Poida_Raider said:
i'll get back to you in the next round, then pass you at the same time!!
nah im just gunna copy all of your tips so you dont beat me by more than 1!!! :lol: :lol:
hey oz.. the stormers beat the cats! i mean just so you know.
hmmm, i believe you are dead right there poida raider.
i got my info off
www.nzoom.com but checked on the all blacks website and it confirmed what you say..
ammendments will be made immediately ! :?
New Zealand's three finalists from last year are winless after a stunning opening round of upsets in the Rebel Sport Super 12.
The unexpected defeats of the 2003 grand finalists, the Blues and the Crusaders, were coupled with the Hurricanes, NZ's other finalists last year, confounded Virtual Super 12 tipsters.
And the performances of the sides delivering the upsets - the Waratahs, the Brumbies and the Chiefs - offered the tantalising prospect of the most open and competitive Super 12 in several seasons.
Certainly the Australian sides, with the exception of the Reds, sent a powerful opening message that the sight of a trophy cabinet that no longer houses any silverware is being taken very seriously across the Tasman.
Then there were the Highlanders and the Chiefs, showing stern and efficient qualities in dispatching the Reds and the Hurricanes respectively, both matches watched under the penetrating gaze of All Blacks coach Graham Henry.
And the South Africans, despite a host of newcomers to the competition, suggested there is enough grit and skill in their sides to offer spoiling problems and more.
But it was the Blues and the Crusaders being rolled in their first match of their campaigns that remains the talking point from a stimulating opening round.
The two teams that have dominated the Super 12, sharing 6 titles between them, both fell at the hands of determined Australian opposition.
The Crusaders will not be looking forward to their first training session this week. Coach Robbie Deans will pinpoint brittle defence, including some embarrassing first-up tackling, and a strangely unco-ordinated attack as "must fix" tasks ahead of this Friday night's clash with the Blues.
The crushing 96-19 defeat of the Waratahs at the same venue two years ago was a distant memory for the Jade Stadium fans as NSW extracted revenge in stunning style 43-19.
No sooner had the Crusaders been sent packing on a humid Canterbury night, the action switched to an equally sauna-like Canberra where the Brumbies wore down the Blues to win 44-27.
The Blues brains trust won't be as concerned as their Crusader opposites, however. Peter Sloane's team battled well and even though they will be disappointed with their last 20 minutes, there were signs the fearsome Blues machine is not far from clicking.
The Brumbies showed fierce determination and signs of individual brilliance, hallmark also of the Waratahs' performance.
Except it was the Waratahs who truly set the Rebel Sport Super 12 alive.
Like the Brumbies, they demonstrated Wallaby-like mental strength but also added some cracking attacking waves which revolved around swift lineout ball from Daniel Vickerman, robust advantage line play from No. 8 David Lyons and Nathan Gray and inventive running from league converts Mat Rogers and Lote Tiquiri.
All of this was superbly conducted by rookie five-eighth Tim Donnelly who along with equally diminutive Brumbies inside back Matt Giteau offers Wallaby coach Eddie Jones some tantalising material to consider working with.
Blues star Rupeni Caucaunibuca showed his brilliance with a typically breathtaking try while other potent strikeforce members like Doug Howlett also had their moments.
The competition kicked into life on Friday night at Invercagill's Rugby Park when the Highlanders sent the Reds packing 39-8.
The performances of Tony Brown, back in the sling after a long injury lay-off, and captain Anton Oliver will have cheered their supporters who feel they still have something to offer at the highest level.
Simon Maling fell into the same category, providing a constant stream of quality lineout ball despite tough weather conditions in the deep south. Then there was the promise of understudy halfback Jim Cowan and driving play of lock Filipo Levi to add further to the satisfaction of new coach Greg Cooper.
The Highlanders showed the sort of accuracy and defensive resilience that Graham Henry has suggested needs to be more prevalent among the New Zealand franchises when compared to some of their northern hemisphere rivals.
The same could be said of the fifth Ford-sponsored NZ franchise in the Chiefs.
The home side showed stern defensive backbone in the 19-7 defeat of the Hurricanes in Hamilton on Saturday night.
Equally encouragingly for coach Ian Foster, marquee recruits Byron Kelleher and Tom Willis were strong contributors to a victory few outside the franchise boundaries had tipped.
Kelleher was at his busy, bustling best while Willis relished the opportunity to start a key match at last.
The Hurricanes dominated possession but for once couldn't turn it into points. The Chiefs were too tenacious and were worth every point of their victory.
There was a mixture of the good and the bad for Henry watching from the stands. Tana Umaga came through his first big challenge since knee surgery with a typically robust performance but the sight of the menacing Jerry Collins being forced from the field clutching his left shoulder was something All Blacks fans could do without.
The round was completed with South African home derbies where the Stormers headed off the Cats 28-23 while the Sharks continued the trend of upsets by beating the fancied Bulls 23-18.
It made for an intriguing opening round to a competition that looks like it could be the widest open yet.
