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| two part posting. Read bottom one first. Love your work, Spiro... |
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| The Queensland-Crusaders match was about as exciting a game that has been played at any time in the history of Super rugby. Greg Martin, understandably, at one stage started yelling out from the commentary box about "the biggest upset in Super rugby history" being on the cards. The Crusaders finally got in front when Dan Carter booted over a conversion from near the sideline to give his side a crucial one-point lead. In the entire round, there were 22 penalties kicked and 27 conversions. All three Reds tries were converted, for instance. The Crusaders missed two conversions but kicked a penalty goal. There was not one successful penalty goal in the Sharks' 33-14 win over the Cheetahs, with its crucial implications for the Durban-based side's finals hopes. There were six successful conversions, however. The Waratahs negated their two-tries-to-one deficit against the Stormers by Kurtley Beale kicking a conversion and two penalties to the Stormers' one penalty. This brings us to the final round. The Crusaders (52 points) have gained home-ground advantage for the finals. The Hurricanes (40) and the Waratahs (39) need a win against the Blues and the Reds respectively to guarantee them a place in the finals. Both, however, are playing away from home. On paper, at least, the Waratahs have the easier assignment, as the Reds, unlike the Blues, do not have a mathematical chance of making the finals. The Reds supporters, though, will point to the Waratahs' poor record this season away from the fortress of the SFS, with victories in only two out of six away matches. There is also the problem of NSW beating the Reds at Brisbane, something achieved by only one Waratahs side in Super rugby. As well, the Waratahs have to get over the effects of travelling back from South Africa. Two teams with finals possibilities, the Sharks (37) and the Chiefs (34), play the last match of the regular season. Will this be the match that decides who contests the finals? Spiro Zavos, ... |
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| A COMMENTATOR in New Zealand revealed the interesting statistic that the 2008 Super 14 tournament, up to the 13th round, had produced 100 fewer penalties and 50 more tries than last year's tournament. One of the points his column has made about the ELVs (the experimental law variations) is they allow more expansive play and also (and this is important) the traditional boot-fest game as well. Earl Rose, playing for the Lions against the Chiefs at the weekend, booted four penalties and three conversions to kick his team home. Even Jonny Wilkinson would have been happy with that kicking tally of 18 points. In round 13 there were 38 tries scored in seven matches, many of them played in driving rain. The handling for the most part was extraordinarily safe. The slippery ball was moved up and down the field skilfully and effectively by hand, even though the hard-shouldered tackling hits could be heard across the oceans. The play in the Super 14 is derided by some northern hemisphere commentators as being "too frothy". In reality, the intensity and quality of the rugby being played in this year's tournament - and especially last weekend as the finals race intensified - is way ahead of what was played last year, even though it was a World Cup year. A fearless prediction: if the SANZAR national teams play with anything like the passion, speed and skills of their Super 14 sides, the northern hemisphere invaders in the coming Test series, even a strong team such as Wales, are going to be blasted off the paddock. Value is affected by supply and demand. There are fewer penalties kicked under the ELVs. But, in my opinion, this makes it all the more important that sides carry very good kickers to convert the fewer penalty shots and the increased number of conversions. As many conversions are difficult shots from the sidelines, teams need dead-eyed goalkickers to add value to the tries they score. |
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| Tell you what , old guys like me now have to move to the forwards but man its fast, soon gone will be the days when fat kids will be able to play Union. I don't like the two of the rules , one the ruck and two the rolling mauls..both negative plays... there are alot of hands on the ball , and if doesn't come out quick enough the turn goes to the defending team. why spoil the rolling maul...?? |
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| I am not sold on the breakdown rules, there are so many free kicks it drives me nuts. They need to firm up that area a bit especially the refs interpretation. Some will allow as many as 6 obvious infringements without penalising, this I think is a mistake. When they comence in the NH the ELV's should all be the same North and South. One set of rules/ same page for all. This is a global game afterall not Hemispherical game. Even though the SH are clearly the most dominant. Ho ho hee hee ha! It is only more confusuing for the refs if they have to ref more than one set of rules when they travel below or above the equator. God knows they have enough trouble as it is............ |
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| Unfortunately, living in Melbourne, I haven't seen many super 14 games this year. I did manage to go to 2 or 3 ARC games last year. It was very interesting to see the complete contrast in styles over the games. One game was just kick to the opposition and watch them eventually screw up (wasn't even wet conditions), the other was much more running the ball (much more enjoyable to watch). I got the impression that the new laws didn't necessarily discourage people from taking a ball into the ruck, but made teams better at getting the ball out straight away. great stuff. Two other points: - One of the games I saw did actually have a maul from a line out result in a try! Sterling stuff! - I saw Rodzilla (looked a little bigger than the 130kg he was meant to be at the time) play a game down in Melbourne, and he did well (nothing brilliant, though). If he can play under the ELVs, then any fat b*stard can! Also, I'm currently staying in england for a few weeks, and its interesting to see some of the editorials being written about ELVs in the papers and such. They're totally canning it! Calling it a ploy by the southern hemisphere to destroy England rugby... can barely believe it! Its total rubbish, as well. As I said before, I was getting the impression that rucking skill was more important than ever, and I thought that's what England was best at... |
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| YEAH!!! That's awesome news!!!!!!!! Thank god... Rugby in the S14 has been much better to watch under the law variations. Faster rugby, definitely, but the best feature is less full-arm penalties! When you've got a tight match and it's one shot of goal after the next, it's just so boring. And you'd get a minor indiscretion, e.g. entering the side of a ruck, or holding onto the ball or something, which is especially painful when it's a borderline call from the ref,and the opposition team would get a shot at goal for it!! A free kick makes so much more sense, and empowers teams to win games based more on merit, and less on luck. A half-arm penalty doesn't hurt a defending team as much, and if the offending team persists THEN you get a full-arm and if they further persist, or if it's a professional foul, then BIN. Nothing needs to be said about some of the other rules, like the banning of passing into the 22 and kicking out, defence line 5m back from the scum, quick line outs etc etc. There has also been a huge focus on scrummaging in the S14 this season. Scrums and lineouts are always going to be integral components of modern rugby. Games are still largely won/lost in the forwards, and although you might need a slightly more mobile pack under the ELVs, you still need big men to keep the set-piece competitive. Let's hope the NH like them. PS not convinced about pulling down of the maul. It pretty much wipes out the maul, as we saw in last year's ARC. |
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| Yes I think the big fear is that it might become more like League. I support both codes but like the differences "Vive la differance" kip |
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| I agree with you kip. I have found less time during Super 14 matches to get a beer and go to the toilet. The game time is longer and less stoppages makes for better viewing. I think most rugby supporters would have still been watching rugby if these new rules weren't in place but they do answer the criticism that has come from people outside of rugby. This can only lead to more interest and more of a global sport. I was worried that we would see the end of fat props and hookers, but instead what we are seeing is these guys being more involved and carrying the ball more. There would have to be more ties scored by forwards this year than any other year of Super rugby. |
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| Yes I agree Mark but I think after a while the rules of engagement will settle down and safety will prevail kip |
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| Pulling down the maul is a very bad idea. Firstly, it's negative rugby, which is never a good idea. Secondly, it interferes (for no very good reason - I'm sure it is intended to get the ball out to the backs and have a 'more open game") with a classic part of the game. Thirdly, it is dangerous - bodies are often in awkward positions in a maul, and pulling it down is bound to cause injuries. Mark L. |
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| Ah a clone Not seen you for a while How ya doin? kip |
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| I should add. I still enjoy the company of men. kip |
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| Yes I am becoming more favourable to the experiment. Luckily I have SKY and they show at least 3 live games and all the highlights. kip |
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| Hi Just come online I have no problems with it as it keeps the game moving and is clearly faster and more open. I was a little unsure about the ping pong kicking and the perceived decline of real forward battles. Since you put me on the spot I say fine. What will happen is the style of play will adapt from the current ELV scenario to a better form of rugby. I see England as probable World Champions for the next 20 years which is nice :) Bring it on. kip |
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| kip You have been watching some of the Super 14 games, what is your opinion of these ELVs and how will this effect English rugby? |
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| Fantastic news.IRB has approved ELVs starting in August 08,and a few additional new laws are to be trialed in the NH,these include being able to defend a maul by pulling it down(don't know about that on as I like a good rolling maul),but hey what a surprice,I was sure the Poms would have tryed to block it but it's all been approved for one year.yippe! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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