Official United Rugby Championship thread
All those ex Sharks players and to be Sharks players making a huge difference.
And of course the eternal problem for the Lions. A limited budget so they have to do the best with what they have.
- OomStruisbaai
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Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am ©, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Vincent Tshituka, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Gerbrandt Grobler, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Francois Venter
Date: Friday, April 26
Venue: Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli
Kick-off: 19.35; 18.35 GMT; 20.35 SA time
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear (Wales) and Dewi Phillips (Wales)
TMO: David Sutherland (Scotland)
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Gerbrandt Grobler, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Francois Venter
Date: Friday, April 26
Venue: Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli
Kick-off: 19.35; 18.35 GMT; 20.35 SA time
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear (Wales) and Dewi Phillips (Wales)
TMO: David Sutherland (Scotland)
First time Grant starting with the full squad.
Can only mean little kicking and lots of running with the ball. Very exciting. I just pray no yellows or reds....like Goosen,..and no injuries.
And no excessive penalties.
Very exciting.
They are starting a very mobile hooker in Fez in the place of Bongi. I think they want to run the Scarlets off their feet.
- OomStruisbaai
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Lions: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Morgan Naude
Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 JP Smith, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Ruan Venter, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Gianni Lombard
Munster: 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Seán O’Brien, 11 Shane Daly 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 4 RG Snyman, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Eoghan Clarke, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Mike Haley
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa) and Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wales)
Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 JP Smith, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Ruan Venter, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Gianni Lombard
Munster: 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Seán O’Brien, 11 Shane Daly 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack O’Donoghue, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 4 RG Snyman, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Jeremy Loughman
Replacements: 16 Eoghan Clarke, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Gavin Coombes, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Mike Haley
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa) and Dylen November (South Africa)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wales)
Hard to call. Against the Bulls the Munster strategy looked like go slow and keep some firepower on the bench, so they wouldn't be flat on their backs by the end of the match at altitude. Some speculation from SA journos that Ireland may try and copy this for the Loftus test. Lions aren't like the Bulls though, they tend to always want to play high tempo whereas the Bulls don't mind going slow themselves. Defending and not running against the Lions at Ellis Park is dangerous, but on the other hand Lions performances haven't been consistent. Possible best match of the round.
Should both happen.
Nah, not after the wakeup call the Stomps got from the Ospreys last round.
- fishfoodie
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Ulster doing a passable imitation of Quins
Sardy I'm not as convinced by that as you. Scarlets were as tough as last time the Sharks played them in Llanelli, Costelow is going to play a lot of test rugby. But the Sharks were fully loaded and needed to do much better, can't expect them to win the Challenge Cup semi based on that.
They just don't look sharp and don't look sure of what the vision/strategy/goal/game plan is. If it wasn't for Kok's 7s skills and try scoring ability would the Sharks have been in it at all? It basically comes down to coaching, the management bought players but not a strong coaching team, then they got Plum to try and make a winning team from squad he didn't choose. It's a huge mess. One of the best Sharks squads I've seen and at the same time one of the worst Sharks teams I've seen.
The plus points are the Sharks did step up every time the pressure came on, the set piece is strong, they're capable of some brilliance. I'm not looking at that and thinking "that definitely wins us a trophy away from home".
They just don't look sharp and don't look sure of what the vision/strategy/goal/game plan is. If it wasn't for Kok's 7s skills and try scoring ability would the Sharks have been in it at all? It basically comes down to coaching, the management bought players but not a strong coaching team, then they got Plum to try and make a winning team from squad he didn't choose. It's a huge mess. One of the best Sharks squads I've seen and at the same time one of the worst Sharks teams I've seen.
The plus points are the Sharks did step up every time the pressure came on, the set piece is strong, they're capable of some brilliance. I'm not looking at that and thinking "that definitely wins us a trophy away from home".
Sharks quest to finish 12th (my fuck!) is still on track.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sun Apr 21, 2024 1:34 pm
Leinster: Stormers (A), Ospreys (H), Ulster (A), Connacht (H)
Glasgow: Zebre (A), Bulls (A), Lions (A), Zebre (H)
Munster: Lions (A), Connacht (H), Edinburgh (H), Ulster (A)
Bulls: Ospreys (H), Glasgow (H), Benetton (H), Sharks (A)
Benetton: Ulster (A), Sharks (A), Bulls (A), Edinburgh (H)
Stormers: Leinster (H), Dragons (A), Connacht (A), Lions (H)
Ospreys: Bulls (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Cardiff (A)
Edinburgh: Cardiff (A), Zebre (H), Munster (H), Benetton (A)
Connacht: Dragons (A), Munster (A), Stormers (H), Leinster (A)
Ulster: Benetton (H), Scarlets (A), Leinster (H), Munster (A)
Lions: Munster (H), Cardiff (H), Glasgow (H), Stormers (A)
Cardiff: Edinburgh (H), Lions (A), Sharks (A), Ospreys (H)
Sharks: Scarlets (A), Benetton (H), Cardiff (H), Bulls (H)
Scarlets: Sharks (H), Ulster (H), Zebre (A), Dragons (H)
Dragons: Connacht (H), Stormers (H), Ospreys (A), Scarlets (A)
Zebre: Glasgow (H), Edinburgh (A), Scarlets (H), Glasgow (A)
Benetton may have cooked their chances with that loss, the two bonus points from the loss keeps them just in it on 44 points, it has previously been 50+ points for a top 8 finish. Sharks away will probably be a weaker Sharks team because the best side will have played against Clermont. Then there's Bulls away who are fighting for log position and Edinburgh at home who are also fighting for log position. They likely need 1 win and bonus points from those 3 matches.
Ulster also now on 44 points. Run in looks good for a top 8 finish, minimal travel, Scarlets, haven't looked at the dates but maybe a weak Leinster.
- fishfoodie
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Going to be a mad scramble for 7th & 8th; any pissant bonus point could earn the club £100k's
- OomStruisbaai
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The Spivs still criticizing Saffers for this.fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:58 pm Going to be a mad scramble for 7th & 8th; any pissant bonus point could earn the club £100k's
The URC is a mad competition at the moment.
- OomStruisbaai
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Sards has very low expectations for the Sharks but very high for the Stormers and specially Damian Willemse._Os_ wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:39 pmSharks quest to finish 12th (my fuck!) is still on track.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sun Apr 21, 2024 1:34 pm
Leinster: Stormers (A), Ospreys (H), Ulster (A), Connacht (H)
Glasgow: Zebre (A), Bulls (A), Lions (A), Zebre (H)
Munster: Lions (A), Connacht (H), Edinburgh (H), Ulster (A)
Bulls: Ospreys (H), Glasgow (H), Benetton (H), Sharks (A)
Benetton: Ulster (A), Sharks (A), Bulls (A), Edinburgh (H)
Stormers: Leinster (H), Dragons (A), Connacht (A), Lions (H)
Ospreys: Bulls (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Cardiff (A)
Edinburgh: Cardiff (A), Zebre (H), Munster (H), Benetton (A)
Connacht: Dragons (A), Munster (A), Stormers (H), Leinster (A)
Ulster: Benetton (H), Scarlets (A), Leinster (H), Munster (A)
Lions: Munster (H), Cardiff (H), Glasgow (H), Stormers (A)
Cardiff: Edinburgh (H), Lions (A), Sharks (A), Ospreys (H)
Sharks: Scarlets (A), Benetton (H), Cardiff (H), Bulls (H)
Scarlets: Sharks (H), Ulster (H), Zebre (A), Dragons (H)
Dragons: Connacht (H), Stormers (H), Ospreys (A), Scarlets (A)
Zebre: Glasgow (H), Edinburgh (A), Scarlets (H), Glasgow (A)
Benetton may have cooked their chances with that loss, the two bonus points from the loss keeps them just in it on 44 points, it has previously been 50+ points for a top 8 finish. Sharks away will probably be a weaker Sharks team because the best side will have played against Clermont. Then there's Bulls away who are fighting for log position and Edinburgh at home who are also fighting for log position. They likely need 1 win and bonus points from those 3 matches.
Ulster also now on 44 points. Run in looks good for a top 8 finish, minimal travel, Scarlets, haven't looked at the dates but maybe a weak Leinster.
What absolutely nonsenseOomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 4:02 am
Sards has very high expectations for the Stormers and specially Damian Willemse.
Completely overrated and has done absolutely nothing special as a Springbok. To say I have expectations is ridiculous.
Regarding the Sharks. Winning is a habit as is losing. The more you win the better you get at it. Some may be iffy and messy and some may be great. Sharks may well be sloooow starters but we are ending well. So far. Those that have been building the entire season will start falling away till only the top 8. The season for those falling away won't be much unlike the Sharks season. Except we are growing in strength.
Siya is just fantastic. Haa absolutely everything. Hooker is working very hard towards a future in the bok jersey. Fassi has been incredibly consistently good. Our youngsters are coming through. Listening to the commentators yesterday you could see how impressed they were with these lads. Unlike our Stomps who make baseless and ridiculous claims about these lads to bellitle them out of malice and jealousy
The loss last night has brought Benneton back to the rest of the pack as well. You could throw a jacket over about seven teams from 5th to 11th (the Bulls and Munster could get dragged into that crowd with a bad result too).fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:58 pm Going to be a mad scramble for 7th & 8th; any pissant bonus point could earn the club £100k's
And are there two g’s in Bugger Off?
Yep, hugely important bonus for them and they knew it too - they worked very hard for it.Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 8:48 amThe loss last night has brought Benneton back to the rest of the pack as well. You could throw a jacket over about seven teams from 5th to 11th (the Bulls and Munster could get dragged into that crowd with a bad result too).fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:58 pm Going to be a mad scramble for 7th & 8th; any pissant bonus point could earn the club £100k's
- OomStruisbaai
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- Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2020 12:38 pm
- Location: Longest beach in SH
Please don't flounce again.Sards wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 5:58 amWhat absolutely nonsenseOomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 4:02 am
Sards has very high expectations for the Stormers and specially Damian Willemse.
Completely overrated and has done absolutely nothing special as a Springbok. To say I have expectations is ridiculous.
Regarding the Sharks. Winning is a habit as is losing. The more you win the better you get at it. Some may be iffy and messy and some may be great. Sharks may well be sloooow starters but we are ending well. So far. Those that have been building the entire season will start falling away till only the top 8. The season for those falling away won't be much unlike the Sharks season. Except we are growing in strength.
Siya is just fantastic. Haa absolutely everything. Hooker is working very hard towards a future in the bok jersey. Fassi has been incredibly consistently good. Our youngsters are coming through. Listening to the commentators yesterday you could see how impressed they were with these lads. Unlike our Stomps who make baseless and ridiculous claims about these lads to bellitle them out of malice and jealousy
Well now the Lions and Stormers need to do the Bulls a favour and beat their opponents. Would be nice to have all Saffer teams winning this weekend
Bulls 61 - Ospreys 24. An old style Super Rugby score. Ospreys blew a few chances for a bonus point try, including kicking a penalty dead after 80 minutes. Ospreys remain on 40 points, which means they're at huge risk of finishing outside the top 8, minimum they need is 5 points from both the Dragons and Cardiff._Os_ wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:39 pmSharks quest to finish 12th (my fuck!) is still on track.OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sun Apr 21, 2024 1:34 pm
Leinster: Stormers (A), Ospreys (H), Ulster (A), Connacht (H)
Glasgow: Zebre (A), Bulls (A), Lions (A), Zebre (H)
Munster: Lions (A), Connacht (H), Edinburgh (H), Ulster (A)
Bulls: Ospreys (H), Glasgow (H), Benetton (H), Sharks (A)
Benetton: Ulster (A), Sharks (A), Bulls (A), Edinburgh (H)
Stormers: Leinster (H), Dragons (A), Connacht (A), Lions (H)
Ospreys: Bulls (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Cardiff (A)
Edinburgh: Cardiff (A), Zebre (H), Munster (H), Benetton (A)
Connacht: Dragons (A), Munster (A), Stormers (H), Leinster (A)
Ulster: Benetton (H), Scarlets (A), Leinster (H), Munster (A)
Lions: Munster (H), Cardiff (H), Glasgow (H), Stormers (A)
Cardiff: Edinburgh (H), Lions (A), Sharks (A), Ospreys (H)
Sharks: Scarlets (A), Benetton (H), Cardiff (H), Bulls (H)
Scarlets: Sharks (H), Ulster (H), Zebre (A), Dragons (H)
Dragons: Connacht (H), Stormers (H), Ospreys (A), Scarlets (A)
Zebre: Glasgow (H), Edinburgh (A), Scarlets (H), Glasgow (A)
Benetton may have cooked their chances with that loss, the two bonus points from the loss keeps them just in it on 44 points, it has previously been 50+ points for a top 8 finish. Sharks away will probably be a weaker Sharks team because the best side will have played against Clermont. Then there's Bulls away who are fighting for log position and Edinburgh at home who are also fighting for log position. They likely need 1 win and bonus points from those 3 matches.
Ulster also now on 44 points. Run in looks good for a top 8 finish, minimal travel, Scarlets, haven't looked at the dates but maybe a weak Leinster.
- fishfoodie
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Are Munster becoming South African specialists ?
- Uncle fester
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South African fans are hilariously one eyed.
Not just the ones here then.
Not just the ones here then.
Munster dominated that match, controlled the tempo. Lions couldn't work out how to impose their game, someone in that backline need to say "they're rushing up if they're onside or not it's happening, put some kicks along the ground in behind to keep them honest". Instead the Lions just kept standing deeper and deeper.
Lions probably cooked now. They need 3 wins from the remaining 3, two home matches against Cardiff and Glasgow, then Stomps away but that'll be a Stomps team coming back from Europe. Possible but they probably lose one of those.
Lions probably cooked now. They need 3 wins from the remaining 3, two home matches against Cardiff and Glasgow, then Stomps away but that'll be a Stomps team coming back from Europe. Possible but they probably lose one of those.
That's one eye too many for us ultras on here.Uncle fester wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 4:57 pm South African fans are hilariously one eyed.
Not just the ones here then.