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[Rugby] Topic: 2013 Super Rugby Winner |
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HeadOverHeart |
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#1 Posted: 1/29/2013 4:48:51 PM
Effing Reds were my pick last season and got hit with the biggest list of injuries since the Rotterdam Nursing Home Disaster of 1877.
Needless to say, they didn't make it. Losing Quade to a bullshit one match ban in the finals didn't help either. Still, they did very well in light of their situation.
This season I feel really strongly about this pick. All the right elements coming together at the right time to make a big impact. Kinda like all the Roosters converging on the hotel bar after a junior charity function.
Add that to the fact that I see a lot of falling stars in most teams throughout the comp, this only adds up to me hitting it this season.
And the pick is the........
STORMERS.
In short, I think the year experience from the trials of last season, added in with the genuine Currie Cup win, will pay big dividends for the SA side. Their defence will be as ferocious as ever, plus with a whole new slew of additions, mostly from the pilfered Lions club, the Stormers should see a new attacking flair that was missing most of the time last year. I have been a big fan of Jantjiles in his days at the Lions. He made that team so much better than it should have been and if I could have counted how many times I said to myself, "man, if only he was on a team which could utilize his skills......" Well, now it's happened.
If the Stormers are able to threaten putting points up early on sides, instead of eventually putting them up by wearing them down, they will be a nightmare to face. Imagine them going up 10 or 14 to nil in the first 10-20 minutes.....and then having to come back against that defence.
Let's also not forget to factor in the guaranteed wins and bonus points from the Cheetahs and Kings. This gives them an edge over any Aussie or Kiwi side which shows good form.
In SA itself, the Bulls are rebuilding and I see them as a possible finalist, but more of the middle-of-the-pack contestant. The Sharks will be the main hurdle for the Stormers. They are a little stronger on the pitch in some positions, notably up-front, but I don't see any whopping advantages to counter-act the package the Stormers will be bringing to the table this season.
All-in-all, you can't go wrong with $8.00 on the Stormers to take it all.
GOOD LUCK and GET IN!!! 
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snake2710 |
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#2 Posted: 1/30/2013 5:59:33 PM
They have had one hell of a pre season and should be even better than last season with slightly better depth now and the year experience of what it all takes |
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HeadOverHeart |
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#3 Posted: 1/31/2013 6:23:19 PM
Chiefs will miss SBW, Imo, and the hunger is not always there after reaching the pinnacle. Plus, the NZ Conference is the most competitive, which will favor the Stormers (and Sharks) on the table. |
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HeadOverHeart |
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#4 Posted: 2/3/2013 12:31:02 AM |
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snake2710 |
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#5 Posted: 2/3/2013 2:26:46 PM |
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HeadOverHeart |
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#6 Posted: 2/4/2013 10:09:19 PM QUOTE Originally Posted by snake2710:
Chiefs looked really good in their first warm up game
Yeah, I don't put too much stock in those. Too many non-season-like factors in those matches to be an accurate indicator.
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HeadOverHeart |
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#7 Posted: 2/4/2013 10:14:03 PM |
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HeadOverHeart |
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#8 Posted: 2/4/2013 10:14:59 PM  |
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snake2710 |
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#9 Posted: 2/6/2013 6:59:51 PM
A little of both gues could say, like them 1 year down the track and also because i bleed RED BLACK and YELLOW |
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snake2710 |
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#10 Posted: 2/7/2013 2:33:21 PM |
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HeadOverHeart |
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#11 Posted: 2/8/2013 12:36:27 AM QUOTE Originally Posted by snake2710:
Just had a look and really like the look of Stormers to win the SA division paying $2.30. That seems like great value i think., What you reckon
Well, to me at least, I see this as a two-horse race for the top spot on the season ladder. Stormers and Sharks. So, by that reasoning, if you like the Stormers to win SA, go a little it further and place them to Make the Final. Better odds, great chance.
Remember, SA has the Kings and Cheetahs. Cheetahs are vastly improved from years past, and will spring an upset or two, but should be an easy 4 points for both the Stormers and Sharks. Kings are a guaranteed 10 points for both of them as well. Why is that important? Because, position-wise on the ladder, the Aus and NZ teams are already behind the 8-ball because of this.
If you don't want to mess with the finals series though, then yes, Stormers to win SA at $2.30 is a good bet. But it will be close and the Sharks will be hanging around, if not in 1st Place, for almost all season. |
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HeadOverHeart |
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#12 Posted: 2/8/2013 12:38:07 AM QUOTE Originally Posted by snake2710: i will be betting them to win the conference and maybe a little there way to make the big final.
A little of both gues could say, like them 1 year down the track and also because i bleed RED BLACK and YELLOW
Losing SBW to my Chookins will be a bigger blow to the Chiefs than most people reckon right now. What do you think, snake? |
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GDayMate |
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#13 Posted: 2/12/2013 8:42:12 PM |
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Gambling_Ernie |
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#14 Posted: 2/13/2013 12:29:06 AM QUOTE Originally Posted by snake2710:
Chiefs looked really good in their first warm up game
Thought i saw a few players from the Chiefs playing in France. Are they former players or just warming till S15? |
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snake2710 |
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#15 Posted: 2/13/2013 2:55:15 PM |
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#16 Posted: 2/13/2013 3:38:28 PM |
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HeadOverHeart |
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#17 Posted: 2/13/2013 6:36:01 PM QUOTE Originally Posted by snake2710:
Yea i think they will miss him in the mid field but they do have a lot of guys who last year were like first years and rookies and now have that year under their belt. I must say i think the Canes and Chiefs will be the 2 tops teams in the NZ conference this year.
Canes and Chiefs. I think Saders Faders will be right for once in a long, long while. See them in the same boat as the Bulls, a fading star, especially with McCaw out until July. |
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76erscuts |
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#18 Posted: 2/13/2013 10:57:29 PM
I like the chiefs for this year!!
Chiefs, Stormers, Brumbies are the 3 team confrences
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HeadOverHeart |
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#19 Posted: 2/27/2013 6:35:49 PM QUOTE Originally Posted by 76erscuts:
I would love to say my Crusaders but with 11 All Blacks in the team, they may struggle a little during the test season. We will find out more this weekend when they play the Waratahs with a full squad for a trial,
I like the chiefs for this year!!
Chiefs, Stormers, Brumbies are the 3 team confrences
No team was impressive in Round Two. Makes Round Three all that more interesting.  |
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davopnz |
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#20 Posted: 2/28/2013 2:41:47 AM 
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Luckylunchbox |
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#21 Posted: 2/28/2013 6:11:14 AM QUOTE Originally Posted by davopnz: Chiefs injury decimated team dropping 41 on the highlanders and the brumbies holding the rebels scoreless in the 2nd half wasn't impressive? interesting
Your more of a chiefs homer than snake |
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HeadOverHeart |
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#22 Posted: 2/28/2013 6:46:09 PM QUOTE Originally Posted by davopnz: Chiefs injury decimated team dropping 41 on the highlanders and the brumbies holding the rebels scoreless in the 2nd half wasn't impressive? interesting
Highlanders don't play defence and the Chiefs won because it was a matter of who scored last wins. We'll see how the Chiefs turn out this week.
Rebels blow big bumbubbles and the Brumbubbles are the pick of the Aussie litter right now so not surprising, especially with Bieber chatting up the physio more than playing in the 2nd Half. |
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#23 Posted: 2/28/2013 6:49:10 PM
Sharks were woeful on defence against the Cheetahs so this match has the making of a good one. |
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davopnz |
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#24 Posted: 2/28/2013 7:36:29 PM QUOTE Originally Posted by Luckylunchbox:
Your more of a chiefs homer than snake
Feel free to tell me what's unimpressive about scoring 41 when you're missing schwalger, elliot, taimefuna, kahui, horrell. Cruden had a groin injury so Anscombe in his first super rugby game has to take over the kicking duties, Nanai-Williams was violently ill before the game and still tore the highlanders a new one. What was unimpressive?
Any team that scores 41 points is impressive.
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