Rugby - Super 14

[Cacteur]

.. Season Kicks off tonight.

GO BLUES!!!

Some piccies of the mighty Blues in action last season...

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j166/koretake/SmokinJoe.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j166/koretake/ScrummagingwiththeCheetahs.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j166/koretake/IsaNacewafendsJonoGibbs.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j166/koretake/DaveSmithgoesfortheline.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j166/koretake/BluesvHurricanes.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j166/koretake/AnthonyTuivakemakesabreakagainstCru.jpg

So far tonight, The Highlanders (Dunedin, New Zealand) have lost at home to the Brumbies, (ACT, Australia). I'm now watching the mighty Blues, (Auckland, New Zealand), doing it hard away from home playing the Western Force in shifted's home state, (W.A., Australia) We are losing at half time.:confused:

(The ref's a bitch man!)

Where are all the real men on here!!

:evil2:

[Cacteur]

Curry anyone??:o

[Cacteur]

In case y'all wondering why I gone all quiet about the Super 14... well... the Blues are absolute shit this year.... and I really can't be fucked talking about how good everyone else is going.

The series is almost over and South Africa's Blue Bulls, the Chiefs, (Waikato, kind of north/central of New Zealands North Island), the Hurricanes (Wellington), hold the top three positions,and the Canterbury Crusaders, and Australia's ACT Brumbies are equal at forth. (Only the top four make the playoffs)

New South Wales Waratahs, and Natal's Sharks have a good chance of making the final cut, but the rest, lead by Western Australia's Western Force and the Blues are pretty much out of the running. The standings then go, Otago Highlanders, Transvaal's Lions, Western Cape Stormers, and Queensland Reds, with the Orange Free State's Cheetahs coming up the rear.

Has been a tight series this year, but it's hard to watch the mighty Blues gettin' smashed every week. Oh well... shit happens eh? http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq122/Cacteur/Smilies/000000471-1.gif

The last game of the round robin is next week, and if there are no playoffs required, the semis will start the week after. I'll post a report, just incase one... or maybe two of yez maybe interested.:o

[Cacteur]

Well, so many of you are screaming for news I just had to pop back in and give you the goss. Blues ended up sixth on the table, (pretty ratshit when you consider there are only 14 teams.:mad:) Sure, we didn't have much luck with injuries, but the usual winning spirit that used to get us through everything deserted us this year.

Semis were last week. Hurricanes (Wellington) were beaten by the Chiefs, (Waikato) in a big upset. The Hurricanes have been favourites to take the title pretty much all season. The (Canterbury) Crusaders were beaten in Pretoria by the Bulls, (Transvaal), in what was always going to be a close game, so now, the Chiefs travel to Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria for the final.

Playing in the Transvaal has always been a daunting task for visiting Rugby teams as they are thousands of feet above sea level and the air is thin, and the locals are used to it. However, it has been less of an advantage in the professional era as most pro teams are extremely fit, including the Chiefs, so it will be close. I'm kinda veering to a Bulls win myself, but it will be a good game.

Some pics from the semis..

Hurricanes centre, Ma'a Nonu. (Famous for wearing eyeliner... you tell 'im he's a poof... dare ya..:naughty1:)

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq122/Cacteur/r369567_1714370.jpg

Lauaki, Chiefs loosie was star of the match. He busted everyone and got two down.

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq122/Cacteur/r369519_1714182.jpg

Crusaders Bulls match..

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq122/Cacteur/Super14Rd8CrusadersvBullsQWpI0wlGh2.jpg

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq122/Cacteur/Super14Rd8CrusadersvBulls26s1Tzg8Uo.jpg

:sparta: