2009 Super 14 Fixtures
Welcome back!
The provisional 2009 Super 14 schedule has been released. The season commences on Friday 6th February and will conclude with a six team final series.
Checkout the fixtures below.
Super 14 Fixtures for 2009
| Round | Date | Home | Away | Venue |
| 1 | Friday, 6th February | Blues | Crusaders | Auckland |
| 1 | Friday, 6th February | Cheetahs | Stormers | Bloemfontein |
| 1 | Friday, 6th February | Sharks | Bulls | Durban |
| 1 | Friday, 6th February | Reds | Hurricanes | Brisbane |
| 1 | Friday, 6th February | Chiefs | Brumbies | Hamilton |
| 1 | Friday, 6th February | Lions | Waratahs | Johannesburg |
| 1 | Friday, 6th February | Force | Highlanders | Perth |
| 2 | Friday, 13th February | Bulls | Reds | Pretoria |
| 2 | Friday, 13th February | Stormers | Sharks | Cape Town |
| 2 | Friday, 13th February | Lions | Cheetahs | Johannesburg |
| 2 | Friday, 13th February | Hurricanes | Waratahs | Wellington |
| 2 | Friday, 13th February | Highlanders | Brumbies | Dunedin |
| 2 | Friday, 13th February | Force | Blues | Perth |
| 2 | Friday, 13th February | Crusaders | Chiefs | Christchurch |
| 3 | Friday, 20th February | Stormers | Reds | Cape Town |
| 3 | Friday, 20th February | Sharks | Lions | Durban |
| 3 | Friday, 20th February | Brumbies | Crusaders | Canberra |
| 3 | Friday, 20th February | Bulls | Blues | Pretoria |
| 3 | Friday, 20th February | Force | Cheetahs | Perth |
| 3 | Friday, 20th February | Waratahs | Chiefs | Sydney |
| 3 | Friday, 20th February | Hurricanes | Highlanders | Wellington |
| 4 | Friday, 27th February | Stormers | Blues | Cape Town |
| 4 | Friday, 27th February | Lions | Bulls | Johannesburg |
| 4 | Friday, 27th February | Waratahs | Highlanders | Sydney |
| 4 | Friday, 27th February | Chiefs | Sharks | Hamilton |
| 4 | Friday, 27th February | Reds | Cheetahs | Brisbane |
| 4 | Friday, 27th February | Crusaders | Hurricanes | Christchurch |
| 4 | Saturday, 28th February | Brumbies | Force | Canberra |
| 5 | Friday, 6th March | Bulls | Stormers | Pretoria |
| 5 | Friday, 6th March | Waratahs | Reds | Sydney |
| 5 | Friday, 6th March | Blues | Sharks | Auckland |
| 5 | Friday, 6th March | Highlanders | Crusaders | Dunedin |
| 5 | Friday, 6th March | Chiefs | Force | Hamilton |
| 5 | Friday, 6th March | Hurricanes | Cheetahs | Wellington |
| 6 | Friday, 13th March | Brumbies | Waratahs | Canberra |
| 6 | Friday, 13th March | Stormers | Lions | Cape Town |
| 6 | Friday, 13th March | Reds | Sharks | Brisbane |
| 6 | Friday, 13th March | Highlanders | Chiefs | Dunedin |
| 6 | Friday, 13th March | Blues | Cheetahs | Auckland |
| 6 | Saturday, 14th March | Crusaders | Force | Christchurch |
| 7 | Friday, 20th March | Lions | Brumbies | Johannesburg |
| 7 | Friday, 20th March | Waratahs | Crusaders | Sydney |
| 7 | Friday, 20th March | Chiefs | Blues | Hamilton |
| 7 | Friday, 20th March | Hurricanes | Bulls | Wellington |
| 7 | Friday, 20th March | Highlanders | Cheetahs | Invercargill |
| 7 | Saturday, 21st March | Force | Sharks | Perth |
| 8 | Friday, 27th March | Lions | Hurricanes | Johannesburg |
| 8 | Friday, 27th March | Sharks | Brumbies | Durban |
| 8 | Friday, 27th March | Reds | Chiefs | Brisbane |
| 8 | Friday, 27th March | Crusaders | Stormers | Christchurch |
| 8 | Friday, 27th March | Highlanders | Bulls | Dunedin |
| 8 | Friday, 27th March | Blues | Waratahs | Auckland |
| 9 | Friday, 3rd April | Sharks | Hurricanes | Durban |
| 9 | Friday, 3rd April | Cheetahs | Brumbies | Bloemfontein |
| 9 | Friday, 3rd April | Waratahs | Stormers | Sydney |
| 9 | Friday, 3rd April | Crusaders | Bulls | Christchurch |
| 9 | Friday, 3rd April | Force | Reds | Perth |
| 9 | Friday, 3rd April | Chiefs | Lions | Hamilton |
| 10 | Friday, 10th April | Cheetahs | Sharks | Bloemfontein |
| 10 | Friday, 10th April | Waratahs | Bulls | Sydney |
| 10 | Friday, 10th April | Blues | Lions | Auckland |
| 10 | Friday, 10th April | Force | Hurricanes | Perth |
| 10 | Friday, 10th April | Brumbies | Stormers | Canberra |
| 10 | Friday, 10th April | Highlanders | Reds | Dunedin |
| 11 | Friday, 17th April | Sharks | Crusaders | Durban |
| 11 | Friday, 17th April | Reds | Lions | Brisbane |
| 11 | Friday, 17th April | Brumbies | Bulls | Canberra |
| 11 | Friday, 17th April | Hurricanes | Stormers | Palmerston North |
| 11 | Friday, 17th April | Cheetahs | Chiefs | Bloemfontein |
| 11 | Friday, 17th April | Blues | Highlanders | Auckland |
| 11 | Saturday, 18th April | Waratahs | Force | Sydney |
| 12 | Friday, 24th April | Cheetahs | Crusaders | Bloemfontein |
| 12 | Friday, 24th April | Bulls | Chiefs | Pretoria |
| 12 | Friday, 24th April | Force | Lions | Perth |
| 12 | Friday, 24th April | Blues | Reds | Auckland |
| 12 | Friday, 24th April | Highlanders | Stormers | Dunedin |
| 12 | Friday, 24th April | Hurricanes | Brumbies | Wellington |
| 13 | Friday, 1st May | Sharks | Highlanders | Durban |
| 13 | Friday, 1st May | Lions | Crusaders | Johannesburg |
| 13 | Friday, 1st May | Cheetahs | Waratahs | Kimberley |
| 13 | Friday, 1st May | Hurricanes | Blues | Wellington |
| 13 | Friday, 1st May | Reds | Brumbies | Brisbane |
| 13 | Friday, 1st May | Stormers | Chiefs | Cape Town |
| 13 | Saturday, 2nd May | Bulls | Force | Pretoria |
| 14 | Friday, 8th May | Bulls | Cheetahs | Pretoria |
| 14 | Friday, 8th May | Brumbies | Blues | Canberra |
| 14 | Friday, 8th May | Crusaders | Reds | Christchurch |
| 14 | Friday, 8th May | Sharks | Waratahs | Durban |
| 14 | Friday, 8th May | Stormers | Force | Cape Town |
| 14 | Friday, 8th May | Chiefs | Hurricanes | Hamilton |
| 14 | Friday, 8th May | Lions | Highlanders | Johannesburg |
Boks press for ELV changes
The global battle that is the ELVs in Rugby continues as South Africa has fallen into line with the northern hemisphere insisting upon changing the ELVs to that of the global ELVs for next years Super 14.
Both Australia and New Zealand are happy to continue with the rules as per the Super 14 this year but the Boks are concerned as they will play the British Lions next year and the Spring tour with the global ELV laws.
The main difference between the two sets is that the ELVs used in the 2008 Super 14 award was that free kicks are awarded for offences that are generally penalties under the global ELVs. This is particularly visable around the ruck and breakdown where the free kicks have kept a fast paced Tri-Nations tourament and Super 14.
The debate will go on but the ELVs have a long way to go until the IRB make a final decision in August 2009 on whether to continue or not with the ELVs.
Rugby Poll: Who will win Rugby Tri-Nations decider?
Well a new Rugby Poll to start the week and we will run this right up to the day before the final Rugby Tri-Nations match between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane on Saturday 13th September.
The winner will take home the Tri-Nations trophy, for New Zealand a win will keep the Tri-Nations firmly in New Zealand, while a win for Australia will give them the Tri-Nations to add to their Mandela Plate trophy.
The match will be once again pitted as Graham Henry vs Robbie Deans. Should the Deans led Wallabies win then Henry may well be looking for a new job. Such is the pressure on the All Blacks a loss is seen as a failure in the rugby proud country.
The Wallabies will be extra keen to atone for their disaster in Johannesburg where the Boks annihilated the Wallabies 53-8. The team is feeling the pain and embarrasment of seemingly giving up and this clash will be their final chance to redeem themselves before the Bledisloe Cup clash in New Zealand ahead of the European rugby tour in November.
Plus to add extra sparkle the Bledisloe Cup is still alive and well. A win for the All Blacks secures them while a win for the Wallabies will keep the series open until the Hong Kong Bledisloe clash.
All these ingredigents should add up to a most interesting clash. Vote now in our Rugby Poll on Who will win the Rugby Tri-Nations decider?
Is Peter de Villiers arrogant or off the planet?
Peter de Villiers is perhaps one of the more unusual international coaches in the game at the moment but he is also prone to digging a hole for himself after each press conference he attends.
De Villiers has been slated by the press of late, particularly in South Africa where he has been bagged for trying to change the successful Springbok style of play to accomodate the change to the game with the new ELVs. De Villiers early attempts at this change in style have been poor but no new style can click from day one but it seems odd to change what has been successful for so long.
De Villiers has been dogmatic in his approach that he is right and that what he is aiming to achieve will be vindicated when it all comes together. De Villiers labelled the win against the Wallabies as a vindication of what he is trying to achieve and while it did not all click on his opinion it was a good start.
Peter de Villiers did not stop there and went on to say, “The same people who threw their robes on the ground when Jesus rode on a donkey were the same people who crowned him and hit him with sticks and stuff like that, and were the same people who said afterwards how we shouldn’t have done that, he’s the son of God. So that’s exactly what we do. You have to look at history is repeating itself, and I’m not saying that I’m God.”
Quite creative I think but De Villiers should perhaps not look at the game as an indication of where his style is taking the Boks but more a case of getting the basics right such as ball control, passing, kick game etc.
Everything worked while the Wallabies seemed badly off the pace, poor kicking, passing and lack of straight running. When a side such as the Boks fire and the opposite side does not then the score can clearly blow out quickly as we saw in the 53-8 drubbing.
However, the way the Boks played is nothing we have not seen before. The Boks have always been able to play an expansive game and with speed to burn can score tries from anywhere. All the Boks did was deliver which was not so much about De Villiers coaching but about the players getting their act together.
De Villiers could perhaps focus more on training and coaching rather than sharing his outlandish views with the press each time he speaks to them. It is like he is constantly looking for vindication from whoever will listen that he knows what he is doing and will be successful. De Villiers is blessed with a fantastic squad and amazing depth, their is no excuse for failing with the squad at his disposal.
So what do you think, Is Peter de Villiers arrogant or off the planet?
Rugby Tri-Nations: South Africa 53 Australia 8 Video Highlights
The Springboks were devastating easily turning in their best performance of the year in their destruction of the Wallabies in an eight try to one effort. The Wallabies were only in the match for the first five minutes until the Boks to total control of the match,
Check out the video highlights below from the match.
South Africa flag interest in hosting Rugby World Cup
South Africa have indicated they intend to bid for the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup. The South African Rugby board decided at their recent board meeting that they were intending to bid in a hope they will be able to host one of the next two Rugby World Cup’s. The IRB will announce the hosts for the 2015 & 2019 World Cup at the same time next year.
The South African’s may be able to leverage off the Football World Cup in 2010 as the infrastructure will be in place for the South African RUgby board to leverage off in their bid application.
Percy Montgomery retires after 102 appearances
Percy Montgomery retired today after a record 102 test’s for the South African Springboks. Montgomery, 34, holds the record for the most caps for the Springboks retires after a long and successful career where he holds the Springboks point scoring record of 893 points his place in South African Rugby is guaranteed.
Montgomery made his debut in 1997 against the British Lions and quickly established himself as a point scoring machine for the Boks. Montgomery would have clocked up many more appearances but spent two years in exile when he moved to the United Kingdom to continue his rugby career.
Montgomery got what he deserved for such a distinguished career and went out on a high with the Springboksa 53-8 victory over the Wallabies in Johannesburg. Montgomery will continue his career next year for the Stormers in the Super 14.
The Ruck and Maul congratulates Percy Montgomery for his achievements and his wonderful international career.
Rugby Tri-Nations: South Africa 53 Australia 8
The Springboks were sensational in their massacre of the Wallabies as they ripped them to shreads all around the ground running away with a 53-8 record breaking victory in front of 54,219 fans. This was the Boks side that promised so much at the start of the Rugby Tri-Nations but failed to deliver until tonight the result that this talented side was capable of producing.
The Boks gave their fans in Johannesburg a rousing final home test for the year as the Wallabies had no answers to the firepower in the forwards or the speed of the backs in a blistering performance. For the Boks it was hard to single out any one player such was the amazing team effort.
For the Wallabies it was hard to pick a good performer with George Smith, Brett Sheehan, Ryan Cross, James Horwill, Stephen Moore and Adam Ashley-Cooper the only players that could hold their head up after the loss. The fact that the majority of them came off the bench tells you a clear story.
Robbie Deans must be lamenting the performance of the Wallabies after their win last week in Durban, their 45 year hoodoo will continue and is unlikely to be broken unless the Wallabies came bring considerably more to any future encounters in Johannesburg.
The Wallabies were let down continually by the lack of experience by Tahu who was continually exploited with poor positional play and the performance by Polota-Nau in lineout was terrible. The absense of George Smith was clear as Phil Waugh tried valiently but could not produce the heroics of Smith in previous tests.
The performance of Dunning was that terrible that Deans did the near unthinkable by replacing him after 31 minutes. This was a clear reaction to the poor performance early on in the scrum and also the lack of involvement from Dunning around the ground.
The game started vigorously with both sides launching themselves at each other with the vigour and passion that was lacking from the match last week. The first points of the match came to Giteau who converted after 5 mins from a clear professional foul by Butch James who was ruled offside.
The South African’s soon kicked into top gear and the Wallabies had no answers at the Boks scored two tries to Bekker and Nokwe in three minutes after tearing holes through the Wallaby defence with rampaging runs and vigorous work at the breakdown.
The Wallabies had no answers on to the intensity of the Boks and the backrow of Burger, Spies and Smith dominated the breakdown. The Australian Wallabies were ineffective, lacking numbers and were blown away by the Boks backrow.
Both sides butchered certain tries in the first half but on the back of the dropped ball by Spies on the tryline the Springboks won the ball against the feed and through several phases launched the ball wide for Nokwe to score again out wide. The South Africans were out to a 17-3 lead after only 26 minutes. It was soon extended to a 20-3 lead after James converted a penalty.
The Wallabies were desperate and replaced Dunning after 31 minutes in a clear sign of the dominace of the Boks at the scrum and in general play. Baxter was unable to make any impact before the Boks scored again after stetching the Wallabies off the back of the lineout and using the width of the field to allow Nokwe to score again virtually strolling over the tryline in the 35th minute. James converted and the Boks were blitzing the Wallabies at 27-3, which was the score at half-time.
If the result was in any doubt just after the break then it only took 4 minutes for Jean de Villiers to flip a fantastic pass to Adrian Jacobs who sprinted 30 metres to score off the back of a scrum. In the 50th minute the Boks scored again with a kick ahead by Janjtes off the back of another scrum that allowed Nokwe to score his 4th try of the match.
The Wallabies were killing themselves with their inability to secure lineout with terrible throwing from the lineout from Polota-Nau and their inability to muscle up at the scrum and breakdown.
It took till the 56th minute for the Wallabies to finally show some urgency after Australia secured their first lineout ball since the 22nd minute and it was the new legs of George Smith, Stephen Moore and Drew Mitchell that got the Wallabies on the board with a Mitchell try.
The South African’s soon extended their lead to 46-8 after another easy try to the promising Ruan Pienaar who stepped through the Wallabies defense as though he was going on a walk in the park such was the lack of intensity from the Wallabies.
The final insult which gave the Boks a record winning margin was a try to Odwa Ndungane after another break through a Wallaby defence that had gone home early as Roussow got on the outside of his man to give Odwa Ndungane a gift try, the conversion was the final insult for the Wallabies and capped of the best performance of the season for the Springboks.
South Africa 53
Tries: Jongi Nokwe 4, Andries Bekker, Adrian Jacobs, Ruan Piennar, Odwa Ndungane
Goals: Butch James 3 conversions, penalty and Percy Montgomery 2 conversions
Australia 8
Tries: Drew Mitchell
Goals: Matt Giteau conversion
Rugby Poll: Best Openside Flanker
The Ruck and Maul’s Rugby Poll on who our visitors think is the best openside flanker in the game at the moment is doing showing a clear win to Richie McCaw.
RIchie McCaw is widely hailed the best flanker in the game and it seems our visitors have no doubt McCaw is the best in the game. At the time of writing this article we have had 37 votes, with Richie McCaw scoring 50%, George Smith 22%, Schalk Burger 11% and Other 8%.
If you have not voted yet, vote now before our next new Poll starts. This Poll will stay open on our Polls page for a while to allow visitors to keep voting should they wish to nominate their favourite openside flanker in world Rugby.
British Lions 2009 Tour Dates
THe British Lions will tour South Africa in 2009. The British Lions tours are one of the best touring occasions in Rugby and the chance to see a Lions outfit is always highly recommended.
In 2009 thr British Lions will play 10 matches in South Africa, including three tests against the Springboks.
Below are the tour dates for the British Lions 2009 tour of South Africa;
| 30 May 2009 | Highveld XV vs British Lions | Rustenburg |
| 3 June 2009 | Golden Lions vs British Lions | Johannesburg |
| 6 June 2009 | Cheetahs vs British Lions | Bloemfontein |
| 10 June 2009 | Sharks vs British Lions | Durban |
| 13 June 2009 | Western Province vs British Lions | Cape Town |
| 16/17 June 2009 | Coastal XV vs British Lions | Port Elizabeth |
| 20 June 2009 | South Africa vs British Lions | Durban |
| 23 June 2009 | Emerging Springboks vs British Lions | Cape Town |
| 27 June 2009 | South Africa vs British Lions | Pretoria |
| 4 July 2009 | South Africa vs British Lions | Johannesburg |