Bulls v Rebels, 12 July @ Loftus Versfeld

[oztimmay]

OK lads, this is our last match for the year. Both teams coming off a loss last weekend and both teams just playing for pride. For the Rebels we need to win this AND the Cheetahs to get NO points (i.e. no win, no BP) from their match against the Lions for us to avoid the wooden spoon. A challenge, yes. Doable, well my glass is always half-full.

With big red and Lopeti flying over on the weekend I'd say Higgers will be in the stands this weekend. Dunno if there is a lock in jury at the moment or if TT is looking to move Jonsey into 6/8. He didn't do badly last time wearing a 8 against the bulls.

for me if we have even a hope of winning this we need to:

• Improve our contact at the ruck/maul, so we don't get caught on our feet again. once you're tackled and you're going nowhere, get the bloody ball out!
• Be more dynamic in running the ball out of the backs. For the moments we did it against the Lions, it looked good.
• Lock up our right wing defense - they found some decent gaps over there and we need to tighten that. Perhaps even personal change?
• Fight to retain that pill at the breakdown, and also to steal theirs. That will be a challenge against a good bull backrow, but we can do it.
• Run the ball and just have a shot. We've got nothing to lose here.
• Have some serious good luck go our way

Also e last game for Woody and Pyle (for now). Planning to be on late shift for this match.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

Cricket Score.
Wooden Spoon.
Depression.

 

[Highlander35]

Can TT just let us run, please. Go team! This is mine.

15. Debs
14. Edward
13. Tamati
12. English
11. Veianu
10. Hegarty
9. Burgo

1. Smith
2. Shota ©
3. Laurie
4. Neville
5. Pyle
6. Jones
7. Colby
8. Timani

16. Leafa
17. Cruze
18. PAE
19. Big Red
20. Jordy
21. Little Red
22. Kingston
23. Foketi

 

[oztimmay]

Injury report:

Tom Kingston heading home, chronic injury that needs more assessment. Might explain the lack of game time. Crumbs battling a stuffed shoulder, might be replaced at Flyhalf by JD. Big Red and Lopeti in-country right now, Rokobaro has answered an SOS for additional outside backs.

http://melbournerebels.com.au/news/article/report-rabodirect-rebels-injury-report-monday-7th-july

 

[swingpass]

if the injuries and/or suspensions pan out as likely then

woodward
veianu
ellison
inman
english
debreczeni
burgess

smith
horie
weeks
pyle
neville
jones
faainga
timani

leafa
ah-nau
PAE
big red
reid
stirzaker
foketi
rokobaro

absolutely in the poo if inman not fit, meehan on the bench as extra back or one armed fuglistaller

i think DVH may be spot on, but i love oztimmay's positive "spectatorship"

edit: ps oz i didn't think you'd ever have a half full glass

pps i do not think we will ever see pyle play for the rebels again

 

[Tex]

When does the NRC start?

Fair dinkum, I reckon we're stuffed with this one. If we manage a win I'll eat my hat, but I think I'm fully justified in limiting my involvement with this match to a quick glance at the match thread when I wake up the next day.

Debreczeni starting will be a hairy experience for him. The Bulls in Pretoria is a few fucking big steps above Sydney club rugby and Melbourne 1st grade. Good luck to him!

 

[Tex]

*if* he starts.

 

[oztimmay]

edit: ps oz i didn't think you'd ever have a half full glass

When it comes to Beer it is indeed a rare sight. It either means some lazy bludger in my shout is not keeping up the pace, said bludger has done a swiftie and moved out of the shout or I'm in transit towards the Bar to replenish my gar with the heavenly nectar.

The rare beer half-glass has been caught on GAGR threads only a few times this year. Pictures of these events should fetch a reasonable fee at most online auction sites, even as much as 20c. When I offer the pictures for sale to the public (a most generous gift I might add) most people respond with 'get of my fucking property' when I offer to sell them the pictures. People can be so ungrateful.

 

[oztimmay]

pps i do not think we will ever see pyle play for the rebels again

Sadly, I think you may be right. If/when he chooses to return we may not be looking for an additional lock. The Rugby gods may never align on this one...

 

[AFL_Converted]

We

When does the NRC start?

Fair dinkum, I reckon we're stuffed with this one. If we manage a win I'll eat my hat, but I think I'm fully justified in limiting my involvement with this match to a quick glance at the match thread when I wake up the next day.

Debreczeni starting will be a hairy experience for him. The Bulls in Pretoria is a few fucking big steps above Sydney club rugby and Melbourne 1st grade. Good luck to him!

Well with the abysmal record Tex had predicting rebels wins in the game thread this year we must be a walk up to win this one ;-).
(Just kidding Tex , long time fan)

For some reason I have felt optimistic about the SA tour. There is nothing to justify it. Injuries in key positions have us looking a bit shakey to finish well and I am not a contributor to Australia having the higheat recreational drug use however the feeling will not go away.

I reserve the right to gloat I told you so if the Bulls outing goes well. Of course if it all goes tits up again well I reserve the right so slink quietly away from this forum never to be heard from again until optimistic pre season speculation kicks off again. About one month from now :-D

 

[qwerty51]

Higgers suspended for a week.

 

[I like to watch]

I don't get that.
Either it's deemed an accidental incident or it's worth much more than a week.

 

[Highlander35]

Perhaps it's simply due to the fact he's got 3 yellow cards, of which I think the Cheifs and this one were for foul play?

 

[qwerty51]

Yes it's an automatic suspension I think?

 

[Pfitzy]

And unless one of those cards is overturned within a version period being the end of a match - which would need to happen at a citing - then yes, it's automatic.

Higgers seems to have gone back to having a real problem NOT being a fuck head.

 

[Scooter]

Question for anyone, Male Sa'u was in our starting side and then headed over to play for Japan. He comes back and is named on the bench v Reds but is replaced by Veainu. He is not in our injury list but Foketi is named ahead of him for South Africa. Now Rokobaro is named ahead of him. Has Sa'u been overlooked on injury list or has something else happened?

 

[swingpass]

scored too many tries for Japan ?

 

[oztimmay]

Bulls make six changes, yes I repeat six changes for the match. Remember what happened last time a team made six changes?

http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2014/07/08/run-out-for-bulls-youngsters/

 

[Pfitzy]

Rebels better get their shit together. They're half a chance without their regular captain out there being a tool.

But the Bulls will be stinging from the blanking they copped last week. Rebels will be lucky to stop it at 50 unless they keep the ball off those big Kitchen Dutch bastards.

 

[oztimmay]

So the teams are not out yet, but looks like Fugs will be the skipper.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...-loftus-versfeld/story-fn50ngyd-1226983471825