Should South Africa have racial quotas for rugby?

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Mmmmm. Halftime score: Brumbies 27 -v- Chiefs 10. Thus the Brumbies already have a bonus point in their pockets which could come in handy.

Brumbies came out fired up, looking like the team of old. Mortlock virtually playing as first receiver, continually busted the line. Interestingly, Georgie Gregan hasn't said a word. They're certainly playing very very well; on the other hand, the Chiefs are putting in a very ordinary performance. Larkham is back to his best, but he's being allowed the room. Pat Howard is also playing his best game for the season. Maybe the Chiefs are just the opponents the Brumbies needed at this point.

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Final score: Brumbies 42 -d- Chiefs 15.

They'd be very pleased with the result. Brumbies of old, but they were given the time, space and opportunity. Next week they've got the Blues, who might not be so generous. Sterling Mortlock had a blinder - probably the best I've ever seen him play.

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Originally posted by Havak
More of Bob's unique management style on show perhaps, as I see Bowman intends to leave Waratahs after being left out of the reds game?

Fairly typical dummy spit. The Waratahs' lineouts have been disgraceful for at least the last 3 games, losing half a dozen per game. Something had to give. Tommy Bowman had been doing quite well around the ground but he's never been one of the great jumpers. His replacement was jumping well before he was outed.

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Hmmmmmmmm. Reds 31 -d- Waratahs 24.

As I suggested the other day, never underestimate Queenslanders, with their backs to the wall, playing New South Welshmen, in Queensland. The Reds came out revved up. The Waratahs hardly saw the ball in the first 20 minutes. It finished up a surprisingly high-quality game in a context that usually provides a slugfest. The Waratahs got some momentum going towards the end of the first half and continued it into the second half until the Reds scored an amazing try returning the kick off. If you get a chance to see the game, it happens at around the 10 or 11 minute mark of the second half. Chris Latham starts it, Wendell Sailor steps off his left foot five times in a run of about 50 metres, before Latham reappears to deliver the final pass.

Thus, with one round to go, the ladders appears thus:

Crusaders (so far in front it doesn't matter)
NSW 39
Queensland 34
Brumbies 33

Highlanders 33

So next week's Highlanders -v- Queensland (importantly, in Dunedin) is for a spot in the finals. And the Brumbies have to beat the Blues in Canberra to be certain of making it. The bonus point picked up by the Waratahs means either they will have to lose by about 40 points next week - and Queensland win by about the same - for the Waratahs to lose second spot and a home semi.

Roll on next week!

[Caligastia]

I only got to see the Reds v Waratahs game, but it was a good one. The Reds were certainly fired up.

My predictions for the remaining games that matter:

Blues beat Brumbies by a narrow margin

Highlanders beat Reds and pick up a bonus point

Crusaders beat Waratahs

Im not biased of course...

So I expect the final table to be:

Crusaders
Waratahs
Highlanders
Reds


If I am wrong about the Blues v Brumbies game I reckon it will be this:

Crusaders
Waratahs
Brumbies
Highlanders

So either way its likely to be two NZ teams and two aussie teams.

Should be a great semi-final and final!

Unfortunately I wont be posting on here until after the 20th because my wife and I are going on a trip to Paris and Amsterdam from the 9th till the 19th. I will be taping the semi-finals while I am away of course.

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Look, if you were going to Italy, I could understand. You're not. So I don't understand.

The combinations and permutations are fun, aren't they? It'll be interesting to see whether the Reds can do it again. Queenslanders are a peculiar bunch. Which, I'm sure, is telling you nothing you don't already know.

Actually, I think the Brumbies will beat the Blues, the Reds will down the Highlanders, and the Crusaders will roll the Waratahs.

Which makes for an entirely different Final Four!

[Caligastia]

Nah, the Reds are definitely going down - mark my words.

The Blues could beat the brumbies, but thats all Ill concede.

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It's going to be interesting between the Reds and the Highlanders. The Queenslanders are - well, Queenslanders; and - well, I'm sure you've been to the depths of the South Island ...

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by finbar
It's going to be interesting between the Reds and the Highlanders. The Queenslanders are - well, Queenslanders; and - well, I'm sure you've been to the depths of the South Island ...

Yep, it definitely will be interesting. I have been to the deep south alright, so I definitely think the home-ground advantage will be a factor.

The Blues are my home team though, so I have to be an eternal optimist and think they will beat the Brumbies on their home ground.

I found it hilarious when I heard about that teenager tackling Gregan in Hamilton BTW! Bloody hicks!

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Speaks volumes for ground security that the Brumbies forwards caught the guy and handed him over to the Brumbies medical team to take from the ground and hand over to the ground security people.

BTW, I've just discovered why Havak has been missing very recently. Leicester went down to Bristol on the weekend. Bristol, with the points for winning, are now only 32 points behind Leicester on the table! Presumably Johnno king-hit the Bristol mascot before the match and got sent off before he ran on.

[Havak]

Actually it's been a bank holiday weekend here so I've just spent four straight nights in the pub talking a good game (as usual). I also missed most of the S-12 games because of this so appreciate the update guys.

Bristol played extremely well and deserved the win, but it's a little artificial in a way as Tigers rested almost the whole first XV. Jonno for once was not sent off (but then he was on the bench)
I guess I should worry as it's very likely Bristol will be our QF opponents in the play offs - but then that will be at Welford Road and should be a very different game indeed - it's not called "FortressWelford Road" for nothing.

The most notable thing about the game was one of Bristol's props (Julian White) swinging at Tigers young number 8 (Adam Balding) and being laid out for his trouble. Both men instantly seeing red from Ref Steve Lander. Balding has never even been spoken to by a ref before that I have seen, so his knockout punch caught the fans off guard a little. Needless to say I'm sure Jonno was proud of him.

Btw If you thought David McHugh (Boks-Wallabies last tri-nations - Giffen sent off) was a poor ref just wait until "I'm the star" Lander gets a tri-nations game - he sucks big time (in my objective never-forgiven-him-for-the-96-cup-final view).

I'm looking forward to catching the conclusion to the race for the semi's, I would discuss it more but I need to go get my tickets for the European Cup final this morning.

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Originally posted by Havak


Actually it's been a bank holiday weekend here so I've just spent four straight nights in the pub talking a good game (as usual).

Gee, if you went home afterwards and kissed the dog and kicked the missus, you'd qualify as an Australian.

Oh, and did you read that Caligastia's zorfing to your side of the pond? It will be up to us to keep this thread afloat till he gets home, you realise.

[Havak]

Gee, if you went home afterwards and kissed the dog and kicked the missus, you'd qualify as an Australian.

Does falling over the dog and getting a right earful from the missus for being so quiet coming in the house count as well?

Well we should have plenty enough to talk about with the S-12 where it is now? We could even discuss again whu the Bok teams are so dire these days?

Caligastia should really enjoy both those cities, I've been to both on tours - Holland in 99 and Paris in both 97 and 2001. A cracking time had by all on each occassion.

Here is a warning though - if you have never been to Paris (or France) you may find the Turkish toilets in most bars a bit of a shock, and never ever order beer on the champs-elysee. I got burned £20 (about $55 Aussie dollars!) for "deux bierre grande" (about two pint steins) just down from the arc de triomphe!! I have never fully recovered.

I found the Parisians amazingly friendly given we were a bunch of Englishmen with very little French between us, the food is superb and the lager okay. Keep in mind though that Paris is not too far above it's sewers and at times you sure know it.

As for Holland the Dutch are just great - as long as you aren't into right wing politics that is.

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Originally posted by Havak


Does falling over the dog and getting a right earful from the missus for being so quiet coming in the house count as well?

Sorry, sounds very Brit to me.

Well we should have plenty enough to talk about with the S-12 where it is now? We could even discuss again whu the Bok teams are so dire these days?

Well, that'll take seven words. No money, no grassroots, no administrators, soccer.

Caligastia should really enjoy both those cities, I've been to both on tours - Holland in 99 and Paris in both 97 and 2001. A cracking time had by all on each occassion.

Bear in mind he's from Auckland. You can take a boy out of Auckland, you can't take Auckland out of a boy. I don't care how long he's been in La Grande Pomme.

I found the Parisians amazingly friendly given we were a bunch of Englishmen with very little French between us, the food is superb and the lager okay. Keep in mind though that Paris is not too far above it's sewers and at times you sure know it.

I've been to France half a dozen times. Anything to escape this rathole, y'see. Personally, I prefer the countryside for bonhomie. I've got quite a bit of French and I found anywhere outside the cities a lot more accommodating.

As for Holland the Dutch are just great - as long as you aren't into right wing politics that is.

I'm from Dutch stock. Frankly - and with enormous respect to any Dutchmen who might read this - well, I think you get my drift.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Havak
Caligastia should really enjoy both those cities, I've been to both on tours - Holland in 99 and Paris in both 97 and 2001. A cracking time had by all on each occassion.

Ive been to Paris for 2 days in 94, and Amsterdam about 3 times. I didnt get much of a chance to look around Paris back then, so Im looking forward to seeing more of it.

Here is a warning though - if you have never been to Paris (or France) you may find the Turkish toilets in most bars a bit of a shock, and never ever order beer on the champs-elysee. I got burned £20 (about $55 Aussie dollars!) for "deux bierre grande" (about two pint steins) just down from the arc de triomphe!! I have never fully recovered.

Thanks for the warning. Theres nothing more upsetting than overpriced beer is there...