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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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!

Rugby betting - Super 14

There is an interesting weekend of Super 14 rugby ahead of us and we have made some controversial picks for this weekends fixtures.

We're backing all the home teams to come in:

• Highlanders vs Waratahs - it is hard work to come to the House of Pain at this point in the season


• Stormers vs Crusaders - Mouthwatering fixture but its hard to look beyond the Stormers at Newlands


• Hurricanes vs Chiefs - Another interesting fixture but the bumps and bruises will add up for the Chiefs?


• Brumbies vs Reds - From a South African perspective the Brumbies would do us all a favour and knock the Reds back


• Cheetahs vs Blues - The Cheetahs can take heart from their last fixture of a hard tour. They might surprise here


• Lions vs Force - The Lions have to come good at some point this season and the Force look like they're going to be the team they do it against


• Bulls vs Sharks -.... Sharks = FISH PASTE... that's all I am saying on the subject!

Happy punting!

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Easter Super 14 picks

Hopefully the Easter weekend will be good to you. There don't look like too many surprises this weekend in the Super 14 rugby ...

... which normally means there is going to be an almighty upset somewhere along the lines.

The two potential upsets which I see are the Blues against the Bulls and the Sharks taking on the Reds.

The Bulls have had some defensive issues and the Blues in front of a home crowd have the ability to get some momentum going. The Bulls are going to need to haul in some of their attacking instincts and get the points when they are on offer.

As for the Sharks versus Reds game. I read somewhere that the Sharks have never beaten the Reds at Kings Park. I can't verify that and I am too lazy too Google it but I wouldn't be totally surprised. The Reds have been very hot and cold this season and the Sharks are desperate for points. It doesn't look like the most inspired Sharks backline with Goode at 10 and Tereblanche suddenly becoming a centre but home ground advantage should count in this instance.
Here are my picks

• Hurricanes to beat the Crusaders
• Stormers to beat the Force
• The Blues to beat the Bulls
• Chiefs to beat the Highlanders
• Waratahs will thump the Cheetahs
• Sharks will beat the Reds

Happy punting!

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Good SA rugby on Saturday

There were important wins for both the Stormers and the Cheetahs yesterday as they put in credible performances against the Highlanders and the Hurricanes respectively.

I’m a Stormers fan so I am probably going to gush too much if I start with them so let’s take a look at the Cheetahs who were playing against a side which was tipped to thump them.

In Super 14 you have to win your home games – drop points when you have your fans behind you and it makes for a miserable trip on the road. The Cheetahs have dropped points – although impressively beaten the Sharks in the Tuna Tank – and then picked up the points against the Hurricanes last night in Bloem. While the rest of the season will probably be quite tough they can say they have beaten two “big name” teams and still have the chances for points against the Force and against the Lions.

The Stormers got the “bonus point monkey” off their backs with that late try from Bryan Habana but for me the critical point was that they did not concede a single point against the Highlanders. Everybody knows the Stormers can attack but it appears that they’ve now stepped up their defensive game as well and showing a lot more composure at the back – maybe the influence of Jaque Fourie?

It was also very noticeable that the team spirit is really high at the moment – smiles all round from Wicus Blaauw, Fourie and Schalk Burger just highlighted the upbeat attitude in the team.

It was also good that the youngsters such as Deon Fourie, Juan De Jongh could put in such measured performnaces and that Lionel Cronje was given some gametime as well.

One person who does deserve a mention is our big Fijian wing Sireli Naqweluviki. I had pretty much written him off as a contributor and couldn’t understand why they kept him around. He was potent yesterday and he went looking for work which was very pleasing to see.

It is still early days in the Super 14 but its good to see two SA sides wracking up wins after the less than thrilling performances last week…

Super 14 Round 1

Yes the premier rugby tournament in the Southern Hemisphere is finally here – can you feel the excitement?!

I’m super excited.

Below are our picks for the first round which kicks off early tomorrow morning. We think there is going to be a big upset on the cards with the Cheetahs stunning the Bulls. That’s probably not going to win us too many fans but I’ve just got a sneaky suspicion that the Bulls are gonna come a cropper.

There is still time to get your predictions in on Sportspicks.co.za

Here we go:

• Blues to beat the Hurricanes
• Brumbies to beat the Force
• Cheetahs to beat the Bulls
• Crusaders to beat the Highlanders
• Waratahs to beat the Reds
• Stormers to beat the Lions
• Sharks to beat the Chiefs

For those who are playing the Super 14 Dream Team competition below is my team for Round 1. Would love to hear your selections:

1. Wicus Blaau
2. John Afoa
3. Keven Mealamu
4. Anthony Boric
5. Bakkies Botha
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Derick Kuun
8. Richie McCaw
9. Rory Kockott
10. Peter Grant
11. Gerhard VD Heever
12. Jaque Fourie
13. Waylon Murray
14. Bryan Habana
15. Hosea Gear

Happy punting!

Currie Cup predictions

The Currie Cup finally comes to a conclusion today as the Bulls host the Cheetahs in a match where nobody is giving the team from the Free State any real chance.

I'm a big believer that nobody wants to play the Cheetahs in a semi-final or final simply because they play like they have nothing to lose. A side like that is terrible to play against as they tend to yank you out of your comfort zone.

While I suspect the Bulls will win I think there is little harm in putting a few bucks down on the Cheetahs for a shock factor.

One area where I think punters could have a lot of fun is around the first try-scorer. I've backed Bryan Habana (9/1) Jacques Louis Potgieter (33/1) and my good old fashioned try scoring banker Fourie Du Preez (18/1).

C'mon the Cheetahs!

Cracking stuff

Luke Watson might not want to slate Sireli Naqelevuki but that high-tackle cost us... I don't think he touched the ball or made any other real contribution to the game except to make that tackle.

Apart from that I think both semi-finals went way beyond their expectations and fans were treated to a phenomenal weekend of rugby.

How good was that tackle by Schalk Burger on Fourie Du Preez?! It was a monster and I think even the great Du Preez will remember it for the rest of his rugby career. Brilliant stuff!

So now the final comes down to the Bulls vs. the Cheetahs - lets hope we get the same treat next weekend.

Currie Cup - weekend predictions

The Currie Cup is getting tight and this weekend will decide the Semi's with a couple of big games on the cards.

Griquas vs. Sharks
The Sharks have pulled in all their big guns for this fixture and its hard to look beyond them to win here but seeing as I am supporting Province to finish top and I think Griquas are going to prove to be hostile hosts I have put a few bucks down on Griquas to surprise.

I REPEAT - this is me betting with my heart not my head - but damn I hope Griquas give the "Fish Paste" boys absolute carrots this afternoon. They'll be my hero's ...

... at least until the MIGHTY MIGHTY Province boys run on to the field

Boland vs Cheetahs
The Cheetahs have it all to do today and will be out to play running rugby. Boland have been nowhere in this competition and I don't expect that to change this weekend.

Cheetahs to win and first points to come courtesy of a Cheetahs try

Lions vs Western Province
2009 has been a long season for the Lions and an even longer one for their supporters. Injuries have proven a headache and they've come out on the wrong end of some close fought fixtures. Last weeks game against the Sharks being a perfect case in point.

They've got nothing really to play for against the log-leaders Western Province and I don't expect them to put up much resistance this afternoon - last weekend was their guts and determination fixture while this week they're simply going through the motions.

Predictions - Province to win, first points from a Province penalty.

Currie Cup picks - Three rounds to go

The Currie Cup is in an intriguing place right now and a lot of the teams have plenty to play for in the last three rounds.

Western Province vs Griquas
First up is the critical WP vs. Griquas fixture which will have a huge bearing on how the semi-finals shape up.

Province are looking for a win in front of their home crowd to secure a Newlands semi-final, while Griquas need three points today to pretty much lock up a playoff place and bump out the Cheetahs.

I can't see Province losing at home and looking at the odds on first points scored, nothing really jumps out at me. R2.50 on first points scored via a Griquas penalty looks the most attractive considering Naas Oliviers kicking boot.

Lions vs. Boland
A bit of a nothing game with the Lions playing for pride and Boland just going through the motions.

The Lions are unlikely to lose today but just to be facetious to the Lions supporters I put R5 down on Boland to win at 33/1 but don't really expect anything to come out of it.

Bulls vs. Cheetahs
This is going to be a hugely physical and entertaining clash if both teams come to the party today.

What the Cheetahs lack on defence, they more than make up for in their attacking abilities and I've actually tipped them as an upset for today. I've also added put quite a bit down on the first points coming via a Cheetahs try.

Not totally convinced that the Cheetahs will have the ultimate fire-power to overcome the Bulls in Pretoria but they've certainly got the ability to make a game of it and they're always good value for an upset.

Pleasing to see

I'll be honest I am not a Lions rugby fan by the stretch of anyones imagination, but it is an absolute pleasure to see them starting to string together some competitive performances again in the Currie Cup.

South African rugby needs a strong Lions side - they dominate in the money stakes and they have the ability to produce world-class players. To see them lurching from season to season with weak and inconsistent performances is not good and its great to see some of the new faces coming through.

While it is great that Griquas have gotten off to such a flyer and are comfortable at the top of the Currie Cup log it means that both the Lions and the Cheetahs are facing the prospect of missing the knock-out rounds of the competition which will hurt them financially and damage their ability to retain good players.

I see Earl Rose had another shocker in his comeback game for the Lions - really think it is time for him to go and take up another sport methinks....

Currie Cup predictions

The Currie Cup is starting to look very interesting and there are a couple of big games up for this weekend.

Cheetahs vs Lions
The Cheetahs play host to a Lions side that is just starting to find its feet. The Lions will have been boosted by their performance last weekend and I've put money down that they will overcome the Cheetahs - even if they are playing in Bloem.

I suspect it could be quite a tightly fought game but if the Lions strike early then they could have the Cheetahs on the back foot. Also backed the Lions to score the first points via a try.

Western Province vs Bulls
The big game of the weekend sees Western Province hosting the Bulls in a critical game for both sides. I think home ground advantage is going to hold the key to this fixture and I'm expecting Province to sneak home - but it is going to be tight.

With Peter Grant having moved to second choice kicker for Province, both teams have relatively light-weight first choice goalkickers so I expect both sides to be looking to run the ball and seek out bonus points which could become increasingly important as the group stage starts to wrap up.

I have gone each way on a try being the first points scored by either side - WP (3/1) and Bulls (5/1)

Busy weekend

It's a bit of a crazy sporting weekend and of course there is rugby on the go as well.

Got a coupla outside bets open this weekend which will be interesting to see how they play out. The match ups are also quite close so they're not completely out the money options either:

• Cheetahs to beat the British & Irish Lions
• Argentina to beat the England in Manchester
• Barbarians to sneak past Australia
• USA to shock the Welsh

Could be an interesting day of rugby!

Cheetahs vs B&I Lions...

I backed the Royal XV - basically a Griquas side - to beat the B&I Lions last week and for a while it looked like I was in the money on that bet... But eventually they gave it up in the last few minutes.

Today the British & Irish Lions get a crack at the Cheetahs side and I'm taking an outside bet on the Cheetahs to surprise here... provided they haven't had orders to lose that is ;-)

I don't think you can take the B&I Lions thumping the Golden Lions as a fair reflection of ability. The Golden Lions were missing key players in Ludik and Rose and their management are in absolute disarray - you would have done better to send them out against a school team...

Anyway go Cheetahs!

Brave or stupid

I am not sure which one I am but I've decided to put a couple of bucks on the Cheetahs to beat the Sharks in their Super 14 game tomorrow.

Dunno if I am brave or stupid but I reckon a return back to Bloemfontein may just be the psychological boost the Cheetahs have been seeking.

Super 14 so far...

Intriguing Super 14 so far...

... The sublime play such as that delivered by the Chiefs vs. Bulls last week and then the ridiculous as the Crusaders and Stormers tried to spend the match handing their opponents the opportunity to win the game.

As a reminder here is the table:


The Sharks have looked brilliant as have the Chiefs in the last few weeks.

Conversely the Lions and Cheetahs have looked out of their depth and while the Cheetahs have a chance to go and hide out in Bloem, the Lions are now having to go on tour.... Wouldn't want ot be them I'm afraid.

The Stormers missed a golden opportunity to pick up away points on the weekend with a very average performance but at least they looked "competitive" even if the game itself was awful.

SA players of the tournament for me so far?
--- hhhhmmm Rory Kockott and Fourie Du Preez - the two scrumhalves have been exceptional value for money

Best newcomer:
---- Gerhard van den Heever - the Bulls winger - looks like a real talent

Still some time to play and the S14 looks very close this year so things could change each week. It's going to be intriguing to watch...

What a start....

At moments the rugby was sublime at others it bordered on the ridiculous but we were left in no doubt that the Super 14 was here!

You couldn't have had a better two sides to kick off the competition than for the Brumbies to be pitted against the Highlanders at home. These guys came out to play action rugby and the fans were sent on an emotional rollercoaster as the Highlanders went up 19-0 after 22 minutes only for the Brumbies (inspired by Stirling Mortlock pictured left) to come crashing back into the game.

The Brumbies eventually held on for a 33-31 victory which was incredible to watch!

After that the Blues held on for a 25-19 victory over the Western Force. Tight stuff indeed!

Then we turned to the debacle at Coca Cola Park as the Lions contrived to do everything possible to give the result to the Cheetahs.

Eventually drop goals from Andre Pretorius and Earl Rose pushed the Lions 6 points clear but the way the Lions simply stopped playing mid-way through the second half was absolutely bizarre.

What in the world would inspire you to start kicking the ball on Daniller, Demas (pictured right) and Juries - who were looking full of running - when you still had a quarter of the game to play?! Pretorius with all his experience surely knew better...

Demas I thought was brilliant!

Juan Smith was absolutely outstanding and at the end of the day, the two yellow cards on Heinrich Brussow and Meyer Bosman cost the Cheetahs 3 tries... I thought both yellows were justified.

The Lions are going to need to improve a lot to be competitive in this competition but it was great to see Ashwin Willemse playing really well.

I'm going to blog on the Lions tactics in the next post and some strengths and weaknesses I thought were obvious...

The Cheetahs - Super 14 squad reviewed

There is a lot of young talent in the Cheetah's side at the moment, but one can't help wondering if they're bringing a knife to a gun fight...

Cheetahs
Hennie Daniller, Danwel Demas, Corné Uys, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Fabian Juries, Meyer Bosman, Tewis de Bruyn, Frans Viljoen, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brüssow, David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, Kobus Calldo, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez, Richardt Strauss, Wayne van Heerden, Hendro Scholtz, Sarel Pretorius, Bjorn Basson, Kabamba Floors, Trompie Nontshinga, Piet van Zyl, Riaan Viljoen, Jean Botha, Flip van der Merwe, Bees Roux, Jonge Nokwe, Bevan Fortuin, Hanno Coetzee.

All eyes will be on Meyer Bosman to deliver a commanding performance as the backline general this year and Jonge Nokwe to deliver on the form that saw him make the Bok lineup in 2008.

Kabamba Floors has plenty to prove while Juan Smith is going to have a long season ahead of him trying to keep the Cheetahs competitive...

Currie Cup rugby picks

From the Sports Trader blog.

As most of you know, I have been covertly backing the Lions from around 7-1. While I never admit in public that the bet exists, I think they are going to be the surprise package this weekend.

They have a problem at flyhalf and I think even they acknowledge it. The decision to move Rose to fullback (in my opinion) is a vote of no confidence.

I think a lot is going to revolve around Jaque Fourie amongst the backline.

Don’t write the Lions side off, they have a sneaky ability to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

In terms of the Bulls - I suspect they simply have way too much firepower for the Cheetahs this year…