Saturday 02 May Bulls v W Force Pretoria 17:05
Saturday 02 May Stormers v Chiefs Cape Town 19:10

WEEK 13
Friday 08 May Crusaders v Reds Christchurch 19:35
Friday 08 May Lions v Highlanders Johannesburg 19:10
Saturday 09 May Chiefs v Hurricanes Hamilton 19:35
Saturday 09 May Brumbies v Blues Canberra 19:40
Saturday 09 May Sharks v Waratahs Durban 15:00
Saturday 09 May Bulls v Cheetahs Pretoria 17:05
Saturday 09 May Stormers v W Force Cape Town 19:10

WEEK 14
Friday 15 May Chiefs v Brumbies Hamilton 19:35
Friday 15 May Lions v Waratahs Johannesburg 19:10
Saturday 16 May Blues v Crusaders Auckland 19:35
Saturday 16 May Reds v Hurricanes Brisbane 19:40
Saturday 16 May W Force v Highlanders Perth 19:45
Saturday 16 May Cheetahs v Stormers Bloemfontein 16:00
Saturday 16 May Sharks v Bulls Durban 18:05

WEEK 15 ? SEMI FINAL
Friday 22 May TBA v TBA
Saturday 23 May TBA v TBA

WEEK 16 ? FINAL
Saturday 30 May TBA v TBA

I think finally the Crusaders will come back to the pack without Robbie Deans and Dan Carter. I also think Queensland could be in for a really big year, they have some amazing young players. No idea what's going on in South Africa so ruhanv can fill us in there

What are you guys thoughts and predictions?

[Jdz]

Western Force to win the competition and Giteau to be the top scorer.

That's all I know.

[King of the Misc]

http://www.scrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/89995.html

South Africa may just have the power to wrest the initiative from New Zealand in this year's Super 14 competition.

The Sharks were the lone South African representatives in last year's semi-finals, but consistency of coaching structures and player pools could assist the South African challenge.

In addition, the depth of playing resources in the country make them more capable of absorbing the blows of an exodus to the Northern Hemisphere than Australia and New Zealand.

Sharks

John Plumtree took over as head coach after Dick Muir was promoted to the position of assistant coach at the Springboks and enjoyed immediate success in the Currie Cup. Their triumph on the domestic scene has inspired confidence and the addition of Bok skipper John Smit to their ranks will add another influential figure as they look to build on last year's third place.

Don't bet against them managing that as they have a favourable draw and not even the loss of experienced campaigners such as tighthead prop BJ Botha, inside centre Brad Barritt, French fly-half Frederic Michalak and utility forward AJ Venter has pulled their teeth. Michalak and Barritt's absence will allow a 10-12 combination of Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn to bloom, while Smit and Jannie du Plessis will share duties in the No.3 jersey.

Lock Johann Muller should continue to lead a side that includes Smit, which also points to a strong leadership core taking shape.

League legend Andrew Johns has assisted with their preparation, which shows they are prepared to think outside the box in their quest for success. It should be another fruitful season.

Stormers

Points difference is all that stood between them and the play-offs last year. One more try in their final round-robin game - a 22-13 win over the Lions in Johannesburg - would have edged them into the semi-finals after a wretched start.

At full strength the Stormers, who campaign under the guise of Western Province in the Currie Cup, have not lost at their home fortress of Newlands since going down 0-22 to the Crusaders on February 29 last year.

Jean de Villiers emerged as an exceptional leader and they also won three out of four games on tour, suggesting they know how to win at home.

They have also added some talented and experienced players, notably with loose forward Duane Vermeulen joining from the Cheetahs, and fullback Percy Montgomery, fly-half Willem de Waal and utility forward AJ Venter added to the ranks.

On top of that there is the coaching guile of Rassie Erasmus and a management team that includes top rugby minds such as Brendan Venter and Gary Gold. Not even a wretched draw that includes a five-game Australasian tour will dampen enthusiasm in the Cape.

Bulls

Springbok lock Victor Matfield's return should help stabilise a ship that hit stormy waters last year.

They were pitiful in their defence of the crown they won in 2007, but recovered well and coach Frans Ludeke appears to have things under control. Matfield and lock partner Bakkies Botha will provide the driving force in a tight five that aims at physical domination.

However, there's just a feeling that some of the key players are past their best, and even wing Bryan Habana is making headlines more often for links with Northern Hemisphere clubs rather than scoring tries.

They will be a good match for anybody at Loftus and have outstanding structures, which means they'll seldom be short on talent.

Ludeke's team is well capable of making the top half of the table, but you just don't get the feeling they are the force that they were under the coaching of Heyneke Meyer.

Lions

They are perennial under-achievers and last year's wooden spoonists.

The addition of former Springbok wings Ashwin Willemse and Henno Mentz, as well as forgotten lock Jannes Labuschagne, have add a few experienced heads.

They have a reasonable draw with away games against the Chiefs, Blues, Reds and Western Force. The question, however, is whether they have the talent in their ranks to make the most of it. The answer is probably no for a franchise feeling the pinch after years of under-achievement have left the terraces empty barring the times they are engaged in local derbies. The bottom half beckons ? again!

Cheetahs

They came close to pulling off a few surprise results last year, but it mostly ended in narrow defeats.

There were also times when their defence was poor and they took a few hidings. One victory in 12 defeats points to them simply not being good enough and they finished 13th. Whether things will go much better in 2009 is open to debate. They have lost two world class campaigners in versatile prop CJ van der Linde and loose forward Duane Vermeulen.

The gains have been modest with players such as centres Piet van Zyl and Corn? Uys, who could not quite crack it at the Stormers.

It's difficult to see a significant improvement on the cards, particularly as they start with a plethora of away games that could knock the stuffing out of them early on.
? Scrum.com

[pietpoes]

Pre season warmup game results:

Chiefs 21, Blues 17
Chiefs 36, Highlanders 19
Blues 14, Hurricanes 19
Force 19, Crusaders 24
Lions 44, Bulls 21
Cheetahs 57, Griquas 7
Sharks 19, Pumas 7
Waratahs 17, Reds 5

[King of the Misc]

Pre season warmup game results:

Chiefs 21, Blues 17
Chiefs 36, Highlanders 19
Blues 14, Hurricanes 19
Force 19, Crusaders 24
Lions 44, Bulls 21
Cheetahs 57, Griquas 7
Sharks 19, Pumas 7

Hey bro who's your team?

[pietpoes]

Hey bro who's your team?

The Bulls bro, & yours?

[King of the Misc]

Well I live in NSW, so waratahs by default

I don't really like the way they traditionally play though, although they are promising to play more free flowing rugby this year. Good luck, I see a south african team winning it this year

[pietpoes]

Well I live in NSW, so waratahs by default

I don't really like the way they traditionally play though, although they are promising to play more free flowing rugby this year. Good luck, I see a south african team winning it this year

The Sharks are our best bet this year imo, I hope they play Pienaar at flyhalf. Hopefully the Crusaders will struggle without Carter and Deans.

[pietpoes]

More pre season results:

Cheetahs 20-16 Bulls
Blues 26-24 Reds
Brumbies 28-14 Hurricanes
Chiefs 36-19 Highlanders

Stormers played Boland on saturday but I can't find any results yet

[MinuteMan.]

More pre season results:

Cheetahs 20-16 Bulls
Blues 26-24 Reds
Brumbies 28-14 Hurricanes
Chiefs 36-19 Highlanders

Stormers played Boland on saturday but I can't find any results yet

Hey bro, what are your predictions for this year?

I might throw in a couple of mine:

Finalists

1. Hurricanes
2. Sharks
3. Crusaders
4. Force

I think the first 2 will definitely make the finals but I'm not sold on the crusaders. The Force have some great emerging players and I think will be the best Australian team. I think David Pocock will become a very good flanker and this could be his breakout year.

[pietpoes]

Hey bro, what are your predictions for this year?

I might throw in a couple of mine:

Finalists

1. Hurricanes
2. Sharks
3. Crusaders
4. Force

I think the first 2 will definitely make the finals but I'm not sold on the crusaders. The Force have some great emerging players and I think will be the best Australian team. I think David Pocock will become a very good flanker and this could be his breakout year.

That looks about right, I just hope the Bulls can get their **** together this year. Also take into account that the Boks are playing the B & I Lions just after the Super 14. I hope they don't decide to rest the Bok players, that will fuk up any chances of a final. Who's your team?

[MinuteMan.]

Oh yeah I forgot about the Lions tour.

I am from Sydney, so Waratahs are my team. I don't think they will have a great year though, unless they can cover the losses in the forward pack.

[pietpoes]

Oh yeah I forgot about the Lions tour.

I am from Sydney, so Waratahs are my team. I don't think they will have a great year though, unless they can cover the losses in the forward pack.

I read somewhere that the ARU will be allowing non Aus qualified players to play for your Super 14 teams. Should strengthen your teams with Samoans, Fijians etc.

[MinuteMan.]

I read somewhere that the ARU will be allowing non Aus qualified players to play for your Super 14 teams. Should strengthen your teams with Samoans, Fijians etc.

Yeah, I have seen the Reds sign overseas players but the waratahs tried to get some south african player but it got blocked by the ARU I think so I have no idea what is going on.

[Beatdown_Boy]

the ARU are allowing one marquee player, that is a player from another country, that can participate in the super 14 comp but not be allowed to play for the wallabies, and another international player that may be able to(perhaps after 2 years)

i hope the force make top 4 this year, and then move up to the finals next year. since their start, theyve been making steady progress to the top.

[Kiwi_Fella]

Hey boys didnt know there was a super 14 thread created, im in.

Cheifs to take out the comp this year

[MinuteMan.]

Only one more day, I can't wait. Plus theres 6 nations this weekend too

Who do you think will make the semi-finals KF?

[pietpoes]

Anyone going to a game this weekend? I'm going to the Bulls vs Reds at Loftus.

[Dom_88]

I'm hoping all the South African teams do well in prep for the Lions tour, but I hope the Stormers go better than last year. I saw Vermuelen is starting at 8th man instead of Luke Watson. Be the ******* he may be with a gigantic ego to boot, Watson was a big reason the Stormers played so well last season. Very cerebral player. The backups they have will hopefully be the difference.

Shout out to the Bulls, too. Being born in Pretoria I must support them too I guess!

Anyone going to a game this weekend? I'm going to the Bulls vs Reds at Loftus.

I wish! Loftus has an unbeatable atmosphere!

[Kiwi_Fella]

Only one more day, I can't wait. Plus theres 6 nations this weekend too

Who do you think will make the semi-finals KF?

6 nations blows

I dont know bro. Its too early to say eh, you know how it is, every year its pretty much the same teams getting in - Crusaders, Warratahs, Sharks and a toss up nfor 4th, this year will be alot different, especially with the crusaders, expect them to be in for a hard year with all their new players.

I do really like the look of my Chiefs this year, we have some great players and have finally firmed up our front row.

How are your Warratahs looking?

[MinuteMan.]

6 nations blows

I dont know bro. Its too early to say eh, you know how it is, every year its pretty much the same teams getting in - Crusaders, Warratahs, Sharks and a toss up nfor 4th, this year will be alot different, especially with the crusaders, expect them to be in for a hard year with all their new players.

I do really like the look of my Chiefs this year, we have some great players and have finally firmed up our front row.

How are your Warratahs looking?

I'm not confident with NSW because of the losses up front and rocky elsom. I think the backline will be better and Rob Horne will emerge as an option for the wallabies bench at 13, but to be honest I'd be surprised if they made the semi finals again. I've been wrong before though.

I agree though, this year could be different, and for some reason I got a hunch the Hurricanes will be really good, but then again I've always liked their backline. Chiefs looked impressive at times last year, they could be ready to take the next step up. Who knows what will happen to the Crusaders.

Edit - Also keep an eye out for that massive Fijian winger from Randwick, Ratu something. Had a friend who played with him there, said he is an absolute beast. 6'4, 125kg.

[Ruhanv]

The Bulls bro, & yours?

So is mine! I grew at Loftus stadium. Had a season ticket since I was three years old. I have been out of the country for 13 years so unfortunately it's been a while. Say hello to the Northern pavillion for me.

[Ruhanv]

It's crazy making predictions this year as everything is up in the air. I would not even pencil in the Crusaders for a semi spot this year as they have lost so many great players.

I will say that I think that only the Sharks and Chiefs will make the semis from SA and NZ respectively. The Crusaders might get a semi but I won't bet on it this year. The Reds are on the up and so is the Western Storm. The Bulls will probably make the top 6 but that unfortunately is about it. The Stormers will once again believe their own hype and the Waratahs' squad doesn't excite me.

The Highlanders, Cheetahs and Lions will battle it out for last place (again).

[pietpoes]

So is mine! I grew at Loftus stadium. Had a season ticket since I was three years old. I have been out of the country for 13 years so unfortunately it's been a while. Say hello to the Northern pavillion for me.

Howzit Ruhan, will try to take some pics at the game & post em afterwards.

[Ruhanv]

Howzit Ruhan, will try to take some pics at the game & post em afterwards.

That would be great! I can almost smell the mixture of naartjies (mandarins), cigarette smoke, cut grass and barbeques outside the stadium. Happy days!

[dontbeagirliman]

Cant wait to see the eag lose hehe

[Ruhanv]

Does anyone know why the King of Misc was banned btw?

[Kiwi_Fella]

It's crazy making predictions this year as everything is up in the air. I would not even pencil in the Crusaders for a semi spot this year as they have lost so many great players.

I will say that I think that only the Sharks and Chiefs will make the semis from SA and NZ respectively. The Crusaders might get a semi but I won't bet on it this year. The Reds are on the up and so is the Western Storm. The Bulls will probably make the top 6 but that unfortunately is about it. The Stormers will once again believe their own hype and the Waratahs' squad doesn't excite me.

The Highlanders, Cheetahs and Lions will battle it out for last place (again).

I was watching rugby show here and all the experts were picking the sharks to be the best team outta South Africa this year. What i like about this year is its really open. With the Crusaders having so many new players, they're not going to be as dominant as previous years. Some good game on this weeeknd though!

[MinuteMan.]

http://www.scrum.com/super14/rugby/story/91596.html

I found this last night, what do you guys in NZ think about the all blacks fly half position this year?

[Ruhanv]

Some interesting results thus far. The Lions looked pretty impressive with Jacque Fourie and Henno Mentz combining beautifully. They have some monsters up front as well and scrummed the Cheetahs of the pack. They might be a little underrated this year.

The Crusaders looked ok but I still don't rate their chances this year. The Chiefs failed to impress.

The Tahs upset the Canes. Didn't see that one coming.