Super Rugby review, Round 3

March 5, 2013
Posted by Morné

Good teams even win those games they are supposed to lose.

I have not done match reviews for yonks because I believe that there are just so many of them out there and the review or report is actually quite subjective to the writer and not really a proper reflection on what happened at the moment.

That said, a recent ‘review’ I read in the New Zealand Herald where the Cheetahs were ranked the 3rd best team of the weekend I just could not keep my trap shut.

“They gave it a good go” the author said.  “It would have been closer was it not for Goosen’s poor goal-kicking” he said.  “They are not as boring as the Bulls or Stormers” he concluded…

Well apart from the fact that he got the wrong team winning in Durban I can only ask “Dude, what the #$@& are you smoking?”  The Cheetahs lost by 42 points! No amount of goal-kicking would have brought them closer to the Chiefs.  They had one line break in the match, and that after enjoying 80% territory in the first half!  Cheetahs supporters might want to give themselves a pat on the back following this review but I beg you – don’t!  This is the worst kind of insult the rugby public of South Africa could ever receive.  So the Cheetahs went down – but at least they went down pretty…

But insulted we should be, not by this report or so-called compliment, but by the performance of our teams which was nothing short of shocking.

The Bulls did their best to lose against the Force, thank goodness the Force is too kak to lose against.  Following that the Sharks and Stormers gave a perfect instruction of how the game of union should never be played.  As for the Cheetahs, I don’t think they have a backline coach, because surely a backline coach will tell players to run towards the goal line and not the touchlines.

At least the Bulls coach condemned his team’s performance as their worst in 5 years and as my opening line states, good teams win those games they actually should lose.  The Sharks as far as I can tell are satisfied with 2 wins from 2 games and the Stormers coach is regurgitating the same lines as he did since 2009 about believing in the structures they have in place.

Look I don’t think that we have been treated to magnificent rugby in any way by any team in the opening 3 rounds, and that includes the New Zealand teams – bad defence does not make for great running rugby, but if this is the shit that is going to be dished up week in and week out then I’d rather tune in Monday nights only and watch some proper running rugby played by amateurs… Oh wait…

My team of the week:

  1. Jou ma
  2. Jou ouma
  3. Jou pa se ouma
  4. Oom Gerrie
  5. Slettie van Swellendam
  6. Liam Messam
  7. Die Griek van die kafee
  8. Daai ou by die robot
  9. My labbie
  10. Aaron Cruden
  11. ’n Potplant
  12. Richard Branson
  13. SARS
  14. E-tolls
  15. Toasted Chicken & Mayo

Weekend’s Results:

March 2013
2 Sharks 12 – 6 Stormers Kings Park, Durban
2 Bulls 36 – 26 Force Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2 Chiefs 45 – 3 Cheetahs Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
1 Reds 18 – 12 Hurricanes Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
1 Waratahs 31 – 26 Rebels Allianz Stadium, Sydney
1 Blues 34 – 15 Crusaders Eden Park, Auckland

Log after Round 3

Combined Log

Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA BPts Pts
1 Brumbies 2 2 0 0 54 19 35 6 1 1 13
2 Chiefs 2 2 0 0 86 30 56 10 3 2 10
3 Bulls 2 2 0 0 61 43 18 5 4 1 9
4 Blues 2 2 0 0 68 35 33 9 2 2 10
5 Sharks 2 2 0 0 41 28 13 2 3 0 8
6 Reds 3 2 0 1 49 53 -4 5 4 0 8
7 Southern Kings 1 1 0 0 22 10 12 2 2 0 8
8 Waratahs 2 1 0 1 48 51 -3 5 5 0 8
9 Rebels 3 1 0 2 69 84 -15 6 10 1 5
10 Highlanders 1 0 0 1 27 41 -14 3 4 0 4
11 Crusaders 1 0 0 1 15 34 -19 0 5 0 4
12 Stormers 2 0 0 2 23 37 -14 2 1 1 1
13 Hurricanes 2 0 0 2 32 52 -20 2 6 1 1
14 Force 3 0 0 3 59 88 -29 7 9 1 1
15 Cheetahs 2 0 0 2 25 74 -49 3 8 1 1

South African Conference

Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA BPts Pts
1 Bulls 2 2 0 0 61 43 18 5 4 1 9
2 Sharks 2 2 0 0 41 28 13 2 3 0 8
3 Southern Kings 1 1 0 0 22 10 12 2 2 0 8
4 Stormers 2 0 0 2 23 37 -14 2 1 1 1
5 Cheetahs 2 0 0 2 25 74 -49 3 8 1 1

New Zealand Conference

Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA BPts Pts
1 Chiefs 2 2 0 0 86 30 56 10 3 2 10
2 Blues 2 2 0 0 68 35 33 9 2 2 10
3 Highlanders 1 0 0 1 27 41 -14 3 4 0 4
4 Crusaders 1 0 0 1 15 34 -19 0 5 0 4
5 Hurricanes 2 0 0 2 32 52 -20 2 6 1 1

Australian Conference

Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA BPts Pts
1 Brumbies 2 2 0 0 54 19 35 6 1 1 13
2 Reds 3 2 0 1 49 53 -4 5 4 0 8
3 Waratahs 2 1 0 1 48 51 -3 5 5 0 8
4 Rebels 3 1 0 2 69 84 -15 6 10 1 5
5 Force 3 0 0 3 59 88 -29 7 9 1 1

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22 Comments

  1. Americano Americano says:
    March 5th, 2013 at 6:11 pm Reply to this comment

    Cheetahs have a short memory.
    Redemption & their rightful stake in the W column beckons….

  2. Boertjie Boertjie says:
    March 5th, 2013 at 6:42 pm Reply to this comment

    Switching to Varsity rugby
    may not be such a bad idea.

    I just can’t fathom why they are
    sticking to this 4 points for a
    bye. It just buggers up the whole
    log.
    But then again, maybe it belongs in
    a Super Shit, drawn out, over coooked
    and boring competition.
    :Boertjie GOM:

  3. bok_in_oz bryce_in_oz says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 2:36 am Reply to this comment

    “That said, a recent ‘review’ I read in the New Zealand Herald where the Cheetahs were ranked the 3rd best team of the weekend I just could not keep my trap shut.

    “They gave it a good go” the author said. “It would have been closer was it not for Goosen’s poor goal-kicking” he said. “They are not as boring as the Bulls or Stormers” he concluded…”

    You’re correct Morne… WTF is this guy smoking!!!!?

    Cheetahs did not score a single try, nor even threaten the defence once!

    The freaking bled SIX tries in one game (all easily converted)!

    They missed 46 of their 143 tackles!!! Compared to their opponents who nailed 87% of their 142!!!

    And considering they poached two line-outs… their ‘run-at-costs’ approach was pathetic… their tactical kicking was non-existent when they desperately need to be in their opponents 22m!

  4. Timeo Timeo says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 3:01 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 2:36 am:

    Ha. Ha. I remember at about minute 30, as the kiwi commentators were fawning about how great the Cheetahs were playing, I thought, yeah, everyone loves to watch the Cheetahs play except for the people in Bloemfontein.

  5. bok_in_oz bryce_in_oz says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 3:59 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to Timeo @ 3:01 am:

    The thing is… the ‘ball-in-hand’ running at all costs (from side to side) was so utterly predictable and ineffective it was beyond a joke!

    87 runs, 555m run, 56% in opposition half and wait for it… only two line-breaks… and this after making almost four times the 1st 5/8th passes than their opponents who score SIX tries…

    Pathetic!

    It was reminisce of the Boks 1/4 finals exit when they simply would not desist with swinging the ball side-to-side the entire game despite not being able crack the Aussie defence (ironically they too were pilfering LO ball)!

  6. Craven Craven says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 9:24 am Reply to this comment

    Antoher comment that had me going on the weekend was the Saffa commentators after the Stormers / Sharks game going on about how healthy the game in SA was and what a great spectacle the game proved to be.

    Seriously? Did you not just sit through the same two hours of kak I just had to sit through?

  7. The Year of the Cheetah The Year of the Cheetah says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 9:45 am Reply to this comment

    Fair to have a go at Cheetahs lateral running. However to have a go at the one team who still at least look to play a bit of rugby, is not fair. Yes maybe the only reason the Cheetahs still look like playing is because they know they cannot win, but I still prefer that over our other teams who now literally play 8 man rugby, or 7 even.

    I have been bemoaning our lack of enterprise for a long time yet our results have somehow convinced many on this site that its ok to not play rugby as long as you win.

    This year however, see SA sides NOT make play and LOSE.

    Then what?

  8. Pokkel_Sharks Pokkel says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 9:47 am Reply to this comment

    Seems like the NZ ‘reviews’ are just about on par with their ’2012 Referee of the year’! :Rule 9:

  9. The Year of the Cheetah The Year of the Cheetah says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 10:01 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 3:59 am:

    its also disheartening to see that our leadership on the field cannot make our teams change course.

    Then again the Cheetahs have Strauss who himself is a huge culprit of the ‘lets run all afternoon and see what happens’approach.

    Again a great linking 8 who can play serious ball is all the Cheetahs need. How we miss Johnson on attack right about now

  10. Americano Americano says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 11:08 am Reply to this comment

    I think I know where you’re going with this YOC…
    I concur. It’s time to give Todd Clever a call :D

    I was really miffed in the first half by ( besides Goose’s continuing woes) the turnovers at the breakdown.

    The NZ commentary is outsized for what was a really dour performance. But the Aussie commentators love the Cheetahs too. I think because they have SA teams stereotyped like german soccer teams with an excel spreadsheet type approach to the game. So obviously Cheetahs would jump out with this mindset.

    Perhaps Cheetah rugby is more than just the team – it’s a state of mind- a defiant Joie de vivre.

    Are the Cheetahs the S15…..Barbarians? :whistling:

    They could & should market the hell out of this.

  11. Aldo Aldo says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 11:25 am Reply to this comment

    Hehe Americano, the Barbarians have a more structured approach to rugby, even though they party for a week.

    Year of the cheetah, I wouldn’t go as far as to predict all the doom and gloom you do. The defense of the NZ teams have not been all that great this year, the Sharks have allways played an all round game, with purpose, which have allways seen them perform rather well in the competition, which they will do again.

    The Bulls play a overly structured and coached game, but they do play for field position and then attack from there, which is not that bad a ploy.

    This nilly willy run at all costs approach to me is stupid. The Cheetahs need more than just a Ashleigh Jonson. They need forwards who behave like forwards, a coach that instructs his bakline to kick in certain situations. There is more to rugby than running. If it were as easy as just running the ball, the game wouldn’t have grown to the size it has. Rucks need to be cleared out, tacticall kicking is as big a part of a successfull team, as running, rucking, mauling and scrumming.

  12. Morné Morné says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 11:45 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to Aldo @ 11:25 am:

    In other words Bredon, just like there is more to a song than a catchy tune, there is more to rugby than just running to make it a hit.

  13. The Year of the Cheetah The Year of the Cheetah says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 1:03 pm Reply to this comment

    no I get it. cheetahs however are NOT at the wrong side of the balance spectrum. Their scrums, line-outs were very good and forward grind hard.

    Lateral passing is pretty much the one problem as well as a lack of clever kicking.

    But I’d much rather have that as your problem area than the other SA teams, who have given up on playing the game at pace altogether.

  14. Craven Craven says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 1:39 pm Reply to this comment

    Must say, I enjoyed Sias Ebersohn’s performance for the Force against the Bulls on the weekend. And to think he was crucified by the Cheetahs the last few years.

  15. The Year of the Cheetah The Year of the Cheetah says:
    March 6th, 2013 at 1:45 pm Reply to this comment

    Reply to Craven @ 1:39 pm:

    his is either brilliant or incredibly kak. sometimes both in the same game

  16. Craven Craven says:
    March 7th, 2013 at 7:23 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to The Year of the Cheetah @ 1:45 pm:

    :lol:

  17. Craven Craven says:
    March 7th, 2013 at 7:26 am Reply to this comment

    Just to add, I wish we could get rid of the “confidence” players in SA rugby. As mentioned above, Sias seem to be one, Gaffie was a prime example and unfortunately Elton also seems to be the same. When he played at the Lions we had glimpses of it, remember the time Mitchell dropped him for Butch, his play was really not up to standard.

    Now Allister is trying to “build” his confidence.

  18. JT_BOKBEFOK! JT_BOKBEFOK! says:
    March 7th, 2013 at 9:27 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to Craven @ 7:26 am:

    not going to happen if AC keeps on playing Groom at 9.

  19. The Year of the Cheetah The Year of the Cheetah says:
    March 7th, 2013 at 10:26 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to Craven @ 7:26 am:

    very unfair to label gaffie a confidence player. He was a real talent but just pushed too soon and then not backed with 5 games or so to get it right.

    Look at his career – how may games abroad? How many for Stormers? How many as a bok, including part of 2007 winning squad.

    I might be biased as he now lives in Bethlehem and is very involved with the school rugby, but he was a bloody legend for Griquas and had a long steady career.

    anything but a confidence player.

  20. bok_in_oz bryce_in_oz says:
    March 7th, 2013 at 11:10 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to The Year of the Cheetah @ 10:26 am:

    Every time the ‘next best thing’ from Currie Cup rugby (or U20′s) does not sustain a career amongst the world’s best… he was ‘pushed too soon’…

    Gaffie had a few flashes of brilliance, but he was never the complete world dominating package some punters made his ‘potential’ out to be…

  21. JT_BOKBEFOK! JT_BOKBEFOK! says:
    March 7th, 2013 at 11:18 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 11:10 am:

    so whos fault is that – not his but the idiot punters! :whistling:

  22. bok_in_oz bryce_in_oz says:
    March 7th, 2013 at 11:22 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to JT_BOKBEFOK! @ 11:18 am:

    Exactly…

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