Super 14 Teams Round One

[RugbyReg]

I'm excited.

For the benefit of the tippers, and the rest of you I guess, let's try to get all the teams in the one spot, here, as they are announced.

Western Force v Brumbies

Force: 15 James O’Connor, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Sam Harris, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 Mark Bartholomeusz, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock (vc), 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Pek Cowan, 1 Nic Henderson. Reserves: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Tim Fairbrother, 18 Richard Stanford, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Chris O’Young, 21 Mitch Inman, 22 Josh Tatupu.

Brumbies: 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper; 14. Pat McCabe; 13. Stirling Mortlock; 12. Christian Lealiifano; 11. Francis Fainifo; 10. Matt To'omua; 9. Josh Valentine; 8. Stephen Hoiles (c); 7. George Smith; 6. Rocky Elsom; 5. Justin Harrison; 4. Mark Chisholm; 3. Guy Shepherdson; 2. Stephen Moore; 1. Ben Alexander. Reserves: 16. Huia Edmonds; 17. Salesi Ma’afu; 18. Ben Hand; 19. Mitchell Chapman; 20. Patrick Phibbs; 21. Tyrone Smith; 22. Alfi Mafi. 23. Afusipa Taumoepeau

Cheetahs (SA) v Bulls (SA)

Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Corné Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez. Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Walti Vermeulen, 19 Frans Viljoen, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Danwel Demas.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez (v/c), 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp. Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip vd Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 Stephan Dippenaar.

Blues (NZ) v Hurricanes (NZ)

Blues: 15 Rudi Wulf, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Paul Williams.

Hurricanes: 15. Cory Jane, 14. Tamati Ellison, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Willie Ripia, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Victor Vito, 7. Scott Waldrom, 6. Nick Crosswell, 5. Jason Eaton, 4. Michael Paterson, 3. Neemia Tialata, 2. Andrew Hore (c), 1. John Schwalger. Reserves: 16. Dane Coles 17. Jacob Ellison 18. Bryn Evans 19. Karl Lowe 20. Tyson Keats 21. Aaron Cruden 22. David Smith.

Lions (SA) v Stormers (SA)

Lions: 15 Earl Rose,14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Jonothan Mokuena, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Jacque Lombard, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe. Reserves: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 JC van Rensburg, 18 Todd Clever, 19 Jacques Coetzee, 20 Derrick Minnie, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Michael Kilian.

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw. Reserves: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Lionel Cronje, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.

Reds v Waratahs

Reds: 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Rod Davies, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 James Horwill, 5 Van Humphries, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Ben Daley. Reserves: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Ezra Taylor, 19 Andrew Shaw, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Tim Walsh, 22 Will Chambers.

Tahs: 15. Sosene Anesi; 14. Lachie Turner; 13. Tom Carter; 12. Kurtley Beale; 11. Drew Mitchell; 10. Berrick Barnes; 9. Luke Burgess; 8. Wycliff Palu; 7. Phil Waugh [c]; 6. Dean Mumm; 5. Cam Jowitt; 4. Will Caldwell; 3. Al Baxter; 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau; 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16. Damien Fitzpatrick; 17. Sekope Kepu; 18. Kane Douglas; 19. Ben Mowen; 20. Josh Holmes; 21. Daniel Halangahu; 22. Rory Sidey.

Sharks (SA) v Chiefs (NZ)

Sharks: 15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Andries Strauss, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Monty Dumond, 9. Rory Kockott, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Johann Muller, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. John Smit (c), 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Jannie du Plessis, 18. Gerhard Mostert, 19. Willem Alberts, 20. Jacques Botes, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. Adrian Jacobs.

Chiefs: 15 Mike Delany, 14 Dwayne Sweeney, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo. Reserves: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 James McGougan, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Jarrad Hoeata, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.

Crusaders (NZ) v Highlanders (NZ)

Crusaders: 15. Colin Slade, 14. Jared Payne, 13. Robbie Fruean, 12. Tim Bateman, 11. Zac Guildford, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Thomas Waldrom, 7. George Whitelock, 6. Kieran Read (c), 5. Isaac Ross, 4. Sam Whitelock, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Ti'i Paulo, 1. Ben Franks. Reserves: 16. Quentin MacDonald 17. Peter Borlase 18. Brad Thorn 19. Jonathan Poff 20. Kahn Fotuali'i 21. Adam Whitelock 22. Sean Maitland

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 James Paterson, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Jimmy Cowan(c), 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh(vc). Reserves 16 Jason Macdonald 17 Chris King 18 Hayden Triggs 19 John Hardie 20 Sean Romans 21 Michael Hobbs 22 Fetu’u Vainikolo

 

[Lindommer]

Thanks, Nod, that's a great help. I couldn't've done my tips without you.

 

[RugbyReg]

fair call.

You just wait though! Give it a few days and it'll be your bible.

 

[Newb]

will definitely help from a fantasy standpoint. you got my vote.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Rightio. Here's the Brumbies for Round 1:

CA Brumbies v Western Force
Members Equity Stadium, Perth
Friday, 12 February 2010
Kick-off: 7.05pm local time (10.05pm AEDST)

1. Ben Alexander
2. Stephen Moore
3. Guy Shepherdson
4. Mark Chisholm
5. Justin Harrison
6. Rocky Elsom
7. George Smith
8. Stephen Hoiles (c)
9. Josh Valentine
10. Matt Giteau/Matt To'omua
11. Francis Fainifo
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Pat McCabe
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper

Reserves
16. Huia Edmonds
17. Salesi Ma’afu
18. Ben Hand
19. Mitchell Chapman
20. Patrick Phibbs
21. Tyrone Smith
22. Alfi Mafi

23. Afusipa Taumoepeau

Take note that Giteau in extreme doubt f or all you Fantasy players out there

 

[eddo]

I feel sorry for all the TRUE inside centres out there when Lealiifano is starting before Tyrone Smith.

 

[fatprop]

How the hell does Harrison get a starting spot?

And if Gits is fit, To'omua doesn't make the 22?

Great to see McCabe get a spot (as I predicted O0) they needed a second 15/wing.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Harrison starts probably because in the trial against the Hurricanes, the Brumbies apparently won 17/18 lineouts and in the trial against NSW the lineout was woeful. I'd imagine there are concerns about coming up against Sharpe and co.

 

[en_force_er]

And if Gits is fit, To'omua doesn't make the 22?

Christian is a Flyhalf by trade. I suppose his versatility means he wins out.

 

[Lee Grant]

fatprop

enforcer is right - Tyrone Smith comes on if the 10 or 12 is injured. If it's the 10 CL moves to flyhalf.

1. Alexander is a risk with his hand not healed properly yet. But if he were fit - it's good that he is playing LHP. As I have mentioned before he needs to practise playing there as it's a technical position. He will get a bit of time at THP when Shepherdson is off the park during the season.

5. Googie. Let's see how he goes around the park and does more than snarl. It's a good fit though with Ben Hand. He is always good for 30 minutes.

14. Pat McCabe - woo hoo - Ash was right: came out ahead of Mafi. Well done that Rat.

19. Chapman - Rocky leaves Leinster; so Kevin McLaughlin's career there gets a boost and he gets a lot of time at 6. Then, with an injury to Ferris he runs on for Ireland against Italy. Rocky decides to go to the Brumbies, not return to the Tahs; so Chapman is of a sudden riding the pine and Mowen in Sydney smiling like a clam. Rocky is like Typhoid Mary - causing pain where he arrives at and making people happy where he doesn't, and where he leaves from.

 

[PaarlBok]

Isnt this thread just for the teams?

The Cheetahs team:

Riaan Viljoen, Lionel Mapoe, Corné Uys, Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe, Naas Olivier, Tewis de Bruyn, Ashley Johnson, Juan Smith (k), Heinrich Brüssow, David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez. Substitutes: Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuizen, Walti Vermeulen, Frans Viljoen, Sarel Pretorius, Sias Ebersohn, Danwel Demas.

 

[aussie1st]

Smith might drop out since To'omua can play 5/8 and fullback and probably 12 if needed.

 

[Lee Grant]

I doubt it since it is the team named. McCabe is the Rats fullback. If AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) goes down Mafi goes to wing and McCabe to 15.

 

[Lee Grant]

PS

McCabe can play any back position from 10 up.

 

[PaarlBok]

Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Jaco Pretorius, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morné Steyn, Fourie du Preez (v/c), Pierre Spies, Pedrie Wannenburg, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield (c), Danie Rossouw, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha, Gurthrö Steenkamp. Replacements: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Flip vd Merwe, Derick Kuün, Heini Adams, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Stephan Dippenaar.

 

[en_force_er]

PS

McCabe can play any back position from 10 up.

poor man. that sentence alone is why his career will be a struggle.

 

[aussie1st]

HSBC WARATAHS
15. Sosene Anesi
14. Lachie Turner
13. Tom Carter
12. Kurtley Beale
11. Drew Mitchell
10. Berrick Barnes
9. Luke Burgess
8. Wycliff Palu
7. Phil Waugh [c]
6. Dean Mumm
5. Cam Jowitt
4. Will Caldwell
3. Al Baxter
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
1. Benn Robinson
Reserves
16. Damien Fitzpatrick
17. Sekope Kepu
18. Kane Douglas
19. Ben Mowen
20. Josh Holmes
21. Daniel Halangahu
22. Rory Sidey

 

[en_force_er]

Poor Palmer. I rate him.

 

[Lee Grant]

13. Carter - as mentioned by yours truly in the blog: this is an area of weakness in the Tahs with Horne the only proven practitioner in the position. Carter was not impressive at Viking Park and Sidey failed in Lismore by all accounts. So much for the comments of the Tahs official that Horne would be right this week.

The Junior Waratahs have games on a weekly basis for a while. I wouldn't play Horne until he has played a full game for them.

11. Drew Mitchell - it's a risk to play him before he's had a trial, but the risk that Nadolo will do something silly is probably greater.

6. Dean Mumm - makes sense given that Mowen has played only 2 quarters in the Canberra trial since being injured in the Shute Shield last year.

5. Cam Jowitt - selection is well deserved based on last week's form. He's a goer.

4. Will Caldwell - another risk in the hasn't played for ages category; but it's good to see Ducker back in action..

18. Kane Douglas - being picked as an pro Academy player in front two S14 contracted players (Chris Thomson and Dud Roodt) has been foreshadowed, but it's a big vote of confidence in a 20 y.o. lock. Well done.

3 underdone players and a 13 who is not a 13 is not ideal but other teams have more serious problems. The 10/12 choice was as expected given the performances of Anesi at fullback in the trials (so Beale wouldn't play there) and the performances of Beale at 12.

No team wants to have injuries in any position but the Tahs would fear injuries at wing and fullback greatest.

Edit: PS Horne has been named in the JW team to play the Brumby Runners at Viking Park on Saturday afternoon.

 

[Lee Grant]

Poor Palmer. I rate him.

Everybody rates the 21 y.o. and I rate him as the best young THP in the country, but it was either Baxter or him. As I indicated earlier: I trust that Hickey will rotate the 4 props throughout the season so that their time on the park conforms to a sliding scale for each with Robinson getting the most and Palmer the least - but Palmer getting some decent time.

No doubt injuries will occur to skew that scenario towards the healthy.

That's the way to develop a 21 y.o. THP though it runs the risk of losing him to another franchise.

PS McCabe can play any back position from 10 up.

poor man. that sentence alone is why his career will be a struggle.

It is a bit of a curse as Tait's career with the Pom national team has illustrated - though McCabe tackles better than Tait on his best day. I hope that events transpire that enable Pat to play at fullback as I feel it is his best spot.