Complain much?

[Ho3n3r]

Two trips to SA 'a large ask'

Canberra - It's the South African connection that Andy Friend thinks will win the Bulls the 2010 Super 14 title.

Regardless of the motives behind their ploy to rest 14 starting players against the Stormers, Brumbies coach Friend has backed the Bulls to collect two consecutive championships.

The Bulls lost their last regular-season game to the Stormers 38-10 on Saturday. But they still finished on top of the ladder with the Stormers taking second spot and the Waratahs and Crusaders rounding out the top four.

The Crusaders who knocked the Brumbies out of the race last Friday play the Bulls in the first versus fourth semi-final while the Stormers (second) and Waratahs (third) clash in the other semi-final in Cape Town.

And with both games in South Africa, a disappointed Friend said the extra travel would help the Bulls romp to back-to-back wins.

"I think the Crusaders will give the Bulls a good run and the Waratahs will do the same to the Stormers," Friend said.

"But that travel is going to have an influence on who wins the competition and the results, unfortunately.

"As much as I would like to be wrong, I think it's going to be an all South African grand final and if I was a betting man I'd say the Bulls would win that because they've been the form side of the competition."

The Brumbies finished the season in sixth place after they lost 40-22 to the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Instead of boarding a plane to play the Bulls, Friend and his coaching staff will begin a post-season review, including which off-contract players will return to the capital and which players will be moved on.

During the next month they will work to finalise a roster for the 2011 Super 15 that they hope will enable them to force their way into the finals for the first time since 2004.

But for now, all the star-studded Brumbies line-up can do is sit and watch.

The Bulls made the controversial decision to rest the bulk of their stars for their match with the Stormers.

It all-but guaranteed both semi-finals would be played in South Africa despite six teams including the Brumbies still holding hopes of securing a top-two finish.

The Bulls lost just three games during the season and had recorded three wins in a row before being beaten by the Stormers.

"I think that loss will definitely take some momentum away from the Bulls," Friend said.

"But the fact that the Crusaders, who in two weeks have travelled from South Africa to New Zealand and then back again, it's a big, big ask.

"The Crusaders are a quality side, they're tough.

"But any momentum the Bulls would have lost, the additional travel will cancel all the factors out and the Bulls will win."

The SA side did it for ages, now that we've finally managed to buck the trend 3 out of the last 4 years, now it's a problem?

Now I really hope the Stormers and Bulls can make the final, so that we don't hear so much moaning in the final week.

 

[Biffo]

Two trips to SA 'a large ask'

Canberra - It's the South African connection that Andy Friend thinks will win the Bulls the 2010 Super 14 title.

Regardless of the motives behind their ploy to rest 14 starting players against the Stormers, Brumbies coach Friend has backed the Bulls to collect two consecutive championships.

The Bulls lost their last regular-season game to the Stormers 38-10 on Saturday. But they still finished on top of the ladder with the Stormers taking second spot and the Waratahs and Crusaders rounding out the top four.

The Crusaders who knocked the Brumbies out of the race last Friday play the Bulls in the first versus fourth semi-final while the Stormers (second) and Waratahs (third) clash in the other semi-final in Cape Town.

And with both games in South Africa, a disappointed Friend said the extra travel would help the Bulls romp to back-to-back wins.

"I think the Crusaders will give the Bulls a good run and the Waratahs will do the same to the Stormers," Friend said.

"But that travel is going to have an influence on who wins the competition and the results, unfortunately.

"As much as I would like to be wrong, I think it's going to be an all South African grand final and if I was a betting man I'd say the Bulls would win that because they've been the form side of the competition."

The Brumbies finished the season in sixth place after they lost 40-22 to the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Instead of boarding a plane to play the Bulls, Friend and his coaching staff will begin a post-season review, including which off-contract players will return to the capital and which players will be moved on.

During the next month they will work to finalise a roster for the 2011 Super 15 that they hope will enable them to force their way into the finals for the first time since 2004.

But for now, all the star-studded Brumbies line-up can do is sit and watch.

The Bulls made the controversial decision to rest the bulk of their stars for their match with the Stormers.

It all-but guaranteed both semi-finals would be played in South Africa despite six teams including the Brumbies still holding hopes of securing a top-two finish.

The Bulls lost just three games during the season and had recorded three wins in a row before being beaten by the Stormers.

"I think that loss will definitely take some momentum away from the Bulls," Friend said.

"But the fact that the Crusaders, who in two weeks have travelled from South Africa to New Zealand and then back again, it's a big, big ask.

"The Crusaders are a quality side, they're tough.

"But any momentum the Bulls would have lost, the additional travel will cancel all the factors out and the Bulls will win."

The SA side did it for ages, now that we've finally managed to buck the trend 3 out of the last 4 years, now it's a problem?

Now I really hope the Stormers and Bulls can make the final, so that we don't hear so much moaning in the final week.

Listen up and listen up good. Many, many South Africans have been complaining fiercely for many years (and are still at it) about the supposed unfairness of their having to travel to Australasia during the preliminary games. So, a few Australians saying that travel affects performance is somehow "complaining"? Are you prepared to say here and now that travel does NOT affect performance? How is saying that travel affects performance "complain"?

Let's make a deal. No South African will ever complain again about travel to Australiasia and vice versa. Australasia wins, big time.

 

[Moses]

The net travel by all teams is about the same, with every team in the comp making one flight from RSA to NZ / Eastern Oz and dropping into Perth on the way/way back every second year.

Logistically, I reckon it's harder for the Stormers/Sharks/Cheetahs / Chiefs/Highlanders / Brumbies as their lack of international airport means they have a domestic flight added on.

I suppose the Saffas spend more weeks on the road whereas the kiwi and east-Aussie sides have the option to return home midweek when they're across the Tasman. That said, the Tahs stayed in NZ between the Highlanders and Chiefs games this year anyway.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Not saying it isn't true, but the way he's going about it seems like they're the only ones suffering from it. Like something's got to be done about it now suddenly because the shoe has been on the other foot more recently.

Just like the complaining last week about the Bulls B team - full well knowing any coach worth his salt would have done the same, but now that it affects the Non-SA teams negatively now something must be done about it.

It feels like a kid throwing a tantrum after not getting what he feels being entitled to.

Oh and this is the last time it happens anyway, from next year it's solved, to a greater degree. Us saffas having to sit with 2 Currie Cups in 1 year doesn't seem to bother you much. Thus, others' bitching won't be taken seriously either.

All is fair in love and war.

 

[TheRiddler]

Two thoughts.

1. GAGR Rule 5 - over quoting of previous posts. Getting a bit out of hand these days and almost annoying as personal attacks on members of the FHC

2. I think that a certain manager of the Brumbies has a lot more to worry about than who is travelling where and how often. One could be forgiven for thinking that he was trying to create a media diversion from his appalling results this year (Me? Cynical? Noooo!) but Andy, listen real carefully here, it aint working. The only place the donkeys are travelling to at the moment is back to their Shute Shield clubs after what must have been a thrilling Mad Monday at a salubrious venue such as the Holy Grail.

 

[Ho3n3r]

On a side note to Biffo, here is a comment from me concerning jet lag that I posted on another forum(PaarlBok can vouch for me here) after the Reds beat the Stormers. This is unedited:

Sooo glad the Reds finally blew this jetlag myth straight into its glory.

First they shut up those who say jetlag is worst in the 1st week back by beating the then-top-of-the-log Bulls.

Then they shut those - like me - who believe jetlag is worst in the 2nd week back by beating the previously-thought form team of the tournament the Stormers.

Well done Reds on that - and just shows that it's all mental.

I do NOT want to hear the word jetlag from any Bulls player again in the future. It's all in the mind, really.

That's what I think of it anyway.

 

[Gagger]

I have to apologise for all of this Aussie whinging.

JUSTICE 4 Ho3n3r

 

[Ho3n3r]

I have to apologise for all of this Aussie whinging.

JUSTICE 4 Ho3n3r

:yay Nice to see some sense of humor on here. From an Aussie in fact.

 

[Gagger]

Just trying to keep up with that world famous South African wit

 

[Ho3n3r]

Just trying to keep up with that world famous South African wit

Sarcasm: The lowest form of it(wit).

 

[PaarlBok]

Think it was unfair that the Bulls and Stormers had to play their final match last on saturday. It gives the Tahs and Saders a unfair advantage of a extra day. :fishing :lmao:

 

[Langthorne]

On a side note to Biffo, here is a comment from me concerning jet lag that I posted on another forum(PaarlBok can vouch for me here) after the Reds beat the Stormers. This is unedited:

Sooo glad the Reds finally blew this jetlag myth straight into its glory.

First they shut up those who say jetlag is worst in the 1st week back by beating the then-top-of-the-log Bulls.

Then they shut those - like me - who believe jetlag is worst in the 2nd week back by beating the previously-thought form team of the tournament the Stormers.

Well done Reds on that - and just shows that it's all mental.

I do NOT want to hear the word jetlag from any Bulls player again in the future. It's all in the mind, really.

That's what I think of it anyway.

+1, and if I could be bothered trying to find it, I might paste my posts to the same effect

 

[Biffo]

On a side note to Biffo, here is a comment from me concerning jet lag that I posted on another forum(PaarlBok can vouch for me here) after the Reds beat the Stormers. This is unedited:

Sooo glad the Reds finally blew this jetlag myth straight into its glory.

First they shut up those who say jetlag is worst in the 1st week back by beating the then-top-of-the-log Bulls.

Then they shut those - like me - who believe jetlag is worst in the 2nd week back by beating the previously-thought form team of the tournament the Stormers.

Well done Reds on that - and just shows that it's all mental.

I do NOT want to hear the word jetlag from any Bulls player again in the future. It's all in the mind, really.

That's what I think of it anyway.

+1, and if I could be bothered trying to find it, I might paste my posts to the same effect

I have repearedly written in this very forum that the jetlag excuse is nonsense.

More to the point, why would anyone think Friend is making excuses ex ante? He is not involved in the finals.

 

[Biffo]

Think it was unfair that the Bulls and Stormers had to play their final match last on saturday. It gives the Tahs and Saders a unfair advantage of a extra day. :fishing :lmao:

I'll see you and raise you one, PB.

There was a Bulls/ Puffers conspiracy to schedule their game late, so that the Australasian teams could not travel to RSA until Monday

 

[Blue]

Just trying to keep up with that world famous South African wit

No chance. But at least you know you have the subtlety of an Australian to fall back on so she'll be apples matey.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Blue - are you a Bulls or Tahs fan? Coz your previous avatar was a Tah player, but now it's a Bull. Some of your comments suggest you're a Bulls fan? Maybe an expat?

Anyway, on the jetlag issue, I think it's silly, it's overplayed and watch the Saders play MythBusters with it again this weekend. I think if your motivation is as big as the Saders' CLEARLY is, it becomes a minor issue, if at all. If you keep blabbering on about it, it starts to affect you mentally, and thus physically - the mind is a strong thing.

Look, if you had to perform at your peak all 16 awake hours of a day, then no doubt it will affect you. But if you play golf every other day(if you follow the Bulls' site you would know what I'm on about) you will be able to give a full 80 minutes once that week, at least. I mean, come on, all your schedules and sessions and even meals are already tailored to make you adapt to jetlag as soon as possible, as easily as possible.

They're getting paid many bucks to do this, after all.

Unfortunately, I know my team's players have it in their heads constantly so when I make my predictions, I have to factor this in.

 

[Thomond78]

The net travel by all teams is about the same, with every team in the comp making one flight from RSA to NZ / Eastern Oz and dropping into Perth on the way/way back every second year.

Logistically, I reckon it's harder for the Stormers/Sharks/Cheetahs / Chiefs/Highlanders / Brumbies as their lack of international airport means they have a domestic flight added on.

I suppose the Saffas spend more weeks on the road whereas the kiwi and east-Aussie sides have the option to return home midweek when they're across the Tasman. That said, the Tahs stayed in NZ between the Highlanders and Chiefs games this year anyway.

:nta:

See, I seem to remember rather a lot of flights into a big airport, out between the Mountain and the turn-off up the R310 past Meerlust (and what the hell is wrong with navigating by vineyards as waypoints, anyway? It works with pubs, and the principle's the same...).

In any event, while I'll cheerfully subscribe to the idea that anything north of the Vaal is a different country to the Cape (and anything north of the Jukskei is a different fucking planet. From anywhere), it's only two hours, and a very easy, pleasant flight.

 

[Biffo]

The poor Waratahs are severely disadvantaged by having by far the longest trip to the airport.

 

[Ho3n3r]

The poor Waratahs are severely disadvantaged by having by far the longest trip to the airport.

Why? Where's your airport? Inform us uninformed Saffas please :nta:

 

[Thomond78]

The poor Waratahs are severely disadvantaged by having by far the longest trip to the airport.

Why? Where's your airport? Inform us uninformed Saffas please :nta:

Botany Bay. They have to be sent there by ship, and aren't allowed go through security to the departures lounge until they've done four years indentured labour in the SFS training paddock...