Official United Rugby Championship thread

[assfly]

Well done Stormers. They turned it around very well considering their off-field shenanigans.

Fairly happy with the end result for the Sharks, very close to top spot. It could have been different if we had played a Welsh team in our last match.

Looking forward to this weekend, but I think a Bulls victory is inevitable.

[OomStruisbaai]

Well done Stormers. They turned it around very well considering their off-field shenanigans.

Fairly happy with the end result for the Sharks, very close to top spot. It could have been different if we had played a Welsh team in our last match.

Looking forward to this weekend, but I think a Bulls victory is inevitable.

Thanks Boet.

You couldn't beat the Stormers, that's double points in the end.

[OomStruisbaai]

Dobson
R365

Stormers head coach John Dobson said loyalty played a key role in his team’s success so far.

“After 18 games to be the best team in South Africa at this level, it means a lot to the group,” said Dobson.

“We have been in the media for a long time for bad news over a few years and remarkable people like Steven Kitshoff, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Damian Willemse and Salmaan Moerat stayed loyal to us.

“It’s good payback for them and it just means a lot to the group and to those youngsters coming through.

“We know we got a couple of important weeks coming up.

“There is no sense of the job being done at this stage.”

Kitsie

“Winning the Shield was the first step for us to cement ourselves and build on the season we were currently having, especially after that home stretch and the confidence and the momentum that we got,” said Kitshoff.

“The silverware is absolutely amazing.

“You can actually feel the buzz in the changing room afterwards and how happy it made the guys.

“The guys worked hard and sacrificed a sh*tload.

“We know what play-off rugby is like and I think there was a little glimpse of it today [Saturday].

“We need to build on this and fix the mistakes we made tonight.

“I think there are some golden opportunities ahead of us.”

[OomStruisbaai]

The Lions coach reasoning why they don't made the top 8.

In the space of three weeks between late January and the early parts of February, the Lions lost four games in a row against South African opposition.

It started with a 37-47 loss to the Sharks in Johannesburg before they lost two games in a row to the Bulls (10-34 and 13-21).

After that, they suffered a 10-32 defeat to the Stormers at Ellis Park after they upset the Capetonians earlier in the season at Cape Town Stadium.

In total, the Lions only won one of

The opposit to the Stormers where they won the SA Shield.

[FalseBayFC]

Some interesting stats from the regular season stage of the URC. Aside from Leinster, the rest of the top 8 are pretty tight across the metrics. Stormers attacking play reflected in the numbers. It would be interesting to see the corresponding numbers from the other leagues.

[assfly]

Leinster's missed tackle. Pathetic, really.

[FalseBayFC]

Leinster's missed tackle. Pathetic, really.

haha
The Sharks have a high missed tackle count percentage. But the relatively low number of tackles suggests they had a high possession percentage. Their impotence on attack was frustrating to watch.

[CM11]

Leinster's missed tackle. Pathetic, really.

Bottom of the pile.

Interesting stats. Plenty of average ones in terms of ranking for Leinster but top tries scored and bottom tries conceded is all that matters.

[assfly]

Their impotence on attack was frustrating to watch.

Yes, that's my outstanding memory from this first season. Flashes of brilliance in every game, but largely very dull on attack.

[Chilli]

Their impotence on attack was frustrating to watch.

Yes, that's my outstanding memory from this first season. Flashes of brilliance in every game, but largely very dull on attack.

It is because your 9 and 10 are shite.

[assfly]

It is because your 9 and 10 are shite.

Hard to argue with that, but I've got a bit more patience for Hendrikse to develop. Grant Williams should start on Saturday at 9 though, he's earned it.

I'd be happy if I never saw Bosch in a Sharks jersey again.

[OomStruisbaai]

Ungerer made a few mistakes but his basic service is very good. His kicking is also good which make him a good combination with Libbok who attack the line and distribution is excellent.

[FalseBayFC]

Their impotence on attack was frustrating to watch.

Yes, that's my outstanding memory from this first season. Flashes of brilliance in every game, but largely very dull on attack.

It is because your 9 and 10 are shite.

Apart from Lukhanyo who was in Japan for this year our centres are very meh too. Jonker looked promising though when he came on. RJVR will help next season and I think Kok should move in to 13 when Am is out.

[assfly]

I thought Louw improved immensely this season, and hope he starts next to Am. But yes, Rohan will likely walk into that 12 jersey.

The rest have got a bit of work to do. Pity the CC has been so stop-start this season, it must be hard to string together enough performances to find form. I guess next season when the Boks are playing they'll get their chances.

[OomStruisbaai]

Isn't Louw on his way to the Lions?

[assfly]

Isn't Louw on his way to the Lions?

Yes.

[FalseBayFC]

Nice welcome home for the Stormers from the Cape Minstrels.

[assfly]

That looks like a punishment.

What would they have done if they had lost?

[Chilli]

That looks like a punishment.

What would they have done if they had lost?

Jack Parow.

[Chilli]

Where is Handyman?
Did he flounce?

[assfly]

Where is Handyman?

The second trumpet player, if I'm not mistaken.

[OomStruisbaai]

Where is Handyman?

The second trumpet player, if I'm not mistaken.

Didn't survive the camping.

[OomStruisbaai]

Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final schedule:

Friday, 3 June
Ulster vs Munster
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast (8.35pm, SA time)

Saturday, 4 June
Bulls vs Sharks
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (1.45pm)

Leinster vs Glasgow Warriors
RDS Arena, Dublin (4.15pm)

Stormers vs Edinburgh
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town (7pm)

Playoff pathway:

Semi-final 1: Leinster/Glasgow Warriors versus Bulls/Sharks
Semi-final 2: Stormers/Edinburgh versus Ulster/Munster

So this mean if Glasgow and/or EdinBokke win, they'll get home semi finals.

[Chilli]

Where is Handyman?

The second trumpet player, if I'm not mistaken.

Not even the first violinist?

[Biffer]

I feel the need to point out that Munster aren’t guaranteed Heineken Cup rugby next year.

[lemonhead]

I feel the need to point out that Munster aren’t guaranteed Heineken Cup rugby next year.

What needs to happen/not happen, Glasgow winning it or something?

[OomStruisbaai]

I feel the need to point out that Munster aren’t guaranteed Heineken Cup rugby next year.

What needs to happen/not happen, Glasgow winning it or something?

Glasgow need to win the URC.

[OomStruisbaai]

If the Stormers drew their last game , they still would won the SA Conference and ended 3rd with Ulster 2nd.

[assfly]

If the Stormers drew their last game , they still would won the SA Conference and ended 3rd with Ulster 2nd.

In this same parallel universe, the Sharks would have won with a bonus point.

[OomStruisbaai]

If the Stormers drew their last game , they still would won the SA Conference and ended 3rd with Ulster 2nd.

In this same parallel universe, the Sharks would have won with a bonus point.

I try to be realistic here.

[_Os_]

I see the Stomps are excited about coming second.

[assfly]

I see the Stomps are excited about coming second.

They're obsessed with Deon Fourie replacing Kolisi as Bok captain.

[Biffer]

I feel the need to point out that Munster aren’t guaranteed Heineken Cup rugby next year.

What needs to happen/not happen, Glasgow winning it or something?

Glasgow need to win the URC.

Yep

So I'm pretty sure they're safe tbh

[_Os_]

I see the Stomps are excited about coming second.

They're obsessed with Deon Fourie replacing Kolisi as Bok captain.

Crazy over hyping.

They have some props and some wings/fullbacks. There's going to be very few Stomps in the Bok 23, only 3-5 players.

[OomStruisbaai]

I see the Stomps are excited about coming second.

They're obsessed with Deon Fourie replacing Kolisi as Bok captain.

Crazy over hyping.

They have some props and some wings/fullbacks. There's going to be very few Stomps in the Bok 23, only 3-5 players.

5 ? That will be awesome.

[OomStruisbaai]

I see the Stomps are excited about coming second.

They're obsessed with Deon Fourie replacing Kolisi as Bok captain.

Not long ago Os, you and Sards wanted the Twins in Kolisi place.

[_Os_]

They're obsessed with Deon Fourie replacing Kolisi as Bok captain.

Crazy over hyping.

They have some props and some wings/fullbacks. There's going to be very few Stomps in the Bok 23, only 3-5 players.

5 ? That will be awesome.

The Bok coaches are one eyed Stomps, so I factored that in.

If it was someone unbiased and impartial, like me, it would be between 0 and 3.

[Sards]

I see the quarter finals are 4th June.....


Thank vok.....I thought it was this weekend and I would miss it.


ONWARDS AND UPWARDS....


Everette is taking a pounding on social media....and of course every second jealous vokker has to throw in the $$$$$$


Its so vokken juvenile

[OomStruisbaai]

You probably count the x Stormers like Kolisi , Bongi, Ellende and Etsebeth in.

[Sards]

You probably count the x Stormers like Kolisi , Bongi, Ellende and Etsebeth in.

We are proffessionals,
We don't bring up PSDT , Roos , Libbok etc.
Its the amateur clubs and Unions that work like that.
Once they sign for a club it doesn't matter whether they played for Gugs 3rd or whatever.

The question that needs to be asked is Why...?

Why did these players leave to find another club?

And don't tell me its money. There are other factors that are at play...............