It reeks of a South African stitch-up – the Bulls are set to field a second string team against the Stormers for the top of the table final round clash in Cape Town this weekend.
The Bulls can't be headed for the crucial No 1 position heading into the semifinals.
The second-placed Stormers are vulnerable to the chasing pack but a win against the Bulls would almost certainly give them second place and the other home semifinal.
The Bulls signalled their intentions with their opening training session of the week.
The players going through their drills were very much the second-stringers.
Local media suggested at least 13 stars will be rested this weekend.
These include captain Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Morné Steyn, Zane Kirchner, Francois Hougaard, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Gary Botha, Werner Kruger, Dewald Potgieter, Deon Stegmann, Wynand Olivier and Pierre Spies.
Doubtless our mate MAWM will be on here shortly to compliment us on our foresight, and to confess that his faith in the integrity of South African rugby was misplaced ...
Seriously though, couldn't you see it coming? We did. If you've taken our advice and put the house on the Stormers, just e-mail us and we'll give you our bank deatils so that you can show your gratitude!
We'll say it again; we love being right!!!!!
8 comments:
Yeah, but come on, what would you do if you were coach?
They're assured of top spot, so they rest players for a match that doesn't matter to them so they're all available for the semi...not that I don't hope that it costs them their momentum and they lose their semi.
What it does show is that the thinking in South African rugby is streets ahead of The dunderheads trying to run NZ rugby.
A case of premature ejaculation?
I think so.
You quote a story by a one-eyed Kiwi journalist who gives a vague reference to 'local media suggesting' as his source.
Dr Tim Noakes (from the WP), a prominant sports physiologist, has been calling for players like Matfield and Du Preez (and all the other Boks) to be rested as they are over played - something he has been doing for years now. Alistair Coetzee, the Stormers coach, has been asked by media about 'what if' the Bulls send an understrength team. Also some ex-WP players have been approached for comment. That is all there is in the SA media. It sounds like the Media trying to make up a story.
Six years ago Western Province went to Loftus to play the Blue Bulls at a similar stage of a Currie Cup season. It was the last league match, and the Blue Bulls had already secured top position. The then coach, Heyneke Meyer, opted to field an understrength Blue Bulls team. WP did not score the win many expected them to, but in the end had to be content with an exciting draw. The current Blue Bulls team has just won the Vodacom Cup and is certainly not a 'B' team - Northern Tvl (not called that anymore) Rugby Union has incredible depth.
You also have some difficulty in differentiating between SA (R)ugby and the franchises. The Bulls, the franchise, have been good enough to ensure that they have an unassailable position at the top. It is their choice what they do. If I was their coach/management I would rest a few seniors very much in the way Henry rested the AB's before the last RWC. After all their job is to win the S14 championship.
If the NZ teams participation in the playoffs depends on the result of a SA local derby, it is because they were not good enough to be there. Period.
Get over your prejudices and years of indoctrination by a media hostile to SA.
Hehe - we were fishing for a bite, but didn't expect to catch a whole shoal!
And mawm - the only prejudices I have against South African rugby are towards the referees of 1970 and 1976 ...
InV2 - don't forget 1949.
A wee bit before my time pdm, but I've heard all the stories! 1960 was the first All Black tour to SA that I can remember.
IV2: Could we have the Lotto numbers for Saturday now? Thanks.
the only prejudices I have against South African rugby are towards the referees of 1970 and 1976 ...
cough.....would you like to be reminded of Welsh referee Clive Norling who awarded a late and controversial penalty at the end of the Eden Park test in 81? It gave the AB's the series. I bet that cost the NZRU a gold Rolex or two.
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