Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Super 14 Pick of the Week

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Super 14 Pick of the Week - Round 3

The third round of the Super 14 served up another helping of highly entertaining rugby as great tries were scored from Perth to Pretoria. We've got a few of the best here today, with our Pick of the Week for Round 3.

The Bulls confirmed their superiority at home as they came back from being 16 points down to beat the Waratahs 48-38 in a thrilling match at Loftus. Young scrumhalf Francois Hougaard, who now plays on the wing, scored two tries while Morne Steyn contributed 18 points with the boot, a safe bet for anyones Fantasy Rugby side.

The Chiefs are another side on the eyeing out the top of the table, as they've been unbeaten so far, with their first home game coming up. They play the Reds, who are becoming the surprise package of the tournament, showing real form at times.

They lost to the Blues last weekend though, who sealed the deal with a late Rudi Wulf try, winning 27-18 in the end. They face the Crusaders in Round 4, who brushed aside a disjointed Sharks team with a 35-6 win over them in Christchurch.

The Hurricanes match against the Lions showed us that the travelling men from Johannesburg have a lot of heart, but simply don't have the firepower to execute at the moment. It was an unhappy return to New Zealand for Carlos Spencer, who's side went down 33-18.

Our man Todd Clever scored a nice try and put in another good performance, but it was Hurricanes hooker Andrew Hore who scored a classic solo effort, running half the field and throwing a dummy for good measure.

The Highlanders won for the first time on the road in two years as they beat the Cheetahs 31-24 in Bloemfontein. They now travel to Cape Town to take on the Stormers, who went down 19-17 to the Brumbies after a dramatic intercept from captain George Smith late in the game.

Round four kicks off soon, so do what you can to catch all the action live. If you don't manage Rugbydump will be here for you next week, once again, with our Pick of the Week.

:: Related Posts ::
Super 14 Pick of the Week - Rounds 1 & 2

Time: 05:27
Music: Wake Up by Rage Against the Machine

nice trys but in my oppinion some of them are forward passes

By Anonymous, at March 04, 2010 9:21 pm
fürst! that guy from the chiefs has some serious wheels!

By sebastian, at March 04, 2010 9:21 pm
bulls look so composed. crusaders vs bulls in the final

good selection of tries this week - thanks RD!

By bigox, at March 04, 2010 9:26 pm
Yeah - some questionable passes in there but regardless, some wonderful, running rugby...letting the ball do the work. Awesome work as usual Rugybdump.

By Anonymous, at March 04, 2010 9:27 pm
thanks rd thats awesome stuff

By Oli, at March 04, 2010 9:29 pm
i also think there were some forward passes.

That bald bearded scrum half kicked a good kick

It would be perfect if RD had played the whole song but no problem

By Black Dog, at March 04, 2010 10:14 pm
thats the shit

By jamestheconvict, at March 04, 2010 11:12 pm
good tries. helped by the soundtrack.

By gar, at March 04, 2010 11:18 pm
Great reel RD. Someone needs to knock that Masanga out! Dancing in the other team's tryzone is disrespectful to the opposition and the game. The true spirit of rugby is dying.

By Anonymous, at March 04, 2010 11:38 pm
min 2:15
what a nice guy!

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 12:21 am
Morne Steyn and du Preez set up all the Bulls tries, wonderful players.

Bulls the team to beat

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 12:26 am
"Dancing in the other team's tryzone is disrespectful to the opposition and the game"

Weepu did the same thing during the Lions/Hurricanes match, and the Lions players gave him a little shove to remind him he was being a cock.

As far as Super 14 teams go, is it primarily a NZ thing, the over-celebration for try-scoring? I'm asking out of my own ignorance, since I don't get to watch enough of the S14 to say for myself. It may just be because there were two such events in the same week by NZ players....

In any case, being from the US, my favorite was the try from Clever...and the commentators mentioning afterwards that he could imagine rugby supporters in North America cheering because there's "an American playing in the Super 14, and nailing it."

By flapjack, at March 05, 2010 12:34 am
Some quality stuff there - I'm a NH boy and complained on the rounds 1&2 round up last week that there were a lot of missed tackles etc.

This time around there is just great play - blindside flanker's sidestep taking out three players!

Morne Steyn and the Bulls look in fine fettle, will be interesting to see if they can play that way consistently.

By Flinto, at March 05, 2010 12:36 am
Loving the Masaga try and shuffle!
God hes got some wheels, left O'connor for dead and we all know how quick he is!

Morne Steyn is awesome.. He has become a serious 10 who does more than just set-shots and drop kicks.. All class

Cheifs vs bulls final again this year?

Hopefully on NZ soil!

By Tui, at March 05, 2010 1:18 am
Anon - "min 2:15
what a nice guy!"

Absolutely right, Anon. I'm guessing its Stephen Treblanche, but he kept his head and looked after an opposition player completely vulnerable to him. Well done!

By granite, at March 05, 2010 1:28 am
Some really good tries in there.
The speed of the ruck this season is incredible. Faster than anything I've seen before, in any competition, club, provincial or international.

By Tom, at March 05, 2010 2:07 am
Brussow's try was the best. The guy is a machine.

But would it have killed you to show some Australian tries? I mean really! The Brumbies had a couple of tries from Elsom and Smith which were better than most of the tries selected in that video. Qld had a couple of terrific tries too.

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 2:11 am
Anon and Granite? Are you two SA morons high? He went to spear tackle that crusaders player and pulled out becasue he was next to the ref and would have got a card.

Typical dirty player, hes being doing it for a long time... Time for Treblanche to retire.

By Jamie J, at March 05, 2010 2:20 am
Brussow is shit, when he does something on the world stage ill take notice. And that doesn't mean 2 good games against an average Lions team.

He won't even make the SA starting line up, hes one dimensional. You barely ever see him running free like the NZ and Aus number 6's... Why? becasue hes a midget with stumpy legs. Burger as a player shits on him.

By No-Brussow, at March 05, 2010 2:23 am
I´ll second anonymous - I saw at least 6 forward passes - very poor reffing

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 2:23 am
No Brussouw - pathetic comment mate. The guy ran straight over 4 players to score that try. He has incredible strength for a guy his size. He was causing mayhem from start to finish in that game. Burger isnt near his league at the moment. Best try of the lot for me.

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 2:30 am
Brussow is an excellent player.
People are amazing, always finding fault.
"Forward passes, there's too many tries, wa wa wa!"
Suck it up princesses, you wish you could play rugby like this.

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 2:32 am
If you want to discuss someone wh is seriously not playing well check out Ruaan pienaar in this clip. From 0.21-0.36 what the hell is he doing???? Especially at 0.23 - he makes no effort to grab the ball, tackle the player or even race after him - he just casually jogs after a guy he just let through and looks around the park to see if anyone else is going to try catch him. I dont want to see this guy in a Bok jersey again. Useless.

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 2:35 am
Brussow didnt just own the Lions tour side, he destroyed Mccaw and smith in the trinations.

he was running over players nearly every time he got the ball in the highlanders game.

Morne Steyn is the player to watch so far though. didnt miss one kick (8 of them from the sideline) against the waratahs and he set up a handful of tries

Terblanche put the guy back safely down, stop complaining Jamie J, you bitch.

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 2:43 am
agree about ruan pienaar, total shit player and annoying to watch

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 2:44 am
Andrew Hore!!! lol. Why does he play hooker?? ahaha

By 3/4 centre, at March 05, 2010 3:03 am
Anon,

"Forward passes, there's too many tries, wa wa wa!"
Suck it up princesses, you wish you could play rugby like this.

You mean a game with a lot of forward passes, missed tackles and a poor defending organisation, no thank you but that's not rugby. Looks like more to be a hybrid between rugby and american football.

To my opinion, you're the childish princess trying to defend your baby.

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 3:59 am
pienaar is an awesome player.. but only at scrum half. NOT AT 10!
and brussouw is the MAN best 6 in the world
Morne steyn at the moment is easily the best 10 in the comp

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 5:08 am
Anon, this is the best rugby rugby in the world, it's why NZ, SA and Aus are the best.
Deal with it.

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 5:51 am
andrew hore. that's a fine piece of individual inspiration

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 6:18 am
Anon this Anon that - pick a friggin name guys?? Would be so much easier when discussing things with eachother and making out who's referring to who.

Just click the Name/URL block and write a name.. pls?

Regarding dancing and celebrating.. come on guys, lighten up? How is celebrating a try disrepectful? :-s

It is incredible how some of you go out your way to find something bad about Super 14, clearly to make yourself feel more secure about whatever tournament it is you prefer. In life, people don't insult about things that don't threaten them.

Sometimes it's really easy to see who's a prop and whos a wing, juding by the comments.. I get the impression backline players, or talented forwards, enjoy the Super 14 expansive game, yet props who prefer scrumming all day like to say bad things about it.

Where have the true rugby lovers gone?

Rant, overrrrrr.

By FrankyH, at March 05, 2010 8:37 am
Love it, thanks RD

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 9:49 am
This is the quickest rugby I've seen before, the rucks are getting cleared so fast in this years S14 because the refs are actually enforcing the letter of the law and guys have to role away from the tackled player.
People are finally being punished for the intentional slowing of the ball, against the rules, that had become such a standard and frustrating part of the game.
Teams can now run the ball, they aren't terrified to have the ball.

By Jon, at March 05, 2010 10:05 am
The rucks in these clips seem quick because the teams are sending in so few players to compete. Perhaps the teams are wary because so many tries are being scored and just want to try and defend (although they seem to fail at that too!).

Also, Francois Hougaard. Know he used to be a scrum half but haven't seen much of him. Is he any good or benefitting from playing for the Bulls? Couple of big dives for his tries here puts him in a similar category as post-try-dancing...

By jackohos, at March 05, 2010 11:04 am
The more I see Hore play the more respect I have for the guy, talk about right place right time all the time!

Also that was cool that the guy who could have dumped the player into the middle of nowhere actually had the decency to put him down when he didn't have the ball.

Crusaders aren't looking as clinical as previous years. Blues are on a role. Good scrum great 9/10 combo. Whose the front row for the bulls?

Fantastic running rugby and nice to Nonu distributing. Reds aren't looking too bad.

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 11:08 am
Jackohos, this is a try highlights video, not ever quick ruck results in a try or line break.
It gives the teams more opportunities to create things though, and asks tough questions of the defense, because they are getting run off their feet at times, and can't be lazy.
The ruck situation means that the only way to turn over ball is to commit more forwards to the breakdown (legal counter-rucking), which is a risk, because it leaves less defenders in midfield.
It just means the game goes back to the way it used to be, when teams wanted the ball, so they could run in tries.
Right now teams are still adapting to the change, defenses are going to have to get even more organised and will have to learn to scramble better.

By Jon, at March 05, 2010 11:17 am
I've watched a lot of the S14 this year, and I've seen a great deal of good defense, and good counter-rucking that has resulted in turn over ball.

I'm initially tempted to say it isn't as ferocious as say, Scottish or Italian test-match defense CAN be, but I'm not sure if that's entirely accurate.

Besides, the best defense seems to be a good offense...if you're scoring tries at a faster rate than they get scored on you, then it doesn't matter how many you let in, as long as you're winning.

By Picked a Name, at March 05, 2010 1:18 pm
I know that there's inevitably a vast difference between international tests and league matches, but I wish that there was some more of the pace and directness shown in this video in England's rugby.

By Phil, at March 05, 2010 1:31 pm
You and me both Phil - it seems like a different game sometimes doesn't it?

By Ted, at March 05, 2010 1:46 pm
The handling and anticipation is insane. Great video.

By Robert, at March 05, 2010 3:04 pm
Dancing in the opponents' tryzone is COMPLETELY bad sportsmanship. A. It is taking joy in your opponents misfortune and B. It is drawing attention to yourself, when you are only the last link of a team effort.

Watch any try from before 1985. No one even congratulates the try-scorer (who would walk away from the line stone faced). Rugby is a game for teamwork, not glory-hogging dandies. Yes I am a forward.

By No Dance, at March 05, 2010 3:10 pm
Good highlights, good fluent rugby, good music. It looks like a commercial! As usual good job RD!
Hore's try's my best, even if there's a little obstruction at the end.

By Maximus, at March 05, 2010 4:45 pm
shut up BOY about forward passes!! its called flat ball!! sick of nh comments they listern to that steven jones dickhead too much!!always trying too fing a fault last week it was shit D now its forward pass wots next week gunna be? just cos England cant score tries maybe martin johnson should take note!! thats how you score trie's!! HAY ENGLAND SUPPORTERS GOT ONE THING TOO SAY, DIRTY SOUTH IN YOUR MOUTH!!! YEH BOY!!!

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 4:48 pm
HAY ENGLAND SUPPORTERS GOT ONE THING TOO SAY,DIRTY SOUTH IN YOUR MOUTH !!!
YEEH BIIAACCTHSS!!! WACTH AND LEARN!!!

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 4:51 pm
great to see the big forwards being able to run with the ball in hand,offloading and being able to exploit gaps,its something the NH forwards arent particuarly good at apart from the french and maybe wales (and im irish so its not a NH SH debate)

By BODisgod, at March 05, 2010 5:21 pm
Great clip, fantastically entertaining. The open style of the super 14 is just so quick, takes my breath away, especially as I'm more tuned to the slower 6 nations matches.
Neither style is better, and there's room for both styles of play, and that, in my opinion, is the beauty of rugby.
A slower, more technical game which becomes a battle of wills can be just as riveting as a fast paced, end to end game.
So can everyone try to stop silly criticisms, or at least put their comparisons into perspective?

By Danremont, at March 05, 2010 5:29 pm
stefan terblanch did very well not to speartackle the player he picked up, but put him back on his feet.. would ve been a card otherwise..

well done

By cheis, at March 05, 2010 5:50 pm
No Dance, sure I hear ya, but this isn't pre 1985 mate. It's 2010, and rugby is now professional. These guys spend all their days training, gyming, and well, playing video games.. BUT, when it comes to being commited to the cause, they are. So when they score a great try, what's wrong with a little dance? It's great showmanship.

I admit I wouldn't want it getting like the NFL, where players have rehearsed routines etc, but a little bit extra for the fans harms noone, imo.

You'll be happy to know though that after Andrew Hore scored that try, he was straight-faced, and in an interview afterwards said he'd never show emotion or else he's get ripped to shreds by his teamates.

Maybe it's just a backs thing then. :)

By FrankyH, at March 05, 2010 7:17 pm
What Brussow does in turning over balls is simply extraordinary. I didn't know this player until the France vs SA game last november. During that game, he turned over probably between 6 and 8 balls. And I heard he's been doing that on a regular basis.
A player that can steal so many balls and fuel his teammates with so many counter-attacking opportunities is extremely valuable in a team. Why some people here don't get it is beyond me.
I don't care if he doesn't have long legs as long as he's that efficient. I'm into rugby, not ballet.

By Antoine, at March 05, 2010 8:30 pm
WHERE'S DREW MITCHELLS TRY!?!?! ONE OF THE BEST OF THE ROUND AND IT'S NOT EVEN ON THERE!?!?!?

By Ryan, at March 05, 2010 8:30 pm
To all my fellow SH folks please let us all take a bow, because we now have rugby we actually look forward to watching.

a) great speed
b) great skill
c) great tackles
d) great tries

All the above will only make the 3nations stronger, in physicality and endurance come the internationals.

To all the NH folks you best hope your teams come prepared..haha..

holla...

By semperfimamba, at March 05, 2010 9:40 pm
5:27,Chiefs' try
Look where Bruce releases the ball (before the line) and where does Masaga gets it (beyond the line), great move but clearly a PASS FORWARD, even though the receiver was alwlays behind the passer.
What do you think about this?

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 10:54 pm
sorry, the time of Chiefs' try I am referring to is 00:58

By Anonymous, at March 05, 2010 10:55 pm
MORNE STEYN'S KICK :O

That was pure perfection.

By matty10, at March 05, 2010 11:30 pm
"Look where Bruce releases the ball (before the line) and where does Masaga gets it (beyond the line), great move but clearly a PASS FORWARD, even though the receiver was alwlays behind the passer.
What do you think about this?"

That's because it's purely physics and all about relativity.

The runner is moving foward, so when he releases the ball it'll be moving foward relative to the field, but not the 2 players.

Any pass done running will move foward...but still not called a forward pass.

By The Other Phil, at March 06, 2010 1:34 am
Anon, in regards to forward passes, the rule actually has nothing to do with where the player catches the ball.
This is due to the basic nature of physics. If a player releases a ball as he is running forward quickly, the ball will travel thru the air in a backwards diagonal motion, but will also move forwards thru the air at the same speed as the player was moving forward. There is nothing the player can do about this, it's just the laws of physics.

The rule itself only refers to the motion the player passes the ball in. The rule refers to the player making a backwards passing motion.
As long as the ball moves backwards relative to the player passing it, if he was allowed to continue his movement, it's not a forward pass.
The rule is about the passing motion.
Watch this video, it's for referees but it explains the rule and the physics :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgMlDy2jP9s

By Tom, at March 06, 2010 4:23 am
Hey, No Dance, I completely agree with you, and I'm a back.

Being an American, I love gridiron, too, but one of the worst aspects of that sport is the complete and utter over-celebration for even the most menial task. Catching a ball doesn't deserve a tea party, so move on.

I've come to rugby with the expectation that the men who play are a bit more stoic, so it's unfortunate to see the post-try antics eke their way into this sport, too.

By Todd Clever for President, at March 06, 2010 8:23 am
"5:27,Chiefs' try
Look where Bruce releases the ball (before the line) and where does Masaga gets it (beyond the line), great move but clearly a PASS FORWARD, even though the receiver was alwlays behind the passer.
What do you think about this?"

What do I think about it? I think you should jump out the back of a moving truck and get back to me if you don't go flying the other direction once you hit the ground.

By Todd Clever for President, at March 06, 2010 8:26 am
There were two tries that I was surprised to see weren't there. One was Rene Ranger's solo effort against the Reds where he beat at least half the team.

The other was another Lelia Masaga try against the force I think where he bumped one guy off and ran straight over the other to score in the corner.

By Jamie, at March 06, 2010 9:42 am
To those NH hemisphere lads complaining about forward passes.

You are right, there are passes that slip forward. It happens when you run hard and fast, change angle, pass out of the tackle and right on the gain line.

Your boys should try it, it works great.

By RememberTheMer, at March 06, 2010 11:31 am
UNBEATA-BULL

By Anonymous, at March 06, 2010 12:13 pm
"This is the quickest rugby I've seen before, the rucks are getting cleared so fast in this years S14 because the refs are actually enforcing the letter of the law"

No it's because they've CHANGED the laws, AGAIN.

By Anonymous, at March 06, 2010 12:44 pm
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at March 06, 2010 12:44 pm
You ignorant idiot, they didn't change the rules, they applied them.
Learn the game dumbass.

By Tom, at March 06, 2010 1:35 pm
Im getting so pissed of with NH dumb pricks why watch it if you can't stand it? Your so negative when it comes to RUNNING RUGBY!!! I dont understand it wots wrong with tries,players danceing after scoreing,high speed collitions and they have change the rules YOU DUMD F#$KS do your homework BOY!!! you stick to your soccar/rugby since thats all you know!!!

By Anonymous, at March 06, 2010 8:52 pm
Well.......i think you ignorant fan (although using the word fan seems wrong) that there needs to be a compromise.

No running rugby is somewhat slow, although i can appreciate the hard graft anyway.

And then games where props are built like backs and everyone is blitzing at habana pace and scoring tries is absolute bollocks as well.

A lot of people refer to England as NH....when in fact there are plenty of teams which are moving towards fast expansive rugby..... you say nh this nh that...when really you mean england.....and the fact is, you talk to any england fan and they will give you a sore ear telling you whats wrong with the england team....

And just to back up my theory:

'you stick to your soccar/rugby since thats all you know!!!'

yes....because ENGLAND IS MAD ON SOCCER......most other nations are into different sports...

Also, please learn how to spell, you really dont do your 'hemisphere' any favours by trying to call people 'dumb' yet spelling it 'DUMD' .....

sigh, same old, same old.

By No.7, at March 07, 2010 12:26 am
I'm not referring to England when I say that I wish Ireland would adopt this style. Not all of the time, of course. They took it to SA in the Autumn playing the game they play so well, but against France, for example, they may have faired better if they hit the rucks sooner and offloaded more often. They've got forwards who can run...Heaslip, Ferris, Wallace, etc. In fact, they did it in the 65th, but it was a little late by that point.

Of course, that wasn't the only thing preventing an Irish win, so my comments may be misdirected. The point is that it's good for a team to adapt and play the game both the Munster way and the Bulls way.

By tired tom, at March 07, 2010 1:20 am
NH is right, we should play more like them, after all, their style of play is so successful.
Look how successful they are against SH teams, their strategy of "let's play rugby as slowly and predictably as possible" is a real winner.
I wish I could support a team that loses all the time, like the NH countries. That'd be just great.

By Phil, at March 07, 2010 1:46 am
'NH is right, we should play more like them, after all, their style of play is so successful.
Look how successful they are against SH teams, their strategy of "let's play rugby as slowly and predictably as possible" is a real winner.
I wish I could support a team that loses all the time, like the NH countries. That'd be just great.'

Yeup the autumn tests were a real winner for the SH werent they.....Australia really took it to scotland, and dont forget how they ran over ireland.....South africa, well they showed Saracens, leicester, France and Ireland who was boss didnt they.

Not forgetting ofcourse Fiji etc who, as part of the SH really showed us 'chaps' up north how to play properly!

By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 5:02 am
2.08,,,,wow huge forward pass from the no.8 off the pick up

By jpm, at March 07, 2010 5:22 am
Stop all this southern hem mumbo jumbo about forward passes. A pass is forward if it moves towards the opposition's dead ball line.

From the IRB website:

"DEFINITION: THROW FORWARD
A throw forward occurs when a player throws or passes the ball forward. ‘Forward’ means towards the opposing team’s dead ball line."

That's it....nothing more! if 2 players are exactly on the half way and pass along the half way it is legal....even if the receiver is slightly ahead of the passer....if the ball goes along the halfway it is legal.

By jpm, at March 07, 2010 5:32 am
2.15

good play.

By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 6:04 am
2.15

good play.

By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 6:04 am
All you people calling forward passes are idiots. They look forward because of the camera angle. Retards. Next you'll tell me that all rugby players are 1 inch tall because that's their size on the screen.

By Quarantine for idiots., at March 07, 2010 10:31 am
I think the problem with NH rugby in some ways is the massive number of new fans who don't really know the game or the rules very well.
So you get idiots who don't know about the forward pass rule.
It's about the action of passing backwards, but again if the momentum carries the ball forward through the air even though it is passed on an angle backwards it isn't forward.
You'd know that, if you actually knew much about the game.

By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 10:56 am
JPM, you actually contradicted yourself.
The rule that you quoted explains it, it's about the action of throwing the ball backwards, the rule doesn't talk about where the ball ends up or where the reciever catches it.
That is deliberate, because the IRB aren't idiots and understand basic physics.
Unlike you apparently.

By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 11:00 am
NH fans are so insecure.
It's so obvious that their irrational criticism is because they want to believe their club and national teams play good rugby.
However results have always gone against them against the big three from down south, and it makes them bitter, twisted and insecure.

By Phil, at March 07, 2010 11:18 am
What bothers me is that NH teams and SH teams don't play the same rugby because the rules are not interpreted the same way by refs. IRB's harmonizing fault imo.
So when there is a NH vs SH match, one of the teams will definitely start with a handicap, depending the type of refereeing. Difficult to say who's better then.

Otherwise, I'm a French fan, I like contest AND running rugby but I feel we spend too much time in rucks. I mean, you can slow the ball but now it seems we tend to bury it in the ground.

By Maximus, at March 07, 2010 11:53 am
BULLS FOREVER!

By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 5:33 pm
SHIT - that play from the Bulls is some of the quickest I have ever seen, lets hope they are not un-stoppable this season. But I do love to watch them play!

By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 5:40 pm
^ don't worry mate, the chiefs have to set a few things straigh with them this season after last years final!

By Anonymous, at March 07, 2010 5:42 pm
Phil i see what you're saying, but you are forever wrong....

what team do you support? you really thing anyone of the other 'big 3' gives a shit....

SA v NZ or Eng v NZ either game NZ is going to want to smash the shit out of either team....they arent going to say 'awww its SA our same hemisphere big 3 bum fun chums, we'll tickle them in the rucks instead of smashing them out the way'

That is where you guys are so naive.

how have the results always gone to the big 3? last worldcup England beat Australia NH=1
France beat New Zealand NH=1
SA beat England SH=1

now to me thats NH=2, SH=1 im not sure about you, no doubt your SH maths will do some gymnastics to prove those wrong.

Autumn internationals, like someone said above, SA really ruled the roost, Australia were hilarious, and for once NZ didnt choke and played some fine rugby....

So really, you have some real pathetic comments, and as for your bitter twisted comment, in all honesty there is nothing to be bitter about.....strangely enough the rugby world is a COMPETITION....and one that you nor i have any influence on, regarding our countries top international teams....so really you can sit on your high horse and say 'Yehhhh my team, my hemisphere is amazing and the NH sucks' but really you make no influence into anything, so its pretty f*cking funny from where i stand!!!

By Jay, at March 08, 2010 12:52 am
Haha, look at you, so angry, poor NH supporter, must be frustrating to follow that kind of rugby.
In 2009 the 6 nations teams won 4 games against 3 nations opposition home and away, 5 if you count the Lions victory against a second string South Africa in the dead rubber third Lions test and drew 1.
The 3 nations teams won 14 and drew 1 against 6 nations opposition, including the South African victories over the Lions.
So even just last year the 3 nations won 14 out of 20, drawing 1.
That's about a 70-75% win ratio, more impressive when you consider the majority of those games were played away from home for the 3-nations teams.
There are other indicators. Australia for example hasn't lost a game at home to European opposition since the 2003 World Cup Final.
Since 2003 the tri-nations teams have won over 80% of games against 6-nations opposition.
South Africa hold the world cup, between the three countries, we have five of the six world cups.
We are clearly better, we prove it on the field all the time.
Shit, someone who knows rugby well can tell just from watching S14 and 3-nations rugby that the skill levels and anticipation is higher.
We produce technically more gifted players.
The problem is European development pathways. Put simply, they aren't as good and they produce players who are just as big and fast, but not nearly as skilled and who have sub-standard game-awareness.
The NH simply doesn't produce players like Gitaeu or Carter, you wouldn't know how.
In regards to us grouping together, it's because we play in the same comps and we play he same type of positive, attacking rugby. When faced with the negative shit that NH teams produce we can't help but comment on how shit it is in comparison to the stuff we play.

By Jon, at March 08, 2010 3:59 am
Myyyy hemisphere is better than your hemisphere. Neener neener *yawn*

By Benson, at March 08, 2010 9:47 am
Jay and Jon, why don't you two go have some retarded love children together?

Nobody gives a shit about your hemispherical pride (that concept has to rival rhythmic gymnastics as being the dumbest thing ever), we're here to watch some good rugby, not hear you Milli Vanilli have a lover's quarrel about who plays it better.

The next time you get so personally offended on this site you feel the need to degenerate into a ranting child, just close the browser and go take a nap.

By Doughnut Holschtein, at March 08, 2010 10:20 am
Great stuff. Always enjoyable to 'touch up' on all the action from the weekend. Possible to put tries in chronological order...build up the spectacle of each game??

Thanks anyhow...

By Anonymous, at March 08, 2010 11:42 am
Ok Rugby fans, id appreciate it if you would not say 6 nations teams lost to 3 nations teams.......

As we all know the 6 nations has underdogs, and the 3 nations rarely has a big underdog....

How many people, including italian fans and think 'ahhh this year lads italy are going to win the comp....' .....thats right no one. Ofcourse italy put in good performances but right now they havent got it....

So if i turn around and say 'Wow did you see that game you SH fans, did you see that NH best team destroyed Namibia....shows you guys who is the best'......now im not saying namibia and italy are on par but you'd hardly send namibia to a hemisphere challenge would you....

personally this hemisphere stuff is tiresome but really just shut up and support your own team, not your hemisphere...

By Anonymous, at March 08, 2010 10:44 pm
Brussow is a great player... Not the best 6 in the world though... Give him time to mature and he probably will be though. Hasn't he only had 1 season in the Springbok frame??

Annoying that he injured himself on the weekend, hopefully hes back soon... Always good to watch him cause trouble at the breakdown!

Any idea when Spies is back from injury?

By Tui, at March 08, 2010 11:18 pm
Mean video, but where was rene rangers try against the reds?, he broke 3 or 4 tackles and carried 4 or 5 guys over the line for the one try.

By Harry, at May 29, 2010 9:43 am
The best try has to be Francois Hougaard! And he also made the best tackles! He always does.
GAAN BLOU BULLE!!!!

By Siobhan Hougi, at October 30, 2010 10:01 pm
The best try has to be Francois Hougaard! And he also made the best tackles! He always does.
GAAN BLOU BULLE!!!!

By Anonymous, at October 30, 2010 10:01 pm
The best try has to be Francois Hougaard! And he also made the best tackles! He always does.
GAAN BLOU BULLE!!!!

By Siobhan Hougi, at October 30, 2010 10:02 pm