by Super Wrap | 04 March 2008 (13:27)
Bookmakers in New Zealand, with 11 rounds still to go in the round robin section of the Vodacom Super 14, have already installed the Crusaders and the Blues as overwhelming favourites to meet in the 2008 Final.
And, the SuperWrap has to admit, it is difficult to query the view of men who make their living by juggling the odds.
The two New Zealand outfits, who between them have won the title on nine occasions, are certainly way out in front of the rest when it comes to possessing the combination of skill and fitness required to exploit the experimental laws.
If there is one thing that has been shown up by the first three rounds then it is that South African coaches have been caught with their pants down in terms of adapting to the new provisions.
There is simply no innovation and all those questions that used to be asked about the lack of stamina and nous (described as “innate intelligence” in Roget’s) are back again following the heady heights scaled in 2007.
It certainly does not look good at the moment with new Springbok coach Peter de Villiers already made a fool of given his prediction that three local sides would reach the playoffs.
The new laws suit the two front-runners to a tee and in the latest round of matches there were awesome moments from the Hurricanes and the Brumbies as they too came to terms with the helter-skelter, keep-the-ball-moving, support-support, nature of the game metamorphosing under the new laws.
The form of the Kiwis and Aussies is reflected in the weekly “Super XV” compiled by the SuperWrap to recognise outstanding play while the “Bok Barometer”, an “any given Saturday” gauge of the Springbok team, perfectly reflects the absences, injuries and under-preparedness of South African teams but also (thankfully) the great depth in our game.
Nevertheless the reality, even at this early juncture, is that if the Blues (No 1 on the log) beat the Sharks (No 3) and the Crusaders (No 2) beat the Force (No 7) this coming weekend the two New Zealand sides will be very hard to overhaul with their most difficult away games already negotiated.
Pardon the sober tone of this week’s SuperWrap. It is completely at odds with the stiff Johnny Black the doyen required after the weekend’s matches but that’s what happens when you find yourself writing the same old story!
The Super XV for Week Three:
1. John Schwalger (Hurricanes), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 5 Mark Chisholm (Brumbies), 6 Jerry Collins (Hurricanes), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 8 Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies), 9 Patrick Phibbs (Brumbies), 10 Jimmy Gopperth (Hurricanes), 11 Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 14 Joe Rokocoko (Blues), 15 Leon MacDonald (Crusaders).
The Bok Barometer for Week Three:
1. Heinke van der Merwe (Lions), 2 Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 4 Danie Rossouw (Bulls), 5 Johann Muller (Sharks), 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions), 7 Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 9 Jano Vermaak (Lions), 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter (Cheetahs), 11 JP Pietersen (Sharks), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 13 Waylon Murray (Sharks), 14 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks).
Match of the Week: In terms of the new laws it has to be the Cheetahs vs the Blues, not necessarily because it produced 11 tries and a 50-26 scoreline for the highest aggregate of the season, but because it showed that South African sides can score tries and play the rollicking kind of rugby administrators seem to want.
Try of the Week: There were some stunners from the Hurricanes, the Brumbies and the Blues but, in case you hadn’t noticed, the SuperWrap is proudly Seffrican so the Oscar goes to the Cheetahs’ second in which JW Jonker put the cherry on a move that contained ten phases.
Schlepper of the Week: JP Nel is the Schlepper of Schleppers in a week that produced a few. The Bulls centre has been running crazy for too long and his spear tackle on Francois Steyn, and subsequent yellow carding, by referee Mark Lawrence was the catalyst for the Sharks’ late burst of scoring which blew the Bulls away. Not far behind were Johan Ackermann, who punched Derick Kuun, right in front of the referee in the third minute and Jaco Engels who did the same to Johann Muller without being seen by the match officials but who was caught by the all-seeing TV cameras. *The Schlepper was so named by Phil Kearns. He, like us, has no idea where the word came from but it describes a really brainless act.
The Strasheim solution: On the subject of Schleppers - former South African test referee Bertie Strasheim apparently once levelled the following warning at a player. “If you get hit one more time I’ll send you off!” Strasheim knew only too well that the victim is often the instigator. The tale came to mind while the SuperWrap was considering the circumstances that led to the bestowing of the Schleppers. Johann Muller was alleged to have caused Schalk Burger’s angry outburst the week before because he had punched Brian Mujati and the Sharks skipper was the man whacked by Jaco Engels. Mmmm, coincidental or circumstantial?
Atoning for a Schlepper: Well done to Schalk Burger for the dignified and honourable way he responded to his suspension for his outburst -- aimed at TJ Wee Willie Roos -- at the Absa Stadium. Even though he might have had extenuating circumstances on his side Burger upheld the old values of the game by taking it on the chin and apologising.
Acres of heart: We’ll have to wait to see whether it’s really goodbye or just another “totsiens” but a heartfelt farewell from the SuperWrap to Johan “Akkers” Ackermann who, apparently, played his last match for the Sharks against the Bulls at the weekend. At 37 years, 272 days “Akkers” is the oldest player to play Super Rugby and the last player (standing) to have played in the first competition in 1996. In spite of numerous injuries, many of which would have broken a less brave heart, Ackermann earned a total of 66 Super Rugby caps; 12 for Northern Transvaal (the year he became a Springbok) in 1996, 24 for the Cats from 2000 to 2001 and 30 for the Sharks from 2004 to 2008. However, he’s apparently moving to the Cape so don’t rule out an appearance for the Stormers!
Irascible Rassie: His side might have been up against last year’s top three in the Bulls, the Sharks and the Crusaders, in the first three week’s of this year’s tournament but the numbers are not looking good for Rassie Erasmus. In their opening trio of games the Stormers have scored just 19 points, just one try, been whitewashed once and they have now gone 120 minutes (the second half against the Sharks and the whole game against the Stormers) without scoring a single point. All of which makes the Stormers’ concerted efforts to get a Crusader yellow-carded even more pathetic.
Breaking the rules: That’s the Blues, the Hurricanes, the Reds and the Waratahs who regularly number their wings incorrectly in defiance of an IRB ruling which states that the left-wing should be No 11 and the right-wing No 14. Just thought we’d mention it.
At last, an explanation: For Loffie Eloff’s pinstripe suit and white shirt. It’s a case of if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em because that’s exactly the outfit preferred by Robbie Deans of the Crusaders. Deans’s red tie is bad enough but now he’s also cultivating a droopy moustache, obviously to get ready for his stint with the Wallabies. Wonder who Robbie is trying to emulate -- John Newcombe or, heaven help us, Merv Hughes?! Note to Loffie: Whatever you do, don’t copy the “mo!”
Eddie’s niche: SA Rugby’s statistician Eddie Grieb never ceases to amaze with his attention to detail. Tane Tui`poluto’s last-gasp dropped-goal for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs was the 150th “droppy” in Super Rugby. Andrew Mehrtens, with 17, holds the record for the most drops with the Louis Koen the leading South African on 11. According to Eddie, there are two “odd men out” among the drop-kickers -- prop Matt Dunning of the Waratahs (who will ever forget!) and, wait for it, Bob Skinstad. And, seeing as you ask, Zinzan Brooke did not kick a drop in Super Rugby -- he saved it for the Springboks!
Ellis Park crisis: You’ve heard the one about people voting with their feet. The Lions and the Stormers played at home last Friday night -- there were 43 724 spectators at Newlands and just 6 050 at Ellis Park.
Caning the Chiefs: Congratulations to the Hurricanes for displacing the Blues as the team with the fastest bonus point of the season -- 31 minutes 14 seconds.
No joking matter: The Lions have three Van der Merwes in their squad -- Heinke, Franco and Gert-Andries. As yet, no Koos.
Mysteries of the Super 14 I: What was Danwel Demas thinking running outside the field of play while waiting for a pass from Wynand Olivier?
Mysteries of the Super 14 II: Has anyone seen Kees Lensing? Remember him? The world’s most destructive prop when he played for the Bulls.
Continued Mysteries of the Super 14: When is JC Fortuin going to get a decent whistle -- or should that be have a decent whistle?
Quote of the Week I: “The ebb and flow of psychic energy.” -- He had to wait to Week Three but finally Murray Mexted, prompted by Ian Smith, got in his trademark remark.
Quote of the Week II: “We’ve got a hungry Hore tonight.” -- The inimitable Mex on the Hurricanes’ hooker.
Quote of the Week III: “If you miss this I’m in trouble.” -- Mark Lawrence to kicker Rory Kockott lining up a kick. Lawrence had awarded the Sharks a penalty right in front, blowing his whistle moments before Francois Steyn snapped off a dropped goal that went over.
Quote of the Week IV: “Of course they go and fluff it up.” -- Garth Wright’s “quick recovery” while talking about the Bulls.
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