Thursday, March 04, 2010
Super 14 Pick of the Week - 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.
Super 14 Pick of the Week - Rounds 1 & 2
Music: Wake Up by Rage Against the Machine
Posted at 8:02 pm | 91 comments
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Viewing 91 comments
Anonymous March 04, 2010 8:21 pm

sebastian March 04, 2010 8:21 pm

bigox March 04, 2010 8:26 pm

good selection of tries this week - thanks RD!
Anonymous March 04, 2010 8:27 pm

Black Dog March 04, 2010 9:14 pm

That bald bearded scrum half kicked a good kick
It would be perfect if RD had played the whole song but no problem
Anonymous March 04, 2010 10:38 pm

Anonymous March 04, 2010 11:26 pm

Bulls the team to beat
flapjack March 04, 2010 11:34 pm

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."
Flinto March 04, 2010 11:36 pm

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.
Tui March 05, 2010 12:18 am

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!
granite March 05, 2010 12:28 am

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!
Tom March 05, 2010 1:07 am

The speed of the ruck this season is incredible. Faster than anything I've seen before, in any competition, club, provincial or international.
Anonymous March 05, 2010 1:11 am

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.
Jamie J March 05, 2010 1:20 am

Typical dirty player, hes being doing it for a long time... Time for Treblanche to retire.
No-Brussow March 05, 2010 1:23 am

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.
Anonymous March 05, 2010 1:23 am

Anonymous March 05, 2010 1:30 am

Anonymous March 05, 2010 1:32 am

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.
Anonymous March 05, 2010 1:35 am

Anonymous March 05, 2010 1:43 am

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.
Anonymous March 05, 2010 1:44 am

3/4 centre March 05, 2010 2:03 am

Anonymous March 05, 2010 2:59 am

"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.
Anonymous March 05, 2010 4:08 am

and brussouw is the MAN best 6 in the world
Morne steyn at the moment is easily the best 10 in the comp
Anonymous March 05, 2010 4:51 am

Deal with it.
Anonymous March 05, 2010 5:18 am

FrankyH March 05, 2010 7:37 am

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.
Jon March 05, 2010 9:05 am

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.
jackohos March 05, 2010 10:04 am

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...
Anonymous March 05, 2010 10:08 am

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.
Jon March 05, 2010 10:17 am

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.
Picked a Name March 05, 2010 12:18 pm

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.
Phil March 05, 2010 12:31 pm

Ted March 05, 2010 12:46 pm

Robert March 05, 2010 2:04 pm

No Dance March 05, 2010 2:10 pm

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.
Maximus March 05, 2010 3:45 pm

Hore's try's my best, even if there's a little obstruction at the end.
Anonymous March 05, 2010 3:48 pm

Anonymous March 05, 2010 3:51 pm

YEEH BIIAACCTHSS!!! WACTH AND LEARN!!!
BODisgod March 05, 2010 4:21 pm

Danremont March 05, 2010 4:29 pm

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?
cheis March 05, 2010 4:50 pm

well done
FrankyH March 05, 2010 6:17 pm

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. :)
Antoine March 05, 2010 7:30 pm

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.
Ryan March 05, 2010 7:30 pm

semperfimamba March 05, 2010 8:40 pm

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...
Anonymous March 05, 2010 9:54 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?
Anonymous March 05, 2010 9:55 pm

matty10 March 05, 2010 10:30 pm

That was pure perfection.
The Other Phil March 06, 2010 12:34 am

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.
Tom March 06, 2010 3:23 am

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
View Video
Todd Clever for Pres March 06, 2010 7:23 am

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.
Todd Clever for Pres March 06, 2010 7:26 am

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.
Jamie March 06, 2010 8:42 am

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.
RememberTheMer March 06, 2010 10:31 am

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.
Anonymous March 06, 2010 11:44 am

No it's because they've CHANGED the laws, AGAIN.
Tom March 06, 2010 12:35 pm

Learn the game dumbass.
Anonymous March 06, 2010 7:52 pm

No.7 March 06, 2010 11:26 pm

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.
tired tom March 07, 2010 12:20 am

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.
Phil March 07, 2010 12:46 am

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.
Anonymous March 07, 2010 4:02 am

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!
jpm March 07, 2010 4:22 am

jpm March 07, 2010 4:32 am

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 teams 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.
Quarantine for idiot March 07, 2010 9:31 am

Anonymous March 07, 2010 9:56 am

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.
Anonymous March 07, 2010 10:00 am

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.
Phil March 07, 2010 10:18 am

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.
Maximus March 07, 2010 10:53 am

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.
Anonymous March 07, 2010 4:40 pm

Anonymous March 07, 2010 4:42 pm

Jay March 07, 2010 11:52 pm

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!!!
Jon March 08, 2010 2:59 am

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.
Benson March 08, 2010 8:47 am

Doughnut Holschtein March 08, 2010 9:20 am

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.
Anonymous March 08, 2010 10:42 am

Thanks anyhow...
Anonymous March 08, 2010 9:44 pm

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...
Tui March 08, 2010 10:18 pm

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?
Harry May 29, 2010 7:43 am

Siobhan Hougi October 30, 2010 8:01 pm

GAAN BLOU BULLE!!!!
Anonymous October 30, 2010 8:01 pm

GAAN BLOU BULLE!!!!
Siobhan Hougi October 30, 2010 8:02 pm

GAAN BLOU BULLE!!!!















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