From the Sports Trader blog
I love the Super 14... In all honesty I think it trumps the World Cup for sheer intensity of rugby action.
With that in mind I thought I would have a look at the betting at World Sports Betting and see if there was any value to be had?
Outright winner:
Crusaders - 5/2
Hurricanes - 9/2
Sharks - 6/1
Blues - 7/1
Chiefs - 10/1
Bulls - 12/1
Stormers - 12/1
Waratahs - 12/1
Brumbies - 16/1
Western Force - 50/1
Highlanders - 66/1
Reds - 66/1
Cheetahs - 100/1
Lions - 200/1
The Crusaders can play down the loss of Dan Carter but they've got to be hurting a little. You can't shrug off a key play maker.
I thought the Brumbies at 16/1 would make for some good value and the Stormers at 12/1 are an emotional pick.
The Lions are an interesting one this year... 200/1... If they could sort out their flyhalf issues I reckon they could surprise. The team put a lot of hard graft into their Currie Cup campaign and looked like they were starting to gel in 2008. They're not a team anyone is going to back to win it, but don't be surprised if they make some of their opponents work harder than expected for a win.
Winning nations
New Zealand - 11/20
South Africa - 5/2
Australia - 6/1
If you're following the Brumbies bet then it makes sense to take Aus here as well..
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Wanted - Australian and New Zealand rugby blogger counterparts!
With the Super14 ahead of us, we're trying to partner with a couple of South African, Australian and New Zealand rugby bloggers to try and make our platforms a little more interactive.
So if you operate a rugby blog in any of these regions and are a passionate supporter of one of the franchises in the competition then let me know and lets try and find ways to work together to boost traffic to eachother sites and have fun allowing readers to interact and chirp a little bit.
Either post your blog details in the comments section or mail me at marc@rival.co.za!
So if you operate a rugby blog in any of these regions and are a passionate supporter of one of the franchises in the competition then let me know and lets try and find ways to work together to boost traffic to eachother sites and have fun allowing readers to interact and chirp a little bit.
Either post your blog details in the comments section or mail me at marc@rival.co.za!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Reds turn to former SA boxing champ for toughness
Former IBF light heavyweight champion Philip "No Deal" Holiday, the nuggety South African who knocked out Australia's Jeff Fenech in 1996 in defence of his title, is now in the QR Reds' corner.
Read the complete article here...
Read the complete article here...
Rassie squad under wraps
Senior Professional Coach Rassie Erasmus is not announcing his squad for the 2009 Vodacom Super 14 until required by SANZAR, early January 2009.
Whilst Erasmus is expected the slowly start cutting the squad of 50 that started their pre-season preparation phase at the team’s High Performance Centre in Bellville on 1 December, loyal Vodacom Stormers fans can’t wait to see who will make the final squad ahead of a gruelling Super 14 season.
The bulk of players selected for the Vodacom Stormers traditionally come from Western Province, with very few Boland players in the mix for the Cape franchise. Erasmus told the media earlier this week that he would select the best players in the region.
The 2009 WP Rugby Contracted Players have been split into two – a Senior group and a group referred to as the Colts. The Colts, 14 talented youngsters who have graduated from the age group ranks, will need to use their opportunities in 2009 to push for higher honours.
Three of the new names amongst the Senior Contracted Players are Duane Vermeulen (pictured), Hilton Lobberts and Paul Bosch.
Vermeulen joins the Vodacom WP set up from the Cheetahs as a looseforward. Lobberts, who was born in Paarl, has played most of his rugby as a looseforward for the Bulls. He has been contracted as a lock. 24 year old centre, Paul Bosch, hails from the Leopards and represented the Pukke at the 2008 Varsity Cup.
Names not on the books for 2009 include Robbie Diack and Tiaan Liebenberg, who were released from their contracts mid way through the Absa Currie Cup to take up offers from clubs abroad. One of the most notable losses for the 2009 season is that of lock Ross Skeate, who opted to join French club Toulon. Prop Eddie Andrews has retired from rugby following a long term injury.
Colts securing contracts after graduating from the Under 21 ranks include prop JC Kritzinger, looseforwards Conraad Britz and Nick Koster, and centre PJ Vermeulen who all made impressive strides playing in the Absa Currie Cup this year.
To view the list of WP Under 21 contracted players for the 2009 season, click here .
The Vodacom Stormers will take on UK based club Saracens in a pre-season friendly match at Newlands on Sunday 25 January 2009 and play Boland the following weekend in Wellington.
Whilst Erasmus is expected the slowly start cutting the squad of 50 that started their pre-season preparation phase at the team’s High Performance Centre in Bellville on 1 December, loyal Vodacom Stormers fans can’t wait to see who will make the final squad ahead of a gruelling Super 14 season.
The bulk of players selected for the Vodacom Stormers traditionally come from Western Province, with very few Boland players in the mix for the Cape franchise. Erasmus told the media earlier this week that he would select the best players in the region.
The 2009 WP Rugby Contracted Players have been split into two – a Senior group and a group referred to as the Colts. The Colts, 14 talented youngsters who have graduated from the age group ranks, will need to use their opportunities in 2009 to push for higher honours.
Three of the new names amongst the Senior Contracted Players are Duane Vermeulen (pictured), Hilton Lobberts and Paul Bosch.
Vermeulen joins the Vodacom WP set up from the Cheetahs as a looseforward. Lobberts, who was born in Paarl, has played most of his rugby as a looseforward for the Bulls. He has been contracted as a lock. 24 year old centre, Paul Bosch, hails from the Leopards and represented the Pukke at the 2008 Varsity Cup.
Names not on the books for 2009 include Robbie Diack and Tiaan Liebenberg, who were released from their contracts mid way through the Absa Currie Cup to take up offers from clubs abroad. One of the most notable losses for the 2009 season is that of lock Ross Skeate, who opted to join French club Toulon. Prop Eddie Andrews has retired from rugby following a long term injury.
Colts securing contracts after graduating from the Under 21 ranks include prop JC Kritzinger, looseforwards Conraad Britz and Nick Koster, and centre PJ Vermeulen who all made impressive strides playing in the Absa Currie Cup this year.
To view the list of WP Under 21 contracted players for the 2009 season, click here .
The Vodacom Stormers will take on UK based club Saracens in a pre-season friendly match at Newlands on Sunday 25 January 2009 and play Boland the following weekend in Wellington.
John McFarland
The Blue Bulls Company Pty (Ltd) and John McFarland are in the process of negotiating his probable return to the Company subject to a few outstanding issues.
The CEO of the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd, Barend van Graan, said that the Bulls would dearly like to have McFarland back on board and they will go out of their way to accommodate him.
"We value John as the best defence coach in the world and his record speaks for itself."
McFarland said that his personal circumstances and family matters have improved to such an extent that he can now hopefully return to the Blue Bulls.
McFarland added that the past eight years with the Bulls have been marvelous and this is the ideal chance to renew their relationship.
"It will be great to be back at Loftus as I have had eight unbelievable years with the Bulls and I would like to rejoin them for the next couple of years.
"Hopefully I can contribute to another successful Super 14 tournament."
The CEO of the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd, Barend van Graan, said that the Bulls would dearly like to have McFarland back on board and they will go out of their way to accommodate him.
"We value John as the best defence coach in the world and his record speaks for itself."
McFarland said that his personal circumstances and family matters have improved to such an extent that he can now hopefully return to the Blue Bulls.
McFarland added that the past eight years with the Bulls have been marvelous and this is the ideal chance to renew their relationship.
"It will be great to be back at Loftus as I have had eight unbelievable years with the Bulls and I would like to rejoin them for the next couple of years.
"Hopefully I can contribute to another successful Super 14 tournament."
Monday, December 8, 2008
Dollie a Brumbie?!
Discarded Western Province and Boland flyhalf Isma-eel Dollie has indicated that he will be going to trials with Super 14 franchise the Brumbies for the 2009.
For those who don't know Dollie is an interesting character in SA rugby - blessed with enormous talent, he has been successful at Under 21 level and even cracked a mention by Bok coach Peter Devilliers as a potential international contender down the line.
Unfortunately size has counted against him and he couldn't get a spot in the Western Province training squad or at the weaker Boland franchise.
Without being scornful of an obviously talented rugby player - how does he expect to break into Super 14 rugby when his home provinces won't give him a crack?
Potentially competing against the likes of Matt Giteau - I'm just not sure he has the firepower to crack it at this level.
Having said that - I suppose we should remember a certain Clyde Rathbone who also shone at U21 level, couldn't crack it in SA and went on to star for the Wallabies at senior level.
Either way - best of luck to him. Having said that, I did enjoy this quote from one of the other rugby sites:
"hahaha - Rassie is worried about the Brumbies- and instead of strenghtening his own side - he thought it smart to weaken the opposition.
Rassie you tactician you…."
For those who don't know Dollie is an interesting character in SA rugby - blessed with enormous talent, he has been successful at Under 21 level and even cracked a mention by Bok coach Peter Devilliers as a potential international contender down the line.
Unfortunately size has counted against him and he couldn't get a spot in the Western Province training squad or at the weaker Boland franchise.
Without being scornful of an obviously talented rugby player - how does he expect to break into Super 14 rugby when his home provinces won't give him a crack?
Potentially competing against the likes of Matt Giteau - I'm just not sure he has the firepower to crack it at this level.
Having said that - I suppose we should remember a certain Clyde Rathbone who also shone at U21 level, couldn't crack it in SA and went on to star for the Wallabies at senior level.
Either way - best of luck to him. Having said that, I did enjoy this quote from one of the other rugby sites:
"hahaha - Rassie is worried about the Brumbies- and instead of strenghtening his own side - he thought it smart to weaken the opposition.
Rassie you tactician you…."
Saturday, November 29, 2008
SA triumphs in Sevens
The Springbok Sevens side beat England 19-12 to win the first leg of the series in Dubai.
Tries from Robert Ebersohn, Mpho Mbioyozo and then Gio Aplon made a silly pass once he was inside the English goal area to give a try to Ryno Benjamin...
What was he thinking?!
Well done to the SA side though - not a great day for England in general...
Tries from Robert Ebersohn, Mpho Mbioyozo and then Gio Aplon made a silly pass once he was inside the English goal area to give a try to Ryno Benjamin...
What was he thinking?!
Well done to the SA side though - not a great day for England in general...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
