The Silver Fern

@Toddy

I'm a little annoyed I don't like grubs & cheap shots like that in Rugby

Kolisi confirmed out for 6 weeks with a Grade 2 MCL tear caused by a dog shot by that piece of shit Riccitelli

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/kolisi-set-for-6-weeks-on-sidelines-20200203

@Chris

Yeah dead right more dangerous for the tackler I am sure a few of us have had a knee or hip impact from getting it slightly wrong in the hit
If it’s dangerous then it’s touch rugby nowhere left to hit someone with force.

Let me be clear, I've no problem with players tackling low
Riccitelli tackle technique wasn't great either His head was on the wrong side & he was fortunate to not cop a knee to his head

Danger element for Kolisi was lateness of tackle Blind side hit to mid thigh area causing knee ligament damage This was a pattern of bad tackles & cynical infringements by Canes in Cape Town

@mikey07

What saved Fifita from being red carded was that Scarra was in a squatting position, so there was mitigation to downgrade

You'll find neck rolls, side entries & no arms used in dozens of rucks per game It's open season

@Nepia

The timing of the tackle was bad enough Him targeting the knee/thigh area is what makes it a dirty hit Kolisi might be out for 6 weeks!!!

Canes were pathetic - lots of niggle once they were getting bashed up front

Fifita lucky not to get sent off, Procter cheap shot on Willemse I was disgusted by Canes generally in Cape Town Persistent infringements + Captain's deplorable conduct

@booboo

Err ... I think you may be overstating the issue.

Where am I overstating? Tackle was late Hit was disgraceful
Last sentence was a personal opinion

Not a great look to have RWC winning captain getting his knees taken out 20 mins of his debut in 2020 SR

Canes were a rabble yesterday

https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SuperRugby/stormers-sucked-life-from-odious-guests-20200201

@cgrant

Etzsbeth is a quality player off to Toulon

However he won't be missed for following reason:

1. Injured last SR seasons so has missed a bunch of games
   2, Stormers have depth in 2nd row with Wiese, JD Schikerlling & Moereat

@Machpants

That game would be ominous viewing for a Canes fan
Jaguares won by 30 & had plenty in the tank

Jags seem a more dynamic team this year More competition for spots as well

Canes better turn up or they'll get properly embarrassed

@Stargazer

Jaguares have been very good but their 2 Achilles Heels are flaring up:

1. Scrum is garbage - worst in comp
2. Penalties 7 in a half is way too many gifting Lions territory

JC Mallia is a livewire at 2nd 1st Five - guy to watch out for in SR in 2020

Finally this late tackle on Kolisi by Riccitellli was disgraceful Late hit to the knee I'd ban the fluffybunny for 2 weeks

@Steven-Harris

I'd agreed with you last year They had best pack in SR, dominated Crusaders in CT Yet they finished bottom of SA Conf

This year, here's a list of key forwards teams have lost:

Saders: Reid, Whitelock, Franks, Todd
Chiefs: Retallick
Landers: Franklin, Hemepo, L Whitelock, Squire
Blues: LOL
Bulls: Brits, RG Synman, Lood de Jager, Vermulean
Sharks: Du Preez Twins, Beast, Coenie, Botha, Vermulean
Lions: Marx, Whiteley
Jaguares: Matera, Lavaninni

Hence Stormers have a greater margin of error if Plan A doesn't work as their rivals are much weaker up front I can see Stormers making it to semi finals

Jaguares & Stormers in 2 horse to win SA Conf Very contrasting sides

@Steven-Harris said in Stormers v Hurricanes (Round 1):

@Stargazer the crazy thing , for all the Stormers Springbok personal , a one man advantage for 20 minutes , I have not been that impressed with them , yes they have bashed the hell out of the canes, but their attack has been very clumsy

That's the Stormers M.O. Don't create much in general play Depend on individual brilliance from likes of Willemse/Leyds/Jantjes

Stormers punished Canes mistakes & dominated Set piece

This game is more a reflection of Canes and how loss & timing of Plumtree's departure could derail their season Especially as Plum's expertise is is the pack

@sparky

You're being far too kind Canes were pathethic Their Mitre 10 Pack got dismantled Smith was who he thought he was TJP spent his time shooting his mouth off instead of dealing with his teams moronic discipline

Canes play Jaguares in BA next week They better bring it as Jags are a superior team to Stormers They're in danger of not making Playoffs if their pack get embarrassed like that many more times

Credit to Kirifi who was superb in a losing effort Without Ardie & IWL Canes have a club side pack

@hydro11

This season is already shaping up to be a season of haves & have not

Clear gap btw the likes of Crusaders Jaguares Chiefs Canes & Brumbies and other 11 SR teams

RR format starting next year can't come soon enough 18 weeks from start to finish instead of this season which will be 21 weeks

@Stargazer

Dislike Sunwolves for many reasons

For a "Japanese" franchise, they're light on Japanese born players Made a mockery of SR last year Used 70 players

Don't want to see a Babas team in SR with 2nd rate players
Crowds in Tokyo were good & they chucked ball around

Beyond that Sunwolves were a waste of time in SR Top League clubs run show in Japanese Rugby They were never going to let Sunwolves succeed

@ACT-Crusader

Those pair of clowns are awful for the Blues

Wait till you see Sunwolves pairing of......

Rudy Paige & Garth April

Two saffer Journeymen playing for a "Japanese" franchise in SR I hope Sunwlves get battered every weekend

@kev said in Blues v Chiefs:

@macandcheese From all comments Nock and Plummer are fine they just need to select them.

That's noted

I can live with Plummer at #12 or ahead of Perofeta at #10

I've no clue how good Nock is Not seen him play much
Seen enough of Ruru to know he's putrid at #9 at least at SR level

@Machpants

Duffie is fine at #15

Blues halfbacks are fucking terrible Ruru is a headless chicken Perofeta is poor & can't kick to save his life
Plummer & Black are backups at best

Blues are awful - poorly coached, high error rate, mental erros Giving up 32 pts in the 2nd half is disfracful

BB won;t make a difference if he has a bum at scrum half
Good thing Landers have a Mitre 10 squad with A Smith & Iaone or else Blues would AGAIN be worst NZ team in SR

@Donsteppa

Guy can't kick for toffee
It's embarrassing to see such aimless kicking from hand & off the tee

Blues #8 is best player on pitch atm

Chiefs #10 got a big leg

@antipodean

We're talking about the Stormers who're notorious for shitting the bed

They've 3 of the best rugby schools in SA within a 50 mile radius of Cape Town

Canes better hope the game is helter slkelter or else they might get embarrassed badly Not sure I've seen such a greater discrepancy in talent btw two packs in SR in a while