RugbyRebels

Saders find their defensive mojo to take the Lions. Just. Jeez that Goodhue is looking promising isn't he?

Lions let another one slip. Did the same against the Blues, though in somewhat more spectacular fashion. Not looking good for them after the big away loss to the Jags either. In fact, I haven't been impressed by the Saders this season, today's result notwithstanding. Nothing to suggest they'll defend their title. Canes look odds on right now, but there's a long way to go and they've yet to play any of their major rivals on the road.

1. Rebels 6 4 0 2 207:161 20

2. Lions 7 4 0 3 240:220 20

3. Hurricanes 5 4 0 1 161:80 19

4. Crusaders 6 4 0 2 173:127 19

5. Chiefs 5 4 0 1 179:126 17

6. Waratahs 5 3 1 1 161:133 14

7. Highlanders 5 3 0 2 133:122 14

8. Reds 5 3 0 2 94:101 13

9. Stormers 7 3 0 4 183:204 13

10. Sharks 6 2 1 3 187:182 13

11. Brumbies 5 2 0 3 93:117 9

12. Bulls 6 2 0 4 145:185 9

13. Jaguares 6 2 0 4 150:190 8

14. Blues 5 1 0 4 153:203 6

15. Sunwolves 5 0 0 5 112:220 2

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South African derby looks like the most intriguing match-up this week, although the Aussie derby could also go either way. Canes, Tahs, Chiefs & Saders should be comfortable winners in the rest:

6 Hurricanes v Sharks McLean Park 09:35
7 Sunwolves v Waratahs Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium 07:15
7 Chiefs v Blues FMG Stadium Waikato 09:35
7 Brumbies v Reds GIO Stadium 11:45
7 Lions v Stormers Emirates Airlines Park 17:15
7 Jaguares v Crusaders Estadio Jose Amalfitani 23:40

Canes - Sharks kicked off yet ??

Update: Canes 12-Sharks 3 midway 1st half.

Update: Canes 12 Sharks 17 late 1st half

Update: 19-27 HT. Upset on the way? Tbh, it would do the comp good.

Update: 25-27 50 mins gone. Why isn't Beauden Barrett playing ??

Update: 25-30 with 10 to go. Canes applying the pressure.

Nailbiting finish as Shark leading 31-37 concede a series of penalties close to their line - plus a yellow card!

CANES SCORE!!
It's all down to the conversion now . . . it's good!! FT 38-37

Canes win in overtime, but Sharks have really restored credibility to the comp with that performance. The Kiwis' aura of invincibility is definitely slipping . . .

How about this for an idea:

British & Irish Super Rugby

Teams - Leinster, Munster, Scarlets, Glasgow, Ulster, Ospreys, Saracens, Exeter, Wasps, Leicester, Bath. Newcastle.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... big-league

Mad finish.

Yes, but what a performance by the Sharks. They may not have won but this has helped bring the championship back to life. Basically the top Kiwi team so far had to get out of jail in injury time to overcome an hitherto mediocre Saffa opponent. I was a little worried after last week's demo job on the Rebels that Super Rugby wasn't going to be any more competitive at all this season, but the Sharks have dispelled all doubts for the time being. Well done both teams!!

The bi-polar soup rugby fred.

Why so sour-faced? Got the blues or something??

Tahs hit 50 against Sunwolves (29).

Blues run the Chiefs close in Hamilton, but not quite close enough, 21-19. The Aucklanders really aren't that far off the pace, just seem to be missing the killer instinct right now. I'd say of the 15 teams this year only the Sunpoodles still look out of their depth.

Brumbies thumping Reds right now though. FT 45 - 21! I thought it would be closer...

Lions with an early try v Stormers.

I didn't know Ronan O'Gara was on the Cru coaching team.

Me neither. Most of the coaching expertise, like the playing talent, goes in the opposite direction . . .

Jags 0 Saders 19 last 1st half

Codie Taylor doing his best Coles "I'm a centre" impression.

Cru have made over 90 tackles in this half already.

Still 0-19 HT & bedtime. I'll read about it in the morning . .

Jag score a pearler from a quick tap. 26-14 to bouncy castle.

40-14. Jags just go to sleep on some of the basics.

1. Lions 8 5 0 3 292:251 25

2. Crusaders 7 5 0 2 213:141 24

3. Hurricanes 6 5 0 1 199:117 23

4. Chiefs 6 5 0 1 200:145 21

5. Rebels 6 4 0 2 207:161 20

6. Waratahs 6 4 1 1 211:162 19

7. Highlanders 5 3 0 2 133:122 14

8. Brumbies 6 3 0 3 138:138 14

9. Sharks 7 2 1 4 224:220 14

10. Reds 6 3 0 3 115:146 13

11. Stormers 8 3 0 5 214:256 13

12. Bulls 6 2 0 4 145:185 9

13. Jaguares 7 2 0 5 164:230 8

14. Blues 6 1 0 5 172:224 7

15. Sunwolves 6 0 0 6 141:270 2

morepork wrote:40-14. Jags just go to sleep on some of the basics.

Which is kind of shocking when you remember they have more points than the Blues.

When did Aucklanders forget how to play rugby?

The Jaguares don't have to play half their games against the four best sides in the competition. They also have a game in hand.

Big clash this weekend:

Always happy when the Canes and Jags win on the same weekend. But looks like the Rebels early success was a little deceptive. Brumbies have looked a bit shoddy this year as well, and it's beginning to seem like nothing has really changed at all this year. Meanwhile, Highlanders looking like they might pose the most serious threat to the Canes at the moment.