The Official Super14 Thread.

[Go_The_Doggies]

I don't think we had one last year. :confused:

Hm well it starts in like 2 weeks.

Trial games have been going on!!

I know the Chiefs won the game out of them and the 'Canes. Something like 34-17.

I don't know who won out of the Crusaders and the Force though.

[Titanium_BD1103]

I don't think we had one last year. :confused:

Hm well it starts in like 2 weeks.

Trial games have been going on!!

I know the Chiefs won the game out of them and the 'Canes. Something like 34-17.

I don't know who won out of the Crusaders and the Force though.


Crusaders won Kimmy... 28-12... but Ryan Cross scored a try and the Force looked ok without quite a few of their key stars... :)

I am sort of meh about this season... I do like the NSW jersey though, it's tight, but the combination of blue works this year... better than just sky blue... :)

Will try to keep this updated as much as possible though... ;)

[Go_The_Doggies]

Lol I saw a picture of Ryan Cross on www.photosport.co.nz and was just like "ewwww"

Gosh he is ugly :p

Meh the 'Canes are gunna take the title out :p...they'll do it for Tana (keeps fingers crossed)

And tbh i'm meh about this season too. ALthough it'll be interesting for the first 6 weeks or so without the All Blacks. :)

[Social Loafer]

Aren't the kiwi's resting all their world cup players for this thing? If so it will just turn into an even bigger farce..

The only Interest I have in this is seeing how Schifcofske goes for the reds.. Would be pretty funny if he got the Australian Fullback spot..

Anyway hopefully the Brumbies spoon it..

p.s- Love the sig Bulldog_Titan, Ana is all overr my myspace page. :laugh:

[Go_The_Doggies]

No, they're not being rested for the whole thing. Only the first 6 weeks.

Which I don't care if they are rested. I want them fit for the WC, and if thats gunna help them then i'm all for it. :)

Its not like we don't have enough depth. :p

[Capital_Shark]

Ohhh, only the first 6 weeks, thats cool. Well it would be if they had something long enough to warrant being called a 'season.'

I'm hoping union will die off soon. I dunno how long it can sustain itself. Soon the massive cash will run out and they won't be able to poach league players to make sure there is some decent talent in their game. Its an outdated game. It was entertaining in 1895, 100 years later they took it professional, it had 10 or so popular seasons, but all old fads come and go every now and then. Like Yo-Yo's go in and out of fashion. People will flock every 4 years for the world cup, like they do for soccer and the olympics, but then it'll die off again and only the hardcore fans will give a toss between WC's.

[Social Loafer]

You really have to laugh though, Clinton Schifcofske is contention for a wallabies spot despite only playing a couple of trial matches in the sport :laugh:

Union is fast becoming the #4 football code in this country...

[Capital_Shark]

You really have to laugh though, Clinton Schifcofske is lin line for a wallabies spot despite only playing a couple of trial matches in the sport :laugh:

Union is fast becoming the #4 football code in this country...

I think it already is #4 mate. A pathetic WC campaign from the Wallabies will ensure that too. Even some old union fella I seen on the news gave the Wallabies no chance, saying "if you wanna see the Wallabies in the WC, my advise is to go early."

Either the Wallabies jersey is very cheap, or their is just no talent in union that wasn't previously in league. With all respects to Choc, he struggled for state rep honors (with strong competition for FB too) but that was after atleast a decade of first grade league, now like you said, a couple trials and he could achieve the highest honor of a sportsman, playing for their country.

[Go_The_Doggies]

*hugs nz*

But i do sometimes get sick of the obsession this country has with Union. Especially in the summer. I mean a couple of weeks ago at the ASB tennis thing..the commentators were talking about Jerry Collins FFS.

Although he is insanely cool. <3

[Go_The_Doggies]

Lol @ the 'Tahs.

They have like 3 injuries. 1 is Matt Dunning, haha for him, I haate him, the fat ****. :mad:

[Titanium_BD1103]

Lol @ the 'Tahs.

They have like 3 injuries. 1 is Matt Dunning, haha for him, I haate him, the fat ****. :mad:

Bah to you Kimmy... leave the Tahs alone.. Kurtley will get us to the prize... you just watch and see... :)

[Social Loafer]

Yeah, go the flowers, such a manly name for a sporting side.

[Waz]

LOL how quickly this turned from a "Super 14 thread" to a "rugby sucks" and so on and so forth. Granted the wallabies are playing like poo, but I enjoy both sports immensely each for their own attributes.

And for the raggin on the fact that NSW are named after a flower, I'd rather be my state's floral symbol, than a storm, or a rabbit, lol

Good times :beer:

[Future Star]

You really have to laugh though, Clinton Schifcofske is contention for a wallabies spot despite only playing a couple of trial matches in the sport :laugh:

Union is fast becoming the #4 football code in this country...

Of course Schifcofske would be in contention, he's a great player, He has already played in the World XV, and the main reason there looking at him closley for contention is because Latham's out.

It already is, but just because its Number 4, behind soccer, doesn't mean it can't sustain itself, soccer did when it was number 4, and now it's moving up.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Bah to you Kimmy... leave the Tahs alone.. Kurtley will get us to the prize... you just watch and see... :)

Pfft NO!! :p

'Canes to win!! :)

You all know it :p

[davo]

The Game Will Remain As Long As People Want It Too,having Played Both At Rep Level Rugby Union Still Remains Harder,faster,and Just As Physical As League,but Thats Only My Opinion,the Game Is Huge In Nz,uk,pacific Island,america,italy,argentina,to Name Just A Few Countrys So It Will Be Around For Some Time,give The Wallabies A Fair Go For Being Your National Team, Dont Write Them Off, The All Blacks Went Through The Same Dramas A Few Years Ago As Well. Later..!!!!!!!!!!!

[Titanium_BD1103]

Pfft NO!! :p

'Canes to win!! :)

You all know it :p

Bah Canes to win... :p

Waratahs all the way, won against the Crusaders and looking good with Beale on the bench... this time I think we might just do it.... :)

[Go_The_Doggies]

sione lauaki is injured...

richard kahui is in doubt for the chiefs game...

poor poor chiefs...

[Future Star]

I think Waratahs can go all the way this year.

Also, as every year, The Crusaders will finish near the top, they always dont do very well in the Trials and half the time walk away with teh damn trophy.

But, I'm also liking the look of the young Brumbies side, a few tweaks and they'll be serious threats this year.

[Poida]

Brumbies to win this year :D:D:D

[Future Star]

Brumbies to win this year :D:D:D

as much as i would love that to happen, i doubt it will.

[Social Loafer]

A spoon would be a great mantle piece in the corporate boardroom IMO..

This will be the last year the Brumbies will get decent crowds, once they lose their rep players, the corporate bandwagon will be one a slow one way trip to Melbourne. While the Brumbies have been getting bigger crowds, their core support is not as big as the Raiders, the Raiders are the team that really represents the Canberra community. i.e. they don't see it as just $$$$$$$..

[Capital_Shark]

A spoon would be a great mantle piece in the corporate boardroom IMO..

This will be the last year the Brumbies will get decent crowds, once they lose their rep players, the corporate bandwagon will be one a slow one way trip to Melbourne. While the Brumbies have been getting bigger crowds, their core support is not as big as the Raiders, the Raiders are the team that really represents the Canberra community. i.e. they don't see it as just $$$$$$$..

Incase anyone's wondering, yes, Schifty and I are season ticket holders to the Brumbies.

[Social Loafer]

At $230 for 7 matches- (well 1 will prob be played somewhere else) how can you afford not to get the cheapest season ticket.. I'm sure the chardonnay, canap?s and caviar sold at the games would be of good value to..

Anyway I gotta remember to get my tux dry cleaned in preparation for the first home match.

[Capital_Shark]

At $230 for 7 matches- (well 1 will prob be played somewhere else) how can you afford not to get the cheapest season ticket.. I'm sure the chardonnay, canap?s and caviar sold at the games would be of good value to..

Anyway I gotta remember to get my tux dry cleaned in preparation for the first home match.

Firstly I must make a mention of the effort you put into this post by making the 'e' in 'canap?s' have the little thing above it.

And when is someone going to define the word 'season' with a minimum amount of games. Surely it has to have more than 7 ffs.

As for the tux mate, you don't have long. I think the "season" starts next weekend. Just me or does this thing start earlier each year?

[Social Loafer]

Firstly I must make a mention of the effort you put into this post by making the 'e' in 'canap?s' have the little thing above it.

You can thank Mozilla Firefox spell check for that :laugh:
But it does give the desired effect.


And when is someone going to define the word 'season' with a minimum amount of games. Surely it has to have more than 7 ffs.

Very good point, my piss take Bottom grade mixed indoor soccer season is longer then that ffs.



As for the tux mate, you don't have long. I think the "season" starts next weekend. Just me or does this thing start earlier each year?

They are trying to get as many games as possible in before the real footy starts.

[Capital_Shark]

They are trying to get as many games as possible in before the real footy starts.

Thats what I thought. But they'll tell you its because of the WC. But we all know its cause there is no point competing, if you can't offer competition.

You and I are the only people keeping this thread honest.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Lol. I don't think they care about the amount of footy thats played in WC year. Cos they're still having the Tri Nations.

I think everyone thinks that just because our teams are without their All Blacks fir the first 7 weeks, that they are automatically gunna lose. Lol let me tell you, we have great young talent to back them up :)

[Social Loafer]

Anyone find it hilarious that the Brumbies sacked their premiership winning coach for a hermit? IMO just shows the farce the game has turned into.

[Poida]

as much as i would love that to happen, i doubt it will.
I think theyll go pretty good if not win the comp.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Blues: 15 George Pisi, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Anthony Tuitavakae, 10 Isa Nacewa, 9 David Gibson, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Angus Macdonald, 5 Troy Flavell (captain), 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 John Afoa, 2 Derren Witconbe, 1 Daimone Taumoepeau. Reserves: 16 Chris Heard, 17 Nick White, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Justin Collins, 20 Steve Devine, 21 Luke McAlister, 22Rudi Wulf.


CRUSADERS: 15 Brent Ward, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Caleb Ralph, 12 Casey Laulala, 11 Scott Hamilton, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andy Ellis; 8 Mose Tuiali' i, 7 Johnny Leo' o, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Ross Filipo, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Corey Flynn (c), 1 Ben Franks. Reserves: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Jake Paringatai, 19 Peter Nixon, 20 Kevin Senio, 21 Tusi Pisi, 22 Rua Tipoki.


Man they are both very good sides!!..I seriously don't know who will win, I hope Auckland do though cos I picked them in telecom virtual super14

[~lee~]

Why isnt Daniel Carter playing?

[Go_The_Doggies]

Hes in the conditioning programe..

[~lee~]

Do you know how long he will be out for? Im doing my virtual team and trying to get 15 starters. I need a kicker too, any tips?

[Go_The_Doggies]

He wont be playing for atleast 6-7 weeks..

Jimmy Gopperth is a pretty good kicker.

[~lee~]

Cheers mate, whats the chances of Clinton kicking for the reds?

[Go_The_Doggies]

Umm you'll have to ask a reds supporter that lol.

[Grimmace]

Question for ya all since its super 14 season would you like to use this thread for news in general on the super 14 and each week like what we have done with NRL each game can have its own thread.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Results from Round 1:

Blues vs Crusaders: 34-25 to the Blues

Blues 34: Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf, Doug Howlett tries; Isa Nacewa 2 con, 5 pen

Crusaders 25: Corey Flynn, Mose Tuiali'i, Rico Gear tries; Brent Ward 2 pen; Stephen Brett con.

HT: 19-13

Force vs Highlanders: Highlanders 8-7.

Force 7: James Hilgendorf try; Cameron Shepherd con.

Highlanders 8: Josh Blackie try; Callum Bruce pen.

Ht: 7-8.

Lions vs Warratahs: 25-16 to the 'Tahs

Lions 16: Louis Ludik try; Louis Strydom con, 3 pen.

Waratahs 25: Daniel Halangahu, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier tries; Peter Hewat 2 con, 2 pen.

HT: 6-15

Chiefs vs Brumbies: 21-15 to the Brumbies

Chiefs 15: Sosene Anesi 2, Lelia Masaga tries.

Brumbies 21: Stirling Mortlock, Clyde Rathbone tries; Mortlock con, pen; Julian Huxley 2 pen.

HT: 5-10

Reds vs Hurricanes: 25-16 to the reds

Queensland Reds 25: Mitchell Chapman try; Clinton Schifcofske 5 pen con, Berrick Barns dg.

Hurricanes 16: Cory Jane try; Jimmy Gopperth 3 pen con.

Ht: 13-6.

Sharks v Bulls:

17-3 to the Sharks

Cheetahs v Stormers:

27-9 to the Cheetahs.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Question for ya all since its super 14 season would you like to use this thread for news in general on the super 14 and each week like what we have done with NRL each game can have its own thread.
Hmmm yeh ok :)

Would be easier that way me thinks.

[Grimmace]

Hmmm yeh ok :)

Would be easier that way me thinks.
Cool no worries can you put all the game threads up then

[Go_The_Doggies]

Cool no worries can you put all the game threads up then
Yep will do :)

I probably wont do them till thursday though, or whenever the team lists are out.

[BrisbaneBroncosRule]

I thought Huxley played well against the Chiefs. If/When Larkham returns, who will play fly-half?

[Social Loafer]

Bill Young.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Chiefs v Hurricanes
Hamilton
7:35pm (NZ Time)

Chiefs:
1.Craig West
2.Tom Willis
3.Nathan White
4.Toby Lynn
5.Jono Gibbes (captain)
6.Steven Bates
7.Marty Holah
8.Liam Messam
9.Brendon Leonard
10.Stephen Donald
11.Roy Kinikinilau
12.Tane Tu'ipulotu
13.Niva Ta'auso
14.Lelia Masaga
15.Sosene Anesi

Reserves:
TBA.

Hurricanes:
1.John Schwalger/Tony Penn
2.Tone Kopelani
3.Neemia Tialata
4.Paul Tito
5.Bernie Upton
6.Luke Andrews
7.Serge Lilo
8.Thomas Waldrom
9.Alby Mathewson
10.Jimmy Gopperth
11.Ma'a Nonu
12.Tamati Ellison
13.Tana Umaga (captain)
14.Hosea Gear
15.Cory Jane

Reserves:
Mahonri Schwalger
Tony Penn/Anthony Perenise
Bradley Mika
Hayden Hopgood
Chris Smylie
David Smith
Shannon Paku

Referee:
TBA

[Go_The_Doggies]

Chiefs Lose Lavea For Six Weeks

06/02/2007
Duncan Johnstone

Tasesa Lavea has had a nightmare start to his time with the Chiefs with the draft first five-eights ruled out of the Rebel Sport Super 14 for six weeks with a knee injury.

Lavea made his debut off the bench in last Saturday's loss to the Brumbies and hurt his knee in the process.

A scan on Monday revealed the worst with ruptured ligaments set to keep him on the sidelines for the first half of the campaign.

The Chiefs, well and truly used to having to cover injury problems, have Stephen Donald and Murray Williams as flyhalf choices.

But Lavea had clearly made an impact during his short time with the Chiefs since moving south from Auckland where he was unwanted by the Blues.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster says it is disappointing as Lavea was just starting to fit in well and he was sure he could add something to their backline which is in rebuilding mode.

The Chiefs received some good news on the injury front with big wing Roy Kinikinilau back from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the opener.

Kinikinilau had been in good form over the preseason campaign and could push for a starting role with the Chiefs mulling over their extensive back three options from Friday night's crucial clash with the Hurricanes in Hamilton.

Replacement wing Lelia Masaga made an impact when he came on against the Brumbies and could also start with the possibility of two-try wing Soseni Anesi switching to fullback where he has played with success before.

Waikato stars Richard Kahui (shoulder) and Keith Robinson (calf) are rated 50-50 calls to get over their niggling injuries and start against the Canes.

It's a desperate match for the two first round losers.

With the Chiefs set to head to South Africa after this match they will be eager to get a win under their belt after a mixed performance against the Brumbies.

The Hurricanes were no better in losing to the Reds in Brisbane last weekend and have injury problems of their own including new skipper Conrad Smith who will miss Friday night's match with a facial cut.

http://www.titans.com.au//forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=167768

[Go_The_Doggies]

Smith sidelined for Chiefs clash
The Dominion Post | Tuesday, 6 February 2007

Hurricanes interim skipper Conrad Smith will miss their second round Super 14 rugby match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.


Smith took a heavy knock to his left eye in the 25-16 loss to the Reds on Saturday and on a specialist's advice will take at least a week off.

With regular captain Rodney So'oialo on the All Blacks' conditioning programme till round eight, former All Blacks skipper Tana Umaga stands out as Smith's likely replacement both at centre and as captain, though lock Paul Tito is an option for the skipper's armband. This is the second year in a row that Smith has been injured early in the championship.

Last year, he was forced to sit out almost the whole championship after breaking his right leg in a tackle while playing a second round match against Perth's Western Force in New Plymouth.

The Hurricanes' stock of props will also be tested this week with Tim Fairbrother expected to be out of action for a month after dislocating his left shoulder against the Reds.

It is the same shoulder Fairbrother had surgery on last year and the Hurricanes will be hoping scans do not reveal further damage.

Prop John Schwalger was also replaced after experiencing stiffening in his neck during the first half against the Reds, but has responded well to treatment and may be available to play the Chiefs.

Second five-eighth Ma'a Nonu, who left the field temporarily with a cut to the head, and Luke Andrews, who had a gash above his left eye stitched after the match, have both been cleared to play the Chiefs.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/3952048a10295.html

[Go_The_Doggies]

Chiefs ring changes for Hurricanes match
NZPA | Wednesday, 7 February 2007

Five players will earn their first starts in a Chiefs jersey in the Super 14 rugby match against Hurricanes in Hamilton on Friday night.


The new starters confirmed today are loosehead prop Craig West, lock Toby Lynn, halfback Brendon Leonard, wingers Roy Kinikinilau and Lelia Masaga.

Both West and Kinikinilau will make their Chiefs debut on Friday, while the others have all secured Chiefs caps from coming off the bench.

The Chiefs opened their Super 14 season with a 15-21 loss to the Brumbies last week.

Starting lineup:
1.Craig West, 2.Tom Willis, 3.Nathan White, 4.Toby Lynn, 5.Jono Gibbes (captain), 6.Steven Bates, 7.Marty Holah, 8.Liam Messam, 9.Brendon Leonard, 10.Stephen Donald, 11.Roy Kinikinilau, 12.Tane Tu'ipulotu, 13.Niva Ta'auso, 14.Lelia Masaga, 15.Sosene Anesi.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bruised Hurricanes bolstered by Umaga
By JIM KAYES - The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 7 February 2007

The old fella's back.
Former Hurricanes captain Tana Umaga will play at centre against the Chiefs on Friday night, while Conrad Smith looks through a blurred eye at several more weeks on the sideline.


The return of Umaga, 33, who will also captain the side, is one of several changes coach Colin Cooper has made as he deals with injuries and the 25-16 loss to the Reds in Brisbane at the weekend. The backline has been remodelled, with Wellington's Alby Mathewson at halfback and Tamati Ellison at second five-eighth, pushing Ma'a Nonu to the wing in place of speedster David Smith.

In the pack, Tony Penn will start his first game since the Hurricanes lost to the Crusaders in the 2005 Super 12 final - only his second game that year - if first-choice loosehead prop John Schwalger fails a fitness test.

The initial reports were that Schwalger hurt his neck against the Reds, but it is now understood he was knocked out.

The other change in the forwards sees Serge Lilo replace Nili Latu, who was given a torrid time by Reds openside flanker David Croft on Saturday.

Lilo has a tougher task this week against Marty Holah. It will be Lilo's first start for the Hurricanes and only his third appearance after he came on in Brisbane last Saturday and against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last year.

Lilo's selection is on form, as is that of Ellison, who made seven appearances off the bench last year and impressed every time. He will need to continue to impress as Smith revealed yesterday that he could spend a few weeks on the sidelines after suffering bleeding in an eye, along with a less serious cut to the cheek under it, at Suncorp Stadium.

"I got whacked in the eye and couldn't see immediately after it happened," Smith said. "It's a bit of a worry if I get another knock and it bleeds again. The docs are keen for me not to play for the next wee while, so it could be a couple of weeks."

It's a frustrating setback for Smith, who broke his right leg in the second game of last year's Super 14, especially as he felt he was otherwise fine.

"I don't feel too bad. I still have a bit of blurred vision, but it doesn't feel like I couldn't play."

Joining him on the sidelines yesterday was tighthead prop Tim Fairbrother, who was also ruing another injury setback.

Fairbrother dislocated his left shoulder in the 42nd minute in Brisbane and will have X-rays later this week to see how serious the damage is.

He has his fingers crossed because he missed the second half of last year's Super 14 and the all of the Air New Zealand Cup when he needed surgery to repair the same shoulder after he had dislocated it "four or five times". Fairbrother spent five weeks in Scotland late last year playing for the Currie club and training with Edinburgh Gunners.

He had returned to New Zealand "raring to go" and was refusing to speculate on what the latest injury might mean for his career. "I'm not even thinking about the future. I just want to get the scan and hopefully it's nothing too bad. I have to stay positive at this stage."

Meanwhile, the Chiefs also have some injury issues, with lock Keith Robinson (calf strain) and midfielder Richard Kahui (bruised shoulder) unlikely to play on Friday.

First five-eighth Tasesa Lavea is also expected to be out for at least six weeks after he sustained a medial ligament strain to a knee in the loss to the Brumbies.

The Chiefs are already missing flanker Sione Lauaki, who has a broken wrist. Their team will be named today.

Hurricanes lineup:
Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Tana Umaga (captain), Tamati Ellison, Ma'a Nonu, Jimmy Gopperth, Alby Mathewson, Thomas Waldrom, Serge Lilo, Luke Andrews, Bernie Upton, Paul Tito, Neemia Tialata, Tone Kopelani, John Schwalger/Tony Penn.

Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Tony Penn/Anthony Perenise, Bradley Mika, Hayden Hopgood, Chris Smylie, David Smith, Shannon Paku.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Crusaders vs Queensland Reds.
Christchurch.
Saturday 10th Feburary
7.35pm (NZ Time)

Crusaders:
1.Ben Franks
2.Corey Flynn (captain)
3.Campbell Johnstone
4.Ross Filipo
5.Kevin O'Neill
6.Kieran Read
7.Johnny Leo'o
8.Mose Tuiali'i
9.Andrew Ellis
10.Stephen Brett
11.Caleb Ralph
12.Rua Tipoki
13.Casey Laulala
14.Rico Gear
15.Scott Hamilton

Reserves
Ti'i Paulo, Wyatt Crockett, Michael Paterson, Jake Paringatai, Kevin Senio, Tusi Pisi, Brent Ward.

Queensland Reds:
TBA

Referee:
TBA

[Poida]

Force win 'scrappy' first match

February 10, 2007

LEAGUE convert Ryan Cross scored his first Super 14 rugby try and winger Cameron Shepherd was perfect with the boot, as Western Force notched a 22-3 win over the Stormers in the wet in Cape Town.

Centre Cross grabbed the only try of the game in the 34th minute, when he charged down an attempted clearance kick from Stormers fullback Gio Aplon close to the home team's line and won the chase to the loose ball.

Wallaby back Shepherd converted his five penalty attempts to seal the Force's second and biggest Super rugby win in the club's short history.

The Force's only other victory was a 16-14 win over the Cheetah's in the penultimate round of last year's competition.

The Western Australian side led 13-0 at the break and maintained a double digit advantage throughout the second half as the rain intensified.

Five-eighth Naas Olivier got the Stormers on the board with the first points of the second half from a 47th minute penalty, but the 10-point gap was as close as the home side got as Shepherd made the home team pay for indiscretions by banging over three more penalties.

The Force forwards competed tenaciously in rainy conditions in which both teams made a number of errors, skipper Nathan Sharpe leading the way with man of the match honours.

"It wasn't pretty but the most pleasing thing about that is the guys really played for each other tonight," said Sharpe.

"We had a pretty wet and scrappy old night, but the guys played well and stuck to the game plan we implemented when we knew it was going to rain.

"I think it's a huge (victory) for us and a bit of momentum to build now ... we are ecstatic with that and are ready take it up to the Bulls next week."

Halves Matt Henjak and Matt Giteau kept the visitors going forward with some smart options and clean hands in the testing conditions.

It was Giteau's deep accurate grubber kick which forced the try, as Aplon opted to try and kick the ball out rather than carry it into touch as several defenders applied pressure.

AAP

[Future Star]

Ryan Cross has really found something. He scored 3 tries in one of the trials.

[Casey's Angel27]

Sharks eat Waratahs on road

February 10, 2007 A MISTAKE-riddled performance proved costly for New South Wales Waratahs as it lost 22-9 to the Sharks in round two of the 14 in Durban overnight.

The Waratahs enjoyed plenty of possession, particularly in the last quarter, but poor handling and passing led to them squandering a number of chances.

Sharks five-eighth Butch James scored the only try of the game in the 78th minute to deny NSW the consolation of a bonus point for a narrow loss.

Normally reliable NSW goalkicker and wing Peter Hewat landed just three of his seven penalty attempts, missing three in a row in the first half.

Sharks kickers Percy Montgomery and Francois Steyn landed four out of six penalties between them with Steyn adding a drop-goal and Montgomery a conversion.

The Sharks led 9-6 at half-time in an undistinguished match which produced few fluent passages of play.

It gave the Sharks a first win over the Waratahs since 2001 and the second victory from as many matches this season.

The Waratahs have a win and a loss from their first two games

AAP

from www.foxsports.com.au

[Go_The_Doggies]

Well im not gunna waste my time making seperate threads if people are just gunna move them :mad:

GO THE CANES!!

But the sad thing to come out of that game is Johnno Gibbs is injured :( and so is Soseni Anesi (2 fractured bones in his neck) so that sucks for the canes, their injury list is so god-damn high!

[Social Loafer]

Beautiful weather in Canberra for the first Brumbies home match. :D

http://mirror.bom.gov.au/products/IDR403.shtml

Lightning and thunderstorms.

[Social Loafer]

Blues 17:15 Brumbies.

great start to the year.

Hopefully not too many suits were ruined in the rain.

[Capital_Shark]

Blues 17:15 Brumbies.

great start to the year.

Hopefully not too many suits were ruined in the rain.

hahaha classic stuff. Hasn't rained like it did tonight in AGES! Welcome back, Brumbies, ya scum! Ahh well, they'd better get used to the rain, it can get pretty wet in MELBOURNE.

[Social Loafer]

I spent quiet a bit of time watching that radar and the clock hoping the storms coincided with the start of the Brumbies match ... :laugh:

What's even funnier is they lost after the siren and didn't even score a try :laugh:

Even when the Raiders are at their sh!ttest we manage to find the line at home :laugh:

[Capital_Shark]

I spent quiet a bit of time watching that radar and the clock hoping the storms coincided with the start of the Brumbies match ... :laugh:

What's even funnier is they lost after the siren and didn't even score a try :laugh:

Even when the Raiders are at their sh!ttest we manage to find the line at home :laugh:

To quote the infamous Stuey Thong; "IT'S OUR HOUSE RAIDERS!!!"

[Poida]

Brumbies sunk after full-time

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21205572-5002381,00.html

February 11, 2007

A SIDELINE conversion after the bell from fly half Isa Nacewa gave the Blues a get-out-of-jail 17-15 win in their Super 14 clash against the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium.

Nacewa calmly slotted his winner after his pack had rolled a maul over the Brumbies line in the final minute of the match, which the home side had led for almost 70 of the 80 minutes.

Prop Saimone Taumoepeau emerged from the pile of bodies in the north-western corner as the scorer of the Aucklanders' second try.

Brumbies lock Alister Campbell was in the sin bin as the Blues forwards clinched the match winning try and coach Laurie Fisher was still trying to understand why after the game.

"None of them (went) to the bin in the whole game and they must have given away 15 or 18 penalties, we give away probably half a dozen penalties and we lose a guy to the bin so it's unlucky," Fisher said.

The Brumbies coach believed the better side on the night had let the game slip.

"If you're marginally the better team on the day, which I thought we were, then you've got to win the game, it's that simple," he said.

"That's credit to the Blues, I don't believe they were the better side on the night, but they take away the points."

The victory was sweet for former Brumbies mentor David Nucifora, now in charge of the Blues ? but he denied the win was lucky.

"There's no luck in what those boys did at the end, the precision that was needed to be able to pull that off," he said.

Australia winger Mark Gerrard, who played more time than he'd expected when debutant Peter Playford was forced off in just the sixth minute, summed it up as: "One team played for 79 minutes, the other played for 80.

All 15 of the Brumbies' points came from the boot of full back Julian Huxley with five penalty goals.

The match began in steady rain amid storm warnings in the national capital with lightning flashes around the ground throughout the first half.

The conditions made handling difficult for both sides with Brumbies fly half Stephen Larkham, playing his first match for more than three months, particularly struggling with his timing early.

Huxley's boot had given the Brumbies a 9-7 half-time lead, the No.15 getting three from five in the first stanza, including a 48-metre bomb.

The sides traded the penalty goals early in the second stanza before Huxley slotted his fifth in the 62nd minute to take the homeside out to 15-10.

The only try of the first half had come from Nacewa in the eighth minute, when New Zealand inside centre Luke McAlister strolled through some ordinary defence and sent the fly half over, the conversion giving the Aucklanders a brief 7-6 lead.

AAP

[Go_The_Doggies]

YAY for Isa Nacewa :D

I'm glad Auckland one, cos I picked them for my virtual rugby pics.

Wernt they happy :D

****ing Highlanders, useless so and so's.

[Capital_Shark]

haha Brumbies lose by 1 point. I was so disappointed when I heard the progress score on the local news to find out that it wasn't being played in Canberra. The weather would have been perfect. I was watching the local news on free to air because fox was knocked out by storms, by the way.

[Go_The_Doggies]

haha suck **** geroge smith!

w00t for my boys :p wasnt the most exciting game, but i'll take the 2 points AND top of the table thanks! :D

[Social Loafer]

What Brilliant news, now all we need is a downpour like the one seen for the dogs-Raiders Final at Telstra last year..

[Meh]

What Brilliant news, now all we need is a downpour like the one seen for the dogs-Raiders Final at Telstra last year..

For someone who so passionately hates Rugby Union and the only pretty successful rugby team based in Canberra (Don't quite understand why you hate the brumbies in particular, they represent the ACT all the same.) you sure post here alot shifty :whatd:

[Social Loafer]

For someone who so passionately hates Rugby Union and the only pretty successful rugby team based in Canberra (Don't quite understand why you hate the brumbies in particular, they represent the ACT all the same.) you sure post here alot shifty :whatd:

They represent us so well they dumped the A.C.T from there name to CELEBRATE 10 YEARS!, yep gotta applaud that... They also have little credibility as they dropped a Premiership winning coach for a Hermit.

The sooner they f*ck off to Melbourne the better...

As for posting in this thread, it is just a way of my getting my message out there, they don't deserve their own topic..

[Meh]

They represent us so well they dumped the A.C.T from there name to CELEBRATE 10 YEARS!, yep gotta applaud that... They also have little credibility as they dropped a Premiership winning coach for a Hermit.

The sooner they f*ck off to Melbourne the better...

As for posting in this thread, it is just a way of my getting my message out there, they don't deserve their own topic..

That premiership winning coach was also at the helm when the wallabies had a record losing streak when they went to 7 straight loses during 2005, he could have eventually led them to the same result...

I'm not a Brumbies fan so I don't mind if you want to disown a successful ACT based rugby team the same way they apparently dumped the ACT, but maybe earning their second 1st place finish a decade after the last raiders premiership might entitle them to a little discussion within a super 14 thread.

[Social Loafer]

That premiership winning coach was also at the helm when the wallabies had a record losing streak when they went to 7 straight loses during 2005, he could have eventually led them to the same result...

Not the biggest Rugby Fan (obviously) but as far as I k now David Nuciefora (spelling) never coached the wallabies...

As for not deserving their own topic, that was in reference to me and starting up a thread just to view my anti_brumbies Stance.

[Meh]

Not the biggest Rugby Fan (obviously) but as far as I k now David Nuciefora (spelling) never coached the wallabies...

As for not deserving their own topic, that was in reference to me and starting up a thread just to view my anti_brumbies Stance.

That's fair enough, but for someone who hates Rugby you got pretty close to the right spelling of Nucifora :p

[Capital_Shark]

for someone who hates Rugby you got pretty close to the right spelling of Nucifora :p

Thats compelling enough for me. Schifty is a closet Brumbies and Union fan. I'm leaking it to the Raider's Army, they'll have a lynch-mob at his door by midnight.

[Social Loafer]

That's fair enough, but for someone who hates Rugby you got pretty close to the right spelling of Nucifora :p

When your surname is 10 letters long with 4 vowels you tend to get the knack of spelling long names.. Fark as a raiders fan we had to master Schifcofske ffs! :D

[HighTitan]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,5399451,00.jpg

$700,000? Gimme a break

LOTE Tuqiri, the hottest property in either rugby code, hasn't scored a try in six months.

And the New South Wales Waratahs winger has made just one line break in the first three games of the Super 14 competition this year, according to figures supplied by Fox Sports Stats.

The statistics show that Tuqiri is averaging five runs a game, which hardly represents value for a player asking in the vicinity of $700,000 a season.

But the lack of output extends beyond the Waratahs' first three Super 14 matches in South Africa, with Tuqiri failing to score a try during the Wallabies' disastrous tour to Europe last year.

You have to go back to August 19 for Tuqiri's most recent try, when he crossed twice against the All Blacks at Eden Park.

While the run of poor form is unlikely to dampen the enthusiasm of the rugby provinces and NRL clubs chasing him, it has raised the eyebrows of experts from both codes.

Former Wallaby Chris Handy openly questioned the $700,000 asking price of Tuqiri, who inspected the Rabbitohs' training facilities last week and is due to meet with the Brisbane Broncos this week.

Handy claimed Tuqiri no longer had rugby union's best interests at heart.

"Every day I pick up the paper and see a photo of Lote and I keep turning the page," Handy said.

"I'm not sure who's driving this agenda. Lote or his advisers.

"Is it good for rugby? No. But Lote obviously thinks it's appropriate to drag himself around to rugby league clubs.

"I'm not sure where his heart is, I don't think it's with the game or his team-mates. I feel sorry for his NSW team-mates who have to play with a less-contributing Lote Tuqiri.

"I also feel for (Ewen) McKenzie (New South Wales coach), who's watched this process drag along while also trying to finalise the contracts of half a dozen other Waratahs players."

Tuqiri said on Sydney radio that he would like to make a decision "sooner rather than later".

"I just want to get on with playing some good footy on the park with the Tahs and making a go of this season," he said.

"I haven't received a final offer from the ARU yet. I'm still waiting on that. You get portrayed in a bit of a bad light (talking to other clubs). They (the ARU) got the ball rolling last year so I'm waiting for them to get back to me and then we can go from there."

Former Balmain hooker Benny Elias slammed the Tuqiri price tag.

"I don't know what NRL club could pay him that type of money," Elias said.

"It's a third of the salary cap, for a winger. I'd pass.

"I do think he's a champion player but Joey Johns wouldn't be near that type of money and he kicks goals from the sideline, he touches the ball 90 per cent of the time and he defends like a forward.

"I look at all those attributes when I'm buying a player. I'll be surprised if Tuqiri comes to league because I don't think a football club can afford him."

It's understood rugby officials are disenchanted with Tuqiri's dealings with the rival code, especially in a World Cup year.

The growing contention among fans is that Tuqiri owes it to the ARU to focus on his immediate concern - the Waratahs - and not his long-term future.

McKenzie said: "I could understand if people thought there was something a little bit smelly about that, but that's how he wants to conduct his affairs.

"He is certainly out and about and checking out his options.

"I guess everyone's entitled to do it their way.

"But the reality is that while I've got that going, I've got another 11 players off contract I've got to deal with in the next three weeks. I need to focus on all of those and I can't be just spending all of my time with Lote."

The Sunday Telegraph
Source: www.foxsports.com.au

[Capital_Shark]

Thats interesting. I don't watch union so I had no idea he's done bugger all in 6 months. But to be honest, even if he'd scored a hat trick in every match in the last year it would add up to $700,000 for a winger, centre at best.

Got a chuckle seeing Elias popping up, but surprisingly I agree with him for the first time. Our game's leading players are on the dollars Tuqiri wants and they are play makers that change games. Wingers don't win premierships.

[Go_The_Doggies]

LMAO

If Lote is the hottest property in league, what the hell is Richie McCaw then!

[Capital_Shark]

LMAO

If Lote is the hottest property in league, what the hell is Richie McCaw then!

Better yet, WHO the hell is Richie McCaw?

[Go_The_Doggies]

Better yet, WHO the hell is Richie McCaw?
ARE YOU SERIOUS?

:!:

He is only the All Black captain, and the best player in the world!

[Capital_Shark]

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

:!:

He is only the All Black captain, and the best player in the world!

Oh okay, good on him then. Best union player in the world? He might be up to scratch to be a union-to-league convert..

[Go_The_Doggies]

Oh okay, good on him then. Best union player in the world? He might be up to scratch to be a union-to-league convert..
hahaha NAH lol.

richie isnt going anywhere! :p

i'd cry if he left union.

just like i'll/i'd cry if Ma'a Nonu, or Piri Weepu ever go to league!! :box:

[Coaster]

hahaha NAH lol.

richie isnt going anywhere! :p

i'd cry if he left union.

just like i'll/i'd cry if Ma'a Nonu, or Piri Weepu ever go to league!! :box:

So would Rabs

[HighTitan]

Bizarre end to stalemate
By Darren Walton
March 02, 2007

NEW South Wales and Western Force fought out a thrilling 16-16 draw in the Super 14 derby at Aussie Stadium in Sydney tonight.

Mat Giteau produced a flash of brilliance to put Force within touching distance of its maiden win over an Australian opponent, but Waratahs full back Peter Hewat landed a penalty goal 15 minutes from time to deny the second-season franchise.

Giteau lit up Aussie Stadium with a breathtaking solo try early in the second half to give his team - which had trailed 13-0 at one stage - the lead for the first time.

Australian rugby's highest-paid player bamboozled Waratahs trio Will Caldwell, Wycliff Palu and Daniel Halangahu with a vicious right-foot step before outstripping the cover defence of opposing five-eighth Kurtley Beale.

Hewat levelled the scores in the 65th minute, and the game ended on a bizarre note when Waratahs replacement Sam Norton-Knight suffered a "brain explosion" at the death.

The Waratahs were awarded a penalty on the buzzer, 40 metres out on the right-hand touchline, presenting Hewat with what should have been an opportunity to kick New South Wales to victory, but Norton-Knight took a quick tap and kicked the ball out.

Hewat, who had earlier notched his 400th point for the Waratahs, was left aghast, standing with his hands on hips, while Norton-Knight's selfish act disgusted fellow teammate Lote Tuqiri so much that the wing pushed the replacement in the back.

The strange scenario provided a somewhat fitting end to a messy encounter in which the set pieces of both teams were at times diabolical.

If not for the excitement Giteau, Beale and Morgan Turinui generated with some sublime attacking rugby, the 31,149 fans at the ground may have felt short-changed after a week of intense build-up to the game.

The Waratahs jumped out to their 13-0 lead after just 20 minutes, thanks to two early penalty goals from Hewat and a brilliant solo try from Turinui.

Playing on the wing for the first time in his state career, Turinui chimed into the backline from a scrum win on the Force quarter-line, taking a crisp pass from Beale then stepping off his left foot to slice past Ryan Cross and Junior Pelasasa before straightening and accelerating to beat attempted cover tackles from Drew Mitchell and Cameron Shepherd.

Hewat landed the conversion, and few people in the ground would have predicted that he would not score for another 45 minutes - and then only to level the scores.

Giteau had a profound influence that was worthy of earning the visiting team a share of the spoils.
He first capitalised on an overlap on the Waratahs line to put full back Mitchell over, and his stunning strike in the 43rd minute deservedly earned him man-of-the-match honours.

The draw advanced Force to fifth place on the table but left the Waratahs languishing in 11th position.

AAP
Source: www.foxsports.com.au

[Titanium_BD1103]

He apologised in the media today for the incident. The moment was pretty tense for all who were there... Norton-Knight tried to be a hero when the correct option would be to take the 2 and stop the draw... Lote got frustrated like most fans were... but he let emotion get the better of him.

I think the whole thing is starting to take a toll on him... best hope he can sort it out soon for the sake of his playing prospects for 2007.

From: http://www.sportal.com.au/union.asp?i=news&id=95285


Tuqiri says sorry
by: Greg Campbell
Sportal
New South Wales Test winger Lote Tuqiri apologised to Sam Norton-Knight and his Waratahs team-mates after angrily pushing Norton-Knight at the completion of the 16-16 draw with the Western Force at Aussie Stadium.

Norton-Knight ignored the chance for NSW to win the match with a penalty goal after referee Paul Marks awarded the Waratahs a penalty 40 metres out from the Force line on the stroke of full-time.

With Hewat on his way over to take the shot for goal, Norton-Knight, a second half replacement for Morgan Turinui, grabbed the ball, took a tap penalty and raced ahead before chip kicking towards the Force goal-line.

But after Force winger Cameron Shepherd gathered the ball and hoofed it safely into touch to end the match, Tuqiri raced 20 metres towards Norton-Knight to unleash a verbal spray before pushing him in the back.

Once in the dressing-room, Tuqiri openly apologised to the team and to Norton-Knight saying his passion for winning had boiled over at the end of a frustrating match for the Waratahs.

The Waratahs had looked the good s early, racing to a 13-0 lead courtesy of a lovely running try to Turinui in the 25th minute and goals to Hewat.

But the Force found their rhythm, and struck back with tries to Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau to lead 16-13 midway through the second half before Hewat kicked a penalty to level the scores with 15 minutes to go.

With the match there for the taking, both sides were guilty of being ultra conservative in the last quarter of the game, looking to not lose the match, rather than going all-out to win it and, as a result, the match fizzled into a disappointing draw.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Lote had NO EXCUSE for doing what he did! Everyone gets frustrated, did you see the AB's push and shove Rodney on the field last year after he had a brain explosion when we lost to the 'Boks? NOPE!

F'ing hell, I don't even want him in Union no more, I don't want him in league either!

[Future Star]

Lote had NO EXCUSE for doing what he did! Everyone gets frustrated, did you see the AB's push and shove Rodney on the field last year after he had a brain explosion when we lost to the 'Boks? NOPE!

F'ing hell, I don't even want him in Union no more, I don't want him in league either!

you're having a brand explosion now....

Lote did nothing wrong, he and whats-his-face are buddies, he came out an apoligized to both him and the genral public. hes handling it well, and shouldn't be punished.

[Social Loafer]

you're having a brand explosion now....

Lote did nothing wrong, he and whats-his-face are buddies, he came out an apoligized to both him and the genral public. hes handling it well, and shouldn't be punished.

I think your after the term 'brain explosion'..

Anyway what Lote did just makes the club look really bad, I remember in 2000 (I think) when Brett Mullins shoved Mark McLinden during a match, it is just something you do not do on the field.. If you want to voice your disgust do it in the change rooms... Having an image of a club that is frustrated and not getting along with each other is never a good thing...

Anyway in some positive news the Brumbies got done 19-7 infront of a crowd of 15,101- The Slide continues :D

[Go_The_Doggies]

you're having a brand explosion now....

Lote did nothing wrong, he and whats-his-face are buddies, he came out an apoligized to both him and the genral public. hes handling it well, and shouldn't be punished.
Ok so, he can push his own teammate in the back because they are buddies? pfft please!

It was the wrong thing to do, they are TEAMMATES, you don't dothat to your teammates even if you did disagree with the call they made.

[Go_The_Doggies]

I think your after the term 'brain explosion'..

Anyway what Lote did just makes the club look really bad, I remember in 2000 (I think) when Brett Mullins shoved Mark McLinden during a match, it is just something you do not do on the field.. If you want to voice your disgust do it in the change rooms... Having an image of a club that is frustrated and not getting along with each other is never a good thing...

Anyway in some positive news the Brumbies got done 19-7 infront of a crowd of 15,101- The Slide continues :D
haha brumbies..

that was a ****ing boring match, i wanted to watch the charity shield match but nooo had to watch that!

oh and clinton had a good game from what i seen last night for the reds :) go clinton! the only reds player i like!

[Capital_Shark]

Johns puts the Reg into Reds
March 5, 2007

Queensland rugby whiz-kids Quade Cooper and Berrick Barnes have been told not to panic nor despair, success is just around the corner.

Former NSW rugby league five-eighth Matthew Johns believes the talented Reds duo can repeat the tough initiations of himself and brother Andrew within 12 months.

Johns heeded a call from Reds coach Eddie Jones on Monday to be a surprise tutor to Cooper and Barnes at training at Ballymore before offering further advice over lunch in Brisbane.

The pair struck a scintillating combination early in Saturday night's loss to the Lions before the Reds self-destructed for a fourth straight loss.

Johns, who also tutors Melbourne Storm halves Greg Inglis and Cooper Cronk, cautioned Cooper, 18, and Barnes, 20, about allowing beleaguered Queensland's rut to mess with their heads.

"At the moment the Reds are having a tough trot and as young guys you can be too harsh on yourself so we had a yarn about that,'' Johns told AAP.

"Sometimes having hard times at the very start of your career is not a bad thing because what it does is teach you a lot of lessons.

"They're painful lessons but they're good ones and it's going to put them in good stead for years to come.

"They're on a steep learning curve but whether it be two weeks, a month or 12 months I don't know, but eventually I have no doubts these blokes will be two of the best players in their positions.''

The Newcastle premiership five-eighth related how he and his superstar sibling were in the same position at the start of their careers with the Knights in 1993 and 1994.

"When Andrew and I first started playing first grade together we were playing sides that were sometimes beating us 42-0 and more and we'd go home and you honestly felt you were never going to make it,'' he said.

"But then 12 months down the track you were doing the same to them.

"I remember thinking 'My God this is not the way it's meant to be'. And I can see the same in these guys, but it turns around quickly.''

By 1995, the Knights were a premiership force and the Johns brothers were named together in the NSW halves for the State of Origin series.

Cooper, ordered off-limits to the media by Jones, scored a try in his starting debut against the Lions which had former Queensland playmakers Elton Flatley and Paul McLean rating him a future star to vie with NSW dynamo Kurtley Beale for Test selection.

Johns also liked what he saw in the elusive running game and ball-play of Cooper, which reminded him of West Tigers star Benji Marshall.

Former Brisbane Bronco Barnes, who moved to inside centre from five-eighth, also enjoyed his new roving commission, helping set up both of the Reds' tries.

Johns highlighted the similarities in league's halfback and five-eighth combination to union's five-eighth and inside-centre pairing and said he gave similar advice to the Storm playmakers.

While his Reg Regan character was nowhere to be found, Johns joked his tuition wouldn't make him any more popular north of the border.

"A NSW rugby league bloke up here in Queensland helping with rugby union, it probably makes me as popular as al-Qaeda,'' he said.

AAP


First they buy league players, now they have league icons teaching them to play. Are union trying to prove the point that league is the superior code? To improve their game, they fill it with league players being coached by ex-league players. Deadset they'll have 13 blokes on the field soon.

[Go_The_Doggies]

Lol @ Eddie Jones..

Hes blaming the Western Force for Australia's **** round in the super14!

Hey mate, look where you own team is, LAST, and then look where the Farce are, 6TH, which might I add is the highest position that any Australian team is in atm.