After an absolutely intriguing Super 14 season, we are down to the final today and it is fitting that two great South African teams are going head to head.
From the word go, we backed the Stormers pre-season to win the tournament (12/1) and it is great to see them finally realise some of their potential.
As far as today's markets go, we're still heavily in favour of the Stormers. The Bulls don't have home ground advantage, their defence was leaky against the Crusaders whose attack has been described as "one dimensional" and the Stormers defensively are without question one of the best drilled sides in the history of the tournament.
With that in mind we've taken the following spread of bets:
First points via a Stormers try - 5/1
First try scorers:
Bryan Habana - 10/1
Gerhard VD Heever - 12/1
Pierre Spies - 14/1
Jaque Fourie - 14/1
Fourie Du Preez - 18/1
Joe Pietersen - 18/1
C'mon the Stormers!
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Saturday, May 29, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Supporters get screwed
I have just watched the Lions rugby team get drubbed 59-10 by the Cheetahs and I re-affirm my view from last week that the Lions supporters get screwed.This is important - the supporters make the franchise - not the other way around.
Dick Muir can talk as much as he likes about rebuilding the Lions like he did with the Sharks but there is a fundamental difference; the Sharks had a strong brand and franchise.
Over the last decade, the Sharks had won trophies and consistently been able to attract thousands of fans to their stadium. The Lions have been consistently shocking for the last eight to ten years and Ellis Park has really battled to attract decent crowds to many of their fixtures.
That in turn has meant that the franchise hasn't been able to attract quality players. You only need to look at how Jaque Fourie has flourished at the Stormers to appreciate what the Lions have missed out on.
How do people like Killian and Baywatch come out every week and give it their absolute everything and have to leave the field with 50 points against their names? Their careers are only so long. Professionally they don't get the luxury of sitting back and waiting while different coaches "rebuild" their squads.
If there was enough money to entice Carlos Spencer to come and play then there was enough money to hire coaching staff with a plan!
Don't get me wrong - I have no issue with a side that goes through a slump. It happens to the best of the teams at some point in a cycle. I however have an issue when the administrators forget that it is the fans who they play for. The fans generate the sponsor and TV interest (read revenue).
It might be great for Lions administrators to entertain in their corporate boxes at Ellis Park, but they are killing the golden goose - their fan base.
You might argue that it is the TV revenue which drives these Super 14 franchises (I agree) but not so long ago when the Lions were a force in rugby they attracted decent TV viewing. Today I barely glanced at the game.
If fans aren't going to both coming out to watch the games then sponsors are also going to start asking questions about where to put their money. At the moment if you are having to weigh up sponsoring the Cheetahs - with a number of potential Boks in their lineups and a moderately successful Super 14 team and the disastrous Lions, it has to be a toss-up.
What sponsors wants to put their money behind a team that has no real big name players?
I don't have any numbers to back this up, but from a merchandising perspective I'd assume that the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers are far more successful "brands" than the Lions. At some point this has to become very apparent to sponsors.... who do you want your branch attached to?
Anyway I am having a heated debate with a Lions supporter who argues that Muir has done enough to stay and more money should just be thrown at him to resolve the problem...
... I am not so sure.
Without being too facetious does anybody want to bet that Andy Goode is busy penning a deal with Dick Muir to be their "inspirational flyhalf" for the Currie Cup and 2011 Super 15?
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Dick Muir can talk as much as he likes about rebuilding the Lions like he did with the Sharks but there is a fundamental difference; the Sharks had a strong brand and franchise.
Over the last decade, the Sharks had won trophies and consistently been able to attract thousands of fans to their stadium. The Lions have been consistently shocking for the last eight to ten years and Ellis Park has really battled to attract decent crowds to many of their fixtures.
That in turn has meant that the franchise hasn't been able to attract quality players. You only need to look at how Jaque Fourie has flourished at the Stormers to appreciate what the Lions have missed out on.
How do people like Killian and Baywatch come out every week and give it their absolute everything and have to leave the field with 50 points against their names? Their careers are only so long. Professionally they don't get the luxury of sitting back and waiting while different coaches "rebuild" their squads.
If there was enough money to entice Carlos Spencer to come and play then there was enough money to hire coaching staff with a plan!
Don't get me wrong - I have no issue with a side that goes through a slump. It happens to the best of the teams at some point in a cycle. I however have an issue when the administrators forget that it is the fans who they play for. The fans generate the sponsor and TV interest (read revenue).
It might be great for Lions administrators to entertain in their corporate boxes at Ellis Park, but they are killing the golden goose - their fan base.
You might argue that it is the TV revenue which drives these Super 14 franchises (I agree) but not so long ago when the Lions were a force in rugby they attracted decent TV viewing. Today I barely glanced at the game.
If fans aren't going to both coming out to watch the games then sponsors are also going to start asking questions about where to put their money. At the moment if you are having to weigh up sponsoring the Cheetahs - with a number of potential Boks in their lineups and a moderately successful Super 14 team and the disastrous Lions, it has to be a toss-up.
What sponsors wants to put their money behind a team that has no real big name players?
I don't have any numbers to back this up, but from a merchandising perspective I'd assume that the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers are far more successful "brands" than the Lions. At some point this has to become very apparent to sponsors.... who do you want your branch attached to?
Anyway I am having a heated debate with a Lions supporter who argues that Muir has done enough to stay and more money should just be thrown at him to resolve the problem...
... I am not so sure.
Without being too facetious does anybody want to bet that Andy Goode is busy penning a deal with Dick Muir to be their "inspirational flyhalf" for the Currie Cup and 2011 Super 15?
------------------------------------------------
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Great chirp
Hahahahah a brilliant chirp from Bobby Skinstad!
He is talking about Bakkies Botha and he said: "If you look on his business card you would probably see it says 'senior vice president of the offensive defence'"
Loving the way the Stormers are giving the Bulls a snot klap!
And yes the Lions are officially the worst side in the Super 14. They are really kak!
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He is talking about Bakkies Botha and he said: "If you look on his business card you would probably see it says 'senior vice president of the offensive defence'"
Loving the way the Stormers are giving the Bulls a snot klap!
And yes the Lions are officially the worst side in the Super 14. They are really kak!
-------------------------------
GiftDay. Buy floral gifts, Carrol Boyes and experience gifts online! Click Here
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Rugby sports betting selections
It is the last round of the Super 14 and it looks like it is going to go down to the wire this year. There has been some grumbling about the Bulls sending their "second stringers" to take on the Stormers in Cape Town this weekend, but the reality is that the sides grumbling the most are those who need the Bulls to beat the Cape side.
So here are our selections for this week:
Crusaders vs Brumbies:
This should be an absolutely cracking game of rugby. Picking a winner here is incredibly difficult so we've decided to stick with the home side sneaking in. Prediction - Crusaders win
Waratahs vs Hurricanes
Excuse the pun for the moment but the Hurricanes blow very hot and cold. Hopefully they are on form and deal with the whinging Aussie side tomorrow. Prediction - Hurricanes to surprise
Sharks vs Western Force
Can't see the Sharks losing in front of their home crowd. Last weekend they showed they were a much better side than the results they had dished up. Sharks to win comfortably.
Blues vs Chiefs
Another tricky fixture. Every time I have backed the Blues they've dropped the ball. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, but wouldn't be surprised if I call it wrong. Blues to win
Reds vs Highlanders
The Reds have it all to play for. The Highlanders have blown a fuse and I can't see them winning this one. Reds to win.
Cheetahs vs Lions
Touched on the Cheetahs spirit in one of the previous blog posts. These guys deserve to go out on a high and the Lions should be buried without Baywatch there to throw his heart around
Stormers vs Bulls
It might be a contentious fixture but the Stormers will be going all out for a win. Losing in front of a packed Newlands is not an option so expect the Stormers to win.
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So here are our selections for this week:
Crusaders vs Brumbies:
This should be an absolutely cracking game of rugby. Picking a winner here is incredibly difficult so we've decided to stick with the home side sneaking in. Prediction - Crusaders win
Waratahs vs Hurricanes
Excuse the pun for the moment but the Hurricanes blow very hot and cold. Hopefully they are on form and deal with the whinging Aussie side tomorrow. Prediction - Hurricanes to surprise
Sharks vs Western Force
Can't see the Sharks losing in front of their home crowd. Last weekend they showed they were a much better side than the results they had dished up. Sharks to win comfortably.
Blues vs Chiefs
Another tricky fixture. Every time I have backed the Blues they've dropped the ball. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, but wouldn't be surprised if I call it wrong. Blues to win
Reds vs Highlanders
The Reds have it all to play for. The Highlanders have blown a fuse and I can't see them winning this one. Reds to win.
Cheetahs vs Lions
Touched on the Cheetahs spirit in one of the previous blog posts. These guys deserve to go out on a high and the Lions should be buried without Baywatch there to throw his heart around
Stormers vs Bulls
It might be a contentious fixture but the Stormers will be going all out for a win. Losing in front of a packed Newlands is not an option so expect the Stormers to win.
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Saturday, May 8, 2010
Imports - worth the money?
Watching Sireli Naqlevuki fluff another critical Stormers ball on the line and gift the Sharks a try, it got me thinking about the various imports that South African rugby sides have called on this year and whether or not they have actually added any value.
There are not too many who have made positive contributions this season, and you have to wonder what message sends to young South African players trying to make a break into the big time.
Sireli Naqlevuki - He has had one or two decent games but he is one of those guys who looks good when things are good but when you need a good solid performer you tend to get a very lazy professional.
Andy Goode - SURELY Durban could find a better player than Goode to fill the flyhalf role. It doesn't send a very good message to aspirant flyhalves that you can pay decent money to an average performer.
Todd Cleaver - Actually the American hasn't been too bad a performer for the Lions before he got injured. But in a country which literally breeds world class loose forwards, what does it say about the long-term sustainability of the Lions if they want to find stop-gap players like this for their franchise?
Carlos Spencer - On the field, the New Zealander has been brilliant at times and at others he has overcomplicated an inexperienced Lions setup. Supposedly Spencer is going to be contributing off the field in a coaching role. It's hard to call his appointment / recruiting as a "success" when the side has conceded 530+ points and broken all the wrong records this year.
Not really too many of these "imports" have done much to add value to their franchises.
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There are not too many who have made positive contributions this season, and you have to wonder what message sends to young South African players trying to make a break into the big time.
Sireli Naqlevuki - He has had one or two decent games but he is one of those guys who looks good when things are good but when you need a good solid performer you tend to get a very lazy professional.
Andy Goode - SURELY Durban could find a better player than Goode to fill the flyhalf role. It doesn't send a very good message to aspirant flyhalves that you can pay decent money to an average performer.
Todd Cleaver - Actually the American hasn't been too bad a performer for the Lions before he got injured. But in a country which literally breeds world class loose forwards, what does it say about the long-term sustainability of the Lions if they want to find stop-gap players like this for their franchise?
Carlos Spencer - On the field, the New Zealander has been brilliant at times and at others he has overcomplicated an inexperienced Lions setup. Supposedly Spencer is going to be contributing off the field in a coaching role. It's hard to call his appointment / recruiting as a "success" when the side has conceded 530+ points and broken all the wrong records this year.
Not really too many of these "imports" have done much to add value to their franchises.
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Just women, no pride
The Lions rugby team just has no pride. I’m watching the Cheetahs take on the Western Force in Bloem and you can see that they actually want to be there and want to win.
Neither the Cheetahs nor the Force has anything but pride to play for and yet they are going out there to entertain.
The Cheetahs don’t have money and every year they are pillaged by bigger unions taking their players… and yet they are still able to do the basics right, put on a decent performance and if they win today they will at least take 4 wins out of the competition.
The Lions, one of the richest unions around can go (rightly or wrongly) and hire overseas players like Todd Cleaver and Carlos Spencer and Springbok coaches like Dick Muir but can’t buy a win.
I feel sorry for guys like Michael Killian and Cobus Grobelaar who try week in and week out for the Lions and put their bodies and hearts on the line only to see 50 points a match being run up against them.
If there are any Lions fans left in South Africa, maybe they should look at switching allegiances to the Free state guys – at least you get some value for money!
Neither the Cheetahs nor the Force has anything but pride to play for and yet they are going out there to entertain.
The Cheetahs don’t have money and every year they are pillaged by bigger unions taking their players… and yet they are still able to do the basics right, put on a decent performance and if they win today they will at least take 4 wins out of the competition.
The Lions, one of the richest unions around can go (rightly or wrongly) and hire overseas players like Todd Cleaver and Carlos Spencer and Springbok coaches like Dick Muir but can’t buy a win.
I feel sorry for guys like Michael Killian and Cobus Grobelaar who try week in and week out for the Lions and put their bodies and hearts on the line only to see 50 points a match being run up against them.
If there are any Lions fans left in South Africa, maybe they should look at switching allegiances to the Free state guys – at least you get some value for money!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Incredible game of rugby
What an absolutely awesome display of rugby by the Crusaders and the Bulls at Loftus this evening... there didn't deserve to be a loser!
One could have been forgiven for thinking that they were watching a Super 14 final the way the two sides went at it. One positive as a Stormers fan - maybe they have taken some of the stuffing out of one of the sides we might have to face in the semis.
For me, one of the absolute highlights of that matchup was the way both sides literally played until the last whistle with no niggle or negative play. For sure you can understand Richie Mccaws frustrations at the end but on the whole you had two teams who literally gave it their all.
Congrats to both sides - you did the game of rugby proud!
One could have been forgiven for thinking that they were watching a Super 14 final the way the two sides went at it. One positive as a Stormers fan - maybe they have taken some of the stuffing out of one of the sides we might have to face in the semis.
For me, one of the absolute highlights of that matchup was the way both sides literally played until the last whistle with no niggle or negative play. For sure you can understand Richie Mccaws frustrations at the end but on the whole you had two teams who literally gave it their all.
Congrats to both sides - you did the game of rugby proud!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Super 14 predictions
Well the Super 14 is really down to the business end of the tournament now and no less than 7 teams would appear to be in with a shout for the knock out stages.
As a reminder here is how the log stands at the moment:
Our predictions for this weeks fixtures
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As a reminder here is how the log stands at the moment:
- Bulls - 43
- Stormers - 38
- Crusaders - 34
- Reds - 34
- Waratahs - 33
- Brumies - 32
- Hurricanes - 32
- Blues - 27
- Chiefs - 26
- Sharks - 25
- Western Force - 18
- Highlanders - 17
- Cheetahs - 16
- Lions - a real thanks for coming 5 points
Our predictions for this weeks fixtures
- Hurricanes vs Reds - Hurricanes should win at home
- Bulls vs Crusaders - It is hard to look beyond the Bulls at Loftus
- Chiefs vs Waratahs - Chiefs have a lot to do in this fixture but I'd expect them to be quite fired up
- Brumbies vs Highlanders - Brumbies are tantalisingly close to a playoff spot - they should put the Highlanders away
- Lions vs Blues - I point blank refuse to give the Lions even a hint of being competitive
- Cheetahs vs Force - The Cheetahs are walking wounded but we still think they will do the business against the Force
- Sharks vs Stormers - Last week finally knocked the stuffing out of the Sharks and their playoff aspirations. Home ground advantage shouldn't be enough for them to stop the Stormers machine.
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Saturday, May 1, 2010
More disappointment for Sharks fans
The Sharks are over-rated this season and the Lions are kak... that's my final conclusion for this 2010 Super 14 season.
I don't know if the Sharks supporters are just super optimists or they get too much fresh air down by the beach but these guys genuinely thought:
A) They would beat the Bulls at Loftus (say what?!)
B) They were in contention for a semi-final spot (huh?! They were 9th on the friggin log before the weekend started!)
The Sharks fans were deluding themselves if they thought that the Bulls and Stormers were going to toss away points in the run in to the semi-finals in front of their home crowds.
As for the Lions - geez they've just been atrocious! Apart from the spirited performance against the Sharks two weeks back the Lions have been absolutely nowhere. The Cheetahs - who have far less resources - at least have shown a bit of "gees" or spirit even when they have lost key players and been outgunned.
Why is it that the Lions just can't seem to get it right? Money is not a problem, decent players are not even a problem... and yet they can't even burgle a win against the Force in front of the Ellis Park / Coca-Cola Park faithful...
... Will be interesting to see if Dick Muir survives another season here. Muir might have rebuilt the Sharks after a bad first year in charge, but this has been really disappointing and only he seems to see a plan.
C'mon the Stormers!
I don't know if the Sharks supporters are just super optimists or they get too much fresh air down by the beach but these guys genuinely thought:
A) They would beat the Bulls at Loftus (say what?!)
B) They were in contention for a semi-final spot (huh?! They were 9th on the friggin log before the weekend started!)
The Sharks fans were deluding themselves if they thought that the Bulls and Stormers were going to toss away points in the run in to the semi-finals in front of their home crowds.
As for the Lions - geez they've just been atrocious! Apart from the spirited performance against the Sharks two weeks back the Lions have been absolutely nowhere. The Cheetahs - who have far less resources - at least have shown a bit of "gees" or spirit even when they have lost key players and been outgunned.
Why is it that the Lions just can't seem to get it right? Money is not a problem, decent players are not even a problem... and yet they can't even burgle a win against the Force in front of the Ellis Park / Coca-Cola Park faithful...
... Will be interesting to see if Dick Muir survives another season here. Muir might have rebuilt the Sharks after a bad first year in charge, but this has been really disappointing and only he seems to see a plan.
C'mon the Stormers!
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