[2016 Super Rugby] Lions vs. Blues (Round 12) 14/05/2016

[back2back]

How is it a lie that the Sharks and Lions are a huge improvement? They are there on merit based on the structure of this tournament. Don't twist this into something else because you aren't happy with it. I would be more happy if all SA teams played all NZ teams, most Saffers do. Why do you just want to bash the South African teams? This is honestly not our worst ever performance in Super Rugby. I don't think it's our best season, but to not see this as an improvement from last season for South Africa is absolutely delusional.

We will see how the Lions go. Other than the Chiefs match they have been dealt to by the best sides. Rest of the teams are still very poor. Sharks have their moments, but theyre painful to watch at best.

 

[unrated]

You're making more of it than it actually is. I think SA sides have fared admirably so far in the competition and feeling optimistic for the playoffs.
Our results might not be as good as the NZ teams but that does not make the other teams bad. It Does not mean that if a team does not play in the same style as your own team then they have a "painfull" style to watch.

 

[back2back]

You're making more of it than it actually is. I think SA sides have fared admirably so far in the competition and feeling optimistic for the playoffs.
Our results might not be as good as the NZ teams but that does not make the other teams bad. It Does not mean that if a team does not play in the same style as your own team then they have a "painfull" style to watch.

The only reason you will have any competitive teams in the finals is because you are gifted home play-offs.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Why are you 2 bothering to reply to him?? have you not seen his constant bickering in other threads about the same damn thing over and over. He's just trying to get you riled up. And if he can't see the progression that we have made this season by all our teams, then he is just a biased blind kiwi.

Anyways, he's trying to derail the thread, so let's rather try and stay on topic. I thought Elton Jantjies was superb in that match. His decision making was spot on and he bossed the Blues around.

 

[back2back]

Why are you 2 bothering to reply to him?? have you not seen his constant bickering in other threads about the same damn thing over and over. He's just trying to get you riled up. And if he can't see the progression that we have made this season by all our teams, then he is just a biased blind kiwi.

Anyways, he's trying to derail the thread, so let's rather try and stay on topic. I thought Elton Jantjies was superb in that match. His decision making was spot on and he bossed the Blues around.

Only one South African team has won the competition and it doesn't look like another will for a long time.

 

[bazwaz]

...you'll have to forgive my deluded fiend's condescending remarks...take no notice - what he knows about rugby can almost be written on the back of a postage stamp...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Look, no-one is saying the SA sides aren't somewhat underperforming in relation to the rest. The thing is though we are doing better than a lot of us expected everything considered;

The Bulls have a new coach, almost an entirely new pack, are without Pollard and Gelant their two most dangerous backs and have a very very young squad most of whom are either in their 2nd year or on debut.

The Stormers only got a new coach officially appointed a few weeks prior to kick-off after Eddie Jones pulled out. We've also lost a few stalwarts pot RWC even if less than other teams. We are down to our 3rd choice flyhalf and our best players have been out for long spells (De Allende and Etzebeth) and De Allende is taking his sweet time getting back to any semblence of form.

The Sharks only got Lambie back the other game but are now without Reinach so also no continuity n the halves. Also with a new coach and also a green side with quite a number of newbies.

The Cheetahs also have a new coach and have lost players en-masse over the last two seasons. Lood de Jager being the only Bok to stick around.

The Kings have a new coach, are new (again) to the tournament and can't afford to pay their players quite literally. Those guys are essentially amateurs.

Little wonder the Lions are top in SA ATM being the only side with a semblence of continuity. I dare say they will drop back down to their usual 4rth in SA in 3 years time.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Look, no-one is saying the SA sides aren't somewhat underperforming in relation to the rest. The thing is though we are doing better than a lot of us expected everything considered;

The Bulls have a new coach, almost an entirely new pack, are without Pollard and Gelant their two most dangerous backs and have a very very young squad most of whom are either in their 2nd year or on debut.

The Stormers only got a new coach officially appointed a few weeks prior to kick-off after Eddie Jones pulled out. We've also lost a few stalwarts pot RWC even if less than other teams. We are down to our 3rd choice flyhalf and our best players have been out for long spells (De Allende and Etzebeth) and De Allende is taking his sweet time getting back to any semblence of form.

The Sharks only got Lambie back the other game but are now without Reinach so also no continuity n the halves. Also with a new coach and also a green side with quite a number of newbies.

The Cheetahs also have a new coach and have lost players en-masse over the last two seasons. Lood de Jager being the only Bok to stick around.

The Kings have a new coach, are new (again) to the tournament and can't afford to pay their players quite literally. Those guys are essentially amateurs.

Little wonder the Lions are top in SA ATM being the only side with a semblence of continuity. I dare say they will drop back down to their usual 4rth in SA in 3 years time.

This. Ignorant people won't look at the steps we have taken to play a bit differently. If we look at the Bulls pack that played against the Waratahs, we have:

1. Lizo Gqoboka
4. Jason Jenkins
5. RG Snyman
7. Jannes Kirsten
8. Hanro Liebenberg

All of them are younger than 22 years old. And that was just the starting pack!

As for running rugby, I think all the SA sides (apart from the Sharks maybe) have shown their willingness to attack from anywhere on the field. The Bulls have scored a couple tries starting from within their own 22. Their last one was against the Force.

It is certainly progress, and I can see the change in the players, we are offloading a lot more than in the past, and our backs are now also become fetchers at the rucks.

In the beginning of this season, I didn't have high hopes for the SA teams, but they have certainly all impressed me.

 

[saulan]

As for running rugby, I think all the SA sides (apart from the Sharks maybe) have shown their willingness to attack from anywhere on the field. The Bulls have scored a couple tries starting from within their own 22. Their last one was against the Force.

And even they had a go at it against the Hurricanes.