Super 14 Teams Round One

[Zinzan]

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

What is a 'TRUE inside centre'? Christian was solid against Tahs last week & was man of the match at inside centre for Vikings in ACT Grand final.

Tyrone is one of my favourites but see him as more of an outside centre, he'll eventually push out Mortlock & between Gits, To'omua & Lealiifano(any combination) inside backs look good.

Go Brumbies!!!

 

[Lance Free]

Western Force team v Brumbies

Nic Henderson
Pek Cowan
Matt Dunning
Sam Wykes
Nathan Sharpe (c)
Matt Hodgson
David Pocock (vc)
Richard Brown
Brett Sheehan
Mark Bartholomeusz
Cameron Shepherd
Sam Harris
Ryan Cross
Dane Haylett-Petty
James O’Connor

Reserves

Ben Whittaker
Tim Fairbrother
Richard Stanford
Ben McCalman
Chris O’Young
Mitch Inman
Josh Tatupu

Mild surprises - Cowan at 2, Wykes at lock and JOC (James O'Connor) at 15

 

[en_force_er]

Shepherd at wing?? What a waste. I'm more than disappointed.

Not to mention if Cowan plays alot of rugby at 2 this year it won't look great for his future prospects outside a world cup year when they need utilities.

 

[Lee Grant]

After seeing Pek Cowan throw accurately to the lineout on Friday night, more or less, I thought he would start. It will be great for Oz rugby if he can keep his starting position this season; so we have 3 vaild Wallaby candidates. Whittaker was backup hooker for the U/20s last year. His time will come.

Mildly surprised that Dunning was picked over Fairbrother after so little footie in the trials but maybe my short term memory isn't that great these days. It never was before really - I forget.

Like LF I'm a bit surprised that Sam Wykes got the 2nd row gig - and Hockings is not even listed on the bench. Sam is skilful but he is not going to move a lot of bodies in a ruck situation. Maybe Hockings is hurt.

Good to see McCalman on the bench - watch this kid. He played 2nd row for Sydney Uni but at the S14 level he'll be an 8th man. Hopefully McCaffrey will come on for the Tahs in a couple of years time and we'll have some no.8 futures for Oz - and add Luke Jones' name in there too - who knows where this 3M character will end up playing?

12 Sam Harris is a weakness IMO. He did a couple of good things in the trial on Friday night but I wish that JOC (James O'Connor) was playing there. I'd play Sare on the wing, not that that's his best position, and the good Shepherd at fullback - but Hare may be injured.

Good to see DHP starting though fullback is his best position IMO. He had a very good Shute Shield season on the wing and will be trying to make every post a winner until Cummins is fit.

Good to see Mitch Inman on the bench also.

A very good front row and a good match for the Brumbies who were bettered by the Tahs last Thursday but there won't be a lot of grunt from the 2nd row. Their backrow is the most effective of the Oz teams. Bartho won't create a lot of mystery at flyhalf and one wishes that somebody more expansive than Harris was outside him, but Harris has good hands and may facliltate Cross and/or JOC (James O'Connor) well.

I don't like the absence of X-factor at 10, 12 and 13 but what do I know - they looked effective enough against the Reds in the 1st half of the trial.

 

[en_force_er]

Whittaker was backup hooker for the U/20s last year. His time will come.

True. But if I'm not mistake he was mostly used at prop.

 

[Spook]

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

IMO Lealiifano is a 12 who has been playing 10. And as someone else pointed out, he has played at 12 in the club season. Hopefully he goes ok.

McCabe had a great eoyt with the Brumbies and has been rewarded. We would have seen him by now if not for injuries.

 

[Newb]

Blues

Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Viliami Ma'afu, Serge Lilo, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Paul Williams.

Hurricanes

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

Saders

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

 

[en_force_er]

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 ©
1. Tony Woodcock

16. Tom McCartney
17. Charlie Faumuina
18. Filo Paulo
19. Peter Saili
20. Chris Smylie
21. Daniel Kirkpatrick
22. Paul Williams

CANES:
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 ©
1. John Schwalger

16. Dane Coles
17. Jacob Ellison
18. Bryn Evans
19. Karl Lowe
20. Tyson Keats
21. Aaron Cruden
22. David Smith

 

[en_force_er]

REDS:
Peter Hynes (GPS), Digby Ioane (Sunnybank), Morgan Turinui (Sunshine Coast), Anthony Fainga'a (Souths), Rod Davies (GPS), Quade Cooper (Souths), Will Genia (Norths), Scott Higginbotham (Wests), Daniel Braid (Sunshine Coast), James Horwill (University), Van Humphries (Souths), Adam Byrnes (University), Laurie Weeks (University), Sean Hardman (Brothers), Ben Daley (Gold Coast). Reserves: Saia Fainga'a (Souths), James Slipper (Gold Coast), Ezra Taylor (University), Andrew Shaw (Brothers), Richard Kingi (Sunnybank), Tim Walsh (TBC), Will Chambers (TBC)

This team list ensures either Bynes or Humphries have to play 80 minutes. Poor Link.

 

[fatprop]

CRUSADERS:

15 Colin Slade
14 Jared Payne
13 Robert Fruean
12 Tim Bateman
11 Zac Guildford,
10 Dan Carter
9 Andy Ellis

8 Thomas Waldrom
7 George Whitelock
6 Kieran Read (capt)
5 Isaac Ross
4 Sam Whitelock
3 Owen Franks
2 Ti'i Paulo
1 Ben Franks

Reserves:

16 MacDonald
17 Peter Borlase
18 Brad Thorn
19 Jonathan Poff
20 Kahn Fotuali'i
21 Adam Whitelock
22 Sean Maitland.

 

[aussie1st]

Nice to see Anthony Fainga'a getting a run early, too talented to be on the bench for most of the game.

 

[brokendown gunfighter]

After seeing Pek Cowan throw accurately to the lineout on Friday night, more or less, I thought he would start. It will be great for Oz rugby if he can keep his starting position this season; so we have 3 vaild Wallaby candidates. Whittaker was backup hooker for the U/20s last year. His time will come.

Mildly surprised that Dunning was picked over Fairbrother after so little footie in the trials but maybe my short term memory isn't that great these days. It never was before really - I forget.

Like LF I'm a bit surprised that Sam Wykes got the 2nd row gig - and Hockings is not even listed on the bench. Sam is skilful but he is not going to move a lot of bodies in a ruck situation. Maybe Hockings is hurt.

Good to see McCalman on the bench - watch this kid. He played 2nd row for Sydney Uni but at the S14 level he'll be an 8th man. Hopefully McCaffrey will come on for the Tahs in a couple of years time and we'll have some no.8 futures for Oz - and add Luke Jones' name in there too - who knows where this 3M character will end up playing?

12 Sam Harris is a weakness IMO. He did a couple of good things in the trial on Friday night but I wish that JOC (James O'Connor) was playing there. I'd play Sare on the wing, not that that's his best position, and the good Shepherd at fullback - but Hare may be injured.

Good to see DHP starting though fullback is his best position IMO. He had a very good Shute Shield season on the wing and will be trying to make every post a winner until Cummins is fit.

Good to see Mitch Inman on the bench also.

A very good front row and a good match for the Brumbies who were bettered by the Tahs last Thursday but there won't be a lot of grunt from the 2nd row. Their backrow is the most effective of the Oz teams. Bartho won't create a lot of mystery at flyhalf and one wishes that somebody more expansive than Harris was outside him, but Harris has good hands and may facliltate Cross and/or JOC (James O'Connor) well.

I don't like the absence of X-factor at 10, 12 and 13 but what do I know - they looked effective enough against the Reds in the 1st half of the trial.

Sare still injured. Also Cummins,so two wings down

 

[DPK]

After seeing Pek Cowan throw accurately to the lineout on Friday night, more or less, I thought he would start. It will be great for Oz rugby if he can keep his starting position this season; so we have 3 vaild Wallaby candidates. Whittaker was backup hooker for the U/20s last year. His time will come.

Mildly surprised that Dunning was picked over Fairbrother after so little footie in the trials but maybe my short term memory isn't that great these days. It never was before really - I forget.

Like LF I'm a bit surprised that Sam Wykes got the 2nd row gig - and Hockings is not even listed on the bench. Sam is skilful but he is not going to move a lot of bodies in a ruck situation. Maybe Hockings is hurt.

Good to see McCalman on the bench - watch this kid. He played 2nd row for Sydney Uni but at the S14 level he'll be an 8th man. Hopefully McCaffrey will come on for the Tahs in a couple of years time and we'll have some no.8 futures for Oz - and add Luke Jones' name in there too - who knows where this 3M character will end up playing?

12 Sam Harris is a weakness IMO. He did a couple of good things in the trial on Friday night but I wish that JOC (James O'Connor) was playing there. I'd play Sare on the wing, not that that's his best position, and the good Shepherd at fullback - but Hare may be injured.

Good to see DHP starting though fullback is his best position IMO. He had a very good Shute Shield season on the wing and will be trying to make every post a winner until Cummins is fit.

Good to see Mitch Inman on the bench also.

A very good front row and a good match for the Brumbies who were bettered by the Tahs last Thursday but there won't be a lot of grunt from the 2nd row. Their backrow is the most effective of the Oz teams. Bartho won't create a lot of mystery at flyhalf and one wishes that somebody more expansive than Harris was outside him, but Harris has good hands and may facliltate Cross and/or JOC (James O'Connor) well.

I don't like the absence of X-factor at 10, 12 and 13 but what do I know - they looked effective enough against the Reds in the 1st half of the trial.

the force do have a pretty epic pack, albiet a bit of weakness in the second row. but that backrow is bloody impressive.

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

Gits out. To'omua to start.

 

[Newb]

Highlanders

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

 

[en_force_er]

That is an impressive Highlander side. Wow.

 

[Blue]

That is an impressive Highlander side. Wow.

Hell of a pack. I thought Soakai was excellent last year. Looking forward to the hairstyles.

 

[Scarfman]

Some captaincy issues, though. Who would follow Cowan into battle? I'd make him get a taxi and buy his own beers.

 

[PaarlBok]

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.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Lionel Cronje, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.

 

[PaarlBok]

Lions
Earl Rose,Tonderai Chavhanga, Deon van Rensburg, Doppies la Grange,Wandile Mjekevu, Carlos Spencer, JP Joubert, Jonothan Mokuena, Franco van der Merwe, Cobus Grobbelaar (capt.), Willem Stoltz, Jacque Lombard, Ross Geldenhuys, Hannes Franklin, Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacement: Charles Emslie, JC van Rensburg, Todd Clever, Jacques Coetzee, Derrick Minnie, Burton Francis, Michael Kilian.