United Rugby Championship

[johng]

11 points clear even if we lose 300 nil tomorrow. Good job

[ronk]

11 points clear even if we lose 300 nil tomorrow. Good job

We could lose by that scoreline and not have the worst points difference in the league.

This is actually one of our hardest games though.

[Ruckedtobits]

Although the Scarlets win brings them within touching distance of Connacht, their win tonight over the Bulls, coupled with Ulster's excellent 5 try victory over the Stormers are great results for Irish Provinces.

The results confirm that playing in N Hemsphere is difficult for SA teams and, despite their numbers, the Franchises don't have as much strength in depth as the quality of their first-str8ngs suggest.

For all of them, there's a big gap to level two players, at least in teamwork and strategy and you can't win in our League without those attributes.

[riocard911]

Although the Scarlets win brings them within touching distance of Connacht, their win tonight over the Bulls, coupled with Ulster's excellent 5 try victory over the Stormers are great results for Irish Provinces.

The results confirm that playing in N Hemsphere is difficult for SA teams and, despite their numbers, the Franchises don't have as much strength in depth as the quality of their first-str8ngs suggest.

For all of them, there's a big gap to level two players, at least in teamwork and strategy and you can't win in our League without those attributes.

Last time I looked, Stormers were the reigning champions. At the end of the day losing matches on the road/here or there is irrelevant. Making the playoffs is the bottom line. Manage that and then win all your ko games, no one gives a fiddler's what path you took to claim the trophy in the end.

P.s. Going into the playoffs undefeated or as top dog - be it ERCC or URC - brings its own pressures, as we ourselves know better than anyone.

[desperado]

Just met Stormers in Dublin airport, heading home. Talked to one or two. Flying back via Doha. Evan Roos being carted around in a wheelchair, leg in a cast. Say he'll be out for a while.

Sent from my SM-G990B using Tapatalk

[ronk]

Because of the calendar, a few teams made early plans to lose this game anyway. But then it turned out to be a much more important game.

Treviso threw in the towel on the Munster visit when the announced the fixtures. Stormers had to rotate for player welfare but probably now are wondering because Ulster were more vulnerable they looked pre-season. Cardiff used it to their advantage last year. The Bulls probably just cost themselves a shot at a home semi final.

[Blue Man]

I don’t know what sort of sides the Saffas picked in terms of front liners / second tier but one would have thought that they should be targeting these matches given that the NH sides are impacted by 6 Nations call ups.
The likes of Connacht and munster should also benefit from having relatively few internationals (12 of munster’s starting XV for Benetton were involved in their H Cup match last week compared to six for Leinster)

[naraic]

I don’t know what sort of sides the Saffas picked in terms of front liners / second tier but one would have thought that they should be targeting these matches given that the NH sides are impacted by 6 Nations call ups.
The likes of Connacht and munster should also benefit from having relatively few internationals (12 of munster’s starting XV for Benetton were involved in their H Cup match last week compared to six for Leinster)

The participation agreement between the South African Rugby Union and the players Union insists that international players get something like a 30 day stand down during the season. This is because the internationals have to play the Rugby Championship during the URC offseason.

Most South African teams are giving their stand down periods at the moment as there are less games on due to the six nations and a lot of games are derbies.

[riocard911]

Sharks beat Edinburgh in Edinburgh, 19-22. Some Saffers do travel it seems...

[Ruckedtobits]

Sharks beat Edinburgh in Edinburgh, 19-22. Some Saffers do travel it seems...

An Edinburgh win would have been desirable but Connacht will be thankful for the chance to make up ground.

[riocard911]

Sharks beat Edinburgh in Edinburgh, 19-22. Some Saffers do travel it seems...

An Edinburgh win would have been desirable but Connacht will be thankful for the chance to make up ground.

Big time!

[Blue Man]

I don’t know what sort of sides the Saffas picked in terms of front liners / second tier but one would have thought that they should be targeting these matches given that the NH sides are impacted by 6 Nations call ups.
The likes of Connacht and munster should also benefit from having relatively few internationals (12 of munster’s starting XV for Benetton were involved in their H Cup match last week compared to six for Leinster)

The participation agreement between the South African Rugby Union and the players Union insists that international players get something like a 30 day stand down during the season. This is because the internationals have to play the Rugby Championship during the URC offseason.

Most South African teams are giving their stand down periods at the moment as there are less games on due to the six nations and a lot of games are derbies.

Thanks Naraic, good perspective.
3/4 losses for Saffas this weekend, not exactly boxing clever in terms of league points.

[Ruckedtobits]

Wins for all four Provinces is impressive and lots of points scored, averaging just under 40!

[Blue Man]

Am I correct in saying that we’ve qualified for the playoffs? Slightly difficult to affirm giving the conference aspect but I think we’re mathematically safe with five games to go!

[ronk]

Am I correct in saying that we’ve qualified for the playoffs? Slightly difficult to affirm giving the conference aspect but I think we’re mathematically safe with five games to go!

There are a possible 25 points. We're 30 ahead of the 9th place team.

We're also 27 points ahead of Treviso, which is the real marker if Cardiff stay out of the top 8.

Head to heads probably make it far less likely that all the teams could catch us. But they don't matter at this stage anyway.

[cormac]

Am I correct in saying that we’ve qualified for the playoffs? Slightly difficult to affirm giving the conference aspect but I think we’re mathematically safe with five games to go!

Yes. We’ve guaranteed our place in the playoffs, Conference aspect has no relevance towards the playoffs though, only qualification for the Heineken Cup.

[Xanthippe]

Am I correct in saying that we’ve qualified for the playoffs? Slightly difficult to affirm giving the conference aspect but I think we’re mathematically safe with five games to go!

There are a possible 25 points. We're 30 ahead of the 9th place team.

We're also 27 points ahead of Treviso, which is the real marker if Cardiff stay out of the top 8.

Head to heads probably make it far less likely that all the teams could catch us. But they don't matter at this stage anyway.

Stormers, Ulster, Glasgow have a potential 30 points up for grabs and Sharks ‘could’ pick up 35.

But none of that matters because it’s top 8 into playoffs now and not just top 4!!!!!

[Xanthippe]

Am I correct in saying that we’ve qualified for the playoffs? Slightly difficult to affirm giving the conference aspect but I think we’re mathematically safe with five games to go!

Yes. We’ve guaranteed our place in the playoffs, Conference aspect has no relevance towards the playoffs though, only qualification for the Heineken Cup.

Never mind - I forgot it was top 8 now and not just top 4. There are only 6 teams who ‘could’ overtake us if we lost our last 5 games without any bonus points.

[riocard911]

HT: Sharks 7-24 Stormers

[D4surfer]

HT: Sharks 7-24 Stormers

7-38 towards the end. Stormers have 5 tries.