If you wanted to win against SA teams from ANZ would you play their strongest teams in SA and their weakest team in Aust? No - you would play their weakest teams in SA and their strongest team in Aust, where SA teams winning is as rare as a LNP winning the state election in Queensland during the last 10 or more years.
The Reds played the Cheetahs first (11th placed out of 14 teams), then the Sharks next (12th placed out of 14 teams), and then the Lions (13th placed out of 14 teams. And the Lions will have just come back from their ANZ road trip, so they will be totally smashed. And possibly winless on the road.
The Super 14 committee could not have given the Reds a better draw to lose that losing feeling and join the middle ranks of the competition from the cellar where they have dwelled for almost a decade.
Showing posts with label Teams - Sharks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teams - Sharks. Show all posts
Friday, March 26, 2010
SA teams weak means more final chances for Australian teams
When SA has two strong teams in the Super competition, it means less Aussie teams make it to the final 4. When SA have say the Sharks and the Bulls firing, that leaves only 2 spots to fit all Aust and NZ teams into. Sounds simplistic, but this was one of the factors that contribed to no Australian teams making the playoffs in 2009. A point I am sure is not lost on the ARU.
In 2010, with the Sharks strong on paper and weak on the field, only the Bulls are left. What about the Stormers you ask? If they were still in the mix at the end of the regular season it would be almost out of character. They have a habit of slipping out of contention as the season moves to an end. As for the winning the championship - that would be really against history.
In 2010, with the Sharks strong on paper and weak on the field, only the Bulls are left. What about the Stormers you ask? If they were still in the mix at the end of the regular season it would be almost out of character. They have a habit of slipping out of contention as the season moves to an end. As for the winning the championship - that would be really against history.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Travel fatigue on first game back real for ANZ sides
Despite firm claims I've heard from coaches at national and provincial level, I firmly believe that the trip to South Africa by Australian and New Zealand provincial teams, if not handled properly, results in fatigued performances on the first game back home minimum.
Not to overlook the cost of failing to manage the training when the Australian teams are in SA - their poor win/loss record in SA speaks for itself - a discussion for another day.
Round 4 in this years Super 14 Competiton against confirmed my this theory - in fact is it is obvious now that even the commentators make loose mention of it. After participating in and observing Super rugby for nearly 20 years, I don't need to see any more evidence. Apparently the coaches do....
The Chiefs lost at home to the Reds and failed to get a 4 try bonus point. The Waratahs and the Brumbies both scraped a win at home against the Sharks and Cats respectively. None of the latter two winning teams were able to achieve a four try bonus point. The averages points scored by all six teams in these three games was roughly 50% of the average in the four games so far this year with the new rule interpretations.
Not to overlook the cost of failing to manage the training when the Australian teams are in SA - their poor win/loss record in SA speaks for itself - a discussion for another day.
Round 4 in this years Super 14 Competiton against confirmed my this theory - in fact is it is obvious now that even the commentators make loose mention of it. After participating in and observing Super rugby for nearly 20 years, I don't need to see any more evidence. Apparently the coaches do....
The Chiefs lost at home to the Reds and failed to get a 4 try bonus point. The Waratahs and the Brumbies both scraped a win at home against the Sharks and Cats respectively. None of the latter two winning teams were able to achieve a four try bonus point. The averages points scored by all six teams in these three games was roughly 50% of the average in the four games so far this year with the new rule interpretations.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sharks 0-3
The Sharks have started poorly. 0-3. They are a better team than that. But so were the Bulls of 2008 who dropped down the ladder.
I didn't predict or expect the Bulls to go from Champions to easy-beats in the 2007 to 2008 transition, so who knows what's happening with the Sharks.
I didn't predict or expect the Bulls to go from Champions to easy-beats in the 2007 to 2008 transition, so who knows what's happening with the Sharks.
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