Alright now, up until this point of the comp, I haven’t really had too much to rant about, there was the Man-Perm issue which really was more of a laugh than anything, this week there was the pink Western Force jerseys that would in any normal week take my attention, but the rant has to go to the first game of the round. I was looking forward to this match all week, as I mentioned last week the Bulls are going to lead the ladder all season (even though I stupidly still tipped the Canes), and I also said this game would be a teller for them as they finally come up against some strong opposition, but I didn’t expect the opposition to be the ref.
Now SANZAR have decided this year that the GFC is hitting every industry and every corner of the world, and that they too need to tighten the purse strings. Instead of using neutral refs for each game, they would choose on “merit”, just happens the ref living closest to each game deserves on “merit” to ref that game (by chance cuts down on travel costs too, how about that). The strongest teams playing each week will get the strongest ref available to officiate. Great idea in principle, but who on earth thought that Matt “I’m The Boss” Goddard was the strongest ref available ref this week?!? In fact name one Australian ref that actually knows how to let the spectators enjoy a free flowing game? As Goddard was so intimidated by the two teams, he thought the best way to gain control and an upper hand, was to send most of the players off. In the first 20 mins 3 Cards and by the end of the 50 mins 6 Cards were handed out (one of those a Red, admittedly the Red Card was deserved for a sickening tackle on Conrad Smith). At one stage there were 3 players off the pitch. So in theory Goddard had less to do, as there was less to officiate. How about SANZAR cut his wages to save money cause he only did half a job. Based on merit, Matt Goddard should be travelling with the Cheetahs this entire season.
Rant number 2. Rucking. Why on earth was this eliminated from the game. One of the cards handed out to poor old Eaton from the Canes was for rucking a player who was deliberately lying on the ball, slowing the game down, when the Canes had great momentum and great field position. Now instead of the Canes getting a penalty for a Bulls player cheating, they lose a player to the bin for 10 mins and have the penalty go against them. How is that good for the game?!?
If you are too lazy, stupid or too much of a cheat, you deserve to go home with a few scratches on your back. Battle wounds are good for the soul and rucking is good for the game!
Any way, back to the weeks results.
The Bulls maintained their unbeaten run this weekend. Its hard to tell who was the stronger team due to the performance of Goddard, but I think the Bulls did deserve the win. This so could have been a great game, but all I saw was red all night and found it hard to concentrate on the game at hand.
How strong are the Bulls going to be when Habana and Matfield return. Anybody know how long they will be out for?
I didn’t bother watching the Highlanders game. Why would you with quality of the opposition. Its great to see the Highlanders get a bonus point for something other than a close loss. For three and a half years, the Cheetahs have not won overseas. My tip for next week is that the Cheetahs wont lose.
Highlanders have a home game in Palmerston North next week?!?, I hope they take a strong security force to look after them. What a dodgy part of the world.
The Blues were belted by the Chiefs in a high scoring, attaching game. There was no defence from either team, but hey, that’s great for the spectators. Sivivatu scored 3 of his 4 tries in the first 26 mins which set the scene for the rest of the match. All up there were 14 tries.
The Crusaders desperate defence saved the game for them on Saturday night in Sydney in front of a huge crowd of 32,000. A little more movement of the ball by the Tahs entertained the crowd more than usual, but the loss wont entice the crowds back as we know Sydney-siders only follow a winning team.
The Force in PINK looked in great form for most of the match, but any time the Sharks had a bit of space, their superior speed saw many a run away try. Its heart braking watching the Force play so well with such a strong team, but then just throw matches away with silly errors and lapses in concentration. 33 missed tackles to the Sharks and 8 penalties to 1, the Force won the stats but lost the game. I would love to know the handling errors by the Force though, the one area they dominate the competition.
The Brumbies did themselves no favours on Sunday morning against the Lions. The Lions upset win has thrown the table into chaos with only 5 points separating 4th and 11th as the middle of the table bunches up.
Ireland have won the Grand Slam in the Six Nations for the first time in 61 years. A nail biting game by all accounts, and its 3pm in Sydney and I still haven’t heard from the missus, obviously still celebrating the result or at least sleeping off the effects in Honkers.
Speaking of Hong Kong, im off to the 7s next weekend. Wont get to see too much S14 I would guess, in fact I probably wont see too much 7s either from all reports. Should be one hell of a party.
One last confession, I did go to a rugby league game this weekend. I feel so dirty as I let my guard down, but thought after 5 years in Newtown, I should get along to a Newtown Jets game. The best part of the day was the KB Larger which costs only $4 a can. I haven’t seen KB Larger on sale for ……. in fact I have never seen KB Larger available to buy before, I thought it went with the Dodo.
Seeya
Filed under: Uncategorized
