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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Super Rugby Round 13 - Watch For Injuries! 2 views
11 May 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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It is time to juggle your teams with the number of injured players and those having the bye making it difficult for managers to have a fully functioning team. Dan Carter and Richie McCaw are potentially back this week.
The Super Rugby season is taking a huge toll on players with several sides having to call on members from wider training squads in an attempt to get enough players to start Round 13 Super Rugby matches. Two former Blues veterans Brent Ward and Ben Atiga have been called into the Crusaders and Highlanders backlines. The depth of New Zealand rugby is being severely tested with such a long and arduous competition.
The mounting injury toll and the fact that three good teams with quality players in them like the Sharks, Waratahs and Force have the bye, means that plenty of www.testrugby.com managers will have to juggle their teams to minimise their losses. I have run out of trades! Also double check that players will be taking the field because some teams recently have made changes or named someone in their team who hasn't taken the field. Be careful of anyone under an injury cloud.
Three All Blacks could be returning for the Crusaders to face the Cheetahs with Dan Carter, Ben Franks and Richie McCaw potentially back to bolster the Crusaders. But like their southern neighbours the Highlanders, it is the backline which is short of numbers.
Is the game more physical this year? Is the length of the season finally wearing the players down? Why has the new Super Rugby season been introduced in Rugby World Cup year? Is it a ploy to injure and wear down southern hemisphere players?
Super Rugby
Teams:
Highlanders vs Hurricanes
Time:13/05/2011 19:35
Venue:Rugby Park
Pick: Away team by 12 & under
The Highlanders host the Hurricanes in Invercargill with the hosts decimated by injuries to their backline. It is last man standing in their squad at the moment and they really missed some of their top players in the second half against the Chiefs last week with the likes of Adam Thomson, Shaun Treeby, Siale Piautau and James Paterson recently injured, while Colin Slade and Kade Poki would also be handy. They still have some beef up front though and this alone will see them competitive against the Hurricanes who will take some heart from their narrow loss to the Blues. Both of these teams have lost tight ones in recent weeks and it will be interesting to see if the Highlanders aggression at the breakdown can be overcome by the Hurricanes, because if it can then the Highlanders may drop out of finals contention. Can the Highlanders find a goalkicker to keep them in this one? This one could go either way, but I am picking that it will be close.
Players to watch: Aaron Cruden, Ma'a Nonu, Victor Vito, Lima Sopoaga and Ben Smith.
Teams: Reds vs Blues
Time:13/05/2011 21:40
Venue:Suncorp Stadium
Pick:Away team by 12 & under
The Reds and Blues will be looking forward to playing on a hard and dry track in Brisbane. These conditions will help the Blues dangerous backline score tries again. There will be some attacking rugby played in this one. It will be interesting to see how the return of Anthony Boric at lock and Luke McAlister will help the Blues and potentially lead them to victory. The Blues will miss Jerome Kaino's physicality. The winner of this match will go top of the table overall.
Players to watch: Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Scott Higganbotham, Rene Ranger, Keven Mealamu, Luke McAlister.
Teams:Chiefs vs Stormers
Time:14/05/2011 19:35
Venue:Waikato Stadium
Pick:Home team by 12 & under
Have the Chiefs turned the corner after beating the Highlanders last week. I am picking them for an upset win over the Stormers who will be a different side on the road. They start their tour now and it will be interesting to see if they can continue to hold their place high in the South African conference.
Players to watch: (teams not named yet) Lelia Masaga, Liam Messam, Richard Kahui, Jacque Fourie, Andries Bekker, Deon Fourie and a bargain priced Johan Sadie.
Teams:Brumbies vs Lions
Time:14/05/2011 21:40
Venue:Canberra Stadium
Pick:Home team by 12 & under
The Brumbies have been disappointing this season despite having a useful team. They return from South Africa and will need to be on guard as they host the hapless Lions. The Lions have been an almost team, but now start their tour at the bottom of the South African conference. The Brumbies fatigue could be the only thing that saves the Lions from getting mauled.
Players to watch (teams not named yet): Matt Giteau, Stephen Moore, Peter Kimlin, Ita Vaea, Deon Van Rensburg, Josh Strauss.
Teams:Bulls vs Rebels
Time:15/05/2011 03:05
Venue:Loftus Versfeld
Pick:Home team by 13 & above
The Bulls should be too strong up front and they return after the bye to face a Rebels side which has performed above expectations this season and they will struggle up front against the Bulls. The Bulls are only mid table this season, but will bulldoze the Rebels forward pack.
Players to watch: Morne Steyn, Bjorn Basson, Pierre Spies, Wynand Olivier, Ged Robinson, Hugh Pyle, Gareth Delve.
Teams:Cheetahs vs Crusaders
Time:15/05/2011 05:10
Venue:Free State Rugby Stadium
Away team by 13 & above
The Crusaders machine won well last week against the Stormers and while they have lost Israel Dagg among others, they will potentially welcome back Daniel Carter, Ben Franks and Richie McCaw. The Cheetahs defence is terrible, but they have plenty on attack and this match could be a great chance for some four try scoing bonus points.
Players to watch (teams not named yet) Daniel Carter, Sonny Bill Williams, Kieran Read, Sarel Pretorius, Riaan Viljoen, Adrian Strauss.
Here are some teams named for Super Rugby Round 13
Highlanders
1 .Jamie Mackintosh (C), 2. Mo Schwalger,3. Chris King, 4 . Tom Donnelly, 5. Josh Bekhuis, 6.Jarrad Hoeata, 7 . Alando Soakai, 8 .Nasi Manu, 9 . Jimmy Cowan (VC), 10 .Lima Sopoaga, 11 . Telusa Veainu, 12 . Matt Saunders, 13.Kendrick Lynn, 14 . Kade Poki, 15 . Ben Smith
Replacements: 16. Jason Rutledge, 17. Bronson Murray, 18. John Hardie, 19. Nick Crosswell, 20. Aaron Smith, 21. Ben Atiga, 22. Robbie Robinson/Tony Brown.
Hurricanes team :
1. John Schwalger ,2. Andrew Hore (c) ,3. Neemia Tialata ,4. Jason Eaton ,5. James Broadhurst ,6. Faifili Levave ,7. Jack Lam ,8. Victor Vito ,9. Chris Eaton ,10. Aaron Cruden ,11. Hosea Gear ,12. Ma'a Nonu ,13. Jayden Hayward ,14. Alapati Leiua,15. Andre Taylor
Reserves :16. Dane Coles ,17. Anthony Perenise,18. Jeremy Thrush ,19. Mark Reddish ,20. Piri Weepu,21. Julian Savea ,22. Beauden Barrett
Blues Team
1. Tevita Mailau,2. Keven Mealamu (Capt),3. John Afoa,4. Anthony Boric,5. Ali Williams,6. Chris Lowrey,7. Luke Braid,8. Peter Saili,9. Alby Mathewson, 10.Stephen Brett,11.Rene Ranger,12. Luke McAlister,13. Benson Stanley,14. Joe Rokocoko,15.Jared Payne
Replacements :16.Tom McCartney (FR),17.Pauliasi Manu (FR),18.James King,19.Sean Polwart,20.Chris Smylie,21.Lachie Munro,22 .Sherwin Stowers
Reds Team
1. Ben Daley, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. James Slipper, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. James Horwill (c), 6. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Beau Robinson, 8. Radike Samo, 9. Will Genia (vc), 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Digby Ioane, 12. Ben Tapuai, 13. Anthony Faingaa, 14. Luke Morahan, 15. Ben Lucas,
Replacements : 16. James Hanson, 17. Guy Shepherdson, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Jake Schatz, 20. Ian Prior, 21. Will Chambers, 22. Dom Shipperley
Cheetahs:
Riaan Viljoen, Riaan Smit, Robert Ebersohn, Corne Uys, Ryno Benjamin, Sias Ebersohn, Sarel Pretorius, Davon Raubenheimer, Ashley Johnson, Heinrich Brussow, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Francois Uys, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: Ryno Barnes, Lourens Adriaanse, Waltie Vermeulen, Kabamba Floors, Tewis de Bruyn, Naas Olivier, Hennie Daniller
www.superrugbytips.com
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Super Rugby Round 13, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw
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